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Jabees Serenity Bluetooth Sleep Mask review

Connor Fricke
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The Serenity Bluetooth sleep mask from Jabees is a 2-in-1 product. It serves as your nighttime over-the-face sleep mask and, at the same time, provides you with comforting music from your phone.

The Serenity mask offers a comfortable design that will block out 100% of the light in your environment without providing unnecessary pressure on your face and head.

It comes with a USB-C charging cable as well as three different size ear tips as well as a user’s manual. It’s really quite a simple product, and if you’re looking for methods to improve your sleep, you may be headed in the right direction with the Serenity sleep mask. With a retail price of only $39.99 on both Amazon and the Jabees website, it’s definitely worth a shot.

First Impression

The sleep mask is made of soft memory foam, plush suede and canvas-like material. It really does a fantastic job of making it feel like it isn’t even there while you’re getting that important rest.

The tech part of the mask is very bare-bones so that you can remove the electronics to wash the mask. There’s a couple of pockets within the mask where Jabees has hidden the main component/battery pack of the headphones as well as the wires to the earbuds themselves.

With a charge and a single flip of a switch on the battery pack, the Serenity sleep mask is instantly ready to pair with your device.

The earbuds are very small with silicon tips so that you don’t have to worry about the discomfort of sleeping with headphones. If you’ve experienced this, you know how much of a pain it can be.

The Serenity is very large, so when it wraps around your head it also partially covers your ears with the memory foam padding. This is welcome additional comfort for the side-sleepers out there.

With such a simple design, I did worry about the quality of audio from the Serenity mask. I imagined it would be hard to pack anything too powerful into a design like this. Regardless, it seems Jabees has included some nice features, including playback control buttons on the front of the mask, up to 11 hours of playback time, and a Multipoint Bluetooth 5.0 connection. This last detail allows you to pair with two devices at a time so you can take turns sharing the mask with your spouse.

Comfort

There is no doubt that the sleep mask is comfortable. No matter what side of your head you lay on the pillow, it’s not going to be bothersome.

At times it can be a little bit warm, especially if you aren’t getting much airflow around you, but that’s honestly my only complaint as far as comfortability goes.

The mask has a unique contoured design on the inside which relieves the pressure on your eyes and the Velcro strap makes it pretty simple to set the mask to whatever size you want for the perfect fit.

Noticeably, the mask is pretty lightweight for what it is and the inside material is gentle on your skin while aiding in keeping your head cool while you sleep.

With extremely small earbuds and a design that wraps over your ears, there were no problems when laying on my side with the earbuds in. It never felt that there was any added pressure and I never woke up with an earache.

I toss and turn significantly in my sleep, so most nights I woke up with the mask completely removed or the earbuds pulled out of my ears. If you need the mask to stay on while you’re asleep and until you wake up then it may be necessary to adjust the Velcro strap a bit tighter.

Sound Quality

I must say I was quite surprised by the quality of the audio produced by the 6mm drivers of the Serenity’s earbuds. It’s not going to blow you away with its bass, so don’t expect too much there. But keeping in mind that it’s only $40, I think the audio is as clear and as smooth as you could ask for.

Quite honestly, I don’t feel the need for the most breathtaking music experience out of this product; however, Jabees totally delivers some impressive tone quality and depth.

Thus far, in the first few weeks, the Bluetooth connection has remained solid. I never have to worry about my listening experience being disrupted by connection interference.

As far as I’m concerned, if you just want to get a solid nap in with some relaxing music to guide you there, the Serenity has everything you’ll need.

You can learn more about the Serenity sleep mask through Jabee’s website where it’s available to purchase. You can also find it at Amazon, too, for about $40.

TCL offers up economical Stylus 5G for T-Mobile and Metro

Scott Webster
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TCL on Thursday introduced its latest low-cost smartphone, the Stylus 5G. As one would rightly assume from its name, it comes with a built-in stylus for note-taking and other functions.

Powered by Android 12, the TCL Stylus 5G plays mainly in the sandbox that is entry-level phones. It features a large 6.8-inch display with a 2460 x 1080 resolution with a 4,000mAh battery that should be good for all-day usage, plus some.

A quad-camera system is comprised of a 50-megapixel main shooter, 5-megapixel super-wide, 2-megapixel macro, and 2-megapixel depth sensor. Around front you’ll find a 13-megapixel camera.

As for performance, the TCL Stylus 5G runs a MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor with 4GB RAM. Storage is listed at 128GB and a microSD expansion card slot allows for up to 2TB of extra space.

Other notable hardware details include face unlocking, a side-mounted fingerprint reader, 5G support, NFC, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and 18W fast charging capability.

The main draw here, of course, is the stylus. The Stylus 5G comes with Nebo, handwriting recognition software for taking notes. Additionally, the stylus can also be used for screen magnification, drawing on images, storing e-signatures, mark up screen shots, and recordings.

Availability

The TCL Stylus 5G is available now from T-Mobile and and its prepaid brand, Metro, for $258 and $269, respectively.

BLU F91 5G review

Scott Webster
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Despite the insistence from the wireless carriers over the last few years, we’re just now getting to a point where 5G is truly worth considering. Networks are finally coming into their own with ultra-fast connections available in many parts of the country.

As a consumer I have not exactly shied away from 5G and its capabilities but I’ve certainly not made it a priority; 4G LTE speeds are plenty fast enough for me.

On the hardware front the first few generations of 5G phones were incredibly pricey. You’d have to spend approximately $1,000 for the privilege of owning a phone that was capable of 5G. Moreover, it also cost more on your rate plan as carriers charged a premium for access. Indeed, you could cough up a bunch of money for a feature that you never even took advantage of over the last few years.

As 2022 gets into full swing, the 5G landscape has settled down and it now makes sense to consider it as a selling point. Phones with 5G support now cost a fraction of what they did a couple of years ago.

Miami-based BLU is no stranger to the concept of creating phones with price tags that come in a fraction of what other brands command. And at long last it is ready to dip its toes into the 5G waters. Its latest phone, the F91 5G arrives as a low-cost unlocked option for GSM carriers.

When it comes to BLU phones I often find that it has to cut corners in order to keep prices low. That is to be expected, of course, and many entry-level devices makers do the same. To me though, the corners aren’t so much cut as gently trimmed and in areas that tend to go unnoticed by the masses.

Think about features like high refresh rate and touch sampling rate, reverse charging, and super-fast wireless charging. They’re certainly nice to have, and you’d miss them once you take them away. But there’s a huge segment of user who have yet to rely on those features.

BLU loves to play in that sandbox. With its phones you tend to get all of the things you want or need with none of those aforementioned frills. That means a giant screen, a battery that’s good for about two days at a time, and respectable performance. And now you also get 5G support.

Design

The F91 5G comes in just one color, Oceanic Blue, and it has the familiar design language found in other BLU phones from the last few years. That is to say it has a gradient-like color that dances from blue to grey and it seems to like sunlight.

The 6.8-inch display has a 1080 x 2460 resolution with a hole-punch camera located in the middle. It’s not quite an edge-to-edge screen but there’s not all that much wasted space or bezel. The 20:9 aspect ratio makes it easier to hold and operate with one hand.

Although the brightness and color do pop quite a bit, I did find the phone struggled a little bit in direct sunlight. It’s not terrible, but you may find it difficult for quick glances at notifications in the right conditions.

Similarly, the color was generally balanced but did feel a touch oversaturated. Sometimes it works to its benefit, such as watching a video, but staring at white screens of text seemed just ever so “off”. Don’t read too much into this here as I have seen considerably worse things, sometimes at higher prices.

The fingerprint reader is located in the side-mounted power button; the F91 5G also allows for facial recognition to unlock as well. Both were relatively impressive in my time with the handset.

The upper left corner of the rear houses a quad-camera system that includes a 48-megapixel main shooter. It’s complimented by a 2-megapixel macro camera, 2-megapixel depth camera, and a 5-megapixel wide-angle (115-degrees) camera.

A 3.5mm headphone jack is present, something that I’m always happy to see. Sure, it’s less important than ever, but I appreciate that BLU hasn’t thrown that towel in just yet. Also worth pointing out, there’s a pair of wired earbuds included in the box. Oh, and there’s also an 18W charger, tempered glass screen protector, and a protective case.

Software

Surprisingly, the BLU F91 5G runs a pretty barebones Android 11 experience. With Android 13 just about to make its public release this version is “behind the times” but maybe more so on paper than in practice.

The average user likely doesn’t know which specific version of Android is on their phone, let alone understand how old it is. Further, they would be certainly be hard-pressed to name some of the differences.

There are a number of pre-loaded apps on the F91 5G, some of which are pretty popular downloads.

BLU has done a respectable job of providing security updates and major patches but that’s becoming more of a diminishing need as Android matures. Typically, I think of its phones as being “as is” when it comes to the overall software experience and one might not want to hold their breath over a major upgrade. This is just one of the corners that BLU cuts for its phones and it doesn’t seem to be much of an issue.

Performance

A MediaTek Dimensity 810 2.4GHz octa-core processor, bolstered with 8GB memory, powers the show. Benchmark-wise, the phone should hang with the like of the Motorola One 5G Ace (2021) and Samsung Galaxy A13 5G. These two phones are priced the same, if not higher, than the BLU F91 5G.

With 128GB of internal storage capacity and a microSD expansion card slot (up to 256GB) you should have no problems storing apps, games, downloads, and other media.

A 5,000mAh battery is fast becoming the norm for devices as it tends to deliver 1-2 days of usage on most devices. When dealing with a handset such as the BLU F91 5G you might expect something a little closer to 2-3 days as the processor is more efficient. Mileage varies based on a user’s needs, of course. You’re not talking about a high-end gaming experience here so the mid-range processor doesn’t need to work quite as hard as those found in flagships.

The phone does allow for wireless charging, a feature that’s not quite make-or-break for a lot of folks. With that said, credit is due here for BLU not leaving it off. The 18W fast charging is decent by today’s standards and the Power Share tech lets you charge up other devices. Again, a nice feature that could have been omitted.

BLU has done an increasingly better job in the area of cameras for its phones. Not only are there four cameras present on the F91 5G, they fare admirably, too.

There are a number of shooting modes to choose from, each supported with little AI enhancements and adjustments to the image at the time of capture. It can intuit whether you are taking a picture of a dog or a sandwich, treating things a little differently for better results.

I don’t often tinker too much with settings outside of the early testing and exploration phase of a new phone. More often than not I use the camera to get candid shot of friends and family or pics of food. That’s pretty much just a point and click deal. Given that, I do like that the AI is always there, helping me when and where it can.

If you like to play around with your camera and dive deeper into settings, you’ll like the Pro Mode which also allows for Raw files. Similarly, the Advanced Night Mode lets users grab pictures that weren’t previously possible at this price point.

Conclusion

The BLU F91 5G continues BLU’s legacy of offering high value proposition devices with budget-friendly prices. As an unlocked phone that works with AT&T, T-Mobile, and their respective MVNOs and prepaid brands, it’s compatible with a large number of carriers.

I’ve had great experience with the 5G speeds and connectivity in areas where I spend my time; things are largely the same as what I get from my Pixel 6 on most days.

For your money you get more than enough hardware to last most users the next two years. It doesn’t approach flagship-level performance and it doesn’t have all the fancy accoutrements that come with such phones, but if you’ve never had them, you don’t know what you’re missing.

I suspect the target audience will be very happy with the big screen, long-lasting battery, and numerous camera modes. And adding in small things like a headphone jack, NFC, wireless charging, and an intentional design make the F91 5G even more compelling.

You can learn more about the BLU F91 5G at the phone maker’s website but purchases are handled through Amazon. Look for the handset at about $250 and you’ll be doing quite well for yourself.

Pangeanic complies with ISO to deliver the best translations

AndroidGuys
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Pangeanic is a Spain-based provider of translation services, and not only – due to modern technology, this organization is able to deliver natural language processing services, data for AI systems training, software translation, and information management.

Pangeanic is preoccupied with making the translation process as smooth as possible, and it calls on technological tools in this regard. The organization believes that automation and human work make the best duo, being one of the leading translation services providers to combine the two and obtain measurable results. The specialists from Pangeanic pay special attention to the customer’s satisfaction; hence they comply with international standards to assure the client of accurate, proofread, and approved translations. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide organization of national standards bodies engaged in maintaining ethics in all kinds of services, technical or nontechnical.

This company works with well-known multinationals, global organizations, and other language companies, which is proof that it’s a trustworthy service provider. The ISOs it complies with are further described, so keep reading to learn more.

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

ISOs Pangeanic complies with

ISO 27001 – Quality Certification

ISO 27001 refers to information security. It’s an international standard responsible for maintaining and developing an information security management system (ISMS), which is vital for keeping companies’ and organizations’ data secure in the online environment. The measures ISMS contain refer to technology, processes, and people, and with the help of these, companies worldwide are capable of protecting their data from cyber-attacks. Pangeanic has, in this regard, cyber-security and data breach policies and even anonymization services if needed.

ISO 17100 – Translation Standard

Moving to ISO 17100, we learn that it’s an international standard that specifies requirements for the translation process related to quality and delivery. This means companies offering translation services need to ensure translations undergo the proofreading and checking process. Pangeanic meets the requirement of this standard, so their translations are thoroughly verified before being released to the public. This way, clients are less likely to find grammar or accuracy errors, which guarantees a high satisfaction level.

ISO 13485 – Translation Standards for Healthcare Services

Given that Pangeanic works with many manufacturing companies, including those specializing in medical devices, such an international standard is a necessity. Fortunately, the Spanish organization follows ISO 13485 requirements, offering trustworthy, certified medical devices translations. Pangeanic became an accredited organization under this standard in 2018, ensuring excellence and high-quality services to customers from all around the world. Plus, Pangeanic is aware of the significance of medical translation services these days, so it disposes of competent, expert linguists in this field.

ISO 9001 – Quality Certification

As we already mentioned, Pangeanic is a leading provider of translation services focused on traceable results. That means it delivers quality translations and services that meet clients’ requirements. ISO 9001 has specifications in this regard with a focus on QMS (quality management system). This standard is to certify the high level of quality Pangeanic translations have, being also the mainframe for this company’s services. ISO 9001 is also the most well-known standard in the ISO 9000 family.

ISO 14001 – Quality Certification

ISO 14001 has environmentally-oriented requirements, demanding organizations to reduce their impact and footprint on the environment. This standard is to help companies like Pangeanic minimize their operations (digital, in this case) that have a negative impact on the environment. Pangeanic complies with these regulations, making efforts to be environmentally friendly and embrace sustainability. With the ISO 14001, Pangeanic becomes a nature-friendly organization that, more than that, provides irreproachable translation services.

ISO 18587 – Quality Certification

ISO 18587 refers to post-editing the result of a machine translation. Automation has, of course, its role, but it’s the human eye that guarantees a free-of-errors translation. Becoming certified under this standard in 2020, Pangeanic now has the right to proofread and verify a translation that has been made with the help of AI tools to guarantee a quality service. The company is also one of the few ones awarded an automated translation post-editing contract, which proves its vast experience in the field.

Not only does post-editing assure a quality translation, but it also reduces the time and cost that would have otherwise been involved. Given this fact, the company can work with clients demanding services within a tight deadline, which is not very common among other organizations of this kind. Remember that post-editing reduces the human effort in this work, but not the quality. Experienced linguists are responsible for checking the translation for consistency and potential spelling errors before delivering it to the customer for the recreated version to meet the client’s terminology specifications.

The translation is, without any doubt, no longer the same. Automated translation is more realistic than ever before with today’s technological advancements, which can only be encouraging. Re-creating the original version of a source language (SL) text and making it sound natural and accurate in a target language (TL) is definitely not easy. With machine translation, professionals in the field can now minimize their hours spent on translation without affecting its quality. Automated translation also allows for the delivery of multiple services. Pangeanic, a leading provider of translation services on the market, boast with:

  • document translation services: Pangeanic delivers document translations that help businesses of all kinds flourish in the international marketplace.
  • multilingual desktop publishing: such services assure that clients’ formatting requirements are met.
  • transcription services
  • localization services: interculturality is vital in translation. Apart from the translation itself, the translator has to take into account cultural references, idioms, or humor for the TL translation to be fully understood by the target audience. Foreignization and domestication are also common concepts in the translation field, referring to the degree to which translators adapt the ST to the target culture.
  • website translation services: Pangeanic helps businesses (and not only) make their content available to visitors all around the world by translating it into several languages.
  • translation for Amazon webstores: the company helps people boost their online presence and sales. Since clients usually make transactions in their native language, many retailers have welcomed this kind of service with open arms.

Three significant reasons why Android beats Apple

AndroidGuys
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The age-old, never-ending debate when it comes to smartphones is one that might probably stay around till the death of any of these two companies. Which is better? Android or Apple? The honest truth is that this is going to always be a constant battle between the two major smartphone producers, be it whether it’s about which brand comes up with the most innovative advancements, or which brand takes the most ideas from the other, or even which brand is outright most convenient for the consumer. 

The deeper you look into it, the tougher it becomes to make a solid, unbiased decision, since both these companies are at the pinnacle of smartphone technology right now, and they seem to outgrow any possible tertiary competition that might potentially rise up to their level at some point or another. In this article, we will see some of the advantages that Android has over Apple, and maybe this will help you conclude on whether you should go for an Android or an iPhone, as the next addition to your smartphone collection.

Overall Better App Store

If you were to compare the sources where one can download applications and games onto their smartphones (a.k.a the Google Play Store & Apple App Store,) you would be surprised to see the level of inflation implemented by Apple to the apps on their store. Most paid applications on Android can cost up to double the price to download on an iPhone, and that’s not the end of it – You’ll also find a big load of free-to-play games on Android which you would have to pay for on Apple, which for Apple users, kinda sucks. Another key feature in the Play Store that beats Apple is the app variety available, having more than twice as many apps as there are for Apple users. This also means that you’re much more likely to find your favourite online sports betting app on Android, rather than on an iPhone.

They’re Cheaper

If you compare the prices of the latest released smartphones from the Android and Apple lines, you’ll find that the latest High-End Android devices are always relatively cheaper. To give you a more vague idea, the highest end version of the latest Samsung Galaxy S22+ with 1TB storage is sold for around $1,400, while the highest end 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max is going for a bit over $1,700.

Better Camera

The iPhone Camera might be popular for its high vibrance, sharpness, and large low-light sensor, but that doesn’t mean it’s better than its Samsung Counterparts. Samsung have gone all out on the camera production for their latest phones and have improved a range of features, including; improved edge detection, higher megapixels, more camera filter options, and more! The best Mobile camera on the market right now is undoubtedly the one that comes with the S22 Ultra, and we’re likely to see its competitors coming up soon from upcoming companies like Huawei and Xiaomi. 

How beta testing helps with software and app quality

AndroidGuys
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Beta testing is one customer validation methodology that evaluates customer satisfaction with a release by running the test on real end-users with the aim to improve the user experience. 

Therefore, beta testing is conducted in a production environment on users or customers external to the company to observe how they interact with the new software before going ahead with the final release. 

During a beta test phase, the security, robustness and reliability of the software are checked. 

When and how is it implemented? 

Beta testing is usually conducted after alpha testing, when the software is tested on internal users, but just before doing a full release to the market. This means at the point beta testing is done, the product’s beta version is nearly complete and close enough to the final product. 

There are many ways to implement beta testing. You may choose to go for an open beta test. In this option, any user can use the beta version; users are given a clear indication that this is a beta test so they know the release is a work-in-progress. 

You may also choose to do a closed beta test. In this scenario, you specifically choose the user that will test the beta version of your product so it would be by invite-only. 

For example, many companies choose a group of users to get early access to the release. This has the advantage that these users know they were chosen specifically to test your product so it helps build close relationships with them as it demonstrates that you value their opinion. This, in turn, will motivate them to provide you with the kind of feedback you need to optimize your product. 

Beta tests are performed through black box techniques, which tests the functionalities of the software. Black box testing mainly focuses on the input and output of software applications. 

Pros and cons of beta testing 

Beta testing has a number of advantages among which includes the collection of valuable feedback, which is usually incorporated into future releases of the product. 

Beta testing represents the first real chance of putting your software in the hand of end-users to see how it behaves in real-world settings. Thus, the main focus of this testing is customer satisfaction. 

This allows you to determine if there are any bugs or performance issues that you may have missed in the previous rounds of testing since the software is released in a less controlled production environment. 

This may also be seen as a disadvantage since you’re testing in production so you would have less control over whatever issues that come up as opposed to previous tests done in staging environments which are easier to control. 

Another downside to beta testing is that it may be time consuming as teams attempt to find the right beta users and maintain their participation throughout the beta test phase. Consequently, this may delay the final release of the software to the market. 

Wrap up 

Beta testing is a great way to generate a large amount of feedback and useful information which could be difficult to obtain in highly controlled lab environments. 

Product teams can also test out their ideas to see how users respond to it before deciding whether to go ahead with a full release and they can, in turn, collect fresh new ideas from the feedback generated so they may be implemented in future releases. 

Most importantly, this type of testing is the final round of testing to ensure that your product is ready for real time users. This way, product failure risk is minimized. 

Therefore, beta testing is an essential part of the software development life cycle to create products with a smooth user experience.

Realme GT Neo 3 Review

Scott Webster
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Up for review today is the realme GT Neo 3 (150W), an unlocked phone packed with an impressive set of upper tier hardware. I’ve had this one for about 10 days now and have been using it as a secondary handset.

This review will evolve over the next few weeks as I get a chance to dig deeper into the experience, but I’m ready to share my early impressions.

I’ve fast fallen in love with the realme brand as each of its phones have incredibly solid build quality with hardware that rivals much more expensive counterparts.

While it seems that the company releases a steady stream of models to market, not all of them are offered globally. Things are increasingly widening for the brand, though, as it looks to take its place as one of the top handset makers in the world.

About the realme GT Neo 3

Similar to cars with ‘GT’ classification, the phone is a sporty looking one with a pair of racing stripes that run vertically through the rear. The white lines look sharp against the blue and definitely catch the eye.

The screen measure 6.7-inches with hole-punch camera in the top center; it has a resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and it’s protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

Under the hood are a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 processor with 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage capacity. This puts it near the top of the line in terms of performance capability. With eight cores (four Cortex-A78 CPU cores at 2.85GHz and four Cortex-A55 CPU cores at 2.0GHz0, it’s more than enough to get work done and leave plenty in the tank for gaming.

Design

My review unit was Nitro Blue but it will also be available in Sprint White and Asphalt Black colors. I’m pretty fond of the look of this one and was pleased to find that the included protective cover was nearly transparent. There are few things sillier than buying a phone with a unique design or finish and subsequently hiding it under a case.

I find the GT Neo 3 to be a smidge thinner in the hand than my main phone, the Google Pixel 6. I appreciate every little millimeter I can get when it comes to one-hand usage. Between that and the barely noticeable overall thinner design, I like the way this feels.

The fingerprint reader is located under the display and feels a little closer to the bottom than other phones I’ve used. This doesn’t change anything, really, but may take some time to get used to for some.

The two stripes run down through the left half of the phone, directly through the center of the camera module. The large main sensor sits at the top with the flash resting neatly between the two other cameras. I like the symmetry here; it feels intentional and thought out.

Software

The realme GT Neo 3 runs an Android 12-based of Realme UI 3 which largely resembles the stock experience. If you’ve used a phone from Google, Motorola, or BLU over the last few years, things will pretty much look the same.

There are enough customization features and “extras” to make the phone experience feel unique to you, but I suspect many users might just take the default settings and run with them.

There were a number of extra apps pre-loaded on my review unit, including Amazon, Booking.com, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Moreover, I noticed a few apps that duplicate some Google titles or might be otherwise be considered “bloatware” by some.

I’ve certainly seen worse offenders here, and I get that some of these partnerships are what helps keep phone prices in line. Still, it’s worth noting that you don’t get a clean OS-only load.

Camera

As far as cameras go, the phone has a 50-megapixel Sony IMX 766 main sensor with optical image stabilization, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and 2-megapixel macro camera. A 16-megapixel camera is located around front.

I wish I could speak more to the results and provide a deeper look here. Truth be told, I just have not had enough spare time over the last week or so. In the few shots I’ve taken around the house and office I’ve been pleased with the images.

Thus far everything I’ve taken has been sharp and detailed, and particularly vibrant. White balance is accurate, especially for daylight shots. Lower light settings don’t seem to be much of an issue for me in these first days. 

There are plenty of modes and options in the app to keep me, and many others, happy. Toggling the various cameras is as easy as is pulling up live filters and switching to video.

Performance

I have a love/hate relationship with getting set up on a new phone. On one hand it’s a pain in the butt to go through and install apps, log into things, adjust my security settings with Google, etc. I’m often selective in what I load in the first days as I am not quite certain as to how much I’ll use the phone as my main device. On the other hand, when I’m ready to settle in, I love starting with a blank canvas of sorts, and customizing the new phone.

I’m still at the stage where not all of my apps and games are loaded on the realme GT Neo 3. Having said that, I have utmost confidence that it’s going to handle the multi-tasking, gaming, and synchronizing of accounts without a problem.

I’m using the global version of the phone with my T-Mobile SIM and find 5G connectivity has been pretty much the same as with my Pixel 6. Speeds in the Akron, OH area are typically around 35Mbps down and 8Mbps up which are easily what I want or need.

Having a high refresh rate is one of those features we’ve lived without for years. We’re only starting to see over the last generation or two and it’s still a thing that’s not truly necessary. If you’re a gamer, though, you want your phone to have that 120Hz (or higher) refresh.

While I could make do with something that’s 90Hz, or even lower, I don’t want to anymore. I’m glad to see the 120Hz stuff here in the select games I’ve installed. Smooth, silky graphics and animations for the win!

Maybe the real kicker for the GT Neo 3 is that it supports UltraDart 150W charging, with a 150W charger included in the box. According to realme, just five minutes on the charger is all it takes to get to 50% battery. Indeed, this is the fastest charging available in a smartphone to date. If you’re concerned about the 4,500mAh battery being smaller than the competition, think about how much less time you’ll spend plugged in.

My global unit doesn’t have the standard plug for the US so I’ve not been able to test the 150W stuff out. With that said, I can attest to the fact that it still only takes a few minutes to see the phone battery make significant movement. I haven’t had to worry about charging because even a 10-minute commute is enough to push me through the rest of a day.

I really like the fingerprint reader on the realme GT Neo 3 as it was easy to set up and very quick to read. Accuracy is quite high and it feels much snappier than what I experience with my Pixel 6.

Parting Thoughts

Priced roughly $550 USD, this is a hell of a lot of phone for the money. It’s got a great color and design and feels great in the hand. The display is plenty big and bright, and graphics and animations look buttery.

I’m really digging the phone so far and think it’s something I’ll be recommending to others. One of the problems we occasionally run into with 5G handsets is that they don’t have the support for US bands. This global model has performed admirably for me with T-Mobile in my home town and general travels and I get 5G connection where I expect.

Performance, as a whole, doesn’t even feel like a thing because I’ve yet to see any stutters, force closing, or hang-ups. The battery is life has been incredible and charging speeds is as advertised.

I like the customization features that the handset allows for, such as opening from the smart sidebar, switching to split screen, quick launching select apps from the lock screen, and edge lighting for notifications.

You can learn more about the realme GT Neo 3 at the phone maker’s website (varies by region) with the ability to purchase in select markets. An 8G+128G variant is offered in India, for instance, with a starting price of INR 36999 (approximately $480 USD); however, it has an 80W charger. The realme GT NEO 3 150W (12G+256G) starts at INR 42999 ($550) in India.

The beginner’s guide to mobile apps as a startup owner

AndroidGuys
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Startup owners are known to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, as startup management can be an overwhelming job for most. Of course, they’re used to the hectic hustle and bustle of business management, but there’s no need to worry about taking in everything at once.

Just as it can be overwhelming to deal with multiple tasks as a new business owner, there are many solutions to help ease the burden. Mobile apps, in particular, are pretty good at helping small business owners make the most out of opportunities.

New business owners have a habit of outsourcing and using cloud services, which means it’s crucial to look into the various mobile apps that can get you started.

Project management apps

One of the more crucial pieces of the puzzle includes project management apps. It helps keep everyone on the same page, and such apps are especially useful for company owners running businesses remotely. One example of a fantastic project management app is Trello, as it’s a relatively intuitive interface that’s easy enough to learn for everyone.

It’s easy to assign due dates, projects, files, and much more using the app. While there are many more project management apps out there, Trello is a great place to start.

Real-time media monitoring

Most savvy business owners know that real-time data management and monitoring is one of the most crucial aspects of running a company. No matter the marketing campaign or the promotional push, real-time media monitoring is vital. There are even services centered around dark web monitoring, which can help keep startup owners up-to-date as well as protected from potential scams.

Real-time data is what helps companies gain an edge over the rest of the competition. Mobile apps with monitoring capabilities are vital, as company owners have to get as much information as possible early into campaigns to ensure they tweak it and make changes while it still matters.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

It comes as no surprise that VPNs are more popular than ever before — not just for business owners but for individuals looking to protect their data online. As a small business owner, you’ll be managing many of your company processes through mobile apps (with any luck). As a result, it’s crucial to keep your data encrypted through VPNs. As far as which one is the best, there are plenty considered to be a great choice. One is ExpressVPN, and another is NordVPN.

Apps for accepting payments

As far as apps for accepting payments go, it can be a little tricky to figure out. For example, apps such as Square are fantastic for new businesses in low-risk industries, but there comes a time when businesses have to expand. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the latest trends with payment apps to ensure you’re making the right decision.

Conclusion

Aside from the different examples above, all you need is a decent messaging app to keep everyone on the same page, and you have a decent list of apps to help keep your new business afloat.

Image by Jo_Johnston from Pixabay

POCO X4 Pro 5G review

Scott Webster
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The smartphone mid-range is a crowded space with no signs of slowing. Whether you’re talking about the United States or the global market as a whole, there is a seemingly endless stream of new and interesting handsets.

POCO, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, is one of those brands which continuously pump out new models with intriguing designs and packages. The X4 Pro 5G, which comes in as low as $330 USD, offers up a fairly robust set of hardware for the money.

The POCOX4 Pro 5G checks a number of boxes for “important” features for a lot of consumer needs. That is to say it has a big screen, generous battery capacity with fast charging, 5G support, and a multiple camera system.

The specifications put it firmly in the middle of the smartphone pack but its price comes in considerably lower than the typical competition. How does it fare? I’ve spent a few weeks using one of these in tandem with a few other models and have some feedback and impressions to share.

Design

The X4 Pro 5G has the look and feel of a more expensive “premium” phone with its slim bezels, flat edges, refractive finish, and thin profile. While it is made from plastic with aluminum framing, it’s more stylish than it sounds on paper. Light moves nicely across the rear it catches the eye, especially in sunlight.

It feels great in the hand; when many phones feel curved and tapered, this one comes across as more crisp and sharp. It’s a nice departure from some of the models I’ve used over the last few years.

Available in three colors (Laser Black, Laser Blue, and POCOYellow), my review unit is technically black but skews more grey and steel. The refraction effect calls to mind spotlights shining in the night sky. I cannot speak of the other colors but this one picks up fingerprints easily but cleans up without fuss.

The IP53 rating protects it against dust and water but it’s not a fully waterproof experience. You may be alright if caught in a sprinkle or splash but you’ll want to keep it away from pools just to be safe.

Pretty much every phone maker has its own take on the multi-camera array and the POCO X4 Pro 5G is no exception. Here, the module takes up a fair amount of space across the top quarter. The main camera is 108-megapixels with 8-megapixel ultra-wide and 2-megapixel macro complimenting the shooter.

The 6.67-inch display looks stunning with its incredibly high brightness and 120Hz refresh rate. The 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution and 20:9 aspect ratio make for a comfortable reading and video experience.

The side-mounted fingerprint reader doubles as the power button. The more I find this with phone makers, the more I come to enjoy it. While I can set my devices to wake on pickup or tapping, more often I push the power button.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the POCO X4 Pro 5G features a 3.5mm headphone jack. Located on the top, I like having one of these available even in 2022.

Specifications

In terms of power, the X4 Pro 5G comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor with at least 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. An 8GB/256GB variant is also offered should one want to bump things up a smidge.

These are mid-range specs for handsets today but they’re certainly far more than what your typical user might need. If you’re considering this model, I suggest opting for the 8GB/256GB edition just for the extra peace of mind and longevity.

The 5,000mAh battery is good for around two days of typical usage. If you charge up your devices while you sleep, you’ll rarely run into a situation where the battery dips to yellow or red ranges.

The POCO X4 Pro 5G supports up to 67W fast charging but it does not allow for wireless charging. This wasn’t much of a concern for me as I have been long accustomed to plugging in once a day with the random top-up in the car.

For what it’s worth, my review unit came with the 67W brick but it’s not compatible with US outlets. I’ve found that a half hour on the charger is all it takes to get the battery from nearly dead to around 75% full. I cannot imagine myself needing more than a commute’s worth of time being plugged in.

Software

Android 11 runs the show but it’s dressed up with MIUI 13 for POCO. This more or less means it sprinkles in extra customizations and capabilities but doesn’t change the appearance all that much from the “stock” Android experience.

Coming from the Pixel line, I appreciate when a phone maker gives me the ability to make the UI feel uniquely mine. There’s plenty on offer here including live wallpapers, themes, lock screen settings, text colors, and more. If you like to tinker without installing extra apps, you’ll dig this stuff.

Things can get a little quirky or feel somewhat out of order, but that’s something I’ve seen in other Chinese phone makers, too.

Having only spent short amounts of time with review units I cannot speak on how well the brand does with software updates. The phones I’ve tested come with current software builds and patches but I don’t think the manufacturer will make any hard commitments on upgrades.

Similar to what we find with US-based BLU, I think there’s a trade-off or unspoken understanding that you get more hardware for your money and take your chances with the long-term software.

Performance

The POCO X4 Pro 5G is an impressive little bundle, delivering on my expectations across the board. I’m not the kind of user to push phones to their limits; I don’t play high-end or graphic intensive games. With that said, the titles I do dabble in performed just fine.

Obviously one doesn’t typically see any speed issues or lag in a new device with this much hardware, at least in the first few weeks. Over time I added new apps and games, slowly introducing accounts and dialing up the demands. I’ve yet to run into anything that signals a weak spot in the area of general performance.

The battery life has been great, often getting me two days at a clip. I’ve become more comfortable with not plugging my phones in over night and the X4 Pro 5G hasn’t changed my habit. I can plug in while having my coffee or breakfast and feel confident that I’ll be just fine over the rest of the day.

There’s no wireless charging here but that’s a non-starter for me. While I own a number of wireless chargers, power banks, and docks, I rarely turn to them. I’m happy to swap out wireless charging for incredibly fast charging. At 67W, I get more than 50% worth of battery in just 15 minutes.

The 108-megapixel main camera is complimented by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide (118-degree) and 2-megapixel macro shooter. There’s pixel binning at play in the main camera so it’s more or less a 12-megapixel snapper.

I found the primary camera captures quite detailed images with a nice balanced exposure. Colors are accurate and often do not require any post processing before sharing to social media.

Low-light scenarios can be a little irksome for the phone and night shots are hit and miss. I don’t take many pictures after sunset but on the occasion that I would, the POCO X4 Pro 5G would be a bit of a gamble.

The ultra-wide and macro lenses are passable, but I’m a little more demanding than my friends and family. Whereas I would sometimes scowl at a photo I had acquaintances who would have no issue sharing the pic online. I’ve certainly seen much worse on social media but I do think the camera experience is generally average. Don’t buy the POCO X4 Pro 5G because the 108-megapixel camera sounds top-tier.

Conclusion

Given the $330 price tag for the 6GB/128GB model, I’m more than happy to recommend the phone for consumers. It’s all of the things that I need in a device and I suspect all your typical user might need, too. It just happens to be priced lower than the competition.

In a time when the Pixel line looks to have completely removed the headphone jack, I’m happy to see it’s present here. I also like the inclusion of NFC, an IR blaster, and the fingerprint reader in the side-mounted power button.

Coupled with a fully customizable UI experience, the POCO X4 Pro 5G feels like something a little different, and dare I say, welcome.

I wish the camera system were a bit better but I’m willing to admit that I’m being a tad critical. The average user may take no issue with what’s at play.

Also, given that the phone is an unlocked global handset, the 5G support may not be true to what you’re currently getting from the US carriers. If you’re content with 4G LTE, or spend most of your time on Wi-Fi, you should be good to go.

Lastly, you may want to consider picking up a new charger with support for up to 67W because the one that comes in the box is not compatible with US power outlets.

I’ve become increasingly interested in lesser known phone makers in the US and am happy to consider alternatives to the bigger names. POCO has intrigued me thus far with some of its models and I look forward to more.

BLUETTI launches Veterans & Military Benefits Program

AndroidGuys
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In May, red poppies will bloom across the country. Memorial Day is slowly approaching, too; It’s a day of remembrance, also a self-reflection time for a more peaceful future. The luxury freedom—family dinner, backyard barbecue, and the like summer activities are what we’re expected to cherish today. While the power outages may mess everything up, BLUETTI launches the Veteran & Military Benefits Program for the upcoming Memorial Day— 10% off the EP500/EP500Pro, AC200MAX bundle, AC200P, EB70S, and EB55 for military personnel, whether they are discharged or in service.

EP500/EP500Pro-Home Backup Makes Perfect Sense.   

(EP500-original price $4,599, sale price $4,399; EP500Pro-original price $5,999, sale price $4,999; )  

Power Outage US reported 1.48million outage hours in 2020, a 73% increase from 2019. The growth has fluctuated yearly, which doesn’t look better in 2022. The EP500/EP500Pro store the same 5,100Wh capacity to keep household essentials running for days. While they’re designed to care for electrical appliances rated below 2000W or 3000W. Once connected to the grid, they will automatically detect power failures and instantly provide backup power for the entire house. Finally, the BLUETTI app allows for remote control and over-the-air(OTA) firmware upgrades.

AC200MAX+B230: All Comes From the Sun.
(original price $3,299, sale price $3,099)

Solar generator, expansion battery, and solar panel—all in one bundle. The BLUETTI AC200MAX is capable of running high-drain appliances that have a rated power lower than 2,200W, and can handle up to 4,800W instant startup power. It’s BLUETTI’s first expandable solar power station and is able to attain a maximum 8,192Wh capacity by hooking up two B300 battery packs(3,072Wh per pack).

AC200MAX takes the utmost 900W solar input and 500W AC input. When charging with solar panels and an AC adapter together, it will get to full capacity within two hours. Set up this solar system in the great outdoors or just for home backup; this bundle will provide as much power as quickly possible. For RV or camping enthusiasts, AC200MAX makes powering car electrical appliances easy with a 30A NEMA TT-30 outlet and 12V/30A Super DC outlet. The BLUETTI app masters everything about AC200MAX at any time from anywhere.

AC200P: Power Anything, Anywhere.

(original price $1,599, sale price $1,499)

AC200P is typical of the BLUETTI style, comprising portability and power capability. “RV trips, camping, fishing, wilderness adventure,… have been trending upward, our portable solar products are designed for literature carrying convenience as well as powerful output.” BLUETTI CPO, James Ray once said. AC200P delivers a maximum of 2,000W continuous AC power (4,800W surge) and is built with a 2,000Wh or 40Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. Such battery cells will remain 80% of their original capacity after 3,500 full cycles and last 6-8 times longer than the alternatives, like Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA).

AC200P also can draw 900W power from solar panels and 500W from the AC power sources. When connected to both at the same time, it will be charged up in less than 2 hours. AC200P is able to power 17 devices at once. Its output options include the classic 100-120V AC outlet, Type-C, USB-A, DC5521, car socket, 12V/25A RV port, and wireless charger on the top; these would cover almost daily electronics. 

EB70S+EB55: Good Things Come in Small Packages.
(EB70S-Original price $599, sale price $549)  

These two BLUETTI portable power stations are small but complete in every detail. They closely resemble each other, except for the battery capacity and output power. The EB70S packs with a 716Wh LiFePO4 battery and 800W AC pure sine wave inverter, while the EB55 with a 537Wh battery and 700W inverter. 

After 2,500 discharges and charges, the EB70S and EB55 will retain approximately 80% of their rated capacity, also thanks to the LiFePO4 battery chemistry. They both feature 12 outlets to charge multiple devices simultaneously. The charging is also similar, supporting dual charging with 200W solar and 200W AC input. The folding handle on top of the unit is advantageous for on-the-go or outdoor getaways.

When and How to Join the Program

The BLUETTI Veteran & Military Benefits Program starts at PDT 7:00 PM on May 26 and will end at the same time on May 31.

Visit the BLUETTI site and start the process by verifying the military or veteran status. The program is for personal use only.

To protect the information security of applicants and validate their eligibility for BLUETTI Veteran & Military Benefits Program, BLUETTI cooperates with the ID.me company to provide secure and simple verification access. The information entered will be only used to confirm the applicant’s military or veteran status.

About BLUETTI

From the very beginning, BLUETTI has tried to stay true to a sustainable future through green energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use while delivering an exceptional eco-friendly experience for everyone and the world. BLUETTI is making its presence in 70+ countries and is trusted by millions of customers across the globe. For more information, please visit BLUETTI online at https://www.bluettipower.com/ or follow BLUETTI on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/bluettiofficial 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluetti_official/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluetti.inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bluetti_inc 

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