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MercuryBox: Stylish and affordable (Review)

AndroidGuys
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I’ve used quite a few of Inateck’s products, and I am impressed with the level of classy looks it brings to its products. The company has worked diligently make sure it hits three aspects: style, functionality, and price. That’s not an official mission statement, but from my perspective, it seems Inateck strives for that. Take the trendy MercuryBox Bluetooth speaker, for $38 it just proves my point.

In the box

  • MercuryBox speaker
  • Audio cable
  • microUSB charging cable
  • Hand strap
  • Customized cable ties x2
  • Manual

Design

The MercuryBox is a six-and-a-half inch speaker that’s just oozing with style. Its aluminum casing and rubber top and sides make you feel like you have a quality product that’s durable and beautiful at the same time.

On top is where your buttons are located. Laid out as one seamless piece of rubber, it features six buttons that are slightly raised and feel like bumps more than buttons. While this does make for a cool look, the buttons can be hard to press.

MercuryBox2

The Auxilary and charging ports are both tucked away on the side under a rubber flap. Over on the opposite side sits the hand strap, which is a handy little feature to have…see what I did there.

Each of the two cords is made out of a braided material that not only looks elegant but also gives it a stronger feel. Again, Inateck makes things that last.

Sound

What good are the looks if it sounds like a blown out speaker in a Chevette with a hole in the muffler? Does it stand the test? It’s packing dual five-watt precision-tuned drivers that emphasize more bass and treble while leaving the mids out. 

Every week my family and I walk a path to the local dam. The MercuryBox is perfect for this situation. We all get to enjoy the music without it being overbearingly loud. So it might not be right for a party, but you can find plenty of use for this portable speaker.

MercuryBox1

Everything else

The MercuryBox has excellent battery life getting around nine to ten hours of playback so you can easily go all day with moderate volume levels.  Its Bluetooth capability gives you plenty of moving room as it is good up to around 30 feet.

Lastly, let’s not forget that the MecuryBox is water resistant. That’s right; it has an IPx5 certification that gives you some splash protection. That means it can be in the shower with you, but I wouldn’t dunk it in a bath.

Summary

The MercuryBox is a safe speaker to buy. At a price of $38, you can’t go wrong. So take that birthday money you got from Grandma (it doesn’t matter how old you are, Grandma still gives you checks and you know it), and head on over and pick up one.

Buy Inateck’s MercuryBox Bluetooth speaker

[UPDATE: Expired] Get a 5.5″, 3GB, Android L Bluboo device for only $9.99

Jason Botha
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You may not have heard of Bluboo before, and I wouldn’t really blame you. They’re another Chinese brand trying their luck in the smartphone market, and if this sale is of any indication, they’re doing quite well. To celebrate their upcoming anniversary (we are not sure which anniversary), they are doing an insane flash sale with several of their devices.

At 3AM EDT on the 18th June, just fifty (50) devices of each model will instantly be available for purchase at $9.99 each. If you’re too late on the button, you will then get the opportunity to buy the device with $50 off for the rest of the day. The usual price of the phones ranges from $179 to $79. There is also a smartwatch model in the line-up.

The page is here.

The Bluboo Maya, on of the devices going on sale, features a 5.5 inches HD JDI display with a layer of Gorilla glass 3 on top. It sports a 13MP Sony camera at the back and an 8MP snapper at the front. The device comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. A 3000mAh battery powers it up, and an unnamed (likely Mediatek) 1.3GHz quad-core processor powers the device.

Their flagship is also up for grabs at $9.99, and comes with 3GB RAM alongside an octa-core CPU.

Screenshot (84)

Slightly dodgy, but it’s only fifty devices and we couldn’t spot anything out of place. It’s now up to you whether you’re going to wake up so early to try get one.

LG announces the X power, X max, X style and X mach

Jason Botha
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Another day, another phone: this time, they’re from LG. Following on the launch of the G5, LG outed their new mid-rangers to compliment their existing options. With all four having the ‘X’ name, they each offer a different set of specs for their respective prices. Each also offers something that is designed to appeal to a specific market.

The X power features a HD 5.3″ screen with a 1.3GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM under the hood. There’s a 13MP shooter on the back, and a 5MP front-facing camera on the flip side. LG has crammed a huge battery in as well, measured in at 4100mAh. The X power’s frame measures in at only 7.9mm thin, which is excellent considering the battery size, and it boasts PE+ fast charging technology. The intended customer here is obviously people who need a decent phone with a lot of battery.

Screenshot (79)

LG’s mach is, hence the name, all focused on speed. With a 1.8GHz hexa-core processor and 3GB, it’s certainly the better of the four. It features a QHD IPS Quantum Display, with a 16MP camera and 1.55μm sensor. It also sounds a lot like the 2015 flagship, the LG G4.

“Each X series smartphone pairs perfectly with its user by offering uncompromising quality and one truly outstanding feature that speak the user’s personal preference and lifestyle — all at a great value,” said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics and the Mobile Communications Company. “The newly expanded X series demonstrates LG’s commitment to offering top flight performance with premium features at a satisfying price.”

The remaining X style differentiates itself with its elegant design boasting curving lines and extra-slim body. X max sports a large display for an enhanced viewing experience, making it the ideal phone for consuming multimedia content.

Unfortunately we do not know the remaining specifications for the style or max, or any pricing for any of the phones. We guess LG will reveal them in the coming weeks.

Do Not Disturb: Keep your phone from disturbing your rest

AndroidGuys
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We all have that middle of the night phone call, text, or Facebook notification. You’re dead asleep dreaming about that big stack of money you found in your pocket then…buzz, buzz and back to reality. The National Sleep Foundation recommends Adults from 18-64 get seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

Lack of sleep from smartphones has many side effects such suppressing melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep/wake cycle. It also causes you to have shorter REM Cycles and sleepiness the next day, which can affect your job performance and maybe your paycheck. If you wish to read more studies go here and here. Needless to say we need more sleep and less phone at night.

sleepkeyboard

Of course it’s easier said than done. The phone is connected in such a way that it keeps us addicted to wanting to know what’s always going on. So how do we prevent it from going off at night? Here are some simple things you can do to prevent your phone from disturbing your much needed beauty rest.

Apps

The first thing on the list is simply downloading an app. There are a few out there that can aid you such as Do Not Disturb.  It offers scheduling, SMS and call exceptions, whitelist, and emergency mode to let repeated calls from the same number ring. There are more out there if you really dig, and they can be a great resource to keep your phone quiet when you need it to be.

Do no disturb features

do not disturb

Most phones offer some sort of Do Not Disturb Mode. The are usually easy to set up and I’ll give you a couple examples;

For Samsung: Settings>Sound and Notification>Do Not Disturb>Either Turn on Now or Schedule

For Nexus: Quick Settings> Do Not Disturb>Select Alarm only, Priority only or Total Silence>Select amount of time>Done

Make sure for Nexus you set your priorities however you wish. You can find other phones Do not Disturb features by using Google or that owners manual we never use.

clock

Other Options

What are other ways we can accomplish this goal? Well you if you’re addicted to your phone then you probably won’t like it. The last two ways are simple. Number one, simply charge your phone in another room. While it’s not ideal it is effective. The Number two, turn your phone off at night.  That simple.

I know the last two are simple and unpopular, however they work. What about my alarms? how will I wake up? You can do it the old fashion way…buy an alarm clock. They are cheap and worked long before smartphones. No matter what you choose you will be thankful.

Here’s why Google must build the Nexus range themselves

Jason Botha
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Talk to any person who loves Android, and you’re bound to come across the topic of Nexus. Hell, they’ll probably even own one, if not several of the popular devices. It’s no secret that the Nexii that run pure Android are amongst the, if not the, most popular devices that Android lovers can get their hands on.

And there’s a good reason behind that. The Nexus range boasts pure Android, receives speedy software updates, offers some of the greatest hardware and packs a great all-round experience. It’s no wonder they’re the epitome of the ideal Android device.

But what if they could be better? What if Google dedicated more time, more resources and more energy into the Nexus devices, themselves? Here’s exactly why it may be a good idea for Google to take matters entirely into its own hands.

Selecting vendors takes too long

Depending on the phone and amount of people working on it, it can take anywhere between several months to several years to get a working final product. With a device like Nexus, it’s easy to imagine that this time frame is on the longer side. Google cannot afford to bumble about, choosing a manufacturer while they could have already begun internally designing it. If it takes several months to choose a vendor, that’s several months lost. Admittedly, I cannot remember a specific incident of this, but as quite a lot goes on inside of Google, I’m sure they have suffered from this several times without the world knowing.

Also, when a new vendor is chosen, that means a whole new design process. The design is started from scratch, meaning even more time is required.

They may be scared and reluctant to leave manufacturers out, but even Microsoft makes its own phones. It’s easy to imagine that Google has the necessary resources at hand to design a phone from beginning to end.

Nexus 6P Speakers

Google can control manufacturing numbers

When Google gets another company to design and build the phone, the build numbers are within Google’s control, but it is ultimately up to the vendor where the phones are built and who they are built by. This can sometime result in disaster, like when Motorola built the Nexus 6. Motorola could not keep up with the insane demand and this resulted in a massive backlog of orders along with disgruntled Nexus users.

What if Google decided where their phones were built? Given a higher priority, it’s likely they would properly source a producer, or even better, build their own factory. Faster production translates into better sales and customer satisfaction -and ultimately a happier us. This is evident with their production of Chromebooks which Google themselves speared.

Nexus 6P fingerprint reader.
Nexus 6P fingerprint reader.

Google can compete in hardware against Apple

Let’s face it: Apple is in a different league than Android because they concentrate their efforts equally into hardware and software. I’m not saying that Apple is better, I’m simply saying that, in my opinion, their end product is better rounded.

I’m aware of the fact that Google is mostly a software company, but they are very capable of producing hardware. The Pixel range from their Chromebooks is again an excellent example of this.

If Google did both hardware and software, and scrutinized Android and optimized it especially for one or two dedicated Nexus devices themselves, I believe the two companies would be on a equal playing level. The Nexus line would be improve while putting Android in a better spot. Third party manufacturers would of course then have to modify Android for their devices. That’s what they’re doing now anyway.

nexus6_moto_lollipop

Better support and service

Although the general support for Android devices is relatively acceptable, I believe that if Google were to take matters into their own hands, they’ll offer an outstanding customer service. They already send out super-speedy software updates and serve all their customers well. Granted that they take matters into their owns hand, Nexus users may become a whole lot happier.

Nexus 6 tap to wake

I believe that those are the main points to be covered regarding this subject. Do you think that Google should take over the manufacturing of their Nexus lines or not? What makes you think so?

How to Install a TeamBlackedOut app on your Android Device

Josiah Ward
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TeamBlackedOut are a group of app inverters who make black and clear versions of some of your favorite apps. They do everything they can to keep their apps updated. If you’re worried about the security of using a modded app, trust me. The only thing they change in an app is the colors. Here’s a little guide on how to get their apps running on your Android device.
Notes:
You need to have a custom recovery to flash the BlackedOut Version of Google Apps. Root is not required
Android device must be version 4.0.4 or newer

    1. Download The official TBO Updater app here. This app will help you keep up with all the TeamBlackedOut news and download their apps with ease.image
    2. Select the app you want to install. For this guide I’m going to use the Google Play Store.imageYou’ll notice there are 3 versions of it listed in the app:
      • Black Play Store: If you have a version before Android 4.4 “KitKat”
      • Black Play Store KK: Any ROM with Android Version 4.4.x
      • Black Play Store LP-MM-N: Any Android version 5.0.x and up
        Just click on the version you need and click the download button

      image

    3. Flash it via recovery. When your app is finished downloading, you will see a screen like this:
      image
      Just click yes and when your recovery boots, find the download and install it
    4. If the app in question is a system app, you will have to go into App info>Uninstall Updates
      image

Keeping the app from updating:

If you want the app to remain BlackedOut it cannot update. To prevent this go to its play store entry, click the 3 dots and untick Auto-Update. This will keep the app from updating without your knowledge. This cannot be done with the Play Store but can be done with apps such as Google Search and Hangouts
image

There is another method that’s far more thorough but it requires root, Titanium Backup and its Pro Key, which is $5.99. This is a bit expensive but Titanium Backup is a great app to have for any root user. To completely remove the app from your update list:

  1. Go into Titanium Backup and click Backup/Restore
    image
  2. Search for the app and click on it
    image
  3. In “Special Features”, click Detach from Market
  4. You should be done. The app will no longer appear in the Play Store to update.
    image
    Links:
    Website
    XDA Thread
    Follow On Pushbullet

T-Mobile adds Samsung Galaxy Tab E + Galaxy On5

Andrew Orr
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T-Mobile and Samsung are joining forces to bring customers two new devices to T-Mobile’s lineup: the Samsung Galaxy Tab E and the Galaxy On5. The On5 phone will be joining both T-Mobile and its prepaid brand, MetroPCS.

Galaxy Tab E

[graphiq id=”6nFpI8m7Gsd” title=”Samsung Galaxy Tab E (9.6 3G) Overview” width=”600″ height=”503″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/6nFpI8m7Gsd” link=”http://tablets.specout.com/l/1110/Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-E-9-6-3G” link_text=”Samsung Galaxy Tab E (9.6 3G) Overview | SpecOut” ]

Galaxy On5

[graphiq id=”ijyPf0IBubH” title=”Samsung Galaxy On5″ width=”600″ height=”473″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/ijyPf0IBubH” link=”http://smartphones.specout.com/l/4766/Samsung-Galaxy-On5″ link_text=”Samsung Galaxy On5 | SpecOut” ]

On T-Mobile the On5 phone can be had for only $5.83/month for 24 months (full price $140). On MetroPCS it will be slightly cheaper at $129. The phone goes on sale at T-Mobile starting June 29, and on MetroPCS on June 27.

As for the Galaxy Tab E, it will go on sale starting June 22 for $10/month for 24 months (full price $240) on any of T-Mobile’s plans.

Five water resistant phones for you to consider

Matt Adams
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If you’re in the market for a new phone, water resistance is a compelling reason to buy a phone. Unfortunately, the majority of phones don’t have any kind of IP rating. An IP rating is an easily identifiable number to quickly determine how resistant an electronic device is to water and dust. If, for an example, a device has a rating of IP68 that means that the device is dust tight (IP68) and is safe for immersion for a meter or more (IP68). The ratings range from zero to six for dust resistance and zero to 9K for liquids. The highest rating commonly seen in consumer electronics is IP68, but can range dramatically from simple splash protection to being able to use your phone under water. Here are five phones with IP ratings to consider the next time you’re shopping for a new device.

Samsung Galaxy S7

Galaxy_S7_feat

 

IP Rating: 68

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has an IP68 rating which means it’s dustproof and can stand immersion over a meter for 30 minutes. When you combine that with the top of the line specs that the S7 has under the hood, you have a recipe for success. The S7 is powered by a Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, and has 32GB of internal storage which can be expanded with a microSD card. It also features a 5.1″ 2K AMOLED display, a 12MP camera, and premium build materials like glass and aircraft grade metals.

The Galaxy S7 runs about $650 and can be had at any carrier store or on sites like Amazon and B&H Photo. Something to consider, though, is that water activates the capacitive keys on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge so underwater use is a bit tricky. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active, which can be had for an additional $100, adds in shock resistance and a bigger battery. It can be purchased exclusively at AT&T.

Read: Samsung Galaxy S7 Review, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Review

Sony Xperia Z5

Sony Xperia Z5 feat image

IP Rating: 68

The Sony Xperia Z5 shares the same IP68 rating as the Galaxy S7 which means you can drop it in water, splash it or take it to the beach safely. The Z5 was released in October of 2015 and could be the last in the Xperia Z lineup as we have now seen the X lineup debuted at MWC 2016. The Z5 has a Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM and a 2900mAH battery, as well as one of the best cameras on the market. If you’re looking for a bigger conversation starter than waterproofing, you can pick up the Xperia Z5 Premium which not only is waterproof but has a 4K display. You won’t find the Z5 in any carrier stores, but you can buy it unlocked from sources like B&H Photo and Amazon.

Read: Sony Xperia Z5 Review, Sony Xperia Z5 Compact review

Alcatel Go Play

go_play_front_right

IP Rating: 67

If you’re looking for the perfect first smartphone for one of your kids, this just may be it. The paltry specs of the Alcatel Go Play don’t take away from the IP67 and durable construction. The Go Play only has a 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, so it isn’t exactly a powerhouse, but it should execute most tasks without issue and you can increase the storage with a microSD card. The 5″ display is only 720p which means it will get great battery life since it has a 2500mAh battery. Head on over to Alcatel’s website to pick one up unlocked.

Motorola Droid Maxx 2

mot-droid-maxx2-expanded-specs

IP Rating: 52

The Motorola Droid Maxx 2 is a great option for Verizon customers that don’t want to pay flagship prices for a water resistant phone. The Maxx 2 has mid-tier specs with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage (expandable), and a Snapdragon 615 processor. Where the Maxx 2 will shine is in battery life. The phone has a huge 3630mAh battery that promises to last over a day, and depending on usage could get you up to two days of battery life. The IP52 rating means that the phone is dust protected and can withstand water in small doses like a rainstorm, but is not a phone you will want to use underwater. You can grab the Motorola Droid Maxx 2 exclusively at Verizon Wireless for under $400.

Kyocera DuraForce XD

kyocera duraforce xd

IP Rating: 68

Kyocera isn’t a name that immediately comes to mind when you think “big, durable phone”, but that’s exactly what its produced with the DuraForce XD. With its IP68 rating and MIL 810G rating, this phone can stand up to dust, water, vibration, extreme temperatures, high altitudes, and solar radiation. It has a 5.7″ impact-resistant display and a massive 3700mAh battery to keep you powered up on the job site all day long. The DuraForce is powered by a Snapdragon 400 processor so while not the most powerful phone on the market, it is great if you’re looking for a tough, waterproof phone with a big screen. You can grab the Kyocera DuraForceXD at T-Mobile and AT&T.

Newsfold: A fantastic news reader (Review)

AndroidGuys
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This world is driven by news.  Everyone reads gets news delivered to them on a daily basis in some form whether it’s through Facebook, news sites themselves, or RSS feeds. Today we will take a look at a news reader called Newsfold.

Developer: mvilla

Cost: Free with in app purchase

Review

NewsfoldQuote9 is a news reader that pulls in your news feeds from your Feedly and Inoreader accounts. It has a very clean Material Design that really catches your eye. You are given four different theme options that include dark, light, black and sepia to get that look of your choice. The latter two are included in the upgrade package.

The home screen is laid out in such a simple way that you don’t have to search to see where things are located. You are simply greeted with Unread, All, and Starred. Below these three categories are all of your collections, news grouped together by categories, and all your individual subscriptions all in alphabetical order.

Gesture controls have been implemented really well. Each article can be marked read or unread by simply swiping that one article from the right. Swiping the screen from anywhere on the left will get you back to your previous screen, while long pressing an article gives you the choices to share, star, and mark articles read/unread as well. This makes navigating the app a breeze.

There is also the option to cache items so you can read them later when you’re not on wifi, because data matters. This can be synchronized at different intervals in your settings with the ability to only do it in WiFi as well.

If you would like to become a supporter, since developers gotta eat too, you can do so by Quote3giving $2.49. This will remove ads, it will net you the two extra themes mentioned before, and multiple user accounts. I do need to mention that the current ads aren’t intrusive at all.

This doesn’t cover every single thing, but I did give you enough to get started. There are quite a few options to tinker with to get you your feed just right. This is one of the options you should consider when picking out a news reader.

Conclusion

Picking a new reader can be difficult with all of the choices available in the Google Play Store. What it really boils down to is do you like Nike or Under Amour. I choose that analogy because that’s what it’s like, a lot of quality ones out there, you just gotta find that right fit.

*Note* When these screen shots were taken it was still called Quote, all other references to the name Quote have been changed.

Download Newsfold in the Play Store

Dock Minimal: Use your tablet in comfort (Review)

AndroidGuys
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Onanoff has built its business a simple idea, build what is basic and necessary for all users. They have built quite the portfolio of products that are simple and durable. Sometimes you may not even know that you could use a product until you see it. That’s why today I bring you one of those products, Dock Minimal.

Review

Dock Minimal is exactly what it sounds like, a simple dock for your tablets. This is a one size fits all dock that can handle iPads, Kindles, Samsung Tablets, e-book readers and more. With its tough plastic shell and matte finish, it can easily withstand drops and still look just as good as it did right out of the box.

Dock Minimal2

With a shape that I can only describe as a bowtie, it’s the most unique looking dock that I have seen. Just as smooth as it looks, it’s functionality matches it. Dock Minimal comes with four different size slot adapters that will fit almost any size tablet. This will ensure a tight fit so your device doesn’t slip out.

The back features six different holes for the kickstand that can give you around 20 different angles for your viewing comfort. Inside the aluminium kickstand, you can pull out the stylus. This little beauty works with most touch screens and quickly tucks back in when not in use.

Now, what about charging? Sometimes you need to do that while watching, reading, or whatever it is that you are doing. There are adapters for that. In total, you have five different options for accommodating charging. Two consist of microUSB adapters that you snap in. The other three allow you to easily tuck the cord through the bottom.

Summary

There are some options out there for tablet docks, but not all look as good or have the versatility of Dock Minimal. If you’re looking for a tablet dock, one that can even hold a much smaller phablet, there is no reason you shouldn’t consider this one.

Buy from onanoff

Buy from Amazon

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