Mobile Nations Weekly: So Noted
- aug
- 21
The Note 7 arrives, Honor 8 makes a splash, and a treat for Windows Phone users.
Behold, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is now here — and Android Central has everything you need to know about the S Pen-toting flagship Android phone. Also arriving, a flagship from Huawei that's solidly-specced but about half the price: the dual-camera-toting Honor 8.
Just two weeks after landing for Windows PC users, Windows 10 Mobile has received its anniversary update. The update brings a bunch of behind-the-scenes improvements for Windows phone users as well as few new and long-awaited features. But there's no rest for the weary: the first beta builds for the next major iteration of Windows — Redstone 2 are already in the hands of testers.
While Android fans are busy with new devices and Window users have swanky new software, Apple land is busy with new devices to come, including plenty of rumors about the Apple Watch 2 and iPhone 7.
iMore — Rich in rumors
We're just a few weeks out from Apple's purported Fall event, and the rumors engine has been running hot, hot, hot: We've heard more about the Apple Watch 2 and iPhone 7, and though we don't expect new iPad hardware next month, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has a few thoughts about the next iPad Pro.
Amidst these rumors, we've also been pondering what this year's new hardware means for Apple fans. Rene wonders what's on your Apple Watch 2 wish list, while Michael Gartenberg thinks his current iPhone may be "good enough" to skip the upgrade this year, and Steven Aquino questions what losing the headphone jack might mean for accessibility.
We're also continuing our iOS 10 how-to coverage as the developer and public betas inch ever-closer to public release.
- How to use the markup editor in iOS 10
- How sharing your Apple Watch progress with your friends will work in iOS 10
- How to set up Apple's 2-factor authentication in iOS 10
Android Central — Note 7 launches in the U.S.
This is the first weekend of proper Note 7 availability in the U.S. and Canada, so if you've picked one up you should get started with all of our Note coverage. We have some great how-to's and information to help you get the most out of your Note 7, from the first day to the following months.
Further downmarket, we saw the U.S. unveiling of the new Honor 8 this week. Starting at $399 unlocked it has some great potential, with high-end specs, solid features and improved software from what we've seen out of Honor previously. You can check out our first hands-on with the Honor 8 to get an early feel for what you can expect.
We're also gearing up for the IFA show at the end of August, and we have a nice preview to get you ready for everything that'll come from Berlin.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
- The Honor 8 is more important to the U.S. than you may think
- No, we don't need a 'flat' Galaxy Note 7
- How to set up and use Google Duo
- Complain all you want about the OnePlus 3, at least it's getting updates
- Android 7.0: Data Saver will prevent overages on cheaper plans
- Huawei P9 plus video review
CrackBerry — QuadProtected
With the DTEK50 now announced and shipping to customers, BlackBerry has taken additional steps to show customers they're serious about security on their Android offerings by releasing updates to Priv and DTEK50 to full patch against QuadRooter. In other news, BlackBerry has recently gone on the offensive when it comes to their patents and have now targeted BLU Products Inc. in a patent infringement lawsuit in addition to the previous suit against Avaya.
- BlackBerry Priv and DTEK50 first to be fully patched against all QuadRooter vulnerabilities
- BlackBerry files patent infringement lawsuit against BLU Products in Florida
- BBM Baby is Lana Del Rey's unreleased song about BlackBerry Messenger
VR Heads — Three months in an HTC Vive
The most incredible thing about VR right now is the way things are improving on a daily basis. Developers are trying new things, consumers are offering active feedback, and the cycle grows with each new user. It's easy to get lost in that "which is best" conversation when trying to make a purchase, but really the ecosystem as a whole is in a fascinating state of constant growth. The HTC Vive is a huge part of that growth, so we took a deeper look at how it has held up since launch.
- Three months with HTC Vive — The most fun you can have in VR today
- Samsung Gear VR 2016 Review — A master class in refinement
- PlayStation VR — why there's no screen door effect
Windows Central — Updates for Mobile
The Windows 10 Mobile Anniversary Update has finally made it out Microsoft's clutches. The OS refresh made its appearance on August 16, just two weeks after the one for PC. We have an extensive walk-through for those who want to see what is new. For those on the Release Preview of the Windows Insider Ring Microsoft pushed out build 14393.82 with many fixes and improvements. For those who live life in the Fast Ring, build 14905 for Redstone 2 went out to PCs and phones on Wednesday making it the second update for the new-new OS.
Speaking of Redstone 2 we detailed some new upcoming features for Office and productivity in Windows 10 that are expected for early 2017. The exclusive details new features like Working Sets, Office Hub, and the return of OneClip.
Gamescom let us see some new exciting hardware including the mass-adoption of the new GTX 10-series graphics cards for laptops. MSI was the first out the gate with its new series of gamer laptops that will push the FPS boundary. HP also wowed us with its OMEN X monster of a PC.