Samsung is bringing the Gear S3 to the UK on Nov 18

The Gear S3 Frontier and Classic are coming to the UK next week.

Samsung has kicked off sales of the Gear S3 in South Korea, and the smartwatch will make its debut in the UK on November 18. Both the Frontier and Classic editions of the watch will be available for purchase.

The Frontier edition is the more rugged of the two models, featuring a gunmetal finish and a large rotating bezel. The Classic variant also has a rotating bezel for navigating the Tizen interface, but its design is more subdued.

The Gear S3 will make its way to other global markets on November 18, including the U.S., Australia, Dubai, France, Germany, and Singapore. No word as yet on pricing, but we’ll know more next week.

More: Samsung Gear S3 preview

Top off your phone’s battery on the go with these discounted Kmashi power banks

It’s time to stock up on Kmashi’s power banks.

Right now you can score some sweet savings on Kmashi’s portable battery packs at Amazon with a coupon code. For as little as $6 you can grab a 5000mAh power bank to charge your favorite gadgets while on the go without tethering yourself to a wall. The 5000mAh model has one port and a perfectly pocketable design for charging on the go while the two-port 15000mAh model has two ports and a slim design for stashing in your gear bag or purse.

These two are currently on sale with coupons:

• 5000mAh power bank – $6 with coupon AM8MQ8GY
• 15000mAh power bank – $12.50 with coupon 5AN5A4JD

If you find your phone running down a little too quickly during the day, you will want to have one of these around. At these prices, you may want to pick up some gifts for others as well. Be sure to act quick, battery deals like these usually sell out before long.

See at Amazon

Best Fitness Gifts

It used to be that a pair of running shoes and some clean workout clothes were all the fitness gear you needed.

These days, a beats-blasting playlist and a fitness tracker are as essential to a good workout as anything else. Whether you or someone you know is just starting out on their fitness journey, or they’re seasoned athletes looking to take their training to the next level, here’s our recommendations for the best fitness tech to enhance your workouts and help you hit your fitness goals.

• Fitbit Charge 2
• Moto 360 Sport
• Withings Wi-Fi Scale
• TuneBand Go armband
• NorthFace Thermoball Etip Gloves
• GoPro Session
• Jaybird X3 Sport

Fitbit Charge 2

When it comes to fitness trackers, Fitbit still reigns supreme. They’ve become so ubiquitous, chances are everyone has a co-worker, family or friend obsessed with tracking their steps and other fitness stats on their wrist. If you’re unfamiliar, Fitbits track steps taken, flights of stairs climbed, and calories burned throughout your day.

Fitbit’s latest wrist accessory, the Charge 2, is their absolute best yet. First, there’s the vertically-orientated OLED display, which you tap to cycle through the different statistics and modes. The Charge 2 features Fitbit’s PurePulse continuous heart rate monitor, which lets you quickly check your current heart rate at any moment, and also features the convenience call, text and calendar notifications that you’d expect from wearable tech.

Built-in GPS is missing, but Connected GPS allows you to use your phone’s GPS to map your outdoor runs when tethered to your phone via Bluetooth. The silicone strap is sweat resistant, but you’ll want to make sure to clean and dry it after each workout. It’s also not waterproof, so don’t even think about swimming with it on.

See at Amazon

Moto 360 Sport

The Moto 360 Sport is a smartwatch that combines many of the functions people want in a fitness tracker with the style and added functionality that’s included with Android Wear.

As the name implies, this is the sportier version of the second generation Moto 360. Differentiating it from the non-sport is the inclusion of built-in GPS (a nice feature that’s even missing on the FitBit Charge 2) and a body wrapped silicone strap. These two features, along with the heart rate monitor, make the Moto 360 Sport ideal to wear during workouts. The Moto 360 Sport’s built-in GPS means you can leave your phone at home and go for a run, while still being able to wirelessly listen to your music via Bluetooth headphones. And the silicone strap, while a magnet for lint and dust, is also sweatproof and easy enough to clean.

Above all else, you’ll get a piece of wearable tech you’ll feel comfortable wearing from the office to the gym, with all the usefulness that Android Wear offers.

See at Amazon

Withings Body Wi-Fi scale

Take complete control of your weight using the Withings WS-50, the smart scale that’s designed to accurately measure your weight, BMI, heart rate, and even monitor the indoor air quality of your living space.

Allowing up to eight users on its personalized display, each person in your household can track their weight securely and monitor their goals using the Health Mate app (available for Android and iOS). As you weigh yourself each day, the WS-50 will display the weather and average temperature, giving you a heads up on how to dress before stepping outside and getting active. This smart scale is also compatible with a variety of other health apps including Google Fit, Apple Health, Runkeeper, LoseIt!, MyFitnessPal, and more.

See at Amazon

TuneBand Go armband

There are hundreds of armband smartphone cases out there for bringing your phone with you on a run or a workout. This is because manufacturers typically designed a bunch of different models to fit specific phone makes and sizes. This means you’ll end up having to get a new armband when it’s time to upgrade to a new device.

That is, unless you get a TuneBand Go. This armband offers universal compatibility, as its rubber hooks are adjustable to fit phones from 5 inches to 6.5 inches in size. It also accommodates cases, and it’s actually recommended you use one if you’re concerned about the clips making direct contact with your phone’s display.

See at Amazon

NorthFace Thermoball Etip gloves

Winter is coming, which means it’s time to haul out your cozy winter gear — lest you choose to stay indoors until spring. But you really ought to be heading outside and making the most of things, whether that means sledding, snowboarding or skiing, or simply walking through a winter wonderland.

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors — even when the temps are downright frigid — and still stay connected to your phone, you’ll want to get a pair of touchscreen conductive gloves that are first and foremost warm and reliable. The North Face makes quality outerwear, and these gloves will keep your hands nice and toasty while still allowing you to use your phone’s touchscreen via the conductive fibres in the fingers. The palms are also grippy, so that you don’t accidentally drop your phone into a snowbank. Whoops!

These would make a great gift for pretty much anyone with a phone, and are available in styles for both men and women.

See at Amazon (men’s)

See at Amazon (women’s)

GoPro HERO5 Session

Getting active with technology doesn’t always have to be about tracking steps or keeping your phone accessible. Sometimes you just want to head out there, strap an action cam on you and show the world how you have fun.

The GoPro HERO5 Session is a portable, rugged little 10MP camera that can shoot still, burst and time-lapse photos, as well as 4K video (also capable of shooting high-speed footage at 90fps in 1080p, and 120fps in 720p). It features voice activation as well as one-touch controls, and can be mounted pretty much anywhere, so you can just tap and go out and record all of your outdoor adventures. Whether you know a cyclist who’s talked about wanting to document their daily commutes, or a budding action sports superstar looking record epic footage, the GoPro HERO5 Session is a gift choice that they’ll cherish. Do note that they will also need a microSD card.

See at GoPro

Jaybird X3 Sport

An ideal pair of workout headphones are going to be wireless, sweatproof, and comfortable while still delivering solid sound quality and adequate battery life.

Jaybird has been in the Bluetooth headphone space since 2007, and their latest pair, the Jaybird X3 Sport earbuds, are an ideal option for the runner or athlete in your life that always seems to be complaining about their headphone situation. The two earpieces are tethered together, with a three-button remote for controlling playback and volume, and each pair come with several silicone and foam tip options, along with fins that help keep them secure in ear no matter how intense your workout gets. The size is small and compact, and yet the batteries are capable of delivering you great sound quality for up to eight hours.

See at Best Buy

OnePlus 3 will get a taste of Nougat this month, stable OTA coming by end of 2016

Nougat beta community build coming this month, stable OTA by the end of the year.

Samsung, LG, and Sony announced their Nougat plans this week, and now OnePlus has shared details on when it will roll out the latest version of Android to the OnePlus 3.

Speaking to Engadget, OnePlus’ head of software Brian Yoon revealed that a Nougat beta community build will be rolled out later this month, with an OTA update rolling out to all OnePlus 3 devices by the end of the year.

There’s good news for OnePlus 2 owners as well, as Yoon confirmed to the publication that last year’s phone will be updated to Nougat as well. However, there isn’t a specific timeframe as to when the handset will receive Nougat.

OnePlus merged its OxygenOS team with the China-focused HydrogenOS division earlier this year, and while the company said that the move was designed to “increase efficiency and speed up our software updates,” it was necessitated by a mass exodus of members from the OxygenOS team following the launch of the OnePlus 3.

Crucially, the chief designer responsible for the Material Design aesthetic of the Marshmallow-based OxygenOS has left the company, so it will be interesting to see the direction OnePlus takes with Nougat.

Which Pixel OTA or factory image to flash? It’s now a little easier to figure out

There are different builds for the European, U.S. and Verizon Pixels.

Google dropped three new Android 7.1 builds for the Pixel and Pixel XL recently, complete with the November 2016 security patches. But it wasn’t immediately clear which of the three builds posted update-hungry Pixel owners should apply to their devices.

In the past day or so, Google has refreshed its factory images page (but curiously, not its OTA images page) with a small but important update — specifically, which Pixel variant each build is for. Here’s how it breaks down:

• NDE63U = Europe
• NDE63X = Verizon
• NDE63V is not labeled, but by process of elimination this is almost certainly for U.S. unlocked Pixels

Google will probably provide similar region/carrier information when new Android builds drop each month, so if you don’t want to wait around for an automatic update, it’ll be a little easier to figure out which build is intended for your phone.

It’s worth remembering that flashing a factory image or OTA with a build number that doesn’t match your region probably won’t do much, if any harm. We’ve been running NDE63X on a European Pixel XL for the past few days with no issues whatsoever. So you’ll probably be fine whichever of the three you’re running. (Although it may affect which automatic updates you get in the future.)

So good luck, and happy sideloading. (Or you could just wait for a seamless update to hit in the background. Whatever floats your boat.)

More: How to manually update your Nexus or Pixel

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

Google Store
Verizon

Google Play Newsstand gets redesigned home screen, bottom toolbar

Google Play Newsstand is now better than ever.

Google has released a new version of Play Newsstand, its one-stop shop for news, magazines and other written content, with an updated home screen design and a bottom tab bar that replaces the left-side hamburger menu.

The design is definitely more personal, greeting you by name in a new tab titled “For You” along with a daily briefing that attempts to cull together written and video highlights from the past few hours based on sources and topics that you’ve previously shown interest in.

Like many of Google’s recently-redesigned apps, this is not a radical reworking but a maturing.

Like many of Google’s recently-redesigned apps, this is not a radical reworking of how Newsstand works, but a maturing of what has been happening within Google’s design team for the last couple of years. The bottom tab makes new content easy to find, and appears — in the age of larger phones with bigger screens — a more appropriate way to separate parts of the app without forcing mobile users to dig into the increasingly disused left-side hamburger menu.

Google has also renamed a couple of the sections. “My Library” is now just “Library,” while “Bookmarks” is the more realistic “Read Later.” Finally, Google now lets you get a daily briefing notification each morning, which it hopes will increase time in the app.

Play Newsstand 4.0, which does away with its bright purple color scheme for more sedate darker purple accents, is rolling out slowly over the next few days.

What do you think? Do you even use Google Play Newsstand, or do you prefer another news app?

BT launches Dolby Atmos sound with 4K TV packages, get the stadium experience at home

BT has upped its TV credentials and taken the fight to Sky Q with the announcement that Dolby Atmos will be supported with select sports shown in Ultra HD from next year.

• BT launching BT Sport Ultra HD, with a new UHD YouView set-top box
• Dolby Atmos: What is it and how can I get it?

The addition of Atmos will not only make BT the first broadcaster to support the sound format, but it will add an extra level of immersion at home. Dolby Atmos adds an extra height channel to programmes, instead of having ‘regular’ surround sound at ear level. By adding the extra height channels you’ll get a more enveloping sound effect.

In order to get Dolby Atmos, you’ll need a compatible AV receiver and either in-ceiling speakers or upward-firing height channel speakers, as well as the BT Ultra HD YouView box+ and Ultra HD subscription.

• BT Ultra HD YouView+ box review: A bold step into future 4K entertainment

BT has also announced that its new and improved YouView TV service will be automatically rolled out to customers’ set-top boxes during the early part of 2017. The new version claims to provide a “faster and slicker TV experience” and will coincide with the launch of a new BT TV app, which will let you stream live TV and on demand programmes to mobile devices, as well as manage recordings.

BT will also add to its current selection of sports programming with boxing on saturday nights thanks to a partnership with BoxNation.

Delia Bushell, managing director of BT TV and BT Sport said: “BT’s mission has always been to provide a high quality, premium TV service at prices that give unbeatable value to UK consumers. We will keep driving the pace of innovation in content, broadcasting and our customers’ experience”.

“In 2017 we’re going to further shake up the market by releasing our new viewing experience across our TV guide and on demand, our new TV app and on our BT Sport channels, provided as a free upgrade for our customers.”

NES Classic Mini review: Comes up a little short

Nintendo has had its problems of late, especially when it comes to home consoles, but things are looking up.

The forthcoming Switch is intriguing, full of potential and could turn the tide for the Japanese gaming giant when it releases in March 2017. The company has also pulled a masterstroke by drawing on its impressive past to present a cheap and cheerful machine in the interim.

The NES Classic Mini – or Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System, to give it its full name – is a tiny plastic box full of memories (if you’re a given age, anyway) and we love it.

For a mere £50, it reminds us of our first forays into console gaming and represents everything that is great and good about videogames. Or it’s the perfect opportunity for those young whippersnappers to get their heads down in a bit of retro gaming charm.

Can you buy games for the NES Mini?

• 30 classic titles built-in
• Can’t buy new games

The NES Classic Mini is a games console – although you cannot buy additional games for it down the line. That’s because it comes with a standard 30 pre-installed titles, all cleverly chosen from the original NES console’s celebrated past.

The main unit is a diminutive version of the early 80s Nintendo Entertainment System (otherwise known as the Famicom in Japan) and therefore gives you access to an amazing line-up of games that made waves back then.

The first Super Mario Bros trilogy are all there, as is the original Legend of Zelda, Metroid and Kirby’s Adventure. You also get excellent arcade conversions of Donkey Kong, Pac-Man and Ghosts & Goblins.

• Full list of games available on NES Classic Mini

Pocket-lint

They all play exactly as they did on the original console, except for the fact that, because the output is HDMI and upscaled to suit your modern TV, they look considerably better than when run on a fuzzy, old 14-inch CRT set.

Funnily enough, if you’re really into the retro theme, you can change the display options to make your screen look like an old telly, complete with fake scan lines. But why do that when it looks excellent as it is, on especially on a big flatscreen?

We hooked up the NES Classic Mini to a 65-inch LG 4K OLED TV and it looked spectacular – Mario seemed to be the size of a house cat. Yes, the pixels are more pronounced and the 8-bit effects look more like Lego the larger the display, but the colour representation has never been better and other all-in-one retro machines we’ve tried in the past tend to have an element of picture ghosting. Not so here.

Pocket-lint

There is one specific issue amplified by playing on a big screen though: you have to sit so close that you can’t quite see what you’re doing.

How long are the NES Mini controller cables?

• One classic NES controller included
• 30in/75cm cable is short
• Wii Nunchuck extension cables compatible

Along with the shrinking of the console, Nintendo has taken the decision to dramatically shorten the controller cable too. You get one remade NES controller in the box and its lead, at 30-inches long (so 75cm), is stingy to say the least. The cables on the original controllers were also short, but they were about a third longer. And that was when tellies were about 10 times smaller.

Pocket-lint

It means you have to almost literally sit on top of the NES Mini to play. When it’s connected to your TV using the HDMI lead that comes as part of the package, you are no more than two to three feet away from the screen. Fine for a bedroom TV, less so for a 65-incher in the living room.

Nintendo will no doubt say that you need to be close to the console as it sports a reset button on the front that pulls you out of a game and back to the main menu screen. There is also a clever freeze option, which halts and saves your progress as you do, ready to be picked up again from that spot later. However, we know that the controller is designed to be authentic, but surely that option could have been put on it rather than the front of the box? And if it’s that authentic, why isn’t the cable as long?

Thankfully, some accessory manufacturers are planning to release controller extension leads. And as the end connector is now the same as the one found on the Wii Nunchuck, if you find an extension cable for that still on sale, it should work too. Alternatively, you could invest in a longer HDMI cable and power lead, but that involves dragging the NES Mini around as you waggle the pad. Clumsy.

Does the NES Mini come with a power adapter?

• Micro USB to USB for mains power
• No mains plug included in the box
• HDMI out to connect to TV

The power lead itself is another bone of contention. It is a standard USB lead, with a USB at one end and Micro USB at the other, like the ones you used to get with Android phones (until USB Type-C came into play). The problem is that you don’t actually get the power supply itself – you have to provide your own USB plug adapter.

Pocket-lint

Yeah, we probably have at least 20 of them per household these days, and many of us have started to change our wall sockets to include USB ports anyway. But, it’s hardly plug and play. More no plug and no play. A bit cheeky given the £50 cover price. And while Nintendo has been taking this approach with “upgrade” 3DS machines, this NES Mini is no such thing, so no excuse.

Verdict

The caveats could put some people off but, while annoying, the games and ease of use have drawn us back time and time again to the NES Classic Mini. The 30 games stored in its miniscule bowels are each worthy of the term classic and a joy to revisit.

Without the NES we would never have had the PlayStation or Xbox. Mario the plumber would have been someone you’d more likely see at the end of Watchdog. And Zelda would just have been a scary space witch puppet from Terrahawks.

For all its faults, the NES Classic Mini isn’t just a games machine or toy, it’s a reminder of what Nintendo was capable of before motion gaming and Balance Boards. And that you don’t need fancy gimmicks, bells and whistles to serve up pure entertainment.

You just need a longer bloody controller cable. Then the NES Classic Mini would be retro perfection.