Samsung Gear VR (2016) Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

I’m on a skateboard cruising down a highway with some friends. We are beginning to pick up some serious speed, but then I remember none of this is real. I’m actually standing awkwardly on a gyrating skateboard inside of a flashy New York City hotel with a virtual reality headset strapped to my face.

I’m here testing out Samsung’s new Gear VR headset. I take off the headset and begin to examine it. The all-black design is appealing, but what’s more exciting is the device sitting on the inside. It’s the new Galaxy Note 7, which is connected to the headset’s USB-C port — a new feature this year. I see this and immediately begin to wonder: Does this mean the new VR headset won’t support older models? Luckily this isn’t the case, as the headset ships with a dongle that makes it compatible with older Samsung devices.

The USB-C port isn’t the only new feature. There’s also a wider viewing angle, better navigation, more face padding and an all black paint job. Perhaps even more appealing is the price. The new Gear VR will begin shipping on August 19 for $99 (£80, AU$159), which is the same price as last year’s model. Preorders start tomorrow.

Everything that’s new in Samsung’s Gear VR…
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What’s new?

• There is a USB-C port to connect with the Galaxy Note 7 (a Micro-USB adapter is included in the box to work with older Samsung devices like the Galaxy S7 and Note 5).
• A second USB-C port sits on the top of the unit for compatibility with what Samsung teased as “future accessories”.
• The viewing angle has been expanded from 96 degrees to 101 degrees for a more immersive experience and reduced tunnel vision (honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference in the demo).
• The touchpad on the side is now flat, not recessed like before.
• There’s an Oculus Home button on the right side that quickly brings you back to the Oculus home screen (previously you had to long press the back button).
• Thicker padding around the face and longer head straps make the headset more comfortable.
• The headset is all black (including on the inside), rather than the white-and-black Panda-pattern of previous designs.

Josh Miller/CNET

What’s it like to use it?

The new Gear VR is just as good as last year’s model. While Samsung quickly pointed out the expanded viewing angles, I didn’t notice them during my brief hands on — but I never had a problem with the angles before. I also didn’t wear it long enough to see if the increased padding made it any more comfortable. It just kind of felt the same.

The Oculus Home button is my favorite feature. You previously had to press and hold the back button to get back home (something I only figured out recently). The new home button makes it easier to jump in and out of an app.

Josh Miller/CNET

I’m also happy Samsung made the new headset backwards compatible, although I could definitely see myself losing the little Micro USB dongle that comes in the box.

Overall, this is the same Gear VR headset we liked from 2015. The added features don’t scream “upgrade now,” but the headset is still the best mobile virtual-reality gadget that Galaxy Note 7 owners can buy to experience VR.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

What do you get when you take the curved-screen Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and add a stylus? The Galaxy Note 7, which Samsung unveiled today in New York.

Even with its differences, the Note 7’s wraparound screens, 12-megapixel camera, expandable storage and water-resistant coating bring it closer to the S7 series than to last year’s Note 5 (that’s right, there’s no Note 6). And that’s a good thing. The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are two of the year’s best phones, with excellent cameras and battery life — not a bad way to begin your pedigreed life as a phone.

From what I’ve seen so far, the Note 7 should fall in line as a terrific, high-powered device whose stylus tricks take the Note to the next level. On paper, it corrects the biggest shortfalls of the Note 5, though our forthcoming testing will confirm this. But if you already bought an S7 or S7 Edge, don’t worry — you haven’t been left behind.

Here’s what the Note 7 has that the Note 5 doesn’t:

• Curved screens (sharper, less sloping than the S7 Edge)
• USB-C charger port (Samsung’s first phone to adopt the new standard)
• Iris scanner to unlock the phone with your eyes
• Gorilla Glass 5 screen (the first phone with Corning’s new screen tech)
• More sensitive, accurate S Pen stylus
• Water-resistant phone body and S Pen
• MicroSD card slot (like the S7 phones)
• Larger battery (3,500 mAh versus Note 5’s 3,000 mAh)
• Better low-light camera
• New S Pen tricks, like magnification and GIF-making
• Stylus won’t get stuck if you jam it in backwards
• Coral Blue color choice (it’s great)

So if the S7 Edge and Note 7 are almost hardware twins, who is the Note 7 for? Power users. Samsung targets people who want the phone with the most goods, and the Note’s gliding stylus and extra writing, drawing and navigation tools give it all the things.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 looks awesome in…
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If you already have a Note 5 and wonder if you should upgrade to the newcomer, wait for my full, rated review before buying. And if you’re not an Android disciple, keep in mind that Apple’s presumed iPhone 7 Plus (which will certainly be stylus-free) is expected to launch in just six weeks. That said, the Note 7 certainly seems like a worthy upgrade for the series, one that refines an already muscular phone and brings back some of our favorite things, like waterproofing and extra storage.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Complete coverage

• How to preorder the Galaxy Note 7
• Here’s when you can get Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 and for how much
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Ready for the rumble of the jumbos
• Samsung’s new Gear VR headset goes USB-C, but you won’t be left behind (hands-on)
• ‘Coral Blue’ Galaxy Note 7 is coming to the US on August 19, UK on September 2
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 specs vs. S7 Edge, Moto Z, iPhone 6S Plus and OnePlus 3
• Samsung’s Note 7 comes with a gift: A Gear Fit 2 or 256GB SD card
• Samsung Gear 360 hits US stores on August 19 for $350
• Samsung’s Gear Icon X wireless earbuds available for $199 on August 15

Price is going to play a big role in whether or not you should get the phone. Notes are usually the most expensive in Samsung’s lineup, and it’s the S Pen you pay for. With the S7 and larger S7 Edge as really similar stylus-less options, I do wonder if the Note 7, cool as it is, will wind up being too much phone for all but the most passionate stylus addicts.

Editors’ note: Updated 10:43 a.m. PT with pricing and availability info, and additional links.

Where and when to buy the Note 7 — and for how much

If you can’t wait to nab one for yourself, be aware that the Note 7 is quite costly, and is one of the more expensive Samsung phones next to the Edge series. In the US, pre-orders for the Coral Blue, Black Onyx, Silver Titanium colors (no Gold in the US) begin August 3 and a few carriers have already announced pricing as well as bundled promotions including the new Samsung Gear VR headset or a 256GB memory card.

No official pricing has been released for the UK yet, but Vodafone, O2, GiffGaff, Three and EE all confirmed that they will carry the Note 7.

In the UK, online retailer Mobilefun is quoting a price of £749, but Samsung and other networks have yet to release their own pricing. Vodafone, O2, GiffGaff, Three and EE, however, all confirmed that they will carry the Note 7.

Australia pricing and availability are still unknown, but if we go by last year’s Note 5, we can expect the handset to cost around AU$1,199.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Pricing and Availability

* = based on conversion // ** = based on last year’s Note 5 pricing

Check out everything we know on pricing and availability for the Galaxy Note 7, and how you can preorder the Galaxy Note 7.

New curvy design: Bend it like…the S7 Edge

The Note 7 has a curved screen and the same Edge software as the Galaxy S7 Edge. This is interesting because it gives the Note 7 all of the Edge’s features and functionality. (After 2014’s Note Edge with its one swooshed side, this is the second Note to have a curved screen.)

There’s no doubt this is a pretty phone.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Edge and Note don’t look identical, but close enough that if you see them both in black and the S Pen is holstered away, you may not immediately know the difference. But there are a few. The Note 7 has a symmetrically rounded front and back compared to the Edge’s flat back and curving face.

It also curves more narrowly than the S7 Edge; the phone’s sides drop off faster and slope less. I’m pretty sure Samsung did this to keep the S Pen from falling off the sides as much when you’re using it. I do wonder how often I’ll wind up slipping in the curved margins when I use the stylus.

Samsung manages to keep the Note 7 fairly compact for a 5.7-inch device with a slightly larger screen than the 5.5-inch Edge. It feels pleasantly solid; not small, but smaller than past Note models.

S Pen updates: Better app, GIF-making, magnification

The pen clicks out satisfyingly from its hidey-hole in the phone’s bottom edge. It has a smaller pen tip than the Note 5’s, which is supposed to make it more accurate and precise. It’s also twice as sensitive, with pressure levels jumping from 2,048 in the Note 5 to 4,096 in the Note 7.

Like the phone, the new S Pen is resistant to water and dust (it’s sealed with rubber and silicon), so if the Note 7 splashes into the pool, you don’t wind up with a pen that’s on the fritz. It also means you can use it when raindrops plop all over the screen.

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Make a video GIF on the Note 7
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Samsung wouldn’t be Samsung if it didn’t ramp up this S Pen’s skills. They don’t all wow me, but I’ll give them a chance when the test unit comes in.

• Samsung Notes app: Four Note 5 apps sensibly combine into this single app for handwriting, drawing and all that jazz. There are more art tools, including a brush that blends colors.
• Pin a memo to the lock screen: This one seems useful. You can write a memo when the screen is off, like a to-do list, then pin it to the lock screen (the Always On display) to see if for an hour before it times out — you can repin it again after that.
• Make an animated GIF: You can use the Smart Select tool within a video to create, share and annotate a GIF.
• Translation tool: A rarer use case, you hover the S Pen over a word to pull a Google translation in over 70 languages.
• Magnifying glass: You’ll be able to magnify a window of text using the S Pen.

Iris scanning unlocks the phone with your eyeballs

This time, your phone might look back.

Josh Miller/CNET

You can unlock the phone with your fingerprint, or you can use your eyes (one set of eyeballs). Setup is intuitive. Unlocking is easy and fast; you hold the phone up to your face and the software does the rest. (Microsoft’s Lumia 950 has a version of this, too.)

The funny thing is, Samsung doesn’t actually expect you to scan your peepers every time you want to unlock the phone, the company told me in my briefing. Instead, iris scans are seen as supplemental, like to get you into the new, secured Private Folder where you can store things such as a photo of your passport, banking information or apps you don’t want the kids to use.

New Type-C charging port is a big deal because…

The Note 7 marks Samsung’s first use of the USB Type-C charging port for its phones and don’t worry, you’ll get a Micro-USB to USB-C adapter in the box. Samsung hasn’t said if every future phone will make the switch, but chances are good.

In preparation for using the new industry-wide standard, Samsung is also making a new version of its Gear VR headset for 2016 that works with Type-C and Micro-USB phones, and otherwise changes only a few things from the last model.

Sleeker Android, with Nougat ahead

Google’s Android Nougat software isn’t launching on the Note 7 when it hits later this year, but expect an upgrade somewhere down the line. For now, it runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Meanwhile, Samsung’s custom layer looks a little different on this phone. Menus are more colorful and seem a little more spaced out.

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Galaxy Note 7 camera closeup
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The camera app gets a jolt with new gestures, too. Swipe up and down to switch between front and rear cameras, and swipe to the sides to bring up filters and effects. It works well in theory, and I like the instant gratification of seeing your photo previewed in filters before you choose the one you want. But even in tests, my fingers kept accidentally tapping the Back and Recent buttons, which kicked me out of the app. Either that or my swipes zoomed the photo in instead of calling up the other menus or camera.

I finally figured out that you have to tap the bottom of the viewfinder to pull up the three dots that indicate you’re ready to swipe. Otherwise, you’re gesturing on the viewfinder, and not the swipeable menu. It isn’t exactly intuitive, and mistakes are time-wasting and aggravating.

Camera, battery, processor just like the S7

With few exceptions, the Note 7 has the same hardware guts as the S7 and S7 Edge, such as its 12-megapixel camera. The Note 5 had a 16-megapixel shooter, which sounds more impressive, but as we keep saying, image quality has a lot to do with processing and light. For example, the S7 phones are better at low-light shots than the S6 crop.

The “7” phones also share an IP68 rating that promises to defend the phone against water damage and dust. (You can submerge it down to 5 feet, or 1.5 meters, for 30 minutes.) Let’s hope Samsung doesn’t repeat the same issue that caused its first batch of Galaxy S7 Actives to drown when they should have kept working underwater. (Samsung has since fixed the Active, which our initial retest confirms.)

Note 7 specs versus the competition

Logitech Wireless Mouse M510 review – CNET

The Good You can customize shortcut tasks for all seven buttons on the Logitech M510 mouse and the laser tracks smoothly across nearly any surface except glass. The battery lasts two years with daily use and Logitech’s micro-receiver frees up precious USB ports by connecting multiple Logitech accessories with a single dongle.

The Bad The directional buttons on the left side limits this mouse to right-handed users only.

The Bottom Line With more shortcut buttons than you’ll know what to do with, the Logitech M510 is the best budget mouse for anyone tired of dragging their fingers around a trackpad.

When was the last time you upgraded your mouse? If the answer falls sometime between “never” and “I don’t even remember where I got the one I’m using right now,” it’s time to step it up. And if you’re not ready to drop the equivalent of a Friday night bar tab on the Lexus of mice, the Logitech M510 is a reasonably priced option that has a lot of the same features for far less. The retail price is $39.99 (£34.90, AU$55), but the real-world price is at vendors like Amazon and elsewhere is literally half that.

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The top of the M510 is contoured, but the two buttons on the left side means it’s not ambidextrous.

Sarah Tew/CNET

I’ve used the Logitech M510 (mine is red but it comes in black and blue too) for the last three weeks and it’s already the first thing I look for when I pack my day bag, and here’s why: it works. By that, I mean I don’t have to worry about finding a mouse pad or a clean surface to work on because the laser can track on anything from carpet, wood and even clothes. The connection does hiccup on mirrored surfaces like glass and marble – that probably won’t matter to most people, but it’s worth noting Logitech’s pricier models include its “Darkfield” laser sensor that works on everything.

The M510’s hourglass shape guides your hand into a natural, “straight ahead” position (at least for right-handed users). The contour gives your wrist a break while the rubber grips on the side make a soft landing pad for your thumb and pinky.

The mouse has no shortage of buttons — seven total — to turn your hand into a control center for shortcuts that you assign using the Logitech SetPoint software. The two extra buttons for your thumb on the left side also make it really easy to flick back and forward in a web browser or media player. The notched scroll wheel clicks down as well as to the left and right for horizontal scrolling: a “must have” for anyone that deals in daily spreadsheets.

Logitech M510 Mouse
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Logitech’s tiny Unifying Receiver is also a big advantage in this world of shrinking USB ports. It’s a quarter of the size of a USB flash drive and can pair six Logitech accessories at once, meaning you can use one dongle for a keyboard, a mouse, or any other device in the Unifying family on Chromebooks, Macs and Windows PCs. There’s even a spot for it inside the battery compartment, too, in case you ever want to travel with it. (Prefer Bluetooth, for dongle-free compatibility? Go with Logitech’s MX Anywhere 2 or M535 instead.)

Speaking of batteries, Logitech tells us that two AAs power the mouse for two years, but you can squeeze even more juice out of it if you switch the power off when you’re done. Finally, here’s a pro-tip that applies to all Logitech mice: although there’s room for two, it’ll work exactly the same with one battery if you’re in a bind.

MilestonePod (2016) review – CNET

The Good A low-cost waterproof foot pod with long battery life that can automatically track running pace, distance, stride length, foot strike and other metrics.

The Bad It doesn’t track all-day activities; running insights are only sent via email; you are required to use the Milestone app, rather than arguably better alternatives.

The Bottom Line The MilestonePod is a good, cheap option for beginners to track pace, distance and other running metrics.

Visit manufacturer site for details.

In the long-gone days before fitness trackers, smartwatches and GPS smartphones, the nascent field of wearable tech had something called “foot pods.” These small devices attached to your sneakers and were used to track a variety of running metrics. Some sport watches displayed this data in real time, but in most cases you had to sync the pod up to your computer, iPod-style. No wonder that have since fallen into obscurity.

But as mass market wearables grow in popularity, foot pods targeted to a new generation of runners are seeing a resurgence of sorts. Case in point is the MilestonePod: It can measure running pace, distance, duration, cadence (steps per minute) and more — and it’s surprisingly accurate. This information is then synced to the Android or iOS app, where you can analyze the data and receive insights to help improve your running form.

Hands-on with the Milestone Pod
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The MilestonePod is available now for $25 (about £20, AU$30). That’s a small price to pay for a device that transform your current sneakers into a pair of smart shoes, especially when you consider Under Armours’ smart shoes go for $150 and will only last 350 miles.

I didn’t think I would like the MilestonePod as much as I do. It’s a good device for indoor running or when GPS isn’t available. The low price also makes it appealing to new runners who may not want to spend $100-plus on a full fledged running watch.

How does it work and what can it track?

The pod is small and out of the way. It’s a little larger than a quarter and weighs only 9 grams. It clips into a small dock, which is woven through the laces on your sneakers. I doubt you will even notice it — I never did.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

The accelerometer and other sensors in the pod will automatically recognize when you begin running and start recording. It can automatically pause the recording when stopped, such as when you are waiting to cross the street. It’s also waterproof, so you are safe to run in the rain or even jump in a puddle. If the pod isn’t low enough (about ¾ down) on the lace, however, it won’t record runs properly.

The pod can measure all the running basics: duration, pace, distance and cadence. While it measures steps taken during a run, it doesn’t do it throughout the day. This isn’t an activity tracker and isn’t designed for all-day wear.

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More advanced measurements include foot strike, ground contact, rate of impact, stride length and leg swing. You may not initially understand why these are useful, but that’s what the app is for.

The MilestonePod app

The pod is equipped with Bluetooth for syncing with your Android or iOS device. It doesn’t’ sync automatically, though. You have to instead open the app and tap a button to start the syncing process, which is mildly annoying.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

The app does a good job at explaining all of the metrics the pod can record. For example, it notes that a high rate of impact can lead to injury, a higher leg swing is considered more efficient, and that 180 steps per minute is thought to be ideal for most runners.

Microsoft Xbox One S review – CNET

The Good The Xbox One S is a slick looking game console that’s 40 percent smaller than the original and ditches the infamously gigantic power brick. It can display 4K video from streaming services and Ultra HD Blu-rays, and supports HDR contrast on video and games. The updated controller works with other Bluetooth devices, too.

The Bad 4K, Ultra HD Blu-ray and HDR settings only work with newer TVs, and may require some trial and error. The updated controller feels cheaper than its predecessor. Project Scorpio, the more powerful Xbox One successor, arrives in late 2017.

The Bottom Line The Xbox One S is the console Microsoft should have delivered three years ago, but there’s little reason to upgrade if you already own the original box.

This is more like it.

The Xbox One S is the version of the console that Microsoft should’ve first released back in 2013 instead of the lumbering beast that we got. It’s better in a number of ways, making it even more of a worthy alternative to Sony’s PlayStation 4.

Xbox One S offers a far more attractive enclosure, options for a bigger hard drive, a slightly redesigned controller and some video perks for owners of 4K TVs. It starts at $300, £250 or AU$400 for the 500GB version; $350, £300 or AU$500 for a 1TB model; and $400, £350 or AU$549 for 2TB.

That last model is available to buy as of today in the US (and includes the vertical stand that otherwise costs $20 when purchased separately in the US), while those with the smaller hard drives will be available later in August, bundled with games such as Madden 17 and Halo. (Additional bundles will follow later in the year — including a pricier 2TB Gears of War 4 version in October — and may vary by region.)

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Sounds like a slam dunk, right? Unfortunately, it’s never that simple. The One S doesn’t get an across-the-board “buy it now” recommendation for two reasons. First off, it doesn’t deliver huge improvements for anyone who already owns an Xbox One. But more importantly, Microsoft has already promised that the next Xbox — dubbed Project Scorpio — will be arriving in late 2017 with with the seriously amped-up graphics and VR-ready hardware that audiences are clamoring for.

When it’s all said and done, the Xbox One S should be primarily viewed as a slimmed-down version of the Xbox One that introduces a mildly updated controller and provisions for 4K display. It’s not going to warp you into a state-of-the-art gaming experience. Pragmatically, you’re probably better off nabbing an older Xbox One, which are now being sold at fire-sale prices. But if you are getting an Xbox One for the first time, have an interest in the bundled games and aren’t saving your pennies for 2017’s Project Scorpio, the One S is certainly a good all-round gaming and entertainment deal.

What’s new in the Xbox One S

There’s a short but significant list of improvements and changes to the Xbox One S.

Smaller, cleaner design: To start, it’s 40 percent smaller, which considering its power supply is now internal, is impressive. It’s also stark white, with some slick plastic moldings flanking the entirety of the box. I think it’s the best-looking Xbox Microsoft has ever designed.

The One S can also stand vertically, too. The 2TB model we received for review packs in a stand. If you buy one of the other models, you can get the stand separately for $20.

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4K and HDR video: Xbox One S gets a fairly beefy upgrade on its video capabilities, with 4K resolution (3,840×2,160, or four times as sharp as standard 1080p HDTVs) and HDR (high dynamic range, which is basically enhanced contrast and color). Keep in mind: those features only work on compatible TVs and 4K functionality only works with a small but growing list of compatible video content. 4K can currently be accessed through streaming video services such as Amazon and Netflix (as long as you have the bandwidth to support it and pay for their premium tier) and those new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Certain games, meanwhile, will eventually be able to take advantage of HDR visual improvements, but don’t look for PC-like 4K graphics — the games are merely upscaled to 4K.

So no, you’re not getting native 4K gaming out of an Xbox One S. In fact, only a limited number of games will feature HDR and none of them are out yet. They are Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3 and 2017’s Scalebound.

New controller design: The Xbox One controller has been updated for the S, too. It has a more streamlined top section, better range and textured grips. It can also use Bluetooth to connect, which opens the door for compatibility with other devices — no more annoying dongles, at least on Bluetooth-compatible PCs.

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The One S controller (right), compared with its predecessor.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of the new controller’s design. It’s not a drastic departure from the original, but there’s just enough of a change to make it feel cheaper. The plastic textured grips don’t feel good the way rubberized ones do, but thankfully the triggers seem unchanged. The D-pad also feels slightly less tactile — I even noticed differences between two of the new controllers side by side.

IR blaster and receiver: Still present is the IR port for controlling the console with a remote, but the Xbox One S also features an integrated IR blaster to control or power on other devices in the room.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

And it still does everything the old Xbox One does: The good news is that you’re not losing anything with the Xbox One S compared with its predecessor. Around back the console offers a lot of the same ports as the original Xbox One, though noticeably absent is a dedicated Kinect port. You can still attach Kinect to the Xbox One S, you’ll just need a special $40 (!) adapter. Either way, the omission of a Kinect port should give you an idea of how that peripheral is regarded at Microsoft HQ.

HDMI-in and -out ports are still there, so you can still make use of the Xbox One’s live TV integration if that’s something that appeals to you, but I never found it overly useful.

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Suffice it to say, the One S plays all existing Xbox One games, and a growing list of Xbox 360 games. It also includes all of the encouraging software improvements Microsoft has made over the past few years, including the redesigned interface, support for the Cortana digital assistant (using a microphone headset), compatibility with the Windows Store and, soon, additional cross-play options with Windows PC gamers on certain titles.

4K and HDR scorecard

I want to personally thank the Xbox One S for introducing me to the hot mess that is the world of 4K and HDR formats. I considered myself fairly fluent in the language of home theater, but I was bewildered at the insane of amount of granularity and confusion that the format is currently plagued with.

Staaker Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Tiny, mountable action cams make it easy to capture yourself doing all sorts of things without relying on another person to hold the camera. The Staaker camera drone aims to do the same by freeing you from the need for a pilot.

The quadcopter, pronounced “stacker,” claims to be the world’s first artificially intelligent auto-follow drone capable of not only tracking your moves, but can predict what you’ll do next, too. And Staaker can do that while flying at up to 50 mph (80 kph).

Basically, you strap on a waterproof tracker/controller, unfold the drone’s arms, attach a GoPro Hero3 or Hero4 to its 3-axis gimbal in front, launch it and have it follow you while you surf or ski or whatever. The company says the drone will have five different follow modes so you can position it at any angle and adjust its distance from you. Though, from what I can tell, these modes don’t appear to be too different than what you can do with a DJI Phantom 4, Yuneec Typhoon H or, to some extent, the AirDog.

Look! Up in the sky!

In fact, the Staaker looks and sounds awfully similar to the AirDog minus the Staaker’s promised AI features and the performance differences listed in the chart above. The AirDog does have programmed modes for different sports such as surfing, mountain biking and wakeboarding, however, and it’s available now for $1,599 on Amazon (roughly AU$2,100 or £1,200).

Staaker drone is ready to follow whatever…
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Preorders for the Staaker are set at $1,195 for the drone, waterproof tracker and a travel case, though it won’t ship until December (assuming there are no production problems, of course). When it ships, the company says it’ll be priced at $1,795. That converts to about AU$2,382 or £1,235 for the preorder — and like the AirDog, that price doesn’t include the GoPro camera.

GoPro’s own Karma drone is also expected this fall. With no pricing and no real details on it yet, there’s no telling if the Karma will have similar auto-follow features to the Staaker. However, I’d be surprised if it doesn’t.

LG UH8500 series review – CNET

The Good With support for both Dolby Vision and HDR10 formats, the UH8500 can access more high dynamic range content than other TVs. Color accuracy and bright-room performance are solid. The design is attractive, and the motion remote is one of the best available.

The Bad Similarly-priced TVs perform much better.

The Bottom Line An attractive design and cutting-edge compatibility add the LG’s UH8500’s appeal on paper, but in person its image can’t beat competitors.

There’s a lot of ingredients that contribute to the picture quality you see on your TV at home, but the two most important are the quality of the source and the quality of the display.

High dynamic range (HDR) video, whether from streaming sources like Netflix and Amazon, or 4K Blu-ray discs, is the best source you can watch at home today. LG deserves credit for being the first TV maker to support both types of HDR content, Dolby Vision and HDR10, with its 2016 TVs. Today at least, that means TVs like the UH8500 can access more HDR TV shows and movies than other devices.

That leaves the display part of the equation, which is where the UH8500 comes up short. At CES I called out LG’s “Super UHD” marketing term, denoting its best non-OLED TVs, as openly derivative of rival Samsung’s SUHD brand. Now that I’ve had a chance to compare both TV directly, side-by-side, it’s clear that the LG UH8500 is the least “super” of the two.

LG’s OLED TVs, on the other hand, really are super. In fact, the 55-inch member of the UH8500 series costs just as much as the 55EG9100, LG’s cheapest OLED. In terms of source compatibility and cutting-edge features, the UH8500 is superior. But for pure picture quality, the lowly non-4K, non-HDR curved OLED is much better. It’s not even close.

LG UH8500 series (pictures)
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Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 55-inch 55UH8500, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. All sizes have identical specifications and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.

LG also makes a couple of other related series grouped under the Super moniker, the UH7700 and UH9500 series. Both have similar picture quality to the UH8500 reviewed here, according to LG. The only image quality difference the company specified was in color gamut; the more-expensive 8500 and 9500 models cover 90% of the DCI/P3 color space, and the 7700 about 84% (see below for more). The 8500 and 9500 also have 3D while the 7700 does not. Between the 8500 and 9500, the only difference is styling; the 9500 has an “Ultra Slim design with 4-sided even bezel” according to LG.

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Metallic TV, motion remote

TVs today look basically the same, with thin frames and more or less-thin cabinets, so the major external difference often comes down to color: black or silver? The quietly attractive LG UH8500 goes the mostly-silver route with its metallic finish, leaving just a thin strip of black butting up against the screen. LG also continues its recent quirk of coloring the back of the TV white.

The remote is basically the same as last year, and I’m a fan. LG kept its trademark motion control, which allows you to whip around the menus with a responsive cursor rather than a plodding directional keypad. That keypad is still available too, if you want it, along with a slick rubberized scroll wheel.

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The clicker is bigger than many and relies more on buttons than the menu system, but since they’re logically placed and easy to differentiate by feel, I don’t mind. Cable box control is prominent, although control for other devices isn’t nearly as advanced as Samsung’s system, and unfortunately the motion doesn’t work on every app and menu.

Web OS is OK, but not as good as other Smart TVs

I prefer the competing 2016 Smart TV systems from Samsung, Sony (Android TV) and especially Roku TV over LG’s latest incarnation of its Web OS smart TV system. I appreciate that LG’s menus are snappier and easier to use than before, and the new “focus zoom” to magnify on-screen selections is cool, but they seem more cluttered–especially now that there’s an ad on the home page–and less intuitive than the others.

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4K streaming with Dolby Vision HDR is available from Netflix, Amazon and Vudu, which outpaces the HDR selection of Samsung (which lacks Vudu’s HDR) and Vizio (which lacks Amazon’s) and matches Sony’s. 4K-capable apps include YouTube and Xfinity’s lame 4K sampler, formerly exclusive to Samsung, which only works for Comcast subscribers.

Other apps are hit or miss. You get Hulu, Crackle, MLB TV, Plex, Google Play Movies and TV, Spotify and Pandora, for example, but LG’s system is missing both HBOs (Go and Now), Showtime (or Anytime), Pluto TV, Sling TV, Watch ESPN, CBS All Access, PBS, PBS Kids, and more. Roku and Android TV have all of those, and many more niche apps too, while Samsung’s selection is about the same, give or take a few services.

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To browse new apps you’ll visit the LG Content Store, which also lists TV shows and movies from different streaming services. It’s a frustrating way new stuff to watch. The suggestions are sort of a hodgepodge, menu design is less than intuitive, and pricing from Amazon isn’t listed until you click through. You can also search TV shows and movies via voice or text, but results are presented in a confusing way, and again less satisfying than Roku, Samsung or Android TV, despite decent voice recognition.

In the end LG’s system is good enough to get the job done, but today’s external streaming devices, and many competitive Smart TV systems, are superior.

Key TV features

Features and connectivity

The big standout here is compatibility with both types of HDR format, but even beyond that the UH8500 is well-equipped. Its edge-lit backlight uses local dimming, although since it has an IPS-style panel, its overall contrast is still limited (see Picture Quality for more). Like most 4K LCD sets the UH8500 has a 120Hz refresh rate; its “TruMotion 240Hz” specification is so much hooey.

LG’s web site lists “LG IPS 4K quantum display” as a feature, but don’t confuse that with actual quantum dots, like those found in Samsung’s SUHD TVs. Instead, according to LG, it refers to general improvements made to the panel (color gamut, screen brightness and contrast). There’s also a “Tru Black Panel” feature that “reduces stray light from being emitted in order to create a deeper black level” according to the company. Not deep enough, according to me.

The UH8500 is one of the few TVs available today to include 3D, a particularly notable feature since Samsung canned that feature in 2016. The combination of LG’s passive 3D and 4K resolution should warm the hearts of third-dimension fans everywhere. LG includes two pair of 3D glasses (I didn’t test 3D performance for this review, and don’t plan to do so unless there’s a revolt in the comments section).

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• 3x HDMI inputs with HDMI 2.0a, HDCP 2.2
• 3x USB ports
• 1x component video input
• 1x composite video input (shared with component)
• Ethernet (LAN) port
• Optical digital audio output
• RF (antenna) input
• Remote (RS-232) port (minijack)

Most competitors offer four HDMI but the UH8500 makes do with three, although all are state-of-the-art. Unlike many of Samsung’s sets, this one actually has an analog video input for legacy (non-HDMI) devices.

Picture quality

Despite the fancy-sounding features and cutting-edge compatibility, the UH8500 is not among the best-performing TVs available. It shows some strengths, including accurate color and the excellent bright-room qualities of high light output and an effective anti-reflective screen. But washed-out black levels and excessive blooming, especially evident with HDR material (regardless of format) resign its overall picture quality to a level below most peers.

Click the image at the right to see the picture settings used in the review and to read more about how this TV’s picture controls worked during calibration.

Comparison Models

• Insignia NS-­50DR710NA17 (50-inch 4K LED LCD)
• LG 55EG9100 (55-inch 1080p OLED)
• Samsung UN65KS8000 (65-inch 4K LED LCD)
• Sony XBR-65X850D (65-inch 4K LED LCD)
• Vizio P65-C1 (65-inch 4K LED LCD)

Dim lighting: Although better than the Sony in a dark room environment, the UH8500 still fell a good deal short of the Samsung, the Vizio and the OLED in this important category, and didn’t look much better than the Insignia. As usual the difference was best revealed during some difficult dark scenes, including the evening and nighttime shots during Chapter 4 of The Revenant. The letterbox bars, shadows and other dark areas of the LG’s were relatively light, making the overall image appear much less contrasty and impactful than the three superior sets.

Whirlpool WRB322DMBB Bottom Freezer Refrigerator review – CNET

The Good This Whirlpool bottom freezer offers the best performance of any fridge we’ve ever tested, and it comes at a reasonable asking price, to boot.

The Bad The design is boring and the features are few and far between. Certain build aspects also feel flimsy.

The Bottom Line If you value performance over gimmicks, then this unassuming icebox is the fridge for you.

The Whirlpool WRB322DMBB is a good fridge. Yes, it’s plain-looking inside and out, and no, there’s nothing unique about it. It doesn’t have any flashy features. It isn’t as stylish as today’s French door models are. It won’t make your neighbors jealous.

But this is a good fridge — a really good fridge. At $1,400 (or $1,500 if you want it in stainless steel), it offers cooling performance that’s as strong as any refrigerator we’ve tested, including ones that cost thousands of dollars more. Basic build aside, it’s a solid option, solid enough to unseat last year’s LG LDC24370ST as our pick for best bottom-freezer fridge. If you’re shopping for a bottom freezer and you value performance, I’d have a hard time finding a reason to recommend anything else.

Tall, dark, and powerful: Meet the Whirlpool…
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The Clark Kent of refrigerators

You’ll find 15.6 cubic feet of storage space in the body of the fridge — a decent amount of room for groceries.

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Bottom freezer fridges flip the script on the traditional top freezer build that many of us probably grew up with. Like the name suggests, bottom freezers put your frozen goods down below the fridge compartment. This makes it more comfortable to reach fresh groceries, though you will need to bend over a bit to grab a frozen pizza.

As bottom freezers go, the WRB322DMBB is a pretty basic one, with a plain-looking 22.1 cubic-foot interior. 15.6 of those cubic feet are allocated to the fridge compartment — that’s a bit better than the 14.8 cubic feet in the Kenmore Elite 78022 and the 14.9 cubic feet in GE’s Artistry Series bottom freezer, but not quite as big as the 16.4 cubic feet in the LG LDC24370ST or the equally-sized LG LDCS24223S that replaced it this year.

Both of those LG fridges sit atop the bottom freezer storage space scoreboard, but the WRB322DMBB isn’t far behind. We had no trouble finding room for all of our test groceries, and we were very nearly able to fit all six of our large-sized stress test items in, too (the party platter didn’t quite make it in). All in all, it’s a very solid result for a relatively inexpensive bottom freezer model.

Whirlpool vs. the bottom freezer competition

The klutzy crisper bins come out way too easily.

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Less solid: the interior design. Specifically, I’m talking about the drawers — they’re wobbly and plasticky, and they don’t catch very well when you open them, which caused me to accidentally yank them all the way out of the fridge on several occasions. They’re my least favorite thing about this refrigerator.

2017 Nissan Armada Release Date, Price and Specs – Roadshow