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Caseable: Device Protection with style [Review]

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I don’t know about you, but I never take my phone anywhere without some sort of case. I once had no case for 3 days after purchasing my Galaxy S7 and in those 3 days, you guessed it, I broke the screen. Cases not only allow us to protect the financial investment we put into our phones but they also allow us to personalize the items that we keep on us all day, every day. Caseable provided us four cases, two hardback and two pouch, that we are using for this review.

Function:

Casable FitI figure we should start with the main purpose of the cases, protection. Both of the shell cases we were provided with leave the top and bottom of the device exposed, undesirable if you are rough on your devices like I am. There are also cutouts for side buttons that leave ample space for proper functionality. There is also a piece of felt’ish material on the inside of the case, which, I can only assume is to prevent slipping of the device while in the case. The only real issue I have with the shell cases is the that the case does not have a very tight fit. One of the cases we received is designed for my Galaxy S7 and, as you can see in the picture, there is some overhang when installed on the device.

Casables_PouchCasable also sent us two of their pouch style cases to check out. These cases feel like they are made of quality material. There is nice stitch work and some quality elastic on the sides. the real selling feature for these cases is that they have a pull tab that allows you to easily remove your phone from the case. This feature works great, provided your device does not have any rubberized material on it. My biggest complaint with the pouches is who uses pouch cases any more. Seriously though, I think Casable is going to have a difficult time marketing this case. I couldn’t name one guy who wants to pull the case our of their pocket then out of the case or a girl who wants to do the same in their purse. At least add a clip for belt/pocket/purse attachment. That being said, your screen is protected from scratches and scuffs.

Form:

This is where Casable makes their case (yup, i really did that) for their product line. Every one of their products has the potential to be whatever you want it to be, from some artwork they have of up and coming designers to a collage of images you upload yourself. After taking a look through their design tool i would say the possibilities are endless depending on how you choose to design and manipulate your images. With cases starting as low as $24.99 (at least that’s the lowest I could find) not a bad price for personalized images.

Overview:

Casable makes some decent device protection. I think their application of the hard cover cases could use a little refinement and the pouches would be a hard sell to anyone I know. The ability to completely customize the design is what sets them apart from other case companies.

If you’re interested in picking one up, head over to Caseable.com and start your customization right away.

NVIDIA Shield TV now pairs with PlayStation and Xbox controllers via Bluetooth

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You might remember that a few days ago we brought you news that the original NVIDIA Shield was finally getting the Android 7.0 Nougat update, which put it on par with the 2017 model.

While NVIDIA posted a list of new features brought about by the new build, some options seems to have flown under the radar. According to folks on Reddit, owners of the original or new NVIDIA Shield TV can now pair their device with a few wireless controllers including for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S over Bluetooth.

However, using these controllers with either one of the TV models is not a straight forward affair just yet. There are few steps to take depending on which controller you have:

For the PlayStation 3:

  • PlayStation 3 ControllerConnect the controller to the NVIDIA Shield TV via USB cable
  • Once the controller is connected, open the Shield TV’s Settings application
  • Scroll down, you should find the PlayStation 3 controller listed in the Bluetooth section (look for the symbol)
  • With the connection in place, you can now disconnect the controller and use it via Bluetooth

For the PlayStation 4:

  • PlayStation 4 ControllerPress and hold the PS and share button until it starts to blink to put the controller into pairing mode
  • From there, launch the Settings application for NVIDIA Shield TV and go to Add Accessory
  • Find the PlayStation controller listing, select it and complete action

No one has stepped forward to reveal exactly which steps need to be taken to connect the Xbox One S to your NVIDIA Shield TV box.

Xbox One S ControllerAt this moment, we’re not sure whether being able to use these wireless controllers via Bluetooth was brought about by the Android 7.0 Nougat update or not, but it’s seems likely. If you want to read more about the new features it brings, check out our more in-depth article on the topic linked above.

How to stream the Super Bowl on your phone, tablet, and more — even if you don’t have cable

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Looking for a way to get your fix for the upcoming big game between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons? Maybe you won’t be home in time for kickoff. Perhaps you don’t get to watch it on a TV this year because of work. Whatever the reason, we’re here to help you stream the Super Bowl.

We’ve collected a few apps and services which can be used across various phones, tablets, Android TV, and Fire Stick/Fire TV’s. Do note that some of them may require a login for a service provider. But, even if you’re living a completely cable free and cord-cutting lifestyle, you have some options for watching Super Bowl LI.

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No cable? No problem!

Fox will live stream the big game on its FoxSportsGo website and its Fox Sports Go app. Indeed, you can watch for free, with or without an account with a cable or satellite provider. What’s more, it will also include the commercials, too.

The Fox Sports Go app can be installed on iOS, Android, and Windows phones and tablets. Moreover, you can also download it for Amazon’s Fire tablets, Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku and select game consoles.

Verizon customers can also access the game via the NFL Mobile app.

Official team apps

Other ways to enjoy

  • Feel like you’re actually at the game with Fox Sports VR for Android and iOS and view things from a virtual suite. Requires a Google Cardboard viewer.
  • Watch highlights before and after the game via Watch ESPN, NBC Sports, and other NFL apps. See also: NBC Sports for Fire TV
  • Both Sling TV and DirecTV Now offer packages that include Fox. Check to ensure your local area is covered before signing up.
  • Not a fan of this year’s Super Bowl or football in general? Maybe you’d prefer to watch the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet L!VE.
  • Get your grub on with a number of cooking and recipe apps and throw the ultimate party. Suggestions include Watch Food Network, Allrecipes TV, and BigOven.
  • Brush up on your Lady Gaga so you can be ready for the halftime show.

In the near future you might be able to control Netflix with your mind

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Technology is increasingly making us lazy. Need to go out for groceries? Just order them online. Want to talk to friends? Just open a chat app. The examples are numerous, as we’re slowly headed for a future where we won’t be required to even lift a finger. Even to skip to the next episode we are watching on Netflix.

Netflix is in the habit of hosting the so called “Hack Day” events during which it picks the brains of its employers for crazy, new idea. That’s how MindFlix came to be.

MindFlix is a way to navigate and control Netflix using your mind. The setup makes use of a Muse headband – a wearable capable of detecting Electroencephalography (EEG) waves – to allow you to scroll within the Netflix app, select the episode you want to watch and think of the word “Play” to start the marathon.

MindFlix has definitely the potential to happen in the near future, because the technology to do so is obviously available and applied in other fields too. For example in August 2016, medical publications reported that several patients who have been paralyzed in their lower limbs for years have started regaining some feeling and movement in their limbs after learning to control a robotic exoskeleton with their brain.

Muse HeadbandIf you’re curious other products of “Hack Day” include Netflix for Good – an option allowing users to donate to well-known organizations and Picture-in-Picture, which lets users snoop on other profiles in their account to see what they are watching.

The projects were developed within a short 24 hours span and Netflix already stated they might never become part of a Netflix product.

What we know so far: Nokia P1 edition

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Samsung won’t be unveiling its Galaxy S8 beast at MWC this year, which leaves the coast clear for other Android OEMs like LG to shine. Apart from the LG G6, we also expect to see Nokia (and HMD) unveil a pair of flagship phones known so far as the P1 lineup.

The devices have been rumored for months now, although the rumor mill doesn’t seem to be able to reach a consensus regarding their specs. Anyway, in this article we have compiled all that we know so far about Nokia’s comeback premium handsets, so come MWC 2017 you will be prepared.

Design

  • Metal unibody
  • Slim bezels

Nokia P1 ConceptWe don’t know much about how Nokia’s upcoming flagship smartphones will look like. Based on the few leaked pictures we have seen so far the phones will come metal bodies. We can also assume the two P1 models will feature skinny bezels on the sides, in accordance with this year’s smartphone design trend.

nokia-upcoming-phonesIt’s quite possible the phones will come with a physical home button, so if you don’t like the idea that the Galaxy S8 is ditching it, you can always turn to Nokia.

Display

  • 5.3-inch display
  • QHD resolution
  • Gorilla Glass 5

Nokia P1 Concept 2The most recent rumors seem to indicate that the Nokia P1 will feature a 5.3-inch display with QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels) and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. We don’t have any info on the larger variant though.

Previously we heard that Nokia’s comeback flagships might take advantage of a 5.2-inch and 5.5-inch displays with the same premium resolution. It remains to be seen which of these rumors turns out to be true.

Internals

  • Snapdragon 821
  • Up to 6GB of RAM
  • 64GB/128GB/256GB storage options (with microSD card slot for memory expansion)

Nokia P1 Concept 3Recent hearsay would have us believe Nokia should be releasing two P1 variants, one with Snapdragon 835 and one with Snapdragon 821. However, given the fact that Samsung is said to have reserved the initial Snapdragon 835 supply for its Galaxy S8 flagship, it’s quite unlikely Nokia and HMD will announce a P1 variant with said chipset. Our best guess is that the high-end version will have a Snapdrag2on 821, while the lower-end alternative will probably take advantage of a Snapdragon 820.

nokia-android-phones-whiteThe premium model will probably be the beneficiary of 6GB of RAM, while the standard version is probably going to make-do with just 4GB of RAM (like the Galaxy S7).

As for storage, customers will be able to have their pick at 64GB/128GB of internal storage. Some sources claim a 256GB version will also be offered.

Cameras

  • 22.3MP main camera
  • Unknown selfie shooter

Nokia SmartphoneWe expect the main camera to be one of the Nokia P1’s strong points. If rumors are true, then the premium P1 model should come with a Carl Zeiss-curated 22.3MP sensor with optical image stabilization and electronic image stabilization.

So far we don’t know much about the selfie snapper, but if Nokia wants the P1 to compete with the best selfie phones out there, it will add a 16MP self-portrait secondary camera in the vein of OnePlus 3T.

Other features

  • IP57 certification
  • Google Daydream VR ready
  • 5mm headphone jack
  • Viki virtual assistant

More Nokia P1 RendersWord on the street claims that the Nokia P1 is actually going to be based on the Sharp Aquos Xx3 smartphone, but will come with better specs. The handset will have IP57 certification for water and dust resistance.

VR is going to be big in 2017, so Nokia’s comeback flagships are expected to be Daydream ready. On top of that, like most top tier phones launching today, the P1 will probably take advantage of the services of a proprietary virtual assistant dubbed Viki.

OS

  • Android 7.0 Nougat

There is no doubt here that the Nokia P1 will launch with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, although we don’t know whether the Z-Launcher System UI will be onboard this time or not.

Battery

  • 3,500 mAh battery with Quick Charge

According to current rumors, the Nokia P1 will take advantage of a 3,500 mAh battery, but we’re not told whether the juice box is of a removable variety or not. We’ll just have to wait and see.

When will I be able to get it and for how much?

Nokia Expensive PhonesWhile Nokia is expected to unveil the P1 at MWC 2017, we don’t really know when the phone will be available for purchase to the masses. As for prices, the flagship won’t come cheap. According to the latest information, the 128GB model will cost around $800, while the 256GB model will sport a huge $950 price-tag.

Upcoming Ultimate Moto Z Mod will add IR blaster, wireless charging capabilities

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Remember that back in December 2016, we told you that Motorola revealed plans to release 12 new Moto Mods in 2017? The company has even partnered up with Indiegogo in a bid to give a helping hands to developers to who are interested in creating Moto Mods.

Now we bring you news that a new Moto Z mod is currently developed by Motorola’s own Transform the Smartphone challenge. The initiative invites developers to produce Moto Z prototypes, while promising the end results will get nationwide exposure thanks to Motorola’s partnership with Verizon.

Current Moto Mods
Current Moto Mods

The upcoming mod is called the Ultimate Moto Z Mod and should add and IR Blaster and wireless charging capabilities to the phone. At the moment the Ultimate Moto Z Mod prototype comes in the form of a 3 mm case-like Moto Z accessory.

At the moment, you need to plug the accessory into the phone for it to work, but once it will get released users will be able to snap the mod via pins.

If you find the accessory appealing, you should know that the Ultimate Moto Z Mod is currently gathering funds on Indiegogo. You can go pledge $35 to receive wireless charging sell or $45 if you want a mod with both wireless charging and IR Blaster capabilities. By the way, for those who don’t know, an IR blaster should add the function of turning your Moto Z into a remote for compatible electronics in your house.

Moto Mod ThicknessThe estimated delivery date for the new Moto Mod is November 2017, so you’ll will have to wait quite a bit until you can take advantage of the new mod.

The Ultimate Moto Z Mod is the cheapest so far. Incipio’s car dock for the Moto Z currently costs $69.99 at Verizon, while Hasselblad’s True Zoom mod can be bought for $239 from Amazon.

Google announces Android 7.1.2 Nougat, beta build available now

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The Android 7.1.1 Nougat update has barely started making its way on select devices and Google has already announced the follow-up Android 7.1.2 Nougat.

As of this week, the search giant started rolling out the beta build for all testers of compatible devices which include the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, Nexus Player and Pixel C. There are some notable absentees here like the Nexus 6P, but Google says the Android 7.1.2 beta update for this particular model is still being worked on and is bound to be released “soon”.

Google Nexus DevicesFurthermore, Droid Life received confirmation from Google that the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 won’t be getting Android 7.1.2 treatment.

If you’re wondering what the new build is all about, well this is an incremental updates meant to squash bugs and refine existing features plus a small number of upgrades for carriers and users. It can be speculated the new update could enable VoLTE with some carriers.

Google Pixxel PhonesIf you too are the owner of one of the devices mentioned above and want to give Android 7.1.2 a try before its public release which should arrive “in a couple of months”, head on to android.com/beta and sign up with your respective phone/tablet.

It’s worth reminding you at this point, that the Android 7.1.1 update caused some headaches for select Pixel and Nexus users who reported phones dying down even though their battery was far from being empty. The new Android 7.1.2 might bring some issues of its own, so proceed with caution.

Innovative phone maker Nextbit acquired by Razer

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Nextbit is joining Razer. One of the coolest phones of the last few years has been the Robin from Nextbit. The angular device was based around the idea that we could leverage the massive amount of storage available in the cloud to offload some of the burden on our physical on our devices. The phone was a little under-powered (Snapdragon 808), but performed well and had the support of the ROM community so it was a fan favorite.

The plucky company has been working behind the scenes for a while now providing software updates and patches and those will continue until February 2018. Nextbit will also continue to honor all warranties for another six months even though the company has ceased selling all Robins and accessories. If you want to pick up a Robin you can still check out Swappa and Amazon for some pretty excellently priced options.

Now, Nextbit- the company born on Kickstarter joins Razer, one of the biggest and well-known computer peripheral, tablet, and laptop manufacturers. What will be Nextbit fate? Well, CEO and co-founder Tom Moss said on Nextbit’s blog that the company will continue to operate as an independent division within Razer.

Nextbit will operate as an independent division inside Razer, focused on unique mobile design and experiences. To put it simply, we’ll be doing exactly what we’ve been doing all along, only bigger and better.

-Tom Scott, CEO Nexbit

I’m interested to see where Nextbit and Razer take the company from here. Companies like Nextbit have the ability to be extremely disruptive in a market where consumers are more open to non-traditional (read: Apple, Samsung) options and where a deal is valued. If the Robin is any indication of future success, Nextbit and Razer could blow up in the next few years.

[graphiq id=”4oQ2IUoOBM1″ title=”Nextbit Robin” width=”600″ height=”548″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/4oQ2IUoOBM1″ ]

[graphiq id=”fobbvUWTKy9″ title=”Razer Inc.” width=”500″ height=”810″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/fobbvUWTKy9″ ]

These are the best deals you’ll find on phones, wearables, and accessories at Verizon

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Time to purchase a new smartphone? Is this an upgrade from an existing device? We want to help you out either way.

To save you money, we’ve gathered up all of the promotions we could find from Verizon. Regardless of where you’re thinking of going for service, or what phone you are looking to pick up, you owe it to yourself to check below.

What follows is a mix of phone, rate plan, and accessory promotions worth checking out. It might not be an exhaustive list, but it’s a good collection of what’s currently offered through Verizon.

Verizon Deals

Join Verizon, we’ll cover your switch fees. New smartphone device payment activation & port in req’d. (Exp. Feb 1)

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Motorola Phones

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Phones & Tablets

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Wearables & Accessories

Disable those annoying, power hungry carrier apps [How-To]

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As I think we all know, manufacturer and carrier apps can be some of the most annoying apps on the planet, especially if they are constantly bugging you to either log in or read their new post. We all wish we could just uninstall them and curse them off into oblivion. Unfortunately, without root privileges, there is no good way to accomplish that. There is, however, another alternative that isn’t as good but will get the job done. The default android app manager will allow you to disable these apps so they do not function.

Prerequisites:

Not much needed here other than a list of apps you would like to disable and a little android know-how.

Shutting it down:

  1. Access the pull-down menu and tap on the gear in the upper right corner
  2. Find the “Apps” option in your setting menu and tap it (your settings page may appear different)
  3. Find the app you would like to disable in the list and tap on it.
  4. Tap the Disable button. (Note: you may have to uninstall any updates before you will be allowed to disable the app).

There you have it, four simple steps to having your device feel a little more free than it came out of the box. How do you manage your application? Do you use a third party tool? Drop us a comment below.