The unprecedented just happened. A report coming from Bloomberg today announced that Samsung has officially pulled the plug off its controversial Galaxy Note 7 phablet.
The measure is a drastic one, but given the current situation, we don’t see how the Galaxy Note7 could ever bounce back. Samsung has taken a major hit in credibility and this desperate attempt at damage control proves in what precarious situation the phone maker finds itself in.
It’s a fiasco that will probably go down in history and won’t be easily forgotten. This news arrives shortly after Samsung released a statement where it explicitly asked users to “power down and stop using” the original Galaxy Note 7 or the replacement Galaxy Note 7 and “take advantage of the remedies available”. The Korean tech giant also requested that global partners stop sales of the phablets in question.
The Galaxy Note7 was supposed to be Samsung’s almighty weapon in battling Apple’s new iPhone host during the upcoming holiday season. Now all the effort that went into building this premium handset is going down the drain.
Considered one of the world’s top smartphone makers, Samsung has had a rough couple of months. Shortly after the Galaxy Note7 made its way onto the market, reports started flooding in that the phone’s battery was prone to overheating and catching fire.
Samsung quickly issued a global recall and offered replacement Galaxy Note7 phones, but the crisis was far from being over and forgotten.
In the last few weeks, we have been bombarded by news of smoking, exploding replacement Galaxy Note7 units. One phone almost blew up in the pocket of a passenger traveling onboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Louisville, KY. Another started smoking in the hand of a thirteen-year-old teenager, who luckily managed to drop it to the ground quickly enough.
In the wake of all unfortunate these events, Samsung found itself under immense pressure. Earlier this week it said it was working with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate the problem, but now it seems the Korean giant has decided a more drastic approach is called for.
The effects of the Galaxy Note7 fiasco are already visible, as Samsung shares fell 8% Tuesday thus shaving off approximately $17 billion market value.
While this news might come as a blow to Samsung enthusiasts and supporters, it seems inadmissible that a company of Samsung’s caliber and notoriety was careless enough to put a product so potentially dangerous as the Galaxy Note7, on the market. Are the days of good old fashion, strict quality control over and done? We certainly hope not.
EDIT: Samsung has issued an official statment for CNBC:
“For the benefit of consumers’ safety, we have stopped sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note 7 and have consequently decided to stop production.”
Oculus, the Facebook-owned virtual reality company has pushed an update that disables the Gear VR app on the Galaxy Note 7. The update was first spotted by Reddit user Bahaman 23 and later received confirmation from a number of users.
The move makes sense given the fiery issues the Galaxy Note 7 has been confronted with in the past two months. Samsung partnered up with Oculus on the Gear VR and an updated version of the headset was released with the Galaxy Note 7.
Last month, Oculus was advising users not to use the Note 7 with the Gear VR until they received their replacement. However, now we know these new phones are riddled with the same issues, as reports of replacement phones catching on fire continue to roll in.
So Oculus is taking the next logical step by disabling the Gear VR app altogether, thus making sure users don’t hurt themselves. The virtual reality headset puts the phablet in an extremely dangerous position – in close to the user’s eyes, so Oculus is doing all in its power to avoid any unwanted accidents. Currently, the app is no longer loading, showing this message instead: “until further notice, Note 7 devices will not be compatible with Gear VR.”
Samsung itself also issued a statement urging users to power down their original Galaxy Note 7 or replacement Galaxy Note 7 and to take advantage of the remedies available, including requesting a refund on their purchase. The Korean tech giant has also asked all global partners to stop sales of the device until further notice.
Samsung explains it is working with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate the problem and hopefully solve it. No word on how long the examination is going to take, but we’re guessing this time around Samsung is hoping to get rid of the problem once and for all.
The Galaxy Note 7 is not the only device the update Gear VR works with. Even if the flaming phablet is out of the picture, for now, users can still pair the headset with other Samsung smartphones including the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge and Note 5.
Charging your smartphone is a daily/nightly activity for almost all of you. While plugging in your device is not such a big deal and is a habit you’re used to, there are many Android devices that can charge wirelessly.
Phones such as the Nexus 6, Moto Z, Galaxy S6, S6+, Note 5, S7 and S7 edge are all examples of devices that can charge wirelessly with many others that aren’t listed. Some of the more recent Galaxy devices can even charge faster (1.4x) than over wireless since they are now compatible with QC 2.0 chargers.
If you have a phone that is compatible with wireless charging, and you haven’t grabbed a wireless charging pad, you’re doing it all wrong. Luckily in this review, I’ve got one that is compatible with all Qi enabled devices and looks pretty good at the same time, the aLLreLi Fast wireless charger.
Design and Usage
The Fast wireless charger from AllreLi is a looker. Its got a circular design, with a small disk surrounded by clear plastic that gives it a unique look over typical chargers. Inside of the disk are LED lights that illuminate as soon as you place a compatible device on it.
It first turns green followed by white when it starts charging your device. After a few seconds it turns off the light so it doesn’t disturb you if you keep it on your nightstand and prefer a dark room at night.
Wireless charging is one of the cooler features available on many Androids. It’s so much easier to use this method of charging over manual methods and is particularly nice when using your phone before bed. Typically with your room lights off, and tired eyes, it’s nice to be able to simply lean over and place your phone on the charging pad instead of looking for the little charging cable to plug in.
Having the LED lights illuminate to let you know the phone is charging is rather nice too. I’ve been using my aLLreLi charger with my Samsung Galaxy Note 7 over the past couple of weeks and love that it chargers it at faster speeds.
There’s a soft rubber ring in the center which offers extra grip so your devices don’t slide off. It’s a little detail that makes a big difference in preventing your phone from sliding off.
aLLreLi suggests removing your case before connecting it to the charger, as some cases slow down charging. However I never experienced any issues with leaving my case on, and still picked up the fast wireless charing speed.
Summary
Priced at just $18.99 at Amazon, the aLLreLi Qi Fast wireless charger offers incredible value when compared to OEM competitors like those from Samsung. With a clear design, it offers something that isn’t boring like other chargers. All around this is a great charger that looks good too. If you’re not charging wirelessly, you’re missing out.
One of the great features of having an Android device is the ability to install applications without using the official app marketplace. The Google Play store has thousands upon thousands of applications available to download at any time, however, there may be an occasion or two where an app is no longer available for a variety of reasons. This is where installing an application from the web (or what is often referred to as “sideloading”) can come in handy.
Getting your device ready
Before you can install an application downloaded from the web onto an Android device, there are a few things you need to set up to be ready. I will include screenshots from my Sony smartphone with Android version 5.1 and the basic directions on how to properly set up your device and install a downloaded application. Please note that your device and current OS version may differ slightly from these examples.
In order to be able to sideload an application onto your Android phone or tablet, you must first go into your settings and enable applications to be installed from unknown sources. On my Sony smartphone I have to select ‘Settings’ then ‘Security’ and then scroll down to select the ‘Unknown sources’ slider to enable the setting. On some other devices and OS versions, the option may be elsewhere so be sure to look around within your settings if you don’t see it at first glance.
Security settings within android to allow installation from unknown sources
Finding and setting up an application
Now that your device is set to properly receive an application from a different source, you need to download the application from the web. There are two different ways you can do this. If you have a desktop or laptop computer you can use a standard browser to download the ‘Android application package’ or APK file. The other option is to download the APK file through a web browser on the Android device you are using. Each one will return the same results, but getting there will vary just a little.
Pokemon GO download site for sideloading an APK
If you download the APK from the web onto a computer, take note of where the file is saved, then connect your phone through a USB cable to transfer the file. Once the file is transferred to your device you can use a file manager program on the device to find and select the APK for installation.
Here’s a list of previous and current versions of Pokemon GO APKs
If you download the file directly from your device’s web browser you should see a notification in the menu bar that will allow you to select for installation. This route is generally much easier, however, take caution with either route as files downloaded over the internet are much more susceptible to viruses than a program that is installed directly from the Google Play store.
Downloading a file from the web can harm your device. Use cautionIf you forget to change your security settings, you’ll receive this message
After the file is loaded and installed, the application should work just as any program would if it was installed from the Google Play store. To enhance security after installation it would be beneficial to return to your settings and turn off the ability to install from unknown sources. This isn’t necessary at this point, especially if you are comfortable using Android, but does add security by eliminating the possibility of an accidental installation over the web.
The install screen is exactly the same as if you installed from the Google Play storeIt’s working!!!It’s finished and your app has loaded successfully–now turn on that GPS!
There are only a handful of situations where you may want to sideload an application. With the higher risks associated with sideloading it is rarely the recommended way to install an application, but will work when required. On occasion, you may find that your device is not fully supported to download an application or that Google has removed an app from the app store. Having the ability to download an APK from the web whether it’s directly through your device or through another computer–can be extremely handy and a great alternative to the official store.
LeEco isn’t a brand a lot of people are familiar with in the US, but overseas in China, the company has built quite a name for itself. Starting out as LeTv and providing a video-streaming service akin to Netflix, LeEco now offers e-commerce, cloud, smartphone, TV set-top boxes and smart TVs among many other products and services.
The Chinese conglomerate made the transition from LeEco to LeTv just recently, as part of its strategy to highlight its increased focus towards entering different markets. To that end, LeEco has scheduled a debut event on the US market for October 19 during which new products are expected to be released.
And what do you know? As it often happens in the tech world, the company has accidentally leaked the said new products by inadvertently listing them on their online store before the official launch. The links have been rapidly removed, but luckily Android Police snapped a few screenshots before that happened.
The products in questions are two budget-friendly smartphones, the Le Max 2 and Le S3 and two four Android TVs. Here’s what to expect:
Le Max2 – 5.7-inch Quad HD display (2048 × 1536 pixel resolution), Snapdragon 820 chipset, 21MP main camera, fingerprint scanner, Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, $289 (after being discounted $60 UP2U from $349 through December 2016). Available in Grey or Golden, with 4GB/32GB or 6GB/128GB (international version) onboard.
Le S3 – 5.5-inch Full HD display (1920 by 1080 pixel resolution), Snapdragon 652 chipset, 16MP main camera, fingerprint scanner, Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, $169 (after being discounted $60 UP2U savings from $299).
It’s interesting to note that by applying a $60 discount to a $299 phone translates to having to pay $239, not $169 but who knows what UP2U savings actually stands for. We’re probably going to find on during the LeEco official event.
Before we move on to the TVs, we’ll remind you that the LeEco has purchased TV maker Vizio back in July for the hefty sum of $2 billion. Even so, the Chinese technology maker appears to be prepping the release of some LeEco-branded television sets.
LeEco Super4 X43 Pro IV – 4K resolution, Android TV, $14.99 LeEco Super4 X55 TV – 4K resolution, Android TV, $799 LeEco Super X65 TV – 4K resolution, Android TV, $14.99 LeEco uMax85 TV – 4K resolution, Android TV, $799
As you have probably noticed some of the prices on these TVs are outrageously small, so it’s safe to assume they are most likely just temporary placeholders. The real price-tags will most likely be unveiled during the official event.
The leaked pictures also reveal these smart TVs are going to come bundled with a host of proprietary LeEvo apps like “LIVE app”, “Le” app, Levidi, LeZone, MyLeEco or Clearly LeEco.
It’s pretty obvious from today’s leak that LeEvo is trying to score big with these products and we have to say that at least one of the smartphones sounds quite promising, especially considering the relatively low price-tag.
For mobile phone users in India, it’s more important than ever to find clever ways to save money on recharges. In the past, many phone users in India went to brick-and-mortar stores to recharge their mobile and DTH bills, but in recent years, more and more consumers are opting to use online stores instead for recharges. This gives them more opportunities to save money and conveniently compare their options. It’s also less time-consuming in most instances to do a mobile recharge online, as opposed to visiting an actual offline location to do it.
Consider the following facts and tips if you want to move to an online recharge option.
The Benefits
It’s important for consumers to understand the benefits of doing an online phone recharge transaction. The first is one that was touched on above briefly, and that’s the time savings and convenience that comes with being able to do this online as opposed to visiting a recharge store. Also, because of the increased level of competition in the online recharge marketplace, consumers are finding they have not only more choice but also the opportunity to find really great deals.
Know the Plan You Need
Before you start shopping around for mobile recharge options or the best deals, be clear on what you need from a recharge plan so you’re not paying for extras you won’t use. You can visit any number of websites that will provide very detailed information about recharge packages and plans, including features such as full talk time, 4G data plans, and roaming plans. Try to choose accordingly, so you’re not overpaying.
Shopping For Deals
There are many opportunities for Indian consumers to find excellent deals on recharges. For example, they might search Freecharge coupons, which offer customers access to top mobile operators and network service providers in addition to free giveaways, rebates and cashback options every time they’re using the service. This is a great option for consumers because they’re not only able to find the best possible deal on the mobile service itself, but the rebates and cashback rewards can quickly add up.
The only thing to note when shopping these sites is that you should make sure you’re going with a reputable name in the industry that employees stringent security measures and is well-established. Along with using coupon sites to take advantage of these deals, it can also be worth it to consumers to sign up for email updates from coupon sites, so they’ll receive the first access to new deals and opportunities.
Do Your Own Research
As a final note to conclude this list of tips for people searching for the best online mobile recharge opportunities, don’t only rely on what retailers say about prepaid plans and mobile recharge plans. It’s also a good idea to look beyond the operator’s website and do your own research using third-party and independent websites so you can get a feel for what other customers think about these providers and plans.
2016 is the year of the midrange phone. This year we’ve seen amazing offerings in the $400 range that push the limits of what we can expect from midrangers. It’s left a lot of us here at AndroidGuys wondering if it’s worth buying a flagship anymore. The OnePlus 3, ZTE Axon 7, Lenovo Moto Z Play, Alcatel Idol 4s, and Huawei Honor 8 represent the best of the best in terms of quality, but who takes the cake? We’ve spent a few weeks with the Honor 8 and it makes a pretty compelling case.
If I were to tell you that you could get almost the exact same build quality of the Samsung Galaxy S7 while paying about half as much, would that interest you? Would you ask yourself how that was even possible? Well, I was certainly left wondering how Huawei pulled it off after I removed the Honor 8 from its packaging for the first time. I used the phone for about three weeks and was still constantly amazed at how well Huawei sandwiched glass and metal together to make this phone. It’s simply brilliant.
The front of our blue review unit is simple, just the display, small bezels, a standard speaker earpiece/camera and proximity sensor up top with an Honor branding on the bottom. If the Samsung logo on the S7 and Note 7 bother you, the Honor branding might too, but I thought it looked nice without being too eye-catching or distracting.
The back of the phone is equally understated with just a fingerprint sensor, dual-camera setup, flash and honor branding at the bottom. You can see Samsung and Apple’s influence in the design for the Honor 8. It’s simple and doesn’t try to impress with a modular design, large front-facing speakers, or tactile buttons. Huawei kept it simple and let the materials impress those who are lucky enough to see it in person. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is the most visually stunning phone I’ve ever seen in person, but the Honor 8 is right behind it.
With the premium build materials do come compromises, namely, fragility and slickness. The phone will absolutely slide off anything with an incline and any kind of fall onto bumpy surfaces will blemish the devices. At the end of a long drive, I sat the Honor 8 on the top of my car along with my keys and a few other things. I thought it was on a flat enough surface, but I was wrong and it slid onto our blacktop parking spot. Luckily the display was spared, but the corners took the brunt of the blow. No more nice beautiful phone, but it could have been worse. If you’re worried about dropping your phone, get a nice case or choose a different phone because it’s easy to scuff this one up.
Display
The display on the Honor 8 is a 5.2″ 1080p LCD display. Hardly the highest resolution display on the planet, but ask yourself if you truly need a 2560 x 1440p display at 5.2″. The Samsung Galaxy S7 has a 5.1″ QHD display and it truly is a thing to behold, but it’s more due to the AMOLED technology, deep blacks, and wonderful peak brightness rather than the pixel density. Huawei made the right call with “only” a 1080p display on the Honor 8.
The colors are vibrant and the blacks look great. Peak brightness won’t approach those in the upper echelon of devices- that’s one of the tradeoff’s you’ll make in this $400 device, but it does do well enough on cloudy days. Sunny days are another story. You’ll be covering the phone with your hand or running under cover to get a good grasp of what’s on your display.
Auto brightness is better on the Honor 8 than most phones, but it does keep the display a bit dark. I kept my display at roughly 50% for the duration of the review period and was very happy. However, reading in bed was a bit of a pain. The display floor is pretty high and made for some squinting and eye strain in bed. If you like to read in bed you’ll probably need to download a third-party application from the app store to artificially lower the brightness.
Viewing angles are wonderful. If you often share your display with another while watching YouTube or Netflix on the couch at home or the train, you’ll be pleased with the Honor 8. I noticed no color shifting or distortion when viewed at even the most extreme angles.
Software
Software is the biggest area of difference between the Honor 8 and any other widely available Android device in the US market. The Honor 8 runs a heavily customized skin known as EMUI- or Emotion UI. These heavy skins are usually confined to the eastern markets of South Korea, Japan, China and others while we generally get lighter skins here in the States. EMUI takes a lot of what is great about Android and builds on it, but still has some head scratching decisions.
The biggest issue for me is the lack of app drawer. It’s 2016 and some companies, namely LG, have experimented with ditching the app drawer, but EMUI takes that step. I have used my fair share of iPhones and I love them for what they are, but part of the reason I use Android is for software functions like the app drawer. I don’t want three home screens full of folders that I have to search through for an app. Luckily you can swipe down on an empty space of the launcher to pull down a search bar that you can open apps from, much like on the iPhone.
Icons everywhere!
One of the smart improvements that the Honor 8 has is in the notification tray. A swipe down reveals all of your alerts, neatly tucked organized by what time they came in. It reminds me a lot of the timeline layout that Pebble uses in its smartwatches. A swipe to the right opens up your quick toggles. Unfortunately, you can’t customize what quick toggles you have or in which order they show up, but there are some smart toggles like Screenshot and WiFi hotspot toggles.
The app suite included with the Honor isn’t by any means bloated, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some bloatware here. You do get Huawei’s messaging app, gallery, theme store, music player, video player, calendar, clock, file browser, phone manager and email client. You’ll also see two folders named Tools and Top apps. The Tools folder has some of the usual suspects like a calculator, notepad, sound recorder and flashlight. Nothing too revolutionary. Top apps are all of the added bloatware like Facebook, Twitter, and Shazam. Luckily, these are uninstallable. I’ve said this before but if including these apps are what help companies keep the cost of phones down, I’m fine with it (as long as they are uninstallable).
During the review period, I did receive the September security update, so Huawei is doing a good job of staying on top of those. I would like to see when the Honor 8 receives Nougat, though, and what it looks like when it finally hits the phone. When a phone is heavily skinned like the Honor 8, updates tend to take a while because there are a lot of features to incorporate into a new operating system. That’s a lot of testing to make sure nothing is broken once those features are incorporated. If you care about the latest software updates you probably already own a Nexus device. If you care about cool features and aesthetics, the Honor 8 might scratch that itch.
Performance
The Honor 8 is powered by Huawei’s in-house Kirin 950 chip and represents the first phone in the US powered by it. The Kirin 950 is an octa-core chip with four 2.3GHz cores and four 1.8GHz cores. In real world usage, the chip feels comparable to the Snapdragon 820. Obviously, there are a lot of factors that go into how a phone feels but I’m basing my opinion on usage of the Samsung Galaxy S7, OnePlus3, LG G5, Motorola Z Force Droid, and Samsung Galaxy Note7 (which thankfully didn’t explode).
While I did experience minor hiccups, they were just that- minor and infrequent. Daily tasks like browsing Reddit, scrolling through my agenda in the calendar, checking social media apps, taking pictures, and watching videos on YouTube were frustration free. After turning the phone on, it did need time to “wind up”. I’ve seen this issue in Samsung phones as well where they’re difficult to use in the first couple of minutes after a reboot as processes get started. The Honor 8 wasn’t nearly as bad as some Samsung phones that I used, but the issue did exist.
Battery life was a big standout with the Honor 8. The smallish 5.2″ 1080p display combined with a power-efficient processor meant I was able to get through the day, even on heavy usage days, with battery left over. The only day I was reaching for a charger to top off was the first day I received the Honor 8 and that was due to the phone not having 100% battery out of the box and setting up all of my apps. If you have a charger in your car capable of quick charging or a charger at your desk, it’s very possible to not charge your phone at night and just continue topping off as needed. To say I was impressed with the battery life would be an understatement.
Camera
We’re starting to see more and more companies put dual cameras on the rear of phones to maximize mobile photography opportunities. Huawei was one of the first to do this with the Honor 8. The rear of the phone houses dual 12MP cameras, one lens to capture color and one monochrome. This design intends to let more light into photographs in low-light situations. While you will see some grain in these low-light situations, I was impressed at how well the Honor 8 was able to let in as much light as possible. When you’re able to use the flash, you will notice a huge difference. In the sample below, you would be forgiven if you though the brighter picture was taken during the day rather than at 7:30 at night in a dark room with only a television for light.
The cameras do even better in well-lit situations. A day at the ballpark and the beach left us with some truly excellent pictures. Here are some camera samples from my time with the Honor 8
The camera app gives you more than just the bare-bones, too. I was impressed that a quick swipe to the left from the viewfinder found 16 different modes including pro and beauty modes for both photo and video, Good Food, Panorama, HDR, Night Shot, Light Painting, Time-lapse, Slow-mo, Watermark, Audio note, and document scan. While most of the modes will probably go completely untouched, it is nice to have them built-in to the camera app instead of needing to download third party applications if you ever do decide to use them.
Conclusion
As lovers of technology, the writers here at AndroidGuys often engage in conversation about phones like the Honor 8, ZTE Axon 7, OnePlus 3, Moto Z Play, and the Idol 4S. It’s hard to pick which would be the “best” $400 phone since they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. But, the fact that we’re able to consider these phones over flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S7, LG V20, and HTC 10 means that the state of midrange phones has never been better.
I really enjoyed my time with the Honor 8. I’ve used a lot of the phones released this year, and while it isn’t my favorite phone released in 2016 (Moto Z Play, in case you’re wondering) I would have no trouble recommending it to anyone. Huawei proves that they pay attention to detail and put a lot of work not only into the physical design of the phone but the software too.
The software may not be everyone’s idea of what they’d like to see on an Android device, but much like Samsung devices, Huawei was able to pack in a ton of features without making the device feel bloated. It feels sleek and cool like a cutting edge product no-one else has gotten their hands on yet. The Honor 8 is something completely different than what’s on the market right now and that’s a huge plus.
HTC has been rumored to have an Android Wear smartwatch in the works for ages now. The device leaked a few times in the past year, but nothing concrete was announced by the Taiwanese device maker.
Now the purported smartwatch makes a comeback into the rumor mill. Ever since 2015 we knew HTC’s Android Wear project was nicknamed “Halfbeak” and now we actually get to take a preliminary look at the device in question.
The folks over at Techtastic have stumbled upon a bunch of images on Weibo that apparently show the face of the elusive HTC Halfbeak. It turns out that HTC is going for the round form factor reminiscent of the Moto 360, rather than the rectangular one.
A quick look at the image set reveals the wearable features two round buttons on the side plus an oblong one. The watch appears to have a matte red/black rubber or silicone strap which comes with a surprise crack – this is definitely not a product ready for primetime. More evidence comes from the fact that Halfbeak seems to be running Android 5.1.1 – a software version that is more than a year old.
Judging by the leak, the watch will come equipped with 360 x 360-pixel display, a heart rate sensor and pogo charging pins. Under Armour logos can also be spotted on the front and back, a detail which indicates HTC will be partnering up with the sports clothing and accessories company to produce this smartwatch, once again.
The two companies already worked together on the Healthbox – a fitness system designed to assist users with recording and measuring a variety of health-related data – so it makes sense that they could team up on a smart watch.
Smartwatch enthusiasts are probably glad the HTC smartwatch project isn’t dead. The smartphone maker appeared on the list of partners back when Android Wear was introduced, so a product from this category is bound to be released at some point.
However, at this point, we can’t be sure the Halfbeak model showed in these images is more than a prototype. After all the outdated operating system and cracked wristband indicate just that.
If the rumor mill is to believe, the HTC’s first smartwatch might arrive with IP57 certification and a Snapdragon Wear 210. Naturally, it’s just speculating at this point.
Back in 2014, HTC US President, Jason Mackenzie confessed in an interview for Re/code that the company needed more time to design and produce a smartwatch truly worth buying. It’s been two years since then and the company still has nothing to show for, but given the current leak, we might be getting closer to a release.
Using your smartphone while driving is one of the least intelligent things you can do in your day. It’s been proven that driving distracted leads to accidents which is why it was banned by the vast majority of states in the US.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a car accident is 23 times more likely to happen when a driver is texting. NHTSA found that 30 percent of all car crashes in the United States result from drivers who admit to texting right before the accident. NHTSA studies also found texting while driving is more dangerous than driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 – the percentage almost every state uses to determine intoxication.
If you want to use a smartphone in your car while driving, just get a car mount. They aren’t pricey and cost far less than a ticket, let alone an accident.
With GekoGrip you get high quality builds on its products. There are hundreds of mounts that cost less than $10, but I’ve usually found those to be poor performers over time. The dashboard and windshield mount from GekoGrip is its finest example of mounts.
It uses a suction cup to mount onto a flat part of your dashboard or windshield. On top of the suction cup is a small arm with an adjustable triangular shaped magnet. The suction cup is nice because you can remove it and reattach it multiple times without fear of losing stickiness. It’s built to withstand high temperatures in the sun too.
Included in the box are two metal pieces – one can be used to put in between your smartphone and a phone case, and the other is a disk that can stick to the back of your device if you go caseless.
Using a magnet to hold your smartphone (or GPS) is the easiest way to go hands free. There are several mounts where you need to clip them into place, and adding an extra step like that usually turns out to be a pain for most people. With a magnet, you simply hold your phone up to the mount and it sticks.
I used two heavier phones to test this mount – the iPhone 6S Plus (192g) and the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (169g). The mount rated to hold 300g, which is more than enough for some of the heaviest phones on the market. I tested the mount thoroughly with my bouncy off road suspension and terrible Southern California roads, and never experienced a single issue with the phone falling off the mount.
The mount also features a fully rotatable head which allows for positioning of your phone however you prefer.
It’s one of the slimmest mounts you can get that mounts to your dash or windshield. I prefer this mount to the vent and CD mount because it doesn’t obstruct my vent and radio controls. I also prefer to keep my phone in the lower left hand side of my windshield which is in more inline with the road. And if you mount it correctly, it doesn’t take up much more space than what the pillar already occupies.
Keep in mind, not all states allow for use of windshield mounts as they might obstruct your field of vision. Check your state laws before you use a windshield mount.
While it may not be designed for home use, I actually enjoy using a second one I grabbed on my desk which does have a glossy finish.
Remember driving while distracted can be avoided. It’s not a smart thing to do and has been shown to be more dangerous than driving drunk. It’s just not worth it. GekoGrip’s windshield and dash mount is a great investment for those of you who don’t already have a phone mount.
Samsung’s issues with the Galaxy Note 7 phablet have just taken a turn for the worse. According to South Korean publication Yonhap News Agency the smartphone producer has temporarily halted the production of replacement handsets.
This decision comes after a number of replacement phones, which were deemed safe by the Korean company were reported to have caught fire and injured their owners in the process.
Just this weekend thirteen-year-old Abby Zuis burned her thumb while holding her replacement Galaxy Note 7 in hand. The phone started smoking without warning, but luckily the teenager was able to quickly drop the phone on the ground. The Note 7 melted through its protective case and showed burn markings and typical split body.
via KSTP
Another Note 7 replacement phone caused the evacuation of a Southwest Airlines flight after the device exploded in a passenger’s pocket.
The Galaxy Note 7 is a flagship phone which was released on the market in mid-August. It has been hailed as a worthy iPhone 7 competitor and considered an important part of Samsung’s strategy to regain top spot in the mobile market. However, it was soon discovered that the phone had a serious battery issue.
Samsung has been forced to issue the recall of 2.7 million Galaxy Note 7s over complaints of the phone emitting smoke and catching fire. So far, the Korean tech giant had been trying to manage the crisis by offering replacement devices, but at the moment it seems these new Galaxy Note 7 aren’t safe either.
Now Samsung has halted the production of these “improved” Galaxy Note 7 phablets, which seems to suggest the problem underlying the battery issue is far more complex than was initially thought.
via WKYT
Already three major US carriers, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have announced they stopped selling the infamous phablet and are now inviting Note 7 owners to exchange the phone for a different one. Interestingly enough, SK Telecom and other South Korean carriers haven’t done the same, but are said to be monitoring the situation closely.
Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed the information, but at this point, it does seem plausible the Korean tech giant will be issuing a second recall of the Note 7. This is an extremely rare occurrence in the mobile industry and will probably cost Samsung a lot in terms of reputation and credibility.
While one of the world’s biggest smartphone seller is struggling to handle the Note 7 situation at best it can, the competition is more competitive than ever. iPhone 7 sales are reportedly thriving and Google has just released its first premium smartphones- the Pixel and Pixel XL, so Note 7 refugees can be easily be swept away by the promise of a better handset.
