In the wake of the Galaxy Note7 fiasco, Samsung continues to be a catalyst for negative attention. According to The Wall Street Journal, South Korean prosecutors have raided the Samsung Electronics headquarters in Seoul, as part of a probe in the investigation of President Park Geun-hye’s confidante and friend, Choi Soon-sil.
The corruption charges allege Samsung has secretly funded the extravagant sporting activities of Choi Soon-sil’s daughter. The tech giant is suspected to have transferred a whopping $3.1 million to a company owned by Choi called Widec Sports in Germany. The money was then used to pay for the daughter’s dressage rider training fees.
Samsung has confirmed its offices have been raided, but gave no further explanations. Choi Soon-sil has been arrested on charges of fraud and power abuse and is currently in jail.
Soon-sil is the daughter of deceased Shamanistic cult leader and long-time president mentor, Choi Tae-min. In a position of power, Choi Soon-sil is accused to have used her personal relationship with the President to force conglomerates into paying exorbitant donations to her many foundations and used the money for personal gain. She is also accused of exerting her influence to interfere with governmental affairs.
A huge political scandal has erupted following the accusations with President Park being the center of it all. Tens of thousands of protesters in Seoul have been demanding Park’s resignation, while the president’s approval ratings plummeted to record lows.
In a bid to appease the crisis engulfing her presidency, Park announced she will withdraw her nominee for prime minister. She also revealed her wiliness to give the new premier control of the cabinet. It’s an important political concession, given that the prime minister position in South Korea is mostly symbolic, with power being concentrated around the Presidential office. Park also admitted to her close relationship with Choi and apologized publicly.
The investigation is currently ongoing, so it will be a while until we find out the real role Samsung played in all of this.
Virtual reality has yet to descent into the mainstream, but important players in the industry like Google strongly believe in its untapped potential. So during the W3C’s Workshop on Web & Virtual Reality, Google’s WebVR Product Manager, Megan Lindsay announced the company plans to add WebVR support to its Chrome internet browser for Android.
For those unfamiliar with WebVR – this is a technology developed to provide access to Virtual Reality devices like Google’s new Daydream View headset or Samsung Gear VR in your browser, rather than through native apps.
To give you an example, at the moment you can watch 360 videos on YouTube with a Daydream headset by using the official app, but when WebVR becomes integrated into Chrome for Android, users will be able to view the videos through the browser instead.
The search giant is looking to launch the beta program in December, with a stable release being scheduled for January. Which means that starting the first month of 2017, WebVR will be available in the Chrome browser app every Android fan can download from the Google Play Store.
This is as good as place as any, to remind you that Google’s new Daydream View headset is expected to start shipping out to customers November 10. The headset is compatible with the Pixel and Pixel XL, but a software update will also make the ZTE Axon 7 compatible.
Beyond WebVR, Google is working on a version of Chrome nicknamed “VR Shell” that can support browsing in VR for regular 2D websites. Expect to see this in the first half of 2017 on the Android version of Chrome and then later on for desktops.
The competition also made an appearance during the W3C’s Workshop on Web & Virtual Reality. Microsoft revealed there are working to integrate WebVR in their Edge browser too and Oculus reminded those present it is working on its very own browser dubbed Carmel for Oculus Rift and Gear VR.
The WebVR API is currently available for Firefox Nightly builds, in the experimental builds of Chromium and in the Samsung Internet Browser for Gear VR.
Holding on to a LG G5? Well if that’s the case, then you’ll be happy to hear that LG has announced it has started the roll out of the Android 7.0 Nougat for the LG G5 in South Korea. It’s quite a big deal for LG, who managed to be the first device maker to update a non-Nexus handset to the latest available OS.
Android 7.0 Nougat has been released over two month ago, but currently the mobile OS is running on very few devices. According to the latest Google numbers, Android 7.0 Nougat is now installed on 0.3% of all Android devices in use at the moment. Basically only the LG20, Nexus devices and Pixel C are currently benefiting from the presence of Android 7.0. As for Android 7.1, it can be found only onboard of the Pixel and Pixel XL.
Going back to the LG G5, we expect to see the update hit the US, Asia and other markets within the next several weeks. LG says that announcements about the exact timing of these updates hitting will be made locally, so keep checking back with us for more information on the matter.
The LG G5 was released in April 2016 with Android 6.01. Marshmallow onboard. The phone offers a 5.3-inch display with 1,440 x 2,560 pixel resolution. A Snapdragon 820 works to keep things running onboard, hand in hand with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (expandable).
Albeit offering a nice combo of specs, the LG G5 has been seriously overlooked by users. However with Android 7.0 Nougat onboard, the phone will be gaining a new strong point. Will it be enough to attract new customers to buy the phone? We’ll just have to wait and see.
In other Nougat news, we should remind you Samsung is kick starting its Android 7.0 beta testing program for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge on November 9. The beta program will extend until mid-December, so there’s not much chance to see the official version roll out before the New Year.
It seems like every recent smartphone has a beautiful display. These high resolution displays come at a cost to your battery life. The average consumer spends a considerable amount of time on their cell phones and manufacturers do not seem to be focusing on improving battery life. I don’t know how many times I’ve sat in an airport, only to see every single outlet being occupied. The culprit is usually one person charging all five of their electronic devices.
The great thing about Lumsing is that it focuses on simplicity. This device is built for function, rather than aesthetic appeal. There are two color options. White with orange trim, and black with orange trim. There are three USB ports, which provides the option of charging three devices at the same time. One of the three USB ports offers more room for bulkier cables.
The portable bank is idiot-proof and requires no directions to operate. Simply turn the power bank on (it has only one button), connect your charging cable and plug it into your phone.
There are four blue LED lights that indicate the battery life. Each LED light represents 25% battery. A fully charged portable bank will have all four LED lights on.
Usage
This power bank is a beast. Lumsing claims that it can fully charge a Galaxy S6 around five and a half times. I wanted to test how long I could go without using a wall charger and replaced it with this portable battery instead. I ended up going a full five days without having to use a wall charger. I normally let my battery drain from 100% to 20% battery before charging my phone. This easily charged my phone to 100% at least five times. I also tried charging my Nvidia Shield K1 tablet, iPhone 6s, and Huawei GX8 smartphone at the same time. The Lumsing Glory P1 Plus had no problem handling all those devices at once. The portable battery does not have pass through charging, which means that you cannot charge the portable battery and connected devices at the same time.
The portable power bank itself takes around nine hours to fully charge. I plugged it in right before going to bed and had a full battery when I woke up.
This portable battery is long and quite heavy. It is slightly bigger and much thicker than the LG G5. This is not the portable charger that you want to carry around in your pocket. The smaller Lumsing 8000mAh would be better suited for that role.
This power bank is better suited for things like camping or traveling where one can expect to be without an outlet for an extended amount of time. This portable bank will ensure that you never have to sit on the dirty floor, next to an outlet ever again. It is a great option for daily use as well. I carry a backpack to work everyday and have no problem storing this power bank in one of the pockets.
Summary
The Lumsing 15000mAh Glory P1 Plus is not the device to buy if you plan on carrying it around in your pocket. The portable bank is on the heavier side, but it’s a small price to pay for the usefulness of being able to charge your phone up to five or six times depending on the phone. You also have the capability of charging multiple devices at the same time.
Anyone who is going to be traveling for an extended period of time is going to really appreciate this portable battery. I’ve been on far too many road trips where my phone dies halfway through the car ride. Even if you aren’t traveling, it won’t hurt to keep this portable battery in your car or backpack just in case. The Lumsing Glory P1 Plus can be found on Amazon for only $19.99 with free shipping.
I do quite a few product reviews for AndroidGuys and find most products fun to review. However when reviewing multiple products from the same category, many tend to blend together as they all generally perform the same functions. First world problems are real.
Headphones are one of the most popular mobile accessories, especially the wireless variety as companies like Apple and Motorola move away from the 3.5mm audio jack.
Former NFL wide receiver Mark Clayton saw a need for high-performance headphones that could keep up with the most active of lifestyles. What drove him to be an NFL star was a passion and work ethic for perfection that less than .1% of the population will ever achieve. He turned that passion into headphones and did an incredible job with the LIVV Pro Wireless Headphones.
I’m guessing like many NFL players, he got tired of the cheap build offered with Beats Headphones. He probably wasn’t impressed with the sound performance too. While they look good and arguably are entertaining to listen to, they offer very little substance.
The LIVV Pro Wireless Headphones are designed for the active lifestyle. They are over-ear headphones that are made using a very glossy black plastic that is useful in keeping the weight down. They use memory foam earcups with 40mm drivers and are connected by a very strong headband that never touches your head. The earcups are easily removable so you can wash or replace them since you will be sweating if you use them during exercise.
The LIVV Pros use the all important aptX driver for improved audio quality over Bluetooth. Bluetooth in nature was not designed for music playback, and the aptX driver optimizes streaming quality. If your wireless headphones don’t use the aptX driver or custom software, you’re severely missing out on audio quality.
The headphones also come with 8GB of memory onboard so you can store your MP3 collection and go phone free.
On the side is where you will find the controls for your music, volume, as well as the microSD charging slot and 3.5mm audio jack for using them in passive mode if the battery dies. There’s also a built in microphone for taking phone calls.
Sound and Usage
When I come across “active lifestyle” headphones, I have the preconceived notion that they aren’t going to be as good as normal headphones. In many instances that is the case as sports headphones are tuned in a manner that emphasizes bass and treble to make music sound more fun. However, the LIVV Pro Headphones put the emphasis on sound quality first and foremost.
The LIVV Pro Wireless Headphones’ sound quality rivals any headphones I’ve used all year. That includes high-end headphones such as the Master & Dynamic MW60 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones that cost almost twice as much. The sound signature is balanced, but extremely powerful.
I almost never listened to these beyond 70% of the maximum volume as they get loud. With a snug fit using the patented SureFit headband that can be adjusted for any head-size, including my large noggin, in combination with memory foam earcups, these create an almost soundproof environment. There’s also enough space in between your ear and the large 40mm drivers to offer a huge soundstage. The detail and sound signature are where it’s at with these headphones.
I tested the sound with this list of songs:
Get Lucky by Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers – for clarity
Brass Monkey by the Beasite Boys – for ultra deep bass
Everlong by the Foo Fighters – for overall sound depth
Cherub Rock by the Smashing Pumpkins – for vocals over powerful guitars and drums
Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major by Yo-Yo Ma – cello music for which these headphones were probably not designed
The LIVV Pro Wireless headphones sound incredible. The highs are crisp without being piercing, and maintain detail even when the volume is turned up. The mid-range sound quality is arguably the most important aspect of any headphones as it falls into the broadest range of spectrum our ears can detect and the LIVV Pros hit the nail square on the head. The mids manage to emphasize the right harmonics which are a fundamental required in all premium headphones.
The LIVV Pros are definitely forward sounding headphones and the bass is a piece of art. Brass Monkey by the Beastie Boys tests the low end more than almost all songs that exist. The Pros managed to turn that bass into discernible frequencies that could be felt in my toes. Hearing the records scratch to the ridiculous bass, matched with proper highs and mids made this song sound like I was sitting in the recording studio.
Even though these headphones are designed for the active lifestyle, they are perfect for any type of scenario. I did use them for 60-90 minutes at a time during CrossFit, weight-lifting, running and hiking. However I found myself listening to music at home simply because they are so fun to listen to.
Battery life is excellent with a life expectancy of 12 hours. I frequently pulled in 12-14 hours on a single charge mainly because I couldn’t turn them up past 70%. When I did, my head hurt but they still managed to keep the sound balance clear.
The built-in mic was also a nice feature as I like to take phone calls on walks with my dog. I never noticed a single issue with call quality, and I would guess that was due to the strong Bluetooth signal these Pros maintained.
The LIVV Pros differentiate themselves from the crowd with the built-in 8GB of internal storage. For those who do serious workouts like NFL players, or in my case CrossFit, you can’t carry your phone on you or in your pocket while exercising. Nor would you want your phone as the last thing you need during a real workout is a notification or call to throw you off your game.
The headphones act as external an external disk when you connect them to your computer – all you need to do is drag and drop music (mp3) files to them. Then hit the red button on the headphones to put them into MP3 player mode and you can play those files. It’s simple but very useful.
Conclusion
Mark Clayton was a winner in the NFL whose career was cut short by injuries. He turned the work ethic and passion for football into a masterpiece with the LIVV Pro Wireless Headphones.
The LIVV Pros sound exceptional, fit very well, and have great battery life with internal memory to keep you going strong while staying active. They come in White and Black and retail for $299 at www.livvheadphones.com. If you love audio and love the freedom to go wireless or wired, you won’t find a better set of cans priced under $300.
The included case to keep the LIVV Pro Wireless Headphones safe.
The MINI is an iconic compact sedan that was first produced by the British Motor Corporation. The MINI transcended the normal gas-guzzling, bigger car design and replaced it with a smaller, more efficient design. What made MINI so unique was despite its small design it was still able to fit passengers and luggage.
I have a couple of buddies that have MINI Coopers and riding in one is an exhilarating experience. I never expected such a small, unimposing car to be as quick as it is. It’s only fitting that MINI puts out a compact bluetooth speaker that packs a serious punch.
Build
Model: Compact MIRROR PF-328M
Weight: 0.22 Lbs
Product Dimensions: H 2.14” x D3.1” x W2.39” (inches)
The package comes with the compact speaker, micro-USB charger, and user manual.
This Bluetooth speaker is really, really small. This is fitting because the MINI car itself is known for its miniature size. The MINI Compact Mirror speaker fits in the palm of my hand. The design is based off the actual MINI sideview mirror. On the back of the speaker is United Kingdom’s red, white, and blue flag. The front of the speaker is made of a metal grill with the a small MINI logo at the bottom.
The controls are located at the bottom of the MINI speaker. The bottom of the speaker sits on a rubber padding that ensures that the speaker will not move around. The controls are limited and only give you the option of turning the device on, turning it off, bluetooth pairing, and opening up Siri or Google assistant. The rubber bottom of the speaker is a button that when pressed will open up Google assistant. There are no volume rockers on the speaker, so increasing and decreasing volume will be controlled through your phone or tablet.
Charging the device is really simple. Just plug in the micro-USB cord and plug it into a power source. The speaker can be charged and play music at the same time. There will be a red light right above the MINI logo on the front grill that will indicate that it is charging.
Sound
To be honest, I did not expect much from the MINI Compact Mirror speaker when I first saw it. I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of this speaker. The highlight of this speaker is that it can play music at full volume without noticeable sound distortion. You can’t say that about a lot of speakers, especially from one that is so small. The speaker can get decently loud, but I wouldn’t use it for a party. The best setting would be in your room, or in the living room with your roommates.
I found the MINI Compact Mirror speaker to have a well-balanced sound. Don’t expect huge bass from the 34mm driver. Speakers of this size do not have the capacity to produce the huge bass some people expect to hear from hip-hop or EDM genres. Instead, I listened to some acoustic playlists on Spotify and really enjoyed the sound experience from this little speaker. The guitar and vocals were really crisp even with the volume turned all the way up. Even my roommate who categorizes himself as an audiophile was extremely impressed with the well-balanced sound coming from such an unimposing speaker.
Usage
This speaker is roughly the size of an extra large egg. I actually forgot I put it in my pocket and spent half an hour looking for the speaker before realizing where it was. This could be a testament to how much of an idiot I am, but it also highlights the portability of this speaker.
I found myself using this speaker primarily in my living room. My roommates and I try to live like responsible adults and will “attempt” to clean every weekend. This was the perfect speaker to throw on some acoustic jams to help forget the awfulness of cleaning your house. I had no problem hearing the music from across my living room.
I got roughly five hours of use from the MINI Compact Mirror speaker. I found this battery life to be really good especially because I was listening to music at full volume. I can imagine you would get closer to six or seven hours if you are only listening at 50%.
The MINI Compact Mirror speaker also has a microphone to allow hands-free calling. This feature worked really, really well. Every one of my friends that I used this hands-free option with had no problem hearing me.
Conclusion
The MINI has always been known for its exceptional performance despite compact design. It’s only fitting that MINI keeps the same theme with its MINI Compact Mirror speaker as well. One might think that this speaker is only for MINI Cooper owners, however that is not the case. This little speaker has a huge presence with its ability to play music at full volume without distortion. It’s well-balanced sound and portability makes it a great speaker if you want to keep it at your desk or take it outside in the backyard.
The MINI Cooper Compact Mirror speaker is only $25.99 on Amazon with the discount code Q3S4LE4J (save $10). This is an absolute steal considering the quality you get for the cost. You don’t need to be a MINI Cooper owner to appreciate the unique design and sound performance this little speaker can put out.
I’ve been a big fan of J&L Real ever since I bought the J&L 103 Bluetooth headphones for the gym. J&L Real puts a lot of value in making aesthetic, affordable headphones for people who live an active lifestyle. I’m an avid gym-goer and so wireless headphones are a staple in my life.
Let me introduce you to the J&L-200 Swan bluetooth earbuds. Those who live an active lifestyle will really appreciate the design and stability that these headphones provide.
Build
Model: J&L-200 Swan
Bluetooth Version: V4.1
Playtime: 6~8 hours
Charge time: 1-2 hours
Weight: 20.8 grams
The package comes with the headphones, three different sized eartip adapters, a USB charging cable, user manual, and carry pouch.
The headphones are primarily made from plastic which keeps it light, portable, and sweat-proof. The eartip adapters are made made from a soft, silicone design. The tips of the silicone design are really small making it easy to fit into the ear canal. The eartip adapters don’t have wings that are normally associated with bluetooth earbuds but don’t worry these headphones will not come off your ears since they are light weight.
The design of the headphones limit the user to wear it so that the wires are around the back of your neck, unlike some bluetooth headphones. The ends will wrap around your ears ensuring a secure fit which is why the eartip wings were omitted. The headphones take a bit of time getting used to putting them on due to its unique design.
The two earbuds are connected by memory wire, which will contort back into a compact shape making it extremely easy to put back into the mesh pouch. I don’t know how many times I’ve put headphones in my pocket, only to find a tangled disaster in its place.
The in-line controls are located on the right earbud. There are only three controls: power, volume up and volume down. The power button also doubles as a button to take phone calls. Double pressing the power button will call your most recent contact. Long-pressing the power button will also pair your bluetooth device to your phone.
The volume rockers will control the music you are listening to as well. The volume up rocker will skip to the next song, while the volume down rocker will play the previous song.
Usage
I replaced the J&L 103’s with these J&L-200 Swans as my primary gym headphones. I was really impressed with the comfort and stability of these headphones. A big worry with wireless headphones are that they will fall out of your ears. These headphones will not budge during your workout. I’ve been working on explosive movements such as box jumps and these held firmly in place. Running around my neighborhood was no problem either.
Even though the design isn’t completely wireless, you don’t have to worry too much about getting the wires that wrap around from getting caught on anything. The design of the headphones keeps the wire close to your neck. I can’t emphasize enough how annoying it is to have the headphones yank out because the loose wire gets caught on something.
I tested out the range of the J&L-200 Swan’s and I got around 10 feet before music would cut off. I did notice that the headphones had the occasional drop at the gym but it would reconnect immediately. This is an occurrence that many bluetooth devices suffer due to weaker antennas.
J&L claims that the headphones will get six to eight hours of battery life. I found myself getting a solid seven hours of battery life. I personally never exceed 70% volume because I have sensitive ears and will get headaches from loud music.
Sound
The J&L-200 Swan headphones sound awesome for how cheap they are. J&L focused on the crisp highs and rich lows. It wasn’t kidding when they said these have crisp highs. I found that the highs slightly overpowered the mids and bass. Listening to the chorus part of Ultralight Beam by Kanye West on full volume was a bit overwhelming. Regardless, the sound still offers a rich bass experience. The headphones offer a great sound experience in the gym where upbeat music benefits from this EQ range.
I wouldn’t recommend using it in a work setting. I found that the crisp highs lead to sound fatigue in a calm setting such as the workplace. However, these headphones were designed for an active setting so this will not affect most people.
Conclusion
I was really blown away at the comfort and design of the J&L-200 Swan bluetooth headphones. These headphones are one of the most comfortable, secure headphones I have ever used in the gym. Comfort and fit are two very important factors for gym headphones as you will be more active than normal and potentially will deal with more fit issues. Wireless headphones are useless if they continually fall out of your ear.
The sound experience you get for the low price point makes these headphones a steal. The J&L Real-200 Swan headphones are only $23.94 on Amazon with free shipping. The emphasis on crisp highs and rich bass from these sweat-proof headphones will power you through even the toughest of workouts.
Not everyone has a modern car with amenities like built-in screens. Although over 200 car models support Android Auto, there are millions more without support. So Google is letting drivers use Android Auto from their phone.
Anyone who has an Android phone running 5.0 Lollipop or later can take advantage of Android Auto. You don’t have to hook it up to an external screen either; just set your phone on a mount somewhere accessible.
To be clear, Android Auto doesn’t really give you extra functionality; rather, it’s the opposite. Systems like Android Auto and CarPlay strip down a smartphone into the bare minimals and presents them in a distraction-free interface.
You can easily access things like directions, music and communication apps, but no more than that. These services are presented in a UI that looks similar to your notification shade: big fonts and buttons in a minimal interface.
Along with the update, your phone can also automatically start the app when your phone is paired with Bluetooth. Presumably this means Bluetooth-supported car mounts, and not Bluetooth speakers and headphones.
Google is also bringing updated hands-free voice commands “in the coming weeks.” You can use these commands to access maps, music and messaging with the familiar “Ok, Google” command.
Android Auto is currently available in 31 countries. You can enter your email address here to find out when your phone will get the app.
Only days after shedding its lowest rate plan for prepaid customers, Verizon is back to change things up. Today finds the carrier adding two new options to its Verizon Prepaid options.
Starting from November 13, Verizon Prepaid subscribers will be able to choose from $50 and $70 offerings. The former provides for 5GB of 4G LTE data per month while the latter delivers 10GB of high speed coverage.
Both plans include unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot, international messaging, and carryover data. Should a customer hit the threshold of data, Verizon will throttle speeds for the remainder of the bill cycle. Moreover, those customers who want more data in the interim can purchase it in bundles.
Time to purchase a new smartphone? Is this an upgrade from an existing device? Or, are you brand new to these sort of things? Actually, scratch that, it doesn’t matter. We want to help you out either way.
To save you money, we’ve gathered up all of the promotions we could find from the various wireless providers. Regardless of where you’re thinking of going for service, or what phone you are looking to pick up, you owe it to yourself to check below. Don’t be the guy who says, “I didn’t know I could get more for my money.” Worse, don’t be the one who could have kept some of that money in his wallet.
What follows is a mix of phone, rate plan, and accessory promotions worth checking out this week. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good mix of what’s currently offered across the bigger carriers. We have no idea how long some of these deals will last. Sure, some are ongoing in a semi-permanent manner, but others could disappear overnight.
