Saturday, 3 October 2015

Super Meat Boy comes to PS4 and Vita Oct. 6, but it needed an all-new soundtrack



Super Meat Boy comes to PS4 and Vita Oct. 6, but it needed an all-new soundtrack

Super Meat Boy arrives this month to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, and will be free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, but the game won't feature its original soundtrack, co-creator Tommy Refenes said yesterday.
"Long story short, we couldn't secure rights to include the old soundtrack with the release of the game on PS4 and PS Vita," Refenes wrote. "Now don't be too bummed because we had the opportunity to work with our favorite artists to re-score Super Meat Boy to celebrate its fifth anniversary."
The artists they enlisted have credits on some very well known games.
Team Meat (Edmund McMillen is a co-creator) enlisted the duo known as Ridiculon, who also worked on the soundtrack for McMillen's The Binding of Issac: Rebirth. Ridiculon "took care of The Forest, Hell, The Rapture and The End, as well as the intro music and title screen," Refenes wrote. "They also re-scored all of the of the cutscenes."
Handling two other levels, The Hospital and the Salt Factory, is Scattle, who worked on the Hotline Miami soundtrack. And Laura Shigihara, of the Plants vs. Zombiessoundtrack, supplied The Cotton Alley's stage music.
"We were lucky enough that they were all friends of ours and fans of Super Meat Boy," Refenes said.
Super Meat Boy launched in 2010 on Xbox 360 and PC, and was widely hailed as a definitive work in the sub-genre of brutally difficult platformers. It will launch on PS4 and Vita on Oct. 6

Friday, 2 October 2015

Sony Corp To Bid Farewell To PlayStation 3: Rumors

Sony Corp To Bid Farewell To PlayStation 3: Rumors

The news was revealed in a Facebook post by a leading online game retailer in New Zealand

Sony Corp To Bid Farewell To PlayStation 3: Rumors
n this age of technology, it is nothing unusual for a better or “next-generation” (for want of a better word) version of hardware to usurp the older version. The gaming console world is no different. A new generation of console marks the beginning of the end of the previous generation.
Sony Corp.’s (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 3 has reportedly met the same fate. Mighty Ape Games, New Zealand’s leading online video game retailer, announced in a Facebook post that the PS3 has been discontinued, before the page was disbanded, writesThoseGamers.
While Sony has stayed mum on the matter, it seems strange for the company to discontinue PS3 in New Zealand only, which is considered to be a very small market for the gaming console. We at Bidness Etc suspect a worldwide discontinuation notice will follow in the days to come, if the report is indeed true.
The news may sound shady at first; however, retailers have received insider information from such companies before as well, which have often turned out to be true. So only time will tell.
The discontinuation will not necessarily mean that the local retailers will empty the shelves completely as soon as the news makes the rounds. The older version, PlayStation 2, has certain “traces” still remaining in stores worldwide; the same can be said for PS3. It could be a while before you see your favorite gaming console sink into oblivion.
If this news is believed to be true, it would be sad to see the PS3 not make it through to its 10th birthday, which would be in November 2016. This news coincides with Sony recently asking players for their favorite games in all of the previous generations; the list of games included those from the PS3 era as well.
As we wait for official confirmation of the matter, let’s take a moment to remember the great games brought to us through Sony’s revolutionary console, such as the likes of Uncharted, The Last Of Us, and many more.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think it’s time to let go of the previous generation of gaming console, along with all its great games and memories? Let us know in the comments below

HP changes up cloud org in advance of split

HP changes up cloud org in advance of split

An internal memo from chief executive Meg Whitman said HP will move cloud R&D and product management efforts into its software organization led by Robert Youngjohns.

In a reorg preceding the mother of all reorgs that will divvy Hewlett-Packard into two companies, HP has revamped its cloud computing reporting structure.
The company is moving its cloud leadership into the overall software organization, according to an internal memo from HP  HPQ 1.54%  chief executive Meg Whitman obtained by Re/Code.
Specifically, cloud research and development (led by Mark Interrante) and cloud product management (under Bill Hilf) will now be part of software organization under Robert Youngjohns, according to the memo. Fortunereached out to HP for comment and will update this story as needed.
HP’s cloud effort has been in flux for quite some time. In September 2014, a month before the company announced its plans to split up, HP bought Eucalyptus and put its chief executive officer Marten Mickos atop its cloud efforts. But within months Mickos was quietly sidelined.
HP’s cloud woes go back even further. Over the past few years, HP outlined an aggressive plan to compete with Amazon  AMZN 0.84%  Web Services and Microsoft  MSFT 0.96%  Azure in massive-scale public cloud, but then retreated from it. Frankly that made sense, given HP’s current woes and the fact that competing in public cloud requires multiple billions of dollars in capital investment every year.
Still, this move of cloud under software is interesting from a semantics perspective in an era where “cloud” is seen as the end-all-and-be-all for tech providers. Customers like the idea of the self-service, pay-as-you-go opportunities cloud deployment offers. Many are evaluating whether it would be worth it to put more work into shared public cloud infrastructure rather than building out more of their own (expensive) facilities. Others prefer a hybrid approach where some data and jobs stay under company control and other, less sensitive tasks can go to the public cloud.
HP’s cloud efforts overall will flow into the new HP Enterprise entity. HP Inc. will sell printers and PCs. The split becomes official in November.
At any rate, HP fans must be longing for the day when they’ll hear more about product progress and customer wins instead of reorgs, layoffs, and litigation.
For more on HP’s past, check out the video below.
This story was updated at 11;39 a.m. EST with HP’s comment.

Can the iPad Pro be a serious editing tool for imaging professionals?

Can the iPad Pro be a serious editing tool for imaging professionals?


After the launch of the original iPad, tablets were expected to replace PCs in the hands of most users before too long, and there was seemingly no limit to the growth of this new market segment. However, reality set in some time ago and for the past couple of years tablet sales have actually been declining. Undoubtedly, the improvements in laptop computers are playing a huge part in that. The latest generation of laptops are lighter, thinner and more portable than ever before, and with their fast SSD drives just as quick to power up as a tablet. 

Most imaging professionals and serious photographers
have used iPads and other tablets for image presentation
rather than as editing tools

Considering those advances in laptop design and technology, can Apple’s iPad Pro become a serious laptop alternative for professional level image editing in the field? Up until now, most imaging professionals and serious photographers have used iPads and other tablets for image presentation rather than as editing tools. A lack of processing power has meant more complex editing tasks and working with Raw files could not be done easily, relegating most tablets to light editing of JPEG files and image review.
With the iPad Pro those power limitations have finally been lifted. Apple’s latest tablet comes with a high-resolution 12.9-inch screen, 4GB of RAM and a processor that, according to first reports, is as powerful as those in this year’s MacBook models.

The hardware for serious editing tasks appears to be all in place

Additionally there's the new Apple Pen pressure-sensitive stylus that allows you to work on the iPad Pro like you would with a dedicated graphics tablet. An optional keyboard that attaches magnetically is available as well. There is still no memory card slot nor can you attach an external hard drive but, at least for those who are willing to transfer part of their work flow to the cloud, the hardware for serious editing tasks appears to be all in place. What about the software then? Well, this is where things get more difficult. 
Apple’s new iOS 9 operating system comes with a split view function, allowing for working in two windows at the same time and at the iPad Pro’s launch presentation Adobe demonstrated its new suite of Creative Cloud mobile apps including Photoshop Fix. However, the latter isn’t as powerful as Adobe’s desktop application and for maximum efficiency is meant to be used in combination with Photoshop CC running on a Mac or PC. Despite being a much more powerful device than other models in the iPad line-up, with the software that is currently available the iPad Pro remains an additional tool for specific tasks in your editing workflow, but not the centerpiece.
For this to change, software makers like Adobe would have to make their image editing desktop applications available for the iPad Pro and iOS 9. We've already heard rumors that this may be on the way, but the task is complicated by the fact that, due to hardware requirements, these full software versions would likely only work with the iPad Pro but not the other iPad models, seriously limiting the sales potential for such apps. Alternatively, software makers could offer apps that provide a basic feature set on standard iPads and unlock additional functionality on the iPad Pro. This is not a tried-and-tested app sales model though, and is therefore not without its risks either. 

For now we’ll have to stick to our MacBook Air

Apple has delivered the hardware, but ultimately it’s down to whether the software makers are willing to take the risk and help turn the iPad Pro into an ultra-portable, full-scale image editing tool. For now we’ll have to stick to our MacBook Air, Windows laptop or even Microsoft Surface Pro device, which is currently the only tablet that allows for installation of a full Adobe Photoshop version.

Asus joins Samsung, Sony, and Dell in bundling Microsoft apps on Android

Asus joins Samsung,

Sony, and Dell in bundling Microsoft apps on Android


Android is arousing interest from antitrust regulators, Microsoft is doing a pretty good job of getting its services onto its competitor's platform. In a joint statement with Asus on Thursday, Microsoft revealed it has expanded a patent-licensing deal with the Taiwanese firm, which will see Office productivity services preloaded on Asus' Android smartphones and tablets.
ANOTHER GLOBAL ANDROID VENDOR MAKES MICROSOFT OFFICE A FEATURE OF ITS MOBILE DEVICES
The cross-licensing agreement covers Asus' use of Microsoft intellectual property in Android devices, though Microsoft also gets the benefit of Asus' patent portfolio in delivering its own software, devices, and services. Samsung, the biggest Android manufacturer in the world, was among the first to start bundling Microsoft's apps on Android, beginning with the Galaxy S6 smartphone and a number of its Galaxy tablets earlier this year. Sony and LG then did the same, and Dell has also joined in on preloading Office apps on its Android devices.
Microsoft appears to have settled on a neat solution to expanding the distribution of its software on Android by making its use a part of patent licensing negotiations. By taking less in royalty payments, the Office maker is ensuring that the software and services it really makes its money on are spread as widely as possible. With Asus now on board, there are now over 30 Android vendors who are actively pre-installing Microsoft's Office suite on Google's platform. Having settled its long-running patent battle with Googleyesterday, Microsoft is now on a path to even further collaboration and cross-platform distribution, which is very much in accordance with CEO Satya Nadella's "cloud and mobile first" approach.

Resident Evil 7 update: Capcom talk planned projects following Umbrella Corps release

Resident Evil 7 update: Capcom talk planned projects following Umbrella Corps release

Capcom say they have more mainstream projects incoming, is it Resident Evil 7?

CAPCOM have given an update on the Resident Evil franchise and what the development of Umbrella Corps on PS4 and PC means for the wider series.

Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps was revealed at The Tokyo Game Show last week and marks yet another instalment and spin off in the overall Resi universe.
Capcom say they wanted to focus on a shooter title due to the genre's popularity in the West, while also retaining a horror setting filled with zombies to keep some appeal for the core Japanese audience.
Umbrella Corps uses a close-quarters battle system which includes being able to use the undead population as a human shield, or a possible hindrance during firefights in claustrophobic environments.
Capcom have also supplied some of the premise of the new title, which sees groups of mercenaries in the pay of the world's biggest corporations trying to retrieve Umbrella's top research following its fall.
The setting will include a wide range of environments  from past games that have seen biological incidents occur, meaning they'll be plenty of maps to explore from arround the world.
As spin offs go, this sounds like quite a tantalizing prospect, although the world isn't really in need of more shooter titles, the story of Umbrella Corps does seem to slide in quite nicely with the overall game lore.
Capcom have also given an apparent update on Resident Evil 7, with Umbrella Corps producers, Masachika Kawata and James Vance revealing to Gamespot that projects are being worked on that fit with the mainstream version of the franchise.

Capcom Reveals Russian Pro Wrestler Zangief In Street Fighter V Latest Trailer

Capcom Reveals Russian Pro Wrestler Zangief In Street Fighter V Latest Trailer

Capcom Reveals Russian Pro Wrestler Zangief In Street Fighter V Latest Trailer
Capcom has no plans to stop the hype machine on Street Fighter V, the next entry in the long-running fighting franchise. The developer has revealed yet another addition to the roster in a new gameplay trailer. This time around, it’s none other than Russian pro-wrestler Zangief, Cinema Blend reports. Zangief has been a staple in the series for years and it’s great to see the Russian brute return to the Sony Corp. (ADR)(NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 4 exclusive Street Fighter V.
Of all the big guys in Street Fighter V, Zangief packs quite a punch. He is strong and agile and can throw opponents off the ground with ease. The good news is, he will be available from the start. So you can lay the smackdown on other fighters with Zangief and he really knows how to punish his opponents. Some of our favorite movies are the knee smashes and when he grabs fighters with his bare hands and gives them a devastating slam that can knock anyone out. He also can dish out the Cyclone Lariat when his V-gauge is full, and his V- Skill is the Iron Muscle which can be deadly on close range.
Prior to Zangief, we have seen the likes of Vega, Ryu, Chun-Li, M Bison and Ken. The game is shaping up to be the biggest in the franchise. It will make a serious impact in the “console war” as Street Fighter is one blockbuster franchise. The hotly anticipated fighting title is set to release sometime next year, in what looks to be the year of the PS4.
What other characters would you like to see in Street Fighter V? Let us know in the comments below.

‘Umbrella Corps’: 5 Great Resident Evil Features Capcom Game Should Include

"Umbrella Corps" Resident Evil Listicle
Of all the games fans were expecting Capcom to unveil as part of the venerable Resident Evil franchise's upcoming 20th anniversary, "Umbrella Corps," an online competitive shooter game, was likely not on the list. Despite its departure from the series' normal format, "Umbrella Corps" still contains several elements which are synonymous with the Resident Evil series, including the evil Umbrella Corporation and the presence of zombies. However, if Capcom wanted to make "Umbrella Corps" really feel like a Resident Evil game, it could start by implementing the five features outlined below.
Contextual Melee Attacks
We already know that all "Umbrella Corps" players will have access to the Brainer, a deadly pick-axe weapon which can one-hit-kill both zombies and enemy players. However, it'd be neat if players could also take out zombies (and maybe even human opponents) using stylish contextual melee attacks, much like how they can in more recent Resident Evil games like "Resident Evil 4" and "Resident Evil Revelations 2." Maybe these special melee attacks could even grant a boosted XP bonus and/or score multiplier if pulled off successfully in the heat of combat.
Raid Mode
The main focus of "Umbrella Corps" will obviously be on team-based competitive play, but it'd be nice if Capcom took the time to also implement a co-op vs. A.I. mode for less competitive Resident Evil fans. One format such a mode could take is that of the Raid mode format from "Resident Evil Revelations" and its recent sequel: both open and linear maps populated with various A.I. enemies, some of which have special conditions and/or status effects. Raid mode proved to be a popular hit in both "Revelations" games, and it would likely continue to do so if it were available in a dedicated online game.
The Spencer Mansion
A little throwback to make the longtime fans happy, a game map set in the iconic Spencer Mansion from the original "Resident Evil" could also tie into "Umbrella Corps'" loose story of rival pharmaceutical companies battling for control of Umbrella's assets. After all, we don't really know what happened with the mansion after the events of the core games, or what secrets it could still contain....
Additional Bio-Weapons
It sounds like the presence of zombies will add an interesting wrinkle to "Umbrella Corps'" otherwise standard shooter gameplay, but what if Capcom didn't stop at just zombies? Imagine being engaged in a fierce firefight with enemy players only to have Crimson Heads or Hunters suddenly enter the fray? The presence of additional bio-weapons could also open up new co-op vs. A.I. opportunities, since enemy players might suddenly become temporary allies if the threat proved to be large enough.
Character Camoes
"Umbrella Corps" players will be playing as nameless mercenaries by default, but that doesn't mean iconic characters like Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Leon Kennedy couldn't make an appearance. Maybe players could unlock the ability to temporarily play as these characters if they attained a high enough kill streak or score threshold, or maybe there could be an entirely separate "Legends" mode in which players got to pick from a roster of their favorite characters before duking it out. These characters have become a core staple of the franchise, and it'd be a shame if they ended up being sidelined completely.
Which of the above features would you want to see implemented in "Umbrella Corps?" Be sure to vote in the included Design and Trend poll!

Every Achievement in the ‘Resident Evil 0’ Remaster

Every Achievement in the 

‘Resident Evil 0’ Remaster

RE0HD_DevDiary1-620x400
Capcom has shared the full list of achievements — or trophies, depending on your platform of choice — for the upcoming Resident Evil 0 HD remaster so anyone who’s interested can start working on a strategy for catching them all when the game arrives next January.
S is for S.T.A.R.S. — Finish the game with rank S. — 25/Silver
From Zero to Hero — Finish the game on Hard difficulty. — 25/Silver
Who’s Got the Herb? — Finish the game without combining herbs. — 25/Silver
Save Your Prayers — Finish the game without saving. — 90/Gold
Allergic to First Aid Spray — Finish the game without using a First-Aid Spray. — 25/Silver
This is Serious Business — Finish the game without using a recovery item (including Green Chemicals). — 90/Gold
Zero In — Defeat an enemy with a critical-hit headshot. — 15/Bronze
Burned Alive — Defeat an enemy by burning them. — 15/Bronze
Dead, Dead, Deadski — Defeat a zombie by stomping on them. — 15/Bronze
This is How You Recycle Create a Molotov Cocktail. — 15/Bronze
Fashion Plate — Change into a costume. — 15/Bronze
Here I Come to Save the Day — Attack an enemy to save your partner who is grappling with that enemy. — 15/Bronze
Guns are Too Quick — Defeat an enemy with a knife. — 15/Bronze
Misdirected Hostility — Destroy a zombie’s legs. — 15/Bronze
Fileophile — Read all files. — 15/Bronze
Apprentice of Unlocking Obtain all keys and use them all. — 15/Bronze
Find Time to Combine — Combine every type of herb with each other. — 15/Bronze
I Could Shoot, You Know Obtain all weapons. — 25/Silver
I’m a Medic, Not a Bodybuilder — Try to push something heavy with Rebecca. — 15/Bronze
Wanna Go for a Ride? — Earn all trophies. — Platinum
Next up, we have the hidden achievements/trophies. Shhh, these are the secret ones.
Train Complete — Complete the train. — 15/Bronze
Training Facility Complete — Complete the training facility. — 15/Bronze
Laboratory Complete — Complete the laboratory. — 15/Bronze
Factory Complete — Complete the factory. — 15/Bronze
Treatment Plant Complete — Complete the treatment plant. — 15/Bronze
Taking the Sting Out — Defeat Stinger. — 15/Bronze
Centurion Disciplinarian — Defeat Centurion. — 15/Bronze
Die, Devil Bird! — Defeat Infected Bat. — 15/Bronze
Proto Tyrant Down — Fight off the Proto Tyrant. — 15/Bronze
Proto Tyrant Down Again — Defeat the Proto Tyrant. — 15/Bronze
Hey, Queenie! Feast on this! — Defeat Queen Leech. — 15/Bronze
That’s Officer Chambers to You — Defeat all bosses except Centurion using Rebecca. — 30/Silver
Alley-oop! — Shoot down a Hunter or an Eliminator while they are jump attacking in the air. — 15/Bronze
Sit, Boy, Sit! Good Dog — Break free of a Cerberus while they are biting you or trying to push you down. — 15/Bronze
Custom to Bust ‘Em — Create a Custom Handgun. — 15/Bronze
Green is the Color — Use a Green Chemical. — 15/Bronze
How ‘Bout a Light, Bud? — Defeat Mimicry Marcus with a Molotov Cocktail or a Napalm Grenade. — 15/Bronze
I Have the Touch — Defeat Mimicry Marcus for the first time only using a knife. — 25/Silver
Winged Spawn of Satan — Defeat 16 bats in the church. — 25/Silver
Welcome to Team Wesker — Put on Team Wesker costume. — 25/Silver
Calm the Zombie Nerves — Play the piano using Rebecca. — 15/Silver
On Leather Wings — Get picked up by the Infected Bat. — 15/Bronze
Trying Out New Things — Play Leech Hunter. — 15/Bronze
A Weird Interest in Leeches — Finish Leech Hunter with rank A. — 25/Silver
Leech-Shaped Hole in my Heart — Finish Leech Hunter with rank E or above. — 15/Bronze
Who Needs Partners? — Collect all of only one color of Leech Charms. — 25/Silver
Distracted from the Hunt — Defeat all enemies in Leech Hunter. — 30/Silver
20/20 Vision — Kill 50 enemies with the Death Stare at full charge. — 30/Silver

Apple's iPhone 6S, 6S Plus far more than just minor upgrades

Apple's iPhone 6S, 6S Plus far more than just minor upgrades

Apple’s latest smartphone lineup may look the same as last year’s models on the outside, but contain significant improvements for almost every key feature.

The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus went on sale Sept. 25, selling over 13 million units in the first weekend alone. In China, both smartphones are already sold out, with delivery times slipping to a month depending on the model.
A successful opening weekend, by all accounts, for a device that looks identical to last year’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: the iPhone 6S retains its 4.7-inch display, while the 6S Plus preserves its 5.5-inch display. Although, when it comes to Apple  AAPL -0.09% , looks can be deceiving.
Apple’s marketing slogan for this year’s iPhone collection is: “The only thing that’s changed is everything.” Despite appearing to be nothing more than a cute marketing phrase, there is some truth to the statement.
Apple used a stronger 7000 series aluminum for the housing (I’ve yet to see a video of someone bending an iPhone 6S), sturdier glass for the screen, and included two improved cameras, a faster A9 processor, and lighting-quick fingerprint recognition. In addition to the now-standard space gray, silver, and gold color options, Apple introduced a pink iPhone it’s calling rose gold. Not everything has changed, however, as Apple stuck with 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage options.
The iPhone 6S starts at $649 with carrier financing plans, while the iPhone 6S Plus goes for $749.
Over the past week I’ve primarily used the iPhone 6S. It’s the device I bought and will ultimately use for the next year. I also had access to an iPhone 6S Plus, which Apple provided me for this review.
Just how well do Apple’s new iPhones stack up? Let’s take a look at some of the more notable new features.

3D Touch

Arguably the most-talked about feature on the iPhone 6S is 3D Touch. Essentially, 3D Touch turns the phone’s screen into a giant pressure-sensitive button. Similar technology is used in the Apple Watch, although it’s called Force Touch.
There are two main scenarios in which you can use 3D Touch. The first is with what Apple calls Quick Actions. Quick actions let users access a bunch of functions without ever having to open the app. All you have to do is apply pressure to any app’s icon, instead of tapping on it, and a list of actions pop up.
For example, pressing on the Messages icon lets you pick from a list of recent conversations and jump straight to the respective thread, while the Camera app provides shortcuts for taking a selfie, recording a video, or taking a regular photo. Other similar shortcuts are found throughout Apple’s own apps, with third-party developers now starting to release updates that include the feature.
Quick actions are useful, but something I’m still trying to integrate into my daily routine. I’ve grown accustomed to fully launching an app, then navigating to the proper screen to carry out a task.
The second scenario is a combination of two features Apple calls Peek and Pop. Each one refers to how you can preview content and then later act on it if you choose. For instance, within the Instagram app you can lightly press on a photo’s thumbnail to slightly enlarge it—otherwise known as a “peek.” A “pop” occurs by pressing slightly harder on the screen; in turn causing the photo to fully open.
Peek and pop are found throughout various applications. In the mail app you can preview a portion of a message without marking it as read. If you want to take action or read more, you press harder on the screen. Again, remembering to use 3D Touch while triaging my inbox or to peek at a web link a friend sent me in messages is something I’m struggling with, but a behavior I’ll relearn the longer I use it.
My most used 3D Touch feature thus far is pressing on the keyboard to turn it into a trackpad. A light press will let you move the cursor around a body of text, with a deeper press highlighting text.
On the surface, 3D Touch seems like hindrance. We’ve grown accustomed to tapping, swiping, and pinching on nearly every touch interface we encounter. Adding another dimension, quite literally, as an input method is bound to be confusing; and it is, at first.
There’s a learning curve to 3D Touch, not only in terms of using it, but also in remembering how to use it. The latter will become easier as more developers integrate it into their apps, providing more compelling reasons to remember it’s there.
One other note about 3D Touch I want to mention: Having to apply pressure on the larger iPhone 6S Plus when using the device with one hand is difficult. I struggled with balancing the phone in my hand, while attempting to reach the top-left quarter of the display and apply pressure. Ultimately, I’d have to hold the phone with both hands.

Touch ID 2.0

There’s not much to say about the iPhone’s new Touch ID fingerprint sensor other than it’s fast; almost a little toofast. With the previous Touch ID sensor, I could routinely press the home button quickly enough so that my fingerprint wasn’t registered, in turn allowing me to read any notifications or check the time on the lock screen.
The new sensor routinely reads my fingerprint so fast I no longer have the opportunity to check the time or anything else on the lock screen. My only option now is to use the power button to wake the device, or get in the habit of using an unregistered finger to press the home button.
Checking the time or reading notifications aside, one feature I found myself missing is a shortcut to the Camera app on the lock screen.
When an iPhone is locked, you can wake the screen and launch the camera app by sliding its icon up from the bottom-right corner of the screen. On the iPhone 6S, the camera shortcut disappears alongside the lock screen when I press the home button.
I would love for Apple to include the option to set a hardware button as a camera shortcut. Let’s replace iOS 9’s Wallet shortcut, you can find it by double-clicking the home button, with a shortcut to launch the camera. Or, perhaps, the ability to launch the camera app when my device is locked by pressing the power button twice, just like Google’s new Nexus smartphones.
By increasing the speed of its new security feature, Apple inadvertently eliminated one of my favorite features.

Camera

Speaking of the camera, the iPhone 6S is equipped with two new sensors and new shooting modes. The rear-fApple’s latest smartphone lineup may look the same as last year’s models on the outside, but contain significant improvements for almost every key feature.
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus went on sale Sept. 25, selling over 13 million units in the first weekend alone. In China, both smartphones are already sold out, with delivery times slipping to a month depending on the model.
A successful opening weekend, by all accounts, for a device that looks identical to last year’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: the iPhone 6S retains its 4.7-inch display, while the 6S Plus preserves its 5.5-inch display. Although, when it comes to Apple  AAPL -0.09% , looks can be deceiving.
Apple’s marketing slogan for this year’s iPhone collection is: “The only thing that’s changed is everything.” Despite appearing to be nothing more than a cute marketing phrase, there is some truth to the statement.
Apple used a stronger 7000 series aluminum for the housing (I’ve yet to see a video of someone bending an iPhone 6S), sturdier glass for the screen, and included two improved cameras, a faster A9 processor, and lighting-quick fingerprint recognition. In addition to the now-standard space gray, silver, and gold color options, Apple introduced a pink iPhone it’s calling rose gold. Not everything has changed, however, as Apple stuck with 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage options.
The iPhone 6S starts at $649 with carrier financing plans, while the iPhone 6S Plus goes for $749.
Over the past week I’ve primarily used the iPhone 6S. It’s the device I bought and will ultimately use for the next year. I also had access to an iPhone 6S Plus, which Apple provided me for this review.
Just how well do Apple’s new iPhones stack up? Let’s take a look at some of the more notable new features.

3D Touch

Arguably the most-talked about feature on the iPhone 6S is 3D Touch. Essentially, 3D Touch turns the phone’s screen into a giant pressure-sensitive button. Similar technology is used in the Apple Watch, although it’s called Force Touch.
There are two main scenarios in which you can use 3D Touch. The first is with what Apple calls Quick Actions. Quick actions let users access a bunch of functions without ever having to open the app. All you have to do is apply pressure to any app’s icon, instead of tapping on it, and a list of actions pop up.
For example, pressing on the Messages icon lets you pick from a list of recent conversations and jump straight to the respective thread, while the Camera app provides shortcuts for taking a selfie, recording a video, or taking a regular photo. Other similar shortcuts are found throughout Apple’s own apps, with third-party developers now starting to release updates that include the feature.
Quick actions are useful, but something I’m still trying to integrate into my daily routine. I’ve grown accustomed to fully launching an app, then navigating to the proper screen to carry out a task.
The second scenario is a combination of two features Apple calls Peek and Pop. Each one refers to how you can preview content and then later act on it if you choose. For instance, within the Instagram app you can lightly press on a photo’s thumbnail to slightly enlarge it—otherwise known as a “peek.” A “pop” occurs by pressing slightly harder on the screen; in turn causing the photo to fully open.
Peek and pop are found throughout various applications. In the mail app you can preview a portion of a message without marking it as read. If you want to take action or read more, you press harder on the screen. Again, remembering to use 3D Touch while triaging my inbox or to peek at a web link a friend sent me in messages is something I’m struggling with, but a behavior I’ll relearn the longer I use it.
My most used 3D Touch feature thus far is pressing on the keyboard to turn it into a trackpad. A light press will let you move the cursor around a body of text, with a deeper press highlighting text.
On the surface, 3D Touch seems like hindrance. We’ve grown accustomed to tapping, swiping, and pinching on nearly every touch interface we encounter. Adding another dimension, quite literally, as an input method is bound to be confusing; and it is, at first.
There’s a learning curve to 3D Touch, not only in terms of using it, but also in remembering how to use it. The latter will become easier as more developers integrate it into their apps, providing more compelling reasons to remember it’s there.
One other note about 3D Touch I want to mention: Having to apply pressure on the larger iPhone 6S Plus when using the device with one hand is difficult. I struggled with balancing the phone in my hand, while attempting to reach the top-left quarter of the display and apply pressure. Ultimately, I’d have to hold the phone with both hands.

Touch ID 2.0

There’s not much to say about the iPhone’s new Touch ID fingerprint sensor other than it’s fast; almost a little toofast. With the previous Touch ID sensor, I could routinely press the home button quickly enough so that my fingerprint wasn’t registered, in turn allowing me to read any notifications or check the time on the lock screen.
The new sensor routinely reads my fingerprint so fast I no longer have the opportunity to check the time or anything else on the lock screen. My only option now is to use the power button to wake the device, or get in the habit of using an unregistered finger to press the home button.
Checking the time or reading notifications aside, one feature I found myself missing is a shortcut to the Camera app on the lock screen.
When an iPhone is locked, you can wake the screen and launch the camera app by sliding its icon up from the bottom-right corner of the screen. On the iPhone 6S, the camera shortcut disappears alongside the lock screen when I press the home button.
I would love for Apple to include the option to set a hardware button as a camera shortcut. Let’s replace iOS 9’s Wallet shortcut, you can find it by double-clicking the home button, with a shortcut to launch the camera. Or, perhaps, the ability to launch the camera app when my device is locked by pressing the power button twice, just like Google’s new Nexus smartphones.
By increasing the speed of its new security feature, Apple inadvertently eliminated one of my favorite features.

Camera

Speaking of the camera, the iPhone 6S is equipped with two new sensors and new shooting modes. The rear-fApple’s latest smartphone lineup may look the same as last year’s models on the outside, but contain significant improvements for almost every key feature.
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus went on sale Sept. 25, selling over 13 million units in the first weekend alone. In China, both smartphones are already sold out, with delivery times slipping to a month depending on the model.
A successful opening weekend, by all accounts, for a device that looks identical to last year’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: the iPhone 6S retains its 4.7-inch display, while the 6S Plus preserves its 5.5-inch display. Although, when it comes to Apple  AAPL -0.09% , looks can be deceiving.
Apple’s marketing slogan for this year’s iPhone collection is: “The only thing that’s changed is everything.” Despite appearing to be nothing more than a cute marketing phrase, there is some truth to the statement.
Apple used a stronger 7000 series aluminum for the housing (I’ve yet to see a video of someone bending an iPhone 6S), sturdier glass for the screen, and included two improved cameras, a faster A9 processor, and lighting-quick fingerprint recognition. In addition to the now-standard space gray, silver, and gold color options, Apple introduced a pink iPhone it’s calling rose gold. Not everything has changed, however, as Apple stuck with 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage options.
The iPhone 6S starts at $649 with carrier financing plans, while the iPhone 6S Plus goes for $749.
Over the past week I’ve primarily used the iPhone 6S. It’s the device I bought and will ultimately use for the next year. I also had access to an iPhone 6S Plus, which Apple provided me for this review.
Just how well do Apple’s new iPhones stack up? Let’s take a look at some of the more notable new features.

3D Touch

Arguably the most-talked about feature on the iPhone 6S is 3D Touch. Essentially, 3D Touch turns the phone’s screen into a giant pressure-sensitive button. Similar technology is used in the Apple Watch, although it’s called Force Touch.
There are two main scenarios in which you can use 3D Touch. The first is with what Apple calls Quick Actions. Quick actions let users access a bunch of functions without ever having to open the app. All you have to do is apply pressure to any app’s icon, instead of tapping on it, and a list of actions pop up.
For example, pressing on the Messages icon lets you pick from a list of recent conversations and jump straight to the respective thread, while the Camera app provides shortcuts for taking a selfie, recording a video, or taking a regular photo. Other similar shortcuts are found throughout Apple’s own apps, with third-party developers now starting to release updates that include the feature.
Quick actions are useful, but something I’m still trying to integrate into my daily routine. I’ve grown accustomed to fully launching an app, then navigating to the proper screen to carry out a task.
The second scenario is a combination of two features Apple calls Peek and Pop. Each one refers to how you can preview content and then later act on it if you choose. For instance, within the Instagram app you can lightly press on a photo’s thumbnail to slightly enlarge it—otherwise known as a “peek.” A “pop” occurs by pressing slightly harder on the screen; in turn causing the photo to fully open.
Peek and pop are found throughout various applications. In the mail app you can preview a portion of a message without marking it as read. If you want to take action or read more, you press harder on the screen. Again, remembering to use 3D Touch while triaging my inbox or to peek at a web link a friend sent me in messages is something I’m struggling with, but a behavior I’ll relearn the longer I use it.
My most used 3D Touch feature thus far is pressing on the keyboard to turn it into a trackpad. A light press will let you move the cursor around a body of text, with a deeper press highlighting text.
On the surface, 3D Touch seems like hindrance. We’ve grown accustomed to tapping, swiping, and pinching on nearly every touch interface we encounter. Adding another dimension, quite literally, as an input method is bound to be confusing; and it is, at first.
There’s a learning curve to 3D Touch, not only in terms of using it, but also in remembering how to use it. The latter will become easier as more developers integrate it into their apps, providing more compelling reasons to remember it’s there.
One other note about 3D Touch I want to mention: Having to apply pressure on the larger iPhone 6S Plus when using the device with one hand is difficult. I struggled with balancing the phone in my hand, while attempting to reach the top-left quarter of the display and apply pressure. Ultimately, I’d have to hold the phone with both hands.

Touch ID 2.0

There’s not much to say about the iPhone’s new Touch ID fingerprint sensor other than it’s fast; almost a little toofast. With the previous Touch ID sensor, I could routinely press the home button quickly enough so that my fingerprint wasn’t registered, in turn allowing me to read any notifications or check the time on the lock screen.
The new sensor routinely reads my fingerprint so fast I no longer have the opportunity to check the time or anything else on the lock screen. My only option now is to use the power button to wake the device, or get in the habit of using an unregistered finger to press the home button.
Checking the time or reading notifications aside, one feature I found myself missing is a shortcut to the Camera app on the lock screen.
When an iPhone is locked, you can wake the screen and launch the camera app by sliding its icon up from the bottom-right corner of the screen. On the iPhone 6S, the camera shortcut disappears alongside the lock screen when I press the home button.
I would love for Apple to include the option to set a hardware button as a camera shortcut. Let’s replace iOS 9’s Wallet shortcut, you can find it by double-clicking the home button, with a shortcut to launch the camera. Or, perhaps, the ability to launch the camera app when my device is locked by pressing the power button twice, just like Google’s new Nexus smartphones.
By increasing the speed of its new security feature, Apple inadvertently eliminated one of my favorite features.

Camera

Speaking of the camera, the iPhone 6S is equipped with two new sensors and new shooting modes. The rear-fApple’s latest smartphone lineup may look the same as last year’s models on the outside, but contain significant improvements for almost every key feature.
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus went on sale Sept. 25, selling over 13 million units in the first weekend alone. In China, both smartphones are already sold out, with delivery times slipping to a month depending on the model.
A successful opening weekend, by all accounts, for a device that looks identical to last year’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: the iPhone 6S retains its 4.7-inch display, while the 6S Plus preserves its 5.5-inch display. Although, when it comes to Apple  AAPL -0.09% , looks can be deceiving.
Apple’s marketing slogan for this year’s iPhone collection is: “The only thing that’s changed is everything.” Despite appearing to be nothing more than a cute marketing phrase, there is some truth to the statement.
Apple used a stronger 7000 series aluminum for the housing (I’ve yet to see a video of someone bending an iPhone 6S), sturdier glass for the screen, and included two improved cameras, a faster A9 processor, and lighting-quick fingerprint recognition. In addition to the now-standard space gray, silver, and gold color options, Apple introduced a pink iPhone it’s calling rose gold. Not everything has changed, however, as Apple stuck with 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage options.
The iPhone 6S starts at $649 with carrier financing plans, while the iPhone 6S Plus goes for $749.
Over the past week I’ve primarily used the iPhone 6S. It’s the device I bought and will ultimately use for the next year. I also had access to an iPhone 6S Plus, which Apple provided me for this review.
Just how well do Apple’s new iPhones stack up? Let’s take a look at some of the more notable new features.

3D Touch

Arguably the most-talked about feature on the iPhone 6S is 3D Touch. Essentially, 3D Touch turns the phone’s screen into a giant pressure-sensitive button. Similar technology is used in the Apple Watch, although it’s called Force Touch.
There are two main scenarios in which you can use 3D Touch. The first is with what Apple calls Quick Actions. Quick actions let users access a bunch of functions without ever having to open the app. All you have to do is apply pressure to any app’s icon, instead of tapping on it, and a list of actions pop up.
For example, pressing on the Messages icon lets you pick from a list of recent conversations and jump straight to the respective thread, while the Camera app provides shortcuts for taking a selfie, recording a video, or taking a regular photo. Other similar shortcuts are found throughout Apple’s own apps, with third-party developers now starting to release updates that include the feature.
Quick actions are useful, but something I’m still trying to integrate into my daily routine. I’ve grown accustomed to fully launching an app, then navigating to the proper screen to carry out a task.
The second scenario is a combination of two features Apple calls Peek and Pop. Each one refers to how you can preview content and then later act on it if you choose. For instance, within the Instagram app you can lightly press on a photo’s thumbnail to slightly enlarge it—otherwise known as a “peek.” A “pop” occurs by pressing slightly harder on the screen; in turn causing the photo to fully open.
Peek and pop are found throughout various applications. In the mail app you can preview a portion of a message without marking it as read. If you want to take action or read more, you press harder on the screen. Again, remembering to use 3D Touch while triaging my inbox or to peek at a web link a friend sent me in messages is something I’m struggling with, but a behavior I’ll relearn the longer I use it.
My most used 3D Touch feature thus far is pressing on the keyboard to turn it into a trackpad. A light press will let you move the cursor around a body of text, with a deeper press highlighting text.
On the surface, 3D Touch seems like hindrance. We’ve grown accustomed to tapping, swiping, and pinching on nearly every touch interface we encounter. Adding another dimension, quite literally, as an input method is bound to be confusing; and it is, at first.
There’s a learning curve to 3D Touch, not only in terms of using it, but also in remembering how to use it. The latter will become easier as more developers integrate it into their apps, providing more compelling reasons to remember it’s there.
One other note about 3D Touch I want to mention: Having to apply pressure on the larger iPhone 6S Plus when using the device with one hand is difficult. I struggled with balancing the phone in my hand, while attempting to reach the top-left quarter of the display and apply pressure. Ultimately, I’d have to hold the phone with both hands.

Touch ID 2.0

There’s not much to say about the iPhone’s new Touch ID fingerprint sensor other than it’s fast; almost a little toofast. With the previous Touch ID sensor, I could routinely press the home button quickly enough so that my fingerprint wasn’t registered, in turn allowing me to read any notifications or check the time on the lock screen.
The new sensor routinely reads my fingerprint so fast I no longer have the opportunity to check the time or anything else on the lock screen. My only option now is to use the power button to wake the device, or get in the habit of using an unregistered finger to press the home button.
Checking the time or reading notifications aside, one feature I found myself missing is a shortcut to the Camera app on the lock screen.
When an iPhone is locked, you can wake the screen and launch the camera app by sliding its icon up from the bottom-right corner of the screen. On the iPhone 6S, the camera shortcut disappears alongside the lock screen when I press the home button.
I would love for Apple to include the option to set a hardware button as a camera shortcut. Let’s replace iOS 9’s Wallet shortcut, you can find it by double-clicking the home button, with a shortcut to launch the camera. Or, perhaps, the ability to launch the camera app when my device is locked by pressing the power button twice, just like Google’s new Nexus smartphones.
By increasing the speed of its new security feature, Apple inadvertently eliminated one of my favorite features.

Camera

Speaking of the camera, the iPhone 6S is equipped with two new sensors and new shooting modes. The rear-facing camera goes from 8- to 12-megapixels, while the front-facing camera saw an upgrade from 1.2- to 5-megapixels. The iPhone 6S Plus has the added benefit of optical image stabilization; a feature that helps with low-light shooting and stabilizes recorded video. The iPhone 6S uses software for video stabilization.
For the first time, you can now shoot 4K video using an iPhone. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you if video captured using the iPhone’s 4K feature is any better than 1080p video. I don’t own a 4K television, nor do I have any immediate plans to purchase one.
In the spirit of a thorough review, I enabled 4K capturing in an attempt to look for a telltale difference in video quality. The video looked fantastic on my high-definition TV, but so did the 1080p video I captured on the iPhone 6. I was unable to tell the difference between the two.
I’m on the fence about leaving 4K capture enabled as a means to future-proof the videos I do record. My only hesitation is the sheer amount of data 4K video requires. According to the iPhones’ settings app, one minute of 1080p video recorded at 60 frames-per-second uses 200-megabytes of storage. A minute of 4K video of identical length is nearly double, using 375-megabytes of storage.
Apple also introduced a new Live Photos shooting mode with the iPhone 6S. The pictures showcase a still photo, sandwiched between two short video clips. As you use the camera app on the iPhone 6S, it’s constantly recording video in anticipation of a photo being taken. Pressing the shutter button then saves only the previous 1.5-second of video, followed by another 1.5-seconds of video.
The end result is a photo that comes to life when touched.
I was skeptical about the utility of a photo that comes to life. Photos are so appealing because they encapsulate a moment in time, preserving a memory. Everything in the photo is frozen, leaving the rest up to your imagination.
Do I really want to see a sunset briefly come to life, or a photo that shows what my daughter was doing just before I asked her to smile? Do I want some of the magic to be ruined? Yes. The answer is yes.
My ‘aha moment’ with live photos occurred while attending a wedding. My kids were dancing, having the time of their young lives. After I took some photos with the iPhone 6S, I sat back down to show my wife one I was rather fond of. As I scrolled through the camera roll, I noticed each photo would briefly move as it appeared on the screen. This quick animation is the iPhone’s way of letting you know when you’re looking at a live photo.
I pressed on the screen, and the photo began moving. Instead of having a still photo of my kids dancing, I now had this photo I could bring to life in which I could see andhear them dancing. Aha, indeed.
That’s not to say every live photo you take is going to be magical. Nor should every photo even be a live photo. Trust me, I’ve taken some really bad live photos. I have a natural habit of lowering my phone after pressing the shutter button, during which the camera continues recording leading to a blurry mess at the end. A future software update will use the iPhone’s accelerometer to stop recording once it detects you’ve lowered the phone.
There’s clearly a time and place for live photos, and I’m lucky enough to have discovered one of them.

Overall performance

As expected, apps launch faster and games run smoother on the iPhone 6S. Apple’s new A9 processor is to thank for the speed boost. On the iPhone 6 I would often experience some slowness when running complicated tasks in the automation app Workflow. The iPhone 6S handled the same automation tasks without pause.
Each year Apple touts processing speed gains when it introduces a new iPhone. Some years the speed gain hasn’t been discernible. This year, there’s a clear-cut difference in overall performance when compared to the iPhone 6.
Battery life was somewhat of a disappointment. Not because it was any worse than that of the iPhone 6, but because it didn’t improve. I’m still able to get a full day’s use out of the iPhone 6S, with more than a day’s worth from the iPhone 6S Plus. Sure, it’s sufficient for most, but battery life is one feature you can never improve on enough.

Is it worth it?

Apple makes a big deal about the fact it has complete control over every aspect—both hardware and software—of the iPhone, and just how much work goes into creating the ultimate user experience. The company’s ability to create the hardware behind 3D Touch, while also writing the software to maximize its performance is the best example of such collaboration in recent memory.
It’s hard to imagine Google  GOOGL 0.07%  announcing Android would begin including software support for a similar feature, while relying on its hardware manufacturers to create and implement the hardware portion into various Android devices. The end result would be a wildly inconsistent experience.
With so much control, maybe next year is the year Apple finally ditches the 16GB model. Try as I might to defend low-storage iPhones, the fact of the matter is that 16GB iPhones require far too much thought be put into managing storage. A problem that’s sure to get worse as users start recording storage-hungry 4K video.
After having used and reviewed nearly all of this year’s Android smartphone lineup, and now having used the iPhone 6S, there’s no doubt in my mind, the iPhone 6S is the best smartphone money can buy.