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CHOETECH Circle Qi wireless charger (review)

Derrick Miyao
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0

CHOETECH seriously makes quality accessories for your mobile devices. They recently sent me the Circle Qi wireless charger to review, in addition to the quick charger for my car, and due to my experiences with their products. I even spent my own money buying more of their products for my personal use like their home quick charger. This happened to work out perfectly for me, as I have an AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note5 to review which has wireless charging built into the device.

Let’s get into the review.

Design and Usage

Out of the box, the CHOETECH Circle Qi wireless charger feels like every other product they make – premium. The disk is compact but not so compact that it is a pain to find the right spot to charge your device. It is about as wide as the Note5 which makes for easy placement, and it’s not so big that it takes up an unnecessary amount of space on my desk.

The other nice touches CHOETECH put into this charger are silicon rings around the bottom and top of the charger. The rubber provides grip for the phone and the desk, keeping this unit in one place, and prevents your phone from sliding off the top. It’s a simple feature that pays huge dividends when it comes to ease of placement.The rubber grips onto the phone making it super easy to put the phone down in the right spot.

The other nice touch that they built into this charger was a blue light that lights up to show your device is charging.

I’ve owned several other wireless chargers and ended up putting them in a closet and disconnecting them, because their indicators lights were so bright that they kept me awake at night. CHOETECH knew this was a concern and built in an ambient light sensor, so when I turned off my lights so did the charger’s light. It’s a nifty feature that was well thought out and prevents me from putting electrical tape over the light.

Overall, I couldn’t have been happier with this wireless charger.

Specs

  • Input – 5V/2A
  • Output – 5V/1A
  • Charging distance – 0-5mm
  • Dimensions – 3.3×3.3x.7in
  • Weight – 64g
  • Conversion – >70%
  • Qi compliant
  • Lighting sensor
  • 18 month warranty

Summary

Not all products are built equally. I’ve owned many wireless chargers before but never found one that I loved. I actually really enjoyed testing this review unit and purchased another for my office(lab). As much as I love having the ability to swap batteries on my phones, I enjoy not having to plug my phone in to charge it almost as much. CHOETECH converted me into a wireless charger type of user. The CHOETECH Circle Qi wireless charger is only $19.99 on Amazon.com and comes with a micro USB cable. It’s a much cheaper alternative to Samsung’s official wireless charger which retails for $49.99.

CHOETECH builds some of the most high quality accessories you can get your hands on and I trust all of my devices with their products.

This device is compatible with the Galaxy S6/S6 edge/S6 edge+/Note5/Nexus 4,5,6 and all other Qi enabled devices.

If you want to pick on up, do so here at Amazon.com.

Hangouts updated to get ready for Android Marshmallow release

Benton Trerise
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Hangouts_IconIn the last few weeks we have seen more and more evidence of Google laying the ground-work for the upcoming release of Android Marshmallow. In the lead up to their sweetest release ever, Hangouts has been updated from v4.0 to v4.2 – though there is no real evidence for anything new except for some stuff found in the code by Android Police.

They seem to indicate that the new version is laying groundwork for the new control on permissions that will come with Android 6.0. Here is the code they isolate –

[alert color=”yellow”]

<string name=”contacts_permission_allow_text”>Allow</string>

<string name=”contacts_permission_banner_text”>Make it easy to find your friends</string>

<string name=”contacts_permission_message_text”>Allow Hangouts to access your contacts</string>

<string name=”contacts_permission_no_thanks_text”>No, thanks</string>

<string name=”contacts_rationale_explanation”>To continue, give Hangouts access to your contacts.</string>

<string name=”contacts_rationale_next”>Next</string>

<string name=”contacts_rationale_title”>Find your friends</string>

<string name=”hangout_mic_permission_required”>Joining a call requires permission to use your microphone.</string>

<string name=”hangout_permission_not_granted”>Unlock your device and give Hangouts permission to use your microphone and camera.</string>

[/alert]

Otherwise, there is nothing else indicative of an update. Guess it just means we’re one step closer to Android Marshmallow!

However, if you are absolutely dying for anything new – you can grab the apk from APKMirror here.

Let us know if you do find something in this update that’s new!

Blu debuts Vivo Air LTE as America’s thinnest 4G LTE smartphone

Scott Webster
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0

[df-subtitle]At a mere 5.1mm thick, the unlocked phone works with AT&T and T-Mobile[/df-subtitle]

Blu today announced a follow-up to its Vivo Air smartphone launched earlier in the year. Called the Vivo Air LTE, the unlocked smartphone is aluminum and features a profile that’s only 5.1mm thick. At this thickness, the phone becomes the thinnest 4G LTE handset sold in the US.

Running Android 5.0 Lollipop, the Vivo Air LTE features a 4.8-inch display at 720 pixel resolution; Gorilla Glass 2 protects the screen. Internally, the smartphone is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage.

[df-gallery url=”https://www.androidguys.com/gallery/blu-vivo-air-lte/”%5D

As far as cameras go, there’s an 8-megapixel sensor on the rear, capable of 1080p HD video recording. Around front, you’ll find a 5-megapixel sensor.

Given that the Vivo Air LTE is unlocked, it’s compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile as well as their respective prepaid service providers (Cricket and MetroPCS). You can order one of these from Amazon for $200 immediately with shipments expected on September 22.

Blu | Blu

Verizon to offer free mobile TV for everyone through its Go90 app

AndroidGuys
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Big Red is set to enter into the mobile television market this week with their new Go90 app. They are aiming their focus right at the Millenials who do much of their video watching on their mobile devices while spurning traditional TV methods like watching a TV set at home on the couch. Go90’s name refers to turning your phone 90 degrees into landscape mode, where not only Verizon customers can watch free TV, but everyone will have free access regardless of which wireless provider you pay for service.

Where Go90 differentiates itself from other competing apps from AT&T, Comcast and Dish is that it is focusing on the mobile market as its primary audience versus traditional cable plans with bonus mobile content. According to multiple sources, the TV lineup should include prime TV shows, original internet shows, and live TV which includes sports programming.

Go90 will be free, which should attract many viewers, as almost all other TV services cost money. Ad-supported content will fund Go90 just like traditional free TV. Maybe Verizon will use this free TV app as a way to push their own Ads to Millennials without going through the traditional methods.

You can register at Go90 and they will be in touch with you when the app goes live.

Source – New York Times, Techcrunch

Verizon will begin testing its 5G network in 2016

Scott Webster
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[df-subtitle]Data speeds could be 50 times faster than today’s averages[/df-subtitle]

internet_everything_verizon

Barely six years after launching its 4G LTE network, Verizon plans to start field-testing its next-generation high speed data service. Dubbed, for lack of a better term, 5G, it could deliver speeds of 30-50 times faster than what you’ll find today.

To put things into perspective, a movie download from Google Play might take around six minutes on a good connection today. On 5G, however, it could be delivered in a matter of seconds.

[blockquote author=””]We feel a tremendous sense of urgency to push forward on 5G and mobilize the ecosystem by collaborating with industry leaders and developers to usher in a new generation of innovation.[/blockquote]

This is not to suggest that 5G will only be used for movies, music, and TV; the medical field could benefit from a more real-time interaction for relay surgeries. Also, consider how much more efficient it would be to connect and interact with your smart devices. Tapping a button on your phone to turn off lights at home should be instantaneous, right?

Verizon is currently sandbox testing the new network in at least two locations: Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Francisco. Looking ahead to 2016, Big Red plans to expand things with help from partners such as Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Ericsson, Nokia, Qualcomm and Samsung.

Up until now, the general consensus was that 5G networks might still be another five years away, perhaps even longer. Should Verizon pull this off quickly it could put pressure on the other carriers. Nobody wants to be using yesterday’s technology.

Verizon

TextSecure: a privacy-oriented, text messaging client (App review)

Jalen Benjamin
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1

There is a vast selection of text messengers on Google Play. However, not all of them are as privacy-oriented as the one for today’s review. TextSecure is able to encrypt messages, so long as each person involved in the conversation uses the client.

For those of you who already have a text messenger, switching to another one could be a tall order, I understand. That’s especially true when you and the other person need to use TextSecure in order to get the full benefits. For now, let’s examine the app and see if it is worth your consideration.

Setup

Setup is quick and simple. Head over to Google Play and download and install the app.

When you open TextSecure, it will ask for you for your phone number, so that it can be registered for an identity key. This will send an SMS to your device for confirmation.

Functions and Features

At first glance, TextSecure behaves like other text messengers.

You can start a new conversation by clicking the icon at the bottom right.TextSecure's main screen

Speaking of conversations, you’ll easily know that your connection to another person is encrypted when a lock icon appears underneath both your messages.

A conversation thread in TextSecure

Click the lock at the top right in order to view everyone’s identity keys or to end the secure session. The lock indicates you are messaging someone who is using the app, by the way.

From the main screen, use the search button at the top right to look up existing conversations of your contacts.

Located next to this is a menu icon. Within it, you can create a group chat, mark all conversations as read, import and export conversations, view your identity key, and go to settings.

There are settings for SMS and MMS, notifications, privacy, appearance, deleting old messages, and advanced settings.

TextSecure's settings window

Most of these are quite standard, like WiFi calling compatibility mode, a selection of visual and auditory notifications, and a light and a dark theme.

One of the most noteworthy features of TextSecure is the privacy settings.

You can create a password for messages, which can be changed at anytime. Set a time interval if you don’t want to enter in your password each time you bring the app to the foreground.

The privacy settings in TextSecure

Interestingly, screenshots can be blocked in the app, as well.

Lastly, under advanced, you will find an option called “TextSecure messages.” Enabling this option allows for free private messaging to TextSecure and Signal (the iOS counterpart) users.

What we liked

  • Simple, modern design
  • The ability to change the accent color for contacts
  • Using a passphrase to lock the app
  • Optional, secure text sessions for TextSecure users
  • Optional, private (group) IMs for TextSecure users
  • Choice between a light theme and a dark theme

What we don’t like

  • Nothing

Depending on what you want from a text messenger, TextSecure may not be the best. By that, I mean it does not have the most extensive customization, for example. You won’t be able to make an image the background of a thread or change the fonts of each individual thread. Although you can change the accent color of each conversation, I’d consider other options should you want customization.

On the other hand, TextSecure caters to a privacy-oriented niche, one which it does really well. Users who prefer this may also like the fact that it is open source. Sure, you and your friends and family will need to switch in order take advantage of its features, and for a lot of people, that’s not worth it. However, if you want an option to keep your texts encrypted, TextSecure is one of a few, great options at the moment.

[pb-app-box pname=’org.thoughtcrime.securesms’ name=’TextSecure Private Messenger’ theme=’discover’ lang=’en’]

Verizon’s XXL data tier offers 18GB shareable data

Scott Webster
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0

[df-subtitle]Limited time promotional rate runs $100 per month[/df-subtitle]

Verizon has a new rate plan for customers who need to share a lot of data each month. By a lot, we mean 18GB of 4G LTE data.

VZWPlans_Hero

Available starting today, and for a limited time only, Verizon’s new XXL plan lets customers share that much high speed internet access across multiple (up to 10) devices. Priced at $100 per month, it’s only $20 more than the XL plan yet offers twice the data.

Keep in mind that, in addition to the $100, you’ll still have to pay a monthly access fee per device. Smartphones run $20 per month; tablet and Jetpacks are $10 each, and smart watches run $5 per month.

As of now there are five rate plans to choose from:

  • Small: $30/month for 1GB of shareable data
  • Medium: $45/month for 3GB of shareable data
  • Large: $60/month for 6GB of shareable data
  • X-Large: $80/month for 12GB of shareable data
  • XX-Large: $100/month for 18GB of sharable data

According to Verizon, the carrier will soon be changing its billing to a more simple structure. The aim is to provide customers an easier way of understanding charges.

Verizon

Samsung Galaxy S7 will be offered with two screen sizes, report says

Scott Webster
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Don’t look now, but the Samsung Galaxy S7 rumors are sneaking up right behind you. Indeed, we’re barely a few weeks beyond the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Galaxy Note 5 announcements and already talking about next-gen stuff. Yes, it’s time to look to 2016 and the presumed Galaxy S7 models.

According to sources close to SamMobile, the Galaxy S7 will be offered in two display sizes. If accurate, the smaller model will have a 5.2-inch screen while the larger one offers up 5.8-inches of display.  Reportedly, the Galaxy S7 could feature an UHD display at 4K resolution, but it’s not certain whether this would be for just the bigger one or both.

It makes sense that Samsung might want to follow the path set forth with the Galaxy S6. Specifically, giving customers the option between a standard size and a Plus model, too. This, conceivably, opens the door to Edge variants of both sizesas well.

Other details already tumbling about in the rumor mill for this device include two processor options: Samsung Exynos and Qualcomm Snapdragon.

As to when we’ll see the Galaxy S7 remains uncertain, but we’re guessing it’s some time in early spring. Historically, Samsung has launched its flagship device around Mobile World Congress and IFA; however it seems to be speeding up the pace a bit.

[df-gallery url=”https://www.androidguys.com/gallery/samsung-galaxy-s6/”%5D

 

Given Samsung may have turned to using the Agile developmental system, it could cut the time by another 1-2 months. Either way, it’s still really early in the game and there’s plenty of time for things to change.

SamMobile

Blizzard’s Mobile Authenticator app FINALLY gets updated

Andrew Myrick
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Those entrenched in World of Warcraft have had more than a few reasons to rejoice over the last few months. At BlizzCon, the newest expansion was announced and then released. Since then, millions of people have been joining the World left and right.

In addition to that, another game from the folks at Blizzard has been released and is extremely popular, Heroes of the Storm. This also has been taking the world by storm, especially because of the fact that it’s free to play.

While playing these games, it’s important to keep your Battle.net account secure, because you definitely don’t want the wrong people getting ahold of your credit card information. Currently there are a couple of ways to keep your Battle.net account secure.

You can purchase a mobile authenticator which is a dongle that you can throw on your key-ring or back pack. The other is through a mobile app available on iOS and Android that acts as a two-step authenticator process. However, the application was in DESPERATE need of an update, and thankfully, today it has come.

The Battle.net Mobile Authenticator app has hit version 2.0, and doesn’t really bring any new features, but instead, is mainly just an aesthetics upgrade. The previous version looked like an app from yester-year dating back to the Froyo days. However, this new design brings the app up to the standards of Lollipop design and such.

Let us know what you think about this update to the Battle.net authenticator application and whether it really matters to you or not.

[pb-app-box pname=’com.blizzard.bma’ name=’Battle.net Authenticator’ theme=’light’ lang=’en’]

Source: Android Police

Instagram to sprinkle 30-second ads in feeds

Scott Webster
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instagram_ads_foursome

Get ready for a few more advertisements in your Instagram feeds. According to an announcement on the official Instagram blog, businesses will soon be able to run campaigns on the social networking service.

Taking advantage of the technology behind Facebook’s ad infrastructure, the Instagram ads will let advertisers target messages and hit the right people, regardless of topic. There will be new ad formats rolling out however it is unclear just what that really means.

Instagram says they’ve been working with various ad partners this summer and have the results thus far seem quite positive. Whether it’s higher engagement, acquiring new customers, or pushing app installs, the new ads have worked well for Kabam, The North Face, Made.com, and Gilt Groupe.

Instagram is also announcing a number of other tools and capabilities:

  • Landscape photo and video to unlock new creative opportunities and give ads a more cinematic feel
  • Video ads of up to 30 seconds in length, so brands can engage in richer storytelling
  • Marquee, a new premium product that helps drive mass awareness and expanded reach in a short time-frame—perfect for events like movie premieres and new product launches
  • Delivery and optimization tools to manage and drive the best performance of campaigns across Facebook and Instagram

How do you feel about seeing occasional advertisements inside your timelines and social network feeds? Do you stop to watch or check them out or have you learned to tune them out?

Instagram

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