Sony PlayStation 4 Slim Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

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The PlayStation Slim is now the standard PlayStation
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Sony’s shrink ray has done it again. The PlayStation 4 has officially been miniaturized to become the PlayStation 4 Slim. It’s coming September 15 for $299 (£259, no price for Australia yet), the same price the original version costs right now.

Basically, it’s the same PlayStation 4 game console you know and love (or hate?), only an estimated 30 percent smaller than before, according to measurements taken by people who managed to buy the system ahead of launch.

That’s a notable drop: the original PS4 stood two inches high, while the new slimmer version measures more like an inch and a half tall.

Pricing for the new PlayStation 4 Slim.

Other than the obvious size difference, there’s not a heck of a lot to say about the new PlayStation 4 Slim. It still plays all the same games the exact same way with the exact same internal hardware — with only minor functional differences.

For instance, reports suggest it’s a little bit easier to install a new hard drive now (500GB comes standard, with a 1TB version as well), and a slightly tweaked DualShock 4 controller can be directly connected to the console with a USB cable to improve response times in intense games.

According to those reports, there’s also no longer an optical audio jack on the back of the system, and the Slim runs cooler and quieter thanks to improved cooling and a redesigned fan.

Sony says the new slimmer PS4 is 25 percent lighter than the original, and 34 percent more power efficient.

Otherwise, you’ll looking at cosmetic differences like a little light strip that helps you find the power button, another light strip on top of the controller to get your attention, PlayStation symbols peppering the bottom panel, and front USB 3.0 ports that are a little bit further apart.

Sony’s new, slimmer PlayStation 4.

Sony

But the PlayStation 4 Slim doesn’t need to be a big upgrade, because it’ll replace the existing PlayStation 4 in stores. If you’re looking for some more power in your PlayStation, you’ll want to look at the PS4 Pro, the new high-end 4K-ready console that Sony’s announcing as well!

Or if you just happen to like cute, shrunk-down game consoles, check out the Xbox One S and the NES Classic Mini.

Apple Watch 2 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The Apple Watch 2 is official, and it’s waterproof.

The second-generation model, which is officially called Apple Watch Series 2, adds a faster dual-core processor, improved graphics and GPS, which can be used to measure pace, distance and speed when running and biking. But the highlight feature will be the added waterproofing. The new model is waterproof up to 50 meters (164 feet) and can be worn while showering and even swimming.

Check out Scott Stein’s hands-on video from the Apple event in San Francisco below:

The Series 2 looks exactly like last year’s Apple Watch. Some people may not be thrilled with that, but the improvements are all in performance, and we weren’t able to test those in our brief hands-on with the watch. What I was really hoping for was some new watch faces via some sort of watch face store, but that never materialized.

Apple has said that the faster processor and the WatchOS 3 software, which arrives on older Apple Watch models on September 13, should improve app performance and navigating through the interface. The display on the new watch has also been updated and is now two times brighter than the original Apple Watch. In fact, Apple said that it is the “brightest display Apple has ever shipped.”

James Martin/CNET

More from Apple’s event

• Apple’s iPhone 7 is a familiar phone for unfamiliar challenges
• Goodbye, headphone jack: Apple iPhone 7 ships with Lightning headphones and dongle
• Full coverage of Apple’s event

Despite some rumors, Apple decided not to include cellular functionality. That means you must still be connected to an iPhone to use a majority of the watch’s features (aside from those that use GPS, of course). This is different from the Samsung Gear S3, which includes LTE and can be used independently of your smartphone.

Oddly enough, Apple chose not to discuss battery life, which was an area of frequent criticism on the original model. The inclusion of GPS will affect battery life, and it remains unclear how long the watch will last between charges. The original Apple Watch lasted about a day to a day and a half.

James Martin/CNET

The Apple Watch Series 2 will be available for $369 in aluminum and stainless steel. There’s also a slick new ceramic model, which is said to be four times harder than stainless steel. Like its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in two sizes: 38mm and 42mm.

But that’s not it. Apple also announced a partnership with Nike for a special Apple Watch Nike+ edition that is designed for runners. It features an aluminum case and a funky silicon strap that makes the watch feel like a Nike FuelBand and Apple Watch had a little baby. There are some built-in Nike running features, but for the most part it’s a normal Series 2 watch. The Nike+ model will be available for $369 in October.

The original Apple Watch is gone, but Apple did announce the Apple Watch Series 1. This is essentially the original Apple Watch, but with the faster processor from the Series 2 model. Apple has said the new processor should make the Series 1 up to 50 percent faster than the original model. The Apple Watch Series 1 will be available for $269.

Preorders start on September 9. Both the Series 2 and Series 1 watches will be available on Sept 16.

You can see full pricing below:

Apple Watch pricing

*Hermes versions for the 38mm Steel model go up to $1,299, £1,299, AU$2,029

**Hermes versions for the 42mm Steel model go up to $1,399, £1,399, AU$2,189

Updated 1:40 p.m. PT with hands-on video. Check out all of today’s Apple news.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The new pair of Apple flagships have finally been announced.

During a San Francisco event today held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the tech giant unveiled the iPhone 7, the 7 Plus and the company’s second wearable, the Apple Watch Series 2. The device will start at $769 for 32GB, but 128GB and 256GB variants will be available. Pre-orders begin September 9 and units will ship out September 16.

The 7 Plus shares many attributes as its 7 counterpart, including its new dust- and water-resistant design, stereo speakers and a lack of a headphone jack. But as Apple’s slightly more premium handset, the device is equipped with a bigger display and three cameras total (including a 12-megapixel telephoto lens).

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The Plus looks just like the older iPhone 6S Plus, which isn’t much of a surprise. However, the dual lenses do steal the show and are the most compelling feature about the phone. They show notable improvements in the speed of snapping photos during our brief time with the handset.

The rest of the Plus is really about its internal specs, including performance and battery life. As such, these upgrades are invisible, and any improvements we anticipate will have to be tested and included in our review at a later date. For now, what we can see immediately (other than the two cameras) is that the headphone jack really is gone. And the new home button takes getting used to: the click is gone, and it’s now replaced with a haptic buzz.

Other features include:

iPhone 7 Plus’ two rear cameras.

James Martin/CNET

Design

• A 5.5-inch Retina HD display with 1,080-pixel resolution and 401 pixels per inch
• 5 color variations pink, gold, silver, black and the new jet black
• Satisfies IP67 standards for splash, water and dust resistance
• Single Lightning port (includes headphone dongle)
• Pressure sensitive home button

Camera

• Two 12-megapixel cameras: a wide-angle 28mm lens and a 56mm telephoto lens
• 4K video recording
• Optical image stabilization
• A 7-megapixel FaceTime HD front-facing camera

Hardware and software

• 64-bit, quad-core A10 Fusion processor
• Increased battery capacity (up to one hour longer than the 6S Plus)
• Running iOS 10 at launch

Pricing

Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus pricing

*Jet black only comes in the 128GB and 256GB sizes.

Apple Watch Series 1 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Along with the new Apple Watch Series 2, the company has rebranded the original smartwatch to be called the Series 1.

But it’s not just a name change — it’s also getting an upgraded dual-core processor chip for faster performance speeds and a cheaper price tag.

More from Apple’s event

• Apple’s iPhone 7 is a familiar phone for unfamiliar challenges
• Goodbye, headphone jack: Apple iPhone 7 ships with Lightning headphones and dongle
• Full coverage of Apple’s event

The Apple Watch Series 1 is priced at $269 (£269, AU$399) for the 38mm Sport and $299 (£299, AU$449) for the 42mm Sport edition.

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Apple iPhone 7 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

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iPhone 7 packed with new features
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After months of rumors, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are here in the flesh! Apple announced both today at its launch event in San Francisco.

Here are the most important things you need to know:

• Size and feel: The iPhone 7 feels pretty much the same as the iPhone 6S, with the same 4.7-inch screen. Apple says the “HD Retina display” is 25 percent brighter than last year’s model. It includes the pressure-sensitive 3D Touch layer that buzzes slightly when you press and hold the screen.

• Static home button: The home button is now solid state, which means you can’t physically press or click it in — kind of like the Motorola Moto Z and OnePlus 3. It’s pressure-sensitive, including “taptic feedback”, which just means that apps can give you three levels of pressure and haptic feedback, like a light or strong buzz. It doesn’t feel like a button and definitely takes getting used to, but so far it seems to get the job done.

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• Water-resistant: Yes, Virginia, it will be water-resistant (IP67), like several Samsung and Sony phones (IP68). Cannonballlll!

• No headphone jack: It’s gone. Really. Instead, Apple’s new EarPods headphones will connect through the Lightning connector port; you’ll also get an adaptor in the box. Apple’s also pushing new, funky-looking AirPods headset connects wirelessly through auto-pairing. These worked pretty well, actually, and sounded pretty good in a the loud demo room.

• New camera: The iPhone 7 keeps the 12-megapixel camera, but adds a larger aperture and — this is a big deal — optical image stabilization that keeps images steadier. We do notice that the camera sticks out more from the back. (The iPhone 7 Plus gets a second, 56mm telephoto lens on the back that works like a built-in zoom feature. Phones like the LG V20, Huawei P9 and Huawei Honor 8 have two cameras, too.) We have lots more detail below.

That home button doesn’t click in.

James Martin/CNET

• New front-facing camera: The iPhone 7’s 7-megapixel front-facing camera leaps up from 5 megapixels on the iPhone 6S, and includes auto-image stabilization (but not optical image stabilization).

• Stereo speakers: A second speaker joins the iPhone to give you stereo speakers. There’s now one at the bottom and one at the top (this is brand-new for Apple).

• Longer battery life: Greater battery capacity for longer battery life. Apple estimates 12 hours of LTE browsing (the iPhone 7 Plus should clock about two more hours). Apple notoriously never tells us what the capacity is.

• Faster processor: The iPhone 7’s new A10 Fusion chip is a 64-bit, quad-core processor that Apple says is 40 percent faster than last year’s A9 processor. Two cores are high-performance, the other two are “high efficiency,” which means they’ll conserve battery while handling tasks. Take-away message: deeper visual graphics, especially with gaming. (Did we mention that Super Mario is coming to the iPhone?!?!)

• More storage!: 32GB, 128GB, 256GB capacities

• Colors: Glossy jet black, matte black, gold, silver, rose gold (P.S. Jet black is only available in 128 and 256GB models).

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How much will the iPhone 7 cost and when can you preorder?

The 32GB capacity iPhone 7 starts at $649 full retail, which converts to £487 and AU$846. You’re looking at $32.41 per month with the iPhone Upgrade Program for the base model. We’ll update with more pricing details soon.

iPhone 7 prices

If you signed up for the iPhone Upgrade plan, you’re eligible for the new phone as part of the program. Good news for people living in the UK and China: you’ll now be able to sign up, too (it was previously US-only).

You can preorder both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus this Friday, September 9 and phones will ship on September 16. (P.S. iOS 10 becomes available on September 13 for everyone else who’s ready to upgrade.)

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iPhone 7: So long, headphone jack; hello, AirPods
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More about that new camera

Although Apple keeps the megapixel size steady at 12 megapixels, the increased aperture, now f1.8, lens promises to let in 50 percent more light through the six-element lens. That’s better for all photos, and also low-light photography, which Apple emphasized. Low-light is one of the most important battlegrounds for mobile photography, especially as phone owners increasingly take to social networks like Instagram to post pictures from every environment.

More from Apple’s event

• Jet black Apple iPhone 7 is here with a water-resistant body, better cameras — and no headphone jack
• Super Mario is coming to iPhone at last
• Goodbye, headphone jack: Apple iPhone 7 ships with Lightning headphones and dongle
• Apple event live blog: Join us as everything is unveiled
• Full coverage of Apple’s event

Add to this a new image processing chip and faster photo-taking will help Apple step up to high-end Samsung, Sony, LG and Huawei phones that boast brighter low-light photos and much more manual control.

Optical image stabilization, or OIS, is also huge here. Last year’s iPhone 6S Plus was the only phone to have it. This time Apple blesses the iPhone 7 with OIS, which should make for crisper images even if your hands jiggle a bit while you’re taking it.

Finally, a new quad-LED flash (up from a dual-LED flash) will make flash brighter, but hopefully with more natural tones that don’t blow out the scene. The iPhone 7 still supports Live Photos (basically a 3-second video clip) and introduces RAW image support (thanks, iOS 10).

Stay tuned for our hands-on photos and first impressions — we’ll have those up as soon as we can. Meanwhile, check out all of today’s Apple news.

Sony PlayStation 4 Pro Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Sarah Tew/CNET

The most advanced PlayStation console yet is coming. It’s got 4K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR) gaming, but it won’t play 4K Blu-ray discs.

First teased at the E3 gaming conference in June under codename Neo, Sony has made the box official today. It will be called PlayStation 4 Pro, and will be available November 10 for $399 (£349).

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Sony unveils PlayStation 4 Pro
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Separately, Sony announced that the new non-Pro Playstation 4, a.k.a. PlayStation 4 Slim, will cost $299 when it becomes available September 15. The two consoles will co-exist in Sony’s line and be fully interoperable. In other words, all PS4 games will be playable on both consoles.

The Pro has double the graphics power of the standard PS4, which Sony says can improve the look of new and existing games. It also has a 1TB hard drive, double the capacity of the existing version, and a faster processor.

The PS4 Pro (right) is thicker than the new, standard PS4.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Unlike the current PS4, the Pro will support 4K resolution. It will have 4K-capable Netflix and YouTube apps for streaming 4K video at launch, the former with HDR capability. No mention was made of support for Sony’s Ultra 4K streaming app, however. Sony demonstrated games that take advantage of its higher resolution (although it didn’t specifically say any of them were actually in 4K).

One thing it won’t do, however, is play 4K Blu-ray discs. That’s an unexpected development given that Sony Pictures is a big purveyor of the discs, and that the rival (and significantly cheaper) Xbox One S can play them. The news is sure to be disappointing to PlayStation fans looking for the kind of all-in-one video and gaming device that the PS3 represented.

To demonstrate the new console, Sony showed scenes from a variety of games including Watchdogs 2, Deux Ex: Mankind Divided and Killing Floor 2, using a 4K-capable display. It also showed the impact of HDR gaming with a demo of Days Gone and Infamous: First Light. The highly-anticipated title Mass Effect: Andromeda got an extended demo as well, complete with a dark, geometric alien cave-scape.

A demo of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided on the PS4 Pro

Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony says current and older games can also be patched with something it calls Forward Compatibility, enabling graphical improvements tailored to the Pro’s improved hardware. It showed a comparison of how the new console can improve existing games like Paragon, Shadow of Mordor and For Honor with standard 1080p TVs. It said a half-dozen such patches are currently in the works.

Another demo showed off the improved ability of the Pro to deliver VR gaming in conjunction with the PlayStation VR, coming next month.

The company also says that existing PS4 consoles will get HDR capability with the help of a forthcoming firmware update sometime the week of September 12. Since the current PS4 has only 1080p resolution (not 4K), and no non-4K TVs support HDR, we’re guessing the update is mainly intended to cater to owners of 4K HDR TVs who want HDR gaming without having to buy a Pro. From that perspective, Sony seems to be pushing HDR gaming harder than its rivals.

We’ll hand more hands-on impressions and updates soon, and a full review when the console is released.

Dell Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1 review – CNET

The Dell Inspiron 17 7000, codename “Starlord.” Don’t ask us, ask Dell.

Dell

What if you never had to type your Windows password again? The technology exists. If your computer has an infrared camera, Windows 10 can automatically log you in using advanced facial recognition. Trouble is, most computers don’t have them, and you often have to pay extra for those that do. But an infrared camera is just one of the many premium features that come standard on Dell’s new Inspiron 7000 series laptops.

Starting at just $749/AU$1,699 (roughly £510 converted), the new 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch Inspiron 7000 laptops come with all of these things, guaranteed:

• An infrared “Windows Hello” camera to log you in with a glance
• A brushed aluminum chassis
• A precision touchpad certified for Windows 10
• A 1080p touchscreen that bends over backwards into a tablet configuration
• A backlit keyboard
• An Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor and DDR4 memory
• Fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi
• A USB-C port that can be used to charge the laptop, adding hours of battery life with one of Dell’s $99 external battery packs (though they’ll ship with a standard barrel-jack AC adapter instead of USB-C)
• One USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, one HDMI jack, and a full-size SD card reader

The 17-inch Inspiron on display at Dell’s Computex press conference.

Nic Healey/CNET

The 13- and 15-inch models also come standard with solid-state drives — a must-have for speedy multitasking and the ability to quickly wake the machine.

But it’s the new 17-inch model that’s the real star of the show. Not only is it the first 17-inch laptop that can turn into a touchscreen tablet (according to Dell, but we’re pretty sure it’s true), the 17-inch Inspiron 17 7000 can also come with discrete Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics for some light gaming. And unlike many larger midrange machines, it offers up to 10 hours of manufacturer-estimated battery life — the most of any of Dell’s Inspiron 7000 series. The 17-incher will start at $899, a bit more than the other models.

My colleague Nic Healey got an early look at the Inspiron 7000 series, and he had this to say:

“You’d expect a top of the line flagship to look good and the 7000 doesn’t disappoint. From 13-inch to 17-inch, the brushed aluminium body screams premium quality, something you don’t always associate with the Inspiron name.”

The new Inspiron 7000 series goes on sale June 2 in the United States and China. It won’t be the only way to get a facial recognition camera from Dell — the newly refreshed Dell Inspiron 5000 series will also have optional infrared cameras on laptops starting at the $749 mark.

This review also appears in Spanish. Read: La nueva laptop de Dell viene cargada de funciones de primera

LG V20 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Gutsy or delusional. These are the only ways to describe LG’s move to launch a phone hours before Apple unveils its all-but-announced-but-technically-still-just-rumored iPhone 7.

And? Not bad at all. It doesn’t have a particularly radical design like last spring’s quasi-modular G5, but LG’s most premium phone is the very first to come with Android 7.0 Nougat software out of the box, and it has two rear cameras and a removable battery you can swap when power gets low. The 5.7-inch, aluminum-built handset is also a stylish, fully modern device that has a lot of extra software and hardware to make you a photo and video rock star.

From our time with it so far, the V20 seems compelling enough to benefit from Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 recall. As the first new phone with Nougat baked in, it could also gain a foothold against Google’s next “Nexus” phones (they’re rumored to be called something else). Read on for all that the V20 has to offer — including how the V20 fares against the competition (we’ll update with the new “iPhone 7” once Apple makes that official).

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Most promising V20 features

The V20’s rear cameras.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

• Two rear cameras and wide-angle front-facing camera
• Enhanced audio technology
• First to come with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box
• Useful always-on secondary screen
• Removable battery
• Premium metal design

What’s questionable

• Battery capacity could stand to be higher than 3,200mAh
• Expected to be LG’s most expensive phone
• Lacks water resistance, unlike Samsung and Sony flagships

Everything else you need to know

Chock-full of high-end specs and packaged in a sleek, metal body, the V20 is LG’s most premium phone. And while retains some of its V10 predecessor’s most compelling features, the new V20 has a few tricks of its own too.

Wide-angle cameras on the front and back

LG is doubling down on its wide-angle endeavors by putting two wide-angle cameras on both the front and back of the V20. Like the G5, it has two shooters on the back that include a 16-megapixel standard lens and an 8-megapixel wide-angle lens that can capture up to 135 degrees. On the front is a single 5-megapixel camera that can switch between a 120-degree wide-angle setup and a narrower 83-degree frame.

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The LG V20 is a camera triple threat
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The phone also has advanced image stabilization technology, available exclusively from Qualcomm, to make it easier to snap clear photos even when you have an unsteady hand. And on top of the video features we commonly see (4K, slow motion and time-lapse), there are fun Instagram-esque filters that you can apply to recorded video. For a peek at camera quality, take a look at my quick test shots below and be sure to click on them to see them at their full resolution.

Images captured by the 16-megapixel standard lens (left) and the 8-megapixel wide-angle (right).

Lynn La/CNET

Some colorful fruit captured on the 16-megapixel rear camera.

Lynn La/CNET

A closeup shot of soda bottles using the 16-MP lens again.

Lynn La/CNET

Snapping a regular photo with the 5-megapixel front-facing camera (left) and using its wide-angle feature (right).

Lynn La/CNET

Android Nougat and that always-on screen

Although a few Nexus handsets have already received Google’s latest Android 7.0 update over the air, the V20 will be the first to come out of the box with the Nougat OS. This update bakes in tools that were previously available to past LG phones, such as split-screen apps and the ability to reply inside a notification. But there are other features too like Doze on the Go and a more Google Assistant.

Just like the V10, the V20 has a secondary screen that sits on top of its regular display. LG increased its contrast and brightness this time around so it’s easier to read. You can choose to have this screen perpetually on (even if your device is sleeping), and it displays your custom signature or text greeting, favorite and recent apps, favorite contacts and notifications.

Multi-window on the V20 (left) and replying directly from a notification (right).

Lynn La/CNET

Audio is huge

With this device, LG also put a big emphasis on audio. It equipped the phone with three mics and four digital-to-analog converters (the converters help to reduce white noise too). The V20 can record 24-bit sound (16-bit is common), meaning audio is more accurate and clear.

As a user, you can fine-tune your audio preferences in the Settings menu, like adjusting audio balance. There’s an app for HD audio recording as well, and according to LG, the device can handle recordings up to 132 decibels, which is as loud as a sport stadium full of screaming fans.

I was only to hear the audio coming out of the V20 very briefly, but it did sound louder and had more breadth than what I commonly hear. When I get my hands on a phone, I’ll be able to test it out more thoroughly, so stay tuned.

Tooling around with audio settings (left) and recording HD with LG’s app (right).

Lynn La/CNET

It has a battery cover eject button

Getting to the phone’s battery is easy breezy.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The V20 comes in titan, silver and pink (though the pink variant won’t come to the US) and features an aluminum and polycarbonate body. The back plate is made out of metal and instead of needing to wrangle and peel off the battery cover to swap out your SIM card or battery, the phone features a small release button on its right side that ejects the back plate easily.

Pricing and availability

The V20 is expected to be available near the end of the year. LG hasn’t announced an official price for the it yet, but if we go by last year’s price range, it may cost about $600-$700 without a contract (depending on the carrier), which converts to about £450-530 and AU$790-925. In the US, it will be available on all four major networks (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile) as well as U.S. Cellular. In addition, because the G5 cost more than its G4 predecessor, we wouldn’t be surprised if the V20’s price increased from last year’s as well. Whatever the case, we expect it to be more expensive than the Google Nexus 6P and perhaps just shy of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

LG V20 versus the competition

LG V20 comparison chart

Kenmore Elite 41582 review – CNET

The Good Kenmore’s $1,100 Elite 41582 washer has an “Accela” setting that shortens a normal cycle to just 30 minutes. And its steam function and drum light give it high-end appeal.

The Bad Kenmore’s Elite 41582 does a decent job tackling stains, but it isn’t as impressive as some other washers we’ve tested.

The Bottom Line The Kenmore Elite 41582 is a reasonably good washing machine, but it definitely didn’t blow us away.

Visit manufacturer site for details.

Electrolux’s $1,099 EFLS617S is the current front-load washer to beat. With excellent stain removal and solid design, features and usability, it sets the bar high for other midrange front-loaders.

Kenmore’s $1,100 Elite 41582 washing machine is roughly comparable to the EFLS617S in terms of features, but it falls behind in everything else. It isn’t a bad washer — it was actually inspired by the Twin-Wash-compatible LG WM4270HVA — but I’d suggest looking at the competition before buying the front-load Kenmore Elite 41582.

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Up close with the elite

The $1,100 Kenmore Elite 41582 offers more in terms of features than the $1,000 Kenmore 41393 I just reviewed. That means you’ll get bonus cleaning cycles like Rugged and Small Load, as well as a steam setting.

On design, the 41582’s white finish is fine, but you can get a more premium looking gray finish for an additional 100 bucks — that’s model number 41583. Overall, the washer is pretty intuitive and easy to use. At the same time, I wish the right side of the display looked less cluttered.

Here’s a closer look at the Kenmore Elite 51582’s specs versus the competition:

Comparing washing machines

There are a lot more similarities than differences in the above chart, but the 41582 definitely has more cleaning cycles to offer than others in the same price range. This Kenmore model also works with Kenmore Connect, a troubleshooting feature similar to LG’s Smart Diagnosis.

But instead of a related Android or iPhone app, the Kenmore version requires a call to customer service. Here’s how it works:

• Call 1-800-4MY-HOME and get a customer service representative on the line.
• Make sure your washer is powered on.
• Press and hold the “Wash Temp” button until you see a “6” appear on the washer’s digital display.
• When the washer starts to transmit dial-up internet-esque sounds, hold the phone close to the washer.
• The customer service representative will interpret the transmission and tell you what, if anything, is wrong with your washer.

Michael Kors Access Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Michael Kors has entered the smartwatch market with a line of luxury watches called Michael Kors Access. Right now that consists of two watches: Bradshaw and Dylan.

These are Android Wear-powered smartwatches designed for fashionistas, complete with exclusive watch faces designed by Michael Kors and support for interchangeable metal, leather and silicone straps. As far as the operating system, at this point you either like Android Wear or you don’t. The good news is that both watches will be updated to Android Wear 2.0 later this year.

The Michael Kors Access: Dylan.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Michael Kors did a nice job with many of the watch faces. They look great, there are dozens to choose from and each one can be completely customized to give you a unique look. You can also set the watch to automatically change the watch face based on the time of day. So you can have something a little more traditional at the office, but after 6 p.m. the watch face will automatically change to something more fun.

Both watches feature round displays with a 320×290-pixel resolution, however they aren’t as sharp as other smartwatches I’ve tested. The display also isn’t a complete circle. Like we saw with the Moto 360, there is a black bar at the bottom of the display for the ambient light sensor, which creates an unsightly “flat tire” look.

The Michael Kors Access: Bradshaw.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The watches are powered by the new Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip, although performance wasn’t as speedy as I had expected. I noticed delays when changing watch faces and choppy performance when browsing through notifications.

Overall, the watches look nice and the stainless steel casing gives them a good weight, but they are very big and bulky. On the side is what appears to be a traditional watch crown, but it doesn’t spin and it’s really just a home button.

The charger looks nearly identical to the one used with the Apple Watch.

Sarah Tew/CNET

If they look familiar, that’s because both watches were actually designed by Fossil and are similar to the company’s Q Founder smartwatch, although they don’t include the same ridiculous charger. Instead, the watches are charged through a magnetic dock that looks identical to the Apple Watch charger. A full charge will deliver about two days of battery life, which is standard for most smartwatches.

Someone who wants a smartwatch that doesn’t look like a smartwatch would find the design of these devices appealing, but for me they’re too heavy and too big. I still prefer the Moto 360 and the Huawei Watch.

The Access smartwatches are available now from the Michael Kors website starting at $350 (£329, AU$579).