Home Blog Page 1110

[Review] Charge your robot boyfriend with a Blitzwolf battery

Andrew Orr
-
0

The Blitzwolf charger is a sleek, aluminum portable battery that I was sent to review. Of all of the battery packs I’ve reviewed so far, this one is my favorite. Let’s find out why.

First Impressions

The aluminum curves of this battery pack would make Jony Ive swoon. This is a beautiful piece of tech, and one that I love to use. Like an iPhone, this battery pack is prone to picking up scratches here and there, but I find that this gives gadgets more character.

blitzwolf05

Features

  • Model: BW-P1
  • Capacity: 10400mAh/37.44Wh
  • Battery Type: LG 2600mAh Li-ion battery x4
  • Input: 5V/2.1A 9V/1.8A
  • Output: 5V/2A (Universal), 5V/2.1A, 9V/1.8A, 12V/1.35A (for Android QC2.0), 5V/2.4A (for Apple)
  • Size: 102 x 76.8 x 21.5mm / 4.02 x 3.02 x 0.85in
  • Weight: 270g
  • Certification: CE, FCC, CEC, Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0

Usage

The power bank holds roughly four full phone charges, unless of course your Android phone has a ginormous 3000mah+ battery. Like most chargers and power banks, it’s a breeze to use. Just plug it in and go. It only has one USB output port, which is kind of limiting. If it had one more port I’d say the battery would be 100% perfect.

“I had a baby battery! And it was perfect, in every way!”

-Mad Max: Fury Road (or something)

blitzwolf02

I’m deeply sorry for forgetting that apostrophe but I’m too lazy to go back and edit. Although a small thing, one of my favorite things about this power bank is that when I unplug my phone after a good charge, the battery automatically turns itself off. With some battery packs I’ve used, you have to manually press a button to turn it off and on.

On the front of the device you’ll find the button, LED light indicators, a micro USB port to charge the power bank itself, and a USB 3.0 port to charge your gadget. As you can see, it’s a 10400mAh battery. My love of symmetry wishes it was an even 10000 or 11000, but I’m not complaining.

Conclusion

I love this thing and I recommend it everyone. I’m not just saying that either, I personally tell my friends and family to buy one. You can pick one up for $21.99 at Banggood.

Accessory guide: USB type-C Accessories

Matt Adams
-
1

The number of phones and computers featuring USB type-C ports is exploding. In 2016 we’ve seen two major flagships come out in just the first few months! If you have one of the over 80 devices that feature USB type-C take a look at some of the coolest looking accessories out there.

SEE ALSO:

In a previous post, I declared this USB Type-C dock my favorite Nexus accessory, but here are some more contenders for the crown.

Cables

Yoozon 1 meter USB type-C to USB type-A cable – $6.49

Yoozon USB type C to A cable

If you’re looking for a cable that meets safe specifications without breaking the bank, take a look at Yoozon’s 1-meter cable. This USB type-C to USB type-A cable will work with your legacy power bricks so you don’t need the added expense of replacing both your cable and your wall adapter.

This cable conforms to USB type-C specifications and will charge at up to 2.4A, and do it safely. The rubber shielding is very standard and should do the job unless you put it in an extreme situation. If you’re interested in the Yoozon 1-meter cable, you can pick one up on Amazon for $6.49 with free Prime shipping.

iHuber 2-in-1 USB type-C cable – $12.99

iHuber usb type c plus adapter

iHuber has a really versatile product here. Not only do you get a USB type-C to USB type-A cable (1 meter), but you also get a USB type-A to C adapter so you can plug this cable into any wall or car adapter you’re around. This will work with legacy adapters and new USB type-C adapters alike. The cable should last for as long as you want to use it. It has a nylon braided lining around the cable and metal housing around the ends.

If you’d like to pick up an iHuber 2-in-1 USB type-C cable, you can grab one on Amazon with free Prime shipping.

Car Charger

Tronsmart Dual USB Charger with Quick Charge

tronsmart usb type c car charger

Tronsmart has put out a car charger that will fit the needs of just about anyone with a USB type-C device. This charger will charge a few devices with its single USB type-C port and the additional regular USB port. If you’re charging a second device with micro USB or your friend’s iPhone, you can plug a cable in and share the love (and by love, I mean power).

Not only that, but this charger has Quick Charge to make sure your devices are juicing up as fast as possible. The type-C port charges at 5V/3A and the USB type-A port charges at 3.6-6.5V/3A, 6.5-9V/2A, and 9-12V/1.5A which qualifies for Quick Charge 3.0. The USB type-C cable is fixed onto the device so you won’t need to supply your own, but you will need your own cable for the second USB type-A port.

You can pick up this Tronsmart Dual USB Car Charger on Amazon with free Prime shipping, eBay, Geek Buying, and AliExpress.

Adapters

TechMatte micro USB to USB type-C adapter

techmatte micro usb to usb type c

If you have a bunch micro USB cables laying around, this is going to be a great addition to your life. I personally bought this two-pack when I first got my Nexus 6P and they’ve served me well ever since. Just pop one of these on the end of your micro USB cable and plug it right into your USB type-C device. Couldn’t be any easier. I always keep one in my bag in case I need to charge up while I’m out and can’t find a USB type-C cable. They’ve saved me more than once.

Take my advice and pick up these TechMatte micro USB to USB type-C adapters from Amazon or eBay.

iXCC USB type-C to USB type-A Adapter

ixcc type c to type a adapter

One of the bigger things I think my Nexus 6P is missing is expandable storage. Those with computers like Macbooks are in the same boat since its not upgradable and we don’t have a regular USB port to plug in a flash drive when we want to watch a movie we may have saved on one. Well, this adapter will allow you to do that. This USB type-C to USB type-A adapter is perfect if you want to load up a flash drive before a long flight or drive with music and movies you’d not normally be able to store on your device. Plug them in and you’re in media paradise.

Head over to Amazon and pick one of these up before you’re stuck in the car on the way to Florida with only FM radio to keep you entertained.

Flash Drive

Sony USB type-C/USB type-A dual connector Flash Drive

sony usb type c flash drive

 

 

If you’d rather skip the adapter and just buy a USB type-C flash drive, here you go. Sony’s offerings range from 16 to 64 GB (better value as you increase the storage) and plug directly into your USB type-C devices. Not only does it connect to USB type-C devices, it has a USB type-A connector on the other end so you can easily plug it into your computer, throw some files on it and plug it into your phone to transfer them over. Makes files backups super easy.

Amazon has these flash drives for ranging from $12 for 16 GB, $16 for 32 GB, or $22 for 64 GB all with free Prime shipping. You can also grab these over at B&H Photo and if you spend over $49 total you get free expedited shipping. Sony also sells them on its own website but they’re way more expensive and we have no idea about shipping.

Wall Chargers

Anker USB type-C Wall Charger

anker usb type c wall charger

You probably recognized the name Anker when you just read it, and that’s because it has a good reputation for making pretty good products. This wall charger is no different. It has one USB type-C port and uses it to charge up your device with Quick Charge 3.0 speeds. Doesn’t get any faster than that right now. Not only do you get the wall adapter but Anker is throwing in a 3.3-foot long USB type-C to USB type-C cable so you don’t have to supply your own. There’s also an 18-month warranty in case anything breaks.

You can grab this on Amazon with free Prime shipping or on Anker’s website. It costs the same on both sites so take your pick!

Anker 5-Port Wall Charger

anker powerport+

We’re going to stick with Anker for our next entry because this is an awesome product. The wall charger is a little different as it has a cable running from the wall to a dock of sorts. The dock then has one USB type-C port and four USB type-A ports to charge ALL of your devices. This is wonderful for your desk or bedside table where you can charge up your phone, your tablet, your kindle, your kid’s iPad, and your Bluetooth earbuds. I’m going to be taking this one on vacation with me so I can keep everyone charged up.

Grab this Anker Wall Charger before you head out on your summer vacation. You can order it from Amazon with free Prime shipping, Anker’s website, or eBay.

Batteries

Orico USB type-C 10000 mAh Battery

orico 10000 mah battery

Orico isn’t a well-known company but this battery looks excellent. It comes with a 10000 mAh capacity which, in theory, is enough to charge up your Nexus 6P about three times (due to heat loss, we’re going to guess it’ll get you two solid charges). Also, look how slim that thing is! Other batteries are bulky due to added features you won’t find here, but if you’re just looking for something slim and sexy to power up your devices, check this one out.

You can grab the Orico USB type-C 10000 mAh battery on Amazon with free Prime shipping or eBay with free expedited shipping.

Anker PowerCore+ 20100 mAh Battery

anker powercore+ battery

Holy heck that’s a big battery. 20100 mAh is theoretically enough to charge up your Nexus 6P six times. That’s a ton. I have a similar large capacity battery and I love knowing that it’s in my bag with a full charge whenever I need it. Life on the N beta can be a bit unstable in terms of battery life so I need to be prepared if something decides it wants to kill my battery that day. You can charge up three devices at the same time with the PowerCore+ battery due to its one USB type-C port and two USB type-A ports and it comes with an 18-month warranty.

Pick one of these batteries up on either Amazon or eBay.

Docks/Cradles

Archeer USB type-C Dock

archeer type c dock

Looking somewhere to put your phone at work where notifications will be easily seen? A dock might be just what you need. The Archeer dock features an adjustable connector that will charge your phone at 5V/2A with any micro USB cable. Sadly, no fast charging but if you’re using this for an extended period of time at work or on your bedside table, you probably won’t need fast charging anyway. Archeer offers a 40-day money back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the purchase and an 18-month warranty in case it breaks.

You can pick up the Archeer USB type-C dock at Amazon or at Archeer’s website.

NXET USB type-C dock

NXET

This NXET dock was featured in the first installment of our accessory guide for the Nexus 6P and it comes back today because it still stands as the only dock we can find that is safe for your phone according to Benson Leung who gave it his seal of approval. This dock has the ability to support both charging and syncing, has a swiveled head, and you can use a case on your phone while attached to this dock.

You can pick up the NXET USB type-C dock on Amazon and eBay.

There’s our list! Did we miss anything? Let us know down in the comment sections if we didn’t list your favorite UBS type-C accessory!

T-Mobile’s Uncarrier 11 rumored to offer free shares in the company

AndroidGuys
-
0

We normally don’t cover a whole lot of rumors at AndroidGuys, but this rumor may turn out to be one of the smartest I have seen in the tech industry.

According to a report from VentureBeat, John Legere, the CEO of T-Mobile, plans to announce a plan where customers can earn stock in the company. Plain and simple, a stock is a share in the ownership of a company. As you take on more stock, your share in that company becomes greater.

ny-railroad-stock-cert-lg

As an owner, you are entitled to your share of the company’s earnings as well as any voting rights attached to the stock. What makes this deal incredibly smart is that John Legere wants his customers to feel invested in T-Mobile. The “Stock up” promotion will allow T-Mobile customers to bank up to 100 stocks(TMUS) per year which are currently priced at $43.63. Earn a 100 stock, and the value would be $4,363 if you sold at the market price on Monday morning.

There are two ways to earn stock

“Any existing postpaid subscriber who downloads the T-Mobile Tuesdays app prior to June 21 will automatically be eligible for a single share of stock (and not the quarter-share we originally reported). Claiming the share will require customers to sign up with Loyal3, a web service that offers fee-free investing in popular brands’ stock.” VentureBeat

The second method is through referrals. For every new customer you refer to T-Mobile, you earn exactly one share. For T-Mobile customers who have been with the company for more than five years, they will get two shares for every new customer they refer.

It’s a win-win situtation

T-Mobile will be paying out shares to its customers, but in turn it will gain sign-ups for Loyal3 and it will also add new customers. New customers are worth far more than one share of stock, and one share of stock can go a long way if T-Mobile adds more customers. More customers will make the large investors happy and draw more interest in T-Mobile shares which will in turn drive the prices up.

T-Mobile’s Uncarrier 11 event is scheduled for June 6th. Watch John Legere live and see him shake up the industry again.

Punch Up: How long can you last? (review)

AndroidGuys
-
0

If you’re a fan of Flappy Bird and the innumerable clones that have come into the Play Store market since, you may really like Punch Up, a newer game from the French developer M.Pomme Studio. It can be downloaded for free in the Play Store.

Screenshot_2016-06-02-22-35-23

Gameplay

You play as ‘Punchy’, a small square ninja-in-training. That’s not terribly important; what is important is that you can only move Punchy left-to-right given a certain mechanic offered by each level. For example, the 1st level allows you slide along the ground left or right in short bursts. The 2nd level allows a similar burst, but at an angle governed by a constantly-rocking arrow.
Through each level there are coins to collect for several purposes: the main one being buying new lives (more on that in a bit), with others being customizing your Punchy character.

Screenshot_2016-06-02-22-36-52The danger in the game comes from a multitude of sources. In the 1st level, it’s stalactites quickly growing out from and falling from the ceiling. These things are so dangerous because getting struck from just a single falling stalactite equals instant death, requiring a re-start from the beginning of your current level. The added trouble is that these fallen spikes can quickly become additive….meaning that as more and more spikes pile up on the ground, it becomes more difficult to move against these; making staying alive that much more difficult. On each level you’re given a certain amount of time (1st level is 30 seconds) in which to simply survive. Get to 0, and off to the next level you go! After completing the 1st level, you go to a memory-style mini-game. Several different shapes of varying colors flash before you. You’re then asked to pick the color of a certain shape (i.e.; what color was the star?). Guess right and off you go to the next level. Guess wrong and you’re given two choices:either buy a new life to retry for 300 coins, or choose die and start over 1 level back.Screenshot_2016-06-02-23-24-11

Throughout the game there is never a moment to relax; you are always fighting to stay alive. That is probably the biggest compliment I can give to a game that is aiming to provide just that kind of experience.

What We Liked

  • Spot-on controls: your character goes exactly where you want when you want. Zero perceptible lag is visible.
  • Simple but addicting gameplay: In the traditional vein of Flappy Bird, you will die often, and each time you will tell yourself “I can do this; one more try!”.  But you likely won’t.
  • Pleasing arcade-style graphics: Nothing crazy here; just good colors, detail, and animation that fit the game’s overall style.

What Could Use Improvement

  • Difficulty: I know, I know: it’s supposed to be hard. But good grief….
  • Sound: Maybe a little more punch with sound effects, but I’m nit-picking here.

 

Download Punch Up here for free in the Play Store.

MSQRD: Take selfies to the next level [Review]

AndroidGuys
-
1

It’s time to take selfies and videos to the next level with all sorts of fun filters that MSQRD has waiting for you. It has what you need to make your friends and family laugh with at you

Developer: Masquerade Technologies

Cost: Free

How To Use

MSQRD2There are two options, you can shoot a 30-second video or take a selfie with the many different face filters. Once you have taken your snap you are then given the option post to Instagram, Facebook, or just about any app you can think of to share it on. The video or picture is also saved to your photo gallery.  That’s it. That’s all there is to this app.

Review

This is probably one of the simplest apps in the Play Store. MSQRD has 23 different filters that you can use including Pee Wee Herman, Daredevil, and even Jimmy Kimmel. Though I’m not sure why you would want to have Jimmy Kimmel’s face.

What makes this app great is how well it recognizes your face and adapts to it. I have played with a few apps that attempt this same thing and have fallen short. But, the folks at Masquerade Technologies have really nailed it on this one.

Conclusion

This sort of app doesn’t appeal to everyone and I get that, but honestly my family and I must have sat around for 45 minutes tinkering with this app and having fun with it. This app doesn’t do much, but what it does do, it does it well. I’m sure at some point they will add some filters for a premium, but for now, it’s 100% free. It’s worth the download.

[Rumor Roundup] 6… Or 7 things we may see from the new Galaxy Note

Josiah Ward
-
0

The new Samsung Galaxy Note release is growing closer. Originally, Evan Blass said the release was rumored for the week of August 15, but now he says the phone could be joining us exactly two months from now.

In light of this, here at AndroidGuys we have decided to round up a few things that we may see come release date:

  • An Iris Scanner, as SamMobile reported that Samsung has recently trademarked the terms Galaxy Iris and Galaxy Eyeprint
  • Note Edge making a comeback, after a patent that allows users to use the S-Pen on the Edge panel appeared (also reported by SamMobile)
  • 5.7″ QHD Super AMOLED screen
  • Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 32/64GB of expandable storage with 4/6GB of RAM
  • We’ve had two renders of the device leaked today: One was posted by YouTube user uSwitch, while the other was uploaded to Twitter by Shai Mizrachi.

The final rumored thing is the name. As originally reported by Etnews, in an effort to keep the Galaxy Note and S lines on the same page when it comes to numbering, we may skip over the name “Galaxy Note 6.” Instead, we may go straight to the Galaxy Note 7.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7
This is how the next Samsung Galaxy Note may look like.

All of the things listed above are rumors. They are subject to change come release day. We have no idea what version of Android this monster phablet will launch with. We also do not know whether the international variant will have an Exynos processor, though it is very probable. All will be revealed sometime in August. What do you think the new Galaxy Note is gonna be like? Let us know in the comments!

Lynktec’s Reeljuice 5X external battery chooses function over portability

AndroidGuys
-
0

Eight hours. That is the amount of battery life I typically get out of my Galaxy S6 in a normal work day. Battery longevity is the one thing that has not been able to break out into “the next level.” Due to this fact, portable battery packs have become very common in the lives of those like myself who rely heavily on their mobile devices. With that trend, Lynktec has seen fit to jump into the game with the Reeljuice line of portable batteries.

There are four versions of the Reeljuice charger that can be purchased; the 3X comes with a 5300mAh battery and the 5X comes with an 8000mAh battery (naming coming from the assumption that a phone could be charged up to five times with the 8000mAh full charge). Each of these can be purchased with either a 10 Watt wall charger or a standard USB charger. Lynktec sends the Reeljuice with a built-in microUSB cord but did not forget about those iOS users; they provide a microUSB to lightning adapter with every device. They even added a nice little storage spot for the adapter so it does not get lost.

Reeljuice (14)

Specs

  • Battery: Li-Polymer
  • Capacity: 5300mAh/8000mAh
  • Input: 10W wall charger or 5V USB charger
  • Output: 2.1A microUSB
  • Size: 6.125 x 3.125 x 0.77 inches
  • Weight: 10.3 oz
  • Warranty: 12 months

Usage

Every charger out there has something that attempts to set them apart from the competition. The Reeljuice is no different, having two unique features that set this charger apart from the other options. First is the modular charging method which allows you three methods of charging your battery pack: the 10 Watt wall charger (which also has a passthrough USB output for convenient charging), the USB input charger (can be used with any wall charger or USB port), or a microUSB cable can be plugged into the module connector on the bottom of the device. The second, and most notable, distinction of the charger is the built-in charging cord that “reels” back into the body of the charger.

I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the battery pack. The 2.1V charging speed is definitely not QC 2.0, but it is fast enough to get your device charged in a timely manner. It takes about an hour and a half to charge my Galaxy S6, which has a 2550mAh battery. An empty battery pack charges in about an hour with the wall charger, which means that you can charge your 8000mAh pack faster than it charges your phone.

Reeljuice (10)

The cord that is built into the charger is a nice quality, braided, microUSB cord. It is a welcome feature to not have to carry a cord around with me. This feature comes with a pretty hefty trade off, size. It is pretty obvious that the reel feature increases the width and girth of this charger making it more difficult to transport than other 8000mAh chargers. I would say it is nearly impossible to carry in your pocket and would only be transportable in a bag of some sort, perfect for students or professionals who often carry a medium to large bag.

The real “gotcha” with the Reeljuice is the price tag. The cheapest version of the device rings in at just under $100. Comparing that to some of the other chargers of comparable size, we can see that there is a major difference in cost. If they were to add a few features like Quick Charge or wireless charging then the price wouldn’t seem so steep.

Summary

The Reeljuice 5X is a great charger, built on a solid foundation of innovative ideas. If Lynktec could find a way to bring the cost into the realm of other comparable chargers, I think this would be a great device for those tech-heavy users. You can pick up the Reeljuice 3X or 5X with USB charging module on Amazon right now for $20 off the MSRP.

[Review] Charge six devices at once with Choetech

Andrew Orr
-
0

Yeah that’s right, a sextuplet of devices. The Choetech multi-port USB charger has quickly become one of my most useful gadgets. It’s annoying to keep track of each devices’ individual cable and charger. While I haven’t been able to cut down on the amount of cables I have, I can now use the Choetech charger for most of my power needs.

Features

  • Input: AC100-240V
  • Total Maximum Output: 5V/10A
  • Charging Port Output: 5V/10A (max)
  • Dimension: 88.4 x 29 x 71.5mm / 3.4 x 1 x 2.8 inches
  • Weight: 158g

Only two of the USB ports are USB 3.0; the rest are USB 2.0. Similar to the VoltIQ car charger I previously reviewed, the Choetech has an “auto detect” technology, which means that it automatically identifies the device you plug in and delivers the fastest possible charge for it. There’s also a circuit protection system, which is really neat. It shuts down in the case of overvoltage, overcurrent, overheating or short circuits. The charger comes with a 12-month warranty.

choetech03

Oh, and did I mention that the two USB 3.0 ports are certified as Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0? I’ve used it for a while now and I haven’t come across any problems yet. I don’t have any phones that have quick charge technology, so I couldn’t test how fast it was.

The charger itself has a slim profile, and it’s smooth to the touch with a matte black plastic that almost feels like velvet rubber. With the amount of portable battery packs I’ve been sent to review, I tried to set up a “daisy chain” where I plugged Battery A into the charger, Battery B into Battery A, and both Battery C and my phone into the charger.

choetech01

I didn’t test how long they were all able to charge because I was afraid of all that electrical power collapsing into a black hole, but suffice it to say that I think it would work. Also, while charging devices the Choetech does get slightly warm, but not so warm that you would start to worry.

Conclusion

I definitely recommend the Choetech charger for any person with a bunch of USB-powered gadgets. It works as great (and sometimes better) than the individual chargers that are sent with each device. You can buy the Choetech 6-port charger for $30 on Amazon.

Update: Choetech informed me that I posted the wrong product link in the article, and it has since been updated. Since the new product is $10 more expensive, this will slightly lower my Affordability score. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Vimtag P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera: Step up your security and have peace of mind (Review)

AndroidGuys
-
3

Everyone is looking for more and more security in today’s world and home security is a big one. Lucky for us, we can get security cameras for our homes much cheaper than they once were, and they are much easier to install. Vimtag has quite a few options when it comes to IP Cloud cameras that can suit your needs. Today, we have Vimtag’s $130 P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera.

There are so many different areas this camera can be used for besides the obvious security. For example, baby monitoring. I can tell you from recent experience, shopping for a regular baby monitor can be expensive and the quality of the feed isn’t always great. But with the P1 Camera, you can get a quality feed plus once your baby doesn’t need a monitor it can be used for other things.

Set Up

?

Getting the Vimtag P1 setup is a simple process that it can’t really even be classified as a process. Plug in your new shiny camera and let it do its calibration. Note: If you are using Ethernet, there is an adapter that you need to plug in that comes in the box. You can set up the camera through either the app or the website; I chose the app. Once you’ve opened the app, you must create a username and password then log in.

Vimtag13After you’ve logged in, you are taken to what I call the hub. This is where all your Vimtag devices live. You click the add device button and a QR Code Scanner pops up. Scan the code on the bottom of your camera. Once that is complete, you will be given a QR Code on your phone to scan with the camera, and then wham bam thank you, ma’am, your camera is ready to rock and roll.

Review

I have played with lots of different kinds of tech devices over the years, and I can honestly say that this is one of the simplest products I have seen. Set up is a breeze and just basic monitoring is easy; of course, there are many setting for advanced monitoring. I have to make one tiny comment about the operation of the camera. While it is true that operation is simple, it’s not obvious how to make the camera move around. I went to the monitoring website to look for extra settings, and I scrolled over the feed while it was playing. I noticed arrows at each edge. That’s how I discovered how to maneuver the camera up, down, and a complete 360 degrees, which is awesome. I believe they should include that in the pamphlet that comes with it since some may not discover it on their own.

Let’s start off by discussing the camera feed. We all have seen convenience store videos where the video is choppy and grainy. It’s hard to make anything out. What’s even crazier is you know they spent a ton of money for the equipment and installation. The P1’s video is clear and has the ability to zoom in 4 times. The audio is equally clear, and it has the added feature to talk from the app or website through the camera to whoever is in the room.

There are a ton of settings that you can use to configure each camera. In fact, there are so Vimtag17many that I won’t be able to cover them all, but I will hit a few highlights. One big feature I like is being able to schedule recording. You can set up to four schedules for as long as you want and whatever days you want, or you can simply choose to record 24/7. For that, you will need extra storage which is discussed later.

Motion detection is one of my favorite features this device has. You have quite a few options when it comes to using this one. A quick snapshot can be taken and stored, or you can record what is happening when the camera detects motion. Alerts can also be set up so that you get a notification on your computer or phone when something trips the sensor. This is great to have when away from your house on vacation or just at the store. Make sure you use the notifications only when you’re away because if your camera is in a high traffic area, your phone will be going off every few seconds when people move.

The last thing is mounting your camera. It comes with a kit that allows you to mount it if you choose to do so. You can mount it with two simple screws which will give you free range of motion to record with. If you choose to mount your camera upside down, you go into the settings under Others and toggle the flip switch, or your feed will be upside down.

Other Features

  • Multi User Support
  • Night Vision
  • 360 degree audio pickup
  • SD Card support

?

S1 Cloud Box

I said we would discuss storage later and here it is…the bonus review. If you have one camera that you are only using for minimal recording or perhaps only doing snapshots of motion, then you probably don’t need extra storage as it will just save to your phone or an SD card in the camera itself. But if you are using the camera for a business or are really hardcore about your security, then you may want extra storage. That’s where the S1 Cloud Box comes into play. The S1 comes with 1TB of storage for $150 so you can record 24/7.

The S1 can handle four feeds at one time which means you can store for up to 60 days. You can retrieve the data from the box via the internet whenever you want. So make sure this item is tucked away out of site so any thieves can’t find it.

Setting this device up is just as simple as the camera, if not more simple. After you plug in the device and connect it to your router, you go into the Settings menu in the app and navigate to storage. Click the QR Code button and scan it with your phone, and just like that, it’s ready to go.

Conclusion

The need for security is definitely much higher than it use to be. We don’t live in a Leave it to Beaver society where you can leave your doors unlocked and be fine. You need something to monitor your house while you’re gone. But if you’re not really worried about that, there are still other uses such as monitoring elderly loved ones or even keeping up with your dog while you’re away. No matter your reason, the Vimtag P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera and S1 Cloud Box are fantastic options for you.

*As of June 2 the P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera is on sale for $109.95 until June 10th*

Editor’s Picks: 11 Android apps we think you should try

AndroidGuys
-
0

Our Editor’s Picks column is here to help Android users discover fun or useful apps and games that pique your interest. What you’ll find below are some of the apps that we at AndroidGuys enjoy using ourselves. Some of what follows are new titles while a few are classics we can’t let go of. We hope that you find something here that you can enjoy yourself! Let’s get started!

Clash Royale

CR_preregPartner-supercell_1200x630Clash Royale is a fast paced, card based PvP brawler. Collect Clash troops, and use them to wreak havoc on your opponent’s towers! Unlike many other freemium games for mobile, Clash Royale can give enjoyment to even those who don’t like to spend on in-app purchases. It’s an all-around fun and very accessible game you can play for five minutes or for hours at a time.

Download from Google Play Store

Polarr

Polarr02

Polarr is a photo editing app found on multiple platforms. It has both free and paid features, and with the recent update to version 2.0 users can share custom filters with a QR code, edit RAW images and access powerful curve editing. If you’re looking for powerful photo editing for your phone or tablet, this one is worth a look.

Download from Google Play Store

SnapSeed

xl_Snapseed

Snapseed is *the* Android image processor. Designed for use for everyday people for everyday images, it’s no wonder so many people use it. It is simple to use, works wonderfully and does everything you may expect of it.

Download from Google Play Store

Instant Buttons

instant

If you’re like me, you appreciate a timely use of a pop culture quote, or humorous sound effect. Instant buttons is a fantastic app designed for any occasion. It has a huge library of classic sound effects from your favorite movie to your favorite game. Fun to play around with, or to use for that perfectly timed joke or reference, definitely a silly fun app for all to enjoy.

Download from Google Play Store

Maestria

maestria-game

With graphics that call to mind Monument Valley, this beautiful game can get pretty tricky before long. Players travel 160 levels spread across eight worlds. The object is simple: get the bells to ring in the right order. But, don’t let the calm and soothing design fool you; the game gets tricky.

With very few moving parts to worry about, it’s a puzzle game that taunts you with its premise. You’ll be back again and again, and you will get stuck. But, you will likely return to Maestria and move forward a few more levels before running into another wall.

Download from Google Play Store

Chrooma Keyboard

chrooma-keyboard-android

Chrooma Keyboard is a Keyboard App very similar to Google Keyboard with a few cool additions. You can change colors to anything you want instead of just Light and dark. If you don’t want the color to be the same at all times, you can set chrooma to detect the color of the app you are using and change to that. Also, with the paid version, you can get autocorrect suggestions for multiple languages at once.

Download from Google Play Store

MLB.TV

1307.MLB_.TVAppforWindows8_thumb_3D4CAB87

A premium subscription to MLV TV isn’t cheap at $24.99 a month, but it does give you access to every single game for your favorite team through video or audio. You also have access to home or away streams, meaning you can always choose your personal favorite broadcasters to deliver the live feed.

You can watch/listen to every game from any Android device, as well as watch it live on my TV through Chromecast. If you love baseball, you need MLB.TV.

Download from Google Play Store

Sling TV

sling-take-back-tv

Sling TV is a cord cutter’s dream. An alternative to expensive cable or satellite packages, Sling is an online streaming live TV service starting at $20 a month. It offers ESPN, AMC, Cartoon Network and many other popular network channels, with add-on packages available for additional sports, entertainment and kids channels.

Compatible with your phone, tablet, and even gaming consoles, you can always have your shows at your fingertips. If you’re looking to cut the cord and still wanna keep your live sports and favorite AMC shows, this is a can’t miss app.

Download from Google Play Store

Pod Cast Player

podcast-player_3e3bc30c

What really makes Pod Cast Player, by Player FM, excel is the balance of how easy it is to use, but yet how powerful the app really is. They state in the FAQ for the app that they “do not accept that “ease of use” should equate to “dumbing” down and won’t compromise on either simplicity or power” That power comes in the form of Player FM “rethinking” how podcasting apps work.

Traditionally you have to subscribe to a podcast to listen to the episodes from it. In Player FM that’s not the case. Just Hit Play on any episode and it plays! I use this app every day and have not found a better way to Podcast!

Download from Google Play Store

Vanilla Music

vanilla

An open source music player which we really like for its excellent feature set. It plays almost all formats (flac, ogg, mp3, wav, wmv, etc) and has no ads or additional purchases needed. Vanilla also supports external playlists and is easy to use, no matter where you use it. If you’re looking for an alternative music player, Vanilla Music is definitely one to consider.

Download from Google Play Store

Microsoft Outlook

outlook_previewFor those of you who use Microsoft email for work, there is no better app to manage your account than the Microsoft built Outlook app. While Gmail rules for Google, it does not handle all of the features that Microsoft built into Outlook. Gmail is actually a terrible experience for Outlook users.

The Microsoft Outlook app syncs flawlessly, downloading emails on the fly. It also gives you full access to your Outlook Calendar within the mail services app, and even notifies you with a unique sound so you can differentiate if it is a personal email or work email based on the sound it makes. The best feature is the one that integrates Word and Excel into the app so you can view and edit files from within.

Download from Google Play Store

1...1,1091,1101,111...1,315Page 1,110 of 1,315