Wacom MobileStudio Pro Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Darren Higgins/Wacom
I never reviewed the Wacom Cintiq Companion, the company’s pressure-sensitive Windows tablet that doubles as a second computer display, because it seemed too clunky and underpowered for the price when it launched three years ago. Now, thanks to the popularity of more pen-friendly operating systems and applications plus vastly improved tablet hardware, it seems like a much better time for a product like the Cintiq Companion. Wacom has really upped its game for the rebranding and expansion of its line of tablets for creatives, the Wacom MobileStudio Pro — also a much better name — though they’re still pretty expensive.
Expected to ship by the end of November, the MobileStudio will have six configurations, four 13.3-inch and two 15.6-inch models. All run Windows 10 and use a new stylus, the Pro Pen 2, which has improved precision, less lag and 8,192 levels of sensitivity. (I think– the company says “4x” the previous model. Even 4,096 would be great, though.) Wacom’s MobileStudio Pro tablets look more like their desktop Intuos equivalents than competitors like the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, with the same controls.
The MobileStudio 13 models have IPS (in-plane switching), 2.5K displays with gamuts rated at 96 percent of Adobe RGB. Prices vary with storage capacity: $1,500 for a 64GB SSD, $1,800 for 128GB, $2,000 for 256GB and $2,500 for 512GB. (I don’t have any UK or AU pricing, but directly converted those are about £1,180, £1,415, £1,570, £1,965 and AU$1,970, AU$2,360, AU$2,625, AU$3,280.)
The MobileStudio 16 models use a 4K (UHD resolution) display rated at 94 percent Adobe RGB. The cheaper $2,400 model incorporates an Nvidia Quadro M600M processor with 2GB of video RAM and a 256GB SSD, while the $3,000 model has an Nvidia Quadro M1000M with 4GB of video RAM and a 512GB SSD. (Directly converted, £1,885, £2,360 and AU$3,150, AU$3,935. ) The MobileStudio 16 and the most expensive MobileStudio 13 models include an Intel RealSense 3D camera.
Obviously, there are still ton of details and specifications we need to know before really understanding what Wacom’s got here — I mean, how much does that 15.6-inch model weigh? I do know that you’ll still be able to use the old $50 (£45 and AU$50) Bluetooth-connecting Cintiq Companion keyboard, so you’ll be able to get your non-artsy work done, too.
Sony PlayStation VR review – CNET
The Good The PlayStation VR is the most accessible, affordable and user-friendly full VR option on the market. Sony has promised support from a long list of developers down the track but the immediate launch games are pretty solid as well.
The Bad Its single-camera tracking system occasionally feels lacking and you may have trouble when you turn around. The PSVR’s graphical fidelity is occasionally noticeably lower than what’s possible with HTC Vive and Oculus Rift.
The Bottom Line While the motion tracking trails its PC VR counterparts, Sony’s PlayStation VR otherwise crams a solid and satisfying virtual reality experience into an existing PS4 game console.
2016 has lived up to its billing as the “year of virtual reality,” with products at the high end (HTC Vive and Oculus Rift) and in the mobile arena (Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, Google Daydream) offering VR options across the spectrum.
Now a new contender appears, with an established brand and a gigantic install base. The PlayStation VR, available October 13, represents the most accessible path to VR if only because every one of the roughly 45 million PlayStation 4 owners already has half the required hardware.
It’s also the only “full” VR system — that is, one with spatial and motion tracking — that’ll get you up and running from scratch for under $700, £630 or AU$1,050. By itself, if you already have a PS4, it’s $399, £349 or AU$550. The combined cost (PC plus headset) for Oculus and Vive currently sits north of $1,200.
To be sure, this is an expensive toy and certainly not for everyone. In fact, Sony says it’s not designed for kids 12 years and under. But considering its price and the fact that you may already have half the hardware sitting in your living room, the PSVR presents a very compelling proposition.
Combine that with PlayStation’s well-established distribution platform, close relationship to the developers crafting these VR experiences and quality control, and the PSVR is a more worry-free answer to the potentially confusing world of PC-based VR.
View full gallery The first time setting up PSVR took 10 minutes. Sarah Tew/CNET
Setup
Setting up either of the two existing PC-connected VR rigs isn’t pretty. The same goes with the PSVR. It’s not an overly complicated process, but the interconnected wired web that results isn’t necessarily something you can tuck away out of sight.
You’ll need an extra outlet to power the PSVR’s processor unit and you’ll also need to devote one of the PS4’s two USB slots so that it can talk to the console. The unit is about the size of three CD jewel cases stacked on top of each other — this of course needs a place to live as well.
The whole thing took me about 10 minutes to connect my first time. When it’s all done and dusted, what you’re left with feels inelegant and messy, but part of VR is being tethered to a long wire. That’s just where the tech is right now. Compared to the Rift and Vive, the PSVR is no better or worse in that department.
Buying the standard $399 PSVR kit assumes you already own a PlayStation Camera and two Move controllers. You absolutely need the camera to use the PSVR and two Move controllers are all but required. If you don’t possess these items you’ll need to purchase them separately. But don’t do that. For $499, Sony sells a bundle that includes everything you need — save for a PS4 — and packs-in the mini-game collection VR Worlds as a bonus. It’s a good deal if you’re missing some of the prerequisites.
With everything connected and the headset on, I was surprised that booting up the PS4 didn’t force me to start any kind of in-depth setup. A few quick adjustments and I was mostly ready to go. When you press the headset’s inline power button, the console switches into VR mode which shifts the menu screen to the headset and mirrors a lower res version of what you’re seeing onto the TV.
View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET
Intuitive icons explain that you can recenter the home screen if you need to at any time (which is probably something I do at least twice a session). Instead of a general initial setup, most software will activate a number of calibration check marks so that you get the best optimal performance for that specific experience. Long story short, at the very least you’ll probably be doing some kind of minimal adjustment to your VR play area each time you play. The more I played, the more I learned which games needed more finessing than others.
In the manual, Sony says you need approximately a 10 by 6 foot area (about 3 by 2 meters) needed for play, but I was able to get it working fine in a space only about 7 by 4 foot (about 2 by 1.5 meters). The PSVR seems relaxed about how much space you need, and even a few square feet of floor space could end up working for a handful of games.
Included with our review kit was a PowerA $50 stand — think mannequin head — to hold and organize all of the PSVR accessories. It’s actually something worth checking out because there’s not a really good place to store all of these items when you’re not using them. The stand also charges two Move controllers and a DualShock4 PlayStation controller simultaneously. It has a spot to hang the headset too, but it tends to droop down too much.
View full gallery
The PowerA charging stand ($50).
Sarah Tew/CNET
Lastly, if you’re at all concerned about HDR compatibility, the PSVR’s processing unit will not pass an HDR signal through. You’ll need to use a direct HDMI connection for HDR to work whether you’re using a PS4 or PS4 Pro.
What is experiencing PSVR really like?
The question I get asked most about PSVR is, “Does it work?” Make no mistake: I let out an audible gasp the first time I tried Batman Arkham VR. It felt similar to the first time I demoed the HTC Vive Portal: Aperture Robot Repair demo. That feeling of shocking immersion is certainly ever-present. The PSVR lets you escape the world you currently occupy and warp into a fully 3D artificial existence. It works.
But, it can also make you dizzy. If the camera isn’t tracking you well, the artificial floor can start to drift while playing. That’s a weird feeling! It feels like you’re drunk and can’t hold yourself up.
View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET
Judging from my limited time with Oculus Rift but hours with the HTC Vive, I found the overall experience to be in the same ballpark as the other “full VR” hardware out there. I say this as it relates to the VR immersion — not necessarily the visual fidelity. The Rift and Vive offer slightly higher screen resolutions and variable performance depending on PC specs. The PSVR, on the other hand, is locked into the same performance across the board because it’s powered by a PS4.
Solid headset, controllers are just OK
The best part of the PSVR is its headset. Out of all the VR headsets I’ve worn I think this is the most comfortable, but certainly not the lightest. The headset has a slightly plasticky feel to it, but I wouldn’t call it cheap. It seems to be able to adjust to most head sizes (note: I have what some call an enormous head and it fits fine) and I like its retractable band adjuster and sliding viewfinder. That said, I can’t wear it — or any other VR headset — for more than 30 to 45 minutes tops, without getting the overwhelming sense that I need to take a break.
It’s easy to muck up the lenses in the headset. Whether it was my eyelashes or just accidental smudges from adjusting it for comfort, I found myself cleaning the two lenses a lot. There’s an included shammy for doing just that.
And then there’s the sweating. Am I a person who sweats a lot normally? Yes. But everyone I’ve let try this thing ends up with a nice moist patch above their eyebrows. That’s just the way it is. Is it a deal breaker? Not at all. Just don’t spend an hour with the PSVR immediately before you need to look somewhat presentable.
View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET
I do like that the headset has inline buttons to control volume. This is also where you plug in the included earbuds (you can also bring your own, but you won’t get the PSVR’s 3D audio). It’s easy to tangle yourself up in the wires from the buds too, which can be frustrating if you accidentally rip them out.
The controllers and room tracking, as they’re currently set up, leave a little to be desired. More often than not, something needs adjusting. The camera seems to have a difficult time tracking movement of the Move wands when you’ve turned around 180 degrees because the lenses physically can’t see them. It feels like the system tries to guestimate where they might be located when out of sight, but we’re not entirely sure what’s going on in these situations.
The Nexus line is dead, says Android chief
The Pixel will be like any other Android phone in one important area.
Google’s Nexus line is dead, says Hiroshi Lockheimer, head of Android engineering at Google.
The Google executive spoke to Bloomberg about the decision this week as it launched its own Pixel phones, saying that “there is no plan right now to do more Nexus devices,” squashing the persistent rumors that the company was working with Huawei to built a Nexus 7 tablet successor.
The move is not surprising for Google, since it has been endeavoring to build more of its own hardware in recent years. From the Chromecast to the Chromebook Pixel and Android-powered Pixel C, the company can count as many successes as it can failures, but the interesting part about this focus on smartphone hardware is that it believes it can coexist peacefully with the likes of Samsung and LG.
Google’s internal hardware team will be treated similarly to any other Android OEM, including rivals Samsung and LG.
“Rick [Osterloh, new head of first-party hardware at Google] and his team will use our platform, but they will also work very closely with Google’s Search team, or the Maps team, or the Assistant team in ways that perhaps other OEMs may not want to,” says Lockheimer. In other words, Google’s hardware team will be treated similarly to any other Android OEM — the way Osterloh used to function when he ran Motorola within Google just a few years ago. Essentially, Google has built a mini Moto within its own battlements.
“Samsung tells us confidential information about their product lineup, their plans,” Lockheimer notes. “We won’t tell LG that, and vice versa. That continues. Everyone is treated the same, including Rick’s team.”
That is perhaps the most interesting takeaway from the move to Pixel. Instead of partnering with OEMs on Nexus products each year, Google has instead built a silo inside the company, separating the hardware division — under Osterloh — from Lockheimer and the Android team.
Most people won’t notice the difference — a non-curious Pixel user will merely understand that he or she is using a phone built by Google running Google software — but the enthusiasts among us have questions. For instance, if Google is treating its hardware division the same as Samsung and LG, what will this mean for updates? Google has already broken tradition by releasing the Pixel features that won’t come to last year’s Nexus devices in their entirety.
While the Nexus 5X and 6P will reportedly be upgraded to Android 7.1 later this year through a developer preview, they are unlikely to get the Assistant built into the core OS, relying on legacy versions of Google Now and Now on Tap, recently renamed “Feed” and “Screen search” respectively, in its place.
While the Nexus 5X and 6P will be updated to Android 7.1 at some point, they probably won’t get the features that Google is using to sell the Pixel phones to consumers.
That Lockheimer claims that Osterloh’s internal hardware division will be “treated the same” as any other Android OEM is interesting, because the Pixel phones are being touted as the successors to the Nexus line in terms of updates. But whether those updates will be freely available on Google’s developer portal for people to sideload, as they can with a Nexus 6P today, remains to be seen. It’s also unclear how the Pixel phones will interface with Google’s own developer community, whether the unlocked versions will function as testing devices for people ravenous for the latest and greatest source code. Google I/O, the company’s annual developer conference, may look very different if the Pixel is treated as just any other Android phone, especially given the Android team’s enthusiasm for releasing technical previews well in advance of the final versions’ public release.
Google toed this line two years ago with the development of Android Silver, which was scrapped shortly before launch in favor of continuing the partnership approach — with Motorola. At the time, head of Android engineering, Dave Burke, told ReadWrite that there have always been “two outputs” for Android code.
We’re building a Nexus device and we’re building the open source code. There is no way you can build the open source code without the phone or tablet or whatever you are building. You have to live and breathe the code you are developing.
You can’t build a platform in the abstract, you have to build a device (or devices). So, I don’t think can can or will ever go away. And then, I think Nexus is also interesting in that it is a way of us explaining how we think Android should run. It is a statement, almost a statement of purity in some respects. I don’t see why we would ever turn away from that, it wouldn’t make sense.
It’s clear how the narrative has changed since then, as Google ramped up the design and production of its first smartphone line. The Pixels are less about “a statement of purity” as they are about Google finally being opinionated about how it feels a smartphone should look, feel, and operate.
While Google hasn’t given us any reason to think that the Pixels won’t naturally succeed the Nexus line from an update perspective, many of the restrictions imposed on Osterloh’s team may have unintended consequences, and may put off fans of the Nexus program, who will no longer be able to cling onto their flawed heroes of yesterday.
Google Pixel + Pixel XL
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL hands-on preview
- In pictures: Google Pixel and Pixel XL
- Pixel + Pixel XL specs
- Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
- Verizon is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the Google Pixels
- Join the discussion in the forums!
Google Store
Digital Offers: Secure your devices with SaferVPN for just $49
Using publicly available Wi-Fi can be amazingly convenient. But, it’s also fraught with security issues. Connecting to an unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspot makes you vulnerable to hackers who can gain access to all your passwords, banking information, and anything other private information.
If your phone automatically connects to available Wi-Fi networks, your phone might be connecting while in your pocket and opening up your data without you even knowing. Your options are to be way more careful about connecting your devices to open Wi-Fi networks or keep yourself with a layer of VPN protection. Of course, VPN subscriptions can also be quite expensive.
But that’s why we’re really excited to share this deal from Android Central Digital Offers. You can get a lifetime subscription to SaferVPN for just $49 and not only get a secure VPN connection for all of your devices, but also automatic Wi-Fi security with you wherever you go.
SaferVPN has an application for all your devices, whether they be Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS X, or Chrome, and you’re able to connect two devices simultaneously. Using 400 dedicated servers on over 30 countries worldwide, SaferVPN provides unlimited bandwidth, data and server switching to all its subscribers. Like other VPNs, it works to get around geo-locked content online. But then there’s the advanced Wi-Fi security, which is entirely unique to SaferVPN and automatically activate an encrypted VPN channel whenever your device connects to an unsecured Wi-Fi network. It takes the guesswork and worry out of staying secure when you’re using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
If you were to subscribe to SaferVPN for 30 years, you’d end up spending $1,800! But for a limited time only, you can get your lifetime subscription for just $49 — a 97% discount! So what are you waiting for? Buy now and keep your devices and data secure for life!
See at Android Central Offers
First comparison: Google Pixel XL vs iPhone 7 Plus
Google and Apple are going head to head in a big way.
There can be no doubt that Google’s new Pixel phones are all about competing directly with Apple and its iPhone. After years of letting hardware partners focus on specs and disparate features, Google has a top-of-the-line phone with a set of software features that are guaranteed to stand out in an increasingly crowded market. These are phones promising unlimited free photo backup, a deeply integrated AI, and software updates that are not only timely but install in the background with no effort on the user’s behalf.
This creates a scenario that even diehard Apple fans are forced to sit back and appreciate, and when it comes to hardware we’ve now got a quick look at how the Very Black Pixel XL looks next to the Black iPhone 7 Plus. Take a look!
On the inside
We’ve all seen the renders, and a significant number of you walked away with a single though in your head: “This thing looks like an iPhone.” As is all too often the case, these renders do the real Pixel XL little justice. Picking this phone up reveals a unique overall feel, not quite like any other phone out there right now. The tapers on the edges are less dramatic than the HTC 10, and as a result make the phone feel almost as curvy as a Note 7. The metal body offers a nice grippy texture, and the bezels are thin enough that you can feel confident you’re gripping the phone while using it with one hand.
It’s a significant departure from the iPhone 7 Plus, whose bezels are large enough that reaching across is difficult. Both of these phones rock a 5.5-inch display, but the Pixel XL itself is noticeably more comfortable to hold and use. The glass at the top offers a nice tactile differentiation, and happens to look pretty great, too.
While we know the actual manufacturer of Google’s Pixel XL is HTC, you won’t find their branding anywhere near this device. According to Google, every inch of the Pixel was designed internally. These are Google’s phones inside and out, making them the closest thing to Apple’s setup we’ve seen since the beginning of Android. While we’re not seeing any totally custom chips like Apple’s A10 Fusion, the specs here are plenty impressive.
| Operating System | Android 7.1 with Google UI | iOS 10.2 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 | Apple A10 Fusion |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 5.5-inch AMOLED 2560×1440 | 5.5-inch 1920×1080 IPS |
| Rear Camera | 12MP ƒ/2.01.55-micron pixelsPDAF, Laser Autofocus | 12MP wide-angle (ƒ/1.8 aperture) and telephoto (ƒ/2.8 aperture) Optical zoom at 2x, digital zoom up to 10x Optical image stabilization, Quad-LED True Tone flash |
| Front camera | 8MP | 7MP |
| Battery | 3450mAh non-removable | 2900mAh non-removable |
| Charging | Fast charging | Standard charging |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C, Bluetooth 4.2 | Lightning, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | 32GB/128GB | 32GB/128GB/256GB |
| IP rating | IP53 | IP67 |
| Colors | Quite Black, Very Silver, Really Blue | Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Black, Jet Black |
| Price | $769 | $769 |
Specs rarely tell you the whole story, and there’s going to be a lot of questions in need of answering when we actually get an extended period of time with the Pixel XL. Apple frequently demonstrates an ability to do more with less when it comes to battery, and while the Pixel’s AMOLED display is very good, Apple’s 1080p display is still one of the nicest LCD panels out there. There’s also the Snapdragon 821 processor, which claims to be 10% faster in most tests than the Snapdragon 820, but it’s likely not as capable overall as Apple’s ridiculous A10 Fusion chip in a straight performance test.
With zero shutter lag and HDR+ enabled by default, that camera comparison is going to be very interesting.
One particularly interesting note on this spec sheet, and something we’re all very eager to try, is the camera on the Pixel XL. Despite having the slightly narrower f/2.0 aperture, DXOMark claims this is the best smartphone camera in existence today. Google was quick to trumpet the superiority over the iPhone 7 in their presentation, but the iPhone 7 Plus has an extra trick with the second “zoom” sensor-lens combo on the back. This feature allows for the equivalent of 2x optical zoom, along with a “portrait” mode that is currently in beta, which competes with Google’s artificially-generated Lens Blur feature in its camera app. On thing we can say for sure is most of the time you’ll be able to launch the camera faster on the Pixel XL thanks to a dedicated double-press of the power button from anywhere. Combined with zero shutter lag and HDR+ enabled by default, we can’t wait to see the results.
Google’s Pixel phones also lack any real form of waterproofing, which isn’t great when you consider the price tag and the phones Google is competing with. Both Samsung and Apple stepped up their waterproofing game this year, and in this respect Google lagging behind is noticeable. This isn’t likely to be a big deal to everyone — at least until the phone is dropped in a puddle.
How all of this shakes out for real world testing is uncertain, but in our brief time with both the iPhone 7 and Pixel XL we learned that they look and feel nothing alike in person, and both offer truly compelling hardware packages at premium price tags. Identical price tags, as a matter of fact. It’s almost like that was done on purpose.
On the inside
While arguing iOS vs Android is mostly a waste of time, the Pixel experience promises something very different from your average Android experience. While Google is choosing to compete on some features — it has just realized Duo and Allo to take on Facetime and iMessage, respectively — it seems like there’s a significant cultural difference between going all in with Google versus going all in with Apple.
The two phones have identical price tags — almost like it was done on purpose.
Apple’s big focus right now is on protecting user data by doing most AI-based calculations on the device itself. That means those features exist locally and often don’t communicate with other apps phone; the benefit is that cloud data breaches don’t affect your personal data.
Google, on the other hand, wants you to be constantly connected and aims to improve your experience by offering features that work everywhere — and better, as you feed it more information. Google wants to build a personal experience just for you by sharing parts of your experience with all of the apps you use in the most secure way they can manage. Apple wants to offer you better ways to use Apple products, often at the expense of interoperability.
Is one better than the other? There’s no easy answer to the question, and that answer certainly doesn’t apply to everyone. For now, Google is offering unlimited free full resolution backups for all your photos and video, an AI that learns as you interact with it, and immediate software updates that download in the background and install automatically without any real time or effort from you. To some extent, Apple — even with iCloud Photo Library, Siri, and constant updates — doesn’t offer as mature an experience across all of those categories, and that’s what could really make the Pixel phones enticing to all people, even those with iPhones in their hands.
Has Google made the “iPhone killer” or a clone that is likely to be less interesting? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Google Pixel + Pixel XL
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL hands-on preview
- In pictures: Google Pixel and Pixel XL
- Pixel + Pixel XL specs
- Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
- Verizon is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the Google Pixels
- Join the discussion in the forums!
Google Store
PlayStation VR review roundup: Here’s what others have to say about PSVR!
The first reviews are in for the anticipated PSVR; things are looking good!
As the console world’s first foray into the virtual world, Sony’s PlayStation VR has a lot riding on its shoulders. Does it live up to the hype? Will it serve as a great introduction to VR? Can it compete with the already-established Oculus Rift and HTC Vive?
We’ve rounded up a collection of written and video reviews to help you form an overall opinion of PSVR.
For more VR news and how-tos, don’t forget to head over to VRHeads.
Destructoid
Like most Sony related accessories, we basically have to hope it doesn’t give up on it too soon. There’s a future where Sony gets a year lead on a dominant VR landscape where even casual consumers are picking up a device, and there’s another (darker?) timeline a year from now where developers have abandoned it, instead relegating the headset to hour-long minigames as side experiences.
Check out Destructoid’s full review
Digital Trends
While PSVR offers limited power and options compared to Rift and Vive, it is still a worthy “full VR” experience, offering the kind of virtual reality that can trick you into thinking you’re somewhere else. You can look over the edge of a cliff, dive at the bottom of the ocean, or even fly.
Check out the full Digital Trends review
DigitalFoundry
engadget
Good on Sony for actually delivering a decent VR headset that comes in much cheaper than the competition. It’s even more impressive that it managed to get a decent amount of developers onboard for the initial push. Nonetheless, the PS VR is hard to recommend for most people. Even if you’re intrigued by virtual reality, it’s worth waiting for prices to go down and for the overall market to settle.
Check out the full engadget review
Game Informer
The first question many have about PlayStation VR is how it stacks up to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and the quick answer is as expected: PlayStation VR is not as great as its main competitors. If you want to go all-in on virtual reality, money is no object, and you have an extra room in your house, then HTC Vive is the one I would personally recommend. That person is rare, however, and they probably bought a Vive back in April. The PlayStation 4 may lack in some areas such as screen resolution and controller-tracking, but this is modern virtual reality as we’ve come to define it. The headset offers a genuine sense of presence in its worlds and offers experiences unlike anything you’ve ever played before in the console space.
Check out the full Game Informer review
Gamespot
With Playstation VR, Sony has built the device and platform that has the power to bring VR to the forefront. Playstation VR is simple to use, and relatively affordable for millions of people. It’s technically impressive enough to be convincing, and most importantly, it already has really fun games you can play.
Check out the full Gamespot review
Gizmodo
But here’s the deal. Despite the fact that the headset’s hardware and tracking are less impressive than what’s offered by competitors, Playstation VR still wins because it has the best line up of games on any VR system. Ever.
Check out the full Gizmodo review
IGN
Sony has managed to make its lower-priced PlayStation VR headset competitive where it counts. Despite its relatively low resolution it looks very good in games, and the headset is comfortable to wear and easy to use after you’ve dealt with its many wires. Paired with the Move controllers it provides good but sometimes flakey motion tracking on your hands, but the PlayStation Camera’s limited viewing angle is a weakness, and so is its inability to see behind you.
Check out the full IGN review
PCMag
Polygon
Push Square
Tech Radar
In three short years, Sony has taken PlayStation VR from the ground floor of development to an industry-leading product. PlayStation VR is a wholly new platform that embodies so much of what made the original PlayStation so great – it’s innovative, smart and easy-to-use. It’s affordable and already has one or two must-play titles. It’s a far cry from a complete package – and in some ways fails to live up to the high bar set by the HTC Vive – but, for $200/£150 less than an Oculus Rift, I’m not complaining.
Check out the full Tech Radar review
TechCrunch
The PS VR is a truly transformative piece of consumer hardware. Virtual reality tech has existed for decades but price has always held it back from the real world users. At $399 for the headset and around $800 for the entire package, PlayStation VR finally takes the PC out of the equation and delivers positionally-tracked, high quality VR to real consumers.
Check out the full TechCrunch review
The Verge
Trusted Reviews
PlayStation VR is simply the best virtual reality headset you can buy right now. It’s cheap while not compromising on performance and quality. The headset is simply stunning and incredibly comfortable to wear, and the games already available are some of the best VR experiences I’ve ever played.
Check out the full Trusted Reviews review
VideoGamerTV
Your experience
Have you have a chance to try out PSVR? What was your opinion? Let us know in the comments section below!
If you’d like more intelligent discussion about PSVR, check out the VRHeads forum!
Best Workout Cases for Galaxy Note 7
Whats the best way to work out with your Galaxy Note 7?
Working out in 2016 means you’re going to want your phone with you at all times — whether it’s for music to keep you energized while you run or lift weights, or so you can confirm plans with friends for later in the evening.
The most popular way to carry a smartphone while you work out is with an armband case. If you’ve got a Galaxy Note 7, you’re going to need one that can accommodate phones with 5.7-inch screens. We’ve broken down some of your best options.
- MoKo Sports Running Armband
- TuneBand Go
- Armpocket Mega i-40 Plus
- Belkin Fitness Belt
MoKo Sports Running Armband
Designed to be lightweight and comfortable, the MoKo Sports Running Armband is a great budget option that will hold your Note 7 securely. Made from sweatproof materials and featuring an adjustable velcro band which supports arm girth from 10.8 to 16.5 inches, the MoKo band should fit comfortably on an average sized arm. It also features a slot for a house key, as well as an interior pocket for storing a credit card and/or some folded bills, so you can head out for a run with peace of mind.
See at Amazon
TuneBand Go
This is one we’ve recommended in previous workout band articles, and there’s a lot to like here. The TuneBand Go is a universal workout armband and will accommodate your Note 7 even with a slim case on. In fact, it’s recommended that you use this armband with a case, so that the clips around the corner only make contact with the case and not the phone itself. It comes with two armbands that will fit arms from 8 to 18 inches in diameter. For its wide range of compatibility and smart design, the TuneBand Go may just be the last workout armband you ever need to buy.
See at Amazon
Armpocket Mega i-40 Plus Armband
The Armpocket Mega i-40 Plus was designed to carry everything you’d want on you for your run, with versatility to be used with big phones such as the Note 7 — even if you use a case. Everything is kept secure in the zip-up pouch, which holds your phone tight to the touch-through screen with a silicone strap and also includes space for a key and slots for cards and folded bills. The armband is made of soft moisture-resistant bamboo-rayon mesh fabric and available in three sizes, but you’ll probably want to go to with the largest option just to be safe. It’s machine washable with solid build quality, but at $50 might be a bit pricey for some.
See at Amazon
Belkin Fitness Belt
While armbands are the norm for working out with your phone, you do have other options such as the Belkin Fitness Belt. It’s essentially a more stylish take on the fanny pack, that allows you to carry your phone, keys, energy gel and whatever else you want to put in the stretchable pouch. There are three compartment on the belt to help keep things organized, and with it’s no-slip design you’ll be able to wear it comfortably around your waist (adjustable up to 44 inches) without worrying about it slipping. The one downside about the fitness belt is the lack of a buckle or clasp, meaning you’ll have to step into it or pull it down over your head. If you don’t like the armband look or feel, Belkin’s Fitness Belt might be a better fit.
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Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Galaxy Note 7 recall: Everything you need to know
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
- Here are all four Note 7 colors
- Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
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Best Pixel and Pixel XL cases: Protect your new Google phone
Google announced its Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones at its October 4 event, revealing the new Android poster boys for all the world to see.
The two devices take over from the popular Nexus range and they bring premium designs, flagship specs, and all the latest features Google has to offer with Android Nougat.
The front of the Pixel and Pixel XL is clean and fuss free, while the rear of the two devices features a combination of metal and glass, with the latter housing a fingerprint sensor and a rear camera that sits flush to the device.
As we always say though, keeping lovely-looking smartphones looking lovely is no easy task. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible without a case of some sort offering some protection unless you are super careful. Luckily there are a few case options out there already for the Pixel and Pixel XL, with some of the most exciting actually coming from Google itself on this occasion.
No doubt more Pixel and Pixel XL cases will appear over the next couple of months so as usual, we will be adding to this feature as more catch our eye.
For now though, click here for the best Pixel and Pixel XL cases we have found so far.
ICYMI: The selfie-obsessed can verify online ID with photos
Today on In Case You Missed It: Mastercard is introducing a way to verify online purchases, by sending a link to the user’s cell phone, which then walks them through taking a selfie and blinking on command to show they’re a real human. Meanwhile Google unleashed a slew of new products at its Developer’s Conference in San Francisco, here’s the full scoop on the new phone.
Toyota’s cute little robot is available only in Japan but sure is darling, the video is here. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Wacom’s new hybrid tablets pack power and a more accurate stylus
Wacom is no stranger to standalone graphics tablets. After years of outfitting artists with pen tablets and displays for working on a desktop machine or laptop, the company debuted both Android and Windows versions of the Cintiq Companion in 2013. A year and a half later, Wacom revamped the Windows version with the Cintiq Companion 2 in early 2015. Now the company has another take on the standalone tablet that doubles as a pen display: the Mobile Studio Pro. Wacom actually refers to new duo as “mobile pen computers,” but they still carry the appearance of a large tablet.
The MobileStudio Pro comes in two models: 13 and 16. That former tablet is sized at 13.3 inches while the latter ticks the tape at 15.6 inches. Both sizes pack in Intel processors and run Windows 10, meaning full desktop versions of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and other pro design software is accessible on the mobile device. Unfortunately, Wacom didn’t get into specifics on the exact processor models, but it did reveal that the larger MobileStudio Pro 16 has NVIDIA Quadro graphics on board.
In addition to the power under the hood, another key feature of the MobileStudio Pro tablets is the new Pro Pen 2. Wacom has taken the “if it ain’t broke” approach to its stylus for quite a long time without a major update. And rightfully so, the Pro Pen was a highly capable accessory and performed well with the company’s range of gear. With the Pro Pen 2, Wacom says its go-to input device is now four times more accurate and pressure sensitive than its predecessor. That’s up from 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity last time out.
The MobileStudio Pros also feature better color performance than Wacom’s previous standalone tablets. While the 13-inch model’s IPS WQHD panel covers 96 percent of Adobe’s RGB gamut, the 15.6-inch model houses an IPS UHD display that handles 94 percent of Adobe RGB. Those handy ExpressKeys and Touch Ring are back, offering easy shortcuts to frequently used tools right on the face of the tablet. As we’ve already mentioned, Wacom Link lets you use these new devices as pen displays with either a Mac or Windows machine which comes in handy when working from the comforts of home.
Both the MobileStudio Pro 13 and 16 have SSD storage, and that’s where the prices can start to add up quickly. The 13-inch option starts at $1,499 for 64GB of storage with 128GB ($1,799), 256GB ($1,999) and 512GB ($2,499) versions if you need more space. Base price for the MobileStudio Pro 16 is $2,399 for 256GB of storage, the NVIDIA Quadro graphics and 2GB of RAM. There’s also a version of the 16 with a 512GB SSD, 4GB RAM and an NVIDIA Quadro M1000M for $2,999.
To further sweeten the pot on the priciest options, Wacom is offering Intel’s RealSense 3D camera on the top end MobileStudio Pro 13 and both versions of the 16. That’s an add-on that’s sure to lend a hand to artists and designers working in three dimensions. You do have some time to get your affairs in order before these devices are available for purchase: They’re scheduled to be available at the end of November.
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