The 24th ‘Overwatch’ character arrives next week

Orisa, the latest character to enter the Overwatch fray, will be widely available on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on March 21st. Orisa is an “anchor tank,” as Blizzard calls it — this means she’s the kind of massive, damage-absorbing hero that an entire team can rally behind and use as a home base, even in the middle of hectic fights. Reinhardt is another example of an “anchor tank” in Overwatch.

Orisa is a mix of Reinhardt (a big, healthy character with a giant shield) and Zarya (who has a laser gun and barriers she can throw onto her allies). But, she has four legs. And she’s a robot. And she was built by an 11-year-old genius, Efi Oladele, who lives in the peaceful city of Numbani.

But that’s enough backstory. Here’s what Orisa actually does: Her main gun has two functions, Fusion Driver and Halt. Fusion Driver is a projectile-based, long-range machine gun that causes her to move more slowly as she’s firing. Meanwhile, Halt allows Orisa to shoot out a graviton ball that can then suck in all nearby enemies for easy pickings. Think of Halt as a mini version of Zarya’s ultimate.

Fortify is a pure tank ability, reducing Orisa’s damage intake by 50 percent and making her immune to attacks that would cause her to move position or fall off a ledge. Orisa isn’t selfish though: Another ability, Protective Barrier, allows her to launch a shield that protects her teammates from enemy fire.

Finally, Orisa’s ultimate ability is Supercharger. She always carries “The Drum” on her back, and when her ult is charged, she can throw it on the ground to provide a 50 percent damage boost to any teammate in the Drum’s line of sight. The enemy team can kill the Drum, so Orisa has to be crafty with its placement, either hiding it behind a barrier or setting it up where the enemy team can’t see it.

“We wanted another tank that teams could build around and position around,” Game Director Jeff Kaplan said earlier this month. “Even though we think that tanks like Winston and D.Va are really great in what they bring to the game, they’re not necessarily bringing what Reinhardt was bringing. So we hope that in Orisa, there is now another option to do a low-mobility tank but one that brings a high amount of protection in her protective barrier.”

Apple Pay Headed Directly to Restaurant Tables With ‘PrestoPrime EMV’ Terminals

Pay-at-table terminal manufacturer E la Carte today announced that Apple Pay is coming to its new state-of-the-art “PrestoPrime EMV” line, thanks to an included NFC reader that will also support Android Pay, Samsung Pay, and mobile wallets that use QR codes. E la Carte’s previous terminals included NFC, but lacked EMV certification, which Apple Pay requires since it complies to the latest EMV standards for tokenizing transactions.

With the addition of Apple Pay support, restaurant guests will be able to pay for their meal at the table with a quick tap of their iPhone. Users can also pay with a traditional swipe method, or use the new EMV chip reader to insert any newly-issued credit card with a chip inside of it. The terminals also have a “store and forward” ability that allows guests to continue to pay for food and drinks even if the restaurant loses power or internet connectivity.

“Brick-and-mortar payments and security requirements have changed dramatically in the last 5 years. We wanted to take a leadership role in helping our partners navigate these volatile waters, while also generating direct operating benefits that offer a real hard dollar ROI to recoup their investment,” said Raj Suri, CEO and founder of E la Carte. “Combining robust security with a frictionless user experience, PrestoPrime EMV sets the bar as the best tabletop platform available to restaurant operators.”

Pay-at-table terminals have become more popular over the years, with companies like E la Carte and Ziosk offering customers quick access to menus and payment methods at restaurants like Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and more. Most of the terminals, including PrestoPrime, also include limited paid gaming features intended to pass the wait time for food orders.

E la Carte’s reach in the industry currently extends to over 1,800 restaurants across the United States, centering on Applebee’s and Outback Steakhouse locations.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
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Apple Hires iPhone Security Expert Jonathan Zdziarski

iPhone forensics expert, security researcher, and former jailbreak community developer Jonathan Zdziarski today announced he has accepted a position with Apple’s Security Engineering and Architecture team. He did not reveal his official starting date or responsibilities at the company.

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve accepted a position with Apple’s Security Engineering and Architecture team, and am very excited to be working with a group of like minded individuals so passionate about protecting the security and privacy of others.

This decision marks the conclusion of what I feel has been a matter of conscience for me over time. Privacy is sacred; our digital lives can reveal so much about us – our interests, our deepest thoughts, and even who we love. I am thrilled to be working with such an exceptional group of people who share a passion to protect that.

Zdziarski has provided input on a number of important iOS-related security matters over the years, ranging from Apple’s high-profile battle with the FBI over unlocking an iPhone used by a shooter in the 2015 San Bernardino attack to smaller incidents such as a potential WhatsApp flaw uncovered last year.

Zdziarski was known as “NerveGas” within the jailbreaking community. He was formerly part of both the iPhone Dev Team and Chronic Dev Team.

Zdziarski used to be an active Twitter user, but it appears he has disabled his account recently, possibly due to his employment at Apple.

Tags: security, Jonathan Zdziarski
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Apple Seeds Sixth Beta of tvOS 10.2 to Developers

Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming tvOS 10.2 update to developers for testing purposes, just under one week after seeding the fifth tvOS 10.2 update and more than a month after releasing tvOS 10.1.1, the current release version of tvOS.

Designed for the fourth-generation Apple TV, the sixth tvOS 10.2 beta can be obtained by connecting the Apple TV to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, downloading and installing the software from a registered developer account via iTunes or Apple Configurator. Once a profile is installed, subsequent betas can be downloaded over the air.

Given the tricky installation requirements, tvOS betas are limited to developers and will not be provided to the public.

According to Apple’s release notes, tvOS 10.2 introduces improved scrolling behavior, allowing tvOS users to scroll through large lists of information more quickly. A large swipe on the Siri remote automatically activates the new scrolling mode, and a swipe on the far right side of the remote allows users to navigate specific indexes.

It’s likely there are other small feature tweaks and bug fixes included in tvOS 10.2, even though additional changes have not been specifically outlined by Apple. We’ll update this post should if any new content is found in the sixth tvOS 10.2 beta.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy)
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Kickstarter Campaign Aims to Add a Full Android Device to the Back of Your iPhone

The EYE Smart iPhone Case, an ambitious new project on Kickstarter, aims to expand the iPhone’s functionality by adding what amounts to a full Android device to the back of the iPhone.

An always-on 5-inch AMOLED display is built into the case, which runs the Android 7.1 Nougat operating system. The case connects to the iPhone using its Lightning port to enable file transfers, power delivery, and more.

A microSD card slot provides up to 256GB of storage for holding photos, videos, and other media, all of which is accessible using the Android file explorer. A built-in 2,800 mAh battery provides additional charge to the iPhone, and the Eye case itself supports Qi wireless charging.

Two SIM card slots are included, and higher-end models support 4G LTE connectivity, so up to three phone numbers can be used with an iPhone. Android exclusive features, like native call recording, the file explorer, customization, file transfers, and Android apps are all made available to iPhone users via the Eye case.

The Eye will enable selfies with the higher-quality rear-facing camera of the iPhone by mirroring the iPhone’s display to the back of the device. This allows for Portrait Mode selfies, according to the Kickstarter page.

A 3.5mm headphone jack lets iPhone owners with an iPhone 7 or an iPhone 7 Plus to use wired headphones with the device, and the Eye case includes NFC, an IR blaster and receiver for controlling TVs and other devices, and a car mount. It’s available for the iPhone 6 and later, and will allegedly be available for the new wave of iPhones coming in 2017 within a month of their release.

While the Eye case looks intriguing, it also looks too good to be true, even with a prototype case shown off in images and videos. For that reason, we do not recommend backing this Kickstarter project.

ESTI is a first time Kickstarter company and a project this ambitious and at this scale will almost certainly run into problems with mass production, the step in manufacturing that most often trips up Kickstarter newcomers.

The Kickstarter campaign says the first units will deliver in August of 2017, a timeline that’s likely going to be difficult to meet, so if you’re interested in this product, it may be better to hold off until it is available outside of Kickstarter.

If you do want to back the project, the Eye case is available for a Super Early Bird pledge of $95, with prices going up for 4G connectivity. Estimated retail price is $189 to $229.
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Rare Functioning Apple-1 Computer Headed to Auction in May

In 1976, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak designed and built the Apple I, or Apple-1, the company’s first computer. Of the 175 sold, only 50 to 60 or so remain in existence, including just eight functioning ones, making the iconic machine a rare collector’s item worth significantly more than its original $666.66 price.

On May 20, German auctioneer Breker told MacRumors it will be auctioning off one of those eight functioning Apple-1 computers, complete with the original manual and documentation, the receipt for the motherboard and cassette recorder, and even a record of telephone conversations with Steve Jobs and Wozniak.

Based on previous Apple-1 auctions over the years, this latest machine is likely to fetch several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Breker said it auctioned an Apple-1 in comparable original and working condition for $671,400 in May 2013, while a functioning Apple-1 sold for $374,500 at a Sotheby’s action in New York in June 2012.

More recently, a functioning Apple-1 sold for a record $905,000 at a Bonhams auction in New York in October 2014, while another working machine went for $365,000 at a Christie’s auction in New York two months later. CharityBuzz auctioned a unique “Celebration” model for $815,000 last year.

The Apple-1 was a motherboard kit only and is pictured here with the rare original “NTI” sign. Apple never offered an external housing for the computer, and the peripheral equipment, such as the power supply, keyboard, monitor, and cassette recorder, had to be obtained personally by the owner.

Tag: Apple-1
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17 great wireless chargers to free yourself from cables

You know what’s missing from all our visions of a futuristic utopia? Wires. You never see anyone fumbling with a wire to plug in a device. Everything just magically works. We’re not there yet, but wireless charging technology is improving all the time. Leading the way toward this brave new world, we find wireless chargers for smartphones. They’re not entirely wireless, because they still have to be plugged into a wall outlet, but they do free you from your nightly plug-in. You can just pop your phone on a pad, and know that in the morning it will be good to go.

More: 30 of the juiciest portable battery chargers money can buy

Before you splash out on a wireless charger, though, make sure that your phone supports it. For some smartphones, you’ll need to buy a special replacement back or a case that enables wireless charging. You also have to check that the wireless charger you choose is the right standard for your device. The most popular standard right now by far is Qi, under the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), but there is a rival called Powermat, under the Power Matters Alliance (PMA), which merged with the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) to form the AirFuel Alliance, which is pushing a new standard called Rezence.

Another thing to keep in mind when you buy a wireless charger is that it won’t charge up your phone as fast as a wall charger can.

Anker PowerPort Qi 10 Wireless Charging Pad ($20)

The PowerPort Qi 10 is so named because it can output up to 10W, as long as you combine it with a Quick Charge 3.0 rated wall charger, which you’ll have to buy separately. That means it can charge some devices, like the Galaxy S7, faster than a standard wireless charger, Anker says up to 2X faster. It’s a very slim, lightweight design, but there are large feet on the bottom to help it grip.

When you first lay your phone on this charger a series of LEDs light up to show the charging status, but thankfully they turn off again after 10 seconds. It doesn’t make any sound either, so it could work well on the night stand. You do get a 3-foot Micro USB cable with it, but you’ll need your own wall charger to plug it into. The downside with this charger is that it has a single coil, so you really need to find the sweet spot and you’ll want to remove phone cases for best results.

Specs
Power output
10W
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
3.4” x 3.4” x 0.3”
Weight
17g (0.6oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Satechi Wireless Charging Pad ($25)

If you’re looking for an alternative to Samsung’s official wireless charging pad that supports faster charging for the newer members of the Galaxy family, including the S7 and S7 Edge, then this could be it. The design is stylish, with a circular metal frame in gold, silver, rose gold, or space gray. The pad itself is shiny black or white, but thankfully there is a rubber cross in the center which protects your phone and prevents it from sliding around. There are also pads on the bottom so it grips the table top.

It works fine with most cases and will charge any Qi device, but fast charging devices like the Galaxy S7 will enjoy 1.4X the usual speed. There’s a LED that lights up blue when the device is charging and turns green when it’s fully charged. We’re not a big fan of LEDs on charging pads, because you don’t want light on the nightstand and it seems superfluous, since your phone already indicates when it’s fully charged, but at least this is a small one. You get a decent Micro USB cable in the box with it, but you’ll have to provide your own charger.

Specs
Power output
2A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
3.94” x 3.94” x 0.31”
Weight
130g (4.75oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Buy it now from:

Amazon

FLI Charge ($70)

Most desk-side chargers don’t play nicely with all of your devices. They aren’t large enough to accommodate more than a phone or two, tend to be a little finicky when it comes to fast charging technologies, and can’t consistently supply enough power to juice bigger gadgets. FLI Charger, though, has none of those limitations.

The longish power strip consists of small, lightweight rectangular plates with metal contact strips, and relies on magnetism to make connections. FLI Charge ships alongside circular and rectangular accessories with metal contacts on the bottom and built-in USB connectors on top that, once placed on the charger’s surface, supply up to 40 watts of charge. Even better? Unlike most Qi chargers on the market, they don’t have to be placed in a specific orientation in order to work. The FLI Charger starts at $70, but you will need individual charging plugs for each device you want to charge and they run $30 a piece.

Specs
Power output
40W
Standard
N/A
Dimensions
8.66” x 3.92” x 0.47”
Weight
494.4g (17.4oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Itian Charging Stand ($16)

This stand is specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S6 Edge Plus, Note 7, or Note 5, because it supports a slightly faster rate of wireless charging, provided you pair it with a Quick Charge 2.0 Adaptive Fast Charger. Use it with a standard charger and you’ll get slower charging speeds. It can also charge the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, but not at the faster speed. You have to prop your phone in this charging stand in portrait view and there are padded sections to prevent any scratches.

There’s a standard LED to indicate when it’s working, which could be annoying if you want to use this on your nightstand, but it will work well on a desktop. The design is fairly plain, black plastic. There’s a big white Itian logo, which is thankfully covered up when you place your phone on it. This is one of cheapest options we’ve seen for the faster wireless charging rate. Unfortunately, though you do get a cable in the box, there’s no power adapter.

Specs
Power output
1.2A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
5.5” x 3.8” x 3.8”
Weight
181g (6.4oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Choetech Iron Stand Wireless Charger ($20)

We really like the look of this aluminum wireless charging stand from Choetech. It’s very solid and props up your phone at a convenient angle. There are three coils inside, so you can charge your phone in landscape or portrait view and it charges through most cases. There are also rubber feet on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around. There’s some cushioning on the cradle lip, but the central panel is glossy plastic. If we weren’t using a case, we might worry about a glass-backed phone resting on this.

It will work with any Qi-compatible smartphone, and you can add receivers or cases to phones like the iPhone, so they can be charged with this stand, too. The LED is on the side and it’s quite subtle, the four pinholes light up blue when your phone is charging, or flash to indicate an issue. Unfortunately, the Micro USB port is on the same side as the LED, down at the bottom of the front part, which makes it tough to keep the cable out of sight. It’s not absolutely perfect as a wireless charger, but it does moonlight as a really good stand. Overall, it’s a nice option at a good price.

Specs
Power output
1A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
5.2” x 3.2” x 4.1”
Weight
172g (6oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Samsung Wireless Charging Pad ($21)

This circular wireless charging pad from Samsung resembles a flying saucer. If you have a Note 5, or a later Samsung flagship such as the S7, you can use it to quickly charge your device without a cord. It’s capable of fast charging at around 2A, instead of the standard 1A you get from most wireless chargers, making it around 1.4X faster, at least according to Samsung. It’s outfitted with a circular strip of rubber to prevent your phone from sliding off the top, and another one on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around on your desk or bedside table. The LED is, unfortunately, quite bright and it shines blue when charging and green when fully charged. It also flashes when there’s a problem.

Because the pad can charge supported phones faster, there’s a silent fan inside to help keep the temperature down. You’ll also have to use the charger and cable supplied if you want the faster speeds, but you can use this pad with other Qi charging devices for standard speeds. You can get the pad in black or white, and it’s pretty portable. It does the job, but the design is dull, and if you don’t have a Samsung phone that supports fast wireless charging, there’s little reason to pay a premium for this pad.

Specs
Power output
2A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
4” x 4” x 0.81”
Weight
117g (4.12oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Montar Air Car Mount ($60)

Once you get used to wireless charging, you really don’t want to have to go back to plugging in cables, but that means you need a few wireless chargers dotted around to cover you in different situations. Montar has created an excellent cradle for the car with built-in Qi wireless charging. It can accommodate smartphones up to 6 inches in size, and it supports fast wireless charging at up to 2A, if your phone does. This charger and cradle is ideal if you like to use your smartphone to navigate as you drive.

It’s a versatile beast with various mounting options. You can slot it into a cup holder, use the suction cup, or securely stick it to your dash with 3M adhesive. The cradle is fully adjustable and will accommodate larger phones like the iPhone 6S Plus or the Note 5. There’s also a cable included with Micro USB at one end to plug into the cradle, and a power adapter that fits a standard car power socket at the other. The power adapter lights up, so you know when it’s charging and drawing power. The cradle is great, because it has adjustable feet to change height and clamping arms with a release button, which makes it easy to fit and remove your phone with a single hand. You can also rotate it, thanks to a ball joint, to find the exact angle you want.

Specs
Power output
2A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
7” x 4” x 5” (adjustable)
Weight
212g (7.47oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes (for car socket)

Buy it now from:

Amazon

TYLT VU ($30)

As far as we know, TYLT was the first manufacturer to offer wireless chargers with this tilted, 45-degree cradle design, which allows you to see your phone more easily than if it were lying flat. The VU is a Qi charger with three coils inside, so you can put your phone on the cradle in portrait or landscape mode and it will still charge. There’s a single LED under the lip of the stand which goes green to indicate that it’s charging.

However, this charger is a bit on the expensive side, the power adapter is ugly and chunky, and some people have found that the pad can produce a lot of heat. The bright, plastic design is available in blue, green, and red, or you can go for black if you want something a bit more subdued. It also has a nice, soft-touch finish. We like the distinctive design, but it will take up a bit more space than a simple pad.

Specs
Power output
1A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
7.5” x 3.5” x 0.5”
Weight
161g (5.7oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Fonesalesman QiStone+ Wireless Power Bank ($50)

The QiStone+ from Fonesalesman is a smart, wee device that pushes wireless charging to the next level. It’s a wireless charging pad that will recharge any device that supports the Qi standard, but it’s also a portable battery pack that can be wirelessly charged itself. As the name would suggest, it looks like a stone. It’s rounded and it’s very portable. There are four padded feet on the bottom which prevent it from slipping on surfaces. When you place your device on it to charge there’s a loud beep and a blue light comes on to confirm that it’s charging. There are also four green lights to give you an idea of how much power remains in the 4,000mAh internal battery.

Interestingly, the QiStone can also be charged up on a Qi wireless charging pad. There is a standard Micro USB port for charging as well. It can also charge another device while it is being charged, and there’s a USB port to enable wired charging as a backup for devices that don’t support wireless charging. That means you could simultaneously charge two devices with it, though they won’t charge up very quickly. If you want some extra juice on a trip, this is one of the few devices to offer a genuinely wireless solution.

The only thing we don’t like about the QiStone is that loud beeping sound to confirm charging has begun when you place a device on it. Considering there’s a blue light to indicate charging, it seems superfluous, and it’s obnoxiously loud. It does also come with a Micro USB to USB cable, but there’s no AC adapter. Ultimately, this is a stylish and functional wireless charging solution. We’d suggest pairing it with Fonesalesman’s wired WoodPuck ($30), for use at home and for charging the QiStone up.

Specs
Power output
1A (1A USB)
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
4.13″ x 2.83″ x 0.78″
Weight
135g (4.76oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Amazon  Fonesalesman

Yootech Wireless Charging Pad ($10)

Wireless charging does not need to be expensive, as this wireless charging pad from Yootech proves. It may be really cheap, but it does the job. It’s a small, triangular puck with a round pad for your device to sit on. There are three feet on the bottom to prevent it from slipping. There’s a small LED at the front which goes green when charging is in progress, red when there’s no charging, and flashes green and red if your device isn’t in the sweet spot.

It comes with a Micro USB to USB cable, but there’s no wall charger in the box, which seems fair enough at this price. It’s not the most attractive device in the world, but it’s small enough to be unobtrusive and it works well on the nightstand because the light isn’t too bright and there’s no beeping (from the pad at least, your device might still beep). We’ve yet to find a better option at this price, so it’s perfect for the budget-conscious.

Specs
Power output
1A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
2.95″ x 2.95″ x 0.35″
Weight
22.6g (28oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Amazon  YooTech

Ikea Nordmarke Wireless Charging Pad ($70)

This is a smart charging pad solution that could serve the whole family, because it has three spots on the top for wireless charging, and an additional USB port in the base for charging with a standard Micro USB to USB cable. That means you could charge up to four devices at once. It has a typical Ikea style that’s rounded and unobtrusive, it’s designed to fit in with any décor, and it’s finished in white or birch wood. The spots for charging are marked clearly by plus signs, and as long as you place your device in the middle of one the charging should start fairly quickly. The device is also rubberized for added grip, and it’s quite heavy so it won’t slip.

There’s a tiny LED that lights up for three seconds when you first power the pad on. It will stay on when a device is charging and will flash if there is an error. You also get a cable and AC adapter with the pad. The adapter is a pretty bulky, white plastic affair. This is one of the biggest wireless charging pads we’ve seen, so it could prove ideal for busy households with multiple devices to charge. You can also get a single pad version ($28), which also has the USB port output.

Specs
Power output
1A x3 (2A USB)
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
12″ x 5″ x 1″
Weight
800g (28.2oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Available at Ikea

ChoeTech Stadium Qi Wireless Charger ($20)

Here’s a simple, inexpensive wireless charging pad that works well. It’s a slim, lightweight pad with a fairly minimalist design. There’s a blue LED to indicate that charging is taking place. It generally begins without any fiddling with position, as long you place your phone in the middle (there are three coils inside). The pad is flat, matte black, and has a silver trim. You shouldn’t have any trouble with devices slipping around. There are also four plastic feet on the bottom to stop the pad from slipping on surfaces, which is a risk because it’s very light.

The solitary Micro USB port allows you to plug it in, and there’s a Micro USB to USB cable provided, but no AC adapter, so you’ll need to use your phone’s wall charger or another one you have spare. If you’re using this on the nightstand then the light might bug you–it’s fairly big and bright.

Specs
Power output
1A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
4.72″ x 2.76″ x 0.42″
Weight
66g (2.3oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Amazon  ChoeTech

Nokia DT-900 Wireless Charging Plate ($30)

What really makes the Nokia wireless charging pad line-up stand out is the fact they’re available in a range of vibrant colors: blue, yellow, and red, as well as the more predictable white and black. It’s a basic charging pad made of smooth, rounded plastic, with an anti-slip rubber ring in the middle. There’s a small, white LED that lights up to let you know charging is in progress, and it generally starts up first time without any re-positioning.

It comes with a cable and AC adapter (not a Micro USB cable). It’s worth mentioning that the adapter is a big chunky, white thing, which is less than ideal. There are newer charging plates from Nokia. The DT-903 in particular has some really cool features, like NFC pairing and Bluetooth support, so it can give off a glow to warn you when your phone battery is low or there’s an incoming notification. It also has a standard USB port for charging, but it only works with specific Lumia handsets (worth seeking out if you have a Lumia 830 or 930).

Specs
Power output
1A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
4.72″ x 2.36″ x 0.43″
Weight
93g (3.28oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Amazon  Microsoft

Incipio Ghost 220 ($40)

You can actually charge three devices at once with the Ghost 220. It features a sleek, matte, black plastic design, with an angled front that overhangs two long blue LEDs, to give a clear indication of charging status. There are two Qi symbols up top to mark the spots for placing devices on a sizable pad, with plenty of room for two smartphones, or even a small tablet and a phone. The universal power supply plugs into the back, where you’ll also find a standard USB port with a 2.4A output. The pad will output 1A, and that’s split between the devices if you place two on at once. You can charge a third device at the same time with a USB to Micro USB cable. It will charge at a speedy 2.4A, and is capable of a total output of 3.4A.

There are six padded feet on the bottom with a non-slip coating to keep it steady. The top feels smooth, and there’s nothing obvious to hold your device in place, but we had to tilt it to a 45-degree angle with a Nexus 7 on it before it started to slip. Your mileage may vary, depending on your device. It works through thin cases, but like most wireless chargers, a thick case is going to prevent it from charging.

This is part of Incipio’s new wireless charging range, which also includes a portable battery charger that can be charged wirelessly; smaller pads, like the Ghost 120, for single devices; and extended battery cases that make older phones, like the iPhone 5, compatible with Qi wireless chargers.

Specs
Power output
1A (2.4A USB)
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
7″ x 3.5″ x 0.6″
Weight
154g (5.43oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Amazon Walmart Newegg

Tylt VÜ Solo ($10)

This is a small, square wireless charging pad with a sleek, black plastic body. The colorful, rubberized pad on top, where you’ll lay your phone, comes in a choice of blue, red, gray, or neon green. There’s a single LED on the base that lights up green when your phone is correctly aligned. Since alignment can be a pain with wireless chargers, Tylt has cleverly included a simple alignment ledge, which is really just a small adjustable bit of plastic on the cable that enables you to set the correct position for your phone.

The base unit isn’t very heavy, but it does have micro suction pads on the bottom, so you can place it firmly and there’s no chance of it slipping. It charges fairly quickly (for a wireless charger) with that 1A output, and it will work through a thin case. You will need to add your own wall charger to plug the cable into, though.

Specs
Power output
1A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
3.4″ x 3.4″ x 0.5″
Weight
72g (2.56oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Amazon Tylt

PowerSquare Tango ($70)

This wireless charger is big enough to juice up two smartphones at once. There are three coils inside, so you won’t have to fiddle to find that sweet spot. The frame is made of black rubber with anti-slip feet on the bottom, but the charging surface sports a stylish champagne gold finish that ensures it looks classier than most of the competition. There’s a subtle white LED in the middle of the pad on one side, too, so you know when it’s charging.

The PowerSquare Tango was originally funded via IndieGogo, and it will work with any Qi-compatible device. PowerSquare also offers cases for the iPhone and receivers that can plug into the Micro USB port on an Android phone to bestow them with wireless charging capabilities. The power adapter that ships with the Tango is quite large, but it enables the pad to simultaneously charge two phones at around 1A each. It is quite expensive, but it has a unique look, good build quality, and it works well.

Specs
Power output
1A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
6.48” x 3.35” x 0.46”
Weight
150g (5.29oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Buy it now from:

Amazon

RAVPower RP-WCN11 charging pad + with external battery ($30)

This smart solution combines a wireless charging pad with a portable battery pack featuring a 5,000mAh-rated battery. The exterior is soft, matte, plastic in white or black, and there’s a circular silicone pad on top in the shape of the power symbol. It’s not just decorative, it helps to hold your device in place and makes it easier to find the sweet spot. You’ll know when you did because there’s an audible beep. The bottom edge has a Micro USB port for charging up the battery, a USB output for charging up a device with a cable, and the power button. There’s also a slightly confusing line-up of six LEDs. The first goes green when wireless charging is working, the next four give you an indication of remaining power, and the final red LED tells you if it’s on.

It’s a versatile solution that allows you to wirelessly charge on the go. You can also wirelessly charge while the battery itself charges up. You even have the option to charge two devices at once, thanks to the additional USB output, but the maximum 1A output means that it will take a while. If you need a wireless charger and a portable battery pack, this is a great buy. You can get the RAVPower RP-WCN7 charging pad on its own for just $30.

Specs
Power output
1A (1A USB)
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
5.7″ x 3.11″ x 0.42″
Weight
317g (11.2oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Amazon Newegg Ravpower

Snap! 7 case brings the DSLR experience to your iPhone

Why it matters to you

Bitplay’s new case works with the dual-lens iPhone 7 Plus, adding a grip, shutter button, and tripod mount, perfect for mobile photo enthusiasts.

Taking photos with your iPhone can be a fun and effortless process, but for more serious shutterbugs, the limitations of a cameraphone are many. Being stuck with just one focal length — or just two, in the case of the iPhone 7 Plus — limits creative potential, while the physical design of a phone simply isn’t well suited for extended photo sessions. Bitplay wants to solve both of these issues with the $50 Snap! 7 case, which adds an interchangeable lens mount and improved ergonomics for photographers.

One of the best features of the Snap! 7 case may simply be its physical shutter button. Experienced iPhone shooters are well aware that either volume button can be used as a shutter release, but as the volume controls are on the same end of the phone as the lens, this doesn’t work well for shooting in landscape orientation, especially when trying to hold your phone in just your right hand. Trying to hold the phone in any sort of secure way with your index finger on the volume button will block the lens. The Snap! 7 case puts the shutter button on the opposite side and end of the phone, allowing for a much more natural shooting position in landscape orientation.

Beyond that, a removable grip and thumb rest further increase ergonomics and promise improved stability, especially for one-handed use. For an even classier experience, iPhoneographers can add a bit of sophisticated flair with the optional wooden grip for $45.

More: Tight on space? Here are 3 ways to offload photos from your iPhone

The other key selling point of the Snap! case is the lens mount. Bitplay currently offers seven accessory lenses, including the new “HD” wide angle that offers an 18mm equivalent field of view compared to a full frame camera. Other optics include a 3X telephoto, two different wide-angle plus macro lenses, two different fisheyes, and a circular polarizer. While the HD wide angle costs $100, the others are all between $20 and $33. iPhone 7 Plus users will have full use of that phone’s dual cameras when not using the case with an accessory lens attached.

The Snap! 7 case also features a built-in 1/4″-20 thread for easy attachment to any standard tripod.

While the product looks promising, we can’t help but wonder if carrying around a case, attachable grips, and multiple lenses is really any more convenient than keeping a small mirrorless or advanced compact camera with you. With the Snap! 7 attached and fully accessorized, it seems actually using your phone as a phone would become rather cumbersome, but mobile photo enthusiasts may not mind carrying the case with them separately.

Bitplay is currently offering pre-orders online, with cases expected to ship by the end of the month. In addition to the bare case for $50, customers can purchase the Snap! 7 bundled with either the standard wide-angle lens or the HD wide-angle lens for $70 and $150, respectively.

Sony’s ‘superception’ VR tech could let users see virtual worlds through another’s eyes

Why it matters to you

If Sony has its way, you’ll be able to experience virtual worlds in a completely different way.

Today’s virtual reality systems focus on providing individual users with as real a view of an imaginary world as possible. Essentially, VR might put us into completely fantastical settings, but they focus on making them as real as possible to us as individuals.

Apparently, Sony wants to augment VR by providing users not only with their own perspective on virtual worlds, but allowing them to share the perspectives of other users as well. The company calls this “superception,” and it promises to add another layer to the VR experience, as Engadget reports.

More: PlayStation VR Review

Sony introduced the new concept at SXSW, and the idea behind superception — the combination of “super” and “perception” — is that technology can expand the individual’s perception by connecting together the perceptions of multiple people. According to Sony researcher Shunichi Kasahara, “The core idea behind it is to use technology to go beyond the limitations of our human perspective. This could be a nomadic VR application where we use it in outdoor game settings.”

Sony Computer Science Lab

Specifically, Sony asserts that sharing perspectives can increase empathy among VR users while allowing each user to gain a more powerful perceptual capability. The system works by splitting the VR display into four sections, one for the user and then three for other users moving through the same virtual scene. As Engadget attests, the experience is disconcerting at first, but eventually, the user adjusts to the multiple perspectives and gains a better sense of the virtual environment than could be achieved alone.

One example of superception technology at work was an experiment where a group of users coordinated the creation of a sketch of the Statue of Liberty by utilizing shared input. At SXSW, another group of users engaged in a chase through a warehouse where each participant could experience the first-person perspectives of the others.

Whether or not Sony’s technology will make it into shipping VR products anytime soon remains up in the air. If it does, though, it could help users see things a little differently by looking at a virtual world through the eyes of other people.

Dubleup is a power bank for your phone that fits right in your wallet

Why it matters to you

This is the most portable battery pack we’ve ever used.

Smartphone manufacturers have pulled off all kinds of clever tricks to bring us the latest wave of multi-functional wonders. But if there’s one obstacle they’re still struggling to overcome, it’s battery life. Poll after poll highlights public frustration at limited power in phones. In fact, 73 percent of people would be happy to accept a thicker phone if it meant longer battery life, according to a YouGov poll.

More: The super-svelte Kado Wallet is the slimmest phone charger we’ve ever seen

We’ve been extolling the virtues of portable battery packs for a while now, but they’re not always as portable as we would like. The Dubleup aims to change that. This is the smallest power bank we’ve ever used. It measures 86 x 54 x 5.5 mm and weighs just 40g. That makes it almost exactly the same dimensions as a credit card, just a bit fatter, so it genuinely fits in a wallet or purse.

It also has a slide out MicroUSB or Lightning connector with a very short cable built into the top. There’s a MicroUSB port on the side to charge it up. Press the power button on the back to kick off charging and also light up the LED array. There are three white LEDs to give you an idea of remaining charge.

You may be wondering how much power you can fit into such a small package. The capacity of the Dubleup is 1,280mAh. To give you a couple of reference points, the iPhone 7 has a 1,960mAh battery in it and the Galaxy S7 sports a 3,000mAh battery. So, the Dubleup isn’t really going to give you a full charge, but it will certainly give you a decent burst of extra power when you need it, which could be enough to see you through.

We tested it out with a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which has a whopping 3,600mAh battery in it. Straight out of the box, the Dubleup took the battery from 41 percent up to 54 percent in 20 minutes. The official power output is 5V/1A and the Dubleup itself charges at the same rate when you plug it in, so it takes around two hours to fully charge. You can charge it up with any charger you have lying around or plug it into a computer or laptop to charge.

After recharging the Dubleup, which took just under two hours, we tried it again. This time it took the Galaxy S7 Edge’s battery from 52 percent up to 74 percent in half an hour.

One concern you might have with something so thin is safety. We found that the Dubleup got pretty warm when it was charging the S7 Edge, but nothing out of the ordinary for a power bank. The Lightning connector version has been approved by Apple, so it has MFi certification.

We can’t speak to its longevity, but the manufacturer is suggesting it should provide in excess of 500 charge cycles, which is in line with most other power banks.

The Dubleup power bank is available on Kickstarter right now. If you’re quick you can snag one for $50. That’s quite expensive for a power bank with a low capacity, but you’re really paying for the portability here. If you miss out on the Early Bird offer, then the price will rise to $59.