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Roundup: Spigen slim cases for the HTC 10

Josh Noriega
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The HTC 10 is sexy smartphone. If you’re keen on keeping that slick metal casing pristine, then you must cover it up. Like many smartphone enthusiasts, I’m also not a fan of throwing a plastic case on top of a beautiful design. Fortunately, Spigen has a good variety of options that attempt to not be too invasive. Here are a couple of the slimmer cases the company offers that might just tickle your fancy.

Thin Fit Cases

Spigen’s Thin Fit cases are the slimmest ones in its lineup. They’re more your typical snap-on kind of case, in which you sacrifice some protection for slimness (also meaning that it’s super easy to install and remove). Strangely, Spigen only offers two variants: Gunmetal and…Mint. Not sure why there’s not a wider range of colors, but I figure that the Gunmetal model should set well with most people. Let’s check that out first.

Gunmetal Thin Fit Case

I find the Gunmetal case to be the most interesting out of the bunch, because of the choice of material and color. In practice, it’s just a hard, snap-on case, but the grippy finish puts it above the rest. It’s somewhat rubbery and sticky to the touch (not in a bad way), which makes handling leaps and bounds better than with the phone’s bare surface. The case is reluctant to leave your hand.

Additionally, the styling is a big plus. It’s superbly metallic in appearance, perfectly complimenting the HTC 10’s fancy build. On-lookers should be hard-pressed to tell that they’re not looking at a charcoal version of the phone. It even mimics the HTC 10’s exaggerated chamfer that’s along the rear perimeter.

Being that these are snap-on cases, the top and bottom of the phone are exposed. The sides are pretty robust, though. They completely wrap around and leave a substantial lip on each side of the front. You should have no worry laying the phone face down on a table.

A slight concern I noticed is that the camera and back-facing microphone cutouts don’t line up perfectly.

I’d expect that such an established case-maker would have impeccable cutouts. Tsk tsk, Spigen.

Spigen Thin Fit Gunmetal Case link

Mint Thin Fit Case

The shape and fit of the Mint Thin Fit variant is the same as the Gunmetal. But the material has a more typical hard plastic finish. It’s nicely matte, and despite being smooth, there’s still plenty of grip. But that color…

I’m just not a fan, and while it looks a little better in person than the promo pics (not as bright), it’s still an eyeful of pale green. But I won’t dwell further on the color, it’s subjective. The Mint Thin Fit case offers the same amount of protection as its brother. But I found the cutouts to be better aligned on my Mint model. Maybe I got a bad Gunmetal unit.

Spigen Thin Fit Mint Case link

Crystal Shell Case

Spigen’s Crystal Shell case is a good alternative to the Thin Fit. You get a bit better protection, but while there’s more substance to the case, the fact that it’s completely clear allows the phone’s design to still be relevant. The case’s build is a combination of hard plastic (back cover) and flexible TPU material (around all sides).

This allows the Crystal Shell case to have a Military Grade protection rating for your phone (MIL-STD 810G). The case’s thickness slightly raises above the camera module and front glass. This is probably the best balance of protection and slimness.

There are cutouts on the top and bottom of the phone for all the ports. The power and volume buttons aren’t exposed; there’s matching TPU inserts that push into the actual buttons. It works just fine.

Spigen Crystal Shell Case link

Final Thoughts

Spigen continues to do a great job. It could do better in some areas, but for the most part, these are solid cases. If you care about looks, I strongly suggest that Gunmetal model. I loved it. But I suggest Spigen to look into quality control of those cutouts.

For more info on these cases, or others available, check out Spigen’s HTC product list.

Google adding spam protection in Phone app + how it works

Josh Noriega
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Spam callers are annoying, but what may be more annoying is not being able to do something about it. Probably long overdue, Google will now let you take back those moments phone spammers have taken from you. That is, if you use Google’s Phone app. This primarily pertains to Nexus users, as third-party UI’s typically include their own dialer app.

Today, on the Nexus G+ page, it was shared that Google has begun rolling out an update to its Phone app that will grant you the ability to block and report spammer phone numbers. The feature also incorporates a spam detector, which will flag the suspicious number as “Suspected spam caller” or just “Spam”.

07.25_Android_SpamCall

As long as you’re currently using Caller ID in the app, you’ll be able to utilize the spam protection feature. It’s pretty simply to do too. Simply open the phone app, go to Recent calls tab, identify and tap the spam phone number, and select “Block/report spam”. You’ll additionally get the option to “Report call as spam” if you so choose. If you marked a number as spam by mistake, you can identify it as “Not spam” in the same manner.

Are you looking forward to the feature?

Sources: Nexus G+ page | Caller ID & Spam Protection Support page

A must-have list of gadgets for when going abroad (PROMOTED)

Guest Blogger
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If you’re planning on going abroad this summer then you’re bound to have made yourself a little checklist. Booking your plane tickets and accommodation, you’ve checked your passport is valid and you’ve been on the VISA waiver program. You’ve been saving hard all year and thought you might treat yourself to some of the latest travel gadgets in order to make your holiday adventure even smoother. Well we’re here to help and we’ve checked out some of the latest must have items for you.

Water Purifier Bottle

camelbak

The majority of health problems when travelling abroad are often caused by contaminated drinking water. This is where the CamelBak All Clear water purifier comes to the rescue. This state of the art device is capable of transforming almost any tap or clear water source into pure drinking water in just 60 seconds. The bottle can hold up to 750ml and is powered by rechargeable lithium ion batteries and uses UV light to neutralise viruses and bacteria. This can also save you a pretty penny on bottled water.

Pocket-Size Washing Machine

Perfect for the backpacker who only has minimal room in which to pack items. If this describes you then you’ll love the Scrubba Wash bag. This pocket-sized wash bag is lightweight and comes equipped with a flexible washboard. With this little contraption you’ll be able to do your laundry anywhere in the world and save yourself time and money in the process. All you need is up to four litres of water and a squirt of washing up liquid and you’ll have fresh and clean clothes in less than three minutes.

Sandless beach mat

Yes you read correctly, this revolutionary beach accessory is literally impossible to cover with sand. We don’t know how it works, we don’t overly care, we’re just glad it does. This very clever ground sheet is perfect for a fun and stress free beach outing, that means no more sticky sand. You can now make the most of your time at the seaside and enjoy sunbathing, reading a book or even a picnic. Quite frankly, once you buy one, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Solar-Powered Inflatable Light

This is another must-have for the hiker and camper that will get you through the long, dark and lonely night-time hours. The LuminAID is an innovative inflatable lamp that can produce up to 16 hours of LED light from just 7 hours of charging in the sun. the LuminAID is a smart and sustainable light source that is also portable, waterproof and weighs around 56 grams.

Wireless Portable Speaker

boombottle

If you’re a traveler or holidaymaker who wants to make the most of the outdoors without compromising on any of the luxuries of the indoors, then Scosche’s boomBOTTLE is the gadget for you. This device features two 40mm speakers, a built in microphone and a 10 hour rechargeable battery making it the perfect mix of rugged waterproof construction and high-end audio. With the boomBOTTLE you can now listen to music anytime and anywhere.

It’s time for Samsung to let go of the physical Home button

Josh Noriega
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Galaxy S3 in 2012.

The Galaxy S6 was my first Samsung smartphone. I meant to join the Galaxy club around the time of the S2, but HTC had my attention more. I was expecting the S3 to be my entry, but while the world embraced its debut with open arms, I was taken aback. Nothing was inspiring about the design. Maybe it was aiming for the future, but in reality, it looked and felt cheap from head to toe. And that unflattering Home button was the cherry on top. I didn’t get why the market was infatuated with the S3. But I was clearly the minority, because it was a huge hit.

Alas, it wouldn’t be until 3 years later when Samsung would actually build a phone with an effort that’s worth its hefty asking price, and where I could jump on board. But that darn Home button. Even today, it’s still there!

Sure, the prevalence of fingerprint readers made the button a convenient place to slap the scanner on, but should Samsung continue with it just because? I’d argue that there’s more reasons to dump the physical Home button than to keep it.

The biggest of those reasons is contact. The button is raised from the glass surface.

Therefore, anytime the front rubs on anything (i.e. phone face down on a table), it’s guaranteed to make contact at that spot and scratch it up. This concern isn’t helped by the fact that many Galaxy users have reported that the surface of the button scratches more easily than the phone’s glass (including myself).

Another consequence is accidental presses. Personally, I had more of a problem with this on the S6, where I too often felt the button depress while the phone was in my pocket. Samsung must have since made it firmer, because it rarely happens with my S7 Edge. But accidental presses while fumbling the phone still of course happen. Also, having a button on the front that turns the screen on certainly doesn’t help the potential for butt calling. And is anyone else simply annoyed by its unflattering appearance and audible click each time you want to go to the Home panel?

A capacitive button, like the HTC 10 and OnePlus 3 use, fixes a lot of concerns I’ve raised: it’s flush with the glass, it doesn’t have to wake the phone when pressed (unless you want it to), it doesn’t click, and it’s less invasion to the design. It’s also slightly faster to initiate the action by touching a button rather than pushing it in. If you’re a hardcore user and are speedy with your phone, that can be crucial. I know I could operate more quickly with a capacitive button.

Actually, I think Sony has the best fingerprint scanner implementation – in the power button. It’s efficient, because the power button has to be physical, and you use the fingerprint reader following turning on the phone. What’s more, it’s not invasive in the design; you don’t need a special cut-out on the front or back of the phone.

You guys will have to tell me the benefit in the Home button being physical, because I can’t find one. I think Samsung is just holding on to the Galaxy’s signature look, where practicality should instead take precedence in a smartphone. I surely hope the reason isn’t because that’s what Apple does.

Do you agree, disagree, or don’t really care because it’s just a stupid button? We’d like to know if there’s many users out there who are also continually annoyed by its existence.

11 things you need to know about Google Play Family Library

AndroidGuys
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Announced on July 27, Google Play Family Library lets users share content purchased in Google Play with others. Similar to the Family Plan sharing in Google Play Music, it allows for one person to share books, movies, apps, and other stuff with up to five other family members.

Before heading out to set up your own shared account, you’ll want to read up on the features. Indeed, there are a few things you’ll need to know about it prior to starting up. For starters, Google Play Family Library is only available in select countries at launch. Read on for 11 more things to know about the option to share purchases.

family_icons

Account Managers

  • You must be 18 or older (20 in Japan) in order to manage a family group
  • Account managers must have a valid credit card on file to share with family members
  • Account managers cannot be part of any other family accounts
  • You cannot set up a family using a Google for Work or Google for Education account
  • Account managers can approve each purchase made by 13 – 17 year olds

Family Members

  • Family members must be 13 years or older
  • Family members cannot be part of any other family accounts
  • You can only change family groups once every 12 months
  • You can’t share in-app purchases
  • Family members must live in the same country as account manager
  • Apps or games purchased after July 2, 2016 are eligible to be added to Family Library

Now that you’ve got all of the main details out of the way, it’s time to get started. To create your Family Library, head to g.co/FamilyLibrary.

Massive savings on unlocked Android smartphones and dual boot Windows/Android tablets at Gearbest

AndroidGuys
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Who doesn’t love saving money? Gearbest.com is running a mid summer sale on a wide variety of products that include unlocked Android smartphones, drones, robotic vaccums, dual boot Windows/Android tablets, smartwatches and more right now. Gearbest includes free shipping with every purchase and has a fantastic 45-day 100% satisfaction guarantee for anything and everything it sells. During its summer sale, you can vote on which product is your favorite and Gearbest will drop the price even lower if there are more than 20 votes. The special pricing ends tomorrow, so make sure you take advantage of these specials while you can.

Check out a few of the great products on sale below, and head over to Gearbest.com to see the entire list of items on sale now.

Ulefone U007 3G Smartphone – $49.99 at Gearbest.com

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Ulefone U007 Android 6.0 5.0 inch Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Screen 3G Smartphone MTK6580 Quad Core 1.3GHz 1GB RAM 8GB ROM Gravity Sensor
Display: 5.0 inch HD 1280 x 720pixels Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Screen
CPU: MTK6580 Quad Core 1.3GHz
GPU: Mali-400 MP
System: Android 6.0
RAM + ROM: 1GB RAM + 8GB ROM. TF card up to 32GB
Cameras: Front 2.0MP (SW 5.0MP) + Rear 8.0 (SW 13.0MP) with LED flashlight
Sensors: Gravity sensor
Bluetooth: 4.0
SIM Card: Dual SIM dual standby. (Dual Micro SIM cards)
Networks:
2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
3G: WCDMA 900//2100MHz

Teclast X98 Plus II 2 in 1 Android 5.1 Tablet PC – $129.99 at Gearbest.com

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Intel Cherry Trail Z8300 64bit Quad Core 1.44GHz, Up to 1.84GHz
Ultra-low-voltage platform and quad-core processing provide maximum high-efficiency power to go. Intel Turbo Boost Technology delivers dynamic extra power when you need it
Intel HD Graphic Gen8 GPU
On-processor graphics with shared video memory provide high image quality for Internet use, basic photo editing and casual gaming. Optimized to use less power
9.7 inch IPS Retina Touch Screen with 2048 x 1536 Resolution
The 2048 x 1536 resolution at 264 ppi boasts impressive color and clarity and IPS technology provides wide viewing angles
2GB LPDDR3 RAM for Advanced Multitasking
Substantial high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games, photos and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once
32GB eMMC ROM Storage Capacity
Provides room to store pictures, videos, music and more
TF Card Expansion
Accepts compatible cards up to 128GB (not included) for easy expansion
HDMI Output Expands Your Viewing Options
Connect the tablet to an HDTV or high-definition monitor to set up two screens side by side or just enlarge pictures

Elephone EleCam Explorer Elite 4K Action Camera – $69.99 at Gearbest.com

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Main Features:
Upgrade Chipset NTK96660: NTK96660 chipset with fully improved performance, enables you conveniently record 4K video and capture high-speed motion scenes
Support WiFi Connection: Operation via APP to make remote control and easily preview and share videos with people
Wiredrawing Texture: Glossy and delicate wiredrawing texture bring you an excellent feeling
Underwater Mode Fill-in Light: Light effect will be improved by 15 to 30 percent, enables you to take better pictures
Good Image Permeability: 12MP for fine capturing dynamic, 4K video recording and image freeze-frame at 60fps brings you clear and vivid quality
170 Degrees FOV: Wide angle ensures excellent vision and retains more realistic scene, captures immersive view
Built-in Gyro: Electronic image stabilization will greatly reduce camera shake and vibration in order to get the perfect shot
Special Slow Photograph Function: New photography modes of night and time-lapse at night provide customizable exposure settings for single and time-lapse photo
Waterproof Case: Strong protective box with waterproof performance 98 feets (30m) is used for Explorer
APP Control: Scan the QR code to download APP “Elephone”, for both iOS and Android system

GV18 Aplus Smart Watch Phone – $21.16 at Gearbest.com

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SIM card / Bluetooth phone call (Bluetooth V3.0) / answer
You can dial or answer a phone call from your wrist watch
Messaging
Effortlessly send/receive messages to have a good interaction with your friends
Phonebook / call log / message/ music sync
Easily realize information Synchronization with your universal smart phone, more convenient to users
NFC connection
Fastly connect the watch with NFC, only need simple approaching
Music playing
Enjoy splendid music anywhere and anytime
0.3M pix camera
You can freely take phone by using the camera of the watch or remote control your universal smart phone
1.54 inch TFT HD LCD touch screen,240×240 pixels
Best suitable screen size with high definition picture displaying gives you great experience

Republic Wireless goes big with 9 new Android phones

AndroidGuys
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Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Republic Wireless is celebrating a rather monumental day today. For starters, it’s announcing the arrival of nine Android smartphones. Moreover, the carrier is promoting four Clear Choice options designed to make it easier to pick a rate plan.

Starting today, customers can choose from a number of Android phones, all of which run 6.0 Marshmallow.

  • Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – $799 (or as low as $48 a month*)
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 – $699 (or as low as $42 a month*)
  • Samsung Galaxy J3 – $179 (or as low as $11 a month*)
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 – $549 (or as low as $33 a month*)
  • Nexus 6P by Huawei – $499 (or as low as $30 a month*)
  • Nexus 5X by LG – $349 (or as low as $21 a month*)
  • Moto X Pure Edition – $349 (or as low as $21 a month*)
  • Moto G4 – $199 (or as low as $12 a month*)
  • Moto G4 Plus – $299 (or as low as $18 a month*)

republic_wireless_logo

Republic Wireless uses a blend of Wi-Fi and cellular for coverage, relying on the former first and falling back to Sprint and T-Mobile towers for backup. It calls this Adaptive Coverage. And, while the carrier has rate plans which offer up to 10GB of data, it’s currently focusing on the following four options.

  • Unlimited Talk & Text + WiFi Data /$15 a month.
  • Unlimited Talk & Text + WiFi Data + 1G Cellular Data / $20 a month
  • Unlimited Talk & Text + WiFi Data + 2G Cellular Data / $30 a month
  • Unlimited Talk & Text + WiFi Data + 4G Cellular Data / $45 a month

Looking ahead about two weeks, Republic will sell SIM starting on August 11. Customers who already own one of the aforementioned devices can switch to the service provider via the SIM kit.

Verizon promo gives customers 4 lines and 16GB of data for $150

AndroidGuys
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Verizon Wireless on Thursday announced a new limited-time promotion which sees the carrier offering up extra data at no additional cost. Specifically, the deal is catered to family plans looking for four lines of service.

Typically, Verizon’s 8GB (Large) plan runs $70 per month, but for the time being, anyone who signs up on the L, XL, and XXL plans will receive 2GB extra data per line. According to the carrier, each line gets the extra data so long as it remains active on its network.

Verizon smartphone buyer’s guide (Summer 2016)

Starting today, subscribers can get 16GB of data to share across four lines for a total of $150 per month. In essence, the deal is a Large plan ($70 per month) plus the $20 access fee for four lines. The extra 2GB plan is a limited time bonus offering; there is no rolling over (Carryover Data) for the unused data.

As an added bonus, those who activate new lines of service on an account can receive a Samsung Galaxy J3 V handset for free ($168 value). There is a limit of five free J3 phones per account; the deal is actually a $7 bill credit applied over the course of 24 months.

Verizon Buyer’s Guide (Summer 2016)

AndroidGuys
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In the market for a new smartphone from Verizon Wireless? Regardless of whether you’re buying your first Android or upgrading for the fourth time, the wireless service provider has something for everyone. As you might suspect, Big Red, being a massive carrier, has plenty to choose from.

As the lone carrier to offer the Droid series, Verizon is the only place where you’ll find the Motorola family of phones. Beyond that, of course, you’ll also find other devices that are truly worth considering.

Best of the Best

If you’re looking for the best smartphones you can buy from Verizon right now, there are a few models that rise straight to the top. Sure, specs can be pretty similar across various phone makers, but that doesn’t mean one’s not better than another. Indeed, we’ve become fond of a few handsets at the high end, most notably the latest from Motorola.

Motorola Moto Z Force Droid

Motorola Moto Z Force Droid backPowered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, this marks the first flagship phone from the Motorola and Lenovo camp. This one packs a large 5.5-inch (2,560 x 1,440 pixel) display with Shattershield technology, and a 3500mAh battery. It’s designed to go all day and then do it all over again. Oh, and did we mention it’s also simply gorgeous?

Thanks to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB RAM, the Z Force Droid is among the most powerful of devices available at Verizon. Toss in 32GB of storage with a microSD expansion card slot for another 2TB worth of room, and you’ve got all the space you could want for. Rounding things out we find a 21-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front-facing camera, TurboPower charging, and a USB Type-C charger. READ OUR REVIEW Current Retail Price: $720

Samsung Galaxy S7

Galaxy_S7_feat

Samsung’s flagship Android might already be a few months old but that doesn’t mean it won’t hang with the others top devices. Running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the Galaxy S7 delivers a 5.1-inch screen with a Quad HD resolution, 16-megapixel dual-pixel rear camera, and 3,000mAh battery. While it’s sexy with its premium material build, it’s just as practical with its waterproof protection, too. READ OUR REVIEW Current Retail Price: $672

First-time Smartphone Buyer

Everyone has to start somewhere, right? Fortunately for today’s first-time smartphone adopter, the selection is simply incredible. You can’t really go wrong with an Android from 2016, regardless of brand or price range. Nevertheless, we’ve picked out two models you should consider if you’re just easing into the smartphone space.

HTC 10

htc_10_back

As HTC’s 2016 flagship phone, there’s so much to love about the device. The 5.2-inch display feels great in hand, the 12-megapixel camera snaps crazy good photos, and the 3,000mAh battery lasts all day. There’s just enough HTC influence to make the phone customizable and unique without drowning users with bloat. One of our favorite phones from the last year. READ OUR REVIEW Current Retail Price: $648

See Also: Samsung Galaxy S6, LG K8 V

Tremendous Overall Value

When it comes to bang for the buck, we tend to prefer the previous generation of smartphone. Not that you can’t get a ton of value out of a tier-one flagship, mind you. Rather, there’s often not so much different from one model year to the next that you’d be giving up a lot. Yes, we know there are exceptions to this.

LG G4

LG G4

There’s something about the way LG designs it flagship phones that we just adore. The rear button configuration doesn’t take all that long to get used to, and it ultimately feels natural. The LG G4 is one of those phones that has the right mix of hardware specs and attention to physical detail. There’s a little more custom UI than we’d like, but we’re still okay with it. A great “every man” phone with a sticker to match. Current Retail Price: $456

See Also: Motorola Droid Turbo 2,  Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Nextbit Robin gains limited-edition ‘Ember” color, video backups

AndroidGuys
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The cloud-based Nextbit Robin is getting a new ember color variant as part of a limited run for the smartphone. Sold via nextbit.com, the phone is available for $299 and works with AT&T, T-Mobile, and other global GSM networks.

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Additionally, Nextbit is enhancing the software to include video backups as part of its feature set. As it does with photos, the phone will move files off of the handset and into the cloud to access when wanted or needed. It’s not immediately clear when the video backups go live but it will start with beta testers first.

Beta testing is open to all Robin users. If you want to try out video support and aren’t already in the beta program, you can apply here to join. Once we are sure the update is rock solid, then we will roll it out to all Robin users.

Wrapping things up, Nextbit indicates that the August software update will include the most recent security patches from Google.

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