Home Blog Page 453

What cloud storage options are available for photos in 2021?

Josiah Ward
-
0

You might have heard the news recently that Google Photos unlimited storage is going away and photos that you store from this point forward will count towards your total Google storage quota (which includes your Gmail and Google Drive data).

Even with that change, you probably still want to store your photos in the cloud. There are plenty of options to choose from but some are better than others.

Here are some options for you to consider for cloud storage, presented in a handy chart.

https://www.idrive.com/%5D
Name App Availability Price Photo Features Benefits
Google One Android
iOS
Windows
On The Web		 15GB – Free
100GB – $2 per month/$20 annually
200GB – $3 per month/$30 annually
2TB – $10 per month/$100 annually
10TB – $100 per month
20TB – $200 per month
30TB – $300 per month		 Easy to Navigate
Organization by subject or location
Easy search
Photo Editing
Sharing
Creation of montages, collages, animations, and more
Photo books		 Works across all Google Apps, including Google Drive
Can be shared with your family
24/7 Support
Can be paid for with your Google Play Balance
Google Play Points towards in-game credits, Google Play credit, or even donations to charities
Up to 40% off at hotels
Cash back at the Google Store, up to 10% for the 2TB plan
A VPN at the 2TB option or higher
Pro Sessions where Google tech support can help you learn more about Google Products if you have the 2TB plan or higher (currently only available in English)
Amazon Photos/
Amazon Drive		 Fire OS
Android
iOS
Windows		 5GB – Free with Amazon Account
Unlimited storage – Free with an Amazon Prime account (Still only 5GB video/file storage)
100GB Video/File – $2 per month
1TB – $7 per month
2TB – $12 per month		 Photo Editing
Merchandise (Hardcopy, merch, and decor)
Image recognition search		 Family Sharing
Document Storage
Dropbox Android
iOS
Windows		 2GB – Free
2TB -$12 per month/$120 per year
Family 2TB (Up to six users – $20 per month/$204 per year		 No specific photo features Sharing
Collaboration with Dropbox Paper
App Integrations
Security features such as password protections
Box Android
iOS
Windows
Mac		 10GB – Free
100GB – $14 per month/$120 per year		 No specific photo features Two factor authentication
aes-256 encrpytion
Admin Console
Integration with Office 365, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Cloud
Mega Android
iOS
Windows
Mac
Linux		 50GB – Free
400GB – $6.09 per month/$60.96 per year
2TB – $12.18 per month/$121.94 per year
8TB – $24.38 per month/$243.89 per year
16TB – $36.57 per month/$365.84 per year		 No specific photo features Easy Sharing
Transfer Center
Open Source
End-to-End Encrypted
Secure Chat
BigMIND Home by
Zoolz		 Android
iOS
Windows
Mac		 1GB – free
100GB – $35.88 per year
Family
500GB – $83.88 per year
1TB – $155.88 per year		 Image Discovery using AI
Smart filters search
Direct video streaming		 Zoolz is a very experienced cloud service provider based on AWS
AES-256 Encryption
pCloud Browser Extension
Android
iOS
Windows
Mac
Linux		 500GB – $47.88 per year/$175 lifetime
2TB – $95.88 per year/$350 lifetime		 Built-in video player
Video Streaming		 Sharing
5 copies of files
AES-256, option for extra encryption
iDrive Photos Android
iOS

Unlimited Photo Backup – $9.95/year

Currently available Promotion – $0.99 cents for the first year

Original resolution uploads

Sharing

Timeline view

Favorites Album

 AES-256 Encryption
Tresorit Android
iOS
Windows
Mac
Linux		 500GB – $12.50 per month/$125.04 a year
2.5TB – $30 per month/$288 per year		 No specific photo features Switzerland-based company
End-to-end encryption
RSA-4096 encryption
Degoo Android
iOS
Web		 100GB – Free (Ad-supported, no zero-knowledge encryption)
500GB – $3 per month
10TB – $10 per month
Also available via
AndroidGuys Deals:
1TB – $50 lifetime
2TB – $60 lifetime
3TB – $70 lifetime
10TB – $100 lifetime
15TB – $130 lifetime
25TB – $200 lifetime
35TB – $250 lifetime
50TB – $300 lifetime
Two 10TB Plans – $160 lifetime

 Photo compression
Direct Video Streaming
AI engine to highlight best photos		 Zero-knowledge storage with end-to-end AES-256 Encryption
Unlimited File Size
Sugarsync Android
iOS
Windows
Mac		 100GB – $7.49 per month
250GB – $9.99 per month
500GB – $18.95 per month		 No specific photo features File Sharing
AES-256 encryption
Easy restoration/rollbacks
Onedrive Android
iOS
Windows		 5GB – Free
100GB – $2 per month
With Microsoft 365
1TB – $7 per month/$70 per year
Family(6TB for up to six people) – $10 per month/$100 per year		 On This Day feature to see past photos
Photo scanning		 Personal vault feature for extra file protection
Two-factor authentication
Verizon
(Carrier-specific)		 Android
iOS
Windows
Mac		 600GB Free with Do More Unlimited or Get More Unlimited or $5.99 per month
2TB – $14.99 per month
Unlimited – $20 per month		 Cloud Storage
Search by Subject
Photo prints and other gifts		 Sharing
AT&T (Carrier-specific) Android
iOS		 500GB – $4.99 per month
2TB – $9.99 per month		 Photo editing Can backup call logs and messages on some devices
Starchive Android
iOS		 Free – 21GB
100GB – $12.50 per month for up to 5 people or $24.50 per month for up to 50 people
Also available via AndroidGuys Deals:
100GB – $30 lifetime
500GB – $70 lifetime
1TB – $72.74 lifetime		 RAW images/Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop files
Collections to group files and search
Tags and custom fields for searching
Import from social media
AI organization and search
In-built file previews		 Sharing
Any types of files
AES-256 Encryption
Custom metadata editing and extraction
4sync Android
iOS
Windows		 1TB – $17 per month/$100 per year
Also available via
AndroidGuys Deals:
1TB – $50 for a year		 No specific photo features Sharing
Koofr Android
iOS
Windows
Mac		 Free – 2GB
100GB – $30 a year
250GB – $59 a year
1TB – $147 a year
2.5TB – $293 a year
10TB – $879 a year
Also available via
AndroidGuys Deals:
100GB – $30 lifetime
250GB – $60 lifetime
1TB – $169.99 lifetime		 No specific photo features Two step verification
Sharing
Support for Facebook or Chrome
Versioning and recovery
Integration with other cloud storage
ElephantDrive Android
iOS
Windows
Mac
Linux		 Also available via
AndroidGuys Deals:
1TB – $38 for two years		 No specific photo features AES-256 Encryption
NAS backup
Sharing
Recovery and restoration

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra after four months — What stands out?

Josiah Ward
-
0

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, as many of you may recall, launched back in January. I picked one up through AT&T as an upgrade and have been using it as my daily driver ever since. In fact, I have fallen in love with it.

Here are some of the things that stand out to me as it pertains to using the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra for an extended period. Suffice it to say, I won’t touch on the general performance as that’s already been found to be a non-starter of a topic. It’s a tremendous device with plenty of power, but some features do rise to the top — at least for me.

The Good

Camera

Probably the most important feature you can find in this device is the camera. Look at the back of the phone and you’ll see four sensors: an 108MP main sensor, two 10MP telephoto lenses, and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. These are backed up with amazing image processing and photo modes such as a portrait mode, a night mode, and a feature called Single Take.

Single Take is possibly the best camera feature I could conceive of. I’ve used it numerous times because it is incredibly useful. Single Take takes a video that is up to 15 seconds in length and processes that video in a variety of ways, including creating sped up videos, wide shots, portraits, and still photos with a variety of filters on them. This is great if you’re on the move and want to capture a beautiful scene or if you’re having a photoshoot with your partner, family or friends and want to capture it all.

  • Picture taken with Normal Camera
  • Picture Taken with Single Take
  • Portrait Mode
  • Portrait Mode 2
  • Portrait Mode 3
  • Picture taken with Normal Camera
  • Picture of A starry night using Night Mode

Software

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra runs on One UI 3.1 based on Android 11 which comes with a variety of thoughtful features that I think makes it wonderful:

Screen Recorder – One UI comes with an inbuilt screen recorder, eliminating the need for a third-party app. The best part is this feature is accessible straight from your quick settings. You can record videos with no sound at all, media sounds, and media + mic input as well as the quality of the video.

  • Galaxy S21 Ultra One UI Screen Recorder Quick Settings
  • Galaxy S21 Ultra One UI Screen Recorder Settings

Share Menu – This is something small, but the share menu on the S21 Ultra is wonderfully designed: When sharing a picture, you’re given a nearby share option or a share as link option, then a listing of your most frequent contacts, your most frequent apps, and then a list of every other available app option, with each of them able to be pinned as a favorite.

Edge Panels – If you’ve used a Samsung device in the past few years, likelihood is you’ve heard of the Edge Panels. A feature from the Note Edge that couldn’t quite be killed, the Edge Panel is a launcher that can be accessed no matter what screen you’re on. There’s a variety of customizable panels that you can get direct from Samsung and some third-party ones from some imaginative developers.

  • Galaxy S21 Ultra One UI Edge Panels
    Edge Panels
  • Galaxy S21 Ultra One UI Available Panels
    Available Panels

Battery Management – Do you ever not use an app for a while and don’t want to remove it from your phone but also know it’s taking up space or resources on your phone? Meet your sleeping apps. After a period of time, the device will temporarily disable that app until you open it again. This does present some issues, such as disabling icon packs, where you only open the app once to apply it and then never again. The issue comes from these disabled apps not getting updates. You can disable this feature if you want or whitelist apps so they don’t sleep.

DeX – DeX is an absolutely amazing experience that has saved me quite a few times during a period when I haven’t had a computer.

Battery Life

The battery life on the S21 Ultra is pretty amazing. I could most definitely have this battery last for a solid day and have relatively no issues leaving it overnight. If I need to charge it, this phone can pull in 25W of charge and can charge within an hour to an hour and a half.

The Not-So-Good

Design

First, I want to talk about all the good aspects of the design of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. It’s pretty, with Gorilla Glass on the front and a plastic panel on the back. Some people might be upset that a premium phone doesn’t have glass on the back, but I quite like the concept that I don’t have to worry about covering the back of the phone in fingerprints or cracking or scratching some random piece of glass that doesn’t matter to the phone.

Now, the kind of eh stuff. First of all, the phone is kind of tall, which is weird to me. This is mitigated with the fact that One UI features the big blank spaces at the top of most interfaces, so you don’t have to worry about reaching the top of the screen, but when you do, you’ll have to shimmy that phone up in your hand.

Secondly, the camera bump. So much camera power comes with a big old camera module which protrudes from the phone. This is probably the majority of the phone’s weight, and it makes it sit weird on a table. Once again, this can be mitigated…with a case. I’ll discuss some of the best cases I’ve come across in the future. You can also get a protector that covers the camera, and these can be sold separately or along with a normal screen protector.

Theming

I think One UI is wonderful but considering Samsung is well-known for its themes, I find Galaxy Themes to be quite lackluster, and this is primarily because of inconsistency in the icons. When you apply an icon theme, most of the stock Galaxy apps are themed and the rest get a mask around them. These icon masks turn me off from using the default One UI launcher because I want icons with a consistent theme no matter who makes them.

Galaxy S21 Ultra Icon Inconsistency

I also don’t like the fact that the themes and Samsung’s Dark Mode are incompatible. By that, I mean if I want to see the full coloration of a theme, I have to turn off dark mode, which makes the majority of apps that base their personal themes on the system theme a blinding white. I wish applying a dark theme had the same effect as dark mode or dark mode was otherwise compatible with the themes. Hopefully this will be fixed as we move into Android 12 which has more native theme support.

Conclusion

Despite some minor issues, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the best phones I’ve ever used and it would be the best Samsung phone I have ever used if it were not for the fact that I prefer the Note line (though who knows if that will be a thing anymore).

AT&T is giving 6 months of Stadia to Wireless and Fiber customers

Jason England
-
0

Since the launch of Google’s cloud gaming platform Stadia, we’ve seen several promos aimed at getting new users to try the service. Now, AT&T is partnering with Google to provide a six-month free trial to the service for its wireless and fiber customers.

There are some restrictions though, as with all promotions. For starters, it is only available to AT&T 5G Wireless customers on an unlimited plan, or to AT&T Fiber subscribers.

The good news is, the promotion is available to new and existing customers. So you won’t have to sign up for a new line just to get your game on. Still, you will have to purchase a 5G phone and add it to your account to get the deal. AT&T Fiber subscribers will need to upgrade to a faster tier or be a new customer to get in on the action as well.

AT&T WIRELESS CUSTOMERS: New and existing customers on eligible unlimited plans2 that add or upgrade to a 5G smartphone.

AT&T FIBER CUSTOMERS: New AT&T Fiber customers, as well as existing AT&T Internet customers who upgrade to AT&T Fiber – 300Mbps, 500Mbps and 1 GIG speed plans.

Just be aware that after the six-month free trial, you will be charged the Stadia Pro subscription fee of $9.99 per month unless you cancel. In the meantime, you can enjoy streaming over 170 different games on the Stadia platform, including hits like Cyberpunk 2077, FIFA 2021, Resident Evil Village, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and many more.

As a Stadia Pro subscriber, you also gain access to a library of free games to claim each month, and you’ll retain access to them as long as you remain a subscriber.

While you can play Stadia with a range of different controllers on your phone or computer, it is best experienced on your TV and with the Stadia controller. Typically, the controller and Chromecast Ultra, used to display it on your TV, will set you back $100. However, for a limited time, AT&T customers who take advantage of this promotion will be able to pick it up for a discounted $19.99.

AT&T’s Fiber and 5G networks are a perfect match for Stadia because with all that bandwidth you’ll be able to stream games in 4K with less lag and stutter. Unfortunately, you’re still going to have to be aware of the data caps. One of the downsides of cloud-based gaming services is that they chew through your bandwidth like crazy.

The best Android phones available at Boost Mobile

AndroidGuys
-
0
The best Android phones available at Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile may no longer belong to Sprint, but that doesn’t mean it’s a completely different company under DISH. In fact, it’s largely business as usual to the average consumer. As is the case with other MVNOs, Boost has its own rate plans, customer service, and phone selection. Here, we’ll dig into the devices offered at Boost.

We’ve gathered up a handful of the best phones you can purchase at Boost Mobile today. In addition to what’s offered through Boost, we always suggest buying an unlocked phone for use with a carrier. The options are plentiful in both directions and you’ll likely get something more powerful.

Best Overall Phone

Samsung Galaxy S23

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is our top pick for the best overall phone at Boost Mobile. It strikes a perfect balance between price and performance, making it a compelling choice for anyone in the market for a top-tier phone that won’t break the bank.

The 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display is a standout feature, with a 120Hz refresh rate for super smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. Powering the phone is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, ensuring a snappy experience for gaming, multitasking, and capturing photos with the upgraded 50MP rear camera and 12MP front camera.

The battery life is impressive, easily lasting a full day for most users. With its sleek design, comfortable grip, and IP68 water resistance, the Galaxy S23 not only looks good but also feels good in hand. For those who value a well-rounded, reliable experience at a competitive price, the Galaxy S23 is definitely a top contender.

Best Entry-Level Phone

Nokia G100

The Nokia G100 is a standout entry-level smartphone in our roundup, proving that you don’t have to break the bank for a quality mobile experience. With its generous 6.52-inch HD+ display and powerful MediaTek Helio G35 processor, this budget-friendly device is perfect for watching videos, playing games, and everyday use.

Its triple-lens rear camera system, featuring a 13MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide lens, and 2MP depth sensor, captures clear and artistic photos. What truly sets the G100 apart is its impressive 5000mAh battery, offering long-lasting power for a full day or even two with moderate usage.

Running on the clean and user-friendly Android 12, the G100 ensures a bloatware-free and up-to-date experience. While it may not compete with high-end flagships, the G100 is a practical and affordable choice for casual users and first-time smartphone owners looking for a reliable phone with great battery life.

Best Overall Value

Motorola Moto G 5G (2023)

The Motorola Moto G 5G (2023) is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a powerful punch. With its Snapdragon 480+ 5G processor, you can expect seamless performance for streaming, downloading, and gaming on the go.

The 6.5-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a smooth and immersive viewing experience. The 48MP main camera, alongside a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor, ensures that you can capture stunning photos in any lighting condition. The 5000mAh battery keeps the phone running all day, even with heavy usage.

Running on nearly stock Android 13, the Moto G 5G offers a clean and bloatware-free user experience with regular updates. For anyone looking to dive into the world of 5G without breaking the bank, the Motorola Moto G 5G (2023) is a solid choice.

Best Folding Phone

Motorola Razr (2023)

This sleek device combines retro vibes with cutting-edge technology, and we’re here for it. First off, the design is a total head-turner. The Razr flips open to reveal a gorgeous, flexible display that’s perfect for multitasking and watching videos on the go. Plus, it’s incredibly compact when folded, making it easy to slip into your pocket or bag.

In terms of performance, the Razr holds its own with a powerful processor and smooth user experience. The camera delivers solid results, and the battery life is respectable.

Sure, it’s not perfect (what phone is?), but the overall package of style, innovation, and functionality earns the Motorola Razr (2023) our top spot for the best folding phone.

Save 40% on highly rated VSDC Video Editor Pro

AG Deals Team
-
0

Video editing is becoming an increasingly common skill among content creators, marketers, and social media influencers. In fact, chances are good that you know a few regular folks who can navigate their way around a video editing tool.

Even if you’re just making short-form videos to post social media, a few simple or quick edits can go a long way to making it interesting. And while there are plenty of tools and software to help you edit and adjust clips, some are better than others.

If you’re like us, you look for reviews and word of mouth referrals to help you pare down the list. So, should a respected outlet like CNET or Digital Trends have glowing words for a tool, you’d be wise to consider it. That is exactly the case with VSDC Video Editor. In fact, it’s also the only video editor recommended by GoPro, too.

VSDC lets users import footage from virtually any device or camera with with support for all the most popular file formats and codecs. You’ll seldom run into compatibility or conversion issues and there’s no discernible loss in quality.

VSDC Pro features a full-service pro editing tool set that includes a whole range of visual effects, filters, blending modes, masking capabilities, adjustable parameter settings, an advanced multi-color chroma key, audio waveform editing, and so much more.

VSDC Pro Features

  • Import from any device & camera without any quality loss – VSDC supports all the popular formats and codecs
  • Enjoy double export speed – even on HD files – thanks to hardware acceleration
  • Get a full, hassle-free editing suite
  • Implement visual effects & filters
  • Process image & video transformation w/ sub-pixel resolution for more precise results
  • Create a real studio look w/ the multiple color chroma key for your video backgrounds
  • Create curved motion paths for video objects or animation & take advantage of adjustable parameter settings

Get Started!

At $49, VSDC Pro is already an incredible value and excellent bang-for-your-buck video editor. But with the current offer in the AG Deals Store, you can get lifetime access to the editor at 40 percent off, only $29.99.

Motorola announces the new Moto G Stylus 5G

Jason England
-
0

Today, Motorola announced a new member to its mid-range lineup of phones, the Moto G Stylus 5G. As the name suggests, it’s a 5G capable phone with a stylus that won’t break the bank starting at $399.99.

Beyond the stylus and 5G radio, the Moto G Stylus has a lot going for it. For starters, it packs a 6.8-inch FHD+ display, so you’re going to have plenty of space to write and draw with the stylus. Plus, it’ll be great for watching movies and viewing photos on.

Speaking of photos, the Moto G Stylus features a quad-camera setup on the back. There’s a 48MP f/1.7 main shooter, a 5MP f/2.2 Macro lens, 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. So no matter if you wanna shoot something up close or far away, the Moto G Stylus has you covered. When it comes time to get your selfie on, there’s also a 16MP f/2.2 front-facing camera.

Thankfully, it also includes 256GB of storage and an expansion slot that supports up to 1TB microSD cards. You won’t have any worries about filling up this phone with all your photos and videos.

Powering the Moto G Stylus is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G and 6GB of RAM, making sure that you’ll be able to multitask like a pro with all that memory. And with a massive 5,000mAh battery, the Moto G Stylus can last for up to two days on a single charge.

Phones with a stylus aren’t that common, but the Moto G Stylus 5G comes with one other thing many phones lack in 2021, a headphone jack. That’s right, you’ll be able to use traditional wired headphones with the Moto G Stylus 5G without the need of a dongle.

The Moto G Stylus will be available for purchase starting June 14, 2021. It can be bought unlocked from several retailers for $399.99, including Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo, Motorola, and Walmart. Later, it will also be available from carriers such as AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cricket, Spectrum Mobile, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and Xfinity Mobile.

T-Mobile Buyer’s Guide

Jason England
-
0

The mobile wireless landscape in the U.S. is controlled by three main companies, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. However, there used to be four major competitors; that was until T-Mobile acquired Sprint for $26 billion in a deal that was finalized in 2020.

Read on to find out more about the self-branded Un-carrier that recently absorbed one of the biggest mobile carriers in the U.S. and find out what plans they offer below.

About

T-Mobile is a mobile wireless carrier operating in the U.S. which currently has the largest 5G network and whose largest shareholder is a German telecommunications company called Deutsche Telekom. It was founded in 1994 and has since grown its position in the U.S. acquiring Metro (now Metro by T-Mobile) and Sprint.

T-Mobile has branded itself as the “Un-carrier” for its outside-the-box thinking when compared to traditional telecom companies. It has tried to set itself apart by offering contract-free pricing, simpler plans, and added benefits.

Some of the Un-carrier moves it has made to date include, Netflix on Us, Taxes and Fees included in your price, unlimited video streaming from top services, a T-Mobile Tuesdays reward program, and more.

Plans

All the prices below are for plans with a single line with AutoPay and the Magenta and Magenta Max plans have taxes and fees included. Keep in mind you can often save money when adding additional lines, sometimes dropping the price to nearly half for each line.

  • $60 – The Essentials plan offers unlimited minutes and texts with 50GB of Premium Data until your connection is throttled.
  • $70 – The Magenta plan offers unlimited minutes and texts with 100GB of Premium Data after which your connection will be throttled. Netflix Basic is included for plans with two lines or more.
  • $85 – The Magenta Max plan offers unlimited minutes, texts, and data no matter how many gigabytes you use. Netflix Basic is included for plans with one line and Netflix Standard for plans with two lines or more.

Can you bring your own device?

T-Mobile is bring your own device friendly, although it offers no guarantees that devices from other carriers will be supported. It does offer a simple way to check if your device is compatible by entering the IMEI number. Need help figuring that out? Here’s an easy way to find your IMEI.

Also, be aware that your phone must support the frequencies T-Mobile’s towers use in order to get service. Some devices may support more frequencies than others and therefore will give better coverage.

If you prefer, you can always buy a device directly from T-Mobile, and then you’re guaranteed that it will function properly on its network.

Where to learn more

Check T-Mobile’s website to learn more about T-Mobile, its history, and all the plans it offers.

How do smartphone cameras work? A look into the lens

Josiah Ward
-
0

Camera phones have changed rapidly over the years since the first camera phone was introduced in 2000 with a 0.35 megapixel sensors. Fast-forward 19 years to the Nokia 9 PureView, a phone with five 12 megapixel sensors.

A year later we see the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, a quad-camera phone with an 108MP main camera and 100 times “Space Zoom”. At the moment, the triple-camera iPhone 12 Pro Max and its three 12MP sensors is the top in smartphone camera performance, with number four being the aforementioned Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.

In the old days it was easier to differentiate between phones and their respective results. But, since everyone moves to their own beat, it’s harder to qualify which is best. With so much jargon to contend with it can even become overwhelming to begin talking about the camera experience.

Why does more megapixels or more sensors not mean better camera performance? What even is a megapixel or an aperture? What else matters when considering a phone? Let’s explore.

Camera Hardware

What is a megapixel?

A megapixel is the amount of information per inch of the photo, which also means that higher megapixel images also mean higher file sizes.

A megapixel literally means one million pixels. For example, a 12-megapixel camera can produce images with 12 million total pixels. That’s a lot of dots, right?

Photos with more megapixels will certainly have more detail, but they also come with a larger file size. This can take longer to process or share, and it could eat up your phone’s storage rather quickly.

What is aperture?

Aperture is an opening in your camera lens that allows light to pass through, affecting the brightness of the photo as well as the depth of field.

Aperture is measured in fractions known as f-stops, with a value of f/4 representing a larger aperture than f/16. For reference, the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s cameras ranging between f/2.4 and f/1.6 apertures.

Types of lenses

If you’re looking to buy a modern smartphone with multiple lenses, you’ll probably encounter three types of lenses:

  • a telephoto lens with a very large focal length(the distance at which a clear photo can still be formed)
  • an ultra-wide lens with a small focal length
  • a wide lens that falls in between these two focal ranges

A telephoto lens stacks elements vertically to increase magnification, a step further being the use of periscope cameras, which use angled mirrors to increase magnification while helping to keep the camera system flat in the phone body.

Somewhere in the middle: Acronym Avenue

OIS, EIS, HDR, PDAF, Laser AF. These are all acronyms you might see when you’re buying a phone and reading about their cameras, and it’s very likely that just like me, these acronyms mean absolutely nothing to you. So let’s learn together.

Image Stabilization: OIS vs EIS

If you’re like me and can’t hold your phone still when taking a picture and are then surprised when your picture isn’t a blurry mess, you have image stabilization to thank for this. Image stabilization can be accomplished one of two ways, optically or electronically.

Optical Image Stabilization

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is a solution baked into the hardware of the camera and works rather simply: a gyroscope in the camera detects movements and shifts the camera in the opposite direction of the movement.

Electronic Image Stabilization

Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) is a software solution that makes use of your phone’s accelerometer to detect movements and in modern times, tries to keep the camera’s focus on a specific point while processing the image. One notable example is the “Super Steady” mode on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

These two methods can be and are often combined to produce the most stable image possible, with this being called Hybrid Image Stabilization.

Autofocus: Lasers and Phase(rs)

Autofocusing on your camera is a method of adjusting the lens in your camera to produce a sharp image, and there’s two different methods that are used fairly commonly today, and both can make your photos focused AF.

Laser Autofocus

You might think of lasers as the exclusive property of evil villains, but in Laser Autofocus (Laser AF), this is actually something helpful. Essentially, an infrared light is built into your camera system. When taking a picture, infrared light will be emitted and the time it takes for the beam to return from your subject will be used to calculate your distance from the subject, and the lens is adjusted accordingly. This is beneficial because it works in any lighting conditions and very quickly.

Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)

Phase Detection? While you may think this has something to do with a parent analyzing your Hot Topic receipts, this article is still about cameras. Phase Detection Autofocus is a method that analyzes light at two different apertures at different sides of the lens and adjusts the lens until those two beams of light align onto the sensor.

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Vivo XL5 Standard vs HDR Camera
Vivo XL5 (Standard, HDR)

High Dynamic Range on smartphones is accomplished through combining multiple photos (either through multiple sensors taking a picture of the same thing or through a rapid burst of photos at once). The combination of these photos produces the most balanced lighting in a photo.

Zoom

Samsung Galaxy Note8 Camera Zoom

No, no, come back, it’s not time for a video conference. Remember, cameras. When you zoom in a photo, you’re essentially trying to reduce the focal length of a photo. However, where traditional cameras have lenses that can retract or extend to accomplish optical zoom (decreasing the focal length by getting physically closer to the subject), smartphones would be slightly less portable if they did the same.

One trick smartphones use to increase magnification optically is the periscope lens mentioned above, which aligns mirrors vertically.

Other than that, smartphones resort to digital zoom, which is the same method that you use when you zoom in on a picture in your gallery. It just decreases the visible area of the photo so the subject appears closer.

Camera Software

While all of this is important, there’s probably one question you have in mind. How does a phone with four 12MP cameras become the best smartphone camera in a world of 108MP cameras. The answer: software.

Once your sensors give your phone the image, it has to be processed by your camera software, and this processing is done by your ISP. No, no, not those people who overcharge you for absolutely terrible internet speeds. Your Image Signal Processor. The ISP uses AI to fix up the image with color correction, reduction of light pollution, etc. as well as compressing the photo so it’s easier to store or share. The final image is then spit out into your gallery

Portrait Mode

Essential Phone PH-1 Portrait Mode
Shot of my collie using Portrait mode.

Portrait mode is a camera feature that has become very popular recently that produces beautiful portraits. This is accomplished by your smartphone detecting the foreground and the background and blurring out the background so the subject appears sharper and more in focus.

Third-party Apps

Your final question might be why no matter how great your smartphone camera is, your pictures or videos look like hot garbage in apps such as Snapchat or TikTok. This mostly results from the fact that developing a camera app that works across phones, camera types, and operating system versions.

To solve this problem, developers have resorted to a fairly simple and universal method: they access your camera and take a screenshot of the camera output.

Google and Samsung are making steps towards giving third-party developers access to camera software through the Android CameraX library, and that’s why the Samsung Galaxy S21 camera looks a lot better in Snapchat than Galaxy phones of the past. Hopefully more manufacturers will enable this support and people who use iPhones will stop making fun of us Android users for sending them bad photos.

Epos GTW 270 Gaming Earbuds review

Luke Gaul
-
0

Competitive gaming is all about making the most of each moment. Be it touch response times, incredibly fast internet speeds, or top-notch hardware, every facet matters.

Bluetooth audio, no matter how good, often falls slightly short of the needs of the competitive gamer. Epos strives to address, if not change, that with its Hybrid GTW 270 Earbuds.

The GTW 270 feature the ability to connect via Bluetooth on its own or paired with a small USB-C dongle. The result is a sleek yet robust earbud that provides a clear and quick connection no matter what device you are currently using.

Test Drive posts are our way of sharing immediate impressions and early reactions to products, apps, and services. Not to be construed as a full review, these are first-blush looks at things we think you’d enjoy.

Features

  • Hybrid audio connection for simultaneous console and bluetooth use
  • Custom design ear tip for closed connection and sound isolation.
  • Single button for answer/hangup, play/pause and skipping tracks.
  • Solid design featuring metal accents and case for peace of mind on the go

Early Impressions

We’re no stranger to wireless earbuds so when these came across the desk I was skeptical. That all faded when I opened the package and started using the earbuds.

I found the build quality of the GTW 270’s to be nothing short of amazing. The metal charging and storage case, while slightly larger than I hoped, is sturdy. There is a nice logo stenciled on the top of the case; the lid’s opening and closing is aided by magnets so it won’t just open up in your bag or pocket.

There is a button on the outside of the case that you can press to see the current charge level via five LED dots. This is a small thing to some, but five lights always feels better to me than four. I can get a better idea of the level of charge with ranges of ~20% instead of ~25%.

The earbuds themselves are just as nice when it comes to build quality. Multiple tips are included in the box and allow for fit for all ear sizes. Each earbud features one single button for controls which is a nice change from having multiple touch control points.

The sound quality matches the design, too as the GTW 270’s are full and balanced. While gaming you have clarity in things such as footsteps from sneaking around, explosions and gunfire, and more, all without the need to adjust settings during gameplay. Find the volume level you like and you’re good to go.

The biggest surprise to me was the aptX USB-C dongle. which gives it a true plug-and-play solution that automatically connects and just works. It works even on the Nintendo Switch, a device that hasn’t always been easy to work with third-party solutions for wireless audio and mobile chatting.

The GTW 270s feature super low latency with the clarity and richness of sound that comes with high-end wireless earbuds. And while the latter is nice for music and daily usage, the former is invaluable when gaming. There’s no audio lag that that confuses listeners by delivering sound a fraction of a second too late.

Where to Buy

The Epos Hybrid GTW 270 are available to purchase through EPOS or Amazon for $199.

Mophie’s Snap system adds MagSafe charging to Android phones

Jason England
-
0

One of the most frustrating things about wireless charging is sliding your phone around to ensure it hits the sweet spot. As convenient as wireless charging tries to be, this little game you play each time you want to charge up is exasperating.

Apple came up with a solution in the form of MagSafe on its iPhone 12 models, but what about all of us Android users? Well, popular mobile accessories maker Mophie has a new lineup of chargers and mounts to help us out.

The Mophie Snap line includes vent mounts, power banks, chargers, and phone stands compatible with any Qi-enabled smartphone, such as select Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. The ingenious part of the “snap” products is the magnetic ring which is included that adheres to the back of your phone. This enables the Mophie mount to line up perfectly every time you place the phone on the charger and it even works through thin cases.

Car mounts

First up are the mounts. The Mophie Snap Vent Mount will hold your phone in place while driving and set you back $29.95. There is also a Snap+ Wireless Vent Mount for $49.95 that delivers up to 15W of wireless charging power.

Chargers & Power banks

Next up, are the chargers, no longer will you have to fiddle with lining up your phone perfectly on a puck or wake up to a drained battery because you missed the sweet spot. The Snap+ Wireless Charger provides up to 7.5W to iPhones and up to 15W of charging power to compatible Android smartphones for a price of $34.95.

When you’re on the go, the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini will keep your phone juiced up with a slim 5,000mAh battery that delivers up to 12W of wireless charging power. It can be purchased for $49.95.

Stands

The Snap+ Wireless Stand from Mophie will hold your phone in landscape or portrait while charging and allow you to continue using it for calls or watching videos. It delivers up to 7.5W of power to iPhones, and up to 15W to compatible Android phones. You can pick it up from Mophie during the summer or fall for $59.95.

The Snap+ Powerstation Stand is the mobile counterpart with a built-in 10,000mAh battery, offering the same great stand and making it easy to charge up on the go. It will charge iPhones with up to 7.5W of power and up to 10W with Qi-compatible Android smartphones. Additionally, it can be used to deliver up to 20W over USB-C if you’re in a rush. It can be purchased later this summer or fall from Mophie for $69.95.

Snap adapters

Once you get into the Snap ecosystem, you might find yourself upgrading or changing phones. Whatever the case, rest assured that you’ll be able to pick up new adapters with a two-pack from Mophie for $19.95. So, no worries if you break your phone or change phone cases, you’ll still be able to utilize all your mounts, chargers, or stands.

1...452453454...1,315Page 453 of 1,315