Search results for: “Gear VR”

Galaxy Note 7’s Black Pearl Color now available on Galaxy S7 Edge

Missing the stealthy black Note 7? Looks like Samsung is missing it too, as they launch the black pearl Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge in India for Rs. 56900 with a 4GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.

The upgrade in storage comes in replacement of the ill fated Note 7 smartphone which was recalled by Samsung, and the iPhone 7 which is selling really well in the 128 GB model. This is also a take on the OnePlus 3T which now offers up 128 GB of storage for a lesser Rs. 34900, however, seems to be missing from sales.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge remains one of the best phones of 2016, with the addition of this new variant it makes the deal even more sweeter. However, with 2017 just around the corner and rumors of that brilliant edgeless S8 surfacing in the tech industry, will it make sense buying this phone?

Samsung s trying to sweeten the deal by adding things like discounts on the New Gear VR which will be sold for Rs 1990 with the S7 edge and the Korean company is also offering one time Screen Replacement for Rs. 990.

December 26, 2016
Samsung is Offering Alternatives and Freebies to Note 7 Preorder Customers in India

Samsung India is finally informing the Preorder customers that the Note 7 will not be going on sale in India, and is offering up replacement devices along with freebies to keep its consumers happy. If you did order a Note 7 in India, you will get a pick of either a Galaxy S7, or S7 Edge device, along with a free VR Headset, wireless earphones and gift card of Rs 3300.

This will only happen if you decide not to get a full refund on the Note 7, which by the way is also an option.

Please visit the retailer or online portal from where you had pre-booked your Galaxy Note7 to avail the above offer. In case you do not wish to avail the offer, you can get full refund of the pre-booking amount from your retailer or online portal.

Samsung claims that on purchase of Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge, you will get the following benefits:

· Samsung will ship the new Samsung Gear VR to you absolutely free

· Samsung will also ship a Samsung Level U – Stereo Wireless Headset absolutely free

· Samsung would be gifting you an Oculus VR content voucher worth INR 3,300 approx. ($50)

All S7 and S7 Edge buyers who avail this offer will also get One Time Screen Replacement for a period of 12 months from date of activation of their devices. If you were looking for an alternative to the Note 7 Samsung may have just made the deal sweet enough for most buyers to bite. However, it will still take time to repair the bad karma around the Note 7 and it’s explosive batteries.

October 15, 2016

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Launch In India on 11th August

According to Samsung India, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will launch in India on the 11th of August and will go on Sale on the 18th of August One day prior to the US sale date.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is expected to launch in India, with an Exynos chipset, similar to the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. The new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 shares most of its features with the S series flagships launched by the company earlier this year. However, fails to deliver beyond the 4GB RAM where users were expecting 6GB along with just a 3500 mAh battery which may be too less for the mammoth phone which has a 5.7 inch QHD Super AMOLED display which is a battery hog.

The cameras of the Galaxy Note 7 are shared with the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge with a 12 MP dual pixel f/1.7 camera at the back and a 5 MP f/1.7 camera in the front. The new features include some new features in the Air View including Translate and Magnify. The Iris Scanner is included by Samsung as a feature to bump up the security on their devices with the Samsung KNOX.

Although not particularly clear, the Galaxy Note 7 is expected to launch in India with a price somewhere around the Rs. 60,000 range. Mentions of either a Rs 59,990 price or a Rs. 62,999 price with a free New-Gen Gear VR headset are being talked about for the Indian Market.

Specs	Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Display	5.7” Quad HD Dual edge Super AMOLED
Resolution	2560 x 1440 pixels (518ppi)
Dimensions	153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9mm, 169g
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 in the US / Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.6GHz Quad), 64 bit
GPU	Adreno 530
RAM	4GB RAM
Storage	64GB flash storage
Rear Camera	Dual Pixel 12MP MP, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), f/1.7
Front Camera	5MP f/1.7
Expandability	256GB via microSD
Battery	Li-Po 3500 mAh
Connectivity	USB Type-C
OS	Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) / Samsung UI
ETC	Fingerprint Sensor,S- Pen, IP68, iris scanning feature
Price	TBA

August 2, 2016

Samsung Note 7 Officially Launched

Not with much to reveal the new Note 7 from Samsung is finally official. It features a new design more in lines with the S7 Edge along with a more compact stylus with two new Air View features. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 also works under water and so does the S Pen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0a6Y9JvPqo

The US version of the Note 7 packs a quad-core, Snapdragon 820 chipset, an Adreno 530 GPU and 4GB of RAM, a 5.7-inch, Super AMOLED dual edge QuadHD display along with 256GB microSD card upgrade to the 64GB of built-in storage. Samsung is also including a USB Type-C finally.

The Galaxy Note7 will be available starting on August 19, and will be offered in Blue Coral, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium and Black Onyx.

Samsung is upping the security features of Samsung Knox with biometric authentication including a new iris scanning feature. The Note 7 has a 3,500mAh battery which is small, even smaller than the S7 Edge that the company already has in the market.

Specs	Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Display	5.7” Quad HD Dual edge Super AMOLED
Resolution	2560 x 1440 pixels (518ppi)
Dimensions	153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9mm, 169g
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 in the US / Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.6GHz Quad), 64 bit
GPU	Adreno 530
RAM	4GB RAM
Storage	64GB flash storage
Rear Camera	Dual Pixel 12MP MP, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), f/1.7
Front Camera	5MP f/1.7
Expandability	256GB via microSD
Battery	Li-Po 3500 mAh
Connectivity	USB Type-C
OS	Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) / Samsung UI
ETC	Fingerprint Sensor,S- Pen, IP68, iris scanning feature
Price	TBA

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[toggle title=”Press Release”]The Galaxy Note7 combines advanced S Pen capabilities with ultimate security features to help users accomplish and do more

SEOUL, Korea – August 2, 2016 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. continues to drive the smartphone market with the Galaxy Note7 by building on the company’s category-defining leadership with innovative features that set a new standard for large-screen devices. With refined craftsmanship, premium materials and a unique, symmetrical edge design, the Galaxy Note7 features:

• A water resistant body and S Pen (IP68)*
• Top-of-the-line security that combines Samsung Knox with biometric authentication including a new iris scanning feature
• Immersive entertainment features with HDR video streaming capabilities.

The Galaxy Note7 strikes a balance between work and play, enabling people to achieve more than what they thought possible on a smartphone.

“The Galaxy Note7 combines productivity and entertainment, with strong security features. Powering a robust ecosystem, it is the ideal device for those who want to achieve more in life,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Life moves faster than ever now so we created the Galaxy Note7 to help users get things done more easily wherever, whenever.”

Galaxy Note7 S Pen: Quickly and Easily Bring Ideas to Life The enhanced Galaxy Note7 S Pen is more than just a writing tool – it is the gateway to getting more done efficiently and accurately. Users can bring ideas to life the moment inspiration strikes without unlocking the screen by using Screen off memo and simply pinning the memo to the Always On Display. The S Pen also gives users the ability to easily create and share GIF animations with Smart Select. In addition, the new Air Command functions, including Magnify and Translate, enable users to zoom in on the screen or convert languages with a simple hover of the S Pen. It is even easier to access the best of the S Pen’s creative abilities with Samsung Notes, a new unified app allowing users to jot down handwritten notes, draw, or edit memos from one location.

The new S Pen writes with ease and precision. The smaller 0.7mm tip and improved pressure sensitivity provides a real pen-like experience. With the peace of mind that IP68 water resistant provides, the Galaxy Note7 S Pen lets users jot down their thoughts without interruption, even when the screen gets wet.

Advanced Security: Now in the Blink of an Eye Samsung understands the importance of keeping content on users’ phone protected. Coupled with Samsung Knox, an industry-leading security platform, the Galaxy Note7 provides heightened security and privacy, with highly advanced biometric authentication, including fingerprint scanner and iris scanning technology. The Galaxy Note7 offers more authentication options that can be used interchangeably depending on how people use their phones, wherever they are, or whatever they are doing.

The Galaxy Note7 instills a new level of user confidence with Secure Folder, a separated folder that adds an extra layer of authentication to keep private and personal information safe. The iris recognition technology will also be used to authenticate secure purchases that are made on Samsung Pay**. The Galaxy Note7 will also support Samsung Pass, bringing authentication such as iris scanning and fingerprint recognition to more apps and services.

Best-in-Class Entertainment The phone is one of the most important screens in a user’s life because it’s with them all of the time. The Galaxy Note7 features a gorgeous, curved 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED screen delivering a bold and immersive picture on a smartphone. It is ready to stream HDR video, enabling a cinema-like experience including brighter colors and a deeper black, which ensure users get the full experience that the filmmaker intended. The Galaxy Note7 also features Game Pack, available through Google Play, including top game titles, an easier redemption process and new user benefits.

By pairing the Galaxy Note7 with the new Gear VR powered by Oculus, users can experience premium virtual reality almost anywhere. Galaxy Note7’s incredible Super AMOLED screen and powerful processor delivers an ultra-immersive experience. The vast and ever growing library of apps, photos, games and more puts, users in the center of the action. Whether it’s next level gaming or journeying to places users have never been before, there’s always something new to discover.

For people who live to create, tell stories and transport people to entirely new worlds, the Galaxy Note7 can be used with the new high-resolution (3840×1920) Gear 360 camera, to capture, edit and share 360-degree images videos on the go. These memories can then be shared with friends via platforms including YouTube 360 and Facebook, and can be relived with the ultra-immersive Gear VR.

Galaxy Foundation with Refined Craftsmanship

With Galaxy Note7, Samsung continues to defy boundaries of engineering to perfect the user experience through innovative design. Every edge, surface and detail of the device’s design has been refined to provide a comfortable grip, easier one-handed operation, and durability with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5. Although the Galaxy Note7 features a large-screen, the unique front-to-back symmetrical dual-edge curve remains balanced and light with the sleek feel users have come to love from the Galaxy series. The curved screen lets the Galaxy Note7 add the powerful Edge Panel for one-tap user access to applications, news and functions.

The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with the advanced camera that was introduced on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge The dual-pixel sensor technology, wide aperture and fast auto focus, work together to create sharp and beautiful photos even in low-light environments.

In addition to 64GB of internal memory, the Galaxy Note7 offers expandable storage and microSD support up to 256GB. The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with a 3,500mAh battery, easy Power Management UX through Smart Manager, and charges quickly using the new USB-C port. Recharge the Galaxy Note7 wherever wireless charging is available.

A new line of accessories will be available to complement the Galaxy Note7, including the new S View Standing Cover, a light and portable cover that can be used to prop the device at a 60-degree angle for easy viewing of content, as well as an IP68 water resistant Backpack for on-the-go charging.

Creating a Phone+ Ecosystem of Connected Experiences

The Galaxy Note7 is more than just a smartphone; it’s a connection point to Samsung’s ecosystem of devices, software and services. Users can monitor their fitness activities on the Gear Fit2 or Gear IconX and track their data through S Health 5.0.** In addition to accurate and robust fitness tracking and measurement, the new S Health enables users to stay connected to family and friends by sharing fitness updates or competing in friendly challenges with one another.

With the Galaxy Note7, consumers can use the iris scanner to access value-added Samsung services like Samsung Pay** for quick and easy mobile payments.

The Smart Switch feature has been enhanced further with Samsung Cloud, which supports a seamless device experience by providing continuous backup and easy transfer of content including data, apps, settings and layouts between devices. Galaxy Note7 users will be able to use up to 15GB of free space to store and restore information on Samsung Cloud.**

The Galaxy Note7 will be available starting on August 19, and will be offered in Blue Coral, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium and Black Onyx.[/toggle]
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August 2, 2016

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Handled Just before Launch

While yesterday the Note 7 renders had leaked, here is the box of the Note 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 itself.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Box

The phone itself, just like the press renders is a bigger boxier version of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. The Galaxy Note 7 has a dual Edge QuadHD display as also mentioned on the box.

This is the box of the Exynos variant , hence it mentions a Octa Core processor. You will get the 12 MP plus 5 MP camera configuration and the IP68 rating has been confirmed.

Galaxy Note 7 Box Specs

Previous leaks have confirmed that the Note 7 will be available in two variants, an Exynos variant and a Snapdragon Variant.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 left

Samsung will launch the new Galaxy Note 7 today along with the new Gear VR, The company should launch the Galaxy Note 7 in India within the week.

via

August 2, 2016
Samsung Note 7 Shown in Full Glory Prior to Launch

With the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 set to launch tomorrow, the full renders fro the press have leaked to show the dual edged Note phone from the company. The look of the phone falls in with many other previous leaks, talking about a new design stylus and iris dimply which can been seen on the handset.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is expected to be launched in three colours as seen before and will feature an Exynos variant and a Snapdragon 820 variant, with 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM respectively.

Samsung is betting big on the Iris scanner for locking up of individual apps and the main phone to make it more secure in lieu of most businesses opting out of using an Android handset.

The new S Pen is expected to have some fun tricks up its sleeve. Along with a similar camera setup when compared to the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

Another leak shows the new Samsung Gear VR in an all Black variant which looks excellent and should work with all the latest Samsung handsets. See below for comparisons of the Note 7 with the S7 Edge courtesy @Onleaks

August 1, 2016
HTC to Make Future Nexus Smartphones: What You Can Expect

We all knew that there a lot was riding on HTC to deliver with its upcoming flagship, the HTC 10. It seems that HTC has its hands full a lot more now that Google has returned to it to manufacture the next set of Nexus devices until 2019, at least. According to rumours, HTC has signed a 3-year contract to build Google’s Nexus phones for 3 years. Given that HTC was responsible for the first Nexus device way back in 2010, it’s not an entirely strange decision for Google to come a full circle.

Last year, LG and Huawei were in charge of building the Nexus phones. The LG 5X and Huawei 6P Nexus phones were received with mixed reactions. The devices came with impressive specifications for 2015 but the designing was less inspiring than most other smartphones out there. This could be why HTC is now donning the thinking cap. But is this the right time for HTC?

HTC Nexus One (2010)

We’ve seen that HTC has recently been receiving very underwhelming responses towards its latest devices. The One M9 and One A9 were both criticised for its lack of creativity in terms of design. Meanwhile, the upcoming HTC 10 flagship also seems to be influenced by the One A9 while fans were really hoping for a great new design by the company, more in line with the One M7.

However, Google seems to feel that HTC has what it takes to make great looking devices. The Nexus 5X made by LG came with a very flimsy looking plastic body and didn’t give too much aesthetically. The one made by Huawei, on the other, came with a premium feel to it with a metal unibody though the long, black rear camera bar on top gave it a slight unattractive quality.

Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X

It has been rumoured that Google plans on launching, at least, two Nexus devices this year. While we’re still not sure whether HTC will be in charge for both (Huawei could still be in the game), the company will still be responsible for at least 4-6 Nexus models until 2019.

If we go by rumours and HTC’s design philosophy in the past (which is in a dubious state as of now), we can expect that the upcoming Nexus device will feature 3D Touch functionality, a metal construction, solid build with minimalistic design, and powerful specs. HTC has usually tried to keep things simple when it comes to looks and you can perhaps expect slimmer bezels as compared to the Nexus 5X and 6P. And how about throwing in some BoomSound speakers as well?

HTC has a lot on its plate this year. After launching the HTC 10, the company will shift its focus on the Nexus. Add to this, it also looks like HTC is going to focus on virtual reality a lot more, given that its Vive VR headset is among the best in the nascent VR game. The company is looking at ways to incorporate VR in its flagship which we may get a taste of in the upcoming Nexus device, and you can bet Google is very interested in that as well. After all, Google has the Carboard for it and has been reportedly working on a new virtual reality headset much like the Gear VR.

Google will also likely release an Android VR software along with the VR headset that will look to enhance the VR experience by making the software native to the Android operating system. This will not only help Google’s own VR product but HTC’s as well. From where we see it, the timing for the two company’s could not have been better. We wait and see what HTC and Google have in store for us this.

March 9, 2016

Samsung Launches Galaxy S7 and S7 edge in India Starting Rs 48,900

Amidst much fanfare, Samsung has launched its top of the line, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge devices in India today. The flagship phones on which Samsung is resting a lot of hope will hit Indian markets from 17th of March, 2016 for a price of Rs 48,900 for the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge will start retail for Rs 56,900. Pre-bookings for the phones begins from today. Samsung has also announced that it’s throwing in a free Gear VR headset on all pre-bookings. The phones will be available in three color options, Black Onyx, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium.

Samsung’s latest S series phones come with a promise of great performance and best in market specs all draped in a beautiful metal frame covered by Gorilla Glass 4 at the front and back. Both these phones are an extension of a growing effort by Samsung to bring phones with more than just great internals to the market, as it wants the consumers to “rethink what phones can do”.

Galaxy S7 S7 Edge - iGyaan Hands On 4

The Galaxy S7 comes equipped with a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED Quad HD display(1440 x 2560), while the more premium S7 edge brings to the users a beautiful 5.5-inch curved Quad HD display(1440 x 2560) which effortlessly melts into the phone’s metal frame to create an elegant looking device. Samsung has decided to bump up the battery on the phones, with the S7 getting a 3000mAh battery pack while the S7 edge getting an upgraded 3600mAh battery.

Galaxy S7 S7 Edge - iGyaan Hands On 15

Both the phones share the rest of the specs including the on board Exynos 8890 SoC paired with 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB internal storage. Both the S7 and S7 Edge feature ‘Dual Pixel’ cameras with 12MP f/1.7 aperture rear camera for better low-light photography and a 5MP front which might just see Samsung dominating the camera department this year.

Both the devices also come with an Always-On display which consumes less than 1% power per hour. The phones come with IP68 rating and are dust and water-proof. The phones also come with a liquid cooling setup to keep the S7 and S7 edge cool during those long gaming sessions. The S7 series also brings with it the Vulkan API and a dedicated “Game Launcher” for an unparalleled gaming experience on a mobile device.

Galaxy S7 S7 Edge - iGyaan Hands On 31

Moving over to the design, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge follow the same design language as their S6 counterparts. The S6 devices of last year were beautifully crafted phones and Samsung made a smart move not to change that. Only the standard 5.1-inch S7 will have a curved edge at the back rather than a flat one seen on in the S6. Samsung hasn’t changed the exteriors too much but has simply refined it. It has added a MicroSD tray, and also reduced the camera bump at the back by 1.25mm in a bid to maintain a sleek profile.

Specs	Galaxy S7	Galaxy S7 Edge
Display	5.1-inch Super AMOLED QHD display	5.5-inch curved AMOLED QHD display
Resolution	2560 x 1440 pixels	2560 x 1440 pixels
Processor	Exynos 8890	Exynos 8890
GPU	Mali T880	Mali T880
RAM	4GB	4GB
Storage	32GB/ 64GB	32GB/ 64GB
Rear Camera	Dual Pixel 12MP with f/1.7 aperture	Dual Pixel 12MP with f/1.7 aperture
Front Camera	Dual Pixel 5MP	Dual Pixel 5MP
Expandability	via MicroSD	via MicroSD
Battery	3000mAh battery	3600mAh battery
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC
OS	Android 6.0 Marshmallow	Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Price	RS 48,900	Rs 56,900

March 8, 2016

Is HTC Shifting its Focus Towards Virtual Reality?

The future of HTC is currently in a very precarious state. Among all the well established mobile brands currently in existence, none of them have had a dry spell as bad as HTC of late. The company has had a series of disappointing launches ever since the launch of the One M9. Both that and the One A9 failed to please its fans.

Of late, we’ve heard a lot about HTC’s upcoming flagship device, the One M10. We’ve seen a lot of renders and heard a lot about its rumoured specifications that have been quite coldly received. One of the reason could be that the One M10’s design language (from what the leaked images tell us) is going to be a lot like the One A9, which was criticised for its apparent iPhone-like design. Secondly, the specifications aren’t too hot, especially coming off the MWC 2016 where the likes of Samsung, LG and Xiaomi blew the audience away with gorgeous phones, next-gen specs and at least one brand new technology, mostly in the camera department.

Vive VR

HTC was present at the MWC as well, but did not unveil its flagship as many had hoped. Instead, the company unveiled some mid-range Desire phones and presented its Vive virtual reality headset. HTC has lately been promoting the Vive VR a lot and everything seems to be about that. It’s understandable that HTC would look to its VR technology to help save a dying company which is why the company has recently stated that it is deeply involved in mobile VR solutions that might end up in future HTC flagship phone.

HTC demoed its Vive VR ecosystem at the MWC and also revealed the pricing which stands at $800 and will go on sale in April. The Vive VR may be a great new product from HTC that is entering a very nascent virtual reality market with only a handful of competitors (think Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift). But is its focus on VR potentially hurting its flagship smartphones?

HTC One M10 Render

Last month, HTC CEO, Chairwoman and co-founder Cher Wang said that VR is now more important to the company than smartphones are. But VR technology alone may not help save the company for long. If it needs to survive, it needs to bring out a flagship device that will once again captivate the audience as it once did with the One M7. HTC has stated recently that the One M10 will have a “very, very compelling camera”.

When HTC announced the UltraPixel technology with the One M8, fans were expecting a camera that would deliver some spectacular photographs. But the One M8 failed to deliver. The company went back to the traditional megapixel with the One M9 which again wasn’t well received, not when the market is incredibly tough with the likes of Samsung, LG and Apple.

It is now rumoured that HTC will once again use the UP technology in the One M10. But if the company has managed to learn from its mistakes, the UP technology could be exactly what HTC had intended. The rear camera is rumoured to sport a 12UP module with OIS and autofocus while the front still is unknown.

But “compelling camera” aside, how about a brand new design that at least brings back the BoomSound speakers? We’ll just have to wait and see what HTC plans on revealing in April. This year will indeed be the deciding factor for the future of the company.

February 27, 2016
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge to Launch on March 11

Samsung unveiled its much-awaited flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones at the MWC on Sunday. The Korean giant has confirmed a March 11 launch of the devices while pre-orders begin starting tomorrow. The devices will be made available in 60 countries initially.

Samsung is hoping to rake in a lot of numbers in the first month which is why it is offering the Gear VR headset free for those who pre-order or buy the S7 between February 23 to March 18. Samsung is expecting to sell over 40 million units of the S7 by the end of the year.

The 5.1-inch S7 Super AMOLED display with quad HD resolution. Two SoC configurations are offered – one being the new Exynos 8890 and the other being Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820. The device comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage as well as a MicroSD card slot this time around and the battery is 3000mAh. A fingerprint sensor is housed in the home button.

The S7 Edge comes with a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with quad HD resolution. A Snapdragon 820 processor powers the device along with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and 3600mAh battery pack.

The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Plus had incredible cameras that won last year. This year, Samsung wants to take its camera up a notch which is why it’s using a new Britecell technology for the Galaxy S7 for better low-light photography. Both the S7 and S7 Edge feature ‘Dual Pixel’ cameras with a 12MP with f/1.7 aperture rear camera and a 5MP front. Samsung has boasted of exceptional low-light captures with the Galaxy S7 devices and it may just dominate the camera department once again this year.

February 23, 2016
Watch the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Launch via 360-degree Live Streaming

As we get closer and closer to the Unpacked event on 21st February at MWC where Samsung is all set to launch its Galaxy S7 devices, updates about it just keep pouring in. And now, according to the latest announcement from Samsung, this launch event can be watched all over the world via a 360-degree live stream on PCs, Android and iOS devices, as well as on Samsung’s own Gear VR head set.

Watching the event on an iOS or Android device requires the download of Samsung’s official Unpacked 360 View app. For Gear VR users, the Unpacked 360 View app can be downloaded through the Oculus store.

Watching the event in the 360-mode would allow users to choose from four different positions. These include centre stage, stage left, stage right or the auditorium. The event can also be watched on the official website where once again viewers would be allowed to choose from four different camera positions.

So far there have been lots of ‘leaked’ images and renders of the devices, along with specifications. With only three days to go for the official launch, watch this space for more updates.

February 19, 2016
Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Techie-Better-Half

Now that we are done and dusted talking about dating apps, let’s move to the second step -making your techie-Valentine happy with the perfect gift this year. Here’s our guide to shiny, little objects to shop for this year.

FitBit

If your partner is into fitness, look no further than the FitBit range of smart-wearables. From motion trackers to smartwatches, the company offers it all. The most recent addition to its family is FitBit Alta, a chic fitness tracker that can be personalised to suit your style. All FitBit wearables can be bought off Amazon or the official FitBit online store.

 

Gear VR

How about spreading some VR-love this Valentine’s? Check out Samsung’s virtual reality head-set called Gear VR launched in India just last month. The Samsung Gear VR Headset is priced at Rs.8,200. Gear VR is available through the company’s retail stores, as well as through Flipkart.

Headphones

This is the perfect gift for all music aficionados. The best part about gifting headphones is that you will always find one that suits your budget. From Skullcandy to Sennheiser to an endless list of brands and designs and colours -you really are spoilt for choice here.

 

Portable Speakers

Talking about music lovers, here’s something else to add to the list. Portable speakers are by far one of the best things that happened to music. Connect them to your laptop or smartphone with Bluetooth or choose a bright, colourful AUX chord, which barely cost a dime, and voila! A nice portable speaker would easily fit within Rs. 2000.
 

Powerbanks

If your partner finds it hard to stay off their smartphone (no matter how much it may have annoyed you in the past), it’s time to let them know you’re not only willing to accept this trait of theirs, but also encourage it by gifting them a powerbank. This will ensure their phone never runs out of juice again while they never run out of love for you. A decent powerbank would fall under Rs.2000.

 

GoPro

After music, it’s time to talk about photography and GoPro is the next big thing on this front. GoPro is the perfect answer to extreme-action videography. If you’ve been looking for a GoPro camera that doesn’t pinch your pocket and yet has some important features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, your answer lies in the GoPro Hero+ priced at $199.99 (Rs. 13,200 approx).

Kindle

Kindle is the perfect gift for the bookworm in our lives . Ask any bibliophile and they would agree without a second thought how this is the best technological development ever. You could narrow down your choices between the basic, entry level variant or the back-lit Paperwhite. There is also a white colour option you could go for if a black Kindle is too mainstream for you.

 

Netflix Subscription

Yes, yes, this is not exactly a gadget and therefore does not belong in this list, but Netfilx just arrived in the country and we cannot stop talking about it. If all else fails and there is absolutely nothing you can come up with -just gift your partner a Netflix subscription – an epicly entertaining gift which is also easy on the pocket.

February 14, 2016
Google’s Virtual Reality Headset to Not Require Tethering With Phones and PCs

It was reported earlier that Google is working on a virtual reality headset quite similar to Samsung’s Gear VR. While speculators busy themselves pitting the two head-sets against each other, another development has occurred on the Google VR-front. If sources are to be believed, Google is expected to come out with a VR headset that would not require tethering to a computer or a smartphone. Being independent of these devices will definitely give the VR-headset an edge over its Samsung, HTC and Oculus counterparts.

The headset would be launched alongside the other Google VR headset expected to be in the same league as Gear VR, and therefore, providing strong competition to the Samsung device. It is also expected to arrive alongside a new version of Android which would make virtual reality the core of the operating system.

Virtual Reality seems to be the next big thing in the tech world, already making a stable base for itself in the mainstream. Needless to say, this update from Google is bound to get users excited all over. However, the arrival date of this Google device is a little unclear at this point. We can hopefully expect to see it sometime later this year.

February 12, 2016
Apple is Selling Virtual Reality Binoculars for iPhone

Everyone is moving towards virtual reality. Indeed VR is the next phase for technology and the biggest names in the tech industry have already begun working towards it. We have already seen Samsung come out with its Gear VR, Google with its Cardboard, HTC with its Vive, Oculus with its Rift, and now Apple wants to join in too.

Over the past few months we have been seeing Apple’s growing interest in VR technology. The Cupertino-based giant has made some big acquisitions to boost its VR development. While a proper VR headset is still far away, Apple has released VR binoculars to fill the gap for now.

The View-Master VR binoculars from Apple has made a quite appearance in the App Store for a price of $29.95. The binoculars work a lot like the Gear VR and Google Cardboard. It needs a smartphone – in this case the iPhone – in order to create a virtual environment for the wearer.

The View-Master is not a hands-free device. It requires the user to hold the device up to their eyes just like the old school View-Masters. Like the Google Cardboard, the View-Master lets consumers get a taste of the virtual space. A sort of baby step to know whether consumers are ready for the major VR headsets like the Oculus Rift.

This is just an easy, affordable offering from Apple, which is planning in all likeliness to come out with its own Rift-like VR headset in the near future.

February 10, 2016
Google’s Virtual Reality Headset to Launch this Year

Early in January, it was reported that Google is working on its own virtual reality headset. New reports now suggest that the successor to the Google Cardboard will see the light of day sometime this year.

Not much is known at this time as to what and how Google’s VR will look like, but sources close to the development of the device report that the company will attempt to take on Samsung’s Gear VR. This means that the Google VR will need to pair with a smartphone in order to work. However, unlike Samsung which allows only 2015 flagship devices to be compatible with its headset, Google will allow users compatibility with a wider range of devices.

Google will also likely release an Android VR software along with the VR headset that will look to enhance the VR experience by making the software native to the Android operating system.

The details as to when exactly Google plans to launch its headset is still a mystery. There is a possibility that the company will make the announcement or at the least discuss its VR intentions at this year’s Google I/O conference, which begins on May 18.

February 8, 2016