Smartwatch

Top 10 Smartwatches in 2016

What is Smartwatch?

A smartwatch is a computerized wristwatch with functionality that goes beyond timekeeping. While early models can perform basic tasks, such as calculations, translations, and game-playing, 2010s smartwatches are effectively wearable computers. Many run mobile apps, using a mobile operating system. Some smartwatches function as portable media players, with FM radio and playback of digital audio and video files via a Bluetooth or USB headset. Some models, also called 'watch phones', feature full mobile phone capability, and can make or answer phone calls or text messages.

While internal hardware varies, most have an electronic visual display, either backlit LCD or OLED. Some use transflective or electronic paper, to consume less power. Most have a rechargeable battery and many have a touchscreen. Peripheral devices may include digital cameras, thermometers, accelerometers, altimeters, barometers, compasses, GPS receivers, tiny speakers, and SD card (that are recognized as a storage device by a computer).

Software may include digital maps, schedulers and personal organizers, calculators, and various kinds of watch faces. The watch may communicate with external devices such as sensors, wireless headsets, or a heads-up display. Like other computers, a smartwatch may collect information from internal or external sensors and it may control, or retrieve data from, other instruments or computers.

Here is the list of Top 10 Smartwatches in 2016:

1. Apple Watch Series 2

Price: $539.00 onwards (amazon.com)

Meet Apple's second generation smartwatch — complete with a new, freshly unveiled waterproof shell (up to 50 meters). In addition, a newly added built-in GPS allows the watch to perform mapping functions without the addition of a phone. The watch is also now equipped with a dual-core processor so it's said to be 50 percent faster than the original. Casing options are quite similar to the Series 1 model (below), with the low- and mid-tier versions coming with either aluminum or stainless steel cases. There are some high-end band options available from Hermès and even a cool Nike sport band for the more athleticly inclined.

2. Apple Watch Series 2 Nike+

Price: $549.00 onwards (amazon.com)

The Apple Watch Nike+ Edition isn't all that different from the Apple Watch Series 2. It's the same size and weight, and it can be used to make phone calls (when your iPhone is connected) and run apps. It also features the same ultra-bright display, dual-core processor, GPS and swim-proof design as the Series 2.

The difference is the integration with the Nike+ Run Club app. You also get an exclusive silicone two-tone strap and two exclusive Nike watch faces. Essentially, this is the same Apple Watch we already like you can

3. Samsung Gear S2

Price: $244.98 onwards (amazon.com)

Samsung's latest smartwatch abandons the Android Wear OS in favor of the company's homegrown Tizen OS, which proves to be a smart choice indeed. The Samsung Gear S2  has a user-friendly interface that's worlds easier to use than Android Wear. And the watch itself has a great design that combines the round face and stainless steel case of a traditional timepiece with a futuristic, rotating bezel that makes navigation even easier. But there's still some room for Tizen to grow, as a dearth of apps and weak voice recognition keep the Gear S2 from nabbing a higher score.

There are also 3G versions of each watch available with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon service. Pricing and availability will vary according to carrier; T-Mobile, for instance, 

4. Apple Watch Series 1

Price: $249.99 onwards (amazon.com)

You don't need a smartwatch. And if you think you do, paying more than a couple of hundred dollars feels pretty hard to swallow.

The Apple Watch, in its second year, has focused on refinement. Really, the best part is the operating system, which has become easier to use, faster, and even offers better battery life. If you had an original Apple Watch, just update to WatchOS 3 and you're fine.

But if you're considering one, and you're not an athlete, Apple Watch Series 1 is the way to go. It costs less than Apple Watch Series 2, and you're only giving up a few features: GPS, swim-proofing, and a few other minor things.

5. Huawei Watch

Price: $229.21 onwards (amazon.com)

The new Huawei Watch is extremely similar, right down to its crown placement and stainless steel case. It's a good look, but its starting price and Android Wear operating system might be cause for pause. However, a longer battery life than most smartwatches, a sharp display, and a solid heart rate monitor give the Huawei Watch an edge.  

There are six models of the Huawei Watch available. They come in combinations of black, stainless steel, and rose gold-plated watch cases with black leather, steel link, stainless steel mesh, black-plated link, alligator-pressed brown leather, or rose gold-plated link bracelets. The prices range from depending on your configuration. The rose gold models are the most expensive and will be available later this year; everything else is on sale now.

6. Motorola Moto 360 Sport

Price: $114.99 onwards (amazon.com)

Motorola Moto 360 Sport is an athletic-minded version of the Motorola Moto 360, but the name is a bit of a misnomer; Moto 360 Run would be more accurate. Besides calories, distance, and steps, the Moto 360 Sport can only track running, so cyclists and swimmers need not apply. Still, it's certainly the best fitness-focused Android Wear smartwatch we've seen to date, with built-in GPS and a heart rate monitor to track stats from calories burned per minute to heart rate zone times. It's a useful tool for runners, but if you're more of a triathlete, you'll be better served by a dedicated fitness tracker like the Fitbit Charge HR.

True to its name, the Moto 360 Sport looks sportier than its more traditional counterpart. There are no customization options via Motorola's Moto Maker, so you can't choose different cases and you can't swap out bands. You can, however, select from black, orange, or white bands.

7. Samsung Gear S2 Classic

Price: $129.99 onwards (amazon.com)

The Samsung Gear S2 is only a few months old, but it's already been updated in the form of a new Classic edition. The Gear S2 Classic has the same exact interface and hardware as the original, but it's built with classier materials (including a leather wristband) that could be worth the premium if you like the look. It's an attractive smartwatch, with one of the most intuitive interfaces and a unique, rotating bezel you won't find anywhere else. But just like the original Gear S2, the lack of third-party apps and finicky voice recognition keep the Classic from earning a stronger recommendation.

     The Gear S2 Classic goes for a more subdued, traditional appearance than its sportier sibling. It has a black leather wristband, while the stainless steel case is now adorned with little ridges, giving it the appearance of an actual gear. The added bit of texture also helps when rotating the bezel to control the watch. The Classic's leather band is highly comfortable, with a creamy brown suede underside that feels fantastic on the wrist. That said, you can still pick up the original watch, which comes with black or white silicone bands.

8. Asus ZenWatch 3

Price: $229.00 (amazon.com)

The Asus ZenWatch 2 was pretty great value all things considered, but it wasn’t exactly the most stylish Android Wear watch out there. It felt cheap, and its rectangular design didn’t do it any favours.

Asus is now back with the ZenWatch 3, launched at IFA 2016, and this time the company has opted to go round. Unlike the Moto 360, there’s no sign of any "flat tyre" here, which makes it look far more slick and elegant by comparison. Like Samsung with its Gear S3, Asus has said it has taken inspiration from classic, mechanical watches.

The company has used jewellery-grade 316L stainless steel against a diamond-cut bezel to give the ZenWatch 3 a better look and feel compared to the ZenWatch 2. Between the high-end construction of the watch and the stitched Italian leather of the strap, it certainly feels luxurious against your wrist. Rubber strap options are also available for those who prefer something a bit more sporty.

9. LG Watch Urbane

Price: $122.56 onwards (amazon.com)

The Urbane is available in a choice of two styles: pink gold with a brown leather strap, and silver with a black leather strap. Our review unit is the gold version, and it’s not a pretty sight.

Rather than refined elegance, it oozes tackiness. It has all the character of a cheap gold bracelet jangling from Derek “Del Boy” Trotter’s wrist. The silver version is definitely the better looking of the pair, but that’s not saying much.

There are a couple of positives, however. One is that its round, Square-faced smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, just don’t look anywhere near as good as their circular counterparts, in my opinion. Secondly, it’s made from stainless steel. As a result, it feels substantial and reassuringly heavy, weighing 66.5g.

However, that’s about as good as it gets. The metal itself is polished to the point where it just screams, “Look at me!” The 11mm-thick main body also looks chunky and intimidating, while in fact it’s slightly slimmer than the G Watch R (11.1mm), and much thinner than the Apple Watch (11.5mm).

10. Fossil Q Founder

Price: $191.99 onwards (amazon.com)

Fossil is no stranger to wrists, but creating a smartwatch is a venture that this household name is only now getting its start on. The Fossil Q Founder is its first Android Wear device, with many more to come later in the year.

The Q Founder continues the trend occurring within Google's range of smartwatches of looking more like traditional watches and less like a piece of wrist-based technology.

Fossil's debut rocks with the best that Android Wear has to offer in regards to its looks. The Huawei Watch, Moto 360 and LG Watch Urbane are among the suit-friendly ranks and the Q Founder fits right in.

Currently, it isn't clear if it will support the recently announced Android Wear 2.0. But, it packs in the latest–now standard–Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for Android Wear, which brings along a slew of new gestures and permissions, as well as some other minor improvements under the hood.

These are the best smartwatches in the market. So, which smartwatch do you want at this New Year Evening? Let me know in the comments section below and wishing my all readers A HAPPY NEW YEAR. Thanks for your support for my blogs and If you like my blogs then please do follow it and share as much you can. 

Wireless Speakers

Top 10 Wireless Speakers In 2016

What is Wireless Speaker?

Wireless speakers are loudspeakers which receive audio signals using radio frequency (RF) waves rather than over audio cables. The two most popular RF frequencies that support audio transmission to wireless loudspeakers include a variation of WiFi IEEE 802.11 while others depends on Bluetooth to transmit audio data to the receiving speaker.

Wireless speakers are composed of two units: a main speaker unit combining the loudspeaker itself with an RF receiver, and an RF transmitter unit. The transmitter connects to the audio output of any audio devices such as hi-fi equipment, televisions, computers, mp3 players, etc. An RCA plug is normally used to achieve this. The receiver is positioned where the listener wants the sound to be, providing the freedom to move the wireless speakers around without the need of using cables. The receiver/speaker unit generally contains an amplifier to boost the audio signal to the loudspeaker; it is powered either by batteries or by an AC electric outlet. Batteries may last for three to four hours; some wireless speakers operate on rechargeable batteries.

The signal frequency range used by wireless speakers is generally the same as that used by cordless telephones — 900 MHz. The RF signal can traverse walls and floors/ceilings. Most manufacturers claim the signal transmits over a range of 150 to 300 feet. Many wireless speakers feature variable transmission channels that can be set using a tuning knob to overcome potential RF interference with other nearby wireless devices such as cordless phones or baby monitors. Bluetooth devices use a radio communications system and therefore do not have to be in a visual line of sight with each other.

Here is the list of Top 10 Wireless Speakers In 2016:

1. UE Boom 2

Price: $129.99(amazon.com)

The UE Boom 2 is the follow-up Bluetooth speaker to Ultimate Ears' 2013 UE Boom – a waterproof speaker that made a splash with its insane maximum volume and stellar battery life. It fell slightly flat on audio quality, however.

The new Boom box aims to fix the flaws of the original Boom and comes with improved software and hardware.

By and large it achieves this goal and earns itself a place on the list of 2016's best Bluetooth speakers.

The UE Boom 2 is similar in design to its predecessor. The 67 x 180 mm, 548g tube features a 360 speaker grille that’s divided by a rubber strip running up its long side and along the top and bottom faces. The band houses the speaker’s physical volume and power controls the speaker is available in a number of vibrant colour options – which may put off some buyers.

The speaker has been built to IPX7-certification standards. On paper, this means the UE Boom 2 can survive submersions in puddles, lakes, ponds, pints and bath tubs to a depth of 1m for up to half an hour.

2. JBL Pulse 2

Price:  $312(amazon.com)

JBL's Pulse 2 is a splash-proof Bluetooth speaker with a cylindrical design and a price of $312. That's not entirely unique. What makes the Pulse 2 stand out is the dazzling LED light show it performs beneath—and projects onto—its metallic grille surface. It may be a gimmick, but it's a pretty cool one. As for audio quality, the Pulse 2 improves on the bass response of its predecessor, the Pulse, by adding passive radiators that do a decent job of beefing up the low-end. The audio is crisp, full, and doesn't distort.

The Pulse 2, with no light show running, resembles plenty of portable Bluetooth speakers out there. Its 7.6-by-3.3-inch (HW), 1.7-pound cylindrical design houses drivers and an LED system beneath the nearly 360-degree splash-proof grille. Passive bass radiators are located on the top and bottom panels of the speaker.

3. Bose SoundTouch 10

Price: $199(amazon.com)

The Bose SoundTouch 10 is the Bose equivalent to the Sonos Play: 1, a little speaker that has proved incredibly popular.

It’s a similar size, the same price and is far more flexible, with a much more ‘open’ approach than any Sonos speaker. It seems likely to be a great success.

However, with sound quality and software not quite on-par with the Sonos Play: 1, the SoundTouch 10 doesn’t do quite enough to become go-to recommendation.

The Bose SoundTouch 10 is a speaker designed for multi-room audio. It’s small, it’s not too expensive but it’s still big and capable enough to offer better sound quality than most TVs and radios. Multi-room systems used to be expensive and intimidating, but boxes like the SoundTouch 10 can almost be bought as an experiment. They work just fine on their own, but could be made into a multi-room setup in the future if you fancy it.

4. JBL Charge 2+

Price: $150(amazon.com)

The $150-and-up price range is where portable Bluetooth speakers start delivering robust audio with more powerful bass response. With most genres of music, the $149.99 JBL Charge 2+ delivers a rich, crisp sound with an impressive sense of bass, but tracks with seriously deep lows can make the speaker distort dramatically at top volumes.

Whether this is a major issue really depends on what type of music you listen to most often. For those whose libraries don't have lots of deep bass tracks, the splash-proof design of the Charge 2+, along with its ability to connect to three Bluetooth devices at once and charge mobile devices, will outweigh this negative.

5. Bose SoundLink Mini II

Price:  $179(amazon.com)

The Bose SoundLink Mini II is a small Bluetooth speaker. It isn't small enough that you'll carry it with you every day, and you’re definitely not going to fit it in a pocket.

However, it's about as small as a speaker can get without compromising on sound quality. And if you haven’t heard one of these small size, big output speakers before, you'll most certainly be impressed by how good the Bose SoundLink Mini II sounds.

Cheaper rivals are available, but if you're after powerful bass in a tiny box then the Bose SoundLink Mini II is worth its asking price.

The Bose SoundLink Mini II looks and feels much the same as the first SoundLink Mini. It’s a lightly curved brick of aluminium, small enough to grasp easily in one hand, but it's too long and deep to fit in a pocket.

This doesn't rule it out as an ultra-portable speaker, though; you’ll just need to put it in a rucksack.

6. UE Megaboom

Price: $199.99(amazon.com)

The UE Boom 2 is a tour de force in the Bluetooth speaker scene. First off, it's one helluva good-looking device. Then, it keeps impressing with class-leading performance, waterproofing, and a unique set of features allowed by its free companion app.

So, the only way to make it better is to give you more of it. With the UE Megaboom, that's exactly what you get.

The UE Megaboom is nothing more than a bigger Boom 2, and that qualification alone makes it an easy recommendation off the cuff. But digging in a little deeper, this plus-sized variation sounds louder and fuller than its smaller next of kin. The larger form factor even allows for the battery life to stretch on for 20 hours, 25% longer than the Boom 2 is capable of.

With these improvements in mind, the Megaboom makes good on its price point, especially if you're in need of more power for your parties. But, on the other hand, it offers nothing different in the way of features from the Boom 2.

7. JBL Flip 3

Price: $99.95(amazon.com)

JBL's latest affordable portable Bluetooth speaker, the Flip3, packs some serious power for its modest size. At $99.95, the Flip3 is a solid option if you're looking for a splash-proof speaker that can be thrown in a tote or a carry-on.

 It can get quite loud, and while it does occasionally distort at top volumes on deep bass tracks, it offers a clean output for most genres, and there's no distortion at all at low-to-moderately loud volume levels. You can connect up to three devices simultaneously to the Flip3, and it also has built-in speakerphone functionality, making it a versatile option.

8. UE Roll 2

Price: $95(amazon.com)

Some may call it a gimmick, but waterproof speakers are here to stay. It might've been a passing fad when the first few manufacturers, like Ultimate Ears (UE, for short) and JBL, first started releasing these water-tolerant audio devices a few years back, but now they're a staple of the market.

But even in an increasingly crowded field, the UE Roll 2 manages to stick out.

The latest IPX7-rated speaker from the manufacturer offers improved sound from the original on top of a reduced price tag - the Roll 2 sells for just $95.

While a muddy bass keeps it from becoming one of the best portable pieces of audio hardware out there, a solid waterproof coating, detailed mids and surprising range make it a definite contender for the crown.

9. JBL Clip 2

Price: $60(amazon.com)

JBL's Clip speakers have been among our favorite micro Bluetooth speakers, and the new Clip 2, which comes in five color options and costs $60, is also a winner.

The Clip 2 has couple of notable changes from its predecessor. For starters, it's fully waterproof. It also comes equipped with a real metal carabiner instead the plastic "clip" mechanism found on the Clip and Clip+. And finally, battery life has been improved to eight hours from five.

Like those earlier models, this one has a nifty integrated audio cable for devices that don't support Bluetooth, and there's a built-in speakerphone that works reasonably well.

10. Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III

Price: $269(amazon.com)

Whatever you may think of Bose, the company makes some excellent Bluetooth speakers. Its previous two models, the SoundLink Mini and SoundLink II, both earned their categories for putting out a surprising amount of warm, clear sound in portable, relatively affordable packages.

 The SoundLink III is the latest iteration of Bose's Bluetooth speaker, replacing the SoundLink II as its wireless model. It doesn't look quite as stylish as the SoundLink II, but it puts out an accurate, slightly warmer sound that will appeal to casual listeners even more (but might turn off audiophile purists compared with the previous model). It's still the Bluetooth speaker to beat in this size and price category.

According to Bose, the SoundLink III's battery can last almost twice as long as the previous model, offering 14 hours of listening time after a three-hour charge. Like the SoundLink II, the SoundLink III uses a DC power-in jack instead of a micro USB port, so you'll need to bring the power cable with you instead of relying on your phone charger like many other Bluetooth speakers. It does have a micro USB port on the back, between the power port and the 3.5mm auxiliary port, but it's just for firmware updates and isn't used for charging the speaker.

Wireless Headphones

Top 10 Wireless Headphones in 2016

With companies like Apple and Motorola ditching the 3.5mm headphone socket on their latest flagship smartphones, there's never been a better time to cut the cord than now.

Sure, you can use Lightning headphones, or whatever gets bundled in the box, but if you have to move on from your old 3.5mm headphones, then embracing Bluetooth means convenience and pretty much universal compatibility with most devices. In many cases, you also get a cable in the box, so if you want to use them wired, you're free to do so.

Bluetooth has often been seen as an inferior option when it comes to headphones, but with the advent of newer devices and more sophisticated audio processing, there are plenty of Bluetooth headphones that will serve you well when listening on the move or at your desk.

Here's a rundown of some of the best Bluetooth headsets that are available to buy. There's plenty of variety with these cans, whether you're looking for on ear or over ear, so browse the list given below and see what your next wireless headphones could offer you.

1. Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7BK

     Price: $244.02(amazon.com)

The Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 are serious headphones designed primarily for portable use. While they're positioned as being the perfect accompaniment for Hi-Res Audio files, we think they're something even better.

Audio-Technica has taken the audio brilliance of the ATH-M50X, improved it and made the design stylish enough to go head-to-head with pairs like the Beats Studio and Sony MDR-1A.

There are a few little giveaways that Audio-Technica isn’t quite a style guru, but they've set new audio standards for a ‘style’ headphone, along with providing sound that’s good enough for for real enthusiasts to use at home. $245 isn’t pocket money for a set of headphones, but these should keep many of you satisfied for years.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

    Price: $ 349.00(amazon.com)

Bose is synonymous with top-notch noise-cancelling headphones, and the QuietComfort 35 are no exception. The difference lies in the fact that these are Bose's first active noise-cancelling headphones alongside the QuietControl 30 that feature wireless capabilities. Now that more and more smartphones are doing away with the 3.5mm headphone jack, it seems a rather timely move.

Being released from the leash makes the QuietComfort 35 more versatile than ever. With a refined design, clear and balanced sound and impressive battery life, these are some of the best over-ear noise-cancelling headphones you can buy and a great follow-up to the wired QuietComfort 25.

3. Sony MDR-1000X

    Price: $398.00(amazon.com)

Wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. This is hardly a new territory for a company of Sony's stature, but nonetheless this is a decided move to dominate this end of the market. The Sony MDR-1000X is here to take down the ubiquitous Bose, whose headphones are a common sight on every plane and train.

It's pretty good timing, too. The iPhone 7 has done away with the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, and those who don’t want to faff about with adaptors will be needing a good cord-cutting alternative. The demand for good wireless headphones has never been higher.

Sony’s biggest obstacle is the Bose QuietComfort 35, which have all but claimed this turf. But Sony isn’t simply offering silence and freedom of movement: it also has some clever tricks to give you greater control over playback and isolation. These skills make Sony a formidable challenger to the throne. Sorry Bose, the Sony MDR-1000X are the new headphones to beat.

4. V-Moda Crossfade Wireless

    Price: $269.98(amazon.com)

V-Moda's Crossfade Wireless Bluetooth headphones have the sleek, angular look the company is known for, and a powerful sound signature to match. At $270, these are not cheap headphones, but they offer a luxurious, bass-forward listening experience for low-end lovers with some money to spend. In addition to the very sculpted, yet balanced, sound signature, the Crossfade Wireless ship with a cable for wired, passive listening. It's also possible to customize the look of the headphones on V-Moda's site. There's plenty of competition in this price range, but the Crossfade Wireless manage to hold their own.

5. Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless

    Price: $399.95(amazon.com)

B&W has been reworking its popular headphones ranges with wireless models, the P7 the latest to receive a Bluetooth update.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Bowers & Wilkins offering compared to all the others is the design and the feel. The weight, the soft leather, that brushed-aluminium and steel construction - all of which exude an aura of class and justify their price point.

Not only are they compact enough to want to wear out on the street - although you might do better with the smaller P5 or P3 models, if you’re more into on-ear and lightweight design - they're spot on for the home too. Especially now, without the wires.

6. Plantronics BackBeat Pro

    Price: $269.41(amazon.com)

Time has been an added blessing for these Plantronics headphones, as their price point has dipped to a very reasonable point considering everything on offer. The BackBeat Pro cram in a lot of features - including auto pause when removing them from the head - while being comfortable to wear.

Controls are simple, active noise-cancelling works well, the build is sturdy, the battery lasts for an age, and sound is well balanced. The design is bland and plasticky, though, but at their current price these are well worth of attention - or go smaller and more logo-crazy with the AKG, also in this list.

7. AKG Y50BT

    Price: $149.95(amazon.com)

If you're working on a more modest budget then these AKGs offer plenty. Comprising metal, leather and glossy plastic in just the right amounts, it's the kind of construction many big-name competitors would charge twice as much for.

Super comfortable to wear straight out of the box, the AKG Y50BT on-ears sound great too. Sure, the abundant use of the oversize AKG logo may put some off, and we'd like a little more snap to the mid-range, but at this price point these cans represent budget brilliance with few equals. Although you might want to consider the more subtle looking Plantronics, also on this list.

8. Skullcandy Grind Wireless

    Price: $62.99(amazon.com)

Skullcandy, a brand that was once known for cheap earbuds and lackluster headphones, has been full of surprises these days.

First, it put out the excellently priced Skullcandy Grind, a wired headset with exceptional sound quality and comfortable padding. Now, it's followed that with a wireless version that packs in everything we loved about the original.

And, more importantly, Skullcandy has done it without tacking on an extra zero to the price tag.

The headphones, as you might guess, are called the Skullcandy Grind Wireless and retail for $62.99.They're available in six different colours and patterns and sound better than 95% of the wireless headphones in the sub-$100 category.

9. Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H8

    Price: $428.00(amazon.com)

The priciest headphones in our list are also up there among the best. However, the Bluetooth listen is quieter than some of the competition, so if you like your music blazingly loud then many of the other listed options will be a better match.

Still, we can’t take away from the H8’s magnificence. They even won the Pocket-lint Awards 2015 for best headphones, so good is the sound when at volume. We’d much rather take these tighter fit cans over the floaty and not-as-good-sounding H7 cans, too, as the step between them in quality is significant.

10. Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless on-ear

      Price: $229.91(amazon.com)

Cut the cord in style. The Sennheiser Momentum M2 AEBT over-ear headphones will look majestic to some, overkill to others. But their aesthetic doesn't take-away from their high points: ultra-comfort, rumbling bass, ample volume, on-device controls and decent overall sound.

They are rather large in size and price, though, but those big ear cups are ultra-comfortable. Add great noise-cancellation and long-lasting battery life and, assuming you can cope with wearing them out in public for extended periods of time and their overall expense, these are well-rounded Bluetooth over-ears well worthy of consideration.

Mobile Games

Top 10 Mobile Games in 2016

History of Mobile Games:

A mobile game is a video game played on a feature phone, smartphone, smartwatch, PDA, tablet computer, portable media player or calculator.

The earliest known game on a mobile phone was a Tetris variant on the Hagenuk MT-2000 device from 1994.

In 1997, Nokia launched the very successful Snake. Snake (and its variants), that was preinstalled in most mobile devices manufactured by Nokia, has since become one of the most played video games and is found on more than 350 million devices worldwide. A variant of the Snake game for the Nokia 6110, using the infrared port, was also the first two-player game for mobile phones.

Today, mobile games are usually downloaded from app stores as well as from mobile operator's portals, but in some cases are also preloaded in the handheld devices by the OEM or by the mobile operator when purchased, via infrared connection, Bluetooth, memory card or side loaded onto the handset with a cable.

Downloadable mobile games were first commercialised in Japan circa the launch of NTT DoCoMo's I-mode platform in 1999, and by the early 2000s were available through a variety of platforms throughout Asia, Europe, North America and ultimately most territories where modern carrier networks and handsets were available by the mid-2000s. However, mobile games distributed by mobile operators and third party portals (channels initially developed to monetise downloadable ringtones, wallpapers and other small pieces of content using premium SMS or direct carrier charges as a billing mechanism) remained a marginal form of gaming until Apple's iOS App Store was launched in 2008. As the first mobile content marketplace operated directly by a mobile platform holder, the App Store significantly changed the consumer behaviour and quickly broadened the market for mobile games, as almost every smartphone owner started to download mobile apps.

Here is the List of Top 10 Mobile Games in 2016:

1. Pokémon Go

(Google Play: 4/5, iTunes- Apple: 3/5)

Pokémon Go is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality game developed by Niantic for iOS, Android, and Apple Watch devices. The game was the result of a collaboration between Niantic and Nintendo, by way of The Pokémon Company, and was initially released in selected countries in July 2016. In the game, players use a mobile device's GPS capability to locate, capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, who appear on the screen as if they were in the same real-world location as the player. The game supports in-app purchases for additional in-game items.

Pokémon Go was released to mixed reviews, with critics praising the game's concept and the incentive to be more active in the real world, while criticizing frequent technical issues apparent at launch. Despite such reviews, it quickly became a global phenomenon and was one of the most used and profitable mobile apps in 2016, having been downloaded more than 500 million times worldwide. It was credited with popularizing location-based and augmented reality technology, promoting physical activity, and helping local businesses grow by way of increased foot traffic. However, it also attracted controversy for contributing to various accidents, as well as becoming a public nuisance at some locations. Various governments also expressed concerns over the security of the game, with some countries passing legislation to regulate its use.

2. Clash Royale

(Google Play: 4.5/5, iTunes- Apple: 4.4/5)

Clash Royale is a freemium mobile strategy video game developed and published by Supercell. The game combines elements from collectible card games, tower defense, and multiplayer online battle arena. The game was released globally on March 2, 2016.

In Clash Royale, players are ranked by level and trophies. The maximum level is thirteen, while there are nine arenas (excluding the Training Camp) in total in the game. A player wins a battle by destroying more towers than the opponent, or by destroying the opponent's "King's Tower", which grants an automatic three "crown" victory. At the start of each game, both players are given a "hand" of four cards from a "deck" of eight cards chosen by the player. Cards can be used to attack and defend. To play the cards, the player must have enough "elixir", one elixir automatically being replenished every 2.8 second (during double elixir 1.4 seconds). Once a card is placed, a new card from the deck is drawn to the hand.

In July 2016, Supercell introduced a new "Tournament" feature. The feature is unlocked at level 8. Tournaments can only be created by using gems, but anyone may join. Based on tournament performance, players are rewarded with tournament chests. As well as tournaments, there are two types of Victory Challenges in which the goal is to win 12 times while losing no more than two times. A Grand Challenge costs 100 gems to enter, and a Classic Challenge costs 10. Winning (or getting 12 wins) in a Classic Challenge gives you 2000 gold and 100 cards, and a Grand Challenge will reward you.

3. Crashlands

(Google Play: 4.8/5, Steam: 9/10)

Crashlands is an action-adventure role-playing video game developed and published by Butterscotch Shenanigans. It was released onto the App Store, Google Play, and after being on Steam Greenlight for 42 hours, Steam in January 2016. Shortly after release, software pirates had uploaded the game to Amazon without permission. The game is described as being a "story-driven crafting game" and tasks players to collect items in order to craft items such as weapons and armour.Crashlands has been compared to Don't Starve.

The mobile and PC versions of the game hold aggregrated scores of 95 and 79 on Metacritic, respectively. PC Gamer awarded it 73%, saying "Fun combat, great writing, and a great look, but with pacing and progression tuned for a mobile experience, not the PC.

4. Batman: The Telltale Series

(Google Play: 3/5, iTunes- Apple: 4.6/5)

Batman: The Telltale Series is an episodic point-and-click graphic adventure video game developed and published by Telltale Games and distributed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment under its DC Entertainment label. The game is based on Bob Kane and Bill Finger's Batman comic book series, though not tied to any previous adaptation of the work in film or other media.

The player takes the role of Batman, both as the superhero and as his alter ego Bruce Wayne. Telltale Games CEO Kevin Bruner has stated that playtime will be split evenly between them, though at times the game will offer the player a choice of whether to approach a situation as Wayne or as Batman. The game's narrative offers a "fresh interpretation of the universe set in current times, not tied to any existing iteration of Batman in games, film, or comics", according to Telltale Games.According to Bruner, the game is set a few years after Wayne decides to become Batman, giving them flexibility in their writing and gameplay to give the player some control on how they want to play the character without ties to any established narrative. The game features a branching narrative, similar to past Telltale games, giving the player options in approaching a situation and having that choice affect later events in the game. The game includes action sequences that are resolved similar to Telltale's other games, using quick time events. The series also includes investigation sequences, allowing the player to use Batman's detective skills to progress the story.

5. Slither.io

(Google Play: 4.3/5, iTunes- Apple: 4.5/5)

Slither.io is a massively multiplayer browser game developed by Steve Howse. Players control a snake-like avatar, which consumes multicolored pellets from other players, and ones that naturally spawn on the map in the game to grow in size. The objective of the game is to grow the longest snake in the server. Slither.io is similar in concept to the popular 2015 web game Agar.io and is reminiscent of the classic arcade game Snake.The game grew in popularity following its promotion among several prominent YouTube users such as PewDiePie. A mobile version of the game for Android was released on March 27, 2016, and topped the App Store shortly after its release.

The objective of the game is to control and move a snake (or a worm to most players) around a colored area, eat pellets to gain mass, defeat and consume other players to grow the biggest and longest in the game. If the player's snake's head collides into a part of another snake, the player loses the game and must start over. The defeated avatar's body turns into bright, shining pellets for other players to consume. These pellets that remain from "death" of an avatar will correspond to the color of the avatar itself. Pellets also spawn from other snake avatars. By pressing the space bar or clicking the mouse, the player can activate "boost mode", which causes the avatar to speed up. When a player does use "boost mode", the snake loses mass causing the snake's size to shrink slightly. The mass that is lost from the boost appears as a line of dots where the boost was used. This feature is useful to outmaneuver and defeat opponents. The drawback is that the avatar will lose some length while being speed-boosted.

6. Deus Ex Go

(Google Play: 4.5/5, iTunes- Apple: 4.5/5)

Deus Ex Go is a 2016 turn-based puzzle video game in the Deus Ex series by Square Enix. The player uses a touchscreen to move Adam Jensen, a protagonist from the cyberpunk-themed series, as a puzzle piece through a board game while avoiding obstacles and manipulating the environment. In-keeping with the main series, Jensen can hack environmental features such as turrets and platforms to bypass and eliminate enemies. The game follows the format of Hitman Go (2014) and Lara Croft Go (2015), in which Square Enix Montreal distilled major motifs from the games' respective series to fit turn-based, touchscreen, puzzle gameplay. New to the Go series, Deus Ex Go introduced an in-game story and puzzle creation mode. Deus Ex Go was released in August 2016, for Android and iOS platforms to generally favorable reviews. Critics wrote that the game successfully captured the cybernetic dystopia of the Deus Ex series and the brain teasing puzzles of the Go mobile game series. But compared to the other entries in the Go series, reviewers considered Deus Ex Go's to be less creative, with a lackluster story, less visually interesting aesthetic, and shorter length.

7. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(Google Play: 4.1/5, Steam: 9/10)

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a Lego-themed action-adventure video game developed by TT Fusion, based on the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It is the fifth entry in TT Games' Lego Star Wars series. Under license from Lucasfilm, the game was released by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, and Wii U, on 28 June 2016, and for Android on 27 July 2016. The game was ported and released by Feral Interactive for OS X on 30 June 2016.

In addition to adapting the film, the game includes content which covers the period between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

The gameplay of Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is similar to previous Lego video games. New systems were introduced including Multi-Builds which grant players access to various building options. These options can be destroyed and rebuilt in certain brick-building sections of the game, allowing for new path to be opened within the game's world. Players can also hide behind cover and engage in "Blaster Battles" with enemies throughout the game. The game features over 200 playable characters, including Rey, Finn, Captain Phasma, Poe Dameron, Han Solo, Kylo Ren and droids, including C-3PO and BB-8, and locations, including Jakku and Starkiller Base.In addition to adapting the film, the game also bridged the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, with Lucasfilm allowing for creative freedom in the additional content that will explore the characters' backstories.

8. FIFA Mobile

(Google Play: 4.2/5, iTunes- Apple: 4.1/5)

FIFA Mobile is an association football simulation video game developed by EA Mobile and EA Canada and published by EA Sports for IOS and Android. It was released worldwide on 11th of October 2016, for iOS, Android, and Microsoft Windows. It was announced on August 16, 2016 during Gamescom 2016.

The game introduces a new "Attack Mode" in which players only play the offensive stages of a match. Attack Mode features an asynchronous turn-based multiplayer. The game also features Live Events themed on recent real world events, as well as mini games based on skills such as shooting, dribbling and goalkeeping. The game also includes a Season mode with various teams from leagues over the world, as well as a multiplayer Leagues section where players can join together to form leagues and compete with other leagues.

9. 7 Mages

(Google Play: 4.3/5, Steam: 7/10)

7 Mages is a 2016 video game developed by Napoleon Games. It is the third installment in Gates of Skeldal series. 7 Mages a tactical, turn-based game with that focuses on musical magic. Each character has a tune they can play to directly affect anyone within earshot.

The story is an adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's benchmark film, Seven Samurai.

7 Mages is a dungeon crawler that features gameplay similar to the original Gates of Skeldal. The player moves squares in real-time, but battles are turn-based. Each mage has some specialization, such as being a warrior or archer.

There are multiple types of magic, such as elemental magic and musical magic etc. Musical magic uses instruments, and its effect weakens with larger distances. Magic can heal, refill mana, resurrect dead companions, etc.

10. Pocket Mortys

(Google Play: 4.5/5)

Pocket Mortys is a Rick and Morty-themed role-playing video game developed by Big Pixel Studios and published by Adult Swim Games. The free-to-play game was released on 13 January 2016 worldwide for iOS and Android. The game is set in the Rick and Morty "Rickstaverse" and the mechanics serve as a parody on the Pokémon franchise. Pocket Mortys is based on the multiple timeline concept as described in episode 10 of season 1, "Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind".The game uses a style and concept similar to the Pokémon games, with catching various 'wild' Mortys, battling them with a variety of 'Trainers' in the form of aliens, Ricks and Jerry. The game features voice acting from Dan Harmon.

Pocket Mortys is in a third-person view, overhead perspective and consists of three basic screens: an overworld, in which the player navigates the main character; a side-view battle screen; and a menu interface, in which the player configures their Mortys, items, or gameplay settings.

The player can use their Mortys to battle other Mortys. Wild Mortys are visible on the overworld and can be captured using a 'Morty Manipulation Chip'. "Trainer" fights are also visible and entail fighting against their party of up to five Mortys. When the player encounters a Morty or a trainer, the screen switches to a turn-based battle screen that displays the engaged Mortys. During battle, the player may select a maneuver for their Morty to use in the fight, use an item, switch their active Morty, or (against the wild Mortys) attempt to flee. Mortys have hit points (HP); when a Morty's HP is reduced to zero, it gets dazed and can no longer battle until it is revived.