VR and AR: the sales disappointments of 2016
VR/AR sales were expected to pick up strongly in late 2016, yet the opposite has happened. Experts blame an immature ecosystem.
Accessory
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Leap Motion to develop hand tracking sensor for smartphone VR sets
Leap Motion hopes the sensor will allow VR users to interact with and control mobile VR with their hands and fingers, further pushing VR development.
Cyberlink: PowerDVD is now certified for UHD-Blu-ray playback
Cyberlink's popular DVD and Blu-ray disc player PowerDVD is the first software player that received UHD- Blu-ray playback certification from the Blu-ray Disc Association. An update enabling this feature is expected to be released next year.
Surface Dial scores a 4/10 in iFixit teardown
The Microsoft device received praise for its durability, but was criticized for some difficult or impossible to replace components.
802.11ax "Terahertz" Wi-Fi will offer 10x speed
Japanese researchers successfully test 34Gbps Wi-Fi; target range of 32 feet.
Study shows over 99% of counterfeit Apple chargers dangerous: watchdog group
UK watchdog Trading Standards tested 400 counterfeit "Apple" chargers for basic safety violations. Only 3 passed.
Incipio announces Moto Mod smart car dock
This $64.99 USD accessory for the modular Lenovo Moto Z handset provides a way to mount the smartphone in a car, charge its battery, and also connect it to the car’s audio system.
Lenovo Moto Z expected to get a Tango 3D camera
Since Lenovo already has a Tango 3D-capable handset on the market, seeing a Moto Mod capable of offering augmented reality to the Moto Z would not be a surprise. However, remains to see when will it happen.
Fitbit might buy Pebble
Insiders familiar with the matter claim that Fitbit is close to signing a deal to acquire the troubled wearable maker and, unfortunately, it looks like the Pebble brand will disappear.
Netherlands-exclusive Gear S3 BALR. edition coming this Friday
More than a year after the Gear S2 BALR. special edition smartwatch, the Samsung Gear S3 gets the BALR. treatment as well. The new BALR.-customized Gear smartwatch has a price tag of €499 EUR.
AOC launches Agon AG251FZ monitor with 1 ms response time and 240 Hz refresh rate
The new 24.5-inch monitor will be one of the fastest 1080p gaming monitors available in terms of response times when it launches in early 2017.
Samsung Pay on Gear S3 not working with Google Pixel handsets
Although the Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch comes with Samsung Pay support out of the box, it seems the Google Pixel devices are the only major Android handsets not compatible yet.
Samsung reportedly dropping the Magneti Marelli deal
As a side effect of the Galaxy Note 7 failure and its impact on the company's finances, Samsung decided to drop its plans to purchase both Harman and Magneti Marelli, picking only the first one.
Dongle life with Apple MacBook (Pro) and iPhone 7: The Video
How is life with the new MacBook (Pro) and the iPhone 7, The Verge wondered and made a video about it. Is it better now than with previous generations? Or are you stuck in dongle hell? Watch and find out for yourself!
Japan Display announces 3.42-inch screen with pixel density of 651 PPI
JDI is claiming a a resolution of 1700 x 1440 pixels, 3 to 6 ms latency, 90 Hz refresh rate, and a 700:1 contrast designed specifically for VR applications.
Two Star Wars Mobile handsets coming next month
The handsets are made by Sharp and will hit the Japanese market packed with Star Wars-related content. The specs are quite strong, including a Snapdragon 820 processor, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB internal storage, a 22.6 MP main camera, and more.
HTC Bolt buyers can get a free headphone adapter
Owners of this Sprint-exclusive handsets can get a free headphone adapter, since it was not included in the retail box so far. Even more, future HTC Bolt batches will come with the USB Type-C to 3.5 mm jack adapter in the box.
Pebble firmware 4.3 now available
This update brings Kickstart as a new watch face for the Pebble 2 and Pebble Time, as well as the usual set of performance improvements and bug fixes. Last firmware released by Pebble was 4.0, which arrived back in August.
Samsung Gear Fit 2 and Gear S3 get minor software updates
The new software for Samsung's smart wearables only brings minor changes but succeeds in improving the user's experience. The list of new features includes auto pause and indoor set exercises support (Gear Fit 2), as well as speedometer support for the Gear S3 (not confirmed yet).
Moto Z will get Nougat update this week
The Lenovo made phone will get the promised update to Android 7.0 before the end of November. The upgrade to Nougat also brings along a new feature: Daydream.
Minimum requirements for Windows Holographic unveiled
Microsoft's foray into virtual reality should be much more accessible than other available options.
Apple rumored to stop producing wireless routers
Users of Apple's WiFi routers hoping for a refresh may be out of luck.
Japan Display (JDI): Smartphone with foldable display next summer?
Nikkei Asian Review reported about a newly developed foldable display by Japan Display (JDI), that might arrive on a smartphone as early as next summer.
Android 7.0 Beta for Samsung Galaxy phones breaks Gear VR
Volunteers that downloaded the Android 7.0 Beta are unable to user their Samsung Gear VRs, as the headset only works on Samsung phones.
Apple replacing faulty iPhone 6S batteries
Not long after taking care of the "touch disease" problem that affected particular iPhone 6 Plus handsets, Apple has to face another issue with the iPhone 6 lineup. The Cupertino-based company begins a battery replacement program for iPhone 6S owners affected by unexpected shutdowns.
Intel lays off most staff, but keeps the wearables business
Not long after insiders familiar with the matter unveiled that Intel is laying off a large number of its New Devices Group employees, the IT giant issued a statement that highlights the company "is in no way stepping back from the wearables business."
Sony Xperia Ear coming to the US next month
Although the waterproof Xperia Ear wireless earbuds are already available in European stores, those interested in this accessory who are located in the US should wait a few weeks. The US market is scheduled to get this product on December 13.
Adata announces waterproof SD700 external SSD for 120 Euros
The small and extra-durable external SSD utilizes USB Type-C for transfer rates of up to 440 MB/s with compatibility across PCs, Macs, and Android devices.
Sony Xperia Ear hits the stores
The waterproof Xperia Ear wireless earbuds are finally available in stores. This accessory can recognize voice commands and head movements, also acting as a useful personal assistant.
Mophie Moto Mod battery pack for Moto Z hits Verizon
This battery mod for the Moto Z, Moto Z Force, and Moto Z Play handsets appears to be a Verizon Wireless-exclusive product and carries a $79.99 USD price tag. Fortunately, this accessory should work fine with unlocked Moto Z phones as well, but also with those on other networks.
Roccat unveils lightweight Cross gaming headset for 70 Euros
The all-in-one headset weighs in at just 185 grams with a detachable microphone for easier use on smartphones up to desktop PCs.
Samsung acquires Harman
The deal is valued at $8 billion ($112 USD per share in cash) and, once it closes, it enables Samsung to have a significant presence in the automotive electronics market, also giving the South Korean giant access to various audio technologies.
Crowdfunded smartwatch is powered by body heat
What if you didn't have to worry about your smartwatch's battery? The PowerWatch may be the answer to that problem.
Casio launches communication app for the WSD-F10 smart outdoor watch
Dubbed Casio Moment Link, this location-based communication app is freely downloadable and enhances outdoor experiences when part of a group. The app allows its users to form/disband groups, share location data, and send messages.
Snapchat Spectacles sell out in a snap
Snap's new Spectacles, a wearable recording device, remains in high demand as a second inventory sold out within hours of being made available.
Snapdragon 830 will come with Quick Charge 4.0, Google recommends PD
Qualcomm is said to introduce Quick Charge 4.0 with next years flagship processor, the Snapdragon 830. It will allegedly offer 28 Watt fast charging but Google recommends Android phone manufacturers to use USB Power Delivery instead.
HP Collaborating with Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, and others for luxury wristwatches
The hybrid wristwatches have OLED screens and Bluetooth connectivity for displaying incoming calls, messages, and other notifications from the wearer's smartphone.
Acer introduces BE240U, BE270U, and BE270UA business monitors
The new monitors will carry blue light reduction, picture-in-picture, multi-stream technology, and USB Type-C starting at 300 Euros for the 23.8-inch model.
New add-on enables HTC Vive to cut the cord
A new add-on, available for preorder, adds wireless capability to HTC's Vive. This accessory will let Vive users roam their VR worlds without the burden of cables.
CES 2017 | LG gets 21 CES 2017 Innovation Awards
The tech giant has earned awards in no less than 11 highly competitive categories, including wireless handsets, headphones, video displays, portable media players, and computer peripherals.
Samsung Gear S3 hits South Korea
This new Android Wear smartwatch with interchangeable bands, as well as IP86-rated protection from water and dust hits Korea next to the Blue Coral version of the Galaxy S7 Edge flagship.
Timex IQ+ Move smartwatch now available
This new smart wearable has been designed for men and women and features interchangeable straps, a classic design, as well as the ability to track movements, sleep quality, and the number of calories burned.
Master & Dynamic launches MW50 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
The $449 USD wireless headphones come with a lithium ion rechargeable battery that provides up to 16 hours of autonomy, featuring a cowhide leather headband and memory foam ear pads.
Huawei Fit: Fitness tracker that looks like a Pebble watch
Apart from the new Mate 9 series, Huawei also introduced a fitness tracker last week that looks like a Pebble Watch and does continuous heart rate monitoring.
Philips unveils 328P6VJEB 31.5-inch 4K monitor for professionals
The monitor uses a VA panel to produce a flicker-free experience with modern connectivity features including HDMI 2.0 and MHL.
ZTE unveils Cymbal-T flip phone
This new handset that keeps the clamshell design alive runs Lollipop and has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor under the hood, next to 1 GB RAM and 8 GB internal storage. Its retail price is just $99 USD.
Samsung Gear S3 Frontier pre-orders begin on AT&T
When purchased alongside a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with a two-year plan on AT&T, this smartwatch has a price tag of just $49.99 USD. Without the handset, it comes for $17.50 USD per month for 20 months.
Tizen for IoT devices coming in 2017
Sources familiar with the matter reveal that Samsung plans to run Tizen on a much wider range of devices than now by early 2017, including small appliances such as vacuum cleaners.
IOGEAR Symmetre, Retikal, and Fokus gaming mice now available
The affordable Fokus, Retikal, and Symmetre are retailing for $50, $35, and $25 USD, respectively, with features including high DPI, adjustable weights, and LED colors.
Asus ZenWatch 3 goes on sale
The first round ZenWatch smartwatch by Asus became available for purchase yesterday for $229 USD, a bit cheaper and earlier than anticipated. Shipments are expected to begin mid-November.
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