Best leather cases for Note 7

What’s the best leather case for Galaxy Note 7? We’ve got a few favorites that are sure to dazzle!
The Galaxy Note 7 is sophisticated, so its case should be nothing less. Leather whispers sophistication in a dulcet tone that compliments your Note 7 elegantly. Here are the best leather cases you can find for the Galaxy Note 7.
- Spigen Wallet S
- Tauri wallet flip cover
- IstanbulLeatherShop
- Ringke Flex S
- Caseology Envoy
- Benittorre leather phone cover
- Samsung leather cover
Spigen Wallet S

Spigen makes some the best phone cases around and its Wallet S faux-leather case is perfect for anyone who wants a leather case for their Note 7, and especially perfect for the animal lover in all of us.
The shiny black finish is sophisticated and rather business-like but has this sexy quality that lets you know it’s all pleasure.
In typical wallet case fashion, there’re three slots for cards and a cash pocket inside, and the reversible magnetic latch is handy for keeping your case both closed and open. The cover folds back into a stand for hands-free usage, and the PU leather is flexible and easy to work with.
It may seem odd to start a leather case roundup with one that’s made of pleather, but it feels the same (if not better) and happens to be the best of the best.
See at Amazon
Tauri wallet flip cover

Tauri’s wallet case for the Note 7 is the classic wallet case you’d expect: it has room for three cards, a bit of cash, and the front cover closes to enrobe your phone in luscious, genuine leather, secured by a magnetic clasp.
Its best feature, of course, is its ability to fold back into a stand so that you can watch YouTube and Netflix and play games hands-free. The leather is soft to the touch and feels great in your hand – it’s not slippery.
Your Note 7 sits in a silicone shell inside, with a cutout at the back so you can take photos and video, and the charging port is left open so that you never have to take the case off.
See at Amazon
IstanbulLeatherShop

Etsy is an awesome place to find quality leather cases for just about any phone and the IstanbulLeatherShop always delivers. This handmade, genuine leather wallet case is gorgeous and understated, with a wan finish that gives it a modern look.
It has an inner shell that grips your Note 7, while keeping ports and buttons open, and the front cover secures tightly with a magnetic closure. Or, you can opt for “Book Style” and go without the closure.
The cover folds back into a handy stand for hands-free viewing, and the suede microfiber lining won’t scratch up your screen.
Handmade means that every wallet case is unique, so if you want a case just for you, Etsy and the IstanbulLeatherShop is just the place.
See at Etsy
Ringke Flex S

If you want a leather case but still worry about leather’s durability, then why not go for a case that blends leather in with the protective qualities you already look for?
The Flex S series by Ringke is a really cool blend of flexible TPU and a faux-leather on the back that stylish, sophisticated, and very effective in the event of a drop or bump.
The softer TPU bumper is perfect for shock absorption and protecting your Note 7 from scratches and the pleather back gives it a cool, almost rugged look, like if Indiana Jones had a modern phone case, it’d be this one.
Ringke makes great-fitting cases all around, and starting at $13, you really can’t go wrong.
You have your choice of Deep Blue, Sleek Gray, or Vintage Brown.
See at Amazon
Caseology Envoy

I’ve only recently come to realize that Caseology makes some of the coolest cases around. Every time I research a roundup like this, its products just get better and better, and the Envoy is no different.
The Envoy is a dual-layer affair, with a flexible TPU shell that has a pleather back and a polycarbonate frame that sits around the whole thing to secure it all in place.
That’s awesome on three fronts: 1. Your Note 7 is protected from drops and scratches, thanks to the rubbery TPU. 2. That protection is enhanced by the hard polycarbonate frame that helps disperse impact around the TPU. 3. The faux-leather back looks really cool and if you pick the right color, it’ll have “you” written all over it!
You have your choice of beige, Cherry Oak, green, and navy blue leather, all with gold polycarbonate frames.
See at Amazon
Benittorre leather phone cover

Benittorre’s option isn’t so much a case as it is a pouch, but it’s a freakin’ sweet pouch, made of genuine leather. Some folks might be worried about a pouch and easy access to their Note 7, but this one features a pull ribbon that makes extraction a breeze.
The hand-stitching is expertly done and every cover is unique, meaning you’ll have a one-of-a-kind case to show off that’ll have everyone asking about it.
One of the most consumer-friendly options Benittorre offers is the choice to have its logo on your cover or not. If that doesn’t say confidence in branding, then I don’t know what does. They know you’ll tell your friends about it.
There’s also a slot on the front of the pouch where you can comfortably store a couple cards or your ID.
If you don’t like this version, Benittorre has a few to choose from, including a camel-colored option and one without the front pocket.
See at Etsy
Samsung leather cover

What would a roundup be without the phone manufacturer’s version of the case in question? Samsung’s leather cover is a gorgeous black case that fits onto the back of your Note 7, leaving the buttons, ports, and S Pen all open to easy access,
The matte-finished, black leather is understated elegance in its truest form and it’ll had a bit of mystery and intrigue to the already enticing Note 7.
It doesn’t seem to be available yet (except for a rather suspect Amazon listing), so keep your eyes peeled!
See at Samsung
Leather, anyone?
Are you using a sexy leather case with your Note 7 that you think deserves a mention? Sound off in the comments below!
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
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- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
- Here are all four Note 7 colors
- Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
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PlayStation 4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: What’s the rumoured difference?
Sony is hosting a special PlayStation event on Wednesday 7 September where it is expected to announce not one but two new versions of its PlayStation 4 console. The first will be a slimmer, thinner machine with a few improvements over the current model, the second a much more powerful games machine to take the brand forward.
These are dubbed the PS4 Slim and PS4 Neo (AKA PS4.5 or PS4K) and are likely to come out in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
We suspect they will both completely replace the existing machine, of which Sony has sold more than 40 million units to date, but if you already have one it is unlikely you’ll be forced to upgrade any time soon.
There are some that might consider doing so, however, so here are the differences between all three models based on the rumours, leaks and speculation we have so far. It might help you decide whether to save up for a replacement.
- Sony PlayStation 4 Neo: What is PS4.5/PS4K, when is it coming and what will it offer?
- What to expect from Sony’s PlayStation New York event: PS4 Neo, PS4 Slim and more
- PlayStation 4 Slim: Release date, rumours and everything you need to know
- What time is the PlayStation 4 Neo and PS4 Slim launch and can I watch it online?
- PS4 Neo (PS4K) vs Project Scorpio: What’s the rumoured difference?
- Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K): What’s the rumoured difference?
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: 4K HDR gaming
Although there is considerable debate on how effective the PS4 Neo will be at playing games in a 4K resolution, with leaked specifications taken into account, Sony boss Andrew House has gone on record to say the machine will support the format. At the very least its higher spec’ed graphics processing and CPU will be capable of running games at smoother frame rates and in Full HD – maybe even 120fps as some have hinted.
We’ll keep an open mind on this one, as 4K gaming is something Xbox is discussing for its Project Scorpio machine out next year. It would be madness if the PS4 Neo couldn’t match those ambitions.
Neither the PS4 Slim nor the original PS4 can play 4K games. It is even highly unlikely that the former will be upscale existing titles to 4K, considering every indication to date points to it having the same inner gubbins as the current model.
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Some were surprised when the original PlayStation 4 was released without HDMI 2.0 connectivity or HDCP 2.2 copy protection. Those are mandatory for 4K Blu-ray playback and thus the PS4 will never be upgraded to work with Ultra HD discs. There’s also the matter of the disc drive, which is of Blu-ray, but not UHD BD standard.
From what we’ve heard of the PS4 Slim so far, the same will be true of the slimmer machine. Even though consoles have reportedly made it into some customers hands, allegedly through a retailer in the United Arab Emirates, there hasn’t been a single report of them doubling as 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players.
The PS4 Neo, on the other hand, will be capable of playing 4K Blu-rays. That’s almost guaranteed. What’s more, it will support HDR picture tech for a wider colour gamut and better contrast on compatible TVs.
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: 4K video
There is a direct parallel between each of the machines Blu-ray compatibility and 4K video, from services such as Netflix and Amazon. Neither the PS4 nor PS4 Slim are expected to carry the 4K versions of streaming services and, in the case of the latter, likely to have the necessary connectivity for video or copy protection.
However, the PS4 Neo will almost certainly be able to play back 4K content from a growing number of online services.
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: Performance
A while back a leaked document appeared online, detailing some of the headline specs of Sony’s premium PS4 Neo. It might be fully representative – we’ll only find out that on 7 September – but it’s something to go on now.
It stated that the Neo will have 4.14 teraflops of GPU power and GDDR5 memory rynning at 218GB/s. It will also reportedly run on a 2.1GHz octa-core processor.
That clearly beats the AMD Jaguar CPU on the PS4 and 1.84 teraflops of graphucs processor found on the PS4 and, it is said, the PS4 Slim.
Performance wise, that means it is considerably faster and capable of much more intensive work.
@shortmaneighty2
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: Design
We currently have no idea what the PS4 Neo will look like, and might not even find out on 7 September either, if the original PS4 unveiling was anything to go by (which only featured the DualShock gamepad design, rather than the console).
However, thanks to plenty of PS4 Slim leaks, each featuring the same build and design we can safely say that it will be smaller and thinner than its predecessor. The new DualShock is also slightly redesigned, with a clear LED lit strip now running along the top of the touchpad.
If we’re being honest, we actually prefer the current PS4 design to the Slim version we’ve seen in leaked photos. Although it would be great if the new one is quieter. Our current console sounds like an industrial leaf blower at times.
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: Backwards compatibility
While backwards compatibility on the PS4 is restricted to PlayStation Now – which features cloud-playable versions of PS3 games – and downloadable, converted releases, the PlayStation 4 family will benefit from all PS4 games being playable on across the consoles.
Andrew House confirmed that releases with better graphics, HDR and other bells and whistles for PS4 Neo will also run, in a lower resolution or graphical detail, on the other PS4 machines around the globe. There will be no games that are exclusive to the premium machine, he promised.
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PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: PlayStation VR
As far as we know, PlayStation VR headsets – which come out on 13 October – will be compatible with all PS4 consoles, regardless of their spec. We wonder though if the PS4 Neo will be able to run titles at 120 frames per second to match the headset’s top capabilities.
At present, existing PS4 consoles run them at 60fps and the PS VR media box upscales (frame doubles) the video.
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: Price
There have been quite a lot of suggestions floating around about price. At present, you can get a 500GB PS4 for around £280 including a game. The 1TB version costs anywhere from £320 with a game.
Strangely, the one UK PS4 Slim leak suggested it will cost £380. Unless it comes with a 2TB hard drive, that doesn’t make sense to us. Surely it should be cheaper than the existing model rather than more expensive, especially if size and an LED strip on the controller are the only major changes?
That price also doesn’t sit well with pricing suggestions for the PS4 Neo. Several sources claim it’ll be around $399 (£349) at launch. Again, that can’t be dramatically cheaper than the PS4 Slim.
We wouldn’t actually be surprised if Neo ended up around the $499 mark at launch.
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: Release date
The standard, current PS4 has been around for three years and is readily stocked everywhere. It is tipped that the PS4 Slim replacement model will hit shops from 14 September – a week after the launch event – and considering alleged devices have made it onto the marketplace already, that makes sense.
The PS4 Neo, however, is unlikely to come out in 2016. Instead, we expect it to majorly rival Xbox’s Project Scorpio for Christmas 2017.
PS4 Neo vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: Conclusion
A conclusion about which of the consoles to buy is actually quite easy, even at this stage where final details are not known. If you are looking for a games console right now, and PlayStation shades it for you over Xbox, it’s worth holding on for another week or two for the PS4 Slim.
That said, if there are few hardware improvements, only aesthetic ones and an extra light bar on the controller, you might want to check out the pricing of existing PlayStation 4 variants. There’s plenty of stock still out there and they are bound to be reduced in price when the Slim arrives.
Those who are happy to wait should do so, however. The PS4 Neo will undoubtedly be the king of the family and therefore the machine to aspire to.
Fitbit Flex 2 preview: Simple, stylish tracking
Fitbit announced two new activity trackers to its portfolio just before consumer electronics show IFA kicked off in Berlin.
The Charge 2 and Flex 2 are the latest to join the company’s line-up, with the latter replacing the original Flex to bring all-day activity and sleep tracking in a new simple, but stylish offering.
We got our paws on it during the show to see how it differs from its predecessor and what it will bring when it arrives in October.
Fitbit Flex 2: Design
The Fitbit Flex 2 is the smaller and more simplistic of the two devices unveiled at IFA. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, offering a small removable tracker that is housed in an elastomer band as standard, but can be placed into specific accessories that are available separately. It is removed by simply slipping it out from the underside of the band.
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The tracker has five LED lights that shine through the elastomer strap to display progress, with each LED representing a 20 per cent increment. These lights, which sit vertically rather than horizontally as they did with the original Flex, will also show through the bracelet and necklace that have been designed to fit the tracker within them.
The elastomer band for the Flex 2 is a little bulkier than the first Flex, offering a chamfered edge, which ties it in with the newer devices within the Fitbit line up, including the Alta and Charge 2. It is also textured which differentiates it from the original Flex that has a smooth finish and the result is lovely.
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The Flex 2 is nice and slim, making it a subtler device than the likes of the Charge 2 and the Alta, mainly down to the lack of display as it is around the same size as the Alta. The Flex 2 is fastened in the same way as the Alta using a two-pin method rather than a buckle. This again makes it less bulky than the likes of the Charge 2, although the two-pin system is a little less secure than the buckle from our past experience.
The Flex 2 comes in four colours comprising black, lavender, magenta and navy. There is also a bangle available in silver, gold and rose gold, as well as a necklace in gold and silver, all of which are sold separately. We saw them on display and they look interesting, as well as nice enough to wear with smarter clothing, but if you don’t want to spend the extra cash, the elastomer band is good on its own.
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Fitbit Flex 2: Features
The Fibit Flex 2’s big selling point is that its the company’s first and only waterproof tracker, allowing you to go for a swim with it. It also adds call and text notifications to the Flex party in the form of colour-coded LED lights.
It won’t tell you who is calling or let you read the text like the Alta and Charge 2 will, but the LED lights will light up blue for calls and purple for texts so you’ll at least know something is going on.
In addition to these features, the Flex 2 will do the same as the original Flex. It will measure steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned, active minutes and sleep duration, but not elevation. It has SmartTrack so it will automatically recognise exercise and it also has a five-day battery life, though we weren’t able to test this during our time with it.
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First Impressions
The Fitbit Flex 2 is a lovely, simple tracker that has a more interesting and exciting design than its predecessor. Not a great deal has changed in terms of looks, but Fitbit has done enough to ensure the new generation doesn’t look like a boring rubber band.
The addition of a couple of extra features, including smartphone notifications in some form and the waterproofing are definitely welcomed too and we love that there are interchangeable accessories too.
For the lower-end of the activity market, it certainly looks like the Flex 2 has a good thing going on, but we will let you know for sure when we review it in full.
Wacom’s latest smartpads marry pen and paper with digital notes
Despite the many high-tech devices on display here at IFA, sometimes all you want is a pen and paper to jot down notes or draw a quick sketch. Still, there’s no reason not to marry ink and tech, which is the driving idea behind Wacom’s latest line of smartpads that let you capture handwritten notes in digital form. The company’s done this before with the Bamboo Spark, but the latest Slate and Folio options provide different styles for the discerning dead tree aficionado.
The Slate is a simple standalone notepad while the Folio is a more professional option complete with integrated cover and slots for business cards. The Slate and the Folio are essentially equipped with electromagnetic resonance (EMR) tech. Put any piece of paper on the surface, and you’ll be able to transfer all your ink-stained scribbles to Wacom’s Inkspace app. You can either draw it in “live mode,” which essentially lets you capture the notes in real-time, or simply press a button on the hardware to sync it later. Not any pen will do however, as you’ll need a special Wacom pen filled with Wacom’s digital ink in order for the whole thing to work.
Still, once you have everything you need, it works like a charm. I tried both of these smartpads out at the Wacom booth at IFA, and it all worked seamlessly. I was impressed by how instantly the notes came to life in the app — it really is done in real-time. I also found it interesting that you can always overlay more scribbles onto an existing digital note, even if the paper you drew the original on is long gone. From there, you can save the notes in JPG, PNG, PDF or a special Wacom WILL format.

The InkSpace app is free, and you get a free basic subscription along with your Wacom ID. This gives you 5GB of cloud storage. If you want more, you’ll have to upgrade to InkSpace Plus, which offers 50GB of storage along with the ability to search your handwritten notes. What I found especially useful is that InkSpace Plus has a handwriting-to-text feature so you can import your written text into a real document. Slate and Folio customers will get a three-month free trial subscription to InkSpace Plus, and after that, can opt to pay a discounted $2.99 a month for the service (The regular price is $4.99 a month).
The Slate comes in two sizes; small (A5/half letter) and large (A4/letter) while the Folio only ships in large (A4/letter). As for pricing, the small Slate is $129.95, the large one is $149.95 and the Folio is $199.95.
Oh and that’s not all. Wacom also introduced a few new styluses at IFA this year. The first is the Omni, a fine-tip pen that lets you write on any note app without having to pair it first — just twist the pen and go. It uses something called RES (Reflective Electro Static) tech and is charged via USB. According to Wacom, it should work on both Android and iOS. The company also refreshed the Solo and the Duo with a more ergonomic, softer design. The Omni will retail for $49.95 while the Solo and the Duo are $19.95 and $29.95 respectively.
We’re live all week from Berlin, Germany, for IFA 2016. Click here to catch up on all the news from the show.
Sony’s first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player not likely to appear until 2017
Sony showed of a prototype version of its first dedicated 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray during the IFA consumer electronics trade show in Berlin last week, but while rivals have machines already on shelves, it might not appear until 2017.
The deck shown doesn’t yet have an official name, but Pocket-lint was told that its design is final. A full consumer model will look similar to the player we photographed at the show.
We were also informed that it will be released before the end of the financial year 2016. Technically, that is April next year, meaning the Ultra HD spinner could appear in the first quarter of 2017 rather than in time for Christmas.
- IFA 2016: All the announcements that matter
- Best of IFA 2016: The hottest gadgets to get excited about
One rumour we’ve heard (via What Hi-Fi) is that Sony will unveil the full version and even a second machine during CEDIA in Dallas this month, but they might still be slated for an early 2017 release.
The PS4 Slim could provide a possible reason for Sony’s tardiness in joining Samsung and Panasonic in offering dedicated devices. It is expected to be formerly announced on 7 September and go on sale a week later. If it is to offer 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback, like its rival Xbox One S, that could explain the company’s strategy.
However, current leaks and rumours suggest not. There is no indication so far that the PS4 replacement device is anything more than a slimmer, neater version of the original. We’ll let you know if we hear otherwise.
HP Elite Slice: Innovative, modular, mini PC
The aim of the HP Elite Slice is to get the PC back onto your desk. Moving on from tower PCs, the Slice wants to put everything in front of you in a slickly designed package.
That’s what HP told us when we encountered the Elite Slice at Showstoppers at IFA 2016. While HP has been all about business recently, the Elite Slice has a huge amount of consumer appeal: this is a PC that’s all about innovative design.
The main unit itself bears a striking resemblance to the Mac Mini. It’s a flattened squirkle, but one of the interesting things about the design is that copper venting that runs around it. Copper is very much the tech colour of 2016.
Like the Mac Mini, the Elite Slice is designed to be a complete solution and a replacement for a desktop device. Sure, it’s not going to find fame with gamers, but in a modern office or home, the Slice will settle in nicely.
Aside from being a compact desktop PC, the Elite Slice’s raison d’être is modularity. The main body will offer you Core i3, i5 or i7 processors and a host of physical rear connectivity – HDMI, Display Port, Ethernet, USB-C, USB – but with options for a different top cover.
The flattened top isn’t just somewhere to be gathering dust, it can be a wireless charger for your phone, or you can opt for the collaboration cover, bringing your call controls to the top of your PC, in handy reach. It’s begging for media controls, but with business being the first consideration, we guess that audio isn’t.
The thing to note about these covers is that they must be specified at the time of purchase – they cannot be added afterwards.
So far we’ve just been talking about a small format PC and the real action comes in those modular accessories. To boost the sound offering there’s a speaker module, tuned by Bang & Olufsen. (Again, calls for a media control cover?) Using a USB Type-C based connection, these modules just stack together with one sitting on the next and connecting together.
For those who still need physical media, there’s a DVD player option too and it’s all just plug and play, so should be really simple to expand your PC to your requirements.
Above all, this is about innovative design. It’s a good-looking PC and one that will smarten up any desk and help us move out of the post-tower era.
Prices for the US start at $899, for which you can get a Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and it’s available through store.hp.com. Prices for the UK are still to be determined, but you can sign-up to be alerted once it’s available.
Garmin Virb Ultra 30: A genuine GoPro Hero competitor
When approached at their stand during the IFA trade show in Berlin, Garmin’s reps proudly told us – when asked – that the company’s latest action camera was better than a GoPro. Of course, we were sceptical, until they showed us how it worked and everything it can do.
From a feature list side, it’s got more than enough to compete with the market-leading Hero series, but it is more expensive.
Focusing on the camera technology first, we’re looking at a 12MP sensor which is capable of recording Ultra HD (4K) video at 30 frames per second, and shooting slow motion video at 720p HD resolution with a frame rate up to 240 frames per second.
To make sure its footage is steady, it has 3-axis image stabilisation. So whether you’re filming on choppy seas, or rough terrain, the end video should still be very watchable.
Like most Garmin gadgets, it has a built-in GPS for high precision location tracking, but can also gather data like how high a user is jumping, or how far or fast they’re travelling, and can add those metrics to the footage in attractive graphics.
There’s an easy-to-use touchscreen on the back, which can be used to control the camera and works even when it’s covered by a waterproof case, unlike the GoPro Hero 4 which requires you to switch to physical buttons when encased in the waterproof protection. This waterproof case itself is designed with anti-glare coating over the monitor and lens to ensure footage is still clear.
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As well as the touch screen on the back, the Virb Ultra 30 has all of its buttons built-in to the top of the camera, including a very tactile and well-built power switch. There’s also a highly sensitive microphone to ensure audio capture is clear and usable.
As if all those controls and features aren’t enough, it can even respond to voice commands using Sensory TrulyHandsfree technology. That means you can say things like “OK Garmin, start recording”, or “OK Garmin, remember that.” The latter command tags individual moments within a long video, so that they can be found easily later.
It records video to microSD, but can be controlled using the smartphone app, and the footage can be edited on the company’s own software on the smartphone too.
The small Hero-like form factor lends itself well to being mounted to helmets, bikes, dashboards, or anywhere else you’d like to have the camera stuck.
You can buy the Virb Ultra 30 for £449.99, and it comes shipped with a waterproof case. Price-wise, that makes it around £40 dearer than the Hero 4 Black from GoPro, and more than £100 more expensive than the Hero 4 Silver. Still, if its features all work together well, it may well be worth the extra outlay.
IFA 2016: The rose gold edition
No, Apple didn’t invent the color pink, but it certainly made “rose gold” famous. It all started last year with the company’s first rose gold iPhones, the 6s and 6s Plus, which quickly inspired other manufacturers to embellish their own devices with identical hues. It’s no surprise, then, that the IFA 2016 show floor is filled with rose gold gadgets, although some would prefer to be described as “copper” or “luxury pink.” Whatever it may be, it’s become a major trend in the tech world, one that shows no sign of slowing down. With that in mind, take a look at some of the best rose gold gadgets we found in Berlin.
We’re live all week from Berlin, Germany, for IFA 2016. Click here to catch up on all the news from the show.
Sainsbury’s to triple the number of in-house Argos pickup stores
Sainsbury’s certainly isn’t dilly-dallying after completing its acquisition of Home Retail Group, owner of Argos and Habitat, last week. The supermarket already has plans for its new purchase, namely tripling the number of Argos “digital stores” housed within Sainsbury’s locations. These miniature stores are primarily click-and-collect points, though they also stock thousands of items (but not the full catalogue) for instant purchase, later pickup or home delivery.
The plan is to increase the number of Argos stores-within-stores from 10 to 30 by Christmas, ahead of the holiday rush. Perhaps not a monumental expansion, but the whole point of Sainsbury’s acquiring Home Retail Group was to combine retail presences, product ranges and services to create something that would better compete with online rivals. And you have to move quick with new pickup points if you want to convince customers that click-and-collect is more convenient than click-and-wait.
Especially when Amazon is adding new services and expanding others seemingly every month. Sainsbury’s and Argos aren’t ones to be left behind, though. Argos launched UK-wide same-day deliveries last year, for example, and more recently Sainsbury’s began trialing one-hour grocery deliveries in London’s Wandsworth borough.
Source: Financial Times
Alcatel’s standalone VR headset is a tough sell
While Samsung’s Gear VR requires a smartphone and full-fledged headsets like the Oculus Rift require a computer, Alcatel’s newly announced Vision doesn’t need either. Indeed, it’s a standalone VR headset, which is still something of a rarity in the VR world. Intel announced its own Project Alloy about a month ago and smaller companies like Sulon have come out with prototypes, but the Vision is the first working model I’ve actually had the chance to try on. As cool as it is though, I have to admit it faces stiff competition from the likes of Gear VR as well as Daydream-compatible phones and headsets.
At first glance, the Vision looks more like a kind of fighter helmet rather than a VR headset. Instead of using straps, the Vision utilizes a sort of brace that fits around your head. On the front is a set of goggles, which is then attached to a large back pad via a pair of flexible plastic arms. The reason for such bulk though, is that the 3,000 mAh battery is actually located in the rear. The result is a surprisingly balanced and comfortable fit despite its size.
In fact, I didn’t feel weighed down at all while wearing it. I was a little concerned with the lack of adjustable straps, but the Vision clamped on my head pretty securely. I did think it needed some kind of additional nose pads — it kept slipping a little on me — but it was otherwise fine. The eyewear area was roomy enough for my glasses and the extra padding around it added to the overall comfort. There’s a touchpad on the right temple, while the power key lies on top. It also has a headset jack to which you can attach your favorite pair of headphones.

Instead of a smartphone, the Vision comes equipped with a pair of 3.8-inch AMOLED displays, each with 1,080 x 1,020 resolution. I watched a couple of videos and played a game or two on the Vision and while the performance seemed fine, the resolution was a little blurry and the screen-door effect was apparent; definitely not any better than that of the Gear VR. It was still plenty immersive though, and I enjoyed tapping at the touchpad to zap away oncoming robots. On the inside, the Vision has specs that mimic most smartphones. It has an octa-core CPU, 32GB of storage, 3GB of RAM, Bluetooth, LTE WiFi as well as the usual accelerometer, gyro and proximity sensors. The Vision will apparently have around 3 hours of battery life.
It’s unclear how much the Vision will actually be but we hear that it’ll likely cost around $500 or $600. Seeing as you can get a Gear VR and a compatible smartphone for around that price, we’re not sure if the Vision offers a compelling alternative, especially since the Samsung option appears to have a far wider content library. Plus, we’ve yet to see what Google has to offer in terms of Daydream-compatible handsets. Still, if you fancy a VR headset without the constraints of a phone or a PC, the Vision might be a good one to try out. It’ll be available in China before the end of the year while the US should see it in early 2017.
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