Samsung’s first-gen Gear VR is on sale for $59.99 on Amazon today

Samsung has launched a new version of the Gear VR, but the first generation is still a great buy if you want to try out virtual reality on the cheap. Today, you can get it for even cheaper.

Amazon has a Gold Box Deal of the Day on the Gear VR, that makes it available for just $59.99. That's 40% off the list price, though since early August the headset has been hovering around $70 to $80 on Amazon.

The first-gen Gear VR is compatible with the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 Edge. As for the apps and games? It's the same library and store you'd get with the newer model, powered by Oculus. That means you're really not missing out on anything with the older model, though the field of view is a bit lower and the original Gear VR's built-in controllers aren't quite as refined.

• Gear VR FAQ
• Best Gear VR games

What do you think, is this one worth picking up? For those that already own the Gear VR, would you recommend it to others?

Buy it now!

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Geekbench 4 released, brings new tests and Material Design

Geekbench is one of the most popular benchmark tests around for mobile devices, and since it is a cross-platform test, Geekbench's data base of results is quite impressive. Some may also know Geekbench as the home of many a leak, with many upcoming smartphones showing up on the data base, leading to a lot of speculation, and offering some key information on the specifications and performance of these unreleased devices.

To keep up with the ever changing CPU and GPU technology, the developers of Geekbench have updated the app to include new CPU tests that model real-world tasks and applications. These updated tests are designed to accurately evaluate CPU performance, and every test is "multi-core aware," allowing for the benchmark test to measure the full potential of the device CPU.

Geekbench 4 also includes new GPU compute tests, that help you know the processing power of the GPU of your mobile device. From an aesthetic point of view, the app has also been updated and now features Material Design elements throughout the interface. Unfortunately, the Geekbench battery test that was available with the previous iteration of the app doesn't seem to be there anymore.

If you already have the Geekbench 3 app downloaded on your device, updating it will bring you the latest version, and if you don't, you can download Geekbench 4 directly from the Google Play Store. Geekbench 4 is compatible with Android devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher.

Download from the Google Play Store

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ASUS ZenPad 3S 10 announced: a great display and audio worth hearing

ASUS is going nuts over at IFA 2016, in Berlin. Their Windows selection is stunning, but Android tablet lovers are getting some love too. Enter the ASUS ZenPad 3S 10, a 9.7-inch gadget that is meant for media consumption. But… isn't every tablet pretty much built with media in mind? Well, the ZenPad 3S 10 has some tricks that will make it stand out from the competition. Let's look at the specs first.

ASUS ZenPad 3S 10 specs:

• 9.7-inch QXGA (2048 by 1536) display
• Hexa-core MediaTek 8176 processor
• 4 GB of RAM
• Up to 64 GB of internal storage (microSD support up to 128 GB)
• Fingerprint sensor
• 5,900 mAh battery
• Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
• 5.8mm of thickness

We know some of you may not be huge fans of that MediaTek processor (I am not either), but the chip maker swears by it and claims it can get AnTuTu scores over 50,000. We will have to wait and see how it performs at the showfloor! Regardless, that is not really what ASUS is selling. Aside from sporting a gorgeous screen, ASUS Tru2Life video-enhancement technology will ensure your clips look amazing. In addition, NXP smart amplifier technology allows the tablet to achieve higher volumes without increased distortion. HRA support also makes it possible to listen to high-quality 24-bit, 192kHz audio. Not to mention the fact that it can handle 7.1 surround sound.

We have no details on pricing and availability just yet, but it will be dependent on your market. Let's just wait and see! You can bet we will be here to tell you all about any other details that may emerge. Are any of you thinking of signing up for this one?

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ASUS just announced the ZenWatch 3

The smartwatch market has seriously been heating up as of late. Just yesterday, wrist-wear staple Fossil just launched two devices poised to carve out a position in the US market. Not to be outdone, tech titan ASUS is launching their ZenWatch 3, a slick Android Wear device that interacts neatly with both Android and iOS devices.

The ZenWatch 3 picks up where it's predecessors left off. It's a round offering that's built from solid 316L stainless steel, which gives it a luxurious heft and premium feel. This device neatly strides that balance between much-needed screen size and convenient wearability with it's 1.39-inch AMOLED screen. ASUS is providing a number of strap choices, so whether you prefer leather or metal, you'll be right at home.

• The best smartwatches
• The best Android Wear watches

Under the hood, the ZenWatch 3 is no slouch. It runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, and boasts the patented "HyperCharge" technology that lets it recharge with surprising speed.

Right now the ZenWatch 3 is available in three different skins: gunmetal, silver, and rose gold. Regardless of your aesthetic preferences, all of these are crafted with cold-forged steel, which is roughly 82 percent stronger than normal steel. This is a pretty important detail to take into consideration when it come to smartwatches, since they undergo quite a bit more wear and tear than smartphones.

The ZenWatch 3 is 9.95mm thick, which – although relatively low profile – is still fairly stout. It's by no means a colossus on your wrist, but it makes an appearance.

What are your thoughts regarding the latest wearable offering from ASUS? Something you'd be interest in, or are you going to pass? Let us know in the comments below!

Previously: ASUS says it's "time for something incredible"… likely the Zenwatch 39

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Google Maps to soon feature voice commands to avoid tolls, custom lists for Local Guides, and more

The beta version of Google Maps, bringing it to version 9.36.0, has been updated with a few interesting and useful features, and those not signed up for the beta program can get some idea of what updates to expect with the stable version in the near future. These new features include an easier way to set up avoiding tolls, ferries, and highways on your route, nearby traffic notifications, and the ability to create custom lists if you are signed up as a Local Guide.

Before the start of every road trip, you have to manually set the options for avoid tolls, highways, or ferries, on your route, and unfortunately, there is no way to save these settings for future trips. However, with the latest update, Google has made it a touch easier to set these options.

Now, you will be able to tap on the microphone and say "avoid tolls," and similarly for highways and ferries, to set them. Until an option to have them always saved appears, this is a nice way to make these selections faster.

"Traffic Nearby" is a new option that has appeared under the Notifications section in the Maps Settings menu. Users will now get real-time notifications of traffic conditions in the area, and you will be informed about changing conditions with pop ups that tell you to expect delays, or when the "coast is clear."

Local Guides is a community of users that share their discoveries and ratings on Google Maps, and allow other users to find the best spots in town, check out the best local attractions, and more. Like Yelp, this system rewards those who write more reviews, in another move to do so, those guides at level 4 or above now have the ability to create custom lists, to make it easier for other users to sort through the different places.

See also: Google Maps update improves Street View on mobile2

Current custom lists include My Favorite Places, Starred Places, and Want To Go, but local guides will be able to create others as well. If you are looking to join the Local Guides program, you can sign up for it here.

Are you looking forward to these features that will soon be coming to Google Maps? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Acer shows off its foldable touchscreen Chromebook R13

At IFA in Berlin today, Acer announced its new Chromebook R13 model, which boasts both a touchscreen and a foldable design. Notably, this is the first 13-inch convertible Chromebook, which is sure to please those who have been waiting for a larger display size touchscreen.

The hardware is pretty much what you would expect from a modern Chromebook. The R13 features a 13-inch 1080p LCD panel, 4GB of RAM, a USB Type-C port with USB 3.0 speeds, an HDMI output, Bluetooth, and a 720p webcam. The laptop is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT8173C and promises up to 12 hours of battery life. The Chromebook R13 will be available in 16, 32, and 64GB storage options.

The R13's display can be flipped around 360 degrees to transform the laptop into a tablet, or can be partially folded to act as a stand. The display panel features 10 point touch capabilities, which will be handy for pinching and swiping through apps. Touchscreens aren't that important for Chrome OS just yet, but these features could be very handy for those looking to make the most of Android apps when they arrive on Chromebooks in the next few months.

See also: It's official: Android apps are coming to Chromebooks7

Prices for the Acer Chromebook R13 will start at $400 for the 16GB memory option. The new Chromebook will go on sale sometime in October.

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ARCHOS wants to dazzle the budget conscious with its 55 Diamond Selfie

ARCHOS is building up a rather large portfolio of low cost handsets and the company has just unveiled another smartphone that won't break the bank.  Dubbed the 55 Diamond Selfie, ARCHOS seems to be chasing after the fashionista crowd, and possibly looking for an entry in our book of worst named smartphones too.

The 55 Diamond Selfie seems to have a lot on common with the company's Diamond Plus and Diamond Note 2 handsets, in so far as it's a big phone with a small price tag. For hardware, the smartphone features a 5.5-inch 1080p LCD display, an octa-core Snapdragon 430 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage complete with a microSD card slot. The phone is also equipped with a 3,000mAh battery, Quick Charge technology, and a stock version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Given the Selfie name, you might think that there's something special about the front facing camera. However, it looks like a rather ordinary setup. The phone comes with an 8 megapixel front facing sensor that relies on the screen for the flash. Although ARCHOS says it has some special software called ChromaFlash that can stitch flash and non-flash images together for a more balanced shot. The rear camera features a 16 megapixel sensor with LED flash, complete with a post shot refocusing mode.

See also: Best cheap Android phones (August 2016)423

The 55 Diamond Selfie will cost just $199 (£199) and will hit retail channels in September. The company will also sell a Lite version of the phone with 3GB RAM and 16GB of storage for just $169 (£180) sometime in October. That's certainly enough hardware for your buck to rival the likes of the very decent Moto G and the Honor 5X.

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