IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (Techradar) 6/19/2015

Getty Images partners with Oculus for 360 degree image gallery

The Oculus Rift was front and centre at the recent E3 conference, where it announced the Oculus Touch, but it seems the highly anticipated virtual reality headset is keen on letting users look at more than just games.
In conjunction with stock photography giant Getty Images, the pair announced today that a new immersive image gallery would be available on the consumer version of the Oculus Rift, when it launches early next year.
The 360 degree view galleries will contain high quality images of popular events like the Cannes Film Festival and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Available on Gear VR today

But Getty Images has been making full-circle panoramic images of significant global events since 2012 and it isn't holding out for Oculus to launch.
Instead, Getty Images also announced that you can look at the red carpet of the Oscars or the most recent Olympic Games from today using the Gear VR Innovator Edition with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 or Galaxy S6 smartphone.
The high res images can be zoomed in on and additional time lapse sequences will give an insight to the progression of each event.

Check out TechRadar's Oculus Rift review of the recently showcased final consumer version.

Competition: Win! One of two Roccat Kave XTD headsets

When it comes to a premium gaming experience, sound is the most underrated factor.
Whether you want to be completely immersed in a world, or you're more concerned with making sure you hear your opponent before they hear you, a quality headset is a must for any self-respecting gamer.
Fortunately, Roccat has given us two Kave XTD headsets to give away, so you could be about to up your game in a major way.
Retailing for $299 each, these cans provide supreme comfort for extended sessions. Plus, pair them to your phone via Bluetooth and you can make and receive calls without pausing your game.
If you'd like a Roccat Kave XTD headset of your very own simply click through to our competition page and answer a simple question.
Winners will be selected on Friday, June 26.

Hands-on review: Canon G3 X

Introduction and handling

Canon's Powershot G-series cameras are aimed at enthusiast photographers who want a compact camera with the type of control that they expect from an SLR in a smaller unit. The G3X is the latest addition to the line, slipping in between the Canon G7 X and the G1 X Mark II.
Although it has the rectangular shape that we expect with a compact camera, the new Canon Powershot G3X isn't a huge amount smaller than some modern SLRs, but it has the equivalent of a 24-600mm lens built in.
Canon PowerShot G3 X

Few photographers own a lens with that kind of reach, but it's ideal for photographing birds, wildlife, aeroplanes and anything else that's a long, long way away. What's especially impressive is that the lens's maximum aperture range is f/2.8-5.6. This means that at 600mm there's a maximum aperture of f/5.6, larger than is usually achieved with telephoto lens and teleconverter combinations on DSLRs, so it gives greater scope for using movement-freezing shutter speeds.
Canon has made the effective focal length 'easier' to create by having a smaller than full-frame sensor inside the camera. However, as it has a 1-inch type sensor, the G3X still has a bigger sensor than many compact cameras on the market. It's the same 20.2-million-pixel CMOS sensor as is found in the Canon G7X and it's again paired with the Digic 6 processor.
Canon PowerShot G3 X

Long lenses accentuate camera shake, which can lead to blurred images, but the G3X has Canon's latest Advanced Dynamic Image Stabilizer which works over 5 axes. This gives photographers a choice of correction settings with Low only using optical stabilization, Standard using optical and digital correction and High using optical and strong digital correction.
Sensitivity can be set in the range ISO 100-12,800 and there's a maximum continuous shooting rate of 5.9fps, which can continue until the SD/SDHC/SDXC card is full with JPEG files. It's also possible to shoot raw files, and raw and JPEG files simultaneously, but Canon was unable to tell me the burst depth at the time of writing.
Canon PowerShot G3 X

Naturally, it's also possible to shoot Full HD movies and there's a maximum frame rate of 60fps at 35Mbps. There's full control over exposure and audio in video mode and mic and headphone sockets are provided, which makes the G3X suitable for quite serious users. Focus peaking is also on hand for those who prefer to focus manually when shooting stills or video.
Not surprisingly, Canon has given the G3X NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity and it's possible to control the camera remotely using Canon's free app.

Build and handling

Like the G7X, the G3X has little flourishes of red under some of the dials which are reminiscent of the red band on Canon's top quality lenses. The camera also has a high quality feel, and a pleasantly textured coating on the small but ergonomic and effective grips, makes it feel comfortable and safe in your hand.
Canon has given the G3X the same level of weather and dust-proofing as its mid-range DSLRs like the Canon 70D, so it can withstand a few drops of rain and should be safe to use on a beach.
As there's no viewfinder built-in (unless you buy the optional EVF-DC1 electronic viewfinder as used with the G1X II and EOS M3), images must be composed on the 3.2-inch 1.62million dot capacitive touch screen. I found this provides a nice clear view and responds quickly to the touch of your finger. However, subjects can be hard to follow when you're using long focal lengths and the camera is held away from your face, so the EVF may be a good option.
Canon PowerShot G3 X

The screen is a tilting device to enable easier viewing when shooting landscape format images from above or below head height. It also pops right up for easier selfie shooting.
A ring around the shutter release is used to zoom and there's a Zoom frame assist button on the side of the lens which briefly zooms the lens out to make it easier to find the subject at long focal lengths.
A broad ring around the lens is provided for manual focusing and there's a button the side of the barrel to switch to full-time manual focus. I found the ring moves smoothly and easily with an electronic rather than mechanical feel.
On the top-plate a high-quality dial provides a quick route to the usual exposure modes, including manual, aperture priority and shutter priority as well automated options. There's also an exposure compensation dial with settings in one third stops running from -3 to +3EV. It has a similar high quality feel.
Canon PowerShot G3 X

With adjustment dials on the back and top of the camera, settings can be adjusted quickly, but as usual Canon has made it possible to navigate the menus and make settings selections using the touch-screen. It's all very intuitive and you find your own way of operating the camera.
Interestingly, the tripod mount on the bottom of the camera has a second hole to accommodate the pin that is sometime present on video tripod quick release plates to help lock it in place. That's quite a nice addition, especially bearing in mind that the long lens is likely to make the camera twist on standard plates at some angles.

Performance and early verdict

The Canon G7X is a cracking little compact that produces very nice images, so it's good to know that the G3X has the same sensor and processing engine. This heritage bodes well for the exposure, white balance and noise levels of its images.
However, the lens is as yet an unknown quantity. It covers a wide range and that will have given Canon's engineers a challenge if sharpness has been maintained into the corners throughout the zoom and aperture range. Chromatic aberration and distortion would also take some controlling. Canon says that it has used a 'premium superzoom for professional quality' results and this appears to be matched by the presence of a 9-blade aperture for smooth bokeh, so our expectations are high.
Canon PowerShot G3 X

We'll have to wait until we get a full production sample to find out more as I haven't been able to examine any images from the pre-production camera that I used. I'm also keen to find out just how good the image stabilization system is, especially when the lens is zoomed all the way.
One thing that I was able to ascertain is that the autofocus system is fast and accurate, at least in bright light. We'll test it in more challenging conditions as soon as we are able.

Early verdict

Although it's considerably larger than the G7X, which shares the same sensor and processing engine, the G3X has a much more versatile lens with an impressive focal length range and a fairly large maximum aperture. This combined with the extensive yet non-complicated control could give the camera quite wide appeal.
I'd liked to have seen a lens ring like the one on the G7X to adjust features such as aperture, a vari-angle rather than a tilting screen and a viewfinder built-in to make the G3X even more versatile, but I suspect that Canon was keen to keep cost down and avoid complexity.

Canon defies conventions with its new G3 X compact superzoom

The G3 X has been an open secret for some time and we've been featuring it for months on our camera rumors page – but now Canon has announced it officially. The headline feature is its 25x optical zoom, offering the equivalent of 24-600mm.
There are lots of compact travel zoom cameras like the Panasonic TZ70, say, that go even further, while top bridge cameras like the Canon SX60 HS and Nikon P900 offer 65x and 83x optical zooms respectively.
But the point about the G3 X is that it offers a big zoom range in conjunction with a much bigger (and hence better) sensor. Regular travel zooms and bridge cameras use titchy 1/2.3-inch sensors, and that restricts the kind of image quality they can produce, but the 1-inch sensor in the G3 X is four times larger. That means it should capture more detail, produce less noise and – potentially – offer increased dynamic range. It's not as big as the APS-C sensors in most digital SLRs and compact system cameras, but it's half way there.
This is the sensor used in the Canon PowerShot G7 X high-end compact, and we gave that camera 4.5 stars.

Lens is more

The key factor, of course, is going to be the quality of the lens. The 25x zoom range is not especially long on small-sensor cameras, but it's the first time we've seen one with this kind of zoom range on a camera with a 1-inch sensor. Even our favorite bridge camera, the mighty Panasonic FZ1000 (which also has a 1-inch sensor) can only manage a 16x zoom range.
That doesn't make the G3 X better straight away, though. For a start, the FZ1000 has a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, where the G3 X lens has a variable f/2.8-5.6 lens. And where the FZ1000 has an electronic viewfinder built in, it's an optional extra on the G3 X – which is already pretty expensive.
Canon PowerShot G7 X

Other key features

The G3 X is pitched at enthusiasts and offers full manual control and the ability to shoot raw files, as you'd expect from a camera in this class.
It has a dust and drip-proof body, and it can shoot continuously at 5.9 frames per second. The larger should mean it delivers good image quality in low light, too – it has a maximum ISO 0f 12,800. It has Wi-Fi and NFC for remote camera control via a smart device and quick and easy cable-free image transfer.
The G3 X is very adept at movies, too – in fact it reads more like the spec list for a high-end DSLR, not a compact camera. It can shoot full HD at frame rates from 24p to 60p, and it offers manual control of shutter speed, lens aperture and ISO in movie mode. It has a socket for an external mic, as you'd expect, but it also has a headphone socket for monitoring audio during recording. And the Canon's 5-axis image stabilization operates in movie mode too.
Canon PowerShot G7 X

For less serious film makers there's a Short Clip Movie mode which captures movies of 4, 5 or 6 seconds in length, and there's a Story Highlights Mode which can automatically assemble stills and video clips into shareable movies.
The G3 X does not easily fit, however, into any existing camera category. It doesn't have the chunky profile of a typical bridge camera, but it measures a pretty substantial 123.3 x 76.5 x 105.3mm (4.9 x 3.0 x 4.1 inches) and weighs a hefty 733g (26 oz). It might look a little like a long-zoom compact travel camera, but its size (mainly the length of the lens) puts it well outside that category.
The Canon PowerShot G3 X goes on sale in mid-July and will cost £799.

UPDATED: Netflix gets off the carousel with a redesigned interface

We knew it was coming, but now Netflix has rolled out a completely refreshed and redesigned web interface to all of its users, replacing the dreadfully slow and outdated carousel version we've had to make do with in the past.
The new design has kicked Netflix's old scrolling carousel design to the kerb, in favour of a approach that's more in line with the service's apps across smart devices.
Users will now click to horizontally cycle through through batches of titles, which is a much quicker process than hovering a mouse cursor at the end of a row and waiting for new titles to scroll into view.

Lookin' good, Netflix

In addition to Netflix's faster browsing method, it's now easier to select specific episodes and view information about Netflix shows and movies.
Netflix's new episode view

Currently for most users, clicking on a title will automatically start playing it, and hovering over it will only give you a tiny bit of information about it.
In the new version, clicking on a title keeps you on the same screen, divulging movie, show and episode information specific to the title right below it.
It will also reveal an extra set of options that allow users to easily choose an episode, find similar shows or movies, add the title to their My List and more.

Check out our in-depth Netflix review

Updated: OnePlus 2 release date, news and rumors

OnePlus 2 release date, news and rumors

Latest update: OnePlus 2's processor and software have been confirmed: a Snapdragon 810 processor and the Oxygen OS. It won't be long now.
The OnePlus One came out of nowhere as the first product of a new company, but it didn't disappoint, thanks to high end specs and a surprisingly low price tag.
One of the biggest complaints we could level at it was how hard it was to get hold of at launch and when that's the biggest problem a phone is facing you know you've got a winner on your hands.
But while there were no expectations for the One hopes are sky high for the OnePlus 2, so it's got a lot to live up to.

Cut to the chase

What is it? The Chinese firm's next cut-price flagship smartphone
When is it out? Potential launch in July
What will it cost? Hopefully around half the price of rival flagships

OnePlus 2 release date

The OnePlus 2 release date has been teased by the company with cryptic messages for several months, but that hasn't translated into a launch. That could change in a matter of weeks.

The latest speculation is that the OnePlus One sequel is being readied for July. What's taking so long? It may have something to do with the processor.
OnePlus confirmed the new specs include the powerful, but troublesome Snapdragon 810 processor found in the LG G Flex 2 and HTC One M9. Waiting for Qualcomm's v2.1 version may be the cause for the delay.

OnePlus 2 price

The original OnePlus One was a bit of a steal at $299, £229 for the 16GB model and just $349, £269 for the 64GB handset - we're hoping the OnePlus Two will be just as affordable.
Signaling a new OnePlus Two is imminent, the older phone now costs $249, £179 for the base model. The 64GB version now touts the original's entry-level price at $299/£219
There's good news here too, as the CEO of OnePlus has claimed the OnePlus 2 will cost around ¥2499 (around $400, £265, AU$500).

News and rumors

The company has confirmed the OnePlus Two will come with a Snapdragon 810 processor, which matches a benchmark that lists the 810 chip and 3GB of RAM, just like the HTC One M9.
But this is no ordinary Snapdragon 810, according to the OnePlus CEO. It'll be a v1.2, which is promised to eliminate the overheating issues seen in other 810-equipped handsets.
That's similar but not identical to previous rumblings that specs will include a 5.5-inch QHD screen, a Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 3300 mAh battery, while other reports point to a 16MP main camera and a 5MP front-facing snapper and we've even heard word that it might have a premium metal build.
It's set to land during the third quarter of 2015, but the OnePlus 2 will be available to buy invitation-only at first, with the firm set to reinstate its product limiting sales tactic after recently getting rid of it for the One.
We've also heard that the OnePlus 2 might have a similar design to the Oppo Find 7 and come with a "laser focus fingerprint identification system" embedded in the home button. A fingerprint scanner would certainly be good, but there's a worry that it could drive the price up.

With CyanogenMod off the table the OnePlus 2 will land with OxygenOS, almost certainly paired with Android Lollipop, more specifically Android 5.1 if a benchmark is to be believed.
OnePlus has now confirmed the move to OxygenOS but has yet to confirm whether the latest Android software will be involved.
OxygenOS has now landed and is basically a streamlined take on Android, with added off-screen gesture controls, which let you turn the screen on and launch apps with a gesture.
OxygenOS also includes a built in file manager and more customization options, such as customizable quick settings and the ability to switch between hardware and software navigation keys.
Perhaps most intriguingly of all though the OnePlus 2 is apparently set to 'surprise people'. Of course all the rumors that we've heard could turn out to be false and there's still plenty that we don't know, so here's what we want to see.

OnePlus 2: what we want to see

The OnePlus One was a great device with high-end specs at an affordable price, but there's still room for improvement. Here's what we want to see from the OnePlus Two.

1. A more premium build

The OnePlus One is a top tier handset, but it doesn't look like a top tier handset so we really hope the OnePlus Two will have a more premium build.
The obvious choice here is metal, which there are rumors we'll see this time around, but we'd be just as happy with something like bamboo. The OnePlus One briefly had bamboo back covers available, but manufacturing issues meant they were discontinued and this time we'd like to see them included as standard.

2. A similarly low price

One of the biggest selling points of the OnePlus One is its relatively low price tag, as it starts at just £229, $299. That price hasn't gone down since launch, so it's slightly less impressive now than it once was, but it's less than half the cost of most flagships.
If the specs and build are improved as is likely then there's a good chance that the OnePlus 2 will also be more expensive, but if it is then we hope not by much. Thankfully it looks like it might still be affordable.

3. A microSD card slot

Cut corners are always likely to be necessary when delivering a phone as good value as the OnePlus One and one of them was the omission of a microSD card slot.
We can't be too hard on it when phones twice its price, like the Samsung Galaxy S6, also lack such a slot, but we'd love to see one included in the OnePlus Two so that storage is less limited.
Or at the very least an option for more internal memory. The 64GB available in some versions of the OnePlus One is pretty generous, but we're sure it could be increased to 128GB.

4. A removable battery

Another slight disappointment with the OnePlus One was that the battery isn't removable. That's the case with a lot of phones and the OnePlus One does at least have quite good battery life.
But if you're a power user it's nice to know you can swap the battery out if needed and perhaps even more importantly it means you can replace the battery when yours wears out rather than having to buy a whole new phone.

5. Even better specs

With its 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor and 3GB of RAM the OnePlus One is undeniably a powerful phone and back when it launched in June 2014 it was one of the most powerful handsets on the planet.
But by the time the OnePlus Two launches it will be at least a year old and time moves fast in the tech world, with octa-core processors now the norm among flagships. So at a minimum we hope the OnePlus 2 will keep pace with the latest and greatest phones around.
The obvious setup for that would be to have an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB of RAM, just like the HTC One M9, but if OnePlus feels like it wants to overpower the competition we won't complain. 4GB of RAM anyone?

6. The same size screen

This might seem odd but we don't want the screen to get any bigger. The OnePlus One already has a 5.5-inch display and that's pushing the limits of usability as it is. In fact we wouldn't complain if the screen on the OnePlus 2 was slightly smaller.
That's not to say that we wouldn't like to see improvements though. OnePlus could always up the resolution to QHD (assuming the battery life doesn't take too much of a hit) and as good as the screen on the One is things like contrast and colour reproduction can always be improved.

7. A top flight camera

The 13MP shooter on the OnePlus One is more than adequate but even at launch it wasn't one of the best smartphone snappers around and the gulf has only widened since.
So with the OnePlus 2 we'd like to see some improvements. The OnePlus One seems a little slow to autofocus, so a fix for that would be appreciated, whether through a new system like a laser autofocus or just through software optimisation.
More megapixels and optical image stabilisation would both be nice too, but they don't always lead to better photos, which is what we want. How that will be achieved is down to OnePlus to figure out.

8. A powerful UI

The UI on the OnePlus One was worthy of special mention, because it used CyanogenMod, which on the surface looks quite close to stock Android, but there's a whole lot of power and customisation options tucked away for more adventurous users.
Sadly OnePlus has had a bit of a falling out with Cyanogen, so a new home-grown UI dubbed OxygenOS will be replacing it on the OnePlus 2 and we hope it will be every bit as powerful and intuitive.

9. Water and dust proofing

Water and dust proofing is a feature which we've never felt is essential on phones as we stopped pond diving years ago, but it's still nice to have if it doesn't come at the expense of anything else and it would be one more bullet point in the OnePlus 2's favour.
We doubt we'll see it, mostly because it could push the cost up and a low price surely takes priority, but also because a metal build is looking likely and not many metal phones seem to be waterproof.

10. A killer feature

Price and specs go a long way towards selling a smartphone, but for the OnePlus Two to really stand out and not just feel like a rehash of the OnePlus One a big feature would help.
That could take any number of forms. OnePlus could follow other manufacturer's leads and have a curved screen like the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and LG G Flex 2, or it could pack in serious fitness credentials with a heart rate monitor and the tools to track your progress. Or it could add a fingerprint scanner like Apple and Samsung have been doing. In fact a fingerprint scanner is now rumored.
But to stand out even more it could include something we've not seen anywhere else. Perhaps a retina scanner for example.
It probably won't have a feature that big, because cost is key, but if it did and if the cost could still be kept down then the OnePlus 2 could be a true flagship killer.

The LG G4 is already providing 5.5-inch thrills.

The first full-color HD videos of Earth are mesmerizing

You may have seen video taken from space before, but nothing quite like this.
A company called UrtheCast has released the first full-color HD videos of Earth, taken from the International Space Station. London, Barcelona and Boston are the subjects of the 37- to 47-sconed long clips, and the detail is so crisp, you can see individual cars and boats traveling through the frames.
Filmed using UrtheCast's Iris camera mounted to the outside of the ISS, the videos aren't just beautiful snippets of the Earth's surface. They also highlight landmarks like the London Eye and Port of Barcelona, providing a (space) eagle-eye view of some of the world's most beautiful cities.

The videos were shot with a resolution of about 1 meter and span over areas up to 1.19 x 0.67 miles (1.92 x 1.08 km). They were released as UrtheCast prepares to launch live 4K streams from Iris starting this summer.
Boston

Click here to see the videos.

The Ricoh GR II puts a DSLR sensor in a pocket-sized body

The Leica Q is the classic fixed focal length compact that camera buffs will dream of, the full-frame Sony RX1 is almost as desirable and the Fuji X100T has become an affordable modern classic – but why is the Ricoh GR so often overlooked?
It's beautifully designed pocket camera with a history that goes right back to the days of film. The current GR was introduced in May 2013, with an APS-C sensor, a fixed focal length f/2.8 lens and a body barely larger than a regular compact camera. It's smaller, more portable and cheaper than any of its rivals, and we liked the GR so much we gave it a 5-star review. This new version builds on its abilities with new features and improved image quality.

What's new?

Superficially, the 16.2-megapixel APS-C sensor in the GR II looks the same as the one in its predecessor, but Ricoh says it's tuned the image processing to offer better auto white balance adjustment and better noise reduction at high ISOs.
Ricoh GR II

And while the lens specs are broadly the same, the new version has two 'high-precision' aspherical elements and one high-refraction low-dispersion element to produce what the company says is the best GR-series lens yet. It has a 9-bladed diaphragm for natural-looking 'bokeh' in out of focus areas and there's an optional conversion lens to widen the 28mm effective focal length to a super-wide 21mm.
The major additions are Wi-Fi and NFC, which were absent from the previous version. These allow remote control via Ricoh's GR Remote smart device app and Image Sync image transfer tool.

Key features

Ricoh has also added six new effects: Clarity, Brilliance, Bright, Portrait, Vibrant and HDR tone – this takes the total to 17. It also offers wireless flash control with compatible external flash units, and full HD movies at 30 frames per second.
The GR II is aimed at serious and discerning enthusiasts, so naturally it offers program AE, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual modes, and it can shoot raw files as well as JPEGs.
Ricoh GR II

Other features include in-camera raw processing, dynamic range compensation for high-contrast scenes and an Interval Composite mode for long exposures which takes a series of exposures at fixed intervals but adds only the brightest parts of each to the overall exposure.
Like the GR, the GR II is a strongly-made little camera with a magnesium alloy body that measures just 117.0 × 62.8 × 34.7mm (4.6 ×2.5 ×1.4 inches) and weighs 251g (8.9oz). It's quite nippy, too, with an autofocus time as short as 0.2 seconds and a 1-second startup time. It can shoot continuously at 4 frames per second and Ricoh has increased the buffer capacity so that it can capture up to 10 raw files in a row. Its small size, unobtrusiveness and speed should make the GR II ideal for rapid-fire street photography.
It's not a major update over the previous version, but the addition of Wi-Fi and NFC keeps the GR II up to date with current technologies.
The Ricoh GR II goes on sale in mid-July at £599.99.

Updated: Buying guide: Best keyboard: top 10 keyboards compared

Introduction

Keyboards matter more than you might think. Sure, they are the most prosaic of peripherals, so we tend to take them for granted. But given the sheer percentage of our lives that we spend hacking away at them, finding the right ones can be surprisingly beneficial – may even smoothing off the rough edges of our daily grind.
When you set out to buy a keyboard, you'll be confronted by a surprising amount of diversity – there are cheap and pricey ones, mechanical and membrane ones, wired and wireless ones, wacky ergonomic ones and downright retro ones on sale. So we've picked out ten of the best, designed to suit multifarious needs and pockets.

How to select the best keyboard

It's worth noting that if you demand the feel and feedback only offered by keyboards with mechanical keys, rather than keys that press a membrane, you might want to peruse our top 10 best gaming keyboards round-up. Gamers more or less demand mechanical keys, but mechanical keyboards tend to be very noisy, so can be frowned on in office environments – hence the fact that most non-gaming keyboards take the membrane route.
K750

1. Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

A bright idea

Interface: Wireless | Features: Light-powered, Streamline design, Power monitor app, Six-on-one wireless receiver, 2.4GHz wireless, plug-and-play

Solar-powered

Thin

Lacks macros

If freedom to sit back from your PC and perch your keyboard on your knees, say, is what you seek, a wireless keyboard is ideal. But there's a downside: wireless keyboards are notorious for munching through batteries. However, that's not a problem for this clever effort from Logitech, which has built-in solar panels that can recharge the K750's juice, even under interior lighting. Even though it's a membrane keyboard, it has a decent amount of feel, and the wireless dongle can accommodate other Logitech devices (such as a mouse). Quite keenly priced, too.

Best keyboard

2. Cherry G80-3000

Tanks a lot

Interface: Wired | Features: Durable build, Gold Crosspoint contacts (MX Technology), Codset 3 support, High service life of individual keys

Durable build

Comfortable key press

Compact

Pedestrian design

As keyboards go, Cherry's G80-3000 is considered to be something of a classic. There's nothing flashy about it whatsoever, but it does use Cherry's own MX mechanical keys, generally held to be the best available (and beloved of the gaming keyboard fraternity). It's fairly compact, despite having a full complement of keys, not offensively ugly, built like an absolute tank and, most importantly, fairly cheap. Will last for years, and shouldn't ever let you down unless you subject it to the most extreme mistreatment.
Best keyboard

3. Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Split personality

Interface: Wired | Features: Ergonomic design, Zoom Slider, Customizable Hot Keys, Number pad, Device Stage buttons, Taskbar favourites buttons, Email and Internet hot keys, Multimedia keys, Lockable F key, Integrated palm rest

Comfortable key layout

Minimises RSS

Looks a bit weird

Famously, the QWERTY keyboard was designed to slow typists down so that they didn't get ahead of the mechanicals of early typewriters. But despite that no longer being a problem, the design seems to have stuck, and the main problems those who spend prolonged periods typing these days face are repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Microsoft's Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, as the name suggests, takes a sculpted approach in order to place your hands and wrists at more natural angles, in an attempt to minimise the risks of developing RSI. Sure, it looks odd (although it's a conversation piece), and it's pretty massive, but it has some useful features like assignable hot-keys and a zoon-roller, and – surprisingly for a Microsoft product – is available in an Apple Mac layout.
Best keyboard

4. Matias Tactile Pro 4

Don't look Mac in anger

Interface: Wired | Features: Aps Mechanical Switches, Mac-friendly keys, Easy symbol reach, Laser etched keys, Sculpted keytops, 3-port Hi-Speed USB 2.0 hub, Anti-Ghosting Circuitry

Retro cool

Mechanical keys

Looks a bit weird

Matias's Tactile Pro 4 might just be the oddest keyboard money can buy. Although designed exclusively for use with Apple Macs, it has Alps mechanical keys, and is modelled on one of the first Mac keyboards. So if you're a Mac user and feel you must have a mechanical keyboard, it's pretty much the only one that's officially supported. And adding a retro touch to a Mac is an interesting idea (although not, we suspect, one that will appeal to all Mac users). Whatever will they think of next? A Mac mouse with more than one button?
Best keyboard

5. Logitech Washable Keyboard K310

Clean keys forever

Interface: Wired | Features: Washable, Laser printed and UV coated keys, F-keys and number pad

Washable

Cool design

Basic functionality

Some of us are just plain clumsy – there's no denying it -- while others find themselves working in environments in which coffee-cup-toppling is more or less inevitable (if, say, there are toddlers tearing around the place). So if you've ever had to replace a keyboard due to spillage, you might want to consider Logitech's Washable Keyboard K310. Its most notable feature is a set of drainage holes that allow you to put it into the sink and simply wash off all traces of anything that has been spilt on it. As a keyboard, it's basic, but functional nevertheless.
Best keyboard

6. Goldtouch Go!2

Compact keyboard

Interface: Bluetooth Features: Folds, 2.7mm key travel, 40-45g average actuation force, Typical battery life 32 hours, Charging time approx 4 hours (USB cord provided), Windows and Mac compatible

Super portable

Can help reduce RSI

Quite pricey

If you're seeking a keyboard to use with a portable device such as a tablet, none ticks more boxes than Goldtouch's Go!2. It's ultra-portable thanks to being not only tiny but split in two. However, the main reason it is split in two is ergonomic: a clever pivoting device allows you, after unfolding it, to angle the two halves away from each other, giving you a typing position which is less conducive to inducing RSI (the principle is the same as that employed by Microsoft's Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, although it isn't so sculpted). The only drawback is that it's rather pricey, but it's the best portable keyboard out there.
Best keyboard

7. Recreated Sinclair ZX Spectrum

80s win

Interface: Bluetooth Features: Rubber keys, Includes Chuckie Egg and Sinclair BASIC game bundle, Online games through web app

So much nostalgia

Free Android emulation

Relies on nostalgia

As keyboards go, they don't get more iconic than this loving facsimile of the much-adored early-80s Sinclair ZX Spectrum. And yes, it is a (Bluetooth) keyboard, although it comes with a free Android emulation of the ZX Spectrum, and several iconic ZX Spectrum games, including Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy and Chucky Egg (which you can play via the web). As a keyboard, it makes most sense with portable devices, since it's pretty small. And for those of a certain age, it will generate an irresistible feeling of nostalgia whenever they use it. We would venture that it's the only keyboard with the power to do that.
Best keyboard

8. Logitech Wireless All-In-One Keyboard TK820

Touching gesture

Interface: Bluetooth Features: Keyboard with built-in touchpad, Large touch surface, Space-saving design, Logitech PerfectStroke key system with incurve keys, Logitech Unifying receiver with 2.4GHz wireless

Has a touchpad

Low-travel membrane keys

Not mechanical

Hate mice? There's no shame in that – we all have different tastes. And Logitech has created a keyboard especially for the rodent-phobic: its TK820 has a built-in touch-pad, which is notably larger than the ones found on laptops, so it gives you more control over fine-tuning sensitivity. Plus it supports tablet-style gestures. The TK820 is wireless, and thanks to its low-travel membrane keys is nice and quiet in an office environment. It's handsome, too, but won't suit typists who demand clicky, long-travel keys.
Best keyboard

9. Cherry G84-4100

A tiny mechanical animal

Interface: Wired Features: Cherry mechanical switches, Individual keys with Gold Crosspoint contacts (ML technology), Designed for more than 20 million presses per key

Compact

Great build quality

Basic functionality

If space is at a premium in your working environment, Cherry's G84-4100 could prove handy. It's tiny (a trick achieved by omitting the numeric keypad), yet still sports Cherry's famed mechanical keys for all the feel that a super-fast typist could desire. Other than that, it's pretty basic and functional. But like all Cherry's keyboards, it's built like a tank, so should be able to withstand all the rigours of office life.
Best keyboard

10. Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480

Works with smartphones and tablets

Interface: Wired Features: Windows, Mac, Android, Chrome OS and iOS support, Integrated cradle, 2-year battery life, Battery life indicator light, Comes in black or white

Works with multiple devices

Cradle holds phones and tablets

Lacks a numberpad or macros

What could be more 21st-century than a digital life lived out on several devices at the same time? Logitech's K480 is specifically designed for people who tend to have a PC, tablet and maybe a smartphone or media server on the go at the same time. It's Bluetooth, and can be synched with up to three devices, which you can switch between by simply twisting a big round knob. Plus it has a clever cradle for accommodating tablets and smartphones – indeed, it's big enough to hold a tablet and a smartphone simultaneously. It's equally at home controlling devices that run Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android, and has a clever dual-Windows/Mac layout. A thoroughly modern keyboard.

Buying Guide: The 7 best in-ear headphones available today

Best in-ear headphones

As much as we love the sound and bass performance of big, hulking over-ear headphones, there are some situations where they simply tend to cause more problems than they're worth.
Whether you're at the gym, traveling, or just hanging out, sometimes you just want something a little more compact, something that won't weigh you down, or maybe even a pair of headphones that's sweat-proof. For these specialties, you're speaking precisely of what in ear headphones have to offer.
We're on a mission to provide you with the best in ear headphones around. As such, we've corralled our top rated reviews so that you can do all your research and make a purchase in one place.

1. Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear

Fully-featured and powerful in-ear headphones

Affordable

Stellar sound

Different model for each mobile OS

With the appealing candy apple detailing, Sennheiser gets you in the door. But once you're in, you'll stay for the killer sound quality that comes from the Momentum In-Ear earphones.
These are the among the best deals in the headphones market as it stands today. The company has a version available for each flavor of mobile OS, so everyone can get in on the goodness.
Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear
Best in ear headphones

2. Beyerdynamic iDX 160 iE

Earphones that bleed style and booming sound

Slick, practical design

Full sound delivery

Inline controls iOS-only

In-ear headphones hone in on portability and convenience as main draws. Unfortunately, that sharp focus can result in features like sound performance and design taking a back seat in several in-ear options in the market.
The Beyerdynamic iDX 160 iE buck that trend by providing a stunning balance in its sound quality, feature set and design.
Read the full review: Beyerdynamic iDX 160 iE

3. Polk Nue Voe

It's like Warby Parker got into the headphones game

Novel tortoise pattern

Awesome sound

iOS-only inline controls

Not only do these look the part, similar in style to a fancy set of tortoise-patterned eyeglasses, they sound awesome and are comfortable enough to wear all day. These earphones are packed with balanced armature drivers, which ups the mids to increase crispness.
It should be noted that the inline controls built into headphones only properly work with Apple products. You'll still get the same performance in, say, an Android phone or a Windows phone, but you won't be able to increase or decrease volume.
Read the full review: Polk Nue Voe

4. Shure SE215

Excellent midrange in-ear headphones for a bargain

Understated design

Vibrant sound

Lacks in-line controls

If excellent noise isolation, comfort and stellar sound performance are of interest to you, consider the Shure SE215.
The headphones come in a cool translucent, space grey color and among its many good traits, the best of all is that you can snag the Shure SE215 for under one hundred bucks.
Read the full review: Shure SE215

5. Bose FreeStyle

Eye-catching with great audio quality and an attractive price

Secure, fitness-friendly fit

Durable, moisture-resistant design

Lacks sound isolation

Divisive vibrant design

Specifically targeted to gym-goers, the FreeStyle headphones are stocked with helpful features to help you get the most out of your music during a workout (when you need it the most). It offers a comfy and stable fit and better yet, it's moisture-resistant design means the FreeStyle can kick it with you through your whole workout, inside or out. The only major downside is that the inline controls are only compatible with iOS.
Read the full review: Bose FreeStyle
best in ear headphones

6. Sony XBA-H1

In-ear headphones with style and bravado

Edgy design

Powerful sound performance

No inline controls

If you're in the market for a set of in-ear headphones with pizzazz, the Sony XBA-H1 will be right up your alley. Whether your preference leans toward a more sporty look, or one that is simple, both audiences are served well here.
The hybrid driver unit packs in balanced armature and dynamic designs into one unit, bringing the very best that both have to offer to your ears. This results in booming bass, highs that shine and response that makes your music sound more punchy than ever.
Read the full review: Sony XBA-H1
RHA T10i review

7. RHA T10i

Premium earphones for any taste

Comfortable

Amazing sound quality

Bass-heavy

Pricey

The sound quality is incredible, thanks to the snug seal created when the headphones are stuck in your ear. The bass is also robust for such small earphones.
The RHA T10i look slick with a metal finish around the drivers and around the cable as well. They also come with several replacement tips if the defaults don't fit your ear canal.
Read the full review: RHA T10i

A taco emoji is finally coming, and everything is right in the world

All right, internet: you can put down the torches and pitchforks. You're finally getting a taco emoji, with a unicorn and a block of cheese to sweeten the pot.
The Unicode Consortium, which coordinates the standard of Unicode encoding, has released Unicode 8.0 which features a pile of 37 brand spankin' new emojis for you to send to your friends. Not only is the long-awaited taco headed your way, but a quaint burrito emoji as well. All we need now is a side of guac and we've got ourselves a fiesta.
Now that 8.0 is official, operating system developers like Apple and Google will have to integrate it into their systems. It's likely that iOS 9 will feature the taco upon its release this fall, and Google would be smart to work it into Android M as well.
Seeing the internet rally behind such a just cause as bringing the taco to everyone's phones has been truly inspiring to watch. What will we as a species move onto next? Could we pull a Dr. Hammond and resurrect a T-Rex in our messages? Might we possibly will a Batman emoji out of the shadows? There truly is no limit to our potential.
For now, bask in the glory of these digitized delicacies. You have made telling your buddy to meet you at Taco Bell for a burrito supreme combo much, much simpler. All of these will be headed to your handset very soon, but until then, you can check out the taco and all of the upcoming emojis at Emojipedia.

Via The Next Web
Lead image credit Luca Nebuloni

In Depth: The 9 best and worst moments of Stephen Elop

Stephen Elop, the man responsible for Nokia's Lumia devices at Microsoft and the Finnish firm's former CEO, is leaving Microsoft.
Elop didn't elope, though. He and Microsoft boss Satya Nadella "have agreed that now is the right time for him to retire from Microsoft," Nadella says.
It's part of a wider restructuring within Microsoft, and it means Microsoft is saying goodbye to the man responsible for these best and worst moments.

The 'burning platform' speech

When Elop joined Nokia from Microsoft, it was in trouble, and he made no attempt to sugarcoat it.
Speaking to Nokia employees in 2011 (the speech was later published for the world to read, too), he said that Nokia was standing on "a burning platform" that had "multiple points of scorching heat that are fueling a blazing fire around us."

Replacing Symbian with Windows

The former Microsoft man decided the best mobile operating system around was Microsoft's Windows Phone, and he bet Nokia's future on using it instead of the aging but well-loved Symbian OS.
It's a decision that was widely mocked, but there was smart thinking behind it: Elop believed that one manufacturer beginning with S would probably end up dominating Android, and if Nokia was in that market it'd be just another Android phone firm.
He was right about Samsung, and probably right about Nokia's chances as an Android manufacturer, too. However, unfortunately for Nokia, Windows Phone created all kinds of problems for their engineers and Microsoft wasn't as helpful as it could, or perhaps should, have been.

Getting unfairly blamed for all of Nokia's mistakes

To outsiders, it looked as if Elop essentially flew Nokia into the sun, destroying the world's favourite phone maker. But he inherited a company that was in a mess after years of bad management. He might not have made the right decisions, but his heart was in the right place - and he wasn't the one who didn't see the threat that iPhones and Android posed to Nokia's core business.

Binning Nokia's mobile payment platform

In 2012, Nokia canned its Nokia Money service, which enabled people to send money to others and pay for goods using just their mobile phones. The decision seemed strange given the hype around m-commerce - hype that Apple and Google are both currently surfing with Apple Pay and Android Pay, respectively - but Elop didn't want Nokia to waste its energies on doing lots of things in a half-arsed fashion. It would concentrate solely on doing phones in a half-arsed fashion instead.

Being accused of skulduggery

Many people suspected that Elop was a Trojan Horse, and that his move to Nokia would ultimately result in the company being sold to Microsoft.
Elop proved them wrong by driving Nokia to the brink of collapse and, er, selling it to Microsoft. But insiders are adamant that the £4.6 billion deal wasn't the result of any Machiavellian scheming: Elop was serious about wanting to save Nokia, and its sale to Microsoft was a personal defeat, not a triumph.
The move was prompted by angry shareholders who felt, rightly, that Nokia was still too far behind Apple and Android. They were probably pretty upset that their shares had dropped by 85% since he took over, too.

That bonus

As if the Finns weren't angry enough at Elop's handling of Nokia, he managed to add 18.8 million Euros to injury: that was the bonus Elop would be awarded when Nokia's sale to Microsoft went through, and it worked out at roughly one million Euros for every one billion Euros that Elop wiped off Nokia's market capitalisation on his watch. When asked to take a smaller bonus, Elop said he couldn't, because he was getting divorced.

Sending one of the worst layoff e-mails of all time

"Hello there," Elop began his long, rambling memo back in 2014. It took him a full 11 paragraphs to get to the point, which was that Elop's bit of Microsoft - the devices unit - was going to make 12,500 people redundant. NYMag's furious takedown of the memo is funny and entirely justified.

Doing a Nokia to Windows Phone

When Elop returned to Microsoft, he turned Windows Phone into the massive success it is today. Ahem. His departure is a clear signal that Microsoft isn't happy with Windows Phone's performance or strategy. It's some turnaround since the speculation that Elop was returning to Microsoft in order to succeed Steve Ballmer as Microsoft CEO.

Not being Tim Cook

Stephen Elop wasn't the first choice of Nokia CEO: according to the book Operation Elop by journalists from the Finnish newspaper Kauppalehti, the executive head-hunters first approached a supply chain wizard called Tim Cook. You may have heard of him. Had he answered Nokia's call, things might have turned out very differently, but instead Nokia ended up with what the book's authors describe as "by many measures… one of the world's worst, if not +the+ worst, chief executives."

Review: HP Spectre x360

Introduction and design

If it transforms, it’ll probably look ugly. This is basically the precedent that has been set by anything that can change from one form to another from Transformers realized as toys to even real-life amphibious and flying cars. This hasn’t been more true than with 2-in-1 laptops, which for the most part have failed to gracefully walk the line between laptop and tablet.
The Surface Pro 3, for instance, comes at the hybrid machine problem as a tablet first, which makes it invariably lopsided when paired with the wafer-thin Type Cover. The Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi comes closest to balancing the needs of a thin tablet and sturdy laptop, but at the cost of all its full sized ports.
At long last, the HP Spectre x360 might be the first transforming laptop to finally strike the perfect balance. Unlike most other hybrid notebooks, this 13-inch machine looks like any regular, garden variety laptop. But in one quick motion, I can flip the screen back 360 degrees to turn it into a full-on Windows 8.1 tablet.
HP Spectre x360 review

Looks aside, the Spectre x360 is an honest-to-god, 13-inch laptop complete with an Intel Core i5 processor and a flex-free keyboard to boot. HP has finally arranged the ultimate marriage between laptops and tablets to make this premium hybrid – for a reasonable $999 (£899, AU$1,899) price – but I really wish it weren’t so dang heavy.

Design

If Lenovo and Apple ever got together to make a baby, it would be this. That’s not meant as a derogatory comparison either. HP has blended the best elements of the MacBook Air’s aluminum body with the rotating hinges from Lenovo’s Yoga series of convertible machines to make one gorgeous computing device.
The outside shell of the Spectre x360 is wholly minimalistic with almost no embellishments on its plain, anodized aluminum chassis. The only things worth noting are the words Hewlett Packard embossed on the right side of the laptop lid. Another logo is also printed on the rear edge of the laptop’s base. Additionally there’s a thin slit of plastic that runs parallel to the top of the screen, which most likely hides the Wi-Fi radio.
HP Spectre x360 review

Speaking of slits and edges, the Spectre x360 is a marvelously thin device that measures only 0.63-inches thick. It’s a pretty piece of kit that almost looks white, thanks to its all-aluminum frame. An extra touch you won’t see on any other machine is the Spectre x360’s edges have been polished to a mirror sheen.
Things get a bit more interesting when you open up the laptop, as you can push the screen back a full 360-degrees, turning this everyday notebook into a Windows tablet. HP has come up with a seamless geared hinge, which allows the laptop screen to smoothly arc up and down.
HP Spectre x360 review

This transforming mechanic might sound very similar any of Lenovo’s Yoga hybrids – which have spawned more than a dozen copycat devices – but HP has come up with a design that blends in. Whereas the watchband-inspired strips of metal found on the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro stick out like a sore thumb, the metal hinges on the Spectre x360 look like they’re simply part of the machine.

A trackpad too far

Instead of noticing the hinges, your attention is likely to dart immediately to the unusually wide trackpad. Nearly double the width of a traditional pointing device, the Spectre x360 offers an expansive and smooth surface to glide your fingers over. Aside from the smooth feel of the trackpad, it’s accurate to a millimeter, thanks to Microsoft’s Precision trackpad software – co-developed with Intel, Synaptics and Elan.
Unfortunately, for all the excellent tracking this massive surface offers, it has just as much trouble accurately registering clicks. Almost every time I clicked on an icon, tab or anything on the screen, I have to press the mouse button a second time before anything actually happens. At the same time, because the trackpad stretches beyond the span of the space bar, my palms accidentally press into the oversized button as I type.
For anyone annoyed by constantly triggering Windows 8.1’s navigation gestures by accident, HP and Microsoft have worked in some excellent palm rejection software.
HP Spectre x360 review

The keyboard follows a more traditional layout and a complementary white backlight to help you see the keys in the dark. Of course, there’s the option to turn off the keyboard backlight – but when you do so, the F5 key always remain lit. It’s an odd, eye catching quirk I haven’t seen on any other machine before, and it can be distracting until you get used to it.
The keys themselves feel a bit mushy and don’t offer the same crisp typing experience as a 13-inch MacBook Pro. However, the typing experience on the HP 2-in-1 is more than serviceable, and most users won’t notice unless they’re sticklers for the very best laptop keyboards.

Specifications and value

Just looking at the HP Spectre x360’s 12.79 x 8.6 x 0.63 inches or 324 x 218 x 16mm (W x D x H) dimensions, there’s no doubt this is one of the smallest 2-in-1 hybrid laptops ever made. However, with this convertible notebook weighing in at 3.26 pounds (1.47 kg), it’s also quite unwieldy as a tablet.
You’ll have a much easier time holding up the 1.76-pound (7.98 kg) Surface Pro 3. Even with the Type Cover attached, Microsoft’s tablet-laptop combo still weighs in at a lower 2.62 pounds (1.18 kg). The Surface Pro 3 dimensions, meanwhile, are 11.5 x 7.93 x 0.36 inches (292 x 201 x 9 mm), making it considerably thinner than HP’s hybrid.
HP Spectre x360 review

The Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi is an even lighter tablet device that weighs in at 1.58 pounds (7.2 kg). With the Bluetooth-connected magnetic keyboard attached, the T300 Chi comes closer to tipping the scales at 3.14 pounds (1.43 kg) as a full-on laptop.
Here is the HP Spectre x360 configuration sent to TechRadar for review.

Spec Sheet

CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200 (dual-core, 3MB cache, up to 2.7GHz with Turbo Boost)
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500
RAM: 8GB DDR3 (1600Mhz)
Screen: 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 FHD Radiance LED-backlit touchscreen
Storage: 256GB SSD
Ports: 3x USB 3.0; HDMI, mini DisplayPort, headphone/microphone combo
Connectivity: 802.11ac (2x2) and Bluetooth 4.0 combo
Camera: HP TrueVision Full HD WVA Webcam (front-facing); Integrated dual digital microphones
Weight: 3.26 pounds
Size: 12.79 x 8.6 x 0.63 inches (W x D x H)

Priced at $999 (£899, AU$1,899), HP offers up the Spectre x360 with the well rounded package you see above. All-in-all, it’s a full option that comes outfitted with 8GB of memory, 256GB SSD (128GB SSD for those in the UK) and a gorgeous 1080p screen, which I’ll get into more later on.
Those who want to save a bit more scratch can buy the Spectre x360 at its base configuration for $899 (or AU$1,499) at the expense of halving the machine’s available memory and storage space. That’s hardly a fair trade, and so I recommend you get the configuration I tested instead.
HP Spectre x360 review

Alternatively, users bump up the configuration with a 2,560 x 1,440 display, faster Intel Core i7-5500U processor and 512GB SSD for $1,399 (or AU$2,399). A similarly specced machine is available to those in the UK for £1,225. However, the flash storage options are limited to only 256GB and the processor upgrade jumps to an Intel Core i7-5600U chip instead.
In some ways, the Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi comes even better stocked at $899 (£799, AU$1,299). For the price, this tablet-laptop hybrid comes outfitted with a 2,560 x 1,440 WQHD resolution display and 8GB of RAM. That said, the T300 Chi comes packing half as much SSD storage and a significantly slower-clocked Intel Core M 5Y71 running at 1.2GHz to the Spectre x360’s 2.2GHz CPU.
Microsoft’s darling Surface Pro 3 is looking very long in the tooth these days, since it was introduced over a year ago, but it’s still a contender into today’s field of 2-in-1 computers. Expect to shell out $999 (£769, AU$979) to get set up with a comparable 1.9GHz processor from Intel’s aging Haswell days. Going with this route also means having to contend with a small 128GB SSD, only 4GB of RAM and the added expense of a $129 (£109, AU$149) Type Cover.

Performance and features

Like the little engine that could, the HP Spectre x360 never failed to overcome any challenge I threw it’s way. The convertible laptop deftly took on any task, whether it was simple web browsing to playing a virtual hand of Hearthstone with the quality settings at their highest. As if that weren’t impressive enough, you can squeeze a surprising amount of battery life of this petite 13-inch convertible laptop.
Here's how the HP Spectre x360 fared in our benchmark tests.

Benchmarks

3DMark: Cloud Gate: 4,722; Sky Diver: 2,297; Fire Strike: 621
Cinebench CPU: 257 points; Graphics: 30 fps
PCMark 8 (Home Test): 2,424 points
PCMark 8 Battery Life: 4 hours and 38 minutes

From these benchmarks, we can see how an Intel Core i5 Broadwell processor puts the HP Spectre x360 a step ahead of its competitors. It’s all really not too surprising, considering the Transformer Book T300 Chi’s Intel Core M processor was tuned for power savings rather than bare knuckled performance.
HP Spectre x360 review

This is especially evident when you look at the HP’s 2,424 points PCMark 8 score, which hovers a bit over the T300 Chi’s 2,273 point performance. The Surface Pro 3, meanwhile, lags behind by a wider margin with a PCMark 8 score of 2,190 points, thanks to its two-year-old Haswell chip.
The HP hybrid also shows more gusto when it comes to gaming thanks to headier Intel HD 5500 integrated graphics chip. With the higher-end GPU onboard, the Spectre x360 was able to complete the 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark test with 621 points. By comparison, the Asus T300 Chi scored 516 points, and the Surface Pro 3 only accrued 347 points.
HP Spectre x360 review

HP’s 2-in-1 laptop doesn’t hold a massive lead, but you’ll have a better time running Hearthstone at max settings, thanks to the beefier GPU. Just don’t expect to it to play much more than low impact indie games, like Shovel Knight and Axiom Verge.

Convenient features

You don’t know how convenient a 2-in-1’s transforming ability is it until you actually need it. On a bus trip to Philadelphia, I whipped out the Spectre x360 for a bit for work. However, I quickly realized the extremely tight cabin space prevented me from opening up the laptop fully.
Luckily I was able to bend the laptop back to have it stand on top of its keyboard, while I pecked at the screen oriented at an angle to write a portion of this review. On the same trip I, converted the laptop into tablet to play a match of Hearthstone and then to read some web articles while holding the device in a vertical orientation.
HP Spectre x360 review

Cases like these prove what a flexible machine the Spectre x360 is. That said, holding up a 3.26-pound tablet can get very tiring. And as a tablet, the device pretty much cuts into your hand with its sharp edges. Hopefully, with the next iteration of this machine, HP will add more rounded edges and figure a way to lighten the load for a better tablet experience.

Gorgeous screen

Hands down, the HP Spectre x360 has one of the best screens of any laptop I’ve reviewed. The convertible hybrid’s display offers some of the best viewing angles I’ve ever seen – that’s backed up by wide color gamut and a very bright panel. Though this HP 2-in-1 comes with a glossy, glass fronted display, I had almost no problems using it outside, even on a sunny day. It comes as a complete rarity and makes this laptop truly a machine you can use in any scenario.
The laptop’s downward firing speakers are equally impressive. Even with the laptop resting on top of my legs, music played through the covered speakers with full clarity. They definitely don’t offer the same tonal range as a good pair of headphones, but the built-in tweeters do a fine job.
HP Spectre x360 review

I especially enjoyed watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones on this machine. Thanks to the excellent display, I could discern all the dark details inside the House of Black and White, while the speakers clearly projected everything from gravely dialogue to the sharp clash of swords.

Battery to last

With a lean machine like the Spectre x360, I usually expect to get a middling four to five hours of lasting power. And so, it came as a delightful surprise to see HP’s hybrid get me through 5 hours and 53 minutes of regular use. Just under 6 hours of battery life might not sound too impressive, but this was all done with running the convertible machine through a gauntlet of tasks including streaming the last episode of Game of Thrones, a handful of Hearthstone games and editing photos in Photoshop.
With a typical day of word processing and web browsing, I was able to eke out another 30 minutes of juice before the Spectre x360 ran dry. This laptop also ran for 4 hours and 38 minutes on the strenuous PCMark8 battery test.
HP Spectre x360 review

The Surface Pro 3, on the other hand, ran for only 3 hours and 55 minutes, a shorter screen-on time that could be attributed to its higher-resolution 2,160 x 1,440 display. It’s also fair to say the extra power draw of the high-res screen, coupled with almost no room for a massive battery, led Asus’ own hybrid to an unimpressive 4 hours and 42 minutes of battery life.

Bundled software

Unlike Asus, Lenovo or even MSI, HP is one of the better companies that don’t preload their laptops with a heap of unwanted applications. There are a few bits of bundled software you’ll want to get rid of almost immediately, like Dragon naturally speaking. But, for the most part, you should find most of the apps listed below useful in some way:
HP Support Assistant – An essential always-on system tray application, which keeps an eye out for software updates such as new BIOS installs and Intel HD Graphics patches.
HP Connected Drive – HP in-house cloud network, which lets users save an unlimited number of files as long as they’re under 100MB large.
HP Connected Music – A cloud based photo sharing service powered by Snapfish, beyond editing photos this app is also tuned to help users print their photos on to cards and other mediums.
HP Recovery Manager/Media Creation – Back up your laptop and restore it with these preloaded apps.
McAfee LiveSafe – Although this anti-virus and firewall software comes with a free 30-day trial offer, you may want to uninstall it the first chance you can for a less obtrusive solution, like Windows Defender.

Verdict

Together, HP and Microsoft have put together one of the sharpest looking 2-in-1 convertible laptops ever. Without any foreknowledge, most people would think the HP Spectre x360 was nothing more than an attractive, all-aluminum laptop.
Thanks to a pair of well-engineered gear hinges, the transforming element of this laptop adds almost no extra weight, awkward proportions or clunky mechanics. Instead, the x360 only inherits the added flexibility of a 2-in-1 machine; letting you use it more ways than just on your lap.

We liked

There’s a long laundry list of things to like about the HP Spectre x360. The all-aluminum body is solid and sleek. Performance is more than adequate for anything you might need to do from word processing to image editing to playing a few games. Frankly, the overall showing is pleasing, with a glossy screen that’s a joy to use and enjoy media with a decent pair of speakers backing it up.
And that’s just using the Spectre x360 as a laptop.
Transforming this machine is a cinch, thanks to a pair of smooth geared hinges, which also firmly hold the laptop in any mode you wish. As a tablet, the Spectre x360 is an excellent, albeit heavy, handheld computing device. Alternatively, the extra modes and ways in which you can orient the screen makes it so much easier to set up as a personal movie screen when the airplane tray is too tiny or you’re squeezed into a tight train seat.

We disliked

The overly wide trackpad is by far my biggest complaint for the HP Spectre x360 – it should be replaced with a narrower pointing device. The extra few inches don’t help much with navigating the laptop’s 16:9 screen. The trackpad only ends up getting in the way while I type. A narrower surface would also likely fix the unresponsive click button, as it takes firm pressure to actuate such a broad switch.
Then there’s the fact that this machine weighs so dang much. You’ll need a firm grip and endurance to hold this heavyset convertible up for long.

Final verdict

Buy the HP Spectre x360. It easily comes as one of my most recommended machines, with an excellent 1080p screen, solid performance, good battery life, and sturdy build quality; all for an excellent deal at $999 (£899, AU$1,899). If more screen resolution is a priority for you, then the Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi comes at a steal for its WQHD display.
If it weren’t for a few missteps with the trackpad and being too hefty for tablet use, this would laptop would have easily stood amongst the Asus ZenBook UX305 and Dell XPS 13, two of the most highly rated laptops TechRadar has ever reviewed. Despite its flaws, though, the Spectre x360 is one of the best-looking and powerful devices HP has ever produced and well worth a look over many, many other 2-in-1 laptops.

OnePlus Two to feature 'improved' Qualcomm 810 chip

OnePlus has announced the first details of its future flagship smartphone, confirming another tie-in with big chipmaker Qualcomm.
The OnePlus Two will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, but while that will dismay users who have seen the poor thermal performance in other flagship phones like the HTC One M9 and Sony Xperia Z3+, OnePlus reckons it's solved the problem:
"Although there have been reports that the 810 runs warmer than its predecessors, we assure you that we have taken all the necessary precautions and beyond to prevent this from occurring in the 2.
"We worked very closely with Qualcomm's engineers to integrate an improved version of the chipset (v2.1) in the OnePlus 2, and fine-tuned both hardware and software. The 2 will be 'cooler than ever'."

All the gear, some idea?

OnePlus has also worked to redesign its proprietary user interface - OxygenOS - to work more efficiently with the chip, allowing it to 'intuitively know which processor should be used for what task, and it avoids using two or more processors that are right next to each other.'
While the 810 chipset has got all the top-end specs you'd be hoping for - 64-bit octacore design, support for 4K video recording and improved charging and battery management - phones that have been using it so far haven't excelled in battery or performance.
The link in the forum post points to a web page on Qualcomm's own site from February this year, which would likely reference an earlier version of this chip.
Still, OnePlus seems pretty bullish that this improved 2.1 version of the admittedly powerful 810 chipset will solve the problems with overheating - and if it can come with the same high-end specs and low price as the original One, then the brand could well have another hit on its hands.
From OnePlus

Buying Guide: The 8 best wireless headphones available today

Headphones we recommend

Wireless headphones are all about empowerment. After all, you've now graduated from the wire, the training wheels of electronics. But be aware: with the power you get from clipping the cable, wireless can be unwieldy.
Thankfully, our choices for best wireless headphones have very few issues (if any) and are the best that we've had a chance to try.

1. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless

Incredible audio fidelity backed by a serious price

Comfy, rugged build

Best-in-class sound

Everlasting battery life

Terribly pricey

These no-holds-barred wireless headphones are oozing with positive qualities, but for many, they're almost prohibitively expensive. However, if you're an audio lover that can spare the expense, do not hesitate on this comfortable, hard-working set of headphones that will likely last for years.
Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum Wireless
Jabra Move Wireless review

2. Jabra Move Wireless

Sporty Bluetooth headphones that aim to surprise

Bold design

Lightweight

Little noise isolation

The Jabra Move Wireless are one of the best values around for Bluetooth headphones. Not only does the minimalistic design - infused with the energetic Cobalt blue styling - impress off the bat, it keeps on delivering the goods with a surprising amount of function and performance.
You'll find deeper lows and mids and highs with an extra level of crisp when you drop a couple more big bills, but for the money, the Jabra Move Wireless offer a big, full sound.
Read the full review: Jabra Move Wireless

3. Sony MDR-ZX770BT

Affordable wireless headphones that deliver big

Comfortable fit

Fantastic battery life

Cramped soundstage

Light on bass

While not the fanciest option available, those only looking for the must-have features will find that there's a lot to like here. The build quality and materials are top-notch for the price. The sound quality won't blow your mind, but it's totally serviceable for listeners looking for a full sound. Its most treasured feature is the battery life, which lasts for 17 hours. Personally, I was able to squeeze 20 hours out of them.
Read the full review: Sony MDR-ZX770BT

4. Koss BT540i

High-performance Bluetooth headphones for music lovers

Low-profile design

Balanced sound

Befuddling button layout

If value is your main concern when looking for a set of headphones, you'll be pleased with the Koss BT540i. The Milwaukee, Wisc.-based Koss is known for providing a good bang-for-your-buck experience and these are no exception.
While these lack premium features like touch controls on the earcups or active noise cancellation, you'll hardly notice, what with the spectacular sound quality and comfy ear cushions.
Read the full review: Koss BT540i

5. Beats Solo 2 Wireless

Proof that Beats is quickly closing the gap between style and sound

Long battery life

Great sound

Expensive

There are certain qualities we all like in a set of headphones and these have 'em: sleek design, great sound and long-lasting comfort. However, the signature feature in Beats headphones is one that some people may not be so fond of, namely, their heavy lean on bass.
Thankfully, Beats is moving on from their bass-heavy past and moving to a more balanced sound. This is evident as ever in the Beats Solo 2 Wireless and it's about time.
Read the full review: Beats Solo 2 Wireless

6. Plantronics BackBeat Pro

Noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones with plenty of features

Fantastic 24 hour battery

impressive sound

Slightly pricey

The Plantronics BackBeat Pro are a slick, professional looking option with the beat to back it. The BackBeat Pro is easy to recommend based on looks alone, but more importantly, it speaks for itself with some seriously sweet features like 24-hour battery life, great sound and noise cancellation.
Read the full review: Plantronics BackBeat Pro

7. JBL Synchros E40BT

This lower-end foray delivers stellar results

Great sound for the price

Long battery life

Aggressive branding

If the selection we've provided so far has been a little out of reach financially, you'll like this next set of wireless headphones. The JBL Synchros E40BT are a surprisingly well-rounded choice. Not only do they look good, but they sound reasonably great for the price.
If you're looking for an affordable, good-performing set of wireless headphones, check these out.
Read the full review: JBL Synchros E40BT

8. Parrot Zik 2.0

App-powered Bluetooth headphones with many features

Expansive soundstage

Deep customization via app

Expensive

Iffy battery

For the over-ear wireless headphones with the most control, check out the Parrot Zik 2.0. While $400 may seem like a lot, you're getting a ton of functionality with the bundle. Compared to the original Zik, this improved model showcases the same design expertise, but adds some new functionality into the mix. Setting the Zik 2.0 apart from other wireless headphones is its ability to be tweaked and tuned to the heavens. A companion app for Android and iOS enables music lovers to tweak the EQ to their desired flavor of sound.
Read the full review: Parrot Zik 2.0
We're constantly reviewing new wireless headphones, but let us know if there is a set that you'd like us to take a look at.

Nest introduces safety camera, teaches Protect to know when you're making toast

At a press event today, Nest refreshed its product line with some new devices and new features.
First up is Nest's brand new device, the Nest Cam, the home security camera designed to give owners the ability to see the going-ons in their house when they're not there.
Designed like a classic Dropcam, the Nest Cam will continually send its video stream to the cloud. You can bend it, twist it, put it on a wall - and it comes with a mount that can stick onto a wall or fridge. There's also a tripod accessory so you can latch it onto just about anything.
Nest Cam will offer 1080p resolution, which should provide an adequately sharp image, as well as an 8X digital zoom. The Clear Zoom feature also helps sharpen the picture when you zoom in.
Nest also highlighted that its cam offers great night vision thanks to eight infrared LEDs. We got a preview of how sharp the night cam is, and it certainly seemed better than we'd expect.
It's smart, too: a unique detection algorithm will detect any strange happenings and alert you on your smartphone with a live feed. You can even select certain objects in the room that you want Nest Cam to pay particular attention to.
Interestingly, Nest is piloting a program for YouTube creators to stream using the Nest Cam. The program will stream to YouTube Live and give fans a behind-the-scenes look at popular personalities. Popular camera feeds will also stream to YouTube using the Nest Cam.
The camera costs $199 (£159), available for order now, and will ship next week. To make more of Nest camera, you'll need to subscribe to Nest Aware for $10/£8 a month.

Smoke without fire

Next up is a second-generation Nest Protect. "It can learn more, know more, and you can worry less," said Nest's Maxime Veron. The first generation had one type of smoke sensor good at detecting small fires, but Nest has improved the device's accuracy with a split-spectrum sensor which can pick up both slow and fast-burning fires. The reason? In the 1970s, Nest says, a fire could take about 30 minutes to engulf a room. Today, it can take just five.
The new Protect can also better tell if smoke is less threatening - a bit of excess smoke from a toaster, for example - and won't bleep unless if feels there's an actual prospect of danger.
Third, Nest is updating existing Protect smoke alarms with two new features. The first is a fan shutoff, which will switch off your fans if it detects smoke in your house. The second feature is safety temperature alerts, which will notify your smartphone if your house temperature reaches an unsafe level.
Finally, the new App Silence feature will (as its name suggests) let you silence your smoke alarm with your phone. It also costs $99/£89 (for both the wired and battery versions), available to order today, and will be available next month.

Total control

Nest has, for the first time, introduced an app that lets users control every single one of their Nest products.
Nest app 5.0 will work on any device and lets users oversee all their Nest devices as well as their current Dropcams. The app works on the browser as well as iOS 8 and up and Android 4.0 and up. The updated Nest app is up for grabs in Google Play and the App Store right now.

In Depth: Guitar Hero Live's GHTV mode will bring music videos back in vogue

I'll never forget the first time I picked up a Guitar Hero controller in the summer of 2006.
It was a hot, humid day in Nashville, Tennessee when I struggled through a song on easy before completely falling flat on my face on medium. And even though I failed, it was like nothing I experienced before.
It's difficult not to feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia when you play Guitar Hero Live's new multiplayer mode, GHTV. It's setup to look and feel like '90s MTV, with music videos playing beneath a running score of how well you're doing against your friends.
There were two "channels" on the build I tested at E3 2015: a hard rock channel that played bands like Pantera and Rage Against the Machine, as well as a pop-focused channel that offered Bruno Mars and The Black Keys' "Gold on the Ceiling." (The latter, by nature of the pop genre, proved to be easier than the former, in case you're looking for a good entrypoint.)
But music videos aren't the only thing you'll see on GHTV. Activision plans on working alongside some of the top musicians in the world to record live concerts, from the perspective of the musicians on stage, and use them in lieu of music videos for certain songs.
Guitar Hero Live

Like a regular radio or television show, songs on Guitar Hero TV are queued automatically. Essentially, as long as you're on one of GHTV's channels, you're at the mercy of the virtual DJ as to what song is coming on next. You're able to back out at any time, however, and be greeted by a dynamic hub that uses your past song selections to recommend new and old content. But, best of all, GHTV is unlimited, free and builds a sense of community in a game that intentionally excludes drummers and singers.
You may have noticed that word "free" in the last sentence and thought, "Isn't everything on the $99 game I just purchased free?"
The answer is yes – sort of.
Guitar Hero's GHTV wants to be the premier place for new music, streamed from its servers directly to your system. In order to have all the new content in one place, there had to be some way to separate free, old content and free-ish new content.
The solution is called "plays." You earn plays by spending time either in the campaign mode that takes you on a whirlwind tour of two music festivals located in the US and the UK, or by competing with friends on the radio station version of GHTV.
Spending plays allows you to access new songs on-demand, periodically culminating in preview shows for more upcoming music. If you run out of plays, though, you can always buy more directly from Activision. If you think an upcoming preview show will have a cool new track that you want to play before anyone else you can buy your way into that, too.
Guitar Hero Live

Moreover, there's an option to unlock everything on the store for 12 hours, say, if you're having a party and want to have the maximum amount of songs at your disposal.
My demo-giver, one of the developers on the title, insisted that everything could be unlocked for free, so long as you were willing to spend enough time in the game. That said, they couldn't give me specifics on how much in-game time will equate to a single play.
The same representative told me there'll be a ton of songs to choose from when the service launches, stating that there will be hundreds of songs available on day one that draw from both classic songs found on previous Guitar Hero games, as well as completely new tracks.
The songs, the preview shows and music video-laden multiplayer mode were enough to convince me the final product will be worth buying, if the prevalence of microtransactions in a series that I once loved for its open nature doesn't kill the groove first.
Guitar Hero Live will release on the Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U and PC on October 10.

buying guide: The 7 best over-ear headphones available today

Best over-ear headphones

Update: We've added some new contenders to the list that will satisfy both budget-minded listeners as well as those will a little more cash to spend: the Sony MDR-ZX770BT and the Parrot Zik 2.0, respectively.
Compared to on-ear and in-ear headphones, which are loved for their portability and generally low asking-price, over-ear headphones tend to be the best option to get if you're looking for the most immersive sound experience and don't mind a bigger set of headphones.
Each kind of headphones has its perks, but people gravitate toward over-ear headphones for a few key reasons: their sound and comfort. If you're ready to bite the bullet on a set of expensive over-ear headphones, check out our list of the top-ranking options on TechRadar.

1. Philips Fidelio X2

Brilliant headphones for a brilliant price

Brilliant sound

Superb value

Lacks extras

The Philips Fidelio X2's are a superb pair of headphones offering premium comfort and build quality with a sound that rivals even the most vaunted audiophile cans.
Read the full review: Philips Fidelio X2

2. Sony MDR-ZX770BT

Affordable wireless headphones that deliver big

Comfortable fit

Fantastic battery life

Cramped soundstage

Light on bass

Sometimes, sacrifice isn't necessary. Sony's wizards stuffed a glut of features, cool design and a long-lasting battery into the MDR-ZX770BT, making this cheap set of wireless headphones a must-buy.
Read the full review: Sony MDR-ZX770BT

3. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless

Incredible audio fidelity backed by a serious price

Best-in-class sound

Everlasting battery life

Finicky multi-function button

Terribly pricey

4. Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus

Get personal with these tweakable over-ear headphones

Super customizable

Stellar sound

Lacks volume controls

These cans bring the stellar sound performance we expect out of over-ear headphones, but offer a ton of tweakable settings that listeners who want everything their way will love.
Along with a plethora of changeable bass response settings and design elements, the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus goes beyond the standard offering. Additionally, comfort and a full, warm sound help justify the price.
Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus

5. Bose QuietComfort 25

Headphones that deliver an excellent value for all

Full sound

Stunning noise-cancellation

Color customization is costly

If you can swing the price, you'll be treated to a deluxe set of headphones that delivers an unparalleled audio experience that's well worth the price of admission.
Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 25

6. Parrot Zik 2.0

App-powered Bluetooth headphones with many features

Expansive soundstage

Deep customization via app

Expensive

Iffy battery

Parrot's attempt at stirring up the stale headphone market is a success. The vibrant style, reliable functionality of both hardware and software and stellar sound performance make up for the steep price.
Read the full review: Parrot Zik 2.0
bowers and wilkins p7

7. Bowers & Wilkins P7

Possibly the most regal looking headphones out there

Wonderful sound

Replaceable parts

Poor audio isolation

Not kind to big ears

The P7 offers wonderful sound, and if you couldn't tell, they look dashing. Dressed to the nines in leather and shiny metal detail, the prowess expressed in design carries over into the robust sound quality pumped out of the drivers. But for nearly $400, we recommend finding a set to try on before taking the big plunge.
Read the full review: Bowers & Wilkins P7
We're constantly reviewing new over-ear headphones, but let us know if there is a set that you'd like us to take a look at.

Updated: Former Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop, leaves Microsoft

Microsoft has announced that Stephen Elop, the man who oversaw the sale of Nokia's mobile division to the Redmond-based company, is leaving.
The announcement came today as Microsoft issued a statement saying that it was "aligning engineering teams to strategy". Other than Elop, Kirill Tatarinov, Mark Penn and Eric Rudder will leave the company.
CEO Satya Nadella declared "This change will enable us to deliver better products and services that our customers love at a more rapid pace."
Terry Myerson, who headed the Operating Systems, will lead a new group inside the company called, the Windows and Devices Group, essentially focusing on everything consumer that runs Windows.
The other two executive vice presidents, Scott Guthrie and Qi Lu, remain in charge of their respective business units without any extension of their remit.
The announcement comes as Microsoft is gearing up for the official launch of Windows 10 which is scheduled for Wednesday 29 July.

Check out our review of Windows 10

The new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite delivers laser-quality text

Amazon has launched a new version of its flagship ereader, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, with a greatly enhanced display and better layouts.
Starting at £109.99/$119 with special offers for the Wi-Fi only version, and rising to £179.99/$209.99 if you ditch offers and add 3G connectivity, the Paperwhite inherits the pricing structure of its name-sake predecessor.
The main talking point on the all-new Kindle Paperwhite is its 6-inch display, which packs in two times more pixels resulting in a 300ppi density.
That means text will look sharper than ever, and Amazon has also introduced a new font, Bookerly, which it hopes will be even easier on your eyes.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2015)

Author approval

There's good news for authors too as Amazon has brought in a new typesetting engine, allowing more control over the layout of text on screen.
In terms of design, size and weight there's not much of a difference between the 2013 and 2015 Paperwhite models, while Amazon claims it's still good for "weeks of battery life" - even with the higher resolution display and backlight.
Prettier layouts, a new font and a higher resolution display - books are going to look great on the new Paperwhite. It's not an essential upgrade for current owners, but it looks like it will keep Amazon on top of the ereader game.
You can pre-order the all new Kindle Paperwhite now, with stock expected to ship from June 30.

The Kindle Paperwhite (2013) is no more

Available Tags:Canon , rumors , everything , HP , wireless , Nokia , Microsoft , Amazon , Kindle ,

Thursday, June 18, 2015

IT News Head Lines (Techradar) 6/19/2015

Available on Gear VR today

Introduction and handling

Build and handling

Performance and early verdict

Early verdict

Lens is more

Other key features

Lookin' good, Netflix

OnePlus 2 release date, news and rumors

Cut to the chase

OnePlus 2 release date

OnePlus 2 price

News and rumors

OnePlus 2: what we want to see

1. A more premium build

2. A similarly low price

3. A microSD card slot

4. A removable battery

5. Even better specs

6. The same size screen

7. A top flight camera

8. A powerful UI

9. Water and dust proofing

10. A killer feature

What's new?

Key features

Introduction

How to select the best keyboard

1. Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

2. Cherry G80-3000

3. Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

4. Matias Tactile Pro 4

5. Logitech Washable Keyboard K310

6. Goldtouch Go!2

7. Recreated Sinclair ZX Spectrum

8. Logitech Wireless All-In-One Keyboard TK820

9. Cherry G84-4100

10. Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480

Best in-ear headphones

1. Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear

2. Beyerdynamic iDX 160 iE

3. Polk Nue Voe

4. Shure SE215

5. Bose FreeStyle

6. Sony XBA-H1

7. RHA T10i

The 'burning platform' speech

Replacing Symbian with Windows

Getting unfairly blamed for all of Nokia's mistakes

Binning Nokia's mobile payment platform

Being accused of skulduggery

That bonus

Sending one of the worst layoff e-mails of all time

Doing a Nokia to Windows Phone

Not being Tim Cook

Introduction and design

Design

A trackpad too far

Specifications and value

Spec Sheet

Performance and features

Benchmarks

Convenient features

Gorgeous screen

Battery to last

Bundled software

Verdict

We liked

We disliked

Final verdict

All the gear, some idea?

Headphones we recommend

1. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless

2. Jabra Move Wireless

3. Sony MDR-ZX770BT

4. Koss BT540i

5. Beats Solo 2 Wireless

6. Plantronics BackBeat Pro