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Oculus' Touch controllers are well worth the wait
The Oculus Rift proved that high-end VR has a place in your home, but so far it's lacked one major feature: motion controls. That's something both the HTC Vive and Sony PlayStation VR offered from the start, and it's gone a long way toward helping those platforms deliver more immersive virtual-reality experiences. Now with the long-awaited $199 Touch Controllers, Rift users can finally join in on the fun. Sure, it's taken nine months for Oculus to actually put motion controls in the hands of consumers, but it's clear that the company hasn't been twiddling its thumbs. Instead, it's delivered one of the most refined game controllers I've ever held.
Pros and cons: Our quick verdict on the NES Classic Edition
The NES Classic is an easy sell: It's a $60 device that looks and feels like the original Nintendo Entertainment System, with a library of 30 popular games pre-loaded. It's also easy to set up -- all you need is spare HDMI and USB ports on your TV. The problem? The device is such a great proposition that it's either sold out everywhere, or only available through resellers for five times the price. We're not sure we recommend spending $300 on this, especially given a few flaws like the too-short controller cables and the fact that you can't download any additional games. But if you do resort to desperate measures to get one this holiday season, we won't judge.
Pros and cons: Our verdict on the new Surface Book
The 2016 Surface Book is a lot like last year's Surface Book, which we already really liked. So we recommend this one too, though the few flaws we noted last time remain as well. As ever, it's a well-built piece of kit, with a bright detachable screen whose 3:2 aspect ratio makes it comfortable to hold in tablet mode. The keyboard and trackpad are both still comfortable to use, and more than ever (ahem, Apple), we appreciate the port selection, which includes some full-sized USB ports and an SD card reader.
Pros and cons: Our quick verdict on the new MacBook Pro
Good news: Apple finally revamped the MacBook Pro, after sticking with the same design for more than four years. The bad news: It's not quite the notebook we at Engadget had been waiting for. Though the refreshed MBP ushers in a series of improvements -- faster SSDs, a thinner and lighter design, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, brighter screen, more robust audio -- loyal Mac fans will also probably have to make some changes to the way they work. For starters, there are no full-sized USB ports here, and no SD card reader. That last point will sting for any of the "pros" who use capture devices to record lots of photo, video and audio files. As for the USB ports, get ready to use a dongle if you typically connect an external monitor or even external storage drive.
Pros and cons: Our quick verdict on the Surface Studio
Arguably the most interesting computer released this year wasn't an ultra-thin laptop or even a tablet hybrid -- it was a desktop computer. The Surface Studio is hardly the first all-in-one desktop, but it's the first from Microsoft, and the company even managed to make this classic form factor feel fresh. In particular, we're fans of the optional "Surface Dial" accessory, which gives users an additional way to get around menus and control on-screen objects. (The included pen works well too.) This is also just a very well-crafted product, with a sturdy build and an articulating screen that comes in handy for creative work. The main problem is the price. Well, and the specs you get for the money. Though the Studio is powerful, it's limited by the fact that it runs mobile, not desktop, processors. Also, though there are configurations beyond the $3,000 base model, the machine itself isn't user-upgradeable. And that could be a problem for the sort of niche the Studio is aimed at.
Pros and cons: Our quick verdict on the PS4 Pro
It's going to be another year yet before Microsoft ships its next-gen console, codenamed "Scorpio." So for the next 12 months, then, the most powerful gaming console you'll be able to buy is the PlayStation 4 Pro. Still, that doesn't mean it's worth the upgrade -- at least not now, and certainly not for everybody. Because one of the PS4 Pro's biggest draws its ability to handle 4K HDR video, you won't get much out of it if you don't already own a matching 4K HDR set. So if you already own a regular PS4 and a 1080p set, you have no immediate reason to upgrade. Plus, even if you do have the right kind of TV, many games haven't yet been updated to offer 4K HDR video quality. Also, because the PS4 doesn't support 4K Blu-rays, your only way of getting 4K video right now is through Netflix or YouTube. It's probably best to wait not just for those game patches, but for Sony to port over the 4K streaming store already offered on its Bravia TVs.
Pros and cons: Our quick verdict on Google's Daydream View
If you're thinking of dipping your toes into virtual reality, your best bet is to start with an inexpensive mobile headset. And of the ones that are available (there are a lot, actually), your best bet might just be Google's new Daydream View headset. It undercuts the Samsung Gear VR on price, and is also more comfortable to wear, thanks to its cloth-covered housing. Still, you might want to wait if at all possible. Google's Daydream VR platform doesn't have many apps at the moment, but that will change. The View headset is also only compatible with Google's Pixel phones for now, but more Daydream-ready phones are on the way. Once those apps and compatible handsets arrive, though, the View will be the mobile VR headset to beat.
Pros and cons: Our quick verdict on Google Home
It was only a matter of time before Google came out with something to compete with the Amazon Echo: After all, Google too has deep experience with both voice commands and search. Indeed, one of the things we like best about the new Google Home hub is how it responds to conversational inquiries -- and how Google's vast knowledge graph allow it to be genuinely helpful. What's more, the $129 device has a lower profile than the Echo, making for a more discreet design. It also has a surprisingly good speaker, and being able to just tell it what music you want to hear is a killer feature. We already like it, then, but we'll like it even more when the device supports more third-party services, the way the Echo does. Right now, for instance, you can't book restaurant reservations through OpenTable or buy movie tickets on Fandango. Such features are coming eventually, though, and when they do, the device will be much more useful.
Bragi's 'Headphone' takes on Apple's AirPods
Almost three years ago, Bragi left an indelible mark on the headphone universe. The then-unknown company launched a pair of "truly" wireless headphones on Kickstarter that not only cut every wire, but boasted a slew of fitness-tracking features, all wrapped in a superslick design.
Lenovo Phab 2 Pro review: Stumbling out of the gate
I just spent 15 minutes wandering around the office, trying to shoot ghouls in the face with lightning. Before that, I dropped a virtual rococo sofa into the empty space next to my desk, just to see if it would fit. And before that, I measured ... well, everything. Welcome to the augmented life, courtesy of Google and Lenovo. Google has spent more than two years taking its "Tango" technology from project to full-blown product. The goal: to help our gadgets examine the world around them and overlay information -- or even whole new worlds -- on top of the reality we already know. Along the way, Google tapped Lenovo to help craft the first consumer-ready Tango device: an enormous slab of a phone called the Phab 2 Pro. And now it's here. If the Tango stuff alone didn't make the Phab 2 Pro a groundbreaking device, this is also the first Lenovo-branded smartphone to land in the United States. Too bad it's not quite ready for prime time.
OnePlus 3T review: A satisfying update to a fairly new phone
Remember the OnePlus 3? It came out barely six months ago and was the best phone you could get for $400. Well, it's about to be replaced by a faster, slightly more expensive version of itself that the company is calling the OnePlus 3T. (The T doesn't stand for anything; it's a cheeky take on the typical "S" suffix denoting many flagship sequels.) The new $439 device uses the latest Snapdragon 821 processor to achieve even faster speeds, and packs a beefier battery and sharper front camera -- improvements in areas where the original sort of fell short. I say "sort of" because other than battery life, the OnePlus 3 didn't need much improving. But OnePlus made it better anyway, and now it's one of the best phones on the market, especially at this price.
The Passport foldable drone makes for a fun travel companion
My first drone flight experience was with the DJI Phantom 2 Vision, and as much as I appreciated its advanced capabilities at the time, I longed for something more compact -- a device so small that I wouldn't need to carry a separate bag or case for it, preferably without sacrificing performance. Eventually, a Chinese startup called Zero Zero Robotics released the $599 Hover Camera Passport, which comes in the unique form of a foldable cage while packing cool features like body tracking, face tracking and orbiting. I got to spend some time with the Passport over the past few weeks, and eventually it got to the point where I rarely leave home without it, lest I find time to take it for a quick spin.
LeEco's first phone for the US nails the basics but fails on software
LeEco is a name you've probably never heard of, but the Chinese electronics company has been popping up everywhere over the past year. It's well-known in China for its TVs and phones, and it also has subsidiaries in the music, film and even bicycle-making businesses. Like many other Chinese phone makers before it, LeEco is eyeing the US market, with its first offering being the Le Pro3. This $400 Android phone covers the basics, delivering excellent hardware, respectable performance and all-day battery life, though it misses the mark with its heavily skinned software.
Chromecast Ultra review: Better video quality comes at a cost
Google's first Chromecast was an ugly little stick that nonetheless served an important purpose: At $35, it was about the cheapest way to make a plain old TV "smart," letting people get Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and movies from Google Play on their televisions with zero fuss. But things have changed since the first Chromecast arrived in mid 2013. 4K TVs are becoming more and more commonplace while companies like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and, yes, Google are battling to bring video to your living room. Also, if nothing else, just about every TV these days has built-in Netflix and YouTube apps. Into this crowded market comes the Chromecast Ultra, an update to the 2015 version that adds support for 4K high dynamic range (HDR) streaming. The thing is, that extra feature doubles the price: The Chromecast Ultra comes in at $69. It's no longer in impulse-buy territory for most people, so the question is: Does this improved video quality warrant a purchase?
Moto Z Play review: Buy it for the battery life
You should've seen this one coming. Of course Motorola wasn't going to just release two versions of the Moto Z and call it a year. While the first two -- the Moto Z and Moto Z Force -- had to bear the weight of flagship expectations and justify the lack of a headphone jack, the Moto Z Play merely had to be inexpensive and not terrible. Well, mission accomplished ... mostly. At $449, the Z Play isn't the cheapest mid-range phone out there, but it clears the "not terrible" bar with more room than I imagined. All right, all right, there's no point in being coy. The Moto Z Play is actually pretty great.
MacBook Pro review (2016): A step forward and a step back
The last time Engadget reviewed a brand-new MacBook Pro design was in June of 2012. It weighed 4.46 pounds (a heavyweight by today's standards) and it ushered in some newfangled thing called the Retina display. Though Apple has occasionally refreshed the processors (the last time being all the way back in early 2015), that design from 2012 is virtually the same one we've been reviewing all these years. Thanks to that stale design and often neglected internals, many Mac fans out there have delayed upgrading -- surely a new model was just around the corner, right? Though we're not sure you all were able to hold off until now, Apple has finally updated its MacBook Pro line, and it's not just a processor refresh either. Both of the new 13- and 15-inch Pros are thinner, lighter and more compact than their predecessors, with faster graphics and disk performance, a brighter, more colorful screen, Touch ID fingerprint sensor and louder, clearer audio. Most notably, they mark the debut of yet another newfangled thing: the "Touch Bar," an OLED strip above the keyboard that replaces the age-old Function bar with touch-sensitive controls that change depending on the app you're using. Factor in a narrower selection of ports (almost guaranteeing you'll need a dongle) and the MacBook Pro isn't just a thinner or different-looking Mac; it's one you're meant to use differently. That's not necessarily a good thing.
Google's Daydream View VR headset will get better with time
It was only a matter of time until Google moved on from Cardboard and started taking virtual reality seriously. Say hello to the Daydream View, the company's first mobile VR headset. Much like Samsung's Gear VR, it's powered by Android. But the big difference is that this $79 headset will work across a wide variety of Android phones that support Google's Daydream platform; it won't just be stuck on Samsung's hardware. It also stands out from the competition with a more comfortable design made from cloth instead of plastic. There's a lot riding on this headset and Daydream in general, but can Google really compete with VR companies that have been developing hardware for years? For the most part, it turns out it can.
Surface Book review (2016): The laptop to beat doesn't come cheap
Last year, when Microsoft introduced its first-ever laptop, the Surface Book, the company proclaimed that this was the "ultimate laptop." And it was -- mostly. This two-in-one notebook offered long battery life, with a distinctive, well-constructed case, a comfortable keyboard, fast performance and a detachable display that worked well as a standalone pen tablet. Starting today, the company is shipping a refreshed version, and it's mostly more of the same. The biggest changes are under the hood, with Microsoft claiming twice the graphics performance, a second fan and a larger battery, rated for either 12 or 16 hours, depending on the configuration. It's more of a good thing, but do you need that kind of horsepower enough to spend $2,399 and up on one of these newer models?
Roku's $30 Express player is more intriguing than its high-end Ultra
Few tech companies are as reliable as Roku. Every year, like clockwork, it releases a new round of streaming video boxes, each a bit faster and better than what came before. There's the occasional welcome surprise, like the $50 Roku Stick that debuted earlier this year, but for the most part the company's strategy has focused on incremental improvements, not dramatic ones. Roku's latest batch of players mostly fit that mold, but they're notable for two things: reaching a low $30 price point with the Express, and delivering a $100 player that supports 4K and HDR. That would be enough for a killer lineup, but there's also a flagship model with more bells and whistles: the $130 Ultra. After spending time with both the cheapest and priciest new Roku players, I was surprised to find myself more intrigued by the possibilities of a $30 player than a high-end powerhouse.
GoPro Karma review: A decent drone with stiff competition
When Karma was unveiled last month, there were two main takeaways. First was the lack of much-expected "follow me" features; second was the inclusion of a (not-expected) hand-held stabilizer, turning Karma into a "kit." GoPro CEO Nick Woodman would declare Karma to be "much more than a drone," pitching it as a complete video-stabilization system -- one that can be worn, held and flown. The big question was, would that be enough for buyers to overlook what appeared to be a pared feature set on the drone itself? At $799 (if you "bring your own camera"), and $999/$1,099 if you want to include a Hero5 Session or Black, Karma is priced aggressively, undercutting DJI's Phantom 4 if you factor in the cost of the hand-held stabilizer (DJI's cheapest equivalent costs an extra $300). But then DJI revealed the Mavic Pro and set fire to GoPro's plans. It's smaller, similarly priced and bests GoPro across the spec sheet. The question now is: Will GoPro's claim of being more than a drone be enough to lure casual filmmakers away from DJI's technologically superior product? On November 8th, 2016, GoPro issued a global recall for the Karma drone following cases of electrical failures causing a loss of power during flight. GoPro advises that owners can return their units to GoPro, or their place of purchase for a full refund. No replacements are being offered at this time. Though this review is still live on Engadget's site for posterity's sake, we have elected to remove the original score. Should GoPro resume selling Karma, we will re-asses our review and score accordingly.
