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Fit in with Block Tile Puzzle (App Review)

Jason Botha
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Block Tile Puzzle is a great game for someone who loves nostalgic titles. It’s one of those click-and-play games that don’t require much and that can be played pretty much anywhere. The Tetris inspired gameplay with a twist is entertaining and doesn’t take a genius to play it.

Setup

There’s very little here. You’ll get the usual Play Games login and then you’re off. I was a bit surprised when there was no tutorial. You go straight into gameplay and don’t really need one, although it would’ve been nice to see a bit of help.

The standard volume on/off is available, along with the neat option of changing the theme color which is disguised as a night/day mode button.

Gameplay

Gameplay is nothing new, being based on Tetris, you goal is to piece the pieces together and make a complete row, but there are a few twists. Firstly, there isn’t a time limit to get the piece in the right place. It’s slotted at the bottom and you have time to choose where you want to place it, although you can still only have that one piece until you use it. Secondly, the pieces are a bit different to the normal configurations. This opens it up a bit to how you can build your rows. And lastly, you can place pieces mid-board, so they can float and not be touching other pieces. Altogether you’d think that this would make the game way too easy, it doesn’t actually. It was still a bit challenging, although you obviously get better each time.

Overall, the game was entertaining and was good enough to have me coming back for more.

Is it for me?

Unless you don’t play games or prefer hardcore games, then it’s likely Block Tile Puzzle will entertain you. It’s really suitable for anyone, thanks to its simplicity and ease o use.

What we liked:

  • Entertaining gameplay
  • Ease of use
  • Clean UI

And not so much…

  • Lack of levels/in game challenges

Block Tile Puzzle is one of the better games out there. With entertaining gameplay, ease of use and simplicity, it sure gives its Play Store competitors a run for their money.

[pb-app-box pname=’com.frozenyocode.blocktilepuzzle’ name=’Block Tile Puzzle’ theme=’discover’ lang=’en’]

Possible fix for the Note5 RAM issue?

AndroidGuys
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As we all have got to know, RAM management of your Note 5... stinks. Well, it turns out that if you have root, there is a fix for this issue. It seems it was there all along.

The very same build.prop edit that made the S6 and Note 4 perform better seemingly works for the Note5 as well. But to those who don’t root, or if you get squeamish about digging around in hidden files, DON’T TINKER UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!

The fix will have you editing your build.prop’s DHA values. Remember, this is not an end-all fix, and it likely will need a little extra time and work. There still might be unintended consequences, so apply the fix at your own risk. But after reading the forum thread, it does seem to make RAM management better during actual usage. But if the phone is sitting in idle for too long, the most memory intensive applications appear to get kicked out as usual.

Once again I will say this, make sure you understand the fix and what it does. Always make a backup of both your ROM and your build.prop file. Root access is required to edit the build.prop, which you can do with a simple text editor or a dedicated app. I personally use build prop editor by JRummy. In order to apply the fix, replace your DHA properties of your build.prop with the ones found in the thread on XDA provided in the link below.

If you are among the knowledgeable and brave, apply the fix and tell us your results. It doesn’t seem to be risky, but remember that this was not intended for the Note 5, and that it doesn’t seem to entirely fix the problem.

Source: XDA

[graphiq id=”kJ0FH1jqLNb” title=”Samsung Galaxy Note 5″ width=”600″ height=”400″ url=”//www.findthebest.com/w/kJ0FH1jqLNb” link=”http://smartphones.specout.com/l/3913/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-5″ link_text=”Samsung Galaxy Note 5 | SpecOut”]

Satechi SX20 Portable Energy Station (20000mAh) Review

AndroidGuys
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0

Last week, I found myself at the park, it was only ten o’clock in the morning and my cellphone was at 20 percent battery life. I was at a beautiful location with horses, trees, and gorgeous wildlife. So of course I was using my phone to take pictures and performing one of my favorite hobbies, using Periscope.

Suddenly, I realized that I still had a long day ahead of me and I had no charger in my backpack. And, of course, there were no outlets accessible.  I vowed to myself that I would never again leave the house without some type of charging method. Thankfully, Satechi sent over a Portable Energy station for me to review.

[toggles title=”Features and Specs”]

  • Aluminum Body
  • 2x 1A, 1 2.1A, 1x 2.4A
  • 4 USB Charging Ports
  • 2 Amp Output
  • LED Flashlight
  • 20,000mAh battery
  • 7.7×3.1x.8 inches
  • Automatic sleep after non-usage

[/toggles]

[spacer color=”264C84″ icon=”fa-android”]

Design

AndroidguysThe Satechi SX20 (20,000 mAh) was the first Satechi product that I have used and I was immediately impressed. Removing the portable energy station from its package I had a brief moment of apprehension: it looked so premium and the shiny aluminum appeared slippery.

The SX20 is aluminum all over except for on the top and bottom which are a smooth plastic. The battery indicator and flashlight power button also have the same white plastic. The SX20 feels great in hand with the textured aluminum and rounded sides that allow a good firm grip.

The front of the SX20 has an LCD battery indicator that goes to sleep automatically after a few seconds of non-usage.  Next to the LCD indicator is a power button that you can press to toggle the LED flashlight.

On the top of the device are 4 USB charging ports, two of which are 1A, one 2.1A, and one that is 2.4A. There is also a charging port and the previously mentioned LED flashlight.

Performance

At any moment might find I have 3-4 devices on hand, each of which is quickly consuming battery life. I really wanted to put the SX20 and couldn’t wait to do so.

AndroidguysUpon setting out to test it, I grabbed my camera bag along with a few items to charge: Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Tab pro 10.1, Pure Gear Selfie stick and hit the road.  After about four hours of usage, I connected all three devices to the SX20. The Satechi unit immediately dispersed power to all three devices. What I really liked about the SX20 is that while it was hot outside (98 degrees), the portable charging unit didn’t get hot at all.

While on the subject of charging I have to admit Samsung has spoiled me with its fast charging option. The SX20 charged my devices, but I did notice a considerable time difference those that do not have the quicker charging feature. My Samsung Galaxy Note 4  began was at 24 percent and took about roughly two hours to reach 88 percent charge. My Tab Pro 10.1 was at approximately 35 percent charge and reached 74 percent after about four hours.

I liked that when I took the SX20 out on location that it was a head turner. Multiple people inquired on what it was that I was using that was so shiny and cool looking.

The SX20 on my initial field test performed extremely well: it charged 3 different devices and I still had around 40 percent battery life of the SX20 to use.

What We Like

  • Premium design and build quality
  • Portable and light weight
  • Charge four different devices at once
  • LED flashlight

What We Didn’t Like

  • Taller than expected at about 7 inches
  • Reading digital battery indicator was pesky at times

[spacer color=”264C84″ icon=”fa-android”]

Conclusion

Being without a charging option is never a good thing, especially if you spend your day on the go. The SX20 is a beautifully designed charging station that is lightweight, rugged, portable and allows you to have enough power to charge an average cellphone 4-6 times.

The SX20 has an extremely reasonable price point for the power, performance, and premium quality it offers.  At only $40 (via Satechi) it’s definitely worth a recommendation.

Moto 360 value version scrapped at last minute

AndroidGuys
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1

Motorola, as we expected this last week, announced two versions of its new Moto 360 smartwatch.

Now, new information has been brought to light that the company had actually planned to release three versions of the smartwatch, but they cancelled those plans at the very last minute.

The third edition of the 360 was supposed to be a low-cost version of the watch aimed at either younger kids, or for people who want a smartwatch, but didn’t want to pay the somewhat higher price of the new Moto 360.

This model had been equipped with a lower quality band, cheaper design, and a different location of the action button. The value version would’ve likely had a price between $200-$300.

For those who are curious about the design, an image is available below.

Moto Value Version

This, I’m certain, will leave a lot of questions as to why the third version was scrapped. Why didn’t they either go ahead and announce the lower price model or just let the original model continue to be sold? The price of the first generation Moto 360 was already lower than the value model, so why not continue to sell it?

[graphiq id=”cFJoTfZEbmR” title=”Motorola Moto 360″ width=”600″ height=”400″ url=”//www.findthebest.com/w/cFJoTfZEbmR” link=”http://smartwatches.specout.com/l/35/Motorola-Moto-360″ link_text=”Motorola Moto 360 | SpecOut”]

[graphiq id=”9VoCc0m7TFP” title=”Motorola Moto 360 2nd Gen (2015)” width=”600″ height=”400″ url=”//www.findthebest.com/w/9VoCc0m7TFP” link=”http://smartwatches.specout.com/l/190/Motorola-Moto-360-2nd-Gen-2015″ link_text=”Motorola Moto 360 2nd Gen (2015) | SpecOut”]

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Source: Talk Android

 

Verizon: Motorola Moto X Pure Edition will work on our network

Scott Webster
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Thinking about picking up a new Motorola Moto X Pure Edition but wondering whether it will work with Verizon’s network? Fear not, the carrier has reportedly made it clear that the smartphone will have no issues with activation.

According to a statement given to Droid Life, Verizon customers should be able to activate the unlocked handset with a service plan. Moreover, existing customers who already have a nano-SIM can simply insert it into the device.

We had hoped there would be no issue with this, of course, especially since Motorola proudly says the phone “works on on all major networks”. Then again, who knows when it comes to dealing with Verizon and its whole certification process?

[df-gallery url=”https://www.androidguys.com/gallery/motorola-moto-x-style-pure/”%5D

If interested in ordering the unlocked handset, you can head to Motorola’s website to pick one up. What’s more, you can customize one of these through the Moto Maker with prices starting at $399.

We expect to have a review unit shortly and can’t wait to check out Motorola’s latest flagship experience. What about you? Are you anxious to try one of these for yourself?

Droid Life

New Google Wallet app is now in the Play Store

Dan Bartram
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Google Wallet has taken a change of direction now that the future of mobile payments for Google is Android Pay, and is instead focusing on sending and receiving money.

With that in mind, there is a new revamped Google Wallet app that is making its way onto the Google Play Store as a new download rather than an update.

[row][double_paragraph]Google-Wallet-4 [/double_paragraph][double_paragraph]Google-Wallet-3 [/double_paragraph] [/row]

There’s a new icon for Google Wallet and also a color scheme change, but the main difference is how it works, allowing users to deposit and withdraw, and send and receive payments within the US for free.

Once you’ve downloaded the new Google Wallet, the old app will remain on your launcher – perhaps that will become Android Pay when it launches?

[pb-app-box pname=’com.google.android.apps.gmoney’ name=’Google Wallet (New)’ theme=’discover’ lang=’en’]

Leaked Nexus 5X case reveals all, arrival imminent?

Jason Botha
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1

We’ve already seen several convincing leaks of the alleged Nexus 5X – A successor to 2013’s Nexus 5. With an announcement date around the corner (possibly October 13) , we get another peek at what could be Google’s next Android phone. This time, thanks to case maker Ringke and the infamous leakster @evleaks.

LG-Nexus-5X-2015

There appears to be a USB type-C port on the bottom, with no buttons on the left side of the phone, meaning they’ll likely all be placed on the right.

A cutout for the fingerprint scanner is below the camera, and there’s also a cutout for the flash and most likely for what will be laser focus, all of which fall in place with leaks this far. Perhaps the most appealing aspect it the two front facing speakers.

Rumored Specs for Nexus 5X

  • 5.2-inch 2K display
  • 13MP camera
  • 3GB RAM
  • LTE Cat 9 with support for 450Mbps speeds
  • Fingerprint scanner
  • Snapdragon 808
  • 64-bit hexa-core processor – Adreno 418

Stay tuned to AG for more!

LG Nexus 5 shows up on leaked internal slides

Dan Bartram
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Google is announcing two new Nexus devices this year, one manufactured by Huawei and the other by LG. The new LG Nexus 5 has been leaked multiple times but nothing concrete as surfaced as of yet.

What appears to be an internal slide dubbed ‘Project N3’ shows the next Nexus 5 made by LG in its full final form. The image hows the front and back of the device and once again we see the fingerprint sensor that seems certain to be part of the final build now given how much it has been leaked.

slide-nexus-5-2015

As well as confirming the physical appearance of the LG Nexus 5, the internal slide leak also comes with some specs that confirm the 5.2-inch full HD (1080p) display, which will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor. The leak does state, however, that the device will only have 2GB of RAM, which is contrary to the 3GB we have been hearing, all supported by a 2,700mAh battery.

Thoughts?

inStream SeptimusB Premium 7-port charging station review

Justin Marden
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1

51Q0jEFrPBL._SL1392_Many of us have multiple devices, and they all likely need to be charged at some point. Whether we have tablets, smartphones, smart watches, other wearables, or Bluetooth headphones, we all plug in at the end of a long day. But with so many devices, it has become increasingly difficult to plug them all in at once, especially with those notoriously bulky AC adapters taking up your outlets. Enter the inStream SeptimusB charging station, a USB charging hub with 7 ports and a small profile. I put the SeptimusB to the test, and this is what I found.

Design

20150909_121909Given that it’s a USB charging hub, there isn’t much to talk about as far as design goes. We’re looking at a square-shaped brick that sports 7 USB 2.0 ports on the front, an on/off switch and the power port around the back, and virtually nothing on either side other than a few aesthetic lines and a logo. Right above the ports on the front sits a small green LED light that indicates the hub has power and is ready to charge. The SeptimusB is made of a rigid plastic, and is incredibly light. With that being said, I was not worried about it breaking or being damaged. It is built to be sturdy, without leaving too much of a footprint in your home or office (the device as a whole measures only 4 x 1 x 3.5 inches). The SeptimusB can be purchased in either black or white, both of which actually look very nice.

Included in the box is the AC power cord, a Lightning cable, and a microUSB cable. Both of these extra cables are fairly short at less than a foot long, but it’s nice that inStream threw in a few extras with the charging hub.

Performance

20150909_121934The great thing about this  particular product is that it literally has one job, and it does that job very well. It doesn’t have to look flashy or have a ton of extra features. Its job is to charge devices as quickly and efficiently as possible, and it definitely hits the mark where that is concerned. The SeptimusB has 7 USB ports, but inStream went above and beyond by giving fast-charging power to each port. The hub is able to manage multiple devices plugged in at once, and allocate power flow so that every device is getting the maximum charging speed. InStream boasts a maximum of 3A on each port, which is more than most smartphones or tablets require even for fast charging.

In my few weeks of using the SeptimusB every night, I found this to be fairly accurate. Charging three smartwatches, two smartphones, and a set of Bluetooth headphones was no problem, and my Galaxy S6 even registered it as a fast charger with five other devices plugged into the same hub. InStream did very well with the technical side of this charging station. If fast charging is what gets you through the day, this would definitely be a good option for charging multiple devices at full speed.

There’s an added bonus in the fact that the SeptimusB is fully circuit protected, so your devices will be safe in the event of a power surge. Although if you’re like me, you’ll have it plugged into a surge protector just to be safe.  As a final point for performance, I did not notice the SeptimusB getting warm or making any noise whatsoever, which should be a relief for users worried about overheating or nuisance sounds.

Conclusion

20150909_121916The inStream SeptimusB charging station does exactly what it is supposed to do. It looks fairly normal and doesn’t stand out, and it doesn’t take up much space. It charges devices quickly and doesn’t rob users of the output they need to charge all their devices at once.

At the time of writing this review, the only real downside to the SeptimusB was the $34.95 price tag, which put it in the higher price range for a USB hub. Luckily, our friends over at inStream have now slashed the price to $27.95, and they’re offering a discount coupon code, so you can actually pick up a SeptimusB for just $19.95! If you want to take advantage of this deal, just head over to the SeptimusB Amazon page, select the color you’d like, and apply the coupon code SEPTBREV to get over 40% off the original price. It is worth noting that the deal only lasts until September 30th, so time is limited!

Pokémon GO brings Pokémon to the real world

Austin Hyde
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When Nintendo announced that they would be releasing 5 mobile games by 2017, they created quite a bit of buzz. After all, Nintendo has always been a closed eco-system. Perhaps after the Wii U suffered lackluster sales, Nintendo has decided that a more multifaceted approach is best.

So today, Nintendo in conjunction with Niantic announced that Pokémon GO would be released sometime next year. If Niantic sounds familiar, it’s because they are the developer spun off from Google that is responsible for the popular real-world augmented reality game Ingress.

Pokémon GO seeks to combine Niantic’s augmented reality with Pokémon. Take a look at the trailer.

The game will allow Pokémon trainers to explore real-world locations to catch, trade, and battle with each other in their search for Pokémon. There will also be a separate Bluetooth device for their smartphone called Pokémon GO Plus, developed and manufactured by Nintendo, alerting Pokémon trainers to nearby events (such as Pokémon in the vicinity) with flashes and vibrations, and the ability to catch them with the press of a button.

Pokemon_GO_Plus_wo_strap Pokemon_GO_Plus_w_strap

“Our challenge was to develop a great game for smart phone devices that expressed the core values of Pokémon,” said Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokémon Company. “Pokémon GO is the answer to that challenge.”

“Pokémon GO is a wonderful combination of Niantic’s real world gaming platform and one of the most beloved franchises in popular culture,” said John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic, Inc. “Our partnership with The Pokémon Company and Nintendo is an exciting step forward in real-world gaming and using technology to help players discover the world and people around them.”

Pokémon GO will be a free download on Google Play in 2016 with available in-app purchases.

This game sounds really interesting to me. I had a hard time getting into Ingress because I didn’t really have time to spend away from home capturing spots. I have 3 children. However, this looks like a game that I can take the kids with me to play.

What do you think? Will you be downloading Pokémon GO next year? Let us know in the comments below.

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