Skip to content

Posts tagged ‘News’

9
Dec

Huawei Watch disappears from the Google Store, Michael Kors Access Bradshaw takes its place


One smartwatch goes away, another one makes its debut.

The Huawei Watch is no longer listed on the Google Store. Its page is still accessible via a direct link, but the watch itself shows as “unavailable.” There’s no telling if it’ll be back in stock, but for now, you’ll have to head to Best Buy if you’re interested in getting your hands on the watch.

michael-kors-access-bradshaw.jpg?itok=B9

While we don’t yet know what caused the removal of the Huawei Watch, the Google Store is now listing Michael Kors’ Access Bradshaw, the second Android Wear smartwatch from the fashion brand. Unlike the sporty Access Dylan, the Access Bradshaw is designed to be a dress watch.

The watch is available in a gold color option, and offers a 1.4-inch AMOLED display (320 x 236) within a 45mm case, Qualcomm’s wearable-only Snapdragon 2100 SoC, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, and a 400mAh battery. Like the Access Dylan, the Access Bradshaw retails for $350.

See at Google Store

9
Dec

This $4 Quick Charge 2.0 charger should be in every car you own


Right now you can grab Aukey’s Quick Charge 2.0 car charger for just $4 at Amazon with coupon code THQGUXM2. With having Quick Charge 2.0, you’ll be able to charge a compatible phone up to 75% faster while in the car, meaning your short commute still gives you plenty of power for your night out on the town or your next meeting. It has built-in safeguards to protect phones and tablets against excessive heat, overcharging and too much current.

aukey-qc2-car.jpg?itok=fgrg3P1r

Remember, you’ll need coupon code THQGUXM2 for the full savings. At $4, odds are this deal won’t last long, so be sure to act quick if you want to pick one up for yourself.

See at Amazon

9
Dec

Best shooter games for Android


best-android-shooters-hero-02.jpg?itok=3

Spill some blood with the best Android shooters currently on the market.

We’ve rounded up some of the best shooting games across Android for those who always need a target. We have the full gamut here, ranging from simple, single-tap games to full-blown first-person shooters that nearly bring the console experience to your phone and tablet.

Last updated December 9, 2016: Added Modern Strike Online to the list!

  • Modern Strike Online
  • N.O.V.A. 3
  • Hitman: Sniper
  • Modern Combat 5: Blackout
  • Overkill 3
  • Unkilled
  • Dead Trigger 2
  • Major Mayhem
  • Pew Pew 2
  • Ready Steady Bang
  • Zombiewood
  • Gunman Clive

Modern Strike Online

modern-strike-online-screens-01.jpg?itokmodern-strike-online-screens-02.jpg?itok

Not interested in anything other than the thrill of online multiplayer? Modern Strike Online offers just that: a pure online FPS experience packed with features and game modes we’ve come to expect from the genre. Once you’ve levelled up some you unlock all six game modes, which include the standard fare you’d expect — free-for-all, team deathmatch, seek and destroy, and a hardcore mode. In-game currency can be bought via in-app purchases or earned via daily rewards, crates and generally kicking ass. Spend your gold and credits on new weapons, armor and accessories for your character. There’s a decent amount of customization available for kitting, with over 30 types of weapons available to rent or buy.

It’s as complete a FPS as you’ll find on Android. You’ll want to head into the settings first to customize your controls and screen layout, and tweak the graphics quality to optimize gameplay on your device. By default, your gun will auto-fire as soon as an enemy enters your crosshairs — you can switch this off in the settings, but it’s actually a pretty handy feature to have when you’re already using your thumbs to move and look around. Yes, there’s the occasional in-game ad and constant pressure to invest real cash, as is the case with most mobile games these days, but it’s not terribly invasive and there’s plenty of fun and loot to be had relying on the free crates and daily rewards.

Download: Modern Strike Online (Free)

N.O.V.A. 3: Freedom Edition

nova3-android-screens-01.jpg?itok=BafPc2nova3-android-screens-02.jpg?itok=Igqvd8

N.O.V.A. 3 picks up the story of former N.O.V.A. commander Kal Wardin as he crash lands in San Francisco amid an ongoing battle. Gameplay is mixed with cutscenes that tell the fairly in-depth story — it might in fact be the reason you keep coming back to N.O.V.A. 3.

Play against enemy A.I. units or play multiplayer over local Wi-Fi or internet. Gameloft implements some measures against cheaters and boosters, namely encouraging players to record or document the actions of said cheaters.

Controls are responsive and targeting is aided by tapping a button to aim down sights, a nice feature for those with big fingers. There are some ads displayed on the menu screens and a popup once in awhile when you die, but nothing the experienced mobile gamer can’t handle.

Download: N.O.V.A. 3 (Free)

Hitman: Sniper

hitman-sniper-android-screens-01.jpg?itohitman-sniper-android-screens-02.jpg?ito

Hitman: Sniper finds you, Agent 47, stationed with a sniper rifle outside an estate filled with rich people, bodyguards, and a certain high-priority target. Your job is to take your time, plan a course of action, and begin removing enemies any way you see fit (as long as it’s through a scope). Each mission has different objectives you can complete for extra money, which you can then spend on weapon upgrades and new sniper rifles. If you’re especially proud of a mission, use the Share Replay function to share gameplay footage with your friends.

This game has nice graphics and great mechanics: you must lead enemies who are on the move, and must account for their sometimes unforeseen actions. They will not shoot back, but will take cover and move around the map attempting to help your prime target escape. Controls are easy and responsive, meaning you won’t have too much trouble lining up the shot. The music is great, especially when you miss a couple of shots and set off some alarms, and the voice acting is also above par for mobile games. Get your heart beating with this great shooter, and enjoy no ads or in-app purchases.

Download: Hitman: Sniper ($0.99)

Modern Combat 5: Blackout

modern-combat5-android-screens-01.jpg?itmodern-combat5-android-screens-02.jpg?it

Did someone replace my phone with a console? Modern Combat 5: Blackout is a first-person military shooter that gives you a real video game experience from the palm of your hand. Beginning with an escape mission in Venice, the campaign follows Caydan Phoenix as he travels the world battling Raiders and the World Liberation Army. Customize your soldier’s loadout and special abilities to best suit your playstyle — more options are unlocked as you rank up.

Gameplay is smooth and the controls are easier to manage than most shooters, likely due to the fact you can modify all settings, including audio, control, and HUD. Modern Combat 5 has beautiful graphics for a mobile game, and runs without hiccups on an LG G4.

New to Modern Combat 5 is a PvP multiplayer mode that has five game modes: Free for all, VIP, Squad battle, Capture the flag, Zone control, and Team battle. Test your skills against players around the world and work your way up the global leaderboard. This game has minimal ads, though it does have some micro-transactions.

Download: Modern Combat 5: Blackout (Free)

Overkill 3

overkill3-android-screens-01.jpg?itok=wRoverkill3-android-screens-02.jpg?itok=KL

Overkill 3 is a third-person shooter that guides you through the level, also known as being on rails. Your job is to aim and shoot bad guys. Sounds easy? Overkill lets you choose a difficulty before each boss fight, meaning your recent disposal of entry-position bad guys has no bearing over what is to come.

Choose a loadout from the armory before each mission and unlock new weapons and gear as you progress through the game. You must collect stars by completing specific objectives during each mission — the stars are used to unlock more missions. A tally at the end of each level keeps track of your progress, so you’ll never be unsure of where you stand.

Graphics are not as great as other shooters, but Overkill 3 features a co-op mode that lets you team up with a friend or random player to crush the enemy. Ads are few and far between, but there are many in-app purchases.

Download: Overkill 3 (Free)

Unkilled

unkilled-android-screens-01.jpg?itok=ao7unkilled-android-screens-02.jpg?itok=1oI

Unkilled takes you on a wild, zombie-killing ride with a variety of enemies for you to slay using a variety of weapons. Some missions require different weapons and gadgets, meaning you must enter your armory to upgrade current weapons and purchase new ones. There are plenty of upgrades and weapons rewarded to you for free as you move through the ranks, and you will feel like you’re achieving something each step of the way.

The controls are easy to use and sensitivities are adjustable. Your weapons will shoot automatically when you are aiming at a zombie except when you’re in a static mission; here you will aim and shoot using both thumbs.

There are two play modes available now — campaign and skirmish ops — with multiplayer apparently coming soon. Skirmish ops pits you and your base against other players and zombies. Defend yourself or go on the offensive; either way you will find yourself moving up the leaderboard as you expend bullets and bash brains.

Ads are infrequent but in-app purchases are everywhere.

Download: Unkilled (Free)

Dead Trigger 2

dead-trigger2-android-screens-01.jpg?itodead-trigger2-android-screens-02.jpg?ito

Dead Trigger 2 continues to be the quintessential zombie-shooting experience on mobile. The graphics are amazing, though the game hardly takes itself seriously — there are lots of tongue-in-cheek references and over-the-top baddies to mow down. This version is a little different in that players now have their own hideout and a crew that can build stuff for them. The controls have also been streamlined for touch; all you have to do is move the crosshairs over a zombie, and if you’re in range, you’ll automatically start shooting.

There are tons of missions to enjoy, and the in-app purchases have been scaled back with the removal of the premium currency — now you can buy and build everything yourself without spending a cent.

Download: Dead Trigger 2 (Free)

Major Mayhem

major-mayhem-android-screens-01.jpg?itokmajor-mayhem-android-screens-02.jpg?itok

Major Mayhem is a fast, simple run-and-gun side-scroller. Players simply tap on ninjas, secret agents, or whoever else the president has commanded you to wipe out. There’s some kind of storyline in there about a girlfriend or something, but really, you just tap your targets as the pop out from behind cover.

It sounds simplistic, but the great cartoon feel, over-the-top storyline, and wide range of unlockables provide excellent, bite-sized gameplay.

Download: Major Mayhem (Free)

Pew Pew 2

pewpew2-android-screens-01.jpg?itok=pdAlpewpew2-android-screens-02.jpg?itok=7z51

Pew Pew 2 is a classic top-down shooter game with a funky, retro art style. Don’t let the wireframe graphics fool you, though — there are some great visual effects thrown in here to make this game as gorgeous as it is frantic. New in Pew Pew 2 is a single player campaign where players dig through labyrinthine stages, but the real fun is found in the various infinite play modes. You can unlock new ships and game modes as you progress, too.

There aren’t any in-app purchases or ads to be seen here, which will be refreshing for many gamers.

Download: Pew Pew 2 ($2.57)

Ready Steady Bang

readysteady-android-screens-01.jpg?itok=readysteady-android-screens-02.jpg?itok=readysteady-android-screens-03.jpg?itok=

Sometimes less is more. Ready Steady Bang is a simple, stylized dueling game where players have to tap their side of the screen as soon as the countdown is finished. The “bang” kicks in at random intervals though, making the wait sometimes too much to bear. There’s no aiming; just pure speed and reflex. It’s got an old-timey Western theme with a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Players can work their way through a roster of increasingly skilled AI gunslingers and earn new and entertaining death animations in the process, or go head-to-head with a friend in local multiplayer.

On top of its simple and suspenseful gameplay, you won’t have to deal with in-app purchase prompts, or fork over a giant list of device permissions when installing.

Download: Ready Steady Bang (Free)

Zombiewood

zombiewood-android-screens-01.jpg?itok=8zombiewood-android-screens-02.jpg?itok=v

Zombiewood is a goofy dual-stick shooter where players take control of an overly ambitious stuntman in zombie-infested Hollywood. A perverse director guides you through scenes that make ample use of costumed undead. Players work their way through ridiculous movie tropes while laying down withering fire on the undead.

Over-the-top power-ups, weapons, and upgrades all add up to a pretty wild experience. I found the animation particularly smooth to boot.

Download: Zombiewood (Free)

Gunman Clive

gunman-clive-android-screens-01.jpg?itokgunman-clive-android-screens-02.jpg?itok

Gunman Clive is a throwback to early 2D platformers — we’re talking NES difficulty and mechanics. Run, jump, and shoot as Clive makes his way through traps, puzzles, and enemy gunmen. The control design reminded me a lot of NES with its directional pad and two button interface — responsive and easy to control.

In an arena of mostly flashy, cutting edge graphics, the monochromatic visual art design might be enough to cause you to overlook this dusty gem. This game isn’t about great graphics — it’s about challenging gameplay and a soothing soundtrack. Be prepared to lose track of time as you try just one more time to reach the end of the stage.

Adding to the retro feel and offering a nice change to the norm, Gunman Clive does not require any device permissions, does not have any in-app purchases, and does not display any ads.

Download: Gunman Clive ($1.99)

Did we miss any?

Let us know in the comments below your favorite shooter available for Android. If none of these games put the ammo in your clip, check out our roundup of the best Android games.

9
Dec

Super Mario Run cannot be played offline, the non-mobile mobile game


Super Mario Run will be released on iOS Thursday 15 December and it has been generating a lot of interest. After all, it’s Mario’s first outing on a mobile phone or tablet.

However, it might not be as mobile as you’d hoped.

Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed that, due to security (piracy) worries, the forthcoming platformer will be playable only when you have an internet connection. It will not be possible to play even the single-player mode when offline.

That completely rules out being able to play it when travelling on the Tube or on a plane, for example.

You will be able to play it when you have a stable mobile internet connection, over 4G or even 3G, but as soon as your data signal drops, you’ll be out of luck. And if you are travelling abroad and don’t have an all-inclusive data roaming plan, forget it.

  • Super Mario Run for iOS: How to play, how much will it cost and when can you get it?
  • Super Mario Run preview: Playing the game with Miyamoto himself

“For us, we view our software as being a very important asset for us. And also for consumers who are purchasing the game, we want to make sure that we’re able to offer it to them in a way that the software is secure, and that they’re able to play it in a stable environment,” Miyamoto told Mashable.

“We wanted to be able to leverage that network connection with all three of the [Super Mario Run] modes to keep all of the modes functioning together and offering the game in a way that keeps the software secure. This is something that we want to continue to work on as we continue to develop the game.”

Nintendo is paranoid about piracy considering it will be running on another manufacturer’s hardware. It considered separating the single-player gameplay from online multiplayer modes to offer some offline aspects, but decided against it.

So before you pay £7.99 to unlock the full game ahead of going on holiday, remember that it’s unlikely you’ll actually be able to play it when you get there. Or even on the route.

9
Dec

ICYMI: Birds the magical flying machines


ICYMI: Birds the magical flying machines

Today on In Case You Missed It: There are three main theories of flight and it turns out, Stanford has poked holes in them by simply training a mini parrot to wear tiny safety goggles, then fly through a laser sheet. The video is more adorable than you could probably imagine so feel free to get your fix here. Meanwhile, NASA’s new jet engine could make waves in both increased fuel efficiency and plane design since it relies on slower-moving air currents.

The Arctic Sea Ice video is here, but the must-watch in this scenario is the Weather Channel take-down of Breitbart News. The video of the lawn picture maker is here. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.

9
Dec

The Engadget Podcast Ep 17: Mansion on the Hill


Executive editor Christopher Trout and reviews editor Cherlynn Low join host Terrence O’Brien to talk about the week’s biggest news, including: Pandora Premium, Fitbit’s purchase of Pebble and the gaming industry’s nostalgia overload. Then Chris will tell the panel about his investigation into a failed gaming accessory that’s found a second life as a sex toy — clearly things get a little NSFW. Then all three will talk about what Amazon Go and other advancements in automation and mean for low-skill and low-wage jobs.

Wins

Loses

Winning %

Christopher Trout
7
2
.777
Mona Lalwani
3
1
.750
Devindra Hardawar
14
10
.583
Dana Wollman
10
8
.555
Chris Velazco
3
3
.500
Cherlynn Low
8
11
.421
Nathan Ingraham
4
6
.400
Michael Gorman
1
5
.167

Relevant links:

  • Fitbit’s Pebble acquisition risks alienating loyal users
  • Fitbit buys Pebble’s smarts, but not its products
  • Bloomberg: Fitbit acquisition will kill Pebble Time 2 and Core
  • The Novint Falcon: Haptic joystick turned futuristic sex toy
  • Amazon Go is a grocery store with no checkout lines
  • Technology is coming for your retail jobs

You can check out every episode on The Engadget Podcast page in audio, video and text form for the hearing impaired.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on Facebook

Subscribe on Google Play Music

Subscribe on iTunes

Subscribe on Stitcher

Subscribe on Pocket Casts

9
Dec

Audi’s new traffic-light countdown is the first step to smarter cities


As I get closer to the intersection, a countdown starts on the dashboard. The light is currently green, but the new Audi I’m driving tells me it’ll be 147 seconds before I make it through the junction. Sure enough, the light turns yellow, then red, and I come to a stop as the numbers tick off in reverse. Once it hits four, the timer disappears, and within a few seconds the light turns green. It seems like a trivial feature, a timer telling you when a traffic signal is about to change. But in practice, it’s quite useful. More important, it’s currently available in Las Vegas, a baby step toward a future where cars and cities talk to one another to reduce gridlock.

Audi V2I traffic signal countdown: hands-on

Audi is showing off its new Vehicle to Infrastructure framework (V2I) in Las Vegas, a town known more for gambling and debauchery than cutting-edge technology. The truth is that Sin City is the perfect place to launch Audi’s new technology, thanks to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). The government agency actually oversees all of the city and surrounding area’s transit infrastructure. From buses to traffic signals to new roads, it’s all handled by a single entity, which allows it to move quickly to make changes to its system and partner with companies like Audi.

The result is a car that knows when a light is about to turn green, thanks to the city sharing data with the vehicle through Audi’s partner Traffic Technology Services (TTS). At the server level the technology is a bit complex, with algorithms and data vetting. But as far as drivers are concerned, they don’t have to do anything but drive.

Here’s how it works: When a car enters an area or city that supports V2I, it logs onto the infrastructure’s cloud with a onetime-use token. As it’s driving around, its GPS location and heading determine which traffic signal is coming up. The TTS serves up information about that light, and the car determines if you’ll make it through the intersection (in which case nothing happens) or if you’ll be caught by the red light. In that scenario, the countdown begins until the green light appears.

During my lap of Vegas I found the countdown (which appears on the dash and in the HUD) quite helpful in determining how much time I had before I had to start driving again. In real life, a red light is an opportunity to switch a song or artist on a smartphone, check on your kids in the back seat or take a quick sip of coffee. The problem in all of those situations is you’re not sure how much time you have to complete those tasks. With the countdown clock, you’d know.

It’s also slightly comforting to be reminded that the light will eventually turn green again. There have been plenty of times during my life as a driver when I’ve encountered a red light that didn’t seem to acknowledge my car. I’d back up and pull forward, making sure the sensor detected my vehicle. This feature would tell me that, yes, the light will turn green again, and this is when it’ll happen. And while Audi has been working on the technology behind this feature for years, it wouldn’t be possible without the forward-thinking transit commission.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

RTC general manager Tina Quigley said the commission wants to set a precedent to help determine what automakers need and to figure out how it can budget these types of partnerships. “No one has done a cost/benefits analysis of the smart infrastructure benefits,” Quigley said. After the presentation, she was headed to Washington, DC, to talk about what Las Vegas is doing and how it’s accomplishing it.

Meanwhile Audi is talking to other metropolitan areas about rolling out its V2I service beyond Las Vegas. But since most city’s transportation systems are fragmented across multiple commissions, its unlikely they’ll come online as quickly as Vegas did.

While the automaker tries to hammer out deals, it’s also exploring the next series of features for V2I. Think giving the driver an optimal speed to hit as many green lights in a row as possible or tying the start/stop feature of the car into the countdown so that the car doesn’t turn off when there are only a few seconds before the signal changes.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Audi also said that in the future it will share data with municipalities in real time. Currently it sends batches of stats with the city of Las Vegas. Once real-time information sharing goes live, a city like Vegas could adjust how traffic flows in real time and reduce gridlock by redirecting cars and adjusting signal timing. It’s a conversation that ends with an easier commute.

When cars and infrastructure talk to one another, it’ll not only change the way vehicles move through a city but also how that metropolitan builds out future roads and services. But for right now, if you own a brand new Audi (A4, Q7 or A4 Allroad) and you happen to be in Vegas, you’ll know exactly how much time you have to eat that burrito before you continue your trek to other side of the strip.

9
Dec

Goodbye (and maybe good riddance) to Pebble


Before Android Wear and the Apple Watch, there was Pebble. The original Pebble smartwatch was, in many ways, a trailblazer. It was one of the first to play nice with the iPhone, it had downloadable watchfaces so you could switch up the look anytime you wanted, and it was the first gadget to bring in millions of dollars via Kickstarter, putting the crowdsourcing site on the map. Pebble’s luster faded over the years as more sophisticated, feature-rich wearables came on the market.

Still, the company kept going, thanks to a loyal fanbase, making Pebble something of a cult favorite. Now, thanks to this week’s Fitbit acquisition, Pebble is going away, living on only in the form of patents and software code. As it turns out, Engadget editors have been harboring strong feelings about the underdog company. Join us as we say goodbye — or, in one case, good riddance.

cleardot.gif

chibimat.jpg .jpgMat Smith
Senior Editor

I got in on the ground floor, buying the first Pebble watch through its debut Kickstarter campaign. It was the “Founder Edition,” which meant I got it ahead of some other people, and it bore some not-that-fancy embossed lettering on the back of the case. Pebble was the poster child for both the initial smartwatch boom as well as crowdfunded electronics in general.

It was hugely popular. Several times. Personally, I was excited by the prospect of the first Pebble and wore it for several months, with updates adding tiny nuggets of extra functionality. But it was never quite enough. And my zeal for smartwatches blinded me to the fact it looked lumpy and felt cheap. (In its defense, I only paid $125 on Kickstarter.)

My initial enthusiasm soon died out, exacerbated by the fact that the rubbery strap was uncomfortable to wear during the summer — which was when my early model eventually arrived in the UK. The Pebble wasn’t perfect or even great, but it was the start of smartwatches as we know them. It was only a matter of time before the big tech players jumped on the bandwagon. We dear consumers had already bought into our smartphones; this was the value-add second gadget that the likes of Samsung, Sony and Apple wanted us to want. The jury is still out on smartwatches being the next big thing, but Pebble was a plucky startup brave enough to test the waters — and I have to respect it for that.

chibicher.jpg .jpgCherlynn Low
Reviews Editor

Farewell, Pebble. You made the only smartwatch that ever fit under the snug sleeve of my favorite winter coat. You made me defend the advantages of having an e-paper screen that wasn’t even touch-sensitive. You made me learn how to operate a whole new smartwatch OS just so I could wear the Pebble Time Round every day.

I rejoiced when you added voice-dictation features, no matter how limited they were. I was excited to try out the new generation of the Pebble Time Round (although I never got to), and I was psyched to take the Pebble Core out for one of my extremely rare runs through Central Park.

Alas, I probably won’t ever get to do that. I won’t be able to see what it’s like to order an Uber from a tiny black box that doesn’t even have a graphic user interface. I won’t get the chance to brag about your low prices and comprehensive features to my friends. And saddest of all: I won’t have any new Pebble products to look forward to reviewing in the future. Goodbye.

chibidev.jpg .jpgDevindra Hardawar
Senior Editor

It seems only fitting that, as interest around smartwatches cools, Pebble ends up dying. It was one of the first truly successfully Kickstarter campaigns, and the hype around it made it seem as if smartwatches were the next big thing. As it turns out, that’s not true.

Though the Apple Watch represents one of the best attempts at making a compelling wearable, it’s mostly been a disappointment. And despite many solid Android Wear devices on the market, none of them have taken off. Even though Pebble had a head start on those platforms, it failed by not finding much of an audience beyond the geek faithful, as well as by not innovating much beyond its initial release. It’s a shame to see the company go down, but I’m hoping that Fitbit finds some way to integrate its best aspects in its fitness wearables, which have proved much more useful than stand-alone smartwatches.

chibinicole.jpg .jpgNicole Lee
Senior Editor

Even though Pebble has faced stiff competition in recent years from fancier smartwatches that boast a lot more features, I’ve always had a place in my heart for the plucky e-paper wearable. While its rivals piled on the bling, Pebble opted to be sensible, with a design that prioritized long battery life and an always-on display above silly widgets few people would actually use. If all you needed in a smartwatch were notifications and the ability to tell time, the Pebble was more than enough, for a far more affordable price than most of its rivals.

Further, while some might denigrate Pebble’s design, I was a big fan: I liked the look of the Time Steel, and I was over the moon with the design of the Time Round. I maintain that to this day, the Time Round’s slender strap, ultrathin chassis and circular face make it one of the most stylish smartwatches ever made.

chibiaaron.jpg .jpgAaron Souppouris
Senior Editor

I owned a first-generation Pebble, and it put me off smartwatches for years. it was slow to respond, it felt tacky on my skin, and, most damningly, it was ugly as sin.

When the Pebble Steel came, my boss at the time heralded its improved looks. I wasn’t sure if we were looking at the same watch. An awkward mix of a rounded square body, sharp triangular lugs and a dollar-store steel strap, it was atrocious to look at and not particularly nice to wear.

Pebble’s design never improved. The Time attempted to ape Swatch’s famously fun design language but failed. Actually, due to a weird two-step bezel, some poor lug design and Pebble’s always awkward side buttons, it might have been the ugliest of the lot.

Strangely, I was somewhat taken with the Watch 2, which at least addressed the awkwardness of the off-black display bezels by adding a splash of color. I mean, I’d never wear one, but I sort of got it.

We all owe Pebble a debt of gratitude for sparking interest in smartwatches. I won’t deny that. But that’s where my fondness for the company ends.

9
Dec

Danish Court Rules Apple Must Replace Man’s iPhone With New Rather Than Refurbished Model


A court in Denmark today ruled Apple must replace a Danish man’s iPhone with a new model rather than a refurbished model in accordance with local law.

(Image: The Sydney Morning Herald)
A trio of judges found Apple was not entitled to replace David Lysgaard’s iPhone 4 with a refurbished model since it may contain recycled parts, which could result in a lower resale value and went against his “legitimate expectation” of receiving a brand new iPhone equivalent to his original purchase.

By providing Lysgaard with a refurbished iPhone, rather than an equivalent new model, the court found Apple to have violated the Danish Sale of Goods Act. The judges upheld an earlier decision reached by Denmark’s Consumer Complaints Board, which also said the replacement should be a new, not refurbished, model.

Apple disagreed with the Consumer Complaints Board’s decision in 2014 and sued Lysgaard, arguing that refurbished iPhones are produced and tested in the same way as new iPhones. Apple also said refurbished iPhones undergo rigorous tests and strict quality control. Apple can now appeal the judgment with a higher court.

If the ruling is upheld, it could set a major precedent in Denmark that could see Apple forced to replace iPhones with new models rather than refurbished models in the future. Earlier this year, a Dutch court similarly ordered Apple to replace a woman’s iPhone 6 Plus with a new model, not a refurbished one.

Tag: lawsuit
Discuss this article in our forums

MacRumors-All?d=6W8y8wAjSf4 MacRumors-All?d=qj6IDK7rITs

9
Dec

Best Buy Discounts iPad Pro by $125, Macs by Up to $200 in Two-Day Sale


Best Buy is having a weekend holiday sale which will see it discounting a wide range of Apple products, from iPads and iPhones to various Mac models.

All Best Buy iPad models are on sale. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is available for $125 off, which drops the price on the entry-level 32GB model from $599.99 to $474.99. All 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are available at a $100 discount, dropping the price on the entry-level 32GB model from $799.99 to $699.99.

The iPad mini 2 is also discounted by $50, which means the WiFi-only 32GB model is priced at $219.99 instead of $269.99.

MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar aren’t on sale, but Best Buy is discounting the 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar by $100, making it available for $1,399.99, down from $1,499.99.

Select older MacBook Pro models are available at a $200 discount, as are select iMac models, and all MacBook Air machines are also discounted by $200.

Previous-generation Apple Watch models are available for up to $500 off, and some Apple Watch accessories are discounted by 50 percent.

When purchasing an iPhone 7 with an installment billing agreement, Best Buy is offering a $100 Best Buy gift card with purchase for upgrades, and $200 for new activations. Best Buy is also discounting the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, offering them for as little as $14.99 or $19.99 per month, respectively.

Accessories such as the new Apple TV, AirPort Express, iPods, and Beats headphone and speakers are also on sale.

Best Buy’s deals will be available on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10.

MacRumors is an affiliate partner of Best Buy.

Tag: Best Buy
Discuss this article in our forums

MacRumors-All?d=6W8y8wAjSf4 MacRumors-All?d=qj6IDK7rITs