Keep your eyes peeled -- we've got exciting tech announcements to look out for.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is set to be released at an event on Aug 2. While there are still things we don't know about the device, tech leaker Evan Blass has given us a first look at several of its features, including an iris scanner that owners can use to unlock the phablet. But it doesn't come without caveats. So what can we expect?
In IT Blogwatch, we keep our eyes open.
So what do we know about the iris scanner? Kris Carlon gives us the background:
In the lock screen and security settings...there is a new option...called Irises. The...limitations of the iris unlock feature...is dishearteningly long. Especially if you were hoping to able to use it while wearing spectacles or contacts, in low light conditions or if you don’t want to lift your phone level with your head.
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To set it up...you need to...position the phone 25-30 cms from your face with your eyes in the on-screen circles and let the front-facing scanner register your iris.
Limitations? Turns out it comes with a disclaimer that is a mile long. Potentially not working with glasses or contacts is just the tip of the iceberg. Kukil Bora tells us about some others situations which might affect the scanner:
According to the disclaimer...the iris scanner may not function properly if the user has [had] eye surgeries, such as LASIK, LASEK, intraocular lens implant and iris scar treatment...The performance of the iris scanner could also be affected if the user has an eye disease that affects irises.
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All these limitations can turn into a major setback for a new feature...If the iris scanner indeed turns out to be limited, it will not be more than a novelty for many people.
Well, that's a little discouraging. But let's move on. Anything else exciting coming to the Galaxy Note 7? Why, yes, there is. Collen Kriel tells us what else we can expect:
The latest rumor to make the rounds [about] the Note7’s battery ... puts the Note 7’s battery at...3,500 mAh.
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Released screenshots of the S Pen Air Command menu shows a new option called Glance, in addition to...Screen Write, S Note, Smart Select and Action Memo. The screenshots also show the ability to easily create GIFs and record sections of the screen.
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The display will [be] either 5.7...or...5.8 inches...will have a QHD, 2560 x 1440 resolution, and a Super AMOLED panel...RAM...is rumored to be a massive 6 GB, with storage options of 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB and a microSD expansion. The camera for the Note7 is rumored to stick to...a 12 MP front-facing camera and 5 MP rear-facing camera.
But with all this talk about features, it seems we are skipping over one thing. Sagar asks an important question:
All tech websites are talking about the launch of Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Did Samsung forget to launch Note 6?