Pre-order a Samsung Galaxy S7 and snag a Samsung Gear VR for free
The Samsung Gear VR is arguably the best headset out right now, in terms of quality over price. But Samsung just made that deal a little sweeter today as participating pre-orders of the phone manufacturer’s new Samsung Galaxy S7 will come with a Gear VR totally free.
When you purchase a Samsung Galaxy S7 at select stores — including Target and Best Buy — you can get a Gear VR and a six-game bundle, estimated at a $150 value. You can either get the headset directly from your carrier of choice, or submit your proof of purchase on Samsung’s ordering site .
This bundle is ideal for anyone considering the Galaxy S7 in the first place: now you won’t have to shell out an extra $99 to turn your phone into a VR device that runs on Oculus technology. While the Gear VR certainly isn’t a replacement for heavy-duty machines like the HTC Vive or the Oculus Rift , it’s definitely a step up from Google’s offerings across the board.
Supplies are limited, so if you’re itching to try VR and already have the Galaxy S7 on your list, it might be an attractive choice.
➤ Samsung
Bose wants kids to learn about sound by assembling a Bluetooth speaker themselves
There are all kinds of tools and services to help kids learn to code these days – but what if your child is more interested in building gadgets?
The audio experts at Bose have released the BoseBuild Speaker Cube, a system designed to help kids understand how sound works as they assemble a Bluetooth speaker using prefabricated parts and following instructions on a companion iOS app.
In addition to putting these parts together, children can also go through activities involving speaker components to learn about frequencies and equalization.
Plus, the Speaker Cube system includes customizable colored LED lights that can dance along with music played through the speaker and customize its look with a range of covers.
Bose says its product will take a child about an hour to assemble on their own, but the Bluetooth speaker, which is compatible with any device that supports the wireless standard – will last for years and can be taken apart at any time to explore other learning activities with its components. The $149 price tag for a hands-on learning experience, as well as a Bose speaker for your child, seems pretty reasonable.
This is the first product from Bose’s new category of devices for children who want to learn more about how gadgets work. It’ll be interesting to see what the company comes up next for young circuitheads.
PSA: Intel’s Basis Peak wearables can burn your wrist, return yours now for a refund
Intel is recalling every Basis Peak fitness tracker it’s sold since the wearable launched in 2014 , over fears that the device may overheat and burn wearers’ wrists, or cause blisters.
The company, which was acquired by Intel in 2014, noted that it received reports of faults in only 0.2 percent of all devices sold. In spite of its best efforts, Basis wasn’t able to come up with a solution to the issue and is recalling the whole lot as a result.
Owners can expect to receive a full refund (including taxes and shipping) for the $199 Peak, the $299 Peak Titanium , as well as for all authorized accessories when they return the devices. In addition, all health data will continue to be available for export until December 31.
That’s a bummer for fans of the fitness-focused wearable, which not only tracked body movement but also measured perspiration and skin temperature and also gained the ability to display notifications from your phone .
If you’re in the process of returning your Peak and wondering what to replace it with, your refund amount will easily cover the handsome $150 Garmin Vivomove or the minimalist $130 Fitbit Alta .