Galaxy S7 leak finally gives us a look at the smartphone in the flesh?

Over the past several weeks and months, we’ve heard no shortage about what to expect from Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S7: how many different models to look forward to, what sizes we’re likely to get – all that jazz. And while we’ve seen plenty of schematics, and even some case pics, we’ve been coming up short in the leak department when it comes to the good stuff: imagery of actual phone hardware. Apparently all of our patience is finally starting to pay off, and today we get to check out what might just be the first real pic we’ve seen of the Galaxy S7 in the flesh.

Google job postings, new hires point to serious interest in VR hardware

There’s a fair chance that you may be starting to get sick hearing about VR-this and VR-that all the time, but you’ve just got to open your mind a little. After all, while it was easy to talk big about VR in years past, in 2016 we’re finally seeing things go commercial in a really big way, connecting the dots between stuff like basic Google Cardboard viewers and the really immersive 3D worlds that once only seemed possible in sci-fi fantasies. As such, it’s only logical that Google appears to be paying more and more attention to the burgeoning market, as we saw earlier this month when we got word that the company was creating a new VP position focused solely on VR. Now the full scope of Google’s VR ambitions continues to come into focus, as we learn a little more about its hardware plans thanks to a job posting, and see it recruit even more big talent for VR development.

Possible Apple iPad Air 3 schematic takes cues from the iPad Pro

Last year came and went without bringing us a new standard-sized iPad option. Sure we got the new iPad Pro, as well as a refreshed iPad mini 4, but nothing new in the 9.7-inch space. But while the presumed iPad Air 3’s remained elusive, we have managed to hear a little about what we might expect from the tablet when it finally does launch, including maybe a big resolution bump, or a ton of extra RAM – even if we don’t get 3D Touch. With multiple sources pointing to an H1 2016 launch, this new iPad Air could be right around the corner – so when are we going to get some more definitive intel on the tablet? Well, we’re not yet sure how much faith we should be placing in this new find, but a recently published schematic may reveal at least a few changes Apple’s working on for the hardware.

LG G5 case design supports growing body of evidence in favor of side-mounted volume buttons

Can you remember an LG G-series phone that didn’t use the company’s iconic rear-volume-button design? We have it on the G4, we had it with the G3, and we even had it with the G2, all the way back in 2013; really, if you want a G-series flagship with traditional side-edge volume buttons, you have to look back to the old Optimus G, before we had this new naming scheme at all. But now for the upcoming G5, it looks like LG is breaking from habit and going back to the old way of doing things – despite some early signs suggesting that the G5’s rear-button scheme would continue with the pattern, subsequent leaks have provided a growing body of evidence in favor of LG dropping those rear volume buttons and keeping only the single power button (now with fingerprint scanner). The latest piece of the puzzle only adds more support to this no-more-rear-volume theory, showing a G5 that matches the most recent leaks from other sources.

Apple continues to tweak Night Shift mode in new iOS 9.3 beta 2

Two weeks back, Apple gave developers their first look at the upcoming 9.3 release of iOS, and maybe most notable among the new features it delivered was a mode for adjusting screen color temperature in the hopes of offering more comfortable late-night usage: Night Shift. Apple’s been continuing to refine things behind the scenes since that early release, and today we see the company see its second iOS 9.3 beta to devs, further refining the Night Shift experience while making a few other tweaks around the operating system.

With iOS 9.3 beta 2, users will notice a new Night Shift interface for the iOS Control Center, giving users quick access for either toggling on Night Shift temporarily, or setting it to remain engaged until morning.

Samsung said to be taking its app ecosystem to iOS

Apple hasn’t jumped platforms very well. But everyone else has — which only serves to reinforce the idea that the iPhone is the phone to have forever and ever everywhere. Microsoft and Google have come to play, now there’s word that Apple’s largest competitor in the mobile space will bring its software over to the App Store.

Samsung may be planning on bringing its S Health, Gear Fit Manager and Gear Manager apps to iOS. This would open up the company’s Gear wearables to iPhone compatibility.

Microsoft Word Flow keyboard on iOS has arced, one-handed config

It’s been more than three years in the making and only now is it getting out to the public. Microsoft has been researching how to craft an entire on-screen smartphone keyboard fit for one-thumb use. The company sent out invitations for beta testers to try out the Word Flow keyboard on iOS just last week.

We now have snaps of what’s going on with that refined setup. Windows 10 Mobile and select Android OEM skins feature keyboards with compacted keys biased to one side of the screen, but this takes things to a natural level of thumb arcing. Word suggestions follow that arc, too.

Android peeps will eventually also get the Word Flow keyboard.