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Keep an extra eye on your home with link-U (review)

AndroidGuys
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Webcams are nothing new in the world of tech. Heck, webcams that run off of mobile data are not new either. The truth is, cameras are a tough market to get into with lots of competition at great prices. link-U has sent us one of its 4G Hybrid Connection Smart Cameras to help show what sets them apart from some of the competition.

Setup

The setup for the link-U is incredibly simple. Starting off it is powered by POE (Power Over Ethernet) which means that the only cable you need is an ethernet cable. It comes with a POE injector in case you don’t have a $200 POE router sitting around. Once plugged in, you can install the link-U app and setup an account. Account setup is simple, all it needs is a name, email address, and password to get you going.

Once you get logged into the app, the next step is to sync your camera with your account. If your camera is already on the network, then the app should find it without any issues. If it is not, there is a QR code on the back that you can scan to sync up the camera with your app.

The Good

The link-U camera brings one major thing to the table, the ability to use a 4G LTE sim card to stream your HD camera videos to your mobile device, wherever you might be. The camera also houses an 8-hour battery so that it can function during a power outage without any issues, giving you peace of mind no matter how far away from home you might be.

The HD camera takes a great picture and streams a very clear picture, making it perfect for surveying any location you choose. The HD picture looks great whether you are connected to the internal network or over 4G on your smart device.

The app gives you the ability to customize the triggers for when you want recordings to take place and how long to record after a trigger occurs. The recordings can be found in a somewhat confusing calendar button that takes you to a search screen.

The final nice addition of this device is a built-in Bluetooth radio which allows you to control other smart devices from your phone. Within the app, you can allow the camera to be a hub for some other smart devices.

The Bad

The first thing I want to bring up here is the app. As an Android site first and foremost, I want to address the app that is associated with this camera. I cannot speak to the iPhone app, but the version for Android is simplistic and basic. The simple blue background with a list of cameras is not what I would expect to see for an app that is associated with a $300 webcam.

While there is 4G capability, the handoff between the two is not what I would expect. In my testing, it could take up to a full minute for the camera to become available again. I, again, would expect the experience to be superior to this for a camera in this price range.

Conclusion

While the link-U bring brings 4G LTE to the security camera game, I’m not completely convinced this camera is a must have. The hardware included in the package is good quality and the premise of the camera is a great idea, my issue is with the execution of some aspects of the software package. If you were pressed to get a webcam at this price point I would say to give this one a pass.

If you’re interested in purchasing the link-U with LTE, you can find it here. Additionally, link-U offers the camera without LTE and other accessories like smart lights, plugs, and more. You can find them all here.

Google Allo desktop version is coming in the few weeks

Alexandra Arici
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Ever since Google launched the Allo messaging app last year, users have been requesting a desktop/web version.

The company teased the desktop chat client earlier this year, without revealing an expected release date. But now it seems we’re nearing its release.

Head of Product for Google Allo and Duo, Amit Fulay replied to a user on Twitter who was inquiring about the web version’s release, saying we should expect to see the Allo for desktop arrive in a few weeks.

Back in May, Google’s vice president of communications, Nick Fox said the Google Allo desktop client was a month or two from public release. So in order to meet its self-imposed deadline, Google should launch the web version until the end of this month.

Allo launched back in September 2016, missing a lot of features considered essential by messaging app users. Fortunately, Google has been pushing updates in order to add more functionalities to the chat client.

Most recently, the app gained the option of imitating Duo calls, as well as a backup/restore and incognito modes.

When it arrives, the Allo web client is probably going to work in similar fashion to WhatsApp by asking users to scan a QR code or enter a text code in order to pair their devices to the web app.

This is the Moto G5S Plus – Motorola’s first special edition phone

Alexandra Arici
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Motorola unveiled the Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus back at MWC 2017 back in February. Fast forward to the present and the company is gearing up to announce special editions of the two handsets.

Reporting for VentureBeat, reliable leakster @evleaks revealed an official promo shot of the previously leaked Moto G5S Plus, which might be introduced along the Moto Z2 Force and Moto X4 during the July 25 event scheduled to take place in New York City.

The Moto G5S Plus is said to make a debut with slight upgrades over the Moto G5 Plus. For starters, it’s going to feature a larger 5.5-inch display (the Moto G5 Plus has a 5.2-inch screen), but will retain the same fullHD resolution (1920 x 1080).

Previously leaked press render of Moto G5S Plus

The Moto G5S Plus is also poised to come with a superior build. Unlike the Moto G5 Plus which comes with a plastic frame and a sheet of thin metal plastered on top, the Moto G5S Plus should come with an anodized aluminum one.

But the biggest difference is to be found in the camera department, as the Moto G5S Plus is expected to feature a dual camera on the back. We’re told the setup will include two 13-megapixel sensors (one for color, one monochrome), while the selfie shooter has been bumped up from 5-megapixels to 8-megapixels.

As for internals, they haven’t changed since the Moto G5 Plus, so expect to the Moto G5 Plus to carry the same Snapdragon 625, 4GB of RAM ad 64GB of built-in storage.

It’s indeed very possible that Motorola will be hosting a “dual camera” event on July 25, as all expected phones – the Moto G5S Plus, Moto X4 and Moto Z2 Force – should arrive with dual cameras onboard.

SHIELDON Galaxy S8 Genuine Leather Wallet Case Review

Dan Bartram
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The Samsung Galaxy S8 has been out for a few months now and that means there has been plenty of time to test our some cases for the device to see what offers the best balance of practicality against aesthetics.

SHIELDON have released a case format that is often very popular with those who don’t necessary want to carry separate items to house both your smartphone and bank cards. The Galaxy S8 wallet case is perfect for those who want their bank cards close at hand with their device.

Made from genuine cowhide leather which is imported from the U.S, the case can hold up to 2 cards and also cash. Not only that but with magnets to keep the case secure, there’s also a kickstand to prop up your Galaxy S8 when you want to watch some videos.

The SHIELDON Galaxy S8 Genuine Leather Wallet Case – SAMSUNG S8 Case Details:

  • – Handcrafted from premium leather. Leather has stood the test of time as one of the most durable and reliable crafting materials known to man
  • – The stitching is bold and reliable, creating a case that won’t fray or pull apart over time
  • – Featuring multiple slots for cards and cash. Carrying around your ID, credit and debit cards, and cash without having to take your wallet with you
  • – Full degree of protection: Covers all four corners and includes raised edges and keeps the screen from scratching or touching the ground
  • – Convenient kickstand lets you watch videos or browse the web without having to hold your phone
  • – Full access to ports and control allows quick and easy access to all buttons and port openings.

The case is extremely well made and feels very high quality. It fits the Galaxy S8 well and provides access to all the important ports as you would expect. The case offers good protection to the device and would offer basic protection to the sides and rear of the device. The magnets help keep the front cover secure and offers good protection to the screen.

The kickstand feature is very useful but I found the case quite stiff to position in place to a point where the weight of the Galaxy S8 would just collapse the case. I’m sure with continued use this would become more flexible and easier to position.

The packing of the case, although not directly related to the performance of the case, was extremely well presented. The case is shipped in a nice bag with very satisfying packaging that looks fantastic and represents the high quality nature of the product.

While the case offers the facility to combine your wallet with your phone case, it does obviously add bulk that may not necessarily be desirable to those that like a minimalist design. However, for maximum efficiency, it doesn’t get much better than the SHIELDON Galaxy S8 Genuine Leather Wallet Case. It’s worth noting that this will only fit the regular Galaxy S8, not the S8+.

If you want to get your hands on the SHIELDON Galaxy S8 Genuine Leather Wallet Case then head on over here to pick one up. Better yet, there’s a special 10% discount for AndroidGuys readers’ using the code SDCODE10.

Gear Up: IFROGZ latest wireless earbuds are great summer workout accessories

AndroidGuys
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If you’re in the market for a new set of wireless earphones, you may want to consider checking out the new releases from IFROGZ. Announced just last month, both the InTone Wireless earbuds and the Impulse Duo Wireless earbuds offer great value for the money.

The pair share a number of traits together, including the general design and functionality. They both offer up 10 hours of battery life on a full charge; the included microUSB cord juices them back up in next to no time. We found that each can be fully charged in around an hour or less. Battery life varies depending on how loud you like your music, but 10 hours seems to be a reasonable claim.

Intone

Impulse Duo

Although they are wireless, the earbuds do connect to the middle component. It’s here where you’ll find the mic and remote buttons. Each button serves two purposes, one of which is enabled by a quick press and the other which comes by long pressing. Listeners can pause, play, advance and back up tracks, and control volume. The magnetic storage clip ensures that the unit doesn’t slip from your shirt collar or sleeve.

Both models are sweat resistant and come with an IPX-2 rating; this means it will withstand dripping water or sweat from a vigorous run/workout.

There are a couple of reasons, however, you may want to make the jump from the InTone to the Impulse Duo. For about fifteen more bucks you end up with a more premium sound and personalized fit. The latter comes with three sizes of ear tips, giving you a more comfortable overall fit. What’s more, the Impulse Duo is also backed by the Earbud Tips for Life warranty. Should your earbuds get worn down or damaged, IFROGZ will replace them at no cost.

We’ve been a fan of IFROGZ and its parent company ZAGG for some time now and always look forward to testing out new models. If you’re looking for an affordable pair of wireless headphones to help train for a half marathon or just need something to listen to music while playing Pokemon Go, either of these will do the trick.

How to SIM unlock the LG V20

Matt Adams
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The LG V20 is one of the best phones of the last 12 months and if you’re in the market for a used phone, it’s a fantastic option. Actually, with the deep price discounts, it’s still a great option to walk into a carrier store and buy new.

But, we’re all about choice here at AndroidGuys. We want to use the phone we want on the network we want when we want to. That’s not possible with locked down phones. Additionally, if you travel to another country, you’d need to buy both a local SIM card and a new phone in that country since your LG V20 is locked to your current carrier. Let’s avoid all that expense and just SIM unlock our current V20, shall we?

To get your phone unlocked, you have two options.

First off, you can go through your carrier. If you bought your phone from a carrier and your account is in good standing, your device is paid off, and you’ve had the device on your account for a set number of days (varies by carrier) then you can request an unlock code.

If you’re like most Americans and you bought your LG V20 on a payment plan or a two-year contract through your carrier, you probably will not qualify for that at this point since it’s unlikely your phone is paid off or the contract term is up. If you don’t meet the requirements or you’re trying to unlock a used or “new to you” phone, you’ll need to go through a third-party unlocking service like Android SIM Unlock.

So, how exactly do you get your phone unlocked? Here are the steps we’ll need to take for both methods.

Get your IMEI Number

Before you do anything else, you need your IMEI number. IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identifier and it’s the unique code for every device to identify it to carriers for access on their networks. Here’s how you get your IMEI number:

  1. Open the phone application
  2. Dial *#06#
  3. Your phone’s IMEI will pop up on the display
  4. Write it down in a document on your computer or a piece of paper nearby

Unlocking

Free unlocking

Earlier in the article, we talked about the requirements to get your free SIM unlock. If you’re unsure if you qualify, give your carrier a call and ask. The worst they can tell you is no and all you’ve lost is time. If you do qualify, wonderful! Here are the steps to unlocking your device with an unlock code provided by your carrier:

  1. Call your carrier customer service (normally you just dial 611 and hit send!)
  2. Request an unlock code
  3. Provide the IMEI number you wrote down earlier
  4. Your unlock code will be sent to you and should arrive within 5 days
  5. Replace the SIM card in your phone with one from another carrier
  6. Enter the unlock code when the prompt comes up

When you get your unlock code, grab a piece of paper and write it down. While these steps are easy, you don’t want to be left trying to pull that information out of a document you have saved in the cloud when you have no service and no WiFi connections. Just do it the old fashion way.

Paid unlocking

If you don’t qualify for a free SIM unlock from your carrier, you still have options! You can buy a cheap unlock code from a third-party unlocker like Android SIM Unlock. This method will work for carriers besides T-Mobile and MetroPCS, so if you have service through them, we’ll have special instructions below for you.

  1. Visit Android SIM Unlock or a similar unlocking site and enter the IMEI you wrote down earlier
  2. Complete the checkout process
  3. Your unlock code will arrive in your email in about an hour, but most of the time sooner than that
  4. Put a SIM card from another carrier in your LG V20
  5. Enter the unlock code in the prompt that appears on screen

T-Mobile and MetroPCS Unlocking Process

T-Mobile and MetroPCS, as we mentioned above, has its own unlocking app. Even if you don’t qualify for a free unlock, you can still unlock your device using the T-Mobile or MetroPCS Device unlock apps. Here’s how you’ll go about it:

  1. Visit Android SIM Unlock or a similar service and select the T-Mobile Device Unlock or MetroPCS Device Unlock option
  2. Enter your IMEI number
  3. Complete the checkout process
  4. You’ll receive your unlock confirmation email in 1 – 3 days
  5. Open the T-Mobile Device Unlock or MetroPCS Device unlock app
  6. Press Continue, then Permanent Unlock
  7. The unlock process will run and reboot your phone when it’s done

The process for T-Mobile isn’t any more complicated than other carriers, it’s just a bit slower.

It’s as easy as that. Enjoy your new (or used) LG V20 on any network you please.

The best Android phones at Verizon (July 2017)

AndroidGuys
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We’re asked on a regular basis to help determine which phone is the best one available. We get it as a team here at AndroidGuys, but we also field it on an individual level, too. To help address that, we’ve put together a list of top models to choose from at various carriers.

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone from Verizon, this is where you’ll want to start. Note that while this is called the “best Android phones” you can purchase this month, it’s worth noting there are plenty of other models to choose from.

See Also:

Best is not a universal term to apply to all consumers. Some of you might have a limited budget; some of you may only have very modest needs. To that end, we suggest digging around a little bit and checking with the service provider.

Also, keep in mind that you can purchase your own phone from another outlet which can work with Verizon. Take, for instance, the Google Pixel, which can be bought at a variety of outlets. The unlocked handset can be paired with pretty much any major carrier.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best phones you can purchase this month from Verizon.

Motorola Moto Z2 Play

The newest Motorola smartphone on the market, the Moto Z2 Play, is a second-generation device with modular capabilities. Indeed, it features support for the Moto Mods that have been on the market for the better part of a year.  The modules, including the mophie Juice Pack, JBL SoundBoost Speaker, and others, add a whole extra layer of functionality to the handset.

Like its predecessor, the Z Play/ Z Play Droid, this one isn’t so much about its performance and prowess as it is about value. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better experience at this price, especially from a key smartphone brand.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 (2.2GHz) processor, the phone runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat, and comes in Lunar Gray and Fine Gold. Internally, the Z2 Play offers up 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, and microSD support for up to 2TB of extra space.

Other specifications include a 5.5-inch display and a 3,000mAh battery with TurboPower quick charging. In terms of cameras, you’ll find a 12-megapixel rear camera and a wide-angle, 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The Moto Z2 Play is water-repellent and includes a fingerprint reader for security and applications.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Now in its eighth iteration, the Samsung Galaxy S series is better than ever. It’s not only more powerful and sleek, but it’s bigger, too. Indeed, the Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch screen while the S8 Plus packs a massive 6.2-inch display. Not that you’d notice, though, as they 18.5:9 aspect ratio makes it much more comfortable in hand than predecessors.

Samsung has opted for the curved screen on both versions of the phone which signals the company may have done away with the “Edge” variants of devices. Time will tell, however, but we suspect this could be the norm for its flagship phones going forward.

Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus feature Samsung’s custom UI. Making its debut in the new generation is Bixby, Samsung’s new virtual assistant. As you might expect, it allows for voice commands and marries itself nicely with other Samsung apps and features. It’s not fully available for the US market just yet (Spring 2017), but, once it rolls out, it will give Samsung users one more reason to stay inside of its ecosystem. Apple has Siri, Google has Assistant, and Samsung has Bixby.

Key hardware in the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. Camera, which are better than ever, are 12-megapixels around back with an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter. Battery capacity for the S8 is 3,000mAh while the S8 Plus gets a 3,500mAh power supply.

The S8 line is IP68 rated against water and dust and is available in a variety of colors. New for this generation of Galaxy S phones is the Samsung DeX dock which essentially lets use use your phone to power a desktop computer. As you might expect, the S8 is compatible with the new Gear VR headset, too.

LG G6

Whereas last year saw LG diverge from its flagship experience with its modular approach to the G5, this year sees them returning to form. Quite literally, really, as the G6 goes back to what made the LG line what it is. For 2017, LG has put together one of the best phones on the market, internally, and externally.

The LG G6 offers up a 5.7-inch Quad HD LCD display with a unique 18:9 aspect ratio; this lends itself to a thin, yet spacious screen that’s a pleasure to behold. Under the hood we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor bolstered by 4GB RAM and plenty of storage space. In fact, the microSD card slot allows for up to 2TB of media, apps, and files.

In terms of cameras, the G6 has a dual 13-megapixel setup around back and a 5-megapixel shooter around front. Other specifications include an IP68 rating against water and dust, a capacious 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging capability.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge

Although they are a year old now, these are certainly worth considering in 2017. The price has dropped on them over time, but the specs are still more than enough to get the job done for most users. The hardware and software industry moves quicker than the needs of the average consumer. There’s nothing wrong with saving a few bucks on these flagships.

Now powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S7 family draws strength from Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors with 4GB of memory. The standard bearer has a 5.1-inch display at 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution while the Edge model is slightly larger at 5.5-inches.

The Galaxy S7 employs a 3,000mAh battery while the bigger model squeezes in a 3,600mAh power supply. Both feature support for fast wireless charging. Offered in multiple colors, the phones are also IP68 rated for protection against water and dust.

LG V20

The LG V20 might be nearing its anniversary, but it’s still everything you need to blast through a work day with plenty left over for down time. The hardware is right in line with the needs of most and the price is equally attractive.

Running the latest version of Android (7.0 Nougat), the V20 is a multimedia fan’s dream experience. The main display is 5.7-inches of high-resolution gorgeousness but the secondary display at the top is every bit as useful. Although it’s smaller and only occupies a small section, it’s right where you’ll look for notifications and shortcuts. Music sounds tremendous thanks to the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC.

Other key hardware includes 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Need more space? Throw in a microSD card up to 2TB and you’ll have all the room you can hope for, plus some.

As for cameras, the LG V20 comes with a 16-megapixel rear unit and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies. Rounding things out, the V20 packs a 3,200mAh battery which is more than enough to get you through a busy day.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL

The only phones offered through Verizon with a “stock” version of Android, the Pixel and Pixel XL are Google’s flagship phones. Gone are the Nexus models of yesterday and in its place is the Pixel line. At least that’s how it looks to be for now.

As the first phones to offer Google Assistant out of the box, they’re smarter than your average Android handset. Voice commands, searching, and other software touches are available here that you won’t get in many other devices.

The pair of phones are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB RAM and storage capacities of 32GB and 128GB. The 12.3-megapixel rear camera is the best experience you’ll get from a mobile phone, period.

The Pixel comes with a 5.0-inch display and a 2,770mAh battery while the Pixel XL offers up a 5.5-inch screen and a much larger, 3,450mAh power source. Both phones are sold in Very Silver, Really Blue, and Quite Black and include lightning quick USB Type-C charging. VR lovers will be drawn to the Daydream View compatibility.

 

Chaos Chronicle (review)

AndroidGuys
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Chaos Chronicle is made by NEXON, the creators of.. wait, DomiNations? and 44 other games?  Whaaaa- okay NEXON, that is a good start.

Permissions-wise, it only asks for storage – and needs 580MB, so that’s quite a bit.

Let’s get into it!

After installing the base app, you need to download extra files, which brings it to the lovely 580MB file size. Then the game actually begins, with a good ol’ tutorial.

So, the tutorial! its simple really- you pretty much time pressing each person’s ability icon and time the second press right (depending on the skill.) In other words, super simple. Then you get to pick your character out of…

I went for the mage since being insanely ‘broken’ is fun… right? Anyway, then you get to pick your house, AKA team name. It cant have spaces, or symbols, and has to be less than 8 characters – so quite restrictive. But in the process of learning, I tried:

So began the story of house ‘swears’ as its struggle of name creation was left behind them.

Once that’s over, you are greeted with a mess of a home screen as you are taught how everything works. Fairly standard – you have your hero editing and leveling menu, some form of social and guild system, as well as all sorts of offers and mission tabs. The shop lets you buy currencies (more on them later) and “hero contracts” which let you recruit new members.

Buttons, lots of them.

The main one you’ll be hitting is “stage,” which greets you with this screen

I wonder who will win between a team of humans and something that looks like it’s from the Transformers universe…

There are 18 levels, with 12 stages each. 216 Stages? Sure! Plenty to do, and they give good rewards. There’s also a plot – from what I can work out, you (and your team) stumble across a large issue after getting a core off a giant golem.

There are also different types of skills. Normal ones are tap-to-activate, Ones with a red icon next to the character need two taps- one to start a reticle moving, the second to use the ability. Blue icons require you to hold your finger on the icon to charge it when you see an “OK!” You can fire for maximum damage, or before then for less power.

In-App Purchases!

Well, there is a lot to go through here, so I’ll get into it:

  • Two starter packs – one costs £3.79, the other £26.49. of courses, the second one gives much more.
  • A “Grow your house” pack for £26.49. it’s designed to give you a variety of rewards to help in the early days.
  • A quick £0.89 pack that can be bought once.
  • A £7.99 pack that gives you rubies(the premium currency) every day for 30 days.
  • A variety of ruby packs priced from £2.69 to £84.99
  • A variety of premium packs (Gold, Rubies and Hero contracts) priced from £8.99 to £89.99.

Now that’s a lot of buyable things.

Conclusion

Well, I can’t say much about a game genre I don’t often play – but from what I can work out, it’s not too bad. Nexon has a good portfolio which does help them, and it is a stable product. Who knows, I might keep it!

And remember the first wall of these sort of games – The mage classes are absurdly strong.

Nature, Nordic craftsmanship, and technology meet in Lastu case (Review)

Gerson Noboa
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Like it or not, if you want to have a phone in mint condition months after purchase, a case is almost a necessity. With phones being more fragile and prices for repairs soaring, cases are a cheap way of protecting your investment.

Sure, you could buy a $2 TPU case on eBay and slap it on your phone, but why would you do that, when there are so many stylish options available? Lastu cases are one of the most polished cases I’ve seen, with real wood directly from Finland, superb craftsmanship, and the option to personalize it with text and/or logo engravings.

Appearance

When you receive the case, you can see that even the packaging has been given some thought. Rather than using a regular plastic packaging like the rest of case manufacturers, Lastu decided to go for recycled cardboard, conveying a stronger feeling of the product being closely attached to nature.

You can personalize your case with logo and text engravings.

Lastu is very proud of the wood it uses. Since it is based in Finland, the wood it uses all comes from the north of this beautiful nation. Since making cases out of wood means that you actually harm the environment a bit, Lastu makes sure that the wood it uses comes from manufacturers with sustainable development and avoids endangered types, such as Ebony or Zebrawood.

The wood has been polished and waxed in such a superb way that it feels extremely smooth to the touch. Nevertheless, it still has the small imperfections typical of wood elements, which makes it look authentic (because it is). At the bottom, the Lastu logo makes its appearance in a minimalistic way.

Personally, I went for the Ovangkol option that was added just a few hours before I decided to pull the trigger on one of these cases. It looks similar to the Walnut option, but it has a reddish tone to it with black vertical lines. However, the other options, such as Curly Birch, Smoky Ash, and the previously mentioned Walnut look great too. Special mention to Kelo, which in my opinion is the best out of the rest.

It seems like Lastu added some kind of protective layer on top of the case to avoid scratches. I’ve been using this case for three months at the time of publication, and there are very few minor scratches, but they get lost among the colors and imperfections of the wood itself, so they shouldn’t be a problem for a long time.

That is Barcelona Sporting Club, the greatest football team in Ecuador!

One of the most noteworthy elements of Lastu cases is that you can add free text engraving, while a logo engraving can be ordered for an addition €5. For getting your logo engraved, you just need to submit one of the allowed file extensions and the company will do the rest.

I’ve read cases in which a Lastu representative contacts a customer in order to propose a final version based on the image you uploaded. Since I submitted an image with transparent background and black outlines, I guess there was no need for me to give any additional input.

If the authentic wood looks good as it is, the logo engraving and personalized phrase make the case truly yours. It is done in a superb way, making the wood just a bit darker than the overall case so that it is noticeable, and pushing it a bit down. It feels great to the touch, makes the case look stylish, and it’s nice to know that there’s not a single case in the world that looks exactly like yours.

Functionality

The case gives great protection to the sides of my Huawei Honor 7 Lite.

Before talking about functionality, I should talk about the case’s framework first. It is made of a very smooth, black plastic. It gives great protection on the sides of the phone. It even rises a little bit above the screen so that it doesn’t get scratches when placing your phone face down on flat surfaces.

Also, Lastu decided to make cutouts for the buttons, instead of covering them with said plastic. I welcome the decision since this means that operating these buttons is exactly as if the phone was without a case.

However, the top and the bottom sections of the phone are largely unprotected. After all, this is a slim case, not one of those cool armor cases available for iPhones, but it’s something you have to think about.

This has a great side effect, however. Since the top and the bottom are where the headphone jack and microUSB port are located, this means that you can connect headphones and chargers as big or as small as you like without worrying about the size of connectors.

Fitting the phone into the case is very easy, but taking it out sometimes makes me feel like I will break the very small plastic part that separates the power button from the volume keys. It’s only a feeling that I have, though, because so far, the case has proven to be very sturdy. I change my cases a lot depending on the situation, so it’s nice that the Lastu case provides this sense of durability.

She takes care of my phone more than I do.

The case obviously adds a little bit of bulk to the phone. I have two other cases for this phone, both made of TPU. The added thickness is really noticeable at first, but you get used to it after some time. This was very apparent when using the fingerprint sensor on the back since this meant that I had to dig my finger a bit deeper in order to get to it. As you might have guessed, it’s not a big deal, and, if you want a case made of wood, then all of them will add more thickness to the phone compared with regular TPU cases.

Conclusion

In recent years, we’ve seen companies like Motorola and OnePlus introduce wooden options for their products. Thus, overall interest in wooden products have soared, and we’ve seen companies like Carved and Cover-Up offering great alternatives to the regular TPU, plastic, and rubber offerings.

Lastu has put in place an outstanding product that harms the environment as little as possible and looks gorgeous. There are several wood types to choose from, so it’s guaranteed that you’ll find something according to your tastes. On top of that, Lastu lets you personalize it to your like in order to make it truly yours.

The Finnish company has cases for a variety of popular phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S8, LG G6, OnePlus 3 & 3T, Sony Xperia Z5, and Huawei P10. As always, there’s also a lot of options for Apple users. There are even leather straps for the Apple Watch. Unfortunately, there is no support for Pixel phones. I guess they’re not that popular after all…

If you want to know more about Lastu cases and other products, then head to their website and browse through the beautiful work they have for you. There are options to have wood+leather cases, stronger ones called armor cases, and an option to add a nice stand called Jalaka. They can be as cheap as €26.95 or as expensive as €89, plus, they can be shipped worldwide.

Buy Lastu cases from Lastu’s website.

Leagoo latest flagship offers a dual-camera, 4GB of RAM for only $150

Alexandra Arici
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Since dual-camera phones are so in vogue today, Chinese device maker Leagoo is also following the trend with its latest flagship – the T5.

The phone its offered in sleek gold or matte black versions and comes with a pre-sale price tag of only $150 (after the pre-sale period it will sell for $200).

Don’t want to spend a fortune on a dual-camera phone? The Leagoo T5 might be just the product you need. What does it offer in terms of specs, you might wonder?

The flagship includes a 5.5-inch Sharp display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and a MediaTek 6750T SoC clocked at 1.5GHz, which offers relatively similar performance to the Snapdragon 625.

The phone is also paired 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage and relies on a 3,000 mAh battery, which is expected to be able to support 8 hours of video playback and 36 hours of “normal use”. The phone includes quick charge technology which allows the phone to charge up to 35% in 30 minutes.

Leagoo’s new flagship includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, microUSB data port (no USB Type-C) and a fingerprint scanner embedded in the physical home button.

In the photography department, the T5 features a primary dual camera setup which pairs a Sony 13-megapixel sensor and a 5-megapixel sensor used to measure distance. There’s also a Portrait mode that offers popular bokeh effect. As for selfies, there’s a 13-megapixel self-portrait snapper up in front.

The phone ships out with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. If you like what you see, you can head on to GearBest place a pre-order for the device right now.

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