IT News Head Lines (Techradar) 10/08/2015

The Galaxy S7 could be here earlier than expected

The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge phones that Samsung unveiled earlier this year don't seem to be selling too well, but the South Korean multinational has a plan - bring out the Galaxy S7 earlier.
Asian sources quoted by SamMobile suggest the company has been able to speed up the production process for its handsets, and that could lead to a cycle that's one or two months shorter. In fact, we could see a new phone at the very start of 2016.
The old process - codenamed 'Waterfall' - has reportedly been replaced with a new one, codenamed 'Agile'. It apparently takes a more modular approach that lets Samsung's engineers work on multiple parts simultaneously.

Race to market

The new strategy also means Samsung can quickly change direction if one feature isn't working out or proving viable. Again, the idea is to minimise delays and disruption as much as possible.
While the original source for the SamMobile story isn't the most reputable, it sounds like a plausible change of tack for Samsung as it looks to keep up with the Apple juggernaut. If true, it could shake up the market for all of the manufacturers involved.
It's early days yet for Galaxy S7 rumours but we do think it's going to have a much better camera. We also have some thoughts of our own on what next year's flagship device should look like.

• Samsung Galaxy S7 and Note 5 tipped to join curved screen revolution

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Running Man of Tech: Why we should all be furious with fitness wearables

This isn't me shutting down and giving up on the Running Man of Tech column. But it is me realising that something is really wrong with wearables.
Something happened to me on a recent recovery run in Hyde Park, and it irritated me to the point I deleted this week's piece to write about it.
I was trying out Moov's 'Running Efficiency' setup (Moov being an ankle strap that monitors your stride for things like impact, lean, stride length etc.) when I was consumed with anger.
Not at the Moov system itself, which is more than half-decent, but at the fact fitness tech fans are being short changed. The app was telling me to shift my weight about a bit to get a better stride, when I was sure that I had – and I started wondering if it would be better if there were more sensors in the soles of my shoes.
And that's when the fury lit, the straw that broke my CamelBak. Regular readers will remember when I outlined one of my favourite bits of technology, the Nike Lunar TR1+ training system, from way back in 2010.
These had just those sensors, four placed around the sole that could monitor footfall or check on how you're performing a circuit workout. Five years ago. Half a decade.
The reason this was the tipping point was it was the second time in a week I was stymied in my attempts to improve running through tech thanks to not being able to use one service with another.
I've been trying out SmashRun, the service that has more stats in it than anything I've ever seen. Like most runners, I love to pore over training results, see where I'm doing better or worse, and try to use that science to get better.
(Well, I say get better – usually I just get smug or dejected about how I did in my last Parkrun. In theory though, this would be the ultimate tool.)
Except it can't work with all services, some providers giving better access to their runner's personal stats than others. I've been using the Adidas SmartRun instead of my Garmin lately, to make use of its training plans, and I now have to run with both watches if I want my data to be shown on this awesome portal.
Therein lies the problem. I'm constantly having to make sacrifices to use wearable tech to improve my fitness, and it's maddening.
First world problems? Of course. But it's horrendous when you realise the only thing blocking an awesome system is brands creating walled gardens to draw in users.

Strava won't sync to SmashRun unless I export GPX files. Garmin can't support imported training plans. Moov's sensors don't have GPS inside, relying on the smartphone. My Bluetooth headphones don't properly work with Spotify. In-ear heartrate headphones are only compatible with certain apps.
The Apple Watch only really wants you to use its own workout app. Microsoft's Kinect is the best motion tracking system by far for keeping your form correct and helping you stay injury free – but you can't lug a motion sensing camera around with you on a run.
You could literally spend thousands and thousands of pounds on assorted wearables, and still have to spend an afternoon workshopping with the A-Team to work out how to get an optimum fitness program going.
I know business sense is the overriding factor here. Make a device, at a price you're happy with, market the hell out of it and hope that the USP you've come up with is enough to attract others. If it sells, great. If it flops, then it's your fault.
But the issue is I'm constantly being told that this, THIS wearable or platform is the one to make you fitter, shinier and that much closer to qualifying for the Olympics, when in reality they're miles away from being the awesome system that could be created: a personal trainer that can see inside your body as you run.

The perfect system

Wouldn't it be great to have something that tracks your speed, cadence, impact, balance and heart rate precisely and can tell you how to perfect your form to keep you injury-free yet still getting faster.
One that knows what your goal is and can work out the best plan to get you there, alerting you when you need to run, for how long and exactly how far – and when it's time for you to rest, down to the nearest minute.
A system that's spent so long running with you that it knows precisely the music to play to keep you going, no matter the run, keeping you at peak performance.
It sounds brilliant, the future of running and wearables and technology. Something we might be lucky to get within the next decade – the runner of 2025 at a push.
Except every single thing I outlined above already exists. I've tried gadgets that can track every part of my running in isolation, and yet together could build an amazing 3D picture of my form, one that any personal trainer would kill to see.
I've got apps with brilliantly specific plans to get you faster but they don't have any idea on whether they're tiring you out – and yet I've got watches that can monitor your heart rate hourly and could give precisely that info.
Spotify knows my music habits and is constantly banging on about how it's tailoring music to me – it's even opened up Spotify Running as there's such an appetite to use the app during fitness – but won't share that data with apps to coordinate a playlist that reacts dynamically to my speed or fatigue.
Google Fit and Apple's HealthKit aren't enough to bind these things together. Like the connected home, it's never going to take off until there's an open standard everything is based on, and given how nascent fitness tech is now, that's not going to happen any time soon.
There are some glimmers of hope though, as some connections are being forged between apps so my exercise data and weight (from Wi-Fi connected scales) is shared with my food diary without any effort from me. Some apps can auto-upload to Strava, which is brilliant and painless for me.
Some might ask if we need such a complex and expensive system - no, we don't. It would be expensive, but the thing is it doesn't need to be complex, it should be simple once a streamlined hub (the phone, which we all have) becomes the engine for the whole system.
So every time I'm pitched a new brilliant wearable that's going to change fitness as we know it, I'm going to judge the company that made it for being part of the problem, not the solution.
All I'm asking for is a smart shirt with thirteen sensors, a gadget on each arm and ankle to monitor movement, headphones connected to every song in the world, sleek smart glasses with a heads up display and shoes that can sense every tweak and turn… that's not so crazy, right?

• If you've got any tips, tech you want tested out or just want to mock me, I'm @superbeav on Twitter, and you can see my stumblings on Strava too.
• If you want to see more data, follow me on Smashrun - if you want to sign up, please use this link - once you see the service, you'll work out why...
• Read the rest of the Running Man of Tech story here

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In depth: 10 things we've learned about Fallout 4

Introduction

Fallout 4 is gathering momentum, with just over three months to go until it emerges from the bunker like a drowsy, post-apocalyptic Godzilla.
Bethesda recently used Gamescom 2015 to give journalists a sneak preview of Lexington, one of the game's many desolate towns, in a video that was narrated by Fallout 4 game director Todd Howard.
Overrun by hordes of raiders and other wastelanders, it demonstrated some of the game's mechanics while introducing new enemies and locations.
Though tempting, we didn't just sit there gawping like a ghoul: click on to discover what we learned during the brief but action-packed preview.

1. Strength is numbers

The preview's opening sequence made a big deal about the role strength will play in Fallout 4. "Keep doing chin-ups and push-ups because there's more that strength can do for you," advised a voice with Fallout's familiar '50s American accent. "Swing for the fences like a pro, wear specialised protective gear and craft weapons to wield."
We know that some pretty beefy vault suits lie in wait with gatling guns and other weapons attached, and on the basis of this hint, there might be a baseball bat for bashing things in the head too.

2. There's perks to the job

Fallout 4 awards your character (called the Sole Survivor) with perks, skills and abilities as you progress through the game. They're chosen via a perk chart that's organised through seven S.P.E.C.I.A.L abilities: Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility and Luck.
There are 70 base perks, each with multiple ranks that do new things, providing a total of 275 abilities to pick. According to Howard, it gives you "a ton of choices and many different ways to develop your character over the game".

3. VAT's not as important

There was heavy reliance on V.A.T.S (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System) in Fallout 3, which doesn't appear to be the case in its sequel. In the demo, Fallout's 4's protagonist dismembered feral ghouls by blasting off their kneecaps, Dead Space-style, after which they continued to crawl around.
You can still use V.A.T.S, but instead of making the came come to a dead stop it merely slows it down the action. This speeds up the gameplay just enough to force you into swiftly selecting a limb for picking off, keeping you on your toes.

4. Dogmeat keeps you alive

The Sole Survivor has a canine pal called Dogmeat. You're probably already aware of him because a) he attracted more attention than anything else when the initial Fallout 4 trailer due to his slightly blocky appearance and b) Dogmeat has been a fixture of previous games in the series.
It turns out he's more than just a guide dog in Fallout 4 and can be commanded to explore rooms, attack enemies and even growl to alert you when they're nearby. Like Frodo's Sting, only furrier and less blue.

5. The Fat Man could be your best friend

The demo gave a glimpse of the Fat Man in action, and it's shaping up to be of the most ridiculous(ly satisfying) shoulder-mounted mini-nukes ever. The chunky projectile flinger gets quite some distance on it too, as was demonstrated when the Sole Survivor used it to take out a troublesome enemy on a high up ledge. It doesn't always explode either, as was shown when the missle buried itself inside its chest to send him crashing to the floor.

6. ...but it can't take out everything

Fat Man is a meaty weapon, no doubt about it, but it's not powerful enough to take out all of the game's bigger nasties in a single hit. In an encounter with a troll-like Behemoth, the Sole Survivor used V.AT.S to direct a swift Fat Man rocket to its face, only for the beast to emerge enraged from the other side of a mini mushroom cloud.
If you're low on firepower, some of Lexington's locations contain oil barrels that will explode when shot, providing another tactical avenue to take out some of Fallout 4's tougher enemies.

7. Get others to do your dirty work

If you don't possess the firepower to take out enemies yourself, you'll be able to manipulate enemies or other NPCs to do your bidding. While explaining perks, Howard noted: "There's a perk for each special, and each rank of that special goes from one to ten. If you were to come out of the value with a 10 charisma, you can pick the intimidation perk that lets you manipulate and control other people."
As in Fallout 3, enemies sometimes fight each other if they come into close contact, and throwing manipulation into the mix should let you start some interesting brawls.

8. Turrets are going to cause you problems

The vast array of weaponry on offer seemed to equip the Sole Survior with enough power to deal with all enemies on the ground in the video - except one. High up in a mountain side, a turret was the only enemy that caused Fallout 4's protagonist real problems in Bethesda's preview video, raining down bullets in a hail of pain.
The attack caused enough damage to make the Vault Boy (brandishing a pair of crutches) appear in the top-right hand corner, which indicates that you've been injured. Mark these words: turrets are going to cause you pain.

9. Get ready to do a lot of shooting

About halfway through the demo, we started to notice a running theme: Fallout 4's weapons - from the Fat Man to miniguns and flamethrowers - all sounded meaty and convincing while giving off some great-looking particle effects. A red energy gun called the Laser Musket was top of the pile, spitting out beams that ripped through enemies and ricocheted off walls when indoors, lighting them up like a firecracker.
If it's half as fun to use as it looks, we'll be running around the wastelands doing our best X-Men Cyclops impression, which wouldn't be too difficult in that blue and yellow suit.

10. Apocalypse now, always and forever

Bethesda recently tweeted that there'll be no level cap and you'll be able to keep playing the game once the main story is complete. If you're the kind of adventurer that likes to carry on exploring the open world once you're done, you'll be able to continue growing your character's strengths to theoretically take on increasingly powerful enemies. Whether Bethesda will introduce new ones via DLC remains to be seen.

• Check out: Fallout 4 release date, news and trailers

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How to make your desk wireless

Introduction

Going wireless while you work is all about customisation. It's about having your desk the way you want it; uncluttered, cable-free and with more room for either flowing, unencumbered creativity... or more scraps of paper. Either way, let's not get ahead of ourselves – with wireless power in its novelty-grade infancy, all the wireless keyboards, mice, and speakers in the world are not going to get rid of a power cable or two below the desktop, even if that's only for the monitor and task light.
Bluetooth is the reigning tech in wireless, of course, but does Bluetooth equal smart home automation? That's a bit of a stretch, with most wireless gadgets one-trick commodities, but the ubiquitous Bluetooth smart tech is definitely a growing part of the digital home and home office.
IHS Technology predicts that Bluetooth Smart will be the fastest growing connectivity technology over the next three years, partly because it's the only low-power tech natively supported by all smartphones and tablets. For the desktop, it's perfect.
In this slideshow, we're going to cover the main wireless moves you can make on your desk, starting with your peripherals…

• The future of wireless: WiGig and 802.11ah

Wireless keyboard and mouse

This is where Bluetooth begins, cutting the tether forever between keyboard and display. Choosing a wireless keyboard is easy, with one golden rule above all others; make sure it's comfortable. It's also worth checking that you can perform error-free typing (look for slightly concave, curved keys with notable gaps between them), and that the keyboard offers quiet keystrokes, too – no-one wants to hear you tapping away loudly all day, least of all yourself.
There are plenty of other niceties, from battery life and compatibility with smartphones and tablets (it's handy to be able to whip away your keyboard for a work trip where a tablet will suffice) to touch-sensitive backlighting and Apple or Windows-specific keys. When it comes to mice, always avoid travel mice, which are shrunk for portability and don't encourage functionality, comfort or health.

Wireless speakers

Another stalwart of the wireless desktop are cable-free speakers. There are hundreds of designs available, most of which have one powered speaker as a hub and one slave speaker, though some have the hub as a separate, small device. Those who work solely on an iPad ought to spec some wireless speakers that play nicely with Apple AirPlay, though another option is a portable Bluetooth speaker. They're mostly marketed – hugely ambitiously – as festival accessories or travel gadgets, but are really at their best on the desk.
If you go down this road, size is all-important for both sound quality and battery – look for at least 10W of power and 10 hours operation, though you're always going to need a microUSB cable to hand for frequent recharges. All come with both a 3.5mm line-in for linking gadgets without Bluetooth and a rechargeable battery. Versatility defined, in theory, but some make a better noise than others. The rule is simple – the bigger, the better.
A second option for your desktop is to be joined to a wireless multi-room music system, though most will give you a choice of a single connected speaker unit or a hub that existing speakers can be wired to. The former is cleaner in terms of fewer cables, but Bluetooth often comes with one disadvantage that's audible to anyone who listens properly; the sound is pretty thin. If there's one area where wireless isn't better than wired, it's music.

Wireless headphones

Whether you work at home or in the office, an expensive desktop speaker system is usually overkill, and often highly inappropriate. Step forward Bluetooth headphones, which will link automatically to your PC or Mac once paired. Forget handy brackets or supports designed to keep them within reach on a desktop – when you don't need them, they should be completely out of sight, so store them in a desk drawer.
If you work in a busy, noisy office or house, go for noise-cancelling wireless headphones. Swerve claims of 'noise isolation', a meaningless marketing term designed to sell second-rate earphones, and instead go for the real deal, which use tiny embedded microphones that measure ambient noise levels, before creating 'antidote' sound waves that cancel out the low frequencies.
The end result is a silence that's worth paying the extra for. However, be careful not to buy noise-cancelling headphones that don't have a passive mode, so don't work at all unless their batteries are charged.

• Check out: 8 best wireless headphones available today

The supporting acts

Going wireless comes with one massive drawback; everything needs recharging. The more you go wireless, the more gadgets need a regular top-up, and when all of your wireless gadgets drain simultaneously, it can be a problem.
It's also worth bearing in mind that, just occasionally, Bluetooth gadgets won't play nicely. If you're on a deadline when the mouse runs flat, you won't have the time or patience to wait for batteries to recharge, or to make a third attempt at re-establishing a Bluetooth link. So keep your old wired mouse in a nearby desk drawer where it can be quickly accessed.
Many Apple users needlessly spend big on the official Apple charger and batteries to help refuel their wireless gadgets. Avoid the high fees by buying any brand of high performance AA size, 2,400 mAh batteries (anything smaller needs a weekly recharge) – which work in all Apple wireless keyboards and mice – and any compatible battery charger. Keep a charger, with batteries inside, attached to a nearby power socket. For now, always having fresh batteries within reach is the right way to approach the emerging age of the wireless desktop.

The original wireless

Every desktop needs a radio, but should you rely on internet radio or an old-fashioned 'wireless'? The head says internet radio – with the rest of your desktop wireless and on Wi-Fi, it should be a cinch to get your favourite radio station playing. However, your computer takes a while to boot-up, the Wi-Fi can drop out, and web radio buffers so much that broadcasts can quickly get ten minutes behind live. It's also worth remembering that sometimes you may want to listen to the radio without needing to have your monitor on. If radio is important to you, choose a DAB radio for your desktop that can be switched on with one touch.

• Best DAB radio 2015: which digital radio should you buy?

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Galaxy S6 Edge Plus may come with an odd-looking keyboard

Maybe the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus we're expecting to see on 13 August just isn't enough for you - maybe you want an accessory or two to really satisfy your Samsung cravings. If a new leak by @evleaks is anything to go by, you could be in luck.

The serial tipster's latest image from the Samsung production line shows a keyboard attachment for the S6 Edge Plus that looks like it gives you clip-on QWERTY functionality.
That's all we know so far, because Evan Blass doesn't go into any more detail about the silver accessory - all he says is that the idea is "clever", which we suppose is one way of putting it.

Keys release me

As accurate as @evleaks' information usually is, this could be a mock-up Samsung is working on rather than an actual physical product. Still, with the additional size of the new handset, the idea of a keyboard attachment is at least plausible.
The S6 Edge Plus is a super-sized version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, which keeps the curved screen but ups the display size to a mammoth 5.7 inches. We should also see the new Note 5 at the same time.
What we know for sure is that Samsung has an event on Thursday and we'll be there to cover it. Would a keyboard cover tempt you into a purchase? Do you yearn for the days of physical smartphone keypads? Let us know in the comments.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ release date, news and rumours











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How to create your very own Spotify-a-like with Plex

Create your own streaming service with Plex

With Apple Music and Spotify rarely far away from the headlines people seem to have given up on owning their own music. In truth though most of us probably still have big CD collections we used to love, but moved over to streaming once it became so much easier.
But what if you want to utilise that audio library and create your own streaming service?
Recently the Plex team reworked the whole of its music offering and made it into something you could actually use as your own streaming service.

While services like Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music do have vast libraries they're not completely all-encompassing. If you've got niche tastes they may not serve you fully or you may have rare vinyls or bootlegs that can't be accessed online.
Or you may have lots of audiobooks or comedy series which such online streamers simply don't cater for.
Creating your own bespoke streaming service then means you have access to every tune, book or show you've got in your vast audio library from wherever you are, so long as you have internet access.

How does it work?

Okay, first up you'll need to set up your own music library.
If you've used Plex before you might already have done this. It's easy if you haven't, just open up your Plex Media Manager and add the folders on your computer where you keep music.

If you use iTunes then Plex can auto-import your playlists and music from there too.
If you've never used Plex before then head to their website and download the server software. You'll need to run this on a PC that will be on when you're out and about, but if you have a NAS a lot of those also have Plex apps all of their own that can do much the same thing.
This is the important part - you're going to be streaming directly from your home machine and must be running the Plex software if you want unfettered access while roaming free.
Once you've told Plex about your music then you'll also need to get the mobile app to use it.

Costs

Right, some people get cross around this point. Plex is, for the most part, free.
However there are some things that you can optionally pay for. Plex Pass, for example, allows you access to Vevo music videos and much better track matching and ID info.

There are a few ways to pay for a Plex Pass, including a lifetime membership which costs £120. That's far from cheap, and it surged in price recently too - it used to cost about £75 or so.
If you don't opt for Plex Pass then you still need to buy the app. It's about £4 or so.
Some features are free on Android, but there are in-app purchases to get the extra features. There's no free option on the iOS version, it's cough up or get nowt.

How good is it?

Well, actually it's very good.

I've used it when out and about and for the most part - as long as you have a good 3G signal or Wi-Fi -you will get your music via the internet with no problems. If you have sufficient bandwidth on your home connection, and good mobile data speeds you can even listen to high quality FLAC music.
Most of us will probably hear more compressed music than that though.
The sound quality though, was a lot better than I thought. The biggest problem you'll have is dropouts when you hit an area of low signal, as with all streaming services.
Plex does buffer though, so you shouldn't notice this unless you're out of range for quite a while.

Real streamers also sync

One of the other neat features is the ability to sync content to your mobile device.
If you want to select tracks to take with you on the road where you know you'll have limited signal, then you can do this too. It might though seem a little pointless, because you could just copy the music to your phone in the first place...

Syncing though isn't actually that easy to work out. Plex has two different modes to confuse things.
It does something called "cloud sync" which enables you to store music on your Google Drive or Dropbox and it can sync direct to your device. Cloud sync might suit those who don't want to leave their home computer on, but also who don't have space on their phone for loads of music.
Again though, storing music online has a cost if you're going to do a lot of it, so bear that in mind.
You can also select syncing to your phone, but here's the one thing I really don't like about Plex. When you select an artist to sync you're given the option only to pick a certain number of tracks.

So you could pick 100, 50 or 10. It's not really clear how Plex decides on the tracks if you opt for a smaller number than your total. Ideally it would be good to sync by albums, but perhaps that will come later.

Vevo is worth a mention

The Vevo integration is actually pretty cool too.
When you look at a list of tracks some will have a small TV next to them. This denotes that Plex has found a Vevo music video. Tap the TV and it will play for you.
Because Vevo is a music industry service it has a decent amount of tracks available too, including Taylor Swift, who you won't find on Spotify.

The music portion of Plex is, now, a revelation.
It used to be fairly dire, with very basic options and almost no playlist support. Now though it's been tarted up with loads of album art and metadata - it looks amazing.
It could very well be useful as your own streaming service. It might not perhaps work as reliably as commercial offerings, but that's got a lot to do with the upload bandwidth on home broadband, but as a way to access your existing music library, it's actually incredibly well done.











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Analysis: The best and worst of Apple Music's biggest album debut

Streaming straight outta Compton

If there ever was a stress test for Apple Music, streaming Dr. Dre's Compton was it. Instead of a typical album launch held in a famous LA music venue, Apple opted to use its 24-hour live radio station Beats 1 as the epicenter for Dre's ambitious aural return.
The service played host to the exclusive pre-release stream for one of the most celebrated names in rap history's first album in 16 years (a tie-in to one of the summer's most anticipated movies) and, for the most part, things went well.
That said, if you expected a flawless performance, you need to check yourself. Even though Apple has weathered dozens of product launches and software updates without calamity, trying to stream a brand-new, highly anticipated album like this without a hiccup would've been nothing short of a miracle. After all, the UFC scene in Silicon Valley has to happen in reality sometimes too, right?
So what brought down the house? Join me on the rollercoaster of highs and lows from Dre's night in the Apple-light.

Lowlight: Bad timing

If Apple wanted to capture the cultural Zeitgeist and get everyone talking about the album at the same time, the company didn't do a good job of it with the stream.
For one thing, the 6pm PST start time competed directly with the first US Republican Presidential Debate leading up to country's 2016 Presidential elections. With so many people discussing (and dissing) the Republican candidates on Twitter, I failed to notice that Apple Music actually began the album stream hours earlier than planned (and discussion about the leak wasn't all that widespread).
When I loaded up Apple Music at 5:50pm, I thought I'd be met with pre-show hype. I thought I'd hear Dre and some host talking about the album and its inspiration. But nope, the album started up 10 minutes earlier than advertised (and I would soon learn that the album had been made available a few hours earlier on Apple Music). Thus, there was no real concurrent stream to listen to with the rest of the world.
Though, in all fairness, things could've been worse. It could've been low-resolution audio.

Highlight: Seamless streaming

I streamed Compton on both an iPhone 4S and a 3rd-generation iPad, switching between the devices and also between Wi-Fi and 4G as I moved through my apartment and neighborhood.
Even with an ancient phone like the 4S, I never experienced any hiccups or stream dropping (though I did have to contend with the severe battery drain due to the data-intensive Apple Music crossing paths with the 4S' tired power supply).
Since I didn't sign up for Apple Music's family plan, I couldn't listen to simultaneous streams which was a bit disappointing, but the simplicity of picking back up on another device (done simply by pressing play on the other) made my platform-switching stratagem a snap.
It's just too bad I didn't have any control of what I was listening to...

Lowlight: One long loop

I was already disappointed to discover that I really wasn't listening to Compton with the rest of the world. For one thing, most of the folks I follow on Twitter were firmly entrenched in the Republican debate, and anyone who loaded up Apple Music at 6PM PST was a track or two behind me anyway. It also didn't take long for me to discover that I was actually just listening to a three-hour file that looped the album three times over.
After listening to the 61-minute album all the way through once, I scrubbed around hoping to find new audio, but nope – it was just the album repeating itself. No commentary, no quick plugs for Dre's appearance on Beats 1 or the premiere of Straight Outta Compton. It was like Apple invited me to a concert and then played a CD instead of having a live band.
Additionally, it would have been nice to have the stream note where particular songs changed so that I could have spent the rest of the three hours flipping back to my favorite tracks, instead of forcing me to play DJ and scrub backwards and forwards randomly. In that way, it felt like rewinding and fast-forwarding a mixtape, so kudos for the retro charm, I guess?

Highlight: Dre on Beats 1

After the conclusion of the three-hour loop at 9PM PST, Apple finally decided to have some actual content that wasn't a CD stream. Namely, Beats 1 had a special where one of its on-air personalities interviewed Dre about the making of this long-anticipated album.
It was interesting to hear about Dre's inspiration for Compton's many anthemic tunes, the producing process for the rap mogul, and even a few jokes about the exhaustive process of putting together a new album 16 years after his last release.
While it was nice to listen to the album at first at my own pace, I wouldn't have minded if the initial stream itself had more of a listening party vibe where the artist explained his process.
The only problem? This amazing interview was a one-night-only performance.

Lowlight: No going back

Compton has been archived on Apple Music, so it's nice to be able to go back and listen to the album again. However, Beats 1's' plethora of exclusive expert interviews are not.
Apple Music prides itself on having a live station, but in its determination to keep things fresh and new, it forgot the value of storing audio for fans who can't necessarily listen every second of every day. You can't go back and find Dre's interview on-demand like you would any of the 25 million songs on its store. And that's a shame.
Maybe there'll be re-runs. Maybe not. All we can do is check the schedule and hope that Apple sees enough value to run the interview a few more times for nascent fans.

Highlight: The album itself

While I'll be the first to admit that I'm far from a rap aficionado, I can't deny that Compton is a stellar album. It doesn't quite have the grittiness of Dre's NWA beginnings, but it's a nice mixture of high-concept anthem-style work that Kanye West often delivers coupled with the impeccable production that Dre brings to any album he's associated with.
In the same track Dre, can break a new star like Candice Pillay and feature Eminem in a brief-yet-impactful cameo. Acts like Xzibit and Snoop Dogg, who have long been accused of "going soft" due to acting roles and less-than-stellar records, sound as gritty and focused as they have since they landed on the music scene. Instead of putting comedic bits in-between tracks like Dre did with his two previous Chronic albums, the story is a minimal but hard-hitting tale of violence that has plagued the Los Angeles city. Moreover, since it's so intrinsically tied to the upcoming NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton, I'm excited to see that film's mix of real-life drama and a great hip-hop score when it debuts next week.
Does that mean the stream was a success?











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Prince's new album will cost you as much as Apple Music does

Apple Music isn't the only streaming service with enough clout to pull in an exclusive. It was announced today that Prince's next album, entitled HITRUN, will be exclusive to Apple's rival Tidal.
According to Mashable, Prince's record will start streaming on the service on September 7 and will be his 36th studio album after 2014's Art Official Age.
The album will include the single "HARDROCKLOVER" and might feature "Baltimore," a song Prince wrote after the death of Freddie Gray.
"Tidal have honored Us with a non-restrictive arrangement that once again allows Us to continue making art in the fashion We've grown accustomed 2 and We're Extremely grateful 4 their generous support," Prince said in a statement.
Prince recently removed all of his work from other music streaming sites including Apple Music, Spotify and Rdio, making Tidal one of the few places to hear the artist's music.
A Tidal subscription starts at $10/£10 per month, however it does offer a one-month free trial.

• Apple Music snags 11 million users in its first month

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Use Firefox? Mozilla urges you update ASAP

If you're a Firefox user, you should probably begin updating your browser right now.
Mozilla announced in a blog post yesterday that a Firefox user in Russia had found an exploit in the browser, with Windows and Linux users most at risk.
The user found the bug through a pop-up on a Russian news site that "was serving a Firefox exploit that searched for sensitive files and uploaded them to a server that appears to be in Ukraine."
"The vulnerability comes from the interaction of the mechanism that enforces JavaScript context separation (the "same origin policy") and Firefox's PDF Viewer," Mozilla wrote on its blog.
"Mozilla products that don't contain the PDF Viewer, such as Firefox for Android, are not vulnerable."
Mozilla explained what types of files and softwares the exploit targets on Windows and Linux computers in its blog, noting however that it doesn't seem to target Mac at this point. You also might be unaffected if you have an ad-blocker in place.
Regardless, Mozilla does have a fix in place with a new update, and is urging all users to update to Firefox 39.0.3 as soon as possible.

• Here's how to clear cache in Chrome, Firefox and Safari

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Updated: Best fitness trackers 2015: top activity bands to wear

Best fitness trackers you can get

A journey of 10,000 steps per day begins with just one step, a wise person once said. Buying a fitness tracker is that first step.
Right now, there are plenty of familiar brand names. From category specialists Jawbone, Fitbit and Withings to the likes of Samsung, Microsoft, Garmin and even Nike whose venerable Fuelband remains solid despite not being updated for years.
All of them count steps, then calculate calories burned with varying levels of success. An increasing number of fitness bands also keep an eye on your resting heart rate, pulse rate during exercise, and how long and well you sleep.
Some also have a stab at tracking runs, cycling or other more hectic workouts via GPS, or integrate with advanced smartphone apps such as Strava and Endomondo to do so. However, they are not to be confused with running watches such as the outstanding Garmin Forerunner 920XT or TomTom Runner Cardio.
They then relay the data collected to you via a mobile or desktop app, letting your track your progress from laziness to fitness. These are our ten favorites, starting with the very best.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADTadyRyhPg

1. Fitbit Charge HR

Fitbit Charge HR

Some quirks but this is the Usain Bolt in this fitness tracking race

Size: two sizes, S, L, L is 20.8x2x1cm | Display: 0.7-inch OLED | Weight: 22g | Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Battery: 5 days | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0

See more Fitbit Charge HR deals

Good step counting with heartrate monitoring. Excellent app

Discreet and comfortable

Weird cycle and run tracking

Pulse monitoring not totally reliable

With a screen, an altimeter to tell you how many steps you've climbed, a pulse counter for more accurate calorie counting during exercise, plus Fitbit's excellent app and social ecosystem, this neatly straddles the space between Jawbone-like lifestyle tracker and Garmin-style workout watch. The proper watch-style strap means it stays on and is comfortable, while the design is deliberately neutral and discreet. Some of the stats it pulls out are a bit odd at time, with a definite whiff of inaccuracy about them. However, it is consistent in the ways it is inaccurate, so you can still clearly see if you're getting better or worse at hitting fitness goals. Overall, it's an excellent general motivational tool, well priced, and as good as fitness bands get.
Read the full review: Fitbit Charge HR

2. Jawbone UP3

Jawbone UP 3

The ultimate "lifestyle" fitness tracker to date, though still not without flaws

Size: Various (three sizes, S, M, L) | Display: None | Weight: 29g | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Battery: 7 days | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0

See more Jawbone UP3 deals

Excellent step and sleep tracker

Comfortable, with long battery life

Sensors push up price but add little

Poor with running, cycling and workouts

With more sensors and a slimmer, lighter, more discreet build than the old UP24, this is among the best "lifestyle" trackers around. The step counting is very solid, with the ability to challenge friends to "duels". Sleep monitoring is also better than on most devices. The app also makes far more effort to actually make use of all this data than most rivals, giving you tips on everything from hydration, to when to go to bed, to the value of yoga and avocados in a healthy lifestyle. However, the UP3 is arguably less good value than Jawbone's older UP24 (which is shortly to be discontinued) and certainly less good value than the new UP2 (review incoming very shortly). The pulse, skin temperature and ambient temperature sensors push its price up, but their usefulness is questionable.
Read the full review: Jawbone UP3

3. Microsoft Band

Microsoft Band

Sensor-packed fitness tracker has a superb spec and innovative features but is uncomfortable and ugly

Size: 11mmx33mm | Display: 1.4-inch, 320x106 TFT | Weight: 35g | Compatibility: Windows Phone, Android, iOS | Battery: 2 days | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, GPS

See more Microsoft Band deals

State-of-the-art fitness monitoring

Decent notifications

Poor battery life

Uncomfortable and ugly

The Microsoft Band has a whopping 10 biometric sensors: an optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, capacitive sensor, microphone and a galvanic skin response sensor. Microsoft has pulled out all the stops for its inaugural wearable for Windows users, with Cortana integration on Windows Phone 8.1 devices. Android and iOS devices get notifications but not . Integration with everything from Strava to TaylorMade make this a great device for numerous sports and the web app gives plenty of useful fitness insights, though the mobile app is a bit underbaked. The guided workouts feature, which buzzes to tell you when to begin your next set of reps, is a superb feature for those who use interval training. However, this thing is ugly, uncomfortable and has a battery that'll last about two days tops. It almost feels like a prototype rather than a finished product. But if you can get past that, you may come to love the Microsoft Band.
Read the full review: Microsoft Band

4. Fitbit Charge

Fitbit Charge

A cut-down version of the Charge HR that's also worthy of consideration in its own right

Size: two sizes, S, L, L is 20.8x2x1cm | Display: 0.7-inch OLED | Weight: 22g | Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Battery: 7-10 days | Connectivity: Bluetooth

See more Fitbit Charge deals

Solid step counting plus running and cycling

Good looking, not too pricey, comfy

Unreliable clasp

Charge HR is better

Take the Charge HR. Remove the heart rate monitoring. Make the clasp a bit less reliable. But reduce the price, of course. What you end up with is a very good, if more basic, fitness tracker with the same excellent app as the Charge HR, the same screen and altimeter… And the same endearing quirks. With a longer battery life due to the absence of a pulse counter, it's an excellent product. Even so, its pricier sibling offers more and would narrowly be our first pick, of the two.
Read the full review: Fitbit Charge

5. Garmin Vivosmart

Garmin Vivosmart

A cracking little tracker with a premium feel and handy notifications

Size: 127-172 mm (small); 155-221 mm (large) | Display: 1.35-inch, 128x16 OLED touch panel | Weight: 19g | Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Battery: 7 days | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0

See more Garmin Vivosmart deals

Comfortable, discreet design

Solid tracking and motivation

Pointless sleep tracking

Screen can be unresponsive

A nice-looking step counter with a scrolling OLED screen, handy message notifications from your phone and music controls, the Vivosmart is a decent product, albeit one that feels slightly overpriced. Step counting is solid, although its attempts to track running and sleep are less impressive, and the app is functional rather than being hugely motivating. You can add an external heart-rate monitor if you want more accurate calorie counting during exercise. The thing is, although it looks like a far classier product, there's actually little to choose between the Garmin Vivosmart and the far cheaper Garmin Vivofit 2 in terms of what they actually do. If you value looks and comfort we'd recommend this one; if you are happier with very long battery life and a low price, plump for the Vivofit 2.
Read the full review: Garmin Vivosmart

6. Garmin Vivofit 2

Garmin Vivofit 2

Hugely long battery life is the USP of this simple, inexpensive step tracker

Size: 152-210mm | Display: 25.5 mm x 10 mm | Weight: 25.5g | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Battery life: more than a year | Connectivity: Bluetooth

See more Garmin Vivofit 2 deals

Simple step counting with year-long battery

Very cheap

Not hugely comfortable

Not a lot of extras

A neat little fitness tracker whose battery life and waterproofing means you never need to take off. And if it were just that bit more useful and more comfortable, you would never want to take it off, either. You do have to accept that all it really usefully does is count your steps and issue reminders to stay active. It has a stab at run tracking and sleep monitoring, but neither impresses. Still, it's a very solid effort for the price.
Read the full review: Garmin Vivofit 2

7. Withings Activité Pop

Withings Activité Pop

An attractive analogue watch with step counting built in

Size: Not quoted, but medium-sized watch size | Display: analogue watch face plus analogue step-count dial | Weight: 37g | Compatibility: iOS, Android | Connectivity: Bluetooth

See more Withings Activité Pop deals

The best looking wearable to date

Eight-month battery life

Can be maddeningly slow to sync

Run tracking less successful

A very clever mix of analogue watch and step counter, the Activité Pop takes a different approach to most fitness trackers. As well as counting steps accurately, it also has a go at counting running distances and monitoring sleep (admittedly less successfully) and has a vibrating alarm. It works very well as a motivational device. The hand on the secondary dial on the watch face sweeps round from 0 to 100% of your step goal (set at 10,000 by default) as the day goes on. The associated app is pretty good, but syncing can be very slow and unreliable. We suspect it's using a very low-powered Bluetooth connection to save battery power, because the Pop runs on a standard watch battery and lasts for eight months, which is not to be sniffed at. Bottom line: if you want a step counter that looks as good as a watch, this (or a smartwatch of course) are your only current options.
Read the full review: Withings Activité Pop

8. Jawbone UP24

Jawbone Up24

Stylish, step-counting lifestyle band at a keen price

Size: Three sizes, S, M, L. M is 63x40mm | Display: None | Weight: 27g | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Battery: 7 days | Connectivity: Bluetooth

See more Jawbone UP24 deals

Cheap and effective

Good, motivational app

Showing its age a bit now

Ridiculous earphone-jack charger

Lightweight, with a week-long battery, this step and sleep tracker is a classic "lifestyle" band. Just put it on, forget about it, and let it harvest data, which you then view in Jawbone's strong app. All your biometric data is displayed clearly with with colourful bar graphs and line charts. You can easily set goals such as getting more sleep or making sure you drink a healthy amount of water everyday. It's also easy to compare your steps with selected friends. There's no screen, sleep tracking is not amazing, and it doesn't very effectively track any exercise other than walking. However, if you want the basics, this comfortable, cheap band is a decent deal. However, it has now been superseded by Jawbone's UP2 and UP3.
Read the full review: Jawbone UP24

9. Fitbit Surge

Fitbit Surge

Part fitness tracker, part running watch, this is a decent hybrid device

Size: 3.4cm wide, S, L, XL lengths | Display: 1.25-inch, monochrome touch panel | Weight: 26g | Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Battery: 7 days | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, GPS

See more Fitbit Surge deals

Large, if slightly dull, screen

Heart rate monitor and GPS

Quite expensive

Running watch features don't convince

Fitbit Surge is the most powerful Fitbit to date, offering GPS tracking of your runs and cycles, real-time workout stats and a heart rate monitor. However, it's now pitted against more serious fitness trackers such as those from Garmin, Basis and TomTom and it doesn't necessarily benefit from the comparison. The screen is black and white to eke out more battery life, but this makes it hard to view at a glance. It is also really ugly, to be blunt. As usual with Fitbits, although it tends to over-estimate how many steps you've taken, it does so in a consistent way that makes goal-building and competition with fellow Fitbitters possible. The issue here is that the size and aesthetic failings of the Surge make it less useful as fitness tracker, while the GPS and HR are not as good as what you'd get from Garmin. However as a hybrid of the two, it works well enough.
Read the full review: Fitbit Surge

10. Withings Pulse Ox

Withings Pulse OX

Strong step counter that promises something more sophisticated but doesn't quite deliver it

Size: 52x22mm | Display: 1-inch, 128x32 touch panel | Weight: 8g | Compatibility: iOS, Android | Battery: 14 days | Connectivity: Bluetooth

See more Withings Pulse Ox deals

Bright-'n'-breezy app

Accurate enough step counting

Doesn't deliver as a runner's watch

Less than useful heart rate/blood oxygen monitoring

With excellent battery and at an attractive price, this is another very strong fitness tracker, so long as you don't mind the inherent limitations of this kind of device. You can wear it on your belt, wrist or bra strap, the app is colourful and inviting and step accuracy is good. Sleep monitoring is a bit of a waste of time - it essentially tells you when you went to bed and when you woke up - but that is often the case on these devices. Our only gripe? The presence of elevation, heart and blood oxygen tracking suggest this would make a good watch for runners as well as walkers. However, the Pulse Ox doesn't really deliver on that promise.
Read the full review: Withings Pulse Ox











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Updated: Best smartwatch 2015: what's the best wearable tech for you?

The best smartwatch is on this list

With a glut of new next-gen smartwatches landing on the market, we've gone back to the drawing board for our best smartwatches top ten.
We've spent days in the TechRadar lab putting the latest and greatest through the same intense processes our phones and tablets go through.
This has allowed us to weigh up everything from design and features, to interface and price and everything in between, to bring you what we believe is a comprehensive list of the best smartwatches around - telling you which watch offers the best balance of function, performance, style and value for money.
Dozens of choices are available, with Samsung, Sony, LG, Motorola, Asus, Huawei, Alcatel and Pebble all getting in on the action. Oh, and can't forget that little wearable made by Apple.

• Every Android Wear smartwatch in the world today

All of them deliver important information closer than "at hand," from texts messages to email alerts. Notifications and apps are the big difference between smartwatches and the best fitness trackers.

10. Pebble Steel

The Pebble Steel outclasses its plastic-clad predecessor with a stainless steel frame that surrounds its 1.26-inch e-paper LCD and the silver or matte black casing comes with a leather band in the box. A matching steel band to complete this sophisticated look costs extra.
You get all of the same texts, emails and notifications at a glance for $199, £149 (about AU$228). That's cheaper than most of the Android Wear watches. Missing here, however, is the brilliant color display that makes Android watches shine, a number of features found on rival wearables and a way to get around Pebble's annoying eight installed apps limit.
Of course, Pebble Steel doesn't have the same battery life issues of the Moto 360. It can last at least four days between charges and is compatible with both iOS and Android phones. It's for everyone and, with swappable bands, for every stylistic situation - plus it has a 5ATM water resistant rating.
If the Steel is a bit rich for your liking there's always the $99, £99 plastic clad Pebble to fall back on - it doesn't look anywhere near as nice, but it still has pretty much the same features.

• Shortlisted: for "Best Smartwatch" in the 2015 TechRadar Phone Awards

Read the full review: Pebble Steel

9. LG G Watch

The LG G Watch was the very first Android Wear smartwatch we donned at Google IO 2014, and we continued to wear it for months even with its square-shaped design and plastic build. That's mostly because the battery life gave us a solid day's use between charges.
That made it easier to swipe through all of the contextual Google Now notifications, texts and email alerts beamed to our wrist. It also eased the battery usage of our Android-connected LG G3 because we could see these messages and the current time via the always-on display.
LG G Watch gave us the best insight into Android Wear, but it's very much a device for wearable diehards. It looks like a computerized plastic wristwatch and the default rubber strap is a dust collector. We're also not a fan of the the buttonless design and proprietary charging cradle to turn it back on.
Of course, many of these faults have been corrected with the LG G Watch R and the more premium Watch Urbane, making this version the first edition of an Android smartwatch fit for early adopters - plus it's now one of the cheapest around.
Read the full review: LG G Watch

8. LG G Watch R

The LG G Watch R has got one thing right, it's one of the few Android Wear smartwatches that actually looks like a watch. It may not appear as fancy as the Moto 360, but it still has a sporty look that many might actually prefer.
You may notice it's taken a bit of a tumble down our rankings, and that's thanks to the arrival of the Watch Urbane. It hasn't fully replaced the G Watch R, but builds on it with a more premium design and slightly inflated price tag.
In terms of specs the G Watch R is relatively well equipped with a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and a 410mAh battery. Compared to the Moto 360 that's a better processor and larger battery, plus you also get a barometer, heart rate monitor and 9-Axis (which includes a gyro, accelerometer and compass).
The display is also worth shouting about. While the Moto 360 had a larger screen which made text a little larger and easier to read, the higher resolution display of the G Watch R is easier on the eye, while the P-OLED screen delivers strong colors.
If you want the latest from LG, and something that looks much nice, then check out the Watch Urbane - otherwise the Watch R is still a very viable option.

• Shortlisted: for "Best Smartwatch" in the 2015 TechRadar Phone Awards

Read the full review: LG G Watch R

7. Samsung Gear Live

Samsung recycled its boxy smartwatch design when it made the Samsung Gear Live, but that was enough to make it our favorite Android Wear watch early on. That's because it conformed to the wrist with curves lugs, making it better than the black slab that is the LG G Watch.
It's not as easy to get hold of these days, but its price has dropped and it surprisingly has Wi-Fi built in which is ready and waiting to be unlocked by a software update - another thing its LG rival cannot boast.
Gear Live sneaks in a so-so heart-rate monitor, a smaller (though still proprietary) travel charger and a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display with a superior 320 x 320 resolution.
Of course, now that Motorola and LG's circular watches are out, it only serves as the boxy alternative if you have something against rocking the iconic round design of the Moto 360 and LG G Watch R.
Read the full review: Samsung Gear Live

6. Moto 360

Motorola's Moto 360 is a bit of a looker, defined by a 1.65-inch circular display, stainless steel frame and premium leather band.
This was the first Google watch that could pass itself off as a stylish designer timepiece. Everything else before it was square and plastic. Moto 360, like the slightly newer LG G Watch R, doesn't come off as an overt computer strapped to your wrist. It analog watch faces really blend in.
It's not all good news, as the Moto 360 has an inefficient processor that sometimes stunts swiping through these Android Wear menus, and battery life is a day at best.
That's why it's not higher up the list here, but on its face - it's beautiful, beautiful face - Moto 360 is one of the best-looking smartwatches to date and comes with a nifty Qi wireless charger to make up for those all-too-frequent charges.
Read the full review: Moto 360

5. Pebble Time

The Pebble Time was the highly anticipated follow up to the Pebble thanks to the company's promise of a color screen and new Timeline feature.
While the always on, e-paper color screen isn't as vibrant as we'd like, Pebble has consistently rolled out updates increasing the brightness thus enhancing the display. Timeline is also a snappy function with fun little transitional animations that provides a uniquely Pebble experience.
The bezel is also a tad excessive but when people wonder if you're wearing an Apple Watch, that should be a compliment to the Pebble Time's design, right?
At $199 (£179.99, about AU$256), the Time isn't too pricey at all for a smartwatch especially with its cross-platform appeal and wide array of apps. It can't do as much on iOS as it can for Android, but the Pebble Time is still a worthy alternative to its pricier Apple counterpart.
Read the full review: Pebble Time

4. Asus Zenwatch

If you're after a stylish smartwatch that does your basic range of Android Wear things, the ZenWatch is worth a look. Beyond that, there's little difference from the other similarly priced Android Wear watches.
The design is stronger than the early Android Wear offerings from LG and Samsung, but it doesn't quite hit the heights of the Moto 360.
It doesn't quite stand up to the Smartwatch 3 or G Watch R in terms of battery life or general ruggedness. Regardless, this timepiece is certainly in the top tier of rectangular Android Wear watches on the design front.
There are better Android Wear watches out there for a similar price, but if you are personally fond of the ZenWatch's stylings then it won't let you down.

• Shortlisted: for "Best Smartwatch" in the 2015 TechRadar Phone Awards

Read the full review: Asus ZenWatch

3. LG Watch Urbane

LG's reaction to the Apple Watch is the Watch Urbane, its own premium smartwatch which uses the G Watch R as a base, but sports a thinner bezel and new colors for a smarter look.
It's more expensive than the Watch R, but it comes in slightly cheaper than the entry-level Apple Watch Sport and it's one of the few Android Wear watches you'll actually feel comfortable wearing to swanky parties rather than tech meet ups.
The LG Watch Urbane is the watch you should get if you want a premium looking G Watch R.

• Shortlisted: for "Best Smartwatch" in the 2015 TechRadar Phone Awards

Read the full review: LG Watch Urbane

2. Apple Watch

The smartwatch we've been waiting for with bated breath, the one we'd hoped would change the faces of the wearable revolution - and the best iPhone-compatible smartwatch is pretty much just OK.
It's a thing of beauty but comes at a high cost when it simply can't deliver on all the fronts. Starting at $349 (£299, AU$499) and peaking at an exorbitant $17,000 (£13,500, AU$24,000), this lightweight wristwatch is meant for patient early adopters and boutique store regulars.
There are plenty of iPhone features that are and aren't carried over to the wrist. It makes calls, but it can't add new contacts. It listens to dictated texts and sends them as an audio message or transcription, but it doesn't have any sort of edit function. It tracks basic fitness goals, but not it's GPS-enabled, doesn't track sleep and third-party workout apps require an iPhone close by. Likewise, it can name songs through the Shazam app, but it listens with the iPhone microphone, not its own.
For iPhone users waiting for nice wristware, the Apple Watch takes the cake when you take price away from the equation. Here's hoping the major watchOS 2 update in the fall will make it number one.

• Shortlisted: for "Best Smartwatch" in the 2015 TechRadar Phone Awards

Read the full review: Apple Watch

1. Sony Smartwatch 3

"What's this doing at number one?" we hear you ask. Well let us tell you, the Sony Smartwatch 3 offers the best balance of price versus features from the range of smartwatches currently available.
It can now be snapped up for just £127, $188 (around AU$240), which makes it surprisingly affordable. You get the relatively standard Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage, but the Smartwatch 3 also packs Bluetooth, GPS, NFC and Wi-Fi giving it great connectivity options.
This means it can double as a running watch, while its dust- and water-resistant body means you can jump in the shower without having to take it off.
Sure it's not as nice to look at as the Apple Watch or LG Watch Urbane, but for your money it's very difficult to knock.
If you're not fond of the strap design, Sony has the Pebble Steel-esque band called the Sony Smartwatch 3 Steel - it looks pretty nice compared to its rubbery counterpart, but the guts remain the same.
Ultimately, the Smartwatch 3 has proved that third time's a charm (at least in Sony's Smartwatch series). It puts function ahead of form, delivering one of the best user experiences yet with minimalistic style.

• Shortlisted: for "Best Smartwatch" in the 2015 TechRadar Phone Awards

Read the full review: Sony Smartwatch 3

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Finally, Verizon does away with wireless contracts and subsidies

It's about time. On August 13, wireless service contracts and device subsidies will be no more at Verizon (for new customers), the company announced Friday.
In their place, Verizon will introduce four new LTE data plans that are named and organized adorably like (incredibly pricey) cups of coffee. Here's the breakdown:

• Small: $30/month for 1GB of shareable data
• Medium: $45/month for 3GB of shareable data
• Large: $60/month for 6GB of shareable data
• X-Large: $80/month for 12GB of shareable data

None of these plans are part of the standard two-year contract that we've all come to know and loathe. Each "size" in this new plan structure can be shared across up to 10 devices, and come with unlimited calls and texts. However, if you go over your set data allowance in a given month, you'll get slammed for $15 per additional gigabyte used.
Also, you'll still have to play for your device's access to said wireless plan. That's $20 per month for each smartphone, $10 a month for tablets and hotspots, and smartwatches are $5 monthly.
While this means the end of subsidized device pricing for new Verizon customers, it's currently unclear whether these new plans essentially lease your phone for the duration that you're paying for it. That's the case currently for wireless provider Sprint, at least. We've reached out to Verizon for comment.
It's worth noting that, while rivals like AT&T and Sprint still offer their contract options (but generally steer new suitors away from them), Verizon is eliminating that option entirely for new customers. Meanwhile, T-Mobile has been doing this sort of thing for years now, arguably inspiring its competitors to catch up.

• Via Recode

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iPhone 6S launch date may have just been picked by Apple

September is now just around the corner, the month when Apple usually announces its latest iPhone.
While Apple hasn't officially announced a date yet, a new report on BuzzFeed is citing 'sources familiar with Apple's plans' who say that the company will be holding a special event during the week beginning September 7.
Now, as Apple has previously usually held its iPhone launches on a Wednesday, the sources say that it seems highly likely that the event will be held on September 9.

Mark your calendar?

Of course, this date cannot be confirmed yet, nor can we confirm yet what exactly Apple will have in store for us next month.
But, we do expect to see a new iPhone, most likely the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and possibly the iPhone 6C.
Apple may also show us some of its new iPads, and it will also likely be launching both the handsets and slates with the final iOS 9 build.
We've contacted Apple about this date, but we expect to be hearing about its official event date in the coming weeks.

• Here's what we want to see in the iPhone 6S

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Latest iOS 9 public beta adds new wallpapers, CarPlay tweaks

iPhone users beta testing iOS 9 will want to update to the newly released third public beta Apple just released.
Although this latest update comes only two weeks iOS 9 second beta version, Public Beta 3 brings a number of new features including Wi-Fi calling support for AT&T. Those with CarPlay-enabled infotainment systems will also enjoy the larger artwork the new beta provides as well as the ability to like songs with the heart button.
iOS 9 Public Beta 3 also adds a few more wallpaper options to the mix with more backgrounds featuring planets, explosions, abstract art, plus close up photos of feathers and plants. That's a lot more options than we've seen on the previous eight versions of iOS.
Apple has even made a few tweaks to the interface such as giving the keyboard new Delete, Shift and Dictation buttons. Handoff will also now pop up for apps that already have installed on your device and the Calendar app has a new splash screen.
iOS 9 Public Beta 3 is already in the air for download and for users already testing the next version of Apple's mobile OS, it's one quick update away.

• Don't know how to download the iOS 9 beta? There's a guide for that

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Mac Tips: Apple Mail: How to remove the Favorites Bar

Got an Apple, Mac or iOS tech question? We have the answer. This time we have a reader who doesn't like the Favorites Bar in Apple Mail for Mac and wants to be rid of it. The Favorites Bar can be pretty useful, but depending on how you use your mail, it might not be for everybody, so we'll show you how to dump it if you want.

Question

I've just downloaded Yosemite and I pick up my gmail using Apple's Mail app. In the sidebar, it lists inbox, sent, etc. But then horizontally across the top, it reads mailboxes, inboxes, sent, etc. I want to get rid of that bar across the top next to mailboxes. I don't know why these are there since they duplicate what's down the sidebar.

Answer

You must be talking about our good friend in Apple Mail called the Favorites Bar (the bar just under the toolbar, but above the content of the window). This bar provides easy jumps to commonly used mailboxes and sorting options, and you can even use keyboard shortcuts to jump to any of your favorites: Command + 1 takes you to the first folder listed under favorites, Command + 2 takes you to the second folder, and so on. If you don't like it, though, you can easily remove it, and there are two ways to do so:
1. Use the keyboard shortcut of Shift + Option + Command + H or
2. Select View > Hide Favorites Bar

To get the favorites bar back, simply repeat the above commands. There's no big advantage to hiding the favorites bar, but removing it means you'll be given more screen real estate (albeit a small amount) for message content.
Got an Apple tech question? Email ask@maclife.com.











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Analysis: Windows 10 on Xbox One owes the Sega Dreamcast a big one

How Microsoft and Sega teamed-up

Windows 10 making its way onto Xbox One is a move that's more than 16 years in the making. Let me back up and explain. Windows 10 has only been in development for the last handful of years, but Microsoft's history in cramming Windows into game consoles predates even the original Xbox, which launched in 2001. It all started with the Sega Dreamcast.
It didn't go so well.
In 1998, Microsoft and Sega existed at two opposite poles in the gaming world. The Windows operating system (OS) was the go-to platform for PC gamers and developers, while Sega was rapidly losing its share of the console market.
Today, it's tough to imagine these vastly different companies finding a good enough reason to partner up, but it made sense at the time. Each firm wanted what the other had. Microsoft wanted to begin planting its roots in the living room, and Sega needed killer apps that would attract gamers to its new console, if it was to survive.

Windows… on a console?

If either company in this unlikely duo were to achieve those goals, they first had to break down the divide that existed between PC and console game developers. Surely it wasn't no easy task, but Sega and Microsoft were determined to entice game makers to create on Dreamcast with the freedom of choice.

To make Dreamcast games, the duo made it so that developers could either use Sega's own proprietary programming interface or Microsoft's Windows CE OS. The latter offered a familiar development environment and tools, like DirectX, to seasoned PC game developers looking to get in on the game console scene.
Making Windows compatible with Sega's Dreamcast wasn't just an effort to make development on the new console easier. Microsoft hoped it would offset the risk of a flop entirely for developers, as the end-goal was to make Dreamcast games playable on all PCs running Windows.
Many developers loved the tools, or at least claimed to. A few high-profile game makers at Konami and now-defunct Acclaim raved about how easy it was to develop on Dreamcast using Windows CE. At this point, it seemed like things might work out in each company's favor.

9/9/99

Months later, when it came time to launch, CNET reported that not a single one of the Sega Dreamcast's launch titles were built using the Windows CE OS. Red Storm Entertainment, who was porting an already-developed Rainbow Six PC game to Windows CE, missed the launch due to complications during development.
Neal Robinson, Sega's VP of third-party development at the time stated that games available at launch were made by "developers who are used to developing software in a short span of time, and used to taking advantage of the newest hardware." In other words, Sega's proprietary interface seemed to be the preferred choice amongst developers out of the gate.

Despite its absence from the launch, Microsoft estimated that four Windows CE-based games would release by the end of the launch year. And Robinson went on to further cool concerns that the collaboration was a bust by stating that Sega hoped that an estimated 30% of its total game library would be built using Windows CE.

How the partnership paved the way for Xbox

If you build it, they will come … maybe

Throughout the console's depressingly brief two-year lifecycle, Microsoft and Sega's plan never reached the heights of its potential.
Exact figures of the amount of Windows CE-based Dreamcast games released aren't publicly available, but some estimations range from about 50 to 60. Whether this quantity measured up to the expectations of the two companies is irrelevant at this point.

Quality is the metric that matters most. And that was the biggest problem with most of the Dreamcast games built on Windows CE. They weren't very good.
There were a few gems to come out of the collaboration, like Hidden & Dangerous, Sega Rally 2 and Resident Evil 2. However, noticeably missing from the list are any of the games that helped put the Dreamcast on the map. Sonic Adventure, Shenmue, Jet Grind Radio and many more (Seaman, anyone?) were built using Sega's proprietary interface instead.

The aftermath

Microsoft put the tools in the hands of the developers, but it didn't pan out. Maybe offering two programming interfaces for developers to choose from was one too many. It's also possible that the cross-compatibility dream that Microsoft and Sega shared was too ahead of its time.
Regardless of the real reason for the failed partnership, it was a learning opportunity for Microsoft. The company might have only gained a little insight as to what worked and what didn't in the game console market, but it was enough to get started on its own box.

Unfortunately, that's where the hardware side of the story ends for Sega. The Dreamcast would be its last go. But Kotaku reported on one last attempt from Sega to keep the Dreamcast's saga alive.
Isao Okawa, who was Sega's chairman at the time, visited Bill Gates numerous times to negotiate the possibility of making Dreamcast games compatible on Microsoft's new Xbox console, which was in development at the time. Unfortunately, the talks fell through. Sega did, however, go on to bring several of its hit Dreamcast franchises, such as Shenmue, Crazy Taxi and Jet Grind Radio to the Xbox.

The future of Windows on Xbox

Since the release of the original Xbox, Microsoft has been rather quiet about the tools it provides to developers who want to make games. It's a stark contrast from how much it boasted about its Windows CE tools on the Sega Dreamcast.

However, if you fast-forward to current day, Microsoft announced – no, it practically shouted from the rooftops – that Windows 10 is coming to Xbox One this autumn. Thinking back on its experience with the Dreamcast, the familiar sense of enthusiasm coming from Microsoft is palpable.
The return of Windows on a home console at least owes its thanks to the Sega Dreamcast. How a similar plan will pan out on the Xbox One is anyone's guess at this point. But, the gaming world (perhaps Sega, too) will be watching very closely as it happens this November.











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China linked to latest cyber attacks on American travel industry

The same group of hackers that hacked the US government's Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may be behind the latest hacks on the travel industry. The latest targets include Sabre Corp., which processes reservations for airlines and hotels, and American Airlines. China is believed to be linked to these recent attacks, but the country denies involvement.
Sabre confirmed that its networks were recently breached, but could not disclose what information was taken. Sabre processes travel information for more than one billion travelers annually. American Airlines said that it is investigating if the hackers entered its networks through the attack on Sabre. Sabre was a subsidiary of American before it was spun off in 2000, and both companies utilize some shared network infrastructure.
Other recent victims linked to the group of hackers who took records of 22 million government contractors and employees include health insurer Anthem and United Airlines.

The hacks

"American was provided with Internet Protocol addresses used by the OPM hackers, which matched activity found in the carrier's computer logs," Bloomberg reported based on its inside source, but American Airlines is denying that its network was compromised.
"Based on our deep and extensive investigations with the help of outside cybersecurity experts, American has found no evidence that our systems or network have experienced a breach like those at OPM or Anthem," American spokesman Casey Norton said in a statement.
Sabre says that its investigation is ongoing.

Similar virtual DNA

Although the hacking techniques may have changed, the internet logs indicate that the American hack is related to the OPM hack.
"Enough of the indicators lined up in the American and Sabre breaches to lead to the conclusion that the attacks were the work of the same group that struck OPM, Anthem and United, the people familiar with those incidents said," reported Bloomberg.
If true, the China-linked hackers have access to social security numbers, travel plans, logistics and location, medical records and other information.

China link

US government officials, including Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and cybersecurity experts believe that China is the leading suspect in these strings of hacks. China maintains that it is not related to the hacks, stating that any accusations are "unfounded."
Chinese officials also accused the US of sending spies to target its networks. The US has not offered a statement on China's claims. If these allegations are true, the two nations may be engaged in a cyberwar
Following the high profile hack of Sony Pictures in November 2014, President Obama signed an executive order in April to issue sanctions against foreign hackers.
"And this means, in addition to our existing tools, we need a capability to deter and impose costs on those responsible for significant harmful cyber activity where it really hurts – at their bottom line," said Lisa Monaco, assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, of the executive order.

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Explained: How to watch last night's Presidential Debate full video

How to watch Republican Presidential Debates

• Update: Here's how to watch the full Presidential Debate, now that the live stream is over. Below are links to all of the videos.

Brace yourself for 15 consecutive months of presidential debates, which started with last night's Fox News and Facebook-hosted 2016 Republican Primary Debate.
You can still watch the back-and-forth video between Donald Trump, Jeb Bush and eight other top-tier candidates at this Presidential Debate. It originally aired at 9pm ET (6pm PT, 2am BST) on August 6.
This wasn't actually the first presidential debate you could watch online last night, though. There was also a second-tier debate happening, four hours beforehand, for seven candidates with lower poll numbers.
Both debates were live streamed, just in case you can't get to a television set in time for the verbal sparring. However, only the right credentials would let you watch it online in realtime initially.
Here's how you could watch the Fox News GOP debate, for future reference, and see the replay right now.

10 Presidential Debate video highlights

1. Donald Trump open to the idea of a third-party run
2. Trump combative on 'sexist' comments with Megyn Kelly
3. Chris Christie, Rand Paul spar over NSA surveillance
4. John Kasich on his support of gay marriage
5. Kasich on how Trump is hitting a nerve in politics
6. Jeb Bush on dynastic 'Bush' politics and 'brother's war'
7. Marco Rubio: 'This election isn't a resume competition'
8. Trump explains stance on illegal immigration, and so does Rubio
9. Carly Fiorina jabs Clinton and Trump in same sentence (earlier debate)
10. 7 minutes of closing arguments from the candidates

Watch the Presidential Debate full video

Fox News sent TechRadar its full debate video, so that it could be available to one and all, and offered it in both MP4 and Windows Media Video formats.
It's conveniently split the night into six parts, too, just in case you want to load it onto your 16GB iPhone 6 that's already run out of space, one-by-one.

• Part 1 in WMV
• Part 1 in MP4
• Part 2 in WMV
• Part 2 in MP4
• Part 3 in WMV
• Part 3 in MP4
• Part 4 in WMV
• Part 4 in MP4
• Part 5 in WMV
• Part 5 in MP4
• Part 6 in WMV
• Part 6 in MP4

How the Presidential Debate live stream worked

Fox News is known as America's conservative cable news channel, but the right aisle-leaning network is actually fairly progressive when it comes to online live streaming technology.
Eight years ago, Fox News began live streaming extra hours of programming, dubbed Strategy Room, with webcam-like quality and a makeshift table. Discussions were frank and unrushed.

It has since morphed into mirroring the cable channel and contrasts with MSNBC and CNN, which are just getting their online programming acts together. MSNBC in particular has a smaller, buggier video player.
Of course, now that it's called Fox News Live and is a broadcast-level video service, it requires an authenticated cable subscription username and password. It's not unlike HBO Go. In fact, it uses the same username and password credentials you log in with to watch Game of Thrones.
The good news is that it currently supports 279 cable and satellite providers, including Time Warner, Comcast, DirecTV, Charter, Verizon Fios. Even Sony's PlayStation Vue is represented.
While Facebook co-hosted this event, it was merely providing analytics, user questions and online reaction, not live streaming the debate through the social network. Sorry, cord cutters.

Presidential Debate time and schedule

Flipping through all of the cable news channels, it feels as if the Presidential Debate coverage has been going on forever, but the August 6 forum officially start time was 5pm ET (3pm PT, 10pm BST).

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The live stream began with the seven candidates who haven't garnered enough attention in the national polls, but can get some air time and name recognition in front of an audience – albeit a smaller one.

This first debate featured former HP executive Carly Fiorina, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, current Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, current South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, former New York Governor George Pataki and former Maryland Governor and late-comer Jim Gilmore.
Some have criticized this GOP debate structure because it marginalized key Republican Presidential candidates, like Jindal, a current governor and the first Indian American governor in the US, and Fiorina, the only female candidate running for the GOP nomination. Both are stood out, according to the channel's post-debate analysts.
This first debate was short, lasting just one hour, and is Fox News then hosted an online pre-show in between the two debates, which started at 6pm ET (3pm PT, 11 BST). It included highlights and analysis of the first debate, along with expectations of the what the channel is calling its "Primetime Debate."
The official "Primetime Debate" started at 9pm ET (6pm PT, 2am BST), and lasted the scheduled two hours, followed by an 11pm ET (8pm PT, 4am BST) online post-debate show to wrap things up.

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The roster of ten (in order of current poll numbers) consisted of real estate mogul Donald Trump, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, current Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, surgeon Ben Carson, current Texas Senator Ted Cruz, current Florida Senator Marco Rubio, current Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, current New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and current Ohio governor John Kasich.
Hillary Clinton was mentioned so much last night, you'd think she was at the debate. However, her on-stage performance will have to wait, as you'll read in our next section.

How to watch Democratic Presidential Debates

What about the Democrats, you ask? They'll have several debates, too, but have only just now announced the Democratic Presidential Debate schedule.
Their first debate for the is supposed to happen on October 13 (CNN) in Nevada. By then, Republicans will already have two prime time debates in their binders full of debates. The second Democratic debate is November 14 (CBS) in Des Moines, Iowa, which is first state in the nation to vote in primaries (really, a "caucus").

That schedule from there on out follows the primary roadmap, with future debates happening four more times, in December 19 (ABC) in New Hampshire. January 17 (NBC) in South Carolina, February or March (Univision) in Miami and one last one in March (PBS) in Wisconsin.
There are fewer scheduled debates for the Democrats (so far) and there are fewer declared candidates. Former First Lady, New York Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has the most name recognition, but there are others.
Expect to see on stage former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, current Vermont Senator and declared Independent Bernie Sanders, former Virginia Senator Jim Webb and current Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee. Current Vice President Joe Biden is rumored to be running for President.

The next Presidential debate and schedule

This isn't the last Republican Presidential debate – far from it. There are going to be 12 GOP-sanctioned debates, including last night's Fox News debate. Most, if not all, debates should be live streamed, unlike previous years.
Next up is a CNN-hosted debate at the Reagan Library, in Simi Valley, Calif. on September 16. Business cable networks get into the fray with a smaller CNBC debate in Boulder, Colorado on October 28 and a Fox Business debate in Wisconsin sometime in November.

CNN has the final debate of 2015 on December 15 in Nevada, and then it's back to Fox News in Iowa for a January debate. Three Republican debates happen in February in New Hampshire (ABC) and South Carolina (CBS), Houston, Texas (NBC). Fox, CNN and one unscheduled debate round out the GOP commissioned schedule.
Tired of debates yet? That's okay. History has shown that the post-convention 2016 Presidential Debates are limited to three. There's also typically one Vice Presidential Debate, too. That's it.
It's not like the old days. In 1858, then former Congressman Abraham Lincoln and and Senator Stephen A. Douglas debated seven times in their run for senate, according to the Commission for Presidential Debates. Those debates were decidedly NOT live streamed on the internet.
As more debates happen, we'll update this page in real time to let you know when and where you can watch the Presidential Debates online, even if it takes 22 updates, one for every debate scheduled.

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Apple Watch now on sale at major retail store

For those who still want to pick up an Apple Watch, you can now head to your local Best Buy.
The third-party retailer is the first major storefront to sell the wrist-ware but not all the bands and accessories are available for purchase.
Instead of the 38 customization options Apple offers, you'll get to choose between the black or white Sport band and the Milanese loop. Oh, and don't bother asking about the $10,000 Watch Edition. That's definitely not behind glass or even available in-store.
You will however find a slew of third-party bands, cases and stands.
Right now, only 100 brick and mortar stores are carrying the Apple Watch but that should increase to 300 soon.
If you want a more colorful Sport Watch or a pricier Apple wearable, head to its online storefront or a fancy boutique.

• Here's how to use Apple Maps with the Apple Watch

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Versus: HTC Vive vs Oculus Rift: which is better?

Hardware, design and controllers

Virtual reality is no doubt the next big technology that disrupts our world. There are needs for it everywhere: entertainment, business and government, and it could even prove useful in everyday human interactions.
Companies are already making great strides in virtual reality even though the technology is still in the early stages of development. Oculus and HTC are just two of the companies making VR waves.
We recently had a chance to look at the HTC Vive and the consumer Oculus Rift, both of which claim to offer the next big leaps for the future of gaming. But how do they stack up against one another? Read on for a complete side-by-side breakdown of the two VR viewers, and which comes out on top in each category.

Round 1 - Hardware

The Oculus Rift is still months from release, estimating an official launch sometime in Q1 2016. However, Oculus has revealed the final specs the 2016 consumer model will sport.
The headset will have 2160 x 1200 resolution, or 1080 x 1200 over two OLED displays for each eye. That works out to 233 million pixels per second with a refresh rate of 90Hz. Additionally, it has 360-degree positional head tracking and a 100-degree field of view. Unlike the HTC Vive, the Rift is meant to be used while sitting down in conjunction with Oculus' Touch controllers - though there have been experiences that let you stand and play.
The Rift does need to be plugged into a computer running Windows 7 or higher to work. You will need a GPU equivalent to the Nvidia GTX 970/AMD 290 or better. Other hardware requirements include an Intel i5-4590 processor, 8GB+ of RAM, 2x USB 3.0 ports and HDMI 1.3 video output.

The HTC Vive features similar 2160 x 1200 resolution, or 1080 x 1200 over two OLED displays for each eye. It has a 90Hz refresh rate, over 70 sensors (e.g. an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc.) for fluid and seamless movements, and will operate in a 15ft x 15ft tracking space if you have the supporting wireless cameras. Various front-facing cameras will help identify objects in the area around you as part of the headset's Chaperone safety system, which aims to protect users from colliding into walls or any other objects, allowing you to safely use the Vive while moving around.
HTC's Vive also needs to be tethered to a PC running Windows, GNU/Linux, or OS X via an HDMI cable. The Vive will likely require similar, if not better, specs to the Oculus Rift due to the latency-free wireless demands.
Winner: While both offer powerful hardware, it's too early to tell which will have the edge.

Round 2 - Design

The Oculus Rift has a lightweight and compact design. Velcro straps are easily adjustable, there is comfortable padding for the faceplate and removable headphones are adorned to the sides of the headset. As far as design goes, it's not the most immaculate looking device. It's essentially a big, black brick sticking out from your face. However, it's certainly more compact than other options coming to the market.
The HTC Vive is lightweight, and there are 37 visible sensors on the front of the device for seamlessly connecting to the infrared wireless cameras for the 15ft x 15ft tracking space. Similar to the Rift, there are adjustable Velcro straps, and comfortable padding on the faceplate. As for the design itself, the Vive is actually worse off than its Rift counterpart. Not only is it also a big, black object sticking out from your face, it's a lot bulkier.
Winner: Oculus Rift because it's slightly less bulky and more refined.

Round 3 - Controllers

The Oculus Touch are the companion controllers to the Rift, helping immerse users deeper in the VR experience. However, an Xbox One controller will ship with the Rift, as the Touch controllers will be sold separately later on. The Touch controllers feature a half-moon design (they're called the Half Moon prototype, after all), are lightweight, wireless, and sport a lanyard similar to what you find on a Wii remote.
One of the best things about Oculus Touch controllers is the natural haptic feedback, and as far as input mechanisms go, you have an analog trigger, an analog stick and two additional buttons. Oculus Touch work well enough, however, there are currently still bugs, latency issues, and the wireless connection seems to drop periodically. These issues should be ironed out by the headset's Q1 launch, for Oculus Rift's own sake.
The HTC Vive controllers take on a more traditional design over the Touch's half-moon style. For instance, there's a single analog trigger for your index finger and a wheel below for your thumb. The wheel is used for scrolling through menus, adjusting your zoom in games, and more. It also functions as a selector for menu and game options, and gives off a satisfying click. They're very responsive, work flawlessly, and should be even better by the time they're announced in October.
Winner: Despite the issues, Oculus Touch takes the edge for unique design and immersive feel

Games, price, release date and conclusion

Round 4 - Gaming

As with any technology that claims to be the future of gaming, there needs to be plenty of software available. Fortunately, Oculus has its own in-house film studio working on creating virtual reality films for the headset, although we're not sure when we'll see the first VR film from the studio.
Additionally, the Oculus Rift has a number of games being natively developed for it. So far, there are over 200 games, including titles like EVE: Valkyrie, Airmech VR, and more. Many developers are working to bring their games to the Rift, but the steep $350 for the Development Kit 2 is a turnoff. Despite its growing game offering, one thing Oculus doesn't have in its arsenal is the backing of popular digital distribution platform, Steam.
The HTC Vive is being developed in conjunction with SteamVR, which is a big name to have in your back pocket. There are already over 171 games that claim to have VR support in the Steam store, and the list will only get bigger as we get closer to launch. SteamVR will give HTC Vive the platform it needs to succeed, not only because of the reputable name, but Valve's big push for the virtual reality space will no doubt overtake the amount of software available to the Rift. After all, Valve is giving away free developer kits, which eliminates the $350 risk for the Rift DK2.
The Vive also has an advantage in that it can be used with Windows, Linux and OS X, whereas the Rift is limited to Windows 7 or higher. Over time, the Vive will no doubt win as far as quantity of games go, simply because of the sheer amount of developers publishing to Steam.
Winner: HTC Vive by a long shot

Round 5 - Price and release dates

The Oculus Rift doesn't have a set launch date, only an estimated release sometime in Q1 2016. Pre-orders for the virtual reality headset will open up later in 2015 but Oculus VR has yet to confirm a price. The company's Development Kit 2 models cost $350 (£400, AU$460), so it wouldn't be surprising to see the final consumer model cost marginally more than that. Another element to consider is that the Oculus Touch controllers won't come with the headset and will release separately later, likely for at least another $100 (about £65, AU$135).
The cost of the Rift and Touch controllers aren't the only equipment you need to think about. If you don't have a powerful Windows machine, you'll need to look into upgrading the hardware or get a new rig all together. With the requirements the Rift is asking for, some of these computers can easily run past $1,500 (about £968, AU$2022).
The HTC Vive has a more official release window set for this Christmas. There's been no word on pricing, however, except that HTC is prepared to start at a "slightly higher price point" before bringing the cost down. Like Rift, there are extra costs with the Vive if you want the wireless cameras for tracking. The controllers are also being released separately, details of which will be announced in October.
Much like the Rift, the Vive will require premium hardware that will no doubt surpass $1,500 (about £968, AU$2022) if you're replacing your machine. However, it might be able to work on low-end Steam Boxes, considering Vive's is partnership with SteamVR.
Since the Vive has a Christmas release window, it will arrive at consumers' doors much faster than the Rift, giving it that much-needed edge.
Winner: HTC Vive for releasing sooner, though it remains to be seen if it's truly ready when it comes out

Conclusion

While both the Vive and Rift won two rounds, that doesn't necessarily make one better than the other. Virtual reality is an impressive technology, and we're beginning to see some big leaps for the future of gaming, especially with the HTC Vive and its partnership with SteamVR. The Rift and Vive are still just dev units, but they work extraordinarily well and will only improve as we get closer to a consumer release.
The only real downside to both headsets is that they're tethered to a PC and also require a powerful machine to use. However, this could change in future renditions of both products, making them more accessible to consumers.











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