Samsung CF791 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Samsung announced two new gaming monitors at IFA 2016.
The sleek, ultra wide 34-inch CF791 will go for $999 (converts to AU$1,330 and £760), and the CFG70 monitors, which come in 24-and 27-inch variants, are priced at $399 (roughly AU$530, £300) and $499 (around AU$660, £380), respectively. The new monitors notably have curved edges, a design trend Samsung is fully embracing.
Samsung’s new curved monitors are prime for…
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The CF791 is a flashy white and silver 34-inch model, but the more subdued CFG70 works better for gaming purposes. It has AMD FreeSync Technology and a speedy 1ms response time. It’s also competitively priced in comparison to other 24- and 27-inch gaming monitors.
As an electronic giant that makes a little bit of everything (TVs, tablets, smartwatches, fridges, baby monitors, the list goes on) Samsung is no stranger to computer monitors, but gaming monitors are not something the company has focused on much, until now. Samsung is committed to curved gaming monitors with fast response times and has plans on making UHD models as soon as next year. If you can’t wait that long, the CF791 and CFG70 are expected to hit stores in Q4.
| 34″ | 23.5″ | 27″ |
| 21:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| VA (Curved) | VA (Curved) | VA (Curved) |
| 1500R | 1800R | 1800R |
| 3440×1440 | 1920×1080 | 1920×1080 |
| 4ms | 1ms | 1ms |
| 125% | 125% | 125% |
| 100Hz | 144hz | 144hz |
| Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No | Yes | Yes |
| No | Yes | Yes |
| 7Wx2 | No | No |
| Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No | Yes | Yes |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1Up, 2 Down | No | No |
| $999 | $399 | $499 |
Motorola’s latest wireless earbuds don’t live up to expectations
In June, Motorola unveiled its VerveLife line of “lifestyle” products, with the VerveOnes+ wireless earbuds being the first to go on sale. These are truly wireless, existing as two independent pods that you wedge into your ear holes, with no wires or headband to be found. Needless to say, I was excited at the prospect of ultracompact Bluetooth earbuds — especially after reading about the Bragi Dash, a very similar device. Sure, these headphones will be easy to lose (something the company addresses), but having a semi-smart audio system without tangles that’s easy to stow in your pockets… that seemed like the future. Sadly, while there are some useful features and the sound quality is indeed respectable, the form factor itself still has some lingering issues — most notably, drops in earpiece-to-earpiece syncing. That’s a problem, given the $250 price tag.
The package includes two wireless earbuds and a charging case, which you’ll unfortunately need to keep close at hand most of the time. The Hubble Connect companion app for iOS and Android gives you a place to customize the settings, but the buds will need to be inside the case in order for the app to connect with them. Without the app, you can still control playback, select EQ presets and connect to Google Now or Siri through simple button presses. If you misplace the buds, the app will help locate the last place they were synced, which is helpful, if only a bit.
The orange and black design with matching charging case is attractive, but unlike in the press photos, the bulky buds don’t sit flush and tend to hang a bit awkwardly out of your ear. I suppose someone out there with larger ears than mine could pull these off a bit better, but for me, it’s tough. Sure, the battery and audio drivers add to their size, but the similar Bragi Dash manages a far sleeker design, with more features inside, no less. That’s not to say the VerveOnes+ ever felt like they were going to fall out of my ears, they sit in pretty well, but do feel as big as they look. As a bonus, at least, IP57 waterproofing means they can withstand sweaty workouts and even the occasional dunk in a sink.
There’s definitely a tradeoff of style for functionality, then, but even that doesn’t seem totally worth it. The headphones have deal-breaker levels of audio dropouts between the left and right earbuds (and sometimes the pocketed source-device), which makes listening a bumpy ride. A recent firmware update helped keep the signal solid while I was sitting at my desk, but go outside amongst the Bluetooth-emitting populace and it’s dropout city.
As for audio quality — dropouts aside — they sound pretty good. Motorola, which actually licensed this product from Binatone, hasn’t revealed the frequency range, but they have 6.8mm dynamic drivers providing what’s described as “deep, rich HD sound.” That’s not much to go on unless you’ve given them a listen yourself, but the bass is indeed deep and full, with solid mid-range tones and generally crips highs, especially with high-resolution audio files. These earbuds also support Bluetooth aptX, so if you have a phone or player that supports the format, you can expect “CD-quality” wireless listening.
To tweak the output, you get six pre-set EQ profiles to choose from: Bass, Brilliant, Balance, Rhythm, Live and Moto Sound. I’ve found Balance and Moto Sound to be the best for normal listening. To get a preview of the settings, just press the earbud button on either side for six seconds while music is playing. It’ll cycle through the options. Press once to lock in your EQ when you find one you like.
Other system options include Ear Detect — an IR sensor switches the buds on once inserted into your ear and vice versa. There’s also Voice Answer for taking calls using the onboard dual mics, and Pass-Through, which lets in a tinny version of the outside world. While this definitely helps, it’s not a safe enough (or often legal) solution for cycling and wind noise also becomes a major problem with Pass-Through enabled. All these settings are supposedly accessible through a six-second button press (without music playing), but so far I’ve only heard a prompt for toggling either music or video mode (something not indicated in the manual). Still, these are generally options that you’ll set once, which you can accomplish easily through the app, while the earbuds are stowed in the case.
One of my favorite features is actually using Google Now (since I’m on Android) for verbal inquiries or turn-by-turn directions when walking or biking around. You can trigger access with a long (but not six-second long) press of the left earbud button until you hear the Google “listening” tone as it accesses your phone. Saying “walking (or biking) navigation directions to a [specified location]” usually took me right into spoken prompts indicating where to go. I usually prefer not to plug up both ears with headphones when I’m out and about, so I’ve taken to using just one. Incidentally, that also solves the annoying audio-dropout issue.
Having a single earbud that can serve up music from your phone and provide one-click access to Google Now for searches, random info and especially directions is actually pretty great. Unfortunately, if you have Ear Detect on and happen to drop them into your pocket for five minutes or more, the buds will go to sleep and only the charging case will be able to wake them up. The workaround is to turn off Ear Detect, leaving the earbud on continuously. Your freedom will only last as long as it takes for each 72 mAh battery to run down, which is listed as about three and a half hours per earbud while in use.
The 600 mAh charging case also provides an additional charge, giving you enough juice for a total of more than 12 hours of playback time once you re-up. The 115-hour standby claim also seems valid. I’ve left them in my bag (in the charging case) for four or five days and they usually still had a healthy charge.
When I first tried these headphones, they seemed like an obvious skip. If I had paid good money and the earbuds cut out as much as they had, I’d be clamoring for a refund. I had high hopes that the recent firmware update would improve their ability to stay connected, but that only helped while indoors with few people around. It’s not just the Motorola VerveOnes+, though, that have difficulty with earpiece-to-earpiece and source device connectivity. Erato’s Apollo 7 buds and the Bragi Dash suffer some of the same problems, but the Dash at least has onboard memory, so you can listen to tunes without bringing a phone (and without suffering any dropouts). And again, they also offer a sleeker fit, which is important in a product with this form factor.
I look at these headphones as examples of fledgling technology: still at the mercy of what’s technically possible. If you can afford to experiment, you may get some enjoyment out of these earbuds, but for $250 most will be disappointed. Truly wireless still seems like a great idea, but the connectivity — a key factor here — is still not where it needs to be.
Lenovo’s Thinkpad X1 Yoga will make you want OLED everywhere
The dream of large OLED screens has, for the past few years, seemed perpetually on the horizon. LG has had OLED TVs on the market for a while, but they’re still far more expensive than comparable LCDs. If you’ve wanted to get your OLED fix recently, you’d have to get it on a smaller phone or tablet screen. Now, the technology is finally making its way to laptops from the likes of Dell’s Alienware, HP and Lenovo. So you can bet that I jumped at the opportunity to test out the new OLED-equipped Thinkpad X1 Yoga as soon as review units appeared. For the most part, it’s a pretty typical Thinkpad convertible PC, but its screen is truly a thing of wonder.
Hardware
The Thinkpad X1 Yoga doesn’t offer up many surprises design-wise. It sports a black matte case, clean lines and it’s built out of some sturdy material (a combination of a carbon fiber cover and magnesium alloy elsewhere). Its understated aesthetic befits its purpose: it’s here to do work, not game or be an entertainment powerhouse. That doesn’t mean it’s ugly, it just resembles very traditional PC laptops, much like its sibling the X1 Tablet. Really, the X1 Yoga doesn’t need any design flourishes, as it ensures the 14-inch OLED touchscreen is the real star of the show. (More on that below.)
While it’s built like a workhouse — there’s no flex to the case, and it feels like it could survive some major tumbles — the X1 Yoga is also impressively portable, at 2.8 pounds and 0.67-inches thin. That’s about on-par with most other Ultrabooks (and it’s even 0.2-pounds lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air). It’s not as razor-thin as HP’s stunning new Spectre, but because of that it’s surprisingly versatile, with three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and miniDisplayPort connectors, and a microSD card slot. There’s also a proprietary OneLink+ port for connecting to Lenovo’s docks, as well as a fingerprint sensor to the right of the trackpad.
Being a Yoga device, the X1’s screen can bend a full 360-degrees around the case, effectively turning it into a very large tablet. (In that mode the keyboard also recesses into the case, to prevent stray strokes and key damage.) You can also fold the screen over at an angle in a “tent” formation. That’s ideal for standing it up on a table, or on your lap in bed. Lenovo designed a new double hinge for this device, and it’s one of their smoothest implementations yet. The screen is easy to move around, but it also feels secure once you set it in place.
Lenovo also tucked a stylus into the side of the X1 Yoga, which is useful for drawing or quickly jotting down notes. It’s powered by super capacitor technology, which charges it whenever it’s sitting inside the case.
Display and pen input
The X1 Yoga’s OLED display doesn’t waste any time impressing you. The red border around Lenovo’s logo has an almost electric feel upon boot-up, and that carries over to everything in Windows. OLED displays are known for their bold colors and deep black levels, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Watching videos and perusing photos is a revelatory experience. OLED adds an enormous amount of depth to images that makes them seem almost three-dimensional.
With a resolution of 2,560 by 1,440 (1440p/2K), the X1 Yoga’s OLED screen is significantly sharper than a 1080p display, though it’s not quite 4K. That’s just fine, though, as Windows 10 still isn’t well suited to 4K, and the benefits of such a high resolution are wasted on laptop screens.
The X1 Yoga might not look like an ideal media machine from afar, but it ended up being one of my favorite ways to watch Netflix in bed. Mostly, that was due to sheer immersiveness of the screen. Its speakers sit right below the screen, and as is usual with Lenovo’s gadgets, they were merely adequate. If you really want to get into a movie or TV show, bring along a good pair of headphones.
The laptop’s ability to flip around in a variety of different orientations also made it very useful. When I needed help in the kitchen, the tent formation was perfect on my countertop for watching videos and references recipes. And when I wanted to dive into the NYT, Comixology or a digital magazine app, the tablet mode was immensely convenient. It also worked well in direct sunlight, but be prepared to deal with some reflectivity depending on how it’s oriented.
While the built-in stylus was convenient for jotting down quick notes, it’s also too light and flimsy to use for a very long time. It doesn’t feel as substantial as Microsoft’s Surface Pen or Apple’s Pencil, instead it’s like trying to write with an incredibly skinny pen. If you’re really looking forward to handwriting on the X1 Yoga, though, you’re probably better off investing in something that won’t cramp your hand after a few minutes. On the plus side, the stylus is pressure sensitive, which could be useful for artists.
Typing and trackpad experience
If there’s one thing you can be guaranteed to find on a Thinkpad, it’s a solid keyboard. That’s been true of the line since IBM debuted it decades ago, and it’s something Lenovo has maintained ever since it took over Big Blue’s computer arm. The X1 Yoga’s backlit chiclet keyboard is one of the most comfortable I’ve used in an Ultrabook. I had no trouble quickly typing up notes and reports from Intel’s Developer Conference, or banging out most of this review. The keys are sloped inward slightly, which feels comfortable as you’re resting your fingers on them, and they have a satisfying amount of depth.
Basically, the X1 Yoga’s keyboard feels like a balance of traditional Thinkpad typing with the modern chiclet style. I wish Lenovo included some media keys among its second functions though. Even the ability to start and stop music would be helpful (and being able to move between tracks would be even better). Lenovo used to offer some media keys on the X1 Carbon’s capacitive touch strip, so hopefully we’ll see those return eventually.
The Thinkpad’s trackpad is incredibly smooth, though it’s not as roomy as the MacBook Air’s or those found on other Ultrabooks. And if you’re a Thinkpad diehard, you’ll be pleased to learn there’s also red Trackpoint nub among the keys, as well as mechanical mouse buttons right below the keyboard. For the most part, I relied on the X1 Yoga’s trackpad, which was accurate for mousing, though it sometimes got confused between left and right clicks. I’m not a huge Trackpoint fan, but it was admittedly helpful while I was cramped in a middle airplane seat. In situations like that, being able to mouse with just your finger, and without moving your elbows, is immensely helpful.
Performance and battery life
| Lenovo Thinkpad X1 OLED (2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6600U, Intel HD 520) | 4,892 | 4,186 | E2,609 / P1,419 | 3,577 | 2.2 GB/s / 1.3 GB/s |
| HP Spectre 13 (2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U, Intel HD 520) | 5,046 | 3,747 | E2,790 / P1,630 / X375 | 3,810 | 1.61 GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Huawei MateBook (1.1 GHz Core M3, Intel HD 515) | 3,592 | 2,867 | E1,490 / P887 | 2,454 | 538 MB/s / 268 MB/s |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (1.2 GHz Core M7-6Y75, Intel HD 515) | 4,951 | 3,433 | E1,866 / P1,112 | 2,462 | 545 MB/s / 298 MB/s |
| Dell XPS 13 (2.3GHz Core i5-6200U, Intel Graphics 520) | 4,954 | 3,499 | E2,610 / P1,531 | 3,335 | 1.6GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Razer Blade Stealth (2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U, Intel HD 520) | 5,131 | 3,445 | E2,788 / P1,599 / X426 | 3,442 | 1.5 GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2.4GHz Core i5-6300U, Intel HD 520) | 5,403 | 3,602 |
E2,697/ P1,556/ X422 |
3,614 | 1.6 GB/s / 529 MB/s |
| Lenovo Yoga 900 (2.5GHz Core i7-6500U, Intel HD 520) | 5,368 | 3,448 |
E2,707 / P1,581 |
3,161 | 556 MB/s / 511 MB/s |
On the hardware front, the Thinkpad X1 Yoga offers everything you’d expect from an Ultrabook today. It starts with an Intel Core i5-6200U, 8GB of DDR3 RAM and 128GB SSD. The model we reviewed is a bit beefier, with a Core i7 6600U, 16GB of RAM and 256GB SSD.
It tackled just about every productivity task I threw at it: My daily workflow typically consists of having several browsers open with dozens of tabs, Slack, Spotify, and photo editing software running all at once. The Thinkpad handled video streaming from Netflix and Hulu just fine, and it processed dozens of large photos without any issues. It was about as fast as other recent ultraportables, like the new HP Spectre, when it comes to benchmarks. Tough, since it’s sporting Intel HD 520 graphics, it can only tackle basic games.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the Thinkpad X1’s battery life. It lasted only around 4.5 hours during typical usage, and I always had to recharge it in the afternoons. In our battery test, which involves playing an HD video continuously at 50 percent brightness, it lasted 8.5 hours. It’s likely just far more efficient at handling video than a plethora of different programs running at once.
Configuration options and the competition
As always, expect to pay dearly for the privilege of using OLED. This Thinkpad X1 Yoga model starts at $1,682, while the standard LCD version starts at $1,400. Its hardware starts with the specs I’ve mentioned above, but it would cost you $2,168 to upgrade to all of the specs from our review model. Still, the premium is likely worth it if you’ve been hankering for some OLED goodness.
While there’s plenty of ultraportable competition on the market, there are few alternatives that pack an OLED screens. HP recently revamped its Spectre x360 convertible with the technology, which starts at a more reasonable $1,499. And Alienware’s gaming-ready OLED models come in at $1,800. It might be worth sticking with the Thinkpad if you want OLED with the best productivity build quality, but if you’re a gamer, Alienware’s option is worth a look too.
Wrap-up
It’ll likely be a while before OLED becomes the norm on laptops, but the Thinkpad X1 Yoga is a fine example of why we’d want it in all of our devices. Yes, even in a laptop that looks like it belongs in a boring corporate cubicle. That could also be appealing to some buyers: it looks like a dull Thinkpad on the surface, but it’ll blow your mind when you actually turn it on.
The Thinkpad X1 Yoga is a reminder that OLED isn’t just bright and bold, it’s a transformative display technology. Now if only it weren’t so expensive.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (OLED) review – CNET
The Good The new OLED display looks stunning, and this professional-level Yoga has a great keyboard, active stylus, and rugged body.
The Bad It’s not as thin or light as the more consumer-oriented Yoga hybrids, and adding the OLED screen is an expensive option.
The Bottom Line The best 2-in-1 Yoga Lenovo makes gets even better with the addition of a stunning OLED display.
Configure at Lenovo.
Has it really only been four years since Lenovo’s first Yoga hybrid? That 13-inch two-in-one PC was the biggest argument in favor of the then-new Windows 8 and its tile-based interface, because it could transform into a touch-friendly tablet with ease, and because it did so without compromising the familiar clamshell laptop experience that nearly every PC user is accustomed to.
It turned out that the Yoga really was the one hybrid to rule them all, and every other major PC maker, including Dell, HP, Toshiba and others, experimented with all sorts of flipping, folding, rotating, and shifting hybrid PC design before settling on a similar 360-degree hinge. Today, you can’t even casually browse a computer store (either brick-and-mortar or online) without tripping over Windows PC with kiosk and table tent modes.
View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET
Lenovo went on to make several variations on the Yoga, including different screen sizes, different colors and higher-end models with watchband-style hinges. But the overall best Yoga design the company produced was the ThinkPad Yoga. This variant, part of the buttoned-down ThinkPad line of business computers, kept the best parts of the transforming Yoga experience, but also added a clever keyboard trick.
When the hinge rotates from its clamshell position all the way to its tablet position, the keyboard tucks itself away inside the base. It looks and feels like a retractable keyboard, but in reality, the outer edge of the keyboard tray raises up slightly to be flush with the keys, which are in turn locked into position. But the end effect is the same, so feel free to keep calling it a retractable keyboard. It’s a great feature missing from the standard IdeaPad Yoga systems, which leave a deactivated keyboard clacking under your fingers when in tablet mode.
Still, the ThinkPad Yogas were never as thin, flashy or lightweight as the consumer models, so I could see going with a slim IdeaPad Yoga 900 instead. Until now.
View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET
The latest 14-inch ThinkPad model, called the X1 Yoga, adds an OLED display (in its highest-end pricing configurations), making it one of the first laptops anywhere to have this stunning new type of screen. This isn’t a surprise development, Lenovo announced OLED was coming to the Yoga back in January at CES 2016, but it’s taken until now for the first units to finally ship. We recently reviewed a version of Dell’s Alienware 13 with an OLED screen, and my colleagues and I were blown away by what a big difference it made in everything from gaming to video viewing, and to a lesser extent, casual web surfing and productivity work. The Samsung TabPro S, a Surface-like tablet hybrid, has a similar AMOLED screen and was also very impressive.
Here in the larger 14-inch X1 Yoga, you can really appreciate why OLED screen technology sets the standard for excellence in the best-looking current-gen big-screen televisions, and why, despite the very high costs, TV buyers crave them. Even for a smaller laptop screen, there’s still a premium to pay. The exact high-end configuration we tested, with the OLED 2,560×1,440 display, a Core i7-6600U processor, 16GB of RAM and a big 256GB SSD, costs $2,289, as configured through Lenovo’s website. In the UK, you can get an identical OLED configuration for £2,286. In Australia, the same configuration costs AU$3,999.
View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET
If you’re looking for OLED on a budget, Lenovo also offers a Core i5 version in the US with the same OLED display but half the RAM and SSD storage for $1,682.
ThinkPad Yogas always cost a few hundred dollars more than the consumer versions, because of the retracting keyboard, better construction and built-in IT-friendly security features. Adding OLED drives the price up even further, but it’ll be a least a few more years before OLED laptops and TVs are as inexpensive as their LCD counterparts.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (OLED)
| $2,289 |
| 14-inch, 2560 x 1440 OLED touch display |
| 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6600U |
| 16GB DDR3 SDRAM 1866MHz |
| 128MB Intel HD Graphics 520 |
| 256GB SSD |
| 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Micorsoft Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) |
This new X1 Yoga keeps much of the look and feel of previous models, from the low-key matte black color to the red trackpoint nestled between the G, H and B keys — a throwback to an earlier era of laptop computing that feels more like a branding play than a practical navigation tool these days.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy S7 Edge
Unlike last year, a Plus variant of the Galaxy S7 Edge was no longer necessary, with the display size of the device being bumped up to 5.5-inches. Instead, Samsung decided to incorporate the dual curved edge display feature into the Galaxy Note series, with the Galaxy Note 7.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
- Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge review
Samsung has always managed to maintain some separation between the Note line and the Galaxy S series, but things being more similar than ever between the two has led to a lot of people to dismiss the Galaxy Note 7 as a Galaxy S7 Edge with an S-Pen. Is that really a fair way to assess the Galaxy Note 7, and are there significant differences between the two Samsung flagships? That’s what we aim to find out, in this in-depth look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy S7 Edge!
Buy the Galaxy Note 7!
Buy the Galaxy S7 Edge!
Design
There are obviously a lot of similarities between the Galaxy Note 7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge, and that starts with the design and build quality. Both smartphones feature a metal and glass unibody construction, and with the Galaxy Note 7 also coming with a curved display, they do look and feel very similar.
Of course, this is by no means a bad thing, and what you get are two beautifully designed smartphones that feel extremely solid in the hand. However, as is the case with any smartphone that features a glass backing, both devices are fingerprint magnets, and you do have to wipe them down continuously to keep these phones looking pristine.
While the Galaxy Note 7 does borrow heavily from the design language of its flagship counterpart, Samsung has managed to further refine the design with the former. While the curved edges on the front of the Galaxy Note 7 are noticeable, they are not as drastic as what is seen with the Galaxy S7 Edge, and does help avoid accidental presses with your palm or fingers.
The metal frame has also been more seamlessly integrated into the glass of the Galaxy Note 7, making the phone feel like an unified piece of hardware. While this may seem like a minor design element, it actually makes a huge difference when considering how much smoother and more comfortable the device feels in the hand. Of course, the Galaxy S7 Edge does feel incredible as well, but the Galaxy Note 7 takes it to another level, and how Samsung continues to improve the metal and glass design with every flagship is certainly very impressive.
The Galaxy Note 7 is the larger of the two smartphones, but not by much, and the curved glass allowed for it to be smaller than its predecessors, despite featuring the same display size. One difference between the two devices, that isn’t easily seen, is that Galaxy Note 7 is protected with Gorilla Glass 5 panels, an upgrade from the Gorilla Glass 4 that is found with the Galaxy S7 Edge. Granted, there is some controversy surrounding this with regards to its scratch resistance, but overall, it is supposed to be the stronger and more durable of the two.
The rest of the design elements of both the Galaxy Note 7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge are typical Samsung. The power button and volume rocker are on the right and left sides respectively, and up top is the SIM card slot, with the SIM tray also housing a section for a microSD card. On the bottom is the headphone jack and single speaker unit, and with the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung has finally made the move to a USB Type-C port from the standard microUSB that is found with the Galaxy S7 Edge.
The Galaxy Note 7 also has a slot at the bottom that houses the S-Pen, and in case you were wondering, Samsung has re-designed the S-Pen to make it impossible for it to slide into the slot the wrong way.
Display
The Galaxy Note 7 comes with a larger 5.7-inch display, compared to the 5.5-inch screen of the Galaxy S7 Edge, but other than the slight difference in size, these displays are practically identical. Both are Super AMOLED screens with a Quad HD resolution, resulting in both being extremely sharp, and offering colors that are vibrant and saturated, along with deep inky blacks.
Samsung’s display prowess is well known at this point, and it’s not surprising that both devices feature stunning displays, making doing anything, from watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games, an absolute joy on either smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 does offer an interesting feature, and that is support for streaming HDR content, which makes watching movies and TV shows, on Amazon Video or Netflix for example, even more enjoyable, on this already bright and beautiful display. This is something you really have to see in person to truly appreciate, and things will only get better, as more and more HDR titles are released.
Another really useful feature of the Galaxy Note 7 is the ability to downscale the display resolution to 1080p, or even 720p, to get that little bit of extra juice out of the battery.
Performance
Under the hood, both smartphones come with the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, that is backed by the Adreno 530 GPU and 4 GB of RAM. Depending on the market, and Exynos 8890 variant of both smartphones are available as well. With the same processing package and software package, the day to day performance you get with both is understandably identical as well.
While some may be disappointed with the fact the Galaxy Note 7 doesn’t feature an upgraded processor or more RAM, the available setup is definitely plenty powerful. Both smartphones are blazing fast, and everything, from opening, closing and switching between apps, to processor-intensive gaming, is easily handled. There also finally some Vulkan-supported game titles available on the Google Play Store, allowing for superior graphics and gameplay on both the Galaxy Note 7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.
Hardware
While the Galaxy S7 Edge is available in 32 GB and 64 GB variants, 64 GB is the only on-board storage option available with the Galaxy Note 7. If storage is still a concern, both smartphones also offer expandable storage via microSD card, up to an additional 256 GB. In some markets, both smartphones come with dual SIM capabilities, but since a hybrid slot is utilized, users will have to choose with dual SIM or expandable storage.
Right below the display of both smartphones is a fingerprint scanner that is embedded into the physical home button. At this point, we are all aware of how well Samsung’s fingerprint sensors work, and in both cases, they are fast, accurate, and reliable, and provide a nice additional layer of security.
However, with the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung has taken bio-metric security a step further, with the inclusion of an iris scanner, which uses infrared to scan your eyes and unlock the phone. It actually works surprisingly well, given that it is a first generation feature, but does take a little bit longer than when using the fingerprint sensor, because of the additional steps involved.
After waking up the phone, you actually need to swipe up before it starts scanning your eyes. The swipe gesture is meant to prevent the phone from scanning your eyes when you don’t want it to, but the option to disable this would have been nice to have.
Samsung re-introduced dust and water resistance with their 2016 flagships, and both the Galaxy Note 7 and Galaxy S7 Edge come with an IP68 rating for protection against the elements. In the case of the Galaxy Note 7, the S-Pen is also protected, which means that if you ever find the need for it, you will be able to take notes while the phone is submerged.
Speaking of the S-Pen, as is the case with every iteration, the new stylus brings with a lot of improvements. It has a much finer point and more levels of pressure sensitivity, allowing for a more accurate and precise writing experience. However, perhaps the most important change is the fact that the S-Pen cannot be put into its slot backwards anymore.
Samsung has also added a slew of features to take advantage of the revamped S-Pen. You can now hover the stylus over the screen to translate text or images, magnify the screen, or create a GIF from something like a Youtube video to share with friends, assuming that it is not DRM protected content. The Screen Off Memo has also been improved, giving you the ability to scroll and write much longer memos, that can also be pinned for up to an hour to the Always On display, to make it more easily accessible.
The Galaxy Note 7 packs a 3,500 mAh battery, which is the largest we’ve seen with a Galaxy Note device, but is still slightly smaller than the 3,600 mAh unit of the Galaxy S7 Edge. The difference in capacity is negligible when it comes to the battery life that is available with both.
If you are looking for a smartphone that provides five or six hours of screen-on time on a consistent basis, and can comfortably last a full day even with heavy usage, both devices will do the trick. Both devices also come with fast charging capabilities and fast wireless charging as well, so no matter how you decide to charge your phone, you will be able to do so quickly.
Camera
Both smartphones also feature the exact same camera package as well. On the rear is a 12 MP camera with a f/1.7 aperture, OIS, and the super fast dual pixel autofocus technology, and up front is a 5 MP shooter with a wide angle lens, which works really well to put a lot of detail into your selfie.
Given that the camera of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are widely considered to be some the best smartphone cameras around, Samsung can’t be blamed for deciding to stick with the same sensor. It takes fantastic images in almost all lighting conditions, with plenty of detail, sharpness, color, and depth.
The pictures do look similar for the most part, but it appears as though Samsung has tweaked the image processing. First off, the image sharpening looks a lot more natural with the Galaxy Note 7, and isn’t as aggressive as what is seen with the Galaxy S7 Edge, and secondly, the white balance issues that plagued the latter in low-light conditions aren’t to be seen with the former, which is amazing, and just these two changes help make the Note 7 camera even better.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 camera samples
The most notable improvements with the camera experience actually have to do with the camera application. While the camera app of the Galaxy S7 Edge is already clean and easy to navigate, Samsung has made the camera software more intuitive with the Galaxy Note 7.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge camera samples
A double tap of the home button launches the camera as usual, and the app comes with all of the same features as before, including selective focus, live broadcast, and a robust Pro mode, but the interface of the Galaxy Note 7 camera app has been revamped with a much flatter and more simplistic look. It is also much easier to navigate with one hand, using swipe gestures. You can swipe to the right to access the camera modes, to the left to bring up the various camera filters, and swipe up or down to switch between the rear and front cameras.
Software
On the software side of things, both the Galaxy Note 7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with the TouchWiz UI on top. As expected, the general look and feel of the software package is similar, with features like Multi Window and a Themes store available with both. However, Samsung has made a few changes to the TouchWiz UI that is available with the Galaxy Note 7.
If you look closely, you will see that many of the app icons have been revamped with new graphics and a more uniform look. Certain UI elements, like the notification shade and the Settings menu, have also been given a slight facelift to match the rest of the changes that have been throughout TouchWiz.
The settings menu is cleaner and a lot more streamlined, making is much easier to find what you’re looking for. They have also dialed back a lot of the colors to allow for a more minimalistic appearance. Instead of the bright bold colors that are seen with the Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung has opted for a softer, more eggshell like color scheme that is more appealing and easier on the eyes. This change can be found throughout the interface, and especially with Samsung’s own applications.
Samsung also consolidated all of their different note taking applications into one app called Samsung Notes, and whether you use the app or not, this change makes the process of finding the appropriate app for making a note or drawing a lot less confusing, while also helping reduce some of the bloatware. The only change that I’m not a fan of is that the toggles in the notification shade on the Galaxy Note 7 are no longer scrollable like they are on the Galaxy S7 Edge, and to get to the brightness slider, it now takes two swipes down on the notification shade instead of one.
The Galaxy Note 7 also brings a new secure folder to lock away any apps or sensitive information that you don’t want anyone else to access, and this can be locked with a standard password, pin, lock pattern, your fingerprints, and even the brand new iris scanner. Touchwiz is surprisingly pleasant to use on the Galaxy Note 7, with Samsung making a lot of really nice changes, and hopefully we’ll see this trickle down to the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge in a future update.
Finally, with the Galaxy Note 7 also featuring dual curved edges, it’s only natural for the Edge Panels to make their way over from the Galaxy S7 Edge. The Edge features include panels to easily access your favorite contacts, most used applications, and tasks, along with a variety of other information, including sports scores and the weather, all available with a simple swipe from the edge of the display.
Specs comparison
| Display | 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display Quad HD resolution, 518 ppi |
5.5-inch Super AMOLED display Quad HD resolution, 534 ppi |
| Processor | 2.15 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor Adreno 530 GPU |
2.15 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor Adreno 530 GPU |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32/64 GB expandable via microSD card up to 256 GB |
64 GB expandable via microSD card up to 256 GB |
| Camera | 12 MP rear camera, f/1.7 aperture, OIS, LED flash 5 MP front-facing camera with wide angle lens |
12 MP rear camera, f/1.7 aperture, OIS, LED flash 5 MP front-facing camera with wide angle lens |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.2 NFC GPS + GLONASS USB Type-C (USB 3.1) |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.2 NFC GPS + GLONASS microUSB 2.0 |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh | 3,600 mAh |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm 169 grams |
150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm 157 grams |
Gallery
Final thoughts
So, there you have it for this comprehensive look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy S7 Edge! As we have seen throughout this review, the Galaxy Note 7 borrows a lot from the Galaxy S7 Edge, but it is an entirely different phone that offers its own unique experience. Despite how much it has in common with the Galaxy S7 Edge, it does feel the way a Note device should feel, and it certainly is more than just the Galaxy S7 Edge with an S-Pen.
With Samsung getting a lot right with the Galaxy S7 Edge, it’s not surprising to see a lot of these hardware and software features make their way over to the Galaxy Note 7, and this does, in fact, help simplify the decision making process for consumers. The Galaxy S series, and now the Galaxy Note 7, all offer the same core specifications, the identical camera setup, and largely similar software experience, so when making a choice, it all boils down to which features you are looking for.
If a small and compact device is your need, the Galaxy S7 is the way to go, and if durability is a concern, the Galaxy S7 Active is a great companion. The Galaxy S7 Edge gives you a slightly larger display, with curved edges, and a bigger battery. However, if the S-Pen is important, and an iris scanner seems interesting, the Galaxy Note 7 is the answer.
The Galaxy Note 7 is certainly not a worthy upgrade from the Galaxy S7 Edge, but it isn’t meant to be. Instead, of you are looking to make the jump from older Samsung flagships like the Galaxy Note 5, the Galaxy S6 series, or the Galaxy Note 4, it will definitely feel like an amazing upgrade, and you won’t regret making the leap to any “7.”
Buy the Galaxy Note 7!
Buy the Galaxy S7 Edge!
Garmin Forerunner 735XT review – CNET
The Good Lightweight and waterproof, and has GPS for tracking a variety of sports and an optical heart-rate sensor. All-day activity tracking, interval training and phone notifications are helpful. There’s a multisport mode to time triathlon transitions and easily switch sport profiles. It’s compatible with a wide-range of Garmin accessories.
The Bad It’s expensive; there’s no altimeter for measuring ascent and descent; and battery life may not be long enough for a full Ironman triathlon.
The Bottom Line The Forerunner 735XT is an exceptional watch for serious triathletes, but there are better and cheaper alternatives for both dedicated runners and more casual athletes.
The Garmin Forerunner 235 is one of my favorite running watches and for good reason: It has everything runners need to take their training to the next level. It’s not ideal for multisport athletes, though.
The 235 is primarily a running watch, but its more expensive cousin, the Forerunner 735XT, is equally good and better suited for serious triathletes. This watch can track running, cycling, swimming and other sports, includes an optical heart-rate sensor, and has interval training, all-day activity tracking and phone notifications. Its special triathlon feature can time transitions and switch sport profiles with a single button press.
The Forerunner 735XT costs $450, £360 or AU$700. That’s a premium of $120, £80 or AU$230 over the 235, but for hardcore triathletes, it’s a price I think is well worth paying.
Hands-on with the Garmin Forerunner 735XT…
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A laundry list of features
The watch is comfortable and lightweight. It feels good on my wrist when training or while wearing it throughout the day. It’s a tad lighter (40.2 grams compared to 42 grams) and has less of a bezel, but otherwise the two devices are remarkably similar, but only when it comes to design. Garmin was able to squeeze even more functionality into the 735XT. It has all of the features of the 235 and more — a lot more.
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The Forerunner 735XT (left) next to the 235 (right).
Sarah Tew/CNET
Here’s everything that’s different:
- Added tracking for pool swimming, open water swimming, paddle boarding, rowing, hiking, cross country skiing and strength training
- Added support for running dynamics (with a special optional heart-rate chest strap, it can measure ground contact time, vertical oscillation, stride length, vertical ratio and more)
- Added stress score, lactate threshold, functional threshold power and performance condition measurements (when paired with a chest strap)
- Added Courses, Virtual Partner and Virtual Trainer features to compete against a digital person or past runs
- Compatible with Garmin Vector pedals, Varia Radar and lights, Shimano Di2 electronic shifters, Varia Vision heads-up display and ANT+ power meters
- Compatible with Garmin Tri and Swim-HRM straps
Triathlon support
The watch includes a profile specifically for triathlons, along with an auto-multisport feature. That means you can switch between each sport (swimming, biking and running) with a single button press, rather than having to manually stop one and start the other. It also times how long you take during your transition period. This isn’t unique — this mode, or a similar one, is also present on the Garmin Fenix 3/HR, Forerunner 920XT, Polar V800 and Suunto Ambit3.
View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET
You won’t have any problems wearing the watch in the pool, the ocean or the shower. The 735XT carries a water-resistant rating of 5 ATM, which means it can withstand depths of up to 50 meters.
The built-in heart-rate sensor doesn’t work while swimming, although that’s true for most devices. Garmin is instead offering a triathlon bundle for $500 that includes the Swim-HRM (pool) and Tri-HRM (open water) chest straps. Both of these record heart rate data while swimming — the latter also supports running dynamics — but the data isn’t displayed in real time and will only be available for review after your workout has been completed.
View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET
Missing features
The 735XT doesn’t have a barometric altimeter, which is used for measuring altitude. It attempts to measure altitude using the GPS, although I found it wasn’t nearly as accurate when compared to the altimeter-equipped Fenix 3.
LG WM3575CV review – CNET
The Good LG’s $1,100 WM3575CV washing machine cleans clothes surprisingly fast — it even has a 15-minute Speed Wash cycle.
The Bad The WM3575CV scored low on stain removal. Its control panel looks cluttered, and its Smart Diagnosis troubleshooting feature doesn’t come with clear instructions.
The Bottom Line The LG WM3575CV will work in a pinch, but I’d look elsewhere for something more well rounded.
For all of the things LG’s $1,100 WM3575CV washing machine gets right, it has one fatal flaw — poor performance. Out of all of the front-loaders we’ve reviewed so far, this model earned the lowest overall stain removal score. Given its subpar cleaning skills, I can’t recommend the LG WM3575CV. Look instead to the Electrolux EFLS617S or the Whirlpool WFW87HEDW.
Taking LG’s WM3575CV washer out for a spin
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Speed demon
Before I got the WM3575CV’s performance results, I was fairly impressed with it. This LG machine dominates when you stack its features against competitors in the same price range.
It comes in an attractive “Graphite Steel” finish (that’s code for gray), has a 4.5-cubic-foot-capacity, 12 cleaning cycles and a related Android and iPhone app for troubleshooting repair needs and other potential issues.
Here’s a closer look at the WM3575CV’s specs versus the Electrolux and the Whirlpool:
Comparing washing machines
| LG WM3575CV | Whirlpool WFW87HEDW | Electrolux EFLS617S |
| $1,100 | $1,199 | $1,099 |
| Graphite Steel, White (for $1,000) | Chrome Shadow, White (for $1,099) | White, Titanium (for $1,199) |
| 4.5 cubic feet | 4.3 cubic feet | 4.4 cubic feet |
| 12 | 10 | 9 |
| 90 kWh/year | 109 kWh/year | 85 kWh/year |
| 27×38.7×29.7 inches | 27×38.7×33.1 inches | 27x38x31.5 inches |
| 1 year, limited | 1 year, limited | 1 year, limited |
| 120V; 60Hz | 120V; 60Hz | 120V; 60Hz |
| Yes, Android and iPhone | No | No |
In addition to having a slightly larger drum capacity, slightly more cleaning cycles and an app, the WM3575CV can also complete a laundry cycle faster than the competition.
With help from its TurboWash setting, this LG model can wash a regular ol’ load of laundry in 30 minutes flat. It also has a 15-minute Speed Wash cycle that I used to wash some of my clothes in a hurry. Here’s a list of all of the WM3575CV’s available cleaning options:
- Cotton/Normal
In other washer news:
- So-so performance cramps this washer’s style
- This giant washer dominates its top-load competition
- Kenmore’s massive washing machine holds more
- How we test: Washing machines
- Bulky/Large
- Perm. Press
- Delicates
- Hand Wash/Wool
- Speed Wash
- Tub Clean
- Heavy Duty
- Bright Whites
- Towels
- Drain+Spin
- Small Load
Frigidaire FGID2466QF 24 In. Gallery Built-In Dishwasher review – CNET
The Good The smudgeproof stainless-steel finish helps the $650 Frigidaire Gallery FGID2466QF look like a much more expensive dishwasher. It backs up those looks with quality cleaning performance and plenty of cycles to choose from.
The Bad The interior of the FGID2466QF doesn’t have a lot of features to help you load your dishes. In fact, the arrangement of the upper rack makes fitting your bowls and glasses particularly tedious.
The Bottom Line If you’re willing to work with the tedious upper rack, sleek design and solid performance make the FGID2466QF a fine budget-friendly dishwasher.
One of these days, we’ll find the perfect dishwasher. Until that day comes, I present to you the $650 Frigidaire Gallery FGID2466QF. It joins a trio of budget dishwashers we’ve reviewed recently that prove you don’t need to shell out big bucks for good cleaning capability. Like the others — the $600 GE GDF610PMJES and the $700 Kenmore 13699 — this Frigidaire model has drawbacks. In particular, it has an upper rack that makes loading your bowls and glasses painful, it’s louder than its more expensive counterparts, and it has a plastic inner tub instead of stainless steel.
Also like the others, this Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher cleaned as well as models that cost twice as much. If you don’t mind spacing out your dishes on the top rack, it’s worth your consideration. In fact, if you prioritize looks, I’d recommend this model over both the GE GDF610PMJES and the Kenmore 13699. The smudge-resistant stainless finish and fully integrated control panel look great. The GE GDF610PMJES has the best feature list of the group, and the Kenmore 13699 cleans the best of the trio, but the Frigidaire FGID2466QF isn’t far behind on either, making it a well-rounded option at a reasonable price.
Stain free shine from the Frigidaire Gallery…
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Got no stains to hold it down
Low cost, good clean
- Kenmore 13699
- Bosch SHS63VL5UC
- GE GDF610PMJES
We’ve seen it on other Frigidaire appliances, but I was still impressed by how well the smudgeproof stainless finish on the Frigidaire Gallery FGID2466QF dishwasher kept fingerprints off of the front of the machine. Especially for $650, its appearance held up remarkably well throughout our rigorous testing.
As usual with large appliances, you can find this dishwasher for less than that $650 price. You can use the Frigidaire site to find retailers in your area. It’s available at major appliance retailers such as Best Buy, Home Depot, and Amazon. Best Buy and Home Depot both have it for just under $400.
Spider leg surprise
Despite the plastic tub, I still liked the look of the interior of the FGID2466QF. The stainless tubs of higher end models do save energy, but with this dishwasher, I didn’t notice a big difference as far as style is concerned.
The blue wheel of jets at the bottom of the tub accents gray racks and tines that look professional but not boring. Loading dishes into the racks, however, was less pleasant.
The blue wheel of jets at the bottom of the tub looks good and does a good job of covering every dish with water.
Chris Monroe/CNET
A few of the tines on the top rack look like spider legs. Folded in, they’re spaced such that you can fit bowls between them. Fold them out and the tines line up next to the exterior columns, leaving an open spot in the front middle of the upper rack where you could fit larger serving dishes. It’s a creative idea, but the spacing never actually made it easier for us to load the dishwasher in practice.
We follow the recommended loading pattern in our dishwasher tests, and doing so with this model resulted in tight spacing and awkwardly placed bowls. We had to squeeze glasses into the second and fourth columns and the sound of glass scraping glass as we shoved them past the bowls in the middle column wasn’t pleasant. The bowls themselves weren’t sitting securely in their spot, and ended up nesting next to each other often, though we did our best to prevent them from doing so.
The spider-leg-shaped tines make it tough to load your dishes.
Chris Monroe/CNET
The nested bowls resulted in missed spots on the cleaning tests — since the water couldn’t get between them. For the most part, the Frigidaire FGID2466QF is a good cleaner, but the poor upper rack tines prevented it from shining the bowls.
The arrangement of tines on the bottom rack is more run-of-the-mill and less offensive. The back two rows fold down, and the two middle rows of tines are shorter, encouraging you to fit small dishes between rows of larger plates on the outside.
The lower rack tines don’t add much, but don’t make it harder to load your dishes.
Chris Monroe/CNET
The Wii U revisited: Looking back on a forward-thinking console
Engadget is re-reviewing the current generation of game consoles, each of which has benefited from firmware updates, price drops and an improved selection of games. We’ve already revisited the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. Now, at last, it’s Nintendo’s turn. Though we’ve raised our Wii U score to 74 from 70, you can still find our original review here, if you’re curious to read what we said at launch.
It’s hard to believe that the Wii U is only 4 years old. In the time since Nintendo released its last flagship console, we’ve seen four iPhones, as many Galaxy S handsets from Samsung, two models of the Xbox One and, of course, the PlayStation 4. All of which is to say, it feels like it’s been much longer since the quirky console came out. Compared with the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the Wii U has changed the least. Nintendo didn’t release a slimmed-down version, nor has it offered additional storage options beyond the launch model’s 32GB. Firmware updates have slightly changed the UI as well as delivered performance improvements, but there otherwise hasn’t been a massive overhaul.
Even before it began teasing a new console, still codenamed “NX,” Nintendo seemed to have forgotten about the Wii U. Sure, the company released the poorly received Star Fox Zero in April, but until The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild comes out next year, the release calendar is devoid of first-party games. Of course, that’s not counting the throwback Classic Mini NES console, which arrives in November. Before the NX’s promised March 2017 launch, we wanted to revisit the system, just as we did recently with the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Think of this as both a re-review and a postmortem.
Hardware
The Wii U wasn’t supposed to go head-to-head with consoles from Microsoft and Sony — not the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and certainly not the PS4 and Xbox One. That’s evident by looking at both the system itself as well as the game selection. Unlike its competitors, which sport sleek, futuristic designs, the Wii U is understated, with cheerful rounded corners and a glossy finish — as clear a sign as any that the Wii U was intended for families more than avid gamers. All told, it’s about the size of a hardcover book, making it very unobtrusive indeed. Up front is the slot-loading DVD drive and under that a sliding door hiding two USB 2.0 ports and an SD card slot for additional storage. On the left, you’ll find the power and eject buttons.
Around back are two more USB 2.0 connections, an HDMI socket, power-supply input, a port for the Wii sensor bar (for backward compatibility with the original Wii) and analog video output. The lack of Ethernet means everything from downloading games to playing Fast Racing Neo online is done via the console’s archaic 802.11b/g/n WiFi radio — that is, unless you spring for a compatible USB LAN adapter.
If the 32GB of internal storage isn’t enough for you, or you don’t have a sizable SD card lying around, the system also supports powered external hard drives. Even then, I’ve had the system since launch, owned a number of downloaded games and have rarely come close to needing more space than the internal storage provided. Speaking of games, the type of stuff you’ll play on the Wii U underscores the limitations of its relatively low-powered internals. The IBM-Power-based multi-core processor and custom Radeon high-def GPU can’t crank out visuals on par with what the PS4 and Xbox One are capable of, but playing Mario Kart 8 in 1080p at 60 frames per second is still nothing to sneeze at. Strong art direction doesn’t need bleeding-edge silicon to power it either — just a development team skilled at using what’s available. And that’s what Nintendo does best.
GamePad
The GamePad is the heart of the Wii U; the thing that makes it so different from the hardware that came before it. Nintendo fused motion controls from the original Wii with the 3DS hand-held’s touch interface into one package, creating something truly unique. Perhaps someone else is using the TV in the living room, but you want to collect a few coins in Mario Kart 8? No problem. You can use GamePad’s 6.2-inch resistive touchscreen to play games, no TV required. Just plug in a pair of headphones to the 3.5mm jack on top and you’re all set. A majority of titles mirror their video output to the GamePad’s screen too, so your options aren’t limited to kart racing with an Italian plumber and his pals. The catch here is that to get the best experience, you need to be pretty close to the console itself (read: within 20 feet and with a clear line of sight).
While the touchpad takes center stage, there are also a bunch of physical inputs. Two clickable, convex analog sticks are equidistant on opposite sides of the touchscreen, with a D-pad below the one on the left. And there’s an NFC contact point for Amiibo figurines directly under that. Moving to the right, the system’s home button is centered below the screen. Next to that is a battery-indicator light, and buttons for TV control and powering the console on and off.
The diamond arrangement of A, B, X and Y face buttons sits awkwardly right below the right analog stick, with the start and select buttons below that. And I almost forgot: There’s a camera centered above the touchpad. I’ve never used it for anything, hence my nearly forgetting to mention it. Continuing our tour, a pair each of digital shoulder and trigger buttons rest on the backside. Those are joined by a volume slider for the onboard speakers, an IR blaster, headphone port and AC power connector.
I’ve never been able to hold the GamePad comfortably. I have big hands, and the device, though sturdy, isn’t easy to hang onto for extended periods of time. The ridge that juts out from the backside isn’t even the issue. I actually like resting the tops of my middle fingers against it while my pointer fingers lie on top of the ZL and ZR triggers. It’s the fact that half of my fingers don’t have any option other than lying flat against the back. Moreover, the symmetrical analog stick placement makes it difficult for me to reach the A, B, X, Y diamond during gameplay. Same with grabbing the stylus from its holster in the middle of playing.
Of course, the traditional joypad, the Wii U Pro Controller, doesn’t have any of these issues. My only gripes are the digital shoulder and trigger buttons: It’s hard to go back from the analog precision Microsoft has offered on its Xbox controllers since 2001. Hell, the GameCube controller had them too.
The other thing is that some games — especially those developed in-house by Nintendo — simply aren’t playable without the GamePad. Launch title Scribblenauts Unlimited relies on the touchpad for inputting text, for instance. Meanwhile, this year’s Star Fox Zero uses its motion controls and second screen extensively for targeting. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse has you drawing paths for the pink puffball to follow directly on the GamePad’s screen as well, without the need to even look up at your TV. Not using the controller isn’t exactly an option if you aren’t a fan of it and still want to play the Wii U’s exclusive games.
Anecdotally, I’ve discovered that the split of people who love or loathe the GamePad is pretty even. Personally, the ergonomic issues make it hard for me to go more than a few hours before my hands cramp up and I need to put the GamePad down. Which works out well because the battery on the controller lasts only around four hours at half brightness with the volume turned off.
Battery life isn’t as annoying an issue thanks to the GamePad’s pack-in charging cradle, though. Setting the controller in it after a session is effortless, due to the fact that it charges via contact points rather than a cable. I wish Microsoft and Sony would do something like this: The convenience of it can’t be overstated.
System software
Part of what makes the Wii U feel like it’s aged so much is that its software hasn’t been updated nearly as much as its contemporaries’. The system feels like we’ve had it longer because, aside from the addition of folders and a quick access menu (both of which are incredibly welcome), it’s basically running the same software as it did in 2012. The Xbox One, meanwhile, has undergone a total software makeover, and in less time.
We’re currently at system software version 5.5.1, and compared to 2012’s operating system, it’s dramatically faster. Is it as zippy as navigating the PS4’s home screen? No, but that console is a year newer and a great deal more powerful. A lot of things that required digging through a few submenus and exiting your game to access, like the friends list and Miiverse social network, pop up when pressing the Home button now. And that’s about it.
Game selection
The reason practically everyone buys Nintendo consoles is to play the latest versions of the company’s signature franchises. Very few third-party games take advantage of Nintendo’s various hardware features the way its in-house teams do. It’s a good thing, then, that for the most part, the tentpole Nintendo games on the Wii U are great — especially for parties. Splatoon, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Mario Kart 8 and Super Mario 3D World offer the types of local multiplayer action you simply can’t get anywhere else. That’s to say nothing of revisiting remastered classics like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD or its sequel, Twilight Princess HD, with more detail and new features, respectively.
The Wii U has given birth to a pretty active indie scene, too. Affordable Space Adventures, Runbow, Fast Racing Neo and Shovel Knight, among others, are all worth your time.
At this point in the console’s life, though, there’s really only one new game on the horizon: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. And even then, that doesn’t come out until sometime early next year. If you’re buying a Wii U today, there isn’t a lot to look forward to by way of new games, but at least there are plenty of quality experiences to catch up on.
Wrapup
While the Wii and 3DS that came before it popularized motion control and stylus input, the Wii U’s use of these technologies didn’t excite gamers the way Nintendo’s earlier consoles did. Still, the Wii U’s impact on the broader gaming landscape is undeniable. Mirroring gameplay to another device gave rise to Remote Play on PlayStation and game streaming on Xbox One. What’s more, Sony cribbed the idea of using your TV as a monitor for bystanders for its soon-to-be-released PlayStation VR. Nintendo has been ahead of the curve for a while, but what legacy its next hardware innovation leaves remains to be seen.
Photos by Will Lipman
Project Nursery Video Baby Monitor System review – CNET
The Good Nursery Project’s Video Baby Monitor System has reliable connection, crisp two-way audio and a creative design. Plus, it has a lot of extra features.
The Bad For the high price, the resolution feels a little low, the camera’s pan/tilt responsiveness is inconsistent, and the wrist monitor is a bit bulky.
The Bottom Line While the price might be too high for some customers, Nursery Project’s Monitor System is a solid product with a creative and unique design.
One of the perks of having an app-connected video baby monitor is that you don’t need to carry the base station screen around the house with you. Instead, you just pull up the app on your phone and get an instant update on your napping kiddo.
Project Nursery wants to bring together the best of both worlds — a secure, non-app-connected camera with a base station monitor that isn’t a hassle to carry around. Its solution: a 1.5-inch monitor that straps to your wrist like a smart watch. This mini monitor is included with the typical camera, a 5-inch base station viewing screen and a slew of great features. This creative design positions the $300 Project Nursery Video Baby Monitor System as one of the best on the market — and one of the most expensive.
Explore which video baby monitor is right…
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The first thing customers will probably notice when looking at Project Nursery’s product is the $300 price tag. This video baby monitor costs more than most wearable monitors, video monitors and even things like automated infant seats and computerized changing pads.
But Project Nursery’s monitoring kit will be worth the price for many parents. First, it has solid-but-not-incredible 800×640 resolution, a reliable connection, clear two-way audio, and plenty of extra features like motion alerts and lullabies.
Project Nursery really stands out because of its mini monitor, which shares all the features of the full-size base station. The 1.5-inch screen with a well-designed user interface is perfect for a wearable-type device. I used that monitor more often than the full-size one, especially when I did chores that required moving around the house.
View full gallery Chris Monroe/CNET
This new monitor system isn’t perfect, though. The $300 price will be prohibitive for many customers, no matter how many cool features are available. While the dedicated 2.4 GHz radio frequency keeps a consistent resolution, it has an 800-foot radius, which means you can’t do any remote viewing — a feature that would seem natural on a wearable wrist monitor like Project Nursery’s. Even within that radius, there is minor latency when panning and tilting the camera. Finally, the wearable wrist monitor is pretty bulky — especially for anyone who’s accustomed to sleeker smart watches.
For all its minor shortcomings, Project Nursery’s new monitor is a standout on the market. If parents can get past the price tag, it’ll be a solid investment.
AIVAnet 