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Samsung intros 5,100 mAh Fast Charge Portable Battery Pack

Alexandra Arici
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Bought a Samsung Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+? Samsung has just the perfect accessory to go along with the two new shiny handsets.

The Korean tech giant just introduced the Fast Charge Portable Battery Pack which is compatible with USB, micro USB and USB Type-C devices. The package also includes a micro USB to USB cable and micro USB to USB-C adapter.

The portable battery pack also features a LED bar, so the battery can show its owner how much power it has left. It also comes equipped with a strap to help you carry it more easily.

Despite being marketed as a great Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ companion, the new battery pack can also charge a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge (as seen in the promo video) up to 1.5 x faster, according to Samsung. Actually all phones compatible with Samsung Fast Charging (charge at a standard 2A output) including the Galaxy S6 lineup and Galaxy Note 4 and up can take advantage the portable battery pack.

Samsung notes the pack should be able to provide up to two full charges on most smartphones. The pack is available for purchase in either Navy or Silver for $59.99. Customers can grab one from Amazon or Samsung. Will you be getting one?

Verizon’s Wear24 smartwatch goes on sale sans NFC

Alexandra Arici
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Fancy an Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch? Starting today, you will be able to grab Verizon’s exclusive Wear24 intelligent timepiece for $349 outright or $299 with the customary two-year contract.

The Wear24 seems like a pretty decent smartwatch with its circular 1.39-inch AMOLED display with 400 x 400 resolution and 290 ppi, as well as a 450 mAh battery. The product also packs LTE and IP67 certification. But one major drawback is that the Wear24 doesn’t come equipped with NFC, which means no Android Pay functionality will be available.

With the Wear24, Verizon also throws in a Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset, 768MB of RAM and 4GB of RAM – which newer watches like the LG Watch Style or LG Watch Sport offer.

Judging by the promo materials, it seems the watch will be available in multiple sizes for both ladies and gentlemen, but it’s unclear whether Verizon will offer interchangeable straps for the watch or not. Customers will be able to pick up the Wear24 in Stainless Steel, Gunmetal Black and Rose Gold.

In related news, Verizon delayed the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier launch until the end of June, quite possibly to ensure the spotlight on its own product – at least for a while.

iWear – an intriguing but unwieldy mobile theater headset (Review)

Donovan Jeska
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In theory, on paper, and even sometimes in practice, Vizux’s iWear Video Headphones are fantastic – a stereo headset that sports twin 720p displays, 3D and VR support, and a built-in battery? Sign me up. It sounds a little like a better version of Cardboard, right? It sounds like a headset you’d pack in your bag for those on-the-go gaming sessions when you don’t want to be bothered by those around you – on a bus or flight, for example.

Yeah, I look good.

In practice, though, iWear is slightly…underwhelming. It’s a bit heavy and unwieldy to wear on the head, and as such isn’t quite as mobile friendly as you’d expect. I ran into trouble trying to test iWear on my three different phones; Nexus 6P, OnePlus 3T, and LeEco LeS3 – incidentally, all Type-C USB phones. It worked just fine on my XBox and on my Laptop, though, and as such my testing session consisted of Destiny, Outlast, and Resident Evil 7 on my XBox rather than an Android, as I’d have preferred. Before we get into my personal gripes and wishlist items for iWear, though, let’s dig into what it does well.

Vuzix’s iWear is a solidly performing device, both audially (made that up) and visually; the 720p resolution of the dual screens is crisp and the colors vibrant, and the audio is rich and deep – what you’d expect from any mid-to-high range headphones. While there’s no Dolby Atmos or Surround support, the actual audio quality is quite good.

A slightly more classy look at the headset.

Unfortunately, this is a circumstance where the overall product is not quite as good as its parts would suggest. iWear suffers from being too versatile – a Jack of all Trades – and, to complete the cliche, master of none. It would have been much better-suited specialization, finding a niche and marketing to them, rather than trying to reach as broad an audience as possible. In order for the iWear to be worth its $299.95 price tag, it would have to undergo some pretty serious structural hardware changes.

First, for mobile devices; while Vuzix advertises the iWear as being compatible with phones and tablets, it’s not exactly…mobile-friendly. The thick, all-in-one cable that’s built-in to the headset is entirely too unwieldy to be used while connected to a phone.

Dual-screens, oversized earcups.

Ideally, the headset would be entirely wire-optional, making use of Wireless Direct broadcast the screen rather than HDMI; further, there should have been a USB port on the headset, rather than a built-in cable.

Second, for desktop and console gaming; in order to be a true option here, the iWear needs to have a microphone built-in to communicate in online games. Voice chat is a staple in gaming these days, and I personally feel naked without it.

At $300, the iWear is a bit steeply priced, but in specific situations, it can be well worth it. In setups where space and audio are at a premium – such as playing late at night or when you don’t want to bother other people – it’s a great option.

Purchase Vuzix’s iWear either from Amazon or from Vuzix itself.

PlayMobo is a game discovery tool and library (Promoted Review)

Alexandra Arici
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Overview

Even if Google now offers a “New Indie Highlights” section in the Google Play Store, meant to help users discover titles – some games might still go unnoticed. Google’s section can only accommodate a handful of games, while dozens of new games are being added to the store every week, so it’s easy to see how a lot of worthy titles might slip between our fingers.

That’s why, if you are an Android gaming enthusiasts you should employ a secondary tool to help you navigate this endless cascade of content – like the PlayMobo app we’re going to be talking about today. Not only does PlayMobo allow gamers to navigate the crowd of Android pastimes in ingenious ways, but it also gives users the chance to earn gift packs and Amazon/Google Play gift cards.

Developer: Magic Entertainment Software

Cost: Free

Impressions

Get started with PlayMobo by searching and following your favorite gaming titles. This way you make sure you’ll receive news stories (which show up in a feed), hints, tips, update info and promo offers – all related to these games. The Newsfeed includes recommended articles about games you might like, as well as suggestions to follow them.

Or you can simply start exploring on your own via the curated Featured section of the app. Here there are four lists of games including Newcomers, Top Searched, Cash Cow or Most Innovative. These recommendations will help you discover games much easier. Just tap on one and browse – once you find an appealing title, you can simply tap on it to learn more about the game.

Each listing includes a list of hog tags, screenshots, information about the game, as well as reviews and user comments – so you can easily decide whether you want to download the game on your device or not.

The app runs smooth with no hurdles or lags. I for one managed to rekindle my passion of time management restaurant games and discovered a few titles I haven’t tried out before thanks to it.

I mentioned above that PlayMobo isn’t just a simple aggregator of games. It also gives users a chance to earn points. For example, installing Rodeo Stampede –  a game that’s lets you expand and manage a zoo – will earn you 500P, playing daily for three minutes will award you an extra 1,300P. Gamers will also get a daily reward of 800P for keeping the game on their device.

Once you acquire enough points you will be able to unlock prizes like an Amazon Gift card or Google Play Gift Card of $10 for 100.000P. Gather 1,000,000P and you can win a $100 Amazon Gift card. Needless to say I’m far from reaching any of these threshold for now, but I’ve only been using the app for a week. Or if you prefer you can grab in-game items instead. What’s more, soon you’ll be able to redeem your points for PayPal Cash, Steam Points and Mgift cards.

When you feel like you’ve spent enough time playing games, you can go get involved in the community. Chat with fellow gamers, make some new friends and learn new things, gaming-related or not.

Conclusion

I really like the idea behind PlayMobo, which is providing a simple tool to help passionate gamers dig for hidden gems. In the brief time I’ve used the app, I haven’t noticed anything wrong with it – no glitches, random freezes or anything like that. The app runs the way it should run and is easy to figure out and utilize. It keeps all your favorite titles in one place and makes sure you never miss out on an update or game-related novelty. The app does deliver some adds, but from what I’ve seen so far, it does so in reasonable quantities, unlike some other apps I’ve tested.

Download PlayMobo from the Google Play Store

Want to learn more about PlayMobo, head over to their website and check it out.

ZTE Axon 7 vs Xiaomi Mi 6 (Smartphone Showdown)

Alexandra Arici
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The affordable flagship is a phenomenon on the rise in the last few years. Setting their sights on premium specification, various OEMs have managed to offer more than anyone would have hoped for on a budget.

Two apt examples of this category are last year’s ZTE Axon 7 and the recently unveiled Xiaomi Mi 6. As of this week, the Axon 7 is available once again with a discount in the US, so we believe it’s the perfect time to revisit the handset, while also pitting it against the newer Xiaomi Mi 6.

Display & Design

5.5-inch AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution vs 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1080 x 1920 resolution

538ppi vs 428ppi

Both phones feature a 5.5-inch display, but the Axon 7 offers advanced QHD resolution, whilst the Mi 6 only includes only a FHD panel.

The Xiaomi Mi 6 features a physical home button that also doubles as a fingerprint scanner, but the Axon 7 relies on three capacitive navigation buttons instead.

When it comes to looks, the Axon 7 offers a stylish all metal body that’s smooth all over with no sharp edges on the sides or bottom. In contrast, the Xiaomi Mi 6 features a glass back that curves along all four edges and a metal frame. The Axon 7 features skinnier bezels on top on bottom, which also house the speaker grills, while the Xiaomi Mi 6 retains the classic look.

Computing power

Snapdragon 820 vs Snapdragon 835

4GB of RAM vs 6GB of RAM

64GB of internal storage vs 64GB/128GB of internal storage

Launched in June 2016, the Axon 7 takes advantage of last year’s Snapdragon 820 chipset – a quad-core chipset with two custom Kyro cores clocked at 2.15 GHz and two clocked at 1.6 GHz. Last month, ZTE introduced the Axon 7s version in China which swaps out the Snapdragon 820 in favor of the newer Snapdragon 821.

The Xiaomi Mi 6 takes things to the next level by bundling Qualcomm’s latest top-tier chispet – the Snapdragon 835. The product also offers increased RAM capacity and has an additional 128GB built-in storage option.

Both models come equipped with a microSD card slot which can be used to expand memory up to 256GB of internal storage. For the Axon 7 this option became available with the latest software update. Last year, ZTE also offered a Special Edition in the US which offered 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage and Force Touch. However, at this point the model is no longer available to buy.

Cameras

20-megapixel vs dual 12-megapixel main camera

8-megapixel vs 8-megapixel selfie camera

Fancy a new phone with the popular dual camera setup onboard? Well the Xiaomi Mi 6 features one such setup which pairs a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with a second 12-megapixel telephoto lens to deliver 2x lossless zoom. As for the Axon 7, the phone employs the services of a 20-megapixel camera with f/1.8 phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, dual-LED flash.

It’s worth mentioning that the ZTE Axon 7s version launched in China does take advantage of a dual camera setup which consists of a 20-megapixel sensor plus a secondary 12-megapixel one with f/1.8, phase detection autofocus and dual-LED flash.

Both the ZTE Axon 7 and Xiaomi Mi 6 feature an 8-megapixel selfie snapper.

Other features

The Axon 7 features Hi-Fi audio DAC with Dolby Atmos, which in combination with the phone’s dual front-facing speaker can deliver one of the best audio experiences on a smartphone. The phone also has a fingerprint scanner located on the back and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Furthermore, the product gained Daydream View support with a recent update.

As for the Xiaomi Mi 6, the phone does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the positive side of things, the Chinese company has placed the stereo speakers at the bottom of the phone.

Software

The Xiaomi Mi 6 ships out with Android 7.1.1 Nougat (with MIUI 8 on top) out of the box, but even if at launch, the ZTE Axon 7 was based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, the phone has been upgraded to Android 7.1.1 Nougat ever since.

With the latest update, ZTE is offering Axon 7 a tool that lets them disable unwanted pre-installed apps.

Battery

3,250 mAh vs 3,350 mAh

The Xiaomi Mi 6 has a slightly larger juice pack and given that the phone takes advantage of a less demanding display and packs a more efficient chipset, we expect it to last longer than the Axon 7.

In our review of ZTE’s current flagship, we found the phone managed to last up to a day on a single charge with moderate to heavy use.

The recent Axon 7s version released in China boasts a larger 3,400 mAh power box.

Value

$329.99 vs $360

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the ZTE Axon 7 is currently on sale at Newegg. The phone usually costs $399, but for a limited time (you have 2 days left) you can grab the product for $329.99.

While the listing says the phone costs $359.99, you can bring down the price to $329.99 by applying the EMCSRFRJ6 code at checkout.

The Xiaomi Mi 6 isn’t officially available in the US, but customers can order it from websites like Gearbest. Xiaomi announced a price of approximately $360 for the Mi 6 with 64GB of internal storage, but those who will be ordering the phone from third-party retailers might have to pay more than that. For example, at Oppomart the phone is available for $489.

Verdict

So what should you buy? It depends what you want. The ZTE Axon 7 features better resolution, advanced audio capabilities and keeps the controversial 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s also often update and offers perks such as VR compatibility, as well as a decent amount of storage and RAM.

However, if you want a phone with a dual-camera, the latest Snapdragon 835 processor and more RAM, you should be looking in the direction of Xiaomi.

GameBoy emulator now available for Samsung Gear S2, Gear S3 smartwatches

Alexandra Arici
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A GameBoy Emulator for Android Wear has been available for a few years now and if Tizen smartwatch users were feeling left out, this piece of news will certainly make them feel better.

A GameBoy Emulator has been released for Samsung’s Gear S2 and Gear S3 pair of smartwatches – which supports both GameBoy and GameBoy Color titles. The app called Gear GemBoy is available from the Samsung Apps store and works with ROM files with extension .gb and .gbc.

After installing the app, users will need to get (legally acquired) ROMs on the smartwatch by sending the file from the phone to the wearable. Once this step is completed, gamers will be required to navigate to the file from the emulator. The rotating bezel on the two watches can be used to load the ROMs or even navigate through the app’s menu options.

But consider yourselves warned – due to the tiny nature of the smartwatches’ displays some games will run on a small square in the center of the display. However, the extra space doesn’t go to waste, as the emulator lets players tap direction arrows to the left, right, top and bottom.

Don’t forget this is only an emulator, so if you want to be able to take advantage of the best performance and user experience you should get a GameBoy instead

Oukitel looking to release a phone with a 10,000 mAh battery in June

Alexandra Arici
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There aren’t many phones today that features batteries larger than 4,000 mAh. The ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom, which recently launched in the US, is one of the exceptions to the rule with its 5,000 mAh juice box.

But what if you could have double of what the ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom brings to the table? You will soon be able to. Obscure Chinese brand, Oukitel is planning to launch a new phone this summer, one which will come equipped with a massive 10,000 mAh power source.

The handset will be called K10000 Pro and comes to succeed the K10000 model which was launched back in 2015 and also arrived with a 10,0000 battery.

The original Oukitel K10000 which launched in 2015

The yet-unreleased Oukitel K10000 Pro is poised to make a debut with a 5.5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and a octa-core MediaTek CPU clocked at 1.5GHz. The product will also feature 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage – with no mention of microSD card slot. Judging by the teaser image, the phone will have a fingerprint sensor living on the back.

Oukitel claims the battery inside the device takes only three and a half hours to fully charge thanks to the flash 12V/2A charger which will accompany the phone. Furthermore, the K10000 Pro is advertised as being able to last up to 15 days without needing to be recharged.

No info has been shared related the photographic capabilities of the phone (although a dual camera setup doesn’t appear to be in the cards) or the operating system onboard. Hopefully it’s going to be at least Android 7.0 Nougat and not Marshmallow. We don’t how much the device will cost either, but we can tell you the Oukitel K10000 was priced at $200.

Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ available for pre-order in the US

Alexandra Arici
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The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are already available for purchase from most major carriers in the US, but if you would prefer to have the unlocked version then we have some good news for you.

The unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are currently available for pre-order in the US. Samsung is discounting these models, shaving $25 off each model, so you’ll be able to grab the Galaxy S8 for $725, while the larger phablet will cost you $825.

The two unlocked models can be pre-ordered from Best Buy. The retailer notes customers will be able to get them by May 31, which means you’ll have to wait by the end of the month. Or you can place your pre-order with Samsung directly. It’s up to you.

Unlocked phones are not sold with accompanying contracts or device installment plans. On top of that, they can prove valuable for people who travel a lot. Owners of unlocked handsets can go into a country and buy more affordable service from local carriers.

Not to mention, unlocked phones don’t come with the unnecessary bloatware most carriers include onboard of their devices.

Are you getting an unlocked Galaxy S8? Let us know in the comment section below.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom finally arrives in the US with $329 price-tag

Alexandra Arici
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In early January, ASUS introduced the ZenFone 3 Zoom during the CES 2017 event in Las Vegas. But so far customers were unable to purchase the device. Well this changes this week, as ASUS has finally announced the phone is going on sale in the US with a $329 price-tag.

The ZenFone 3 Zoom 3 is a middle-range phone with a focus on photography, similar to the ZTE Blade V8 Pro. It features a 5.5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The ZenFone 3 Zoom is powered by a Snapdragon 625 chipset which works in combination with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.

A fingerprint sensor is located on the back, where we also find the dual-camera assembly which consists of a two 12-megapixel sensors, one with f/1.7 aperture, 25 mm wide-angle lens and the other with a 59 mm camera for instant 2.3x zoom.

ASUS has bundled the phone with a new autofocusing tool called TriTech+ which employs a laser autofocus system, subject tracking and dual pixel phase detection autofocus technologies, so it can focus on a subject in as little as 0.03 seconds. On the front, there’s a 13-megapixel selfie snapper.

Another selling point of the ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom is the big 5,000 mAh battery which according to the producing company should last up to 42 days on standby. It will also be able to support 6.4 hours of non-stop 4K video recording.

The phone is available for pickup from Amazon, BestBuy and B&H Photo, but remember it will ship with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box and not Nougat – which is quite disappointing.

Google Assistant can now control more home connected (i)devices

Alexandra Arici
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Maker of home connected devices, iDevices today announced that its products are now compatible with the Google Assistant. Previously Alexa and Siri support was offered, but from now on Devices can be controlled by addressing voice commands directed towards the Google Assistant inside the Pixel or Google Home.

iDevices family of products includes switches, wall outlets, a thermostat and intelligent light bulbs. And with simple commands such as “OK Google, turn on the lights” users can control their iDevices-branded appliances around the house.

Getting started is easy. Google Home or Pixel users will have to download the iDevices Connected App from the Google Play Store/App Store and then enable the Google Assistant within the settings of the iDevices app. At the same time, users will need to go and enable iDevices services in the Google Home app in order to link all the products.

“Our unique software architecture allows us to expand compatibility easily and quickly, so we continue to offer a comprehensive smart home solution to consumers. When people think ‘smart home’, words like ‘simple’, ‘easy-to- use’ and ‘helpful’ should come to mind. We’ve made it easier than ever to adopt the smart home, no matter what kind of system you prefer to use.“

Chris Allen, iDevices CEO

Back in April, iDevices was acquired by the Humbbell Incorporated of Shelton, Connecticut, thus joining the company’s large portfolio of brands that sell electrical and electronic product for residential, commercial and industrial applications.

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