Samsung’s new Word and Microsoft’s new Xbox: head-to-head.
It is time. Time for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. It is each an enormous launch for Samsung and one thing of an iteration on the similar time. It retains lots of the design language of the newest Notice and S strains with a refined aesthetic, and is virtually the identical telephone inside because the S7, however goes all-in on the large (and curved) show, S Pen stylus, and even USB-C. That new-fangled USB port necessitated an updated Gear VR headset, which Samsung used as a chance to make a number of notable enhancements to the phone-driven VR expertise.
Microsoft joined the large launches half with their very own Xbox One S, an up to date Xbox One which’s a bit quicker, rather a lot sleeker, and 100% extra 4K. Together with that got here the Xbox One Summer Update with Cortana and Xbox apps. Oh, and an enormous launch on the Home windows aspect as nicely: the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.
There is a little bit of a shake-up happening in Apple’s secretive automotive challenge, with Apple hardware veteran Bob Mansfield returning to take over. Apple additionally did one thing we have by no means seen them do earlier than — or fathomed they might think about: they’re offering a bounty to hackers to break into the iPhone’s most secure chip (all within the pursuits of discovering and securing any vulnerability found).
All of that and far rather more on this version of Cellular Nations Weekly/
1. Android Central — Galaxy Observe 7 cometh
This was sure to be the week of the Galaxy Note 7, whether or not you favored it or not. You’ll be able to check out our complete hands-on preview, see the specs, look at the latest features and put down a pre-order should you’re satisfied it’s going to be your subsequent telephone.
We have already began to take a look at potential upgrades, from the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+ and notably the Galaxy Note 4. In fact, we needed to examine the latest Note to the iPhone 6s Plus as properly.
In different information, Android 7.zero Nougat is true on the horizon. And in an fascinating flip of occasions, the upcoming LG V20 is poised to be the first telephone with the brand new working system … with Nexuses anticipated to launch later. We do not know precisely how the Nexus telephones will differ in software from others, however we anticipate some modifications to be launched. As we attain the launch, Marshmallow has surpassed 15% market share.
2. CrackBerry — The Hub
![]()
For those who’re a Priv proprietor or utilizing another Android smartphone, it was a reasonably strong week for BlackBerry information, as extremely odd as which will sound. This week, BlackBerry introduced a ton of enhancements to their Android apps such because the BlackBerry Hub, BlackBerry Digital camera and extra together with bringing over some long-awaited options from BlackBerry 10 akin to ‘pinch to filter unread’.
Not a Priv proprietor however nonetheless operating an Android telephone? BlackBerry has now introduced their Hub and different apps to extra Android telephones with the discharge of their Hub+ Suite. Lastly, maintaining consistent with the month-to-month safety updates, BlackBerry has additionally launched the August 5 Android safety patch.
three. iMore — The occasions, they’re a-changin’
![]()
Bob Mansfield is taking over Apple’s car project, the corporate is providing a security bounty for anybody who can break into the iPhone’s Safe Enclave, and new iOS and macOS betas have arrived. It has been a busy week for Apple — and for iMore, too!
In case you could have missed it, we’re making a few changes to the best way you could view our website: We will be reorganizing the house web page to gather the knowledge you care about in the best locations, focusing extra on evaluation and fewer on regurgitating information, and writing extra nice how-to and suggestion items than ever earlier than. Keep tuned over the subsequent two months as we roll out the brand new iMore — and please tell us when you’ve got questions or suggestions as we construct this new website for you.
As a part of the iMore half deux rollout, we’re additionally beginning some new columns for one of the best new music, games and apps, and movies and TV shows.
four. VR Heads — Adr1ft and at peace with the brand new Gear VR
![Samsung Gear VR]()
Everybody knew a USB-C port on a Samsung telephone was going to return ultimately, and that meant there wanted to be a brand new Gear VR to match. Shock, that point is true now! The Galaxy Word 7 is right here, and the matte black Gear VR you should purchase for it provides some small however essential updates over the unique.
On the earth of not cellular VR, we took a deeper take a look at the terrifying area sim Adr1ft and floated away principally intact. Test it out!
5. Home windows Central — One to the facility of 10
Microsoft had an enormous week for releases. First up, the brand new Xbox One S – a slimmer, barely extra highly effective 4K-capable Xbox One – went on sale and we gave it a full review. Talking of the Xbox each the One and One S acquired the brand new Summer time Replace with new options and apps from Home windows 10, which we also reviewed. Lastly, over 350 million PCs turned eligible for the large Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Whereas not all computer systems are getting it day one, we confirmed you how to trigger it now.
Home windows 10 Cellular missed the August 2 date for its Anniversary Replace, however we’ve got phrase that it’s arriving this week on August 9. Cellular customers may also sit up for the HP Elite x3 going on sale in the US starting September 5.
If that wasn’t sufficient for updates Microsoft confirmed what we knew for some time: Home windows 10 and Cellular will get two significant updates in 2017 for brand spanking new options and features. Improvement of ‘Redstone 2’ has already begun.
