UK drone rules will require you to take safety tests

US officials might be easing up on drone regulations, but their UK counterparts are pushing forward. The British government has instituted rules that require you to not only register any robotic aircraft weighing over 250g (0.55lbs), but to take a “safety awareness” test to prove you understand the drone code. Regulators hope that this will lead to fewer drones flying over airports and otherwise causing havoc in British skies. Not that they’re taking any chances — the UK is also planning wider use of geofencing to prevent drones from flying into dangerous airspace.

The new rules come following a study highlighting the dangers of wayward drones. A smaller drone isn’t necessarily safer than its larger alternatives, for example — many of those more compact models have exposed rotors that can do a lot of damage. A drone weighing around 400 g (0.88lbs) can crack the windscreen of a helicopter, while all but the heaviest drones will have trouble cracking the windscreen of an airliner (and then only at speeds you’d expect beyond the airport). While you might not cause as much chaos as some have feared, you could still create a disaster using a compact drone.

It’s nothing new to register drones, of course, and it doesn’t appear to have dampened enthusiasm in the US. The test adds a wrinkle, though: how willing are you to buy a drone if you know you’ll have to take a quiz? The test likely won’t slow sales too much, if at all, but it could give people one more reason to pause before buying a drone on impulse. Manufacturers appear to be in favor of the new rulebook, at any rate — DJI tells the BBC that the UK is striving for a “reasonable” solution that balances safety with a recognition of the advantages that drones can bring to public life.

Source: Gov.uk (1), (2)

Watch the nostalgic trailer for Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’

After no shortage of hype, Warner Bros. is finally ready to show what Steven Spielberg’s take on Ready Player One is all about. The studio has released the first trailer for the adaptation of Ernest Cline’s novel, and it’s clear that the flick is playing up not just the book’s disjunction between a dystopic real world and VR, but the endless references to pop culture of decades gone by. Some of them are patently obvious in the clip — you’ll see a famous time-traveling car and a certain giant robot — but some are of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it variety. Take Duke Nukem in the epic battle above, for example.

The preview is a whirlwind tour that focuses more on the spectacle of the OASIS’ virtual world than the story, which isn’t surprising when the movie isn’t slated to premiere until March 2018. It’s big on slam-bang action scenes (such as a gigantic virtual race) more than anything else. As such, we have some unanswered questions: how closely does it hew to the tale of Wade Watts and his quest to win James Halliday’s final game? How much will it lean on spectacle versus tackling the broader concepts of the novel? It could take months before we have a better sense of that, but it’s apparent that the visual style is at least on point — it’s easy to see why people would flock to the spectacle of the OASIS given a real world devoid of adventure.

Source: Comicbook.com (YouTube)

Snapchat Spectacles: Everything you need to know

Tired of staring at your phone and ignoring your surroundings in order to stay connected? Well, Snapchat (now Snap Inc., technically) has the answer. The company’s Spectacles sunglasses have lit up the internet, a result of both the product’s unique nature and its initial limited availability.

Now that Spectacles can be purchased online, avid snappers will no doubt have lots of questions about the fashion-forward eye candy, so let’s not waste time. Scroll down to learn more about Spectacles.

How to find a pair

Snap Inc.

Spectacles (available in black, coral, or teal) went on sale in late 2016, and could only be purchased using a Snapchat Snapbot vending machine, or from the dedicated pop-up store in New York. That has all changed over the past months, and Spectacles are now much easier to find and buy. If the cool tech eyewear is for you, then Spectacles can be purchased for $130 on the Spectacles website, plus taxes and shipping. From July 19, Spectacles can be purchased through Amazon for the same price, and in all the official colors.

In early June, Snap Inc. launched Spectacles in the U.K., after first selling them only in the United States. All three colors are sold through the local Spectacles website for 130 British pounds. Also on July 19, Amazon U.K. started to sell Spectacles, just like in the United States.

Just a few days later, Snap debuted a pop-up shop in a brick and mortar location — and not just any brick and mortar location. The social media company chose none other than the famed London department store Harrods to become the first in-person vendor of the Spectacles (previously, you could only buy the glasses online or through a Snapbot vending machine).

The kiosk doesn’t really integrate much technology, surprisingly enough. Rather, there’s just a mirror for you to check out how the Spectacles look, and an Android phone that displays the sorts of 360-degree videos you can record with the eyewear.

Snapchat @Spectacles kiosk inside @Harrods in London. pic.twitter.com/Ruo8oQhLaJ

— Blaire Bender (@blairebender) July 20, 2017

This is quite the departure from the famous Snapbots, which are far rarer now. Snap has put them on hiatus, making a return sometime in the future, according to the company. These special vending machines were nomadic, and never stayed in any location for more than a day.  And, you would never find Snapbots in more than one location at a time. This “game” made Spectacles rare and even more desirable when they were first available.

Snap’s pop-up Snapbot location in New York City. The store closed on February 19.

Before you buy

Well, it goes without saying, you will need an iOS or Android phone running Snapchat in order to use Spectacles. If you aren’t already a Snapchat user or you find it confusing, we don’t think Spectacles will change that outlook.

Note: You will also need to be using an iPhone 5 or newer that’s running at least iOS 8, or an Android device that’s running at least Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) with Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi Direct.

However, there are other things to keep in mind. Spectacles isn’t one-size-fits-all. For one of our editors, the Spectacles felt small and tight on the face. Snap says this can be adjusted by an optician, but be careful: applying heat or water to where the electronics are (in the front of the frame) may fry them. If Spectacles feels loose, Snap suggests tightening the screw of each temple – where the arm joins the lens frame.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to try them before you buy. If you decide you don’t like Spectacles after you receive one, Snap offers a 30-day return policy, provided you have a receipt and your pair isn’t damaged or altered. You can also exchange for a new pair if you encounter any problems that you can’t troubleshoot.

If you wear prescription glasses, you can swap out the Spectacles lenses for ones that match your prescription. An optician needs to do this for you.

Snap has released news special edition Spectacles, such as a pair designed to be compatible with goggles. There’s also a secret project in the works that involves augmented reality.

What’s in the box?

The Spectacles comes inside a magnetically-sealed, wedge-shaped case in Snap’s trademark yellow. For a glasses case it is somewhat large and hefty – you probably wouldn’t want to carry it around in your coat pocket. It’s made of a soft material that should protect the Spectacles in case of accidental drops. Inside, you’ll also fine a USB charging cord.

The case also doubles as a portable charging cradle. When seated inside the case, contact points at the joint of the Spectacles’ left arm (when folded) connect magnetically. One end of the cord ($10 for a replacement) is then connected to the case, while the other end has a standard USB connector for plugging into a computer, portable battery, or wall charger. The cord can also connect directly to the Spectacles, eliminating the need to use the case. Once the cord is attached and charging, you will see LEDs light up. Snap recommends using a USB wall charger, however, there isn’t one included.

Inside the case is a built-in battery that can be used for on-the-go, standalone recharging. When fully charged, the case can recharge a pair of Spectacles up to four times. Without the case, it takes approximately 90 minutes to fully charge a pair of Spectacles using a wall outlet, according to Snap. To see how much juice is left, double-tapping on the side of the left arm (where the shutter button is) will light up a number of LEDs that correspond to the percentage of battery life left. You can also find battery info via the Spectacles menu in the Snapchat app.

Double-tap on the side of Spectacles, and the front LEDs illuminate to show battery life. (Credit: Snap Inc.)

Snap says the Spectacles’ battery should last a day or 100 snaps on a single charge (one Snap is considered one 10-second video), but we’ve seen reports that indicate battery life is much shorter. If you use the Spectacles often, you may want to bring along the case.

Low battery indicator inside the frame. (Credit: Snap Inc.)

Unlike regular sunglasses, Spectacles requires extra care. Do not use one in water.

LG debuts its friendly robots to help you find your way around Seoul’s airport

Why it matters to you

Traveling in airports can be a stressful experience, but LG’s robots want to make things a bit better.

Airports certainly aren’t known as the happiest places on earth, but one South Korean company is making an attempt to bring some joy into these travel hubs. In advance of the 2018 Winter Olympics slated to take place in Pyeongchang, LG has begun trialling new robots in Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, the nation’s largest airport. Meet the Airport Guide Robot and the Airport Cleaning Robot, two distinct bots that may just put a smile on your face in even the most stressful travel situations.

Initially unveiled at CES earlier this year, the aptly named bots will seek to create a more seamless airport experience from all perspectives. To help you find your way around bustling terminals, the Guide Robot will offer directions and boarding time information to travelers, and is capable of speaking Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. You can even ask the bot to scan your boarding pass and escort you to the correct departure gate (which could be particularly useful if your mother tongue is not one the aforementioned).

It’s unclear as of yet how quickly the bot can actually escort you from Point A to Point B — after all, if you’re in a rush, you may not have time for a slow robot guide. That said, if you’ve time to kill, the robot can tell you where the nearest restaurant or water fountain is located.

On the other hand, the Cleaning Robot “detects the areas that require the most frequent cleaning, stores those locations in its database and calculates the most efficient routes to get there.” More or less a tall, large Roomba, it strikes quite an impressive presence, and may just make you want one for your own home.

These latest developments display LG’s hopes to “develop and expand its commercial robot business as a future growth engine,” the company said in a press release. As it stands, there are five examples of each kind of robot roaming the Seoul airport, so if you’re planning any travel to South Korea, you may want to keep an eye out for these helpful little guys. They could be the way of the traveling future.

NASA needs your help for the upcoming full solar eclipse in the U.S.

Why it matters to you

Want to take part in a national science experiment? Sure you do, and all you need is NASA’s free app.

Getting a job at NASA is no walk in the park, but contributing to its upcoming science experiment could be just that easy. While we can’t all be astronauts or rocket scientists, we can download NASA’s new GLOBE Observer Eclipse app and record data during the upcoming full solar eclipse. The natural phenomenon, slated to take place on August 21, 2017, is expected to be one of the largest in recent memory, and will actually be the first time Americans will be able to see such an eclipse since 1979. Heralded as the “Great American Total Eclipse,” it’ll be visible to the residents of 14 states — 12 will be in the direct path of the eclipse, while two will catch the edge.

And if you’re one of those people, NASA wants your help. “The public will have an opportunity to participate in a nationwide science experiment by collecting cloud and temperature data from their phones,” the space agency announced. “NASA’s Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program Observer (NASA GO) is a citizen science project that allows users to record observations with a free app.”

That app, the GLOBE Observer Eclipse app, can be used by the layman to “observe how the eclipse changes atmospheric conditions near them, and contribute to a database used by students and scientists worldwide in order to study the effects of the eclipse on the atmosphere.” All you need is your smartphone and a thermometer, and you can participate in a nationwide science experiment, and sort of call yourself a part of NASA.

So what’s the point of the experiment? While scientists are well aware that temperature and cloud conditions change quickly during an eclipse, and that animals suddenly tone down their volume during such an event, it’s unclear why or how. As such, they’re on a mission to collect as much data from all over the country as possible. So regardless of whether you’re in one of the 12 states in the direct path of the eclipse, or in one of the two fringe states, NASA wants you to download the GLOBE Observer app, sign up for a free GLOBE account, and be ready to go outside next month with your smartphone and a thermometer.

NASA needs your help for the upcoming full solar eclipse in the U.S.

Why it matters to you

Want to take part in a national science experiment? Sure you do, and all you need is NASA’s free app.

Getting a job at NASA is no walk in the park, but contributing to its upcoming science experiment could be just that easy. While we can’t all be astronauts or rocket scientists, we can download NASA’s new GLOBE Observer Eclipse app and record data during the upcoming full solar eclipse. The natural phenomenon, slated to take place on August 21, 2017, is expected to be one of the largest in recent memory, and will actually be the first time Americans will be able to see such an eclipse since 1979. Heralded as the “Great American Total Eclipse,” it’ll be visible to the residents of 14 states — 12 will be in the direct path of the eclipse, while two will catch the edge.

And if you’re one of those people, NASA wants your help. “The public will have an opportunity to participate in a nationwide science experiment by collecting cloud and temperature data from their phones,” the space agency announced. “NASA’s Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program Observer (NASA GO) is a citizen science project that allows users to record observations with a free app.”

That app, the GLOBE Observer Eclipse app, can be used by the layman to “observe how the eclipse changes atmospheric conditions near them, and contribute to a database used by students and scientists worldwide in order to study the effects of the eclipse on the atmosphere.” All you need is your smartphone and a thermometer, and you can participate in a nationwide science experiment, and sort of call yourself a part of NASA.

So what’s the point of the experiment? While scientists are well aware that temperature and cloud conditions change quickly during an eclipse, and that animals suddenly tone down their volume during such an event, it’s unclear why or how. As such, they’re on a mission to collect as much data from all over the country as possible. So regardless of whether you’re in one of the 12 states in the direct path of the eclipse, or in one of the two fringe states, NASA wants you to download the GLOBE Observer app, sign up for a free GLOBE account, and be ready to go outside next month with your smartphone and a thermometer.

Best Drones Under $300

You don’t need to break the bank to buy a fun, reliable drone.

If you’re looking to buy your first drone, whether for racing or just for the fun of it, searching for the top-rated drones might result in sticker shock. Sure, the DJI Inspire 1 looks AMAZING, but at nearly $3,000, it’s not worth the investment if you’re a novice hobbyist.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll want a drone that’s easy enough to fly to get a handle on everything but also tough enough to survive a crash caused by human error or technical malfunction. Fortunately, there are a number of great drone options out there for under $300. They may include cameras (of lesser-quality, of course) and first-person view (FPV) flying options, as well as bumpers to protect the blades and hardware while you’re still learning the basics. Then, once you’re confident in your skills as a drone pilot, you can decide whether to upgrade to a more expensive, professional drone.

Three of these drones fall below both the FAA requirements for registration which only costs $5 per aircraft and will save you from dealing with fines (or worse) if the authorities catch you flying an unregistered drone. The same three are also light enough to avoid falling under Canada’s new restrictive drone laws, so you’ll be able to fly them in your local park without setting yourself up to be fined.

• Tokky MJX Bugs 3 Brushless Drone kit
• Aukey Black Sparrow
• Microdrone 3.0
• Syma X8G
• Walkera Runner 250
• Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Elite Edition
• LaTrax Alias Quadcopter
• Holy Stone Predator

Tokky MJX Bugs 3 Brushless Drone set

Recommended by mvierling in the comments, the Tokky MJX Bugs 3 offers great value to those who have practiced flying with cheaper drones and are ready to move onto something a bit more substantial but still affordable.

This drone has both beginner and advanced flight modes, but even the beginner mode is pretty fast. The base kit includes the drone, wireless transmitter, one 1800mAh LiPo battery, and eight spare blades. While this drone doesn’t have a built-in camera, it does include a camera mount for a GoPro or other similar sized action cameras.

You’ll get about 15-19 minutes of flight time on a fully-charged battery. You can get a two-pack of extra batteries for under $30 as well as extra sets of blades for under $15 — and you’ll probably need those extra blades.

For $160, you can get a kit that includes a waterproof backpack for storing and transporting your drone, or just buy the drone itself and save $30.

See at Amazon

Specs:

• Dimensions: 16.4″ x 16.4″ x 6.5″
• Weight: 4 lbs
• Camera: GoPro mount included.
• Average flight time: 15-19 minutes
• FAA registration required?: Yes

Aukey Black Sparrow

The Aukey Black Sparrow offers a great value for anyone looking to take control of a full-sized drone for under $100. Some assembly is required out of the box, as you’ll need to install the landing gear and blade guards with the included screwdriver. You’ll also need to charge the built-in battery for a few hours before it’s ready to fly.

Once it is, you’ll get an average of 10 minutes of flight time. The included 2.4 GHz controller all plastic, but capable with switches for calibrating the drone and switching to headless mode for easier controls. It allows for over 1000 ft of range, and the bright LEDs on the bottom also make night flying an option. You definitely need to take this drone out to a wide open field and fly it far away from buildings, people and power lines. That’s sound advice for flying any drone, but especially for the Black Sparrow — due to its combined power and lightweight, you don’t want to lose control of it and cause damage or injury. The onboard 6-axis gyro helps to keep the drone stable in flight — a must-have feature for novice flyers — but can be difficult to control in windy conditions.

While the Black Sparrow doesn’t come with a camera, you’ll notice a video port and threads for mounting a camera attachment in the bottom. A camera accessory is not currently available, but is featured in the user manual as an optional upgrade.

See at Amazon

Specs:

• Dimensions: 21.3″ x 21.3″ x 6″
• Weight: 1.5 lbs
• Camera: No
• Average flight time: 10 minutes
• FAA registration required?: Yes

Microdrone 3.0

The MicroDrone 3.0 raised over $3 million on IndieGoGo and, like the name suggests, is the smallest drone on this list, but don’t let its small size fool you. This is a fully-capable drone with a ton of features jam-packed into a small, minimalist package.

Included in the full set combo, now available from Amazon, you get the drone, a 2.4 GHz handset, propeller guards, four replacement blades, four blades for inverted flying, the Wi-Fi Camera module, a smartphone holder that attaches to the handset, as well as a VR headset that holds most smartphones for FPV flying. Basically, it’s everything you need to get started.

It’s a capable flyer with three control modes (slow, fast, and insane), as well as a toggle switch for stunt mode, which lets you perform impressive flips and rolls. The camera literally snaps on in a second thanks to proprietary magnets that also deliver power to the camera. Connect your phone to the camera’s Wi-Fi and control and record video through the Microdrone app.

Note that the folks behind the Microdrone are still working to fulfill their crowdfunding backers first, so you’ll probably end up having to wait some time before it arrives.

See at Amazon

Specs:

• Dimensions: 5.7″ x 5.7″ x 1.9″
• Weight: .12 lbs (56 g) without camera, .16 lbs (71 g) with camera
• Camera: Yes — removable, shoots 720 x 1080 HD at 30 FPS
• Average flight time: 10 minutes (without camera)
• FAA registration required?: No

Syma X8G

This is another great option for beginners. It flies well right out of the box with a gradual learning curve and a build that’s reportedly strong enough to survive multiple crashes into trees. It’s also the biggest drone on the list and comes with the best camera with the ability to swap in a GoPro.

You’ll get up to eight minutes of flight time on a full battery charge, but you’ll want to invest in multiple batteries because it takes up to 3 hours to charge the 2000mAh battery, which is by far the biggest drawback for this drone. Otherwise, given the build, size, and price, this is a fantastic option for a novice drone pilot or someone looking to get sweet aerial shots on the cheap.

See at Amazon

Specs:

• Dimensions: 19.7″ x 19.7″ x 7.5″
• Weight: 3.4 lbs
• Camera: Yes — removable, 8 MP, 120p and 1080p video quality. Also compatible with GoPro cameras
• Average flight time: 5-8 minutes
• FAA registration required?: Yes

Walkera Runner 250

If you’re interested in the emerging world of drone racing, this would be the drone to start with — but it’s not recommended for beginners. Made from lightweight carbon fiber, it’s built to take a licking and keep on ticking. It doesn’t look as pretty as the other drones on this list, but again, this one is built for speed over style and sure delivers on that front.

The Runner 250 is capable of going extremely fast — up to 24 miles per hour — while still offering good control with up to 1000 meters of range. Flying at those speeds, you’ll want to make sure the battery is well secured, as it’s been reported to come loose and cut power to the camera after major crashes. Everything comes assembled in the box, along with a tool set for making repairs as needed. Happy racing!

See at Amazon

Specs:

• Dimensions: 18.5″ x 11.3″ x 5.2″
• Weight: 1.1 lbs
• Camera: Yes (800TVL built-in)
• Average flight time: 12-15 minutes
• FAA registration required?: Yes

Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Elite Edition

Parrot is a trusted name in drones, and the AR 2.0 is a fantastic entry point for someone interested in the hobby.

Unlike other drones on this list, this one is controlled strictly via a Wi-Fi connection with your smartphone; no handset is included. Simply download the Parrot control app to your phone and you’re able to control and record video in 720p. There’s also an optional Director Mode available for purchase within the app that allows you to set up cinematic shots if you fancy yourself an amateur filmmaker. There’s even a USB plug in the base of the drone so you can record video straight to a removable drive.

The built-in sensors and navigation system allow the AR 2.0 to maintain stability, even in winds gusting up to 15 miles per hour, so you shouldn’t lose control of your drone on a windy day. Even if you do, simply attach the foam blade protectors to help take the brunt of any crashes. Oh, and the Elite Edition means it comes styled in your choice of camo: jungle, desert, or snow.

See at Amazon

Specs:

• Dimensions: 23″ x 23″ x 5″
• Weight: 4 lbs
• Camera: Yes — 720p HD video
• Average flight time: 11 minutes
• FAA registration required?: Yes

LaTrax Alias Quadcopter

This one is a fine option for beginners and experts alike. Built with a solid, molded composite frame, this thing is both rugged and extremely lightweight.

Including a 2.4 GHz handset for controls, this thing is built for speed and stunting. There’s no camera or options, so if that’s an important feature for you, you’ll have to look elsewhere. It does come with multiple flying modes, from an easy mode that keeps the speed in check to a full manual mode that puts you in full control of stabilization and everything.

While the LaTrax Alias lacks features found in other options on this list, the build design and price make this a great option for someone looking for something fast, cheap, and fun to fly.

See at Amazon

Specs:

• Dimensions: 12″ x 12″ x 1.6″
• Weight: .22 lbs (100g)
• Camera: No
• Average flight time: 10 minutes
• FAA registration required?: No

Holy Stone Predator

If you’re brand-spanking new to drones and need a cheap drone to practice that avoids FAA registration or Canada’s new drone laws, the Holy Stone Predator is a great option. It comes with its own controller that simple enough for beginners to pick up and fly, and is capable of pulling off stunts and withstanding light winds for outdoor flights. But the real bonus here is the size. It’s small enough to allow for practice indoors if you’ve got the space. A fully-charged battery supplies six minutes of flight time; with replacement batteries really cheap and easy to swap in and out, this is a cheap drone with affordable accessories.

See at Amazon

Specs:

• Dimensions: 5.3″ x 1.6″ x 5.3″
• Weight: 1.42 ounces (42g)
• Camera: No
• Average flight time: 6 minutes
• FAA registration required?: No

What did we miss?

Are you a drone enthusiast? Got any experience with the drones we’ve listed here? Got a suggestion for one that we missed? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Updated July 21: Added the Tokky MJX Bugs 3 Brushless Drone set.

Get a Super-Sized Ethical Hacking bundle for just $43!

Hackers pose a serious threat, not only to individuals but also to large corporations. There are vast security structures in place to keep hackers out, but without testing that security, there’s no way to know whether it will hold up. That’s where ethical hackers come in.

Learn how to become a certified pentester with this nine-course bundle! Learn more

Ethical hackers are employed to test security systems, and the better they are at hacking, the better they are at their job. In order to become a successful ethical hacker, you really need to know what you’re doing, and the training required is usually quite extensive and expensive.

Right now, however, Android Central Digital Offers has a deal on a Super-Sized Ethical Hacking bundle. Instead of paying the regular price of $1,080, you’ll pay just $43. That’s 96 percent off the regular price!

This nine-course bundle will take you from zero to hero with 667 lessons and over 76 hours of training. Courses include:

• Bug Bounty: Web Hacking
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Get started on an ethical hacking career with this $43 bundle! Learn more

If you’ve been thinking about making the internet a safer place by exposing its vulnerabilities, this is the bundle for you. Ethical hacking is a lucrative career, and this bundle has everything needed for a strong start. Don’t wait too long; this deal doesn’t last forever.

Best Multiplayer VR Games

What are the best multiplayer VR games?

One of the best aspects of virtual reality is sharing the experience with friends, whether online or right in your living room. No matter the VR system you’re using, these are the best multiplayer titles available now.

Read more at VR Heads!

Do your thing in this weekend’s comment thread!

The comments are yours to use as you will. Almost.

It’s the best day of the week of all the days of the week once again. Saturday is the first day of the weekend that’s not the last day. Time to relax, at least a little bit. And if you’re working through the weekend, hopefully your days off are just as great as a Saturday.

Use this down time to get ready for the Galaxy Note 8. That’s what we’re doing, but everything we’re doing right about now is getting ready for the Note 8. Because it’s coming in just a month.

This Note is going to be a tad different from the past releases. It’s either the best Note ever or the worst, depending on what you’re looking for. Samsung has to play things a little safe this time and I don’t expect anything crazy or innovative is going to debut here. Why? Because of the Note 7.

That damn Bixby button though.

Look, Samsung doesn’t have to prove to me (or most of us) that they can build a perfect phone. One that works exactly as advertised, with no surprises. But they still have to do it. And I think the Note 8 will be that “perfect” phone that is exactly what they wanted it to be when it lands on a shelf at the Verizon store. They are going to nail it.

Half of us want a bigger version of the S8 with small upgrades like more memory and dual-cameras. The other half wants to see something completely new because Samsung is pretty good at completely new. I think the second half may be a little disappointed this year. But look at it this way — a “perfect” Note 8 means they have a ton of money and time to make a crazy-idea find it’s way into the Note 9.

So take a minute and talk about it. Or talk about something else if you’re not into the Note 8. Comments are wide open for anything and nothing is off-topic (but please care about each other just a little bit).