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Try these Google Maps voice commands on your next vaction

AndroidGuys
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Google maps have been integrated so heavily into the way we travel that it’s hard to imagine how one was able to take road trips before Turn-by-Turn directions. There was an abundance of paper maps for cities, counties, and states prior to GPS, but have you ever tried to read one without knowing your exact location? It’s more difficult than having to re-fold the map that you just spent the last 30 minutes trying to decipher your location on. On September 29th, Google announced how it was going to make your traveling experience better yet again by allowing you to interact with your GPS using your voice.

Google Maps Smartdrive

Googles newest addition to Google Maps will now allow you to navigate with only your voice. Once enabled, all you need to say is “Ok Google” followed by what you would like maps to do. One example would be “Ok Google, find gas stations.” In addition to giving Maps directions, Maps will now let you adjust your route using only your voice. You can tell Maps to “Avoid Tolls”, “Enable Highways”, and “Exit Navigation.” Along with Google’s announcement, Google included its list of ways to interact with Maps.

This update to Maps is not just about changing how we interact and input directions to our device. The ability to tell maps what you want it to do will allow more drivers to drive completely hands free creating a safer commute for everyone.

 

What’s the best $400 phone you can buy?

AndroidGuys
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As attractive as phones like the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge are, it’s sometimes hard to justify spending the money on them. With some devices approaching $850, you’d be forgiven if you weren’t in a hurry to open up your wallet.

Given that models refresh at an annual rate (or faster), we’re often looking at something even more appealing in a year’s time, anyhow. What happens if you don’t want to spend that sort of money on a phone? Are you short-changing yourself? Maybe, but it really depends on your needs.

Not many people know this, but you can actually get more than enough phone for the average user, but at a fraction of the cost of a Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Like, literally half. Sure, there may be a few compromises in order, but you might be surprised by how much handset there is at the $400 price range.

We’ve gathered up five of the best Android-powered smartphones on the market, all of which come in around $400. Moreover, most of these are is offered in an unlocked capacity, meaning you can pair it with your GSM carrier (AT&T, T-Mobile) of choice. In one particular instance, you can tie it to a CDMA carrier (Verizon, Sprint), too. In the one case where it’s tied to a carrier, there’s something special about why you want the phone.

While it’s damn near impossible to name one phone the be-all-end-all best, each of these fits a certain niche quite well. In other words, you can’t go wrong here; and, depending on your needs, one might work better than others.

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OnePlus 3

In terms of future-proofing yourself, it’s hard to beat this one. There are so many cutting edge specifications inside the svelte phone that it boggles the mind. There are desktop computers with less hardware than what’s present in the OnePlus 3. It’s thin, gorgeous, and just the right blend of custom Android OS to keep things fresh. Seriously, though, 6GB RAM?

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ZTE Axon 7

As an unlocked phone that works with both GSM and CDMA carriers, there’s something to be said about carrier freedom. Want to switch from one network to another? No problem. Hell, put two SIM cards in it and switch on the fly! The 2-year Passport protection plan means you’ll sleep easier knowing your phone can take a beating and not end up costing you to fix it. Flagship through and through, you’ll get a 5.5-inch display, 20-megapixel camera, and 64GB internal storage.

Amazon | B&H | Best Buy

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Motorola Moto Z Play Droid

Like the idea of adding extra functionality to your phone on the fly? This Motorola, a Verizon exclusive, is designed with support for MotoMods which allows for add-on components from big-name brands. Want a better speaker? How about a pico-projector or camera with an optical zoom? The Moto Z Play Droid lets you snap each on in a matter of seconds.

It doesn’t hurt that the phone looks awesome and totally unlike the pre-Lenovo era of Motorola. Oh, we can’t forget the custom software touches that Motorola adds to Android. Gestures and tweaks let you open the camera with the flick of a wrist or wave your hand to see the notification screen.

An unlocked version of this phone is also available, but it comes at a slightly more expensive $450 price tag. Still, it’s really hard to beat this one.

Verizon | Best Buy

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Alcatel Idol 4S

Interested in the growing field of virtual reality? Alcatel’s phone not only packs a heck of a punch, but it’s paired with a dedicated VR viewer, some JBL speakers, and a protective case. The Android 6.0 build is as current as anything else non-Nexus on the market; the hardware puts this firmly in the pack of upper-end devices. You’ll come for the 16-megapixel Sony camera, and you’ll stay for the 3000mAh battery. Sprinkle in 3GB RAM and 32GB storage (with microSD card support), and you’ve got a sweet little package.

Amazon

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Zenfone 3

A picture-taker’s friend, the Asus comes in a variety of colors, all of which look simply stunning. We’re talking a 16-megapixel rear camera that’s decked in a whole suite of features and shooting modes.

The 2.5D curved glass screen is a beauty to behold, especially atop the 5.5-inch display. It’s hard to argue with a phone that packs this much hardware in such a sexy little unit. Did we mention it leaves $50 in your pocket? Yes, this one is only $350.

Amazon

UMi Plus sells 64,000 units in pre-sale; Last day to to get $70 discount

AndroidGuys
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Yesterday we saw the first unveiling of the beautiful UMi Plus, the new unlocked “budget flagship” which aims to redefine the mid-range experience giving high performances in every field.

It seems many people were convinced by UMi’s effort, because the company just told us they’ve received 64,000 pre-orders, a huge number for a pre-sale model. The first batch of shipments will be heading to retailers today, September 30th, according to UMi.

Undoubtedly, one of the elements which helped reaching this number is the $70 dollar discount for all the users who made a request for it on UMi’s website: there, you can also find a contest where is possible to win an UMi Plus for free.

You still have the last chance to get the UMi Plus at the presale price, but you’ll have to hurry up! There are only a matter of hours left where you can get the phone with Helio P10 Octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 4000mah Battery, PE+ fast charging technology, 13MP Samsung PDAF Camera, full metal body for a price of $179.99 dollars!

Starting tomorrow, Saturday October 1st, the phone will return to its regular price, so don’t miss the last chance!

You can reach UMi Plus’ dedicated page and get the 70$ discount here: http://bit.ly/UMiPlusPresales

15 Android recipes and shortcuts to make you more efficient

AndroidGuys
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Let’s face it, everyone wants to make the most of their time. Nobody wants to go about their life willingly doing things slower than need be. Further, who wants to waste time doing stuff that can be automated anyhow?

We’re huge fans of If This Then That, also known as IFTTT. A free service that plugs together tons of other services and API’s, it’s the perfect tool to make things happen for us on an automatic, scheduled, or as-needed basis. If you’ve not read it, we invite you to check out our coverage and background on IFTTT.

We’ve gathered up fifteen recipes designed with Android users in mind. These recipes tie into other aspects of your mobile or tech life, including Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, and more. Thanks to the smart functions that come built into your phone, you can create rules based on time, location, and battery levels.

Simply put one or two of these into action and you might find some extra delight in your day. At a minimum you can help speed things up and become more productive.

  1. Turn off phone’s Wi-Fi when your battery gets low
  2. Save new received texts to a Google Spreadsheet
  3. Save a copy of photos you take to Google Drive
  4. Track how much time is spent at a particular location
  5. Unmute the phone’s ringer in the morning
  6. Save a backup call log to Google Drive
  7. Mute your phone when you arrive at work
  8. Turn ringtone volume up when you leave work
  9. Sync your phone wallpaper to Reddit’s r/wallpaper hot posts
  10. Set your phone wallpaper to your latest Instagram picture
  11. Log your phone calls in Google Calendar
  12. Automatically alert your significant other when phone battery gets low
  13. Text me when I receive an email from someone specific
  14. Alert my Life360 circle if I call 911
  15. Set ring volume to 100% for a certain caller

What are you using IFTTT for? Is there a recipe that you’d like to share? If so, leave it in the comments below!

Turn your phone into a powerhouse with these IFTTT recipes (and learn how to make your own!)

Shopping for a first phone for a child

AndroidGuys
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Today, smartphones are everywhere. Your parents have them, your grandparents might have them and now it’s quite possible your child has one–or really wants one. But, how do you go about finding a phone that is a reasonable option for a young child?

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Stopping by your local carrier store will give you an idea of what devices can be had and possibly what features are available for said devices. However, this isn’t always the best or the only place you should be looking as you start your research.

There is an assortment of small and inexpensive Android-based phones that are perfect for young ones. Unlike Apple’s iOS based devices, which primarily come in only a few varieties and at a high price, many Android devices can regularly be found in the $50 – $200 range in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and colors.

After looking at the cost factors of adding a device to a plan and considering safety and usability concerns that many have, it’s time to choose a phone. Sometimes you can find a promotion through a carrier to receive a free phone when you add a line or a discounted rate if you add enough lines to a new or existing plan. However, if you just want to add a phone to your plan, you can look for an unlocked device from a retailer and add it to an existing plan.

Here’s an overview of what to look for when shopping for an inexpensive phone for a young one.

Screen size – Too small, too big or like Goldilocks says… “just right.” Have your child hold the phone, if possible, to make sure it’s not going to be cumbersome. Larger screens generally add weight and reduce battery efficiency. Small screens can be hard to see and difficult to navigate.

Memory – This is a big one. Never ever buy a phone that has less than 16GB of main storage, even if it has expandable options. A lot of apps are required to run from main memory and even if you expand the storage for things like music, movies and some applications, you will still find that 8GB severely limits overall usability.

Battery – Battery size is important, but it’s not just the size of the battery that you want to watch for–some smartphones have the capability to recharge much faster compared to others, and this could be crucial to allowing a child to get back to using his or her phone. Some high end smartphones allow for wireless charging, which could be great for a young one that might have trouble plugging in a standard USB charging cable.

Accessories – Be sure to check for recommended accessories. Consider over-the-ear headphones, a spare battery, car charger, and carrying case. If your child is rough with his or her toys, find some protection for that phone. A rugged case and screen protector can go a long way to prolonging the life of your investment.

Pink Headphones

Here’s a short list of inexpensive and fully functional phones that you can purchase outside of a contract upgrade or installment billing agreement. Be sure to pay attention to which devices are available for their respective carriers and whether or not the device is new or refurbished.

Alcatel 

BLU 

Motorola

Samsung

Huawei

ZTE

With a large variety of smartphone options available within the Android marketplace, there should be one that works quite well as a “first phone” for a child. Look around for deals on refurbished and used devices as these often come with extended warranties. I was able to find my daughter a refurbished iPhone 5S at a great price, and then later she upgraded to an iPhone 6S with a free phone promotion from our carrier. Warranties and device protection are important for young ones as well. If your child is not the most careful person, consider an insurance plan or extended warranty at the time of purchase.

Kids on phones

Safety, price, availability, contract vs. off contract, and durability all play a part in choice, but considering the importance that smartphones play in our lives, it’s best to be diligent in research before making your final decision. Happy shopping!

Google just made a new blog called The Keyword

Andrew Orr
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was Google…

Yesterday, Google created a sweet new blog called The Keyword. It’s meant to be a central repository of Google news and product announcements. Similar to how Alphabet was created to reign in all of Google’s projects, The Keyword was created to unite Google’s blogs.

Until now, Google has had a blog for almost all of its products: Android, Gmail, YouTube, Chrome, Google Fiber, etc. The Keyword’s About section says that it officially replaces 19 existing Google blogs in the English language. But now, there is only One Blog To Rule Them All.

Why This Matters

So why should you care? Ultimately, this benefits all of us. For readers, you now only have one resource to visit when you want to read all of Google’s news and releases. Don’t worry, you won’t have to replace all of your bookmarks either. Old bookmarks and feeds automatically redirect to The Keyword.

You can quickly browse and find the latest news or find news by topic, like Diversity, Machine Learning, Doodles and much more. Want to find news about a particular product? There’s a section for that too.

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This is also great for bloggers and journalists. The Keyword has a handy Press Section that gives us official Google product images and logos, as well as videos, to use in articles. Images can be broken down into Headshots, Logos and Life At Google.

Also in the About section, the company gives a little blurb about the name:

Where you’re from is an important part of who you are, and the name “The Keyword” is a nod to the origins of search. Keywords also unlock information, which is what we’re hoping to do here — provide a central, official source of news about who we are, what we do, and what we value. (Plus, we like that it has “word” in it.)

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TinyBouncer: Jump your way into fun (App Review)

Jason Botha
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TinyBouncer is an Indie style game that involves a whole lot of bouncing and swiping. Jumping on a bouncy caterpillar, you have to gain sufficient height to reach the distance goal, while also weaving through the endless amount of diverse obstacles. The game requires concentration and a will to accomplish in order to advance.

The app is developed by NEKKI.

Setup

TinyBouncer is more or less your typical Indie game. It has minimal setup, and you can start playing right after downloading without adjusting any settings or preferences. What makes it stand out, however, is the fact that the game file is relatively large as compared to similar games, although the game, at 50MB, is still not that big.

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Gameplay

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About to start the jumping

When I first opened the game, I was immediately drawn in by the catchy background music. It’s fast paced, and provides the rhythm for one to play. Usually, I would not play a game with the music on, but TinyBouncer is an exception. It really helps me concentrate with what I’m doing. It’s similar to retro music and falls in nicely with the type of game.

Another thing was the clean design, which went hand-in-hand with the attractive graphics. Again, it’s typical to see in an Indie game, but it nevertheless leaves a good impression and really builds up the game. The game utilizes a geometric design throughout the app and also ties in a bug/animal theme, a unique combination which gives the game character. The design is well executed and ties in all elements together, elements which most would not really think of adding together.

Moving on to the actual gameplay, your goal is to jump to the height gscreenshot_2016-09-12-20-42-49oal by jumping off a caterpillar. Each jump takes you further, but you have to touch the left or right side of the screen in order to dodge obstacles. It’s actually kind of tricky as you have to avoid them again when falling back down. It’s not something I would dub as original, but I would say it’s something well executed.

As you progress, you get to different levels and stages that increase in difficulty and get a slight theme change. Along the way, you can also pick up floating coins which you can use to buy different characters, which come with more benefits as they get more expensive. Such upgrades include increased jumping power and faster swiping speed. I did get to use some of these, and they do make a small difference that should help to get further in the game.

Adverts are, of course, present and do subtract from the game slightly. They are not intrusive or super-annoying, but are nevertheless there and do pop up in the rare occasion. It’s definitely something I could accept, however.

The game ran without a hitch on my Huawei P9 Lite.

Conclusion

TinyBouncer is a well executed Indie game that takes an unoriginal idea and turns into something unique. If it’s your type of game, chances are that you’ll spend hours on it. The graphics are great, the gameplay works just fine, and the game as a whole is a neatly polished packaged just waiting to be played.

App Link: TinyBouncer

Samsung’s LED Flip Cover is one of the coolest cases for your Galaxy Note 7

Derrick Miyao
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If you’re one of the many who purchased a Samsung Galaxy Note 7, you know it’s easily the best looking Android smartphone of the year. The curved metal edges flow beautifully into curved front and rear glass making for a device that grabs attention as soon as you pull it out of your pocket. That beauty comes with a risk – no matter what version of Gorilla Glass used, it still can shatter or scratch given the right conditions. That’s generally why most owners of the Galaxy Note 7 use a case and for a phone of such beauty. So why not consider a case that accentuates the device rather than just protects it?

I recently picked up the official Samsung Galaxy Note 7 LED flip cover in Blue and think it is pretty darn cool.

Let’s check it out.

Build and Usage

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The LED flip cover is an official case from Samsung for the Galaxy Note 7. It’s a wallet style case where you clip your phone into it and a flap folds over to protect the front. It’s made of an ultra soft, yet textured plastic with an internal frame that acts as a skeleton to offer drop protection.

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It fits over the sides of the Note 7 rather cleanly and is made from a hard clear plastic which allows the color of the phone to show through. As a wallet case it is made as good as any I’ve come across, but its unique feature is the NFC enabled LED lights that show notifications, phone calls, texts, alarms and more.

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You can even customize your own icons once you download the proper support.

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Even though Samsung provides instructions on how to download the additional features as you see in the image above, the phone automatically detects the case the first time you install it and offers you a direct download. It’s certainly a smart case and is easy enough for anyone to use.

The LED lights on the front are activated by simply opening and closing the case or pressing the power button on the Note 7. It is also activated when a notification pops up to indicate:

  • Time
  • Music playing
  • Unread messages
  • Phone calls
  • Missed calls
  • Alerts
  • Low battery

There’s also a card slot on the interior of the case which has enough room for up to two credit cards. By not offering more slots, it keeps the case and phone thin enough to not be noticeable in your pocket.

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The case doesn’t come cheap with a price tag of $59.99, but you can find it for under $40 at Amazon. It comes in black, gold and blue like shown in the images. I grabbed the blue for added color to my all black Note 7 and absolutely love it.

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Images can’t do justice to how good this case feels. The case is so well designed that it feels like it belongs on the Note 7 like tires belong on wheels. I appreciate the excellent looks as the Note 7 is an expensive phone that deserves to be shown off, even if it is in a case.

Summary

It’s well documented that Gorilla Glass 5 is prone to scratching so a flip case like protects the back, sides and front while maintaining a slim profile.

It’s isn’t easy to recommend spending $59.99 on a case when there are high quality alternatives from companies like Caseology, BodyGuardz and Spigen. However the LED notification panel on the front is pretty freaking cool and the case is one of the best made pieces you can add to your Note 7. I grabbed mine from Amazon for $35 and think it is a bargain at that price.

If you’re on the fence about this case, Best Buy carries the LED Flip Cover in stores and price matches sites like Amazon. Pictures don’t do this case justice.

Get the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 LED Flip cover at Amazon, Best Buy or Samsung.

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LG X Power and LG G Pad X II now available at U.S. Cellular

AndroidGuys
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U.S. Cellular customers who are looking for a new phone or tablet now have two more options from LG. The LG X Power and LG G Pad X II are available starting today at U.S. Cellular. The LG X Power is a budget phone with a massive 4100 mAh battery, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and 5.3″ 720p display that should last users up to 2 days on a single charge. The LG G Pad X II is a tablet focused on media and entertainment consumption with a 10.1″ screen, kickstand for reading or watching movies, and “Reader mode” to reduce eyestrain while reading. For those looking to upgrade, both devices are available today at U.S. Cellular locations and www.USCellular.com for $0 down when using installment billing.

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The LG X Power is an incredibly impressive package at only $149.00 full retail. The phone features a 1.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2 GB of RAM, a 720p 5.3″ display, and 16 GB of internal storage with micro SD expansion. This phone’s specifications are far from that of current flagship devices, but the components LG has used for this handset should allow users to get two days of use on a single charge with the 4100 mAh battery. This is extremely impressive when you take into account that most flagships struggle to get through a heavy day’s use without topping off at some point.

[graphiq id=”1Ib9LwJw9AV” title=”LG X Power” width=”600″ height=”473″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/1Ib9LwJw9AV” link=”http://smartphones.specout.com/l/6352/LG-X-Power” link_text=”SpecOut | Graphiq” ]

The LG G Pad X II has slightly better specs than the LG X Power. The tablet sports a 10.1″ display, a 1.2 GHz Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of expandable internal memory, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow. While battery life will not near the two-day mark, this tablet should still perform great for watching movies, reading, working, and basic multitasking.

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LG and U.S. Cellular have partnered to bring two very convincing packages to consumers. While the mid-range market for Android devices continues to expand, devices that have competitive specs and a price like the LG X Power or LG G Pad X II will continue to stand out. Both of these devices are available today at your local US Cellular location, or online at www.USCellular.com.

Google brings new feature to Docs called Explore

Andrew Orr
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Google is constantly working to improve its productivity suite. Last week, the company brought natural language search so it’s easier than ever to search for documents in Drive. Today, Google is rolling out a new feature to Docs, Sheets, and Slides called Explore.

Explore

Explore is a way to bring insights, design tools, and research recommendations to your documents to help you get work done more quickly. According to Google,

“it’s like having a researcher, analyst and designer by your side.”

Insights for Sheets

Insights helps you make sense of your data. For example, let’s say you have a big spreadsheet filled with numbers, like prices. You can search the sidebar for things like:

  • “how many units were sold on Black Friday?”
  • “what are the top three items by sales price?”
  • “what was the total cost of jackets last month?”

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This makes it easy to get specific answers if you find spreadsheet formulas confusing (like me).

Designs for Slides

Using Explore in Slides gives you more attractive design templates. But this is different than regular templates. Explore can automatically create design suggestions based on the slide content. You just pick a suggestion you like and apply it with a click.

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Research for Docs

Explore for Docs makes writing reports and research papers much easier. Opening Explore gives you smart suggestions based on your content. Maybe you’re writing a company report about shopping expenses. Open Explore to get Google images based on the keywords found in your document.

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Maybe you already have the image? No problem. In Explore, you’ll find three tabs for Web search, Images, and your Google Drive. Search Drive and drag/drop an image into your report.

I’m assuming the Explore feature will gradually roll out to everyone. I checked my own Google account to see if I could test it, but it didn’t show up.

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