Is LG about to launch a round Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch?

LG is getting ready to unveil the LG G6 at Mobile World Congress next month, but it looks like that’s not all we can expect from the company.

An Android Wear device from LG recently passed through the US Federal Communications Commission, and according to images and details in the FCC documents, it appears to have round display and standalone LTE connectivity. Actual photos of the device are of course kept secret by the FCC, but we can still read between the lines and make a few educated guesses about the device itself.

At least three different variants are being tested: LG-W280, LG-W280A, and LG-W280V. As DroidLife noted, these letters could correspond to the carriers they’ll be available through (V for Verizon; A for AT&T; and Wi-Fi-only device). And the model number ZNFW280 indicates it will be a new LG Watch Urbane. If that’s the case, it’ll probably run Android Wear 2.0, which is set to roll out in early February.

Screenshots of the Settings menu and the Personalisation option also indicate it is an Android Wear 2.0 watch. Keep in mind Google is now working on two flagship Android Wear 2.0 devices, which might launch at MWC 2017. It is not yet known which manufacturer has partnered with Google on the watches, rumoured to be codenamed Swordfish and Angelfish, so LG’s watch could be one of the two.

• LG Watch Urbane review: All that glitters is not rose gold

However, the most likely scenario is that this device will be the Watch Urbane 3rd Edition. Pocket-lint will be at MWC 2017 in Barcelona at the end of February to bring you all the latest as it happens, including hands-on reviews and analysis.

Nintendo’s HD Rumble will be the best unused Switch feature of 2017

If I had to describe Nintendo in just three words, I’d steal the shared city slogan of Austin, Santa Cruz and Portland: “Keep Nintendo Weird.” The Japanese game giant delights in its own unique character, and has made a habit of defying convention. Nintendo’s gimmicks are always fascinating, but they don’t usually work out. The Wii Remote’s speakers largely went unused. Most third-party developers failed to take advantage of the Wii U touchscreen. So, what’s Nintendo Switch’s soon-to-be-overlooked innovation? A haptic feedback system called HD Rumble.

Nintendo’s Yoshiaki Koizumi introduced the feature at the company’s launch event last night by picking up a Switch Joy-con controller, moving it lightly. “It feels like something shaking in a glass,” he said. An animated cup appeared on screen to illustrate his point. Koizumi explained that HD Rumble’s subtle feedback allowed him to feel more ice cubes dropping into the virtual glass. As the on-screen cup filled with water, Koizumi said he could feel the liquid rising. This is Nintendo’s new gimmick: being able to feel specific sensations through the Switch’s controller. It’s an evolution on the blunt vibration of modern force feedback engines, and it oozes potential.

Nintendo believes in this new feature enough to have built an entire game around it. 1-2-Switch is the new console’s showcase title. Like Wii Sports and Nintendo Land, it’s designed to sell players and developers alike on the Switch’s new features. The twist here, is for most of the mini-game compilation’s modes you’re not supposed to look at the TV screen. You’re supposed to feel the game through HD Rumble. This means adjusting how you pull down on a digital udder in a cow milking game based on resistance, or knowing when to open a safe based on how the lock’s internal tumblers feel in your hand. It’s conducive to experiences that feel more like engaging in make-believe with the other players than playing a video game. It’s too bad that probably no developer apart from Nintendo itself will ever use this feature.

It’s a story as old as the original Wii: Nintendo tries to disrupt the game industry with a new innovation only to watch third parties do the bare minimum to support those innovations. The Wii Remote may have been a motion controller, but most games used its waggles to merely replace a button-press. The Wii U gamepad offered the potential to create transformative dual-screen gameplay, but we were lucky if third-party developers merely mirrored their title’s TV output on the bulky tablet. When was the last time you saw a 3DS game use the portable console’s augmented reality features? Probably never. Even the 3DS’ flagship feature goes relatively unused these days, with the majority of Pokémon Sun and Moon and Dragon Quest VIII being presented in non-stereoscopic form. It’s hard to imagine that a subtle evolution in force feedback technology will fare any better.

On the other hand, HD Rumble has the advantage of being a successor to the one innovation Nintendo did get the rest of the industry to adopt. The N64’s Rumble Pack was a mere novelty when it launched with StarFox 64, but today gamers expect their controller to shake with the highs and lows of on-screen action. Third-party developers (and console competitors like Sony and Microsoft) probably won’t be scrambling to build screen-optional games like 1-2-Switch, but maybe Nintendo’s efforts will push a more nuanced form of force feedback technology into the norm. Unlikely, perhaps — but it would be nice to see one of Nintendo’s more bizarre innovations bear fruit at least one more time.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from Nintendo’s Switch event.

Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton is stepping down

Michael Lynton is moving on from Sony, to focus on being the chairman of Snap, Inc., the parent company of Snapchat. Lynton has been at the top of Sony Pictures for 13 years, a span which included the massive 2014 hacking incident that saw unreleased films, emails and other studio information released on the internet. At the time, his co-chair at Sony Pictures was Amy Pascal, she left the company in 2015.

He’s also been the CEO of Sony America since 2012, and Sony says that his departure will extend over the next six months as it works to find a replacement. In the meantime, Sony CEO Kaz Hirai will take over the title of Chairman and co-CEO of Sony Entertainment, and maintain a second office at Sony Pictures’ headquarters in California.

As far as where he’s going, Lynton has long been involved with Snapchat and his role there is increasing ahead of its anticipated IPO. When Sony was hacked, emails leaked from his inbox revealed dealings with a company, Vergence Labs, that hinted at the development of Snap’s recently-released Spectacles.

In a statement, the exec said “I have been involved with Evan and Snapchat since its early days, and given its growth since then, decided the time was right to transition and focus on my role as Chairman of the Board of Snap Inc. I leave Sony with great pride in all we have accomplished together, and confidence that the broad changes we have made and new management team we have assembled over the last few years will strengthen the company overall. I want to thank Sony Corp. – Kaz Hirai and Howard Stringer in particular – for their leadership and support over the years, and our excellent teams at Pictures and Music for their unwavering dedication to producing and distributing outstanding entertainment.”

Source: Sony

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler defends net neutrality in final address

FCC Chairman and net neutrality champion Tom Wheeler will be stepping down next week when the Trump administration takes office. Wheeler’s Open Internet Order, which passed in 2015, was instrumental in keeping the internet a level playing field, but the Republicans have already indicated that rolling back the legislation will be a top priority for them once the GOP regains control of the agency. On Friday, Wheeler used his last public address as FCC chair to give one final defense of net neutrality and a look at the legal battles to come.

Speaking to an audience at the Aspen Institute, Wheeler insinuated that corporations like AT&T and Verizon will not hesitate to hurt consumers in order to make a buck. “Those who build and operate networks have both the incentive and the ability to use the power of the network to benefit themselves,” Wheeler said, “even if doing so harms their own customers and the greater public interest.”

Arguing against the Republicans’ plans to repeal the Open Internet Order, Wheeler pointed out that a so-called “free market” online would actually be a step back for the internet. “A hands-off approach to network oversight is more than a shift in direction,” Wheeler said, “it is a decision to remove rights and move backward.”

Finally, Wheeler offered a look at what’s ahead in the battle to secure net neutrality. If the FCC itself wants to undo the earlier regulations, it will require the agency to go through a rule-making period and wait for public comment. On the other hand, Congress could more swiftly do away with the Open Internet Order simply by updating the Telecommunications Act. Either method is likely to result in lawsuits, but open internet proponents already have a strong case after a Washington DC circuit court upheld the FCC’s net neutrality rules last June.

Via: The Verge, Hollywood Reporter

Source: Aspen Institute

The Nintendo Switch will reportedly have Neo Geo games

The Nintendo Switch will support a handful of new games, of course, but it’s also going to feature some fan-favorite classics from the Neo Geo era, Famitsu says. The Arcade Archive collection from Japanese video game publisher Hamster Corporation will land on the Switch worldwide beginning in March with King of Fighters ’98, according to the report. Keep in mind that the Switch itself is scheduled to come out on March 3rd for $300 in the United States.

Other Neo Geo classics headed to the Switch after March include Waku Waku 7, Shock Troopers, World Heroes Perfect and Metal Slug 3, Famitsu says. The nostalgia doesn’t end there, either — there will be a setting that restores each game to its original, 1990s glory, complete with all the grainy visuals of a CRT TV set.

Players will be able to adjust difficulty on these vintage games as well, and compare rankings with players worldwide.

The Switch is Nintendo’s newest living room console, but it’s a convertible device that can easily go mobile. It’ll launch with a slew of new online features, which will eventually be available via a subscription service that goes live in the fall. This grants access to online multiplayer, the Switch smartphone app, and downloads of a classic game from the Nintendo Entertainment System or Super Nintendo Entertainment System each month.

According to Wired Games Editor Chris Kohler, these NES and SNES games will be available to paid subscribers at no extra charge for that month only, unless players actually buy the game as well. As always, we’ve reached out to Nintendo for clarification and will update this post as we hear back.

We got our hands on the Switch and some of its new games today, and overall had a smashing time (no, there weren’t any Smash Bros. demos).

Via: NeoGAF

Source: Famitsu

BoomBuoy Floating Waterproof Speaker review

When you think of all of the places you take your phone and listen to music, one place we rarely picture is the bathroom. Typically we conjure up images of school, office, backyards, and general outdoors. But, the truth is, we bathe daily (or should, at least) and a lot of us like to sing in the shower. Why don’t you have a speaker to accompany you or provide background music?

We’ve been playing with the BoomBuoy portable waterproof speaker from Scosche for the last few weeks. Designed to float in water and withstand rain and basic outdoor elements, it’s a small (roughly 4-inch diameter) unit that can clip to a backpack. The clip can also be used, of course, to hang it in the shower.

Given its size we didn’t expect a ton of power out of the BoomBuoy. Indeed, it doesn’t get all that loud when used outdoors. If you’re clipping it on your backpack (carabiner included) or waist, you’ll have enough volume to hear things clearly, just don’t expect to really rock it out. On the other hand, should you hang it in the shower, you’ll have plenty to wake yourself up in the morning.

Staying with the topic, we did find the sound to be tinny and grainy but that varied based on music genre. If you’re the kind of person who likes to listen to news and podcasts as you go about your morning rituals, you’ll enjoy the sound; spoken word was a pleasure. On the other hand, you’ll not want to crank this too loudly in places where you plan to have conversation. It’s a good background music source and works better when it’s not the center of attention.

There are a handful of buttons on the speaker that let you control playback. Present are volume up and down, pause/play, and the ability to jump forward and back on tracks. This was a little tricky for us to figure out at first as we learned that volume was maxed out on the speaker. When trying to press the ‘+’ symbol a few times we realized it was skipping songs. Hold the button down, though, and you can adjust volume.

Battery life is rated around seven hours which is accurate in our testing. With roughly an hour a day used in the shower between a family, this should get you through a week on a single charge. Charging is done via the included USB cable.

Interestingly enough, the speaker can float in water. The speaker grill points upward and provides the sound for those having in a dip in the pool, river, or bathtub. When done, the BoomBuoy is small enough to throw in a purse, backpack, or pocket.

We found the build quality to be in line with our expectation. At $40 it should be solid enough to take a drop or two in stride and not get scuffed up. This was the case for ours. An accidental fall to the ground (cement driveway) saw the speaker come away without so much as a scuff. The buttons respond nicely to touch and the grille is strong enough to withstand moderate abuse.

The BoomBuoy comes in two color options: black/grey and grey/lime. We tested the latter and found it to be a fun combination that works well in the various environments.

You can purchase the BoomBuoy directly from Scocshe for $39.99. We checked around the various online retailers and did not see it offered elsewhere.

Disclaimer: Our review unit was provided to us at no cost from Scosche.

Nokia 6 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

BlackBerry isn’t the only mega-brand of yesteryear attempting a major comeback. Nokia, too, will unveil its first Android phone, the Nokia 6, to the wider world.

Nokia Mobile teased the Nokia 6, which is already on sale in China, in a video on its Facebook page (see above). “Get ready!”, the post reads, “The Nokia 6 is coming to China! More announcements to follow on February 26th… Save the date!”

The Nokia 6 sells only in China, for now. Expect that to change later next month.

HMD

The timing is a clue. February 26 coincides with Mobile World Congress (also known as MWC), the world’s largest mobile show that takes place in Spain each year at the end of February.

It’s here that BlackBerry will officially launch its comeback phone, known as the BlackBerry Mercury. MWC is where we typically see flagship phones from Samsung, LG, HTC, Huawei and Sony.

On January 8, HMD, the company that licensed the Nokia name, announced the Nokia 6 for China. Although it’s an Android phone, the Nokia 6 won’t run any of Google services, like the Google Play Store, Google Maps or your Google Account — these don’t work in China on any phone. So a global release of the Nokia 6 at MWC is crucial for putting the new Nokia on the map.

HMD owns a 10-year license to exclusively sell Nokia-brand products, branded as Nokia Mobile. To make matters more confusing, “Nokia” still exists as a separate company that sells telecommunications infrastructure equipment and also the pro-grade Ozo camera. Foxconn’s FIH Mobile division is in charge of manufacturing and distributing Nokia phones.

Nokia 6 specs

• 5.5-inch screen with 1,920×1080-pixel resolution
• 16-megapixel rear camera
• 8-megapixel front-facing camera
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor
• 4GB RAM
• Aluminum chassis
• Android software
• Sells in China for 1,700 yuan, which converts to $245, £200 and AU$330

Motorola sends out invites to 26 February event, likely for new phone

Motorola is teasing a new phone launch.

The Lenovo-owned company has sent out an event invitation of a Moto smartphone casting a shadow in the shape of the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, where Mobile World Congress is annually held. The company scheduled its event for 26 February.

MWC 2017 kicks off the next day, 27 February. 

Several companies, including Samsung and LG, often release new phones at the largest trade show for the mobile industry. Motorola is hinting that it has a new Moto phone in the pipeline – possibly a mid-ranger, considering high-end Moto phones usually come out later in the year. The most likely scenario is that Motorola will showcase a new Moto G. The line is due for an update after all.

• Best smartphones to look forward to in 2017

Motorola could also unveil more Moto Mods accessories that work with the Moto Z phones, as it’s expected to release around a dozen in 2017.

Motorola is holding its event at 4:30pm local time. Pocket-lint will be reporting from MWC 2017, so stay tuned.

The Public Access Weekly: Switch lanes

Friday again already?! Well, okay then. Let’s get on with it!

For all you Public Access members: Just FYI, if you’re actively in an article, we cannot be — which means if you submit an article and then go in to make changes or edits we have to wait for you to finish to view and approve your post. Also, we are 100% back on track after the holidays so the wait to get an article reviewed is back down to the 24-48 hour range (with it taking a bit longer over the weekend). And if you’ve been waiting to hear back on your member application, you should get a reply today!

For all you commenters, we have one quick GIF of advice this week:

We know there are some bad actors in there, every community has a few, but no one wins when you spend your valuable time baiting and encouraging them. Plus, to be honest, it is just really, really boring to moderate. Just walk (virtually) away and let our mods deal with it.

Looking for something to read? Check out:

Alesia Hsaio is pretty excited for 2017, what with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Resident Evil 7 set to be released. Read on to hear about what other games she’s most looking forward to playing in the next year, and why each of them has earned a spot on the list.

Meanwhile, Benny Arbel treated us to a great article that discusses how we consume entertainment and technology, and what that could portend for the popular adoption of virtual reality.

Lastly, Areion Azimi spins a tale of early adopters woe by sharing his initial thoughts and reactions upon receiving his Google Pixel smartphone by detailing the drawbacks and disappointments that led him to switch OS ecosystems entirely.

Looking for something to write about? Mull over:

Even though the magic that is the fabled “IoT” has been heavily touted as the next big thing for a while now, there are still plenty of connected products that leave us collectively scratching our heads in confusion. Nicole Lee argues that the internet of things could be renamed the “internet of crap” for all the needless connected devices being released. Do you agree? Why or why not? Bonus question: What is the worst IoT product you’ve ever heard of?

Aaron Souppouris and Mat Smith’s article on teaching a non-audiophile the in’s and out’s of high-end headphones was not only one of our most-read articles this week, it also had a really pleasant and informative comment section which was a nice surprise. But it made us wonder: If you are really into audio, what are your favorite headphones? What would you recommend to a non-audiophile and why?

As the smartphone market struggles to find the next hot handset or feature to pull in customers, LG and Samsung are reportedly working on foldable models. Would you be interested in a foldable smartphone? Why or why not?

Best Watch Bands for Samsung Gear S2 Classic

Class up your Samsung Gear S2 Classic with some great watch bands.

If you’ve bought or are looking into buying the Samsung Gear S2 classic, then you’re probably someone who enjoys the traditional watch look with some sweet tech under the hood.

We’ve rounded up the best watch bands for your Gear S2 Classic so that you can match your smartwatch to your personal taste and lifestyle.

• SLG D7 Buttero Italian leather band
• Infantry
• Geckota
• Casetify
• Barton Ballistic Nylon
• Barton Quick-release
• Cbin

SLG D7 Buttero Italian leather band

SLG (Small Leather Goods) make some beautiful leather straps and the Buttero Italian leather band is our favorite. It blends the classic, sophisticated look of leather with a modern and fresh design.

SLG, based in South Korea, makes its bands from high-quality Italian leather from the Walpier tannery. While most leather bands can feel somewhat oppressive, becoming soggy from sweat, SLG’s Buttero bands are designed with patterned holes to make sure your wrist can breathe.

That and they just look great. SLG Buttero Italian Leather bands come in beige, black, and blue. We particularly dig the blue, but they’ll all look great with any color Gear S2 Classic.

See at SLG

Infantry

Infantry makes another awesome leather band that eschews sophistication for the more rugged, distressed leather look. The inside of the band is soft and comfortable, while the outside is a deep and warm brown.

There is one downside to Infantry’s band in that it does cover your Gear S2 Classic’s heart rate monitor. Oh well. Fashion first!

Infantry leather bands come in different shades of brown and black, with different color combinations for buckles and straps. You might as well get a few, since they start around $12 each.

See at Amazon

Geckota

Geckota shark mesh bands are a unique blend of cool and functional. They resemble Milanese loop watch bands, but feature a more spread-out design that looks like a series of woven chains, which looks really neat and offers excellent durability and strength. Your Gear S2 Classic is never coming off your wrist accidentally and you should have a pretty hard time breaking the band.

The clasp is an easy to use stainless steel fold-over with a brushed finish. Even if you rest your wrist on hard surfaces, scratches shouldn’t mare the clasp or scuff it up too badly like they would with a glossier finish.

It’s worth mentioning that the black features ion-plated coating which could chip off over time, though these Geckota bands are of high quality.

See at Amazon

Casetify

Casetify has partnered with Samsung to make bands specifically for the Gear S2 Classic. Each band is made of comfortable and flexible TPU, which is often used to make phone cases. That means that Casetify bands are durable and strong, so you shouldn’t have to worry about everyday wear and tear.

These bands come in five quirky designs, which will certainly add a definitive accent your Gear S2 Classic. You can get Casetify bands in Gold and Coral, White Marble, Dark Marble, Diamond (which features a multi-colored geometric pattern), and Woodland Camouflage.

If you’re looking for a band that makes a statement while also fitting comfortably, then check out Casetify’s line. If the band you want isn’t available now, you can ask Casetify to notify you by email when it does become available.

See at Casetify

Barton Ballistic Nylon

Barton makes great watch bands, and its Ballistic Nylon line is there for you to mix and match. At around $12 apiece, you might as well grab all 21 colors and color combinations (well, maybe not all of them).

Ballistic nylon was originally developed by DuPont as a material for flak jackets for airmen during WWII.That’s why these types of bands are sometimes referred to as “NATO-style.” It’s a tough and durable material that’ll secure your Gear S2 Classic, but it’ll also breathe and move with you.

Like the Infantry bands above, Barton bands unfortunately block your Gear S2 Classic’s heart rate monitor. However, if that’s not a huge deal and you put comfort and fashion above that function, then you really can’t go wrong with a Barton band.

Make sure you select the right size – 20mm – before checking out.

See at Amazon

Barton Quick-release

Barton makes silicone bands that definitely deserve a mention in our best list. They’re thin and lightweight, while also breathable and very comfortable.

These quick-release bands come in vibrant colors and are the epitome of convenience. A little slider on each side of the band allows you to quickly change bands on the fly. And for around $13 each, you might as well grab a few and change them daily!

The best part of silicone is that it’s waterproof and washable. If you’re wearing a Barton band because you’ll be pretty active, easily remove it and wash it with some gentle dish soap. No stinky wrists (like leather bands can cause).

If you like the comfort, durability, and versatility of silicone, then check out Barton’s line up.

Make sure you have 20mm selected before you check out.

See at Amazon

Cbin Milanese

If you love the light, stylish Milanese loop style, then Cbin’s band is the one for you. It comes in black, silver, and rose red (who you foolin’?), and has a fully magnetic closure, making it easy to put on and take off.

This band is great for everyday use (though the black is plated, so you won’t want to order that one if you’re doing anything repetitive that might rub it and cause the finish to come off.

If you like a light metal band and want something that’s great all the time, you really can’t go wrong with the Milanese loop.

See at Amazon

What’s your favorite?

What’s your favorite watch band for your Samsung Gear S2 Classic? Sound off in the comments below!