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Engadget giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 courtesy of Parallels!
Parallels has been helping people toggle OSes for years with its virtualization software, and even lets mobile users access their PC-based files with apps for Android and iOS. This year, the company launched Parallels Access 2.5 to help unify the experience more completely, with Computer-to-Computer Remote Access and a Universal File Manager feature. For those with Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge, there's now S Pen integration and a bonus six-month subscription, and there's support for the recent OS X Yosemite and Windows 10 Technical Preview releases. As always, one of you lucky folks will get to indulge in this week's goodies: a one-year subscription to Parallels Access 2.5 and a brand new Galaxy Note 4. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this handset and software combo. If you just want to try the new app now, you can download a free two-week demo. Winner: congratulations to Travis M. of Shoreline, WA.
The top 15 smartphones you can buy right now
It's possible you already purchased one of the smartphones we listed in our buyer's guide last July, but things tend to move quickly, and with fresh handsets from names like Apple, Samsung and Motorola, some of you may already be itching for an upgrade. To that end, we've made some fresh additions to our list of the latest and greatest smartphones out there today. Sure, our official Holiday Gift Guide is just around the corner, but this update will help you make some quick decisions, or at least get a head start on that holiday wish list.
Galaxy Note 4 owners get three months free of OnLive gaming
Ahead of the Galaxy Note 4's release in the US tomorrow, Samsung has a last-minute incentive for potential buyers as well as those who have already pre-ordered. The company just announced a new partnership deal with OnLive, which gives owners of its fresh, big-screen handset three months of free gaming through the streaming platform. Samsung's promotion is part of the Galaxy Gifts Package, a collection of free software from its own app store, and will give users access to titles from OnLive's PlayPack bundle, such as Batman: Arkham City, Darksiders, Rogue Legacy and many more. The OnLive service is typically $9.95 per month -- so not only do you save some cash, but also have the chance to try it without any attachments. Once you have your Note 4, the OnLive app can be downloaded from the Galaxy Apps shop.
Harmonix Music VR coming to Samsung's Gear VR headset
Virtual reality is cool, but how much fun is the hardware if you don't have anything to run on it? Not much is the answer. Hence, it's goods news that Harmonix (of Rock Band, Dance Central and Amplitude fame) are developing software for the Gear VR headset, a recently-announced virtual reality device created by Oculus in partnership with Samsung that uses the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 4 as a display. According to a blog post from Harmonix, the software is called "Harmonix Music VR," and it functions something like a virtual reality music visualizer. "[Harmonix Music VR] uses Harmonix's proprietary Music Analysis Engine technology to generate a song-specific, high-resolution event sequence that drives the reactive elements in your virtual world," the company writes. "Sit back and relax, taking in the vibrant, musically responsive environment, or explore for even more audio visualizations set to your own tracks." Harmonix Music VR will launch alongside the Gear VR, but when exactly that will be is currently unknown. [Image: Samsung/Oculus]
Oculus-powered Samsung Gear VR headset coming this year
Samsung and Oculus have partnered for a mobile virtual reality headset to be used with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the companies announced this week. They're calling it the Samsung Gear VR, and it will be available later this year as an "Innovator Edition." The Gear VR slots in the Note 4 to use as a screen, so there are no wires or extra hook-ups to worry about lugging around. Otherwise, it functions pretty much the same as its big brother, the Oculus Rift, albeit with a lower level of performance. The field of view on the Gear VR, for instance, is 96 degrees - four shy of the Rift. If you're wondering why it's called the Innovator Edition, Oculus has a blog post explaining: "It's an early-access, beta-version of the device for developers and enthusiasts rather than a final consumer product. Content creators can experiment and build totally new experiences while users explore the bleeding edge of mobile VR as it's being pioneered," the company writes. No release date for the device has been given for the Gear VR, but when it launches there will be several virtual reality experiences and games available, including Darknet - a game we saw at PAX Prime last weekend - Oculus Cinema - a virtual movie theater - and Legendary's Pacific Rim Jaeger Pilot - a VR experience we heard about during Comic-Con. Our friends at Engadget have a hands-on video, pictures and their own thoughts on the device if you want to learn more. [Image: Samsung]
