Home Blog Page 988

Nanami Fast Wireless Charger: a good charger for a good price (Review)

AndroidGuys
-
1

One of the most important things to device users these days is battery life. It’s no secret to our readers that the Moto Z Play is one of our favorite phones when it comes to battery life. The magic formula has yet to be devised by manufacturers and I don’t see this issue getting any better in the coming year.

Our only viable solution to keep our phones alive is to have charging options available in as many places as possible. I’m sure the majority of you have a charger near your bed, in your car, at your desk (or wherever you work), etc. Wireless chargers are a viable option and much more user friendly than your traditional microUSB or USB type-C. We were provided with a Nanami Fast Wireless Charger for review and I have to say, I was pleased with my experience.

Design:

The Nanami Fast Wireless Charger has no aesthetically pleasing features. It has no bells or
whistles of any kind. What it does have is a nice, clean exterior with a matte black finish. In addition to the unobtrusive color, the shape is an ideal viewing angle for utilizing your phone while it is charging. I can easily open and navigate apps, and even swipe text, all while my phone is on the charger. Nanami even designed the internals with the user in mind. With the inclusion of two separate coils, you are able to charge your device both vertically or horizontally (nice for watching videos).galleonph-11394070-1

Technical:

There isn’t much to review as far as technology goes. You plug the charger into a QC 2.0 power supply and it just works. There is a light on the front that turns green while your device is charging (visual indicators are always nice). There is also a microUSB port on the back where you plug it in.

How is charging you say? If you didn’t catch it by the name, or above when i mentioned QC 2.0, this is Fast Wireless charging enabled; meaning if your phone accepts it, you can charge faster than your normal wall charger. In fact, this device charges my Galaxy S7 faster than the Samsung wireless charger.

Overview:

This charger is nothing to write home about. There are no bells, whistles or fancy artwork. It is everything I have ever wanted in a charger. With a price tag below $20, I have exactly ONE complaint about this device, it doesn’t come with the charger block. If you are looking for a clean looking, functional wireless charger, I could not recommend this one more.

Snag this charger at Amazon for just $18.99 with Prime shipping!

Make your home more secure with wireless cameras [How-To]

AndroidGuys
-
2

Over the last few weeks we have been on a journey to making our homes just a little bit smarter. The next thing on my list is security. We already talked about setting up locks to work wireless and make your life a little earlier; today were going to talk about a way to make you feel a little more secure about leaving your pets and loved ones home alone, cameras.

Cameras have gotten considerably cheaper and more user friendly over the past couple of years. There are now a multitude of options out there to that can function with your smart home features or your cell phone. Lets get right into it.

Prerequisites:

SmartThings_AppFor the purposes of this how-to, we are going to speak toward a device that we have already discussed in this series, SmartThings. You will need:

  1. SmartThings app installed on your mobile divice
  2. SmartThings hub set up in your home
  3. A SmartThings compatible camera (Netgear Arlo, Samsung Smartcam HD Pro)

Peace of Mind:

for the purposes of this we will review the setup for the Samsung Smartcam HD Pro. Setup for the Arlo is very similar.

  1. From the SmartThings app, open up the Markeplace
  2. Tap on the Camera option under the “Things” view
  3. Select the Samsung SmartCam HD Pro
  4. Tap “Connect Now”
  5. Follow the instructions to set up the camera
  6. After tapping next, the SmartThings hub will locate the camera
  7. Choose which area the Camera belongs to and tap the Next button
  8. Create a password for your camera
  9. Choose to communicate wirelessly or skip wireless setup
  10. Finally, tapping Done will complete the setup

The wireless setup and other optional setup options are available and can be found on the SmartThings setup page. You can now watch captured video clips or watch live video directly from the SmartThings app.

What is your thought on home security cameras? Do you use a different camera system? Drop us a comment below and share your thoughts.

Ulefone Gemini launches with dual rear cameras, 5.5-inch FHD display, 3250mAh battery

AndroidGuys
-
1

After a tossing about the rumor mill the last few weeks, Ulefone has officially launched its latest device. Known as the Ulefone Gemini, it’s the company’s first to pack two cameras on the rear.

Rather than offering a 13-megapixel shooter on the back, the Gemini also features a 5-megapixel unit. The former is designed for general imaging while the latter picks of depth of focus for blurred backgrounds and more professional pictures.

Around front, the Ulefone Gemini has an interpolated 8-megapixel camera for selfies; beautification software helps to enhance photos, giving you the best look possible for social media.

Powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the phone draws strength from a MediaTek MTK6737T 1.5GHz processor with 3GB LPDDR3 RAM. Additional details include 32GB internal storage, microSD expansion for 25GB cards, a fingerprint reader, and 3,250mAh battery.  The 5.5-inch display comes in with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels; the screen is protected by 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3.

The Ulefone Gemini is housed in a metal unibody which was carved by a CNC machine from a block of magnesium-aluminum alloy. According to the handset maker, an Android 7.0 update is expected in the coming months.

Ulefone Gemini Launch 1

Color options for the Gemini include black, silver, and gold. Pricing has not been disclosed just yet, but Ulefone is offering a $70 discount coupon toward the phone ahead of its launch. An exact launch date should be revealed in the next few weeks. In the meanwhile, head to the website for the Gemini to learn more and sign up for the coupon.

Slither.io brings the popular browser game to Android (Review)

AndroidGuys
-
2

Overview:

Slither.io is a port of the popular browser game of the same name. While it can be a challenging multiplayer experience, it’s simple and fun to play over and over again.

Developer: Lowtech Studios

Cost: Free (With ads, $3.99 ad-free version)

Impressions:

Slither.io is already a well-established and popular browser game on desktop computers. It is similar to a few other games, like Agar.io and Diep.io that involve a competitive online multiplayer game based around growing your character by consuming other players. In Slither.io, you play as a worm or snake-like creature which you guide with your finger, to collect orbs to grow while trying to defeat other players by making them collide with you without being defeated yourself. The main objective is to reach the top of the leaderboard and survive for as long as possible.

Slither.io is a simplistic game with cutesy graphics and basic one finger gameplay. There is a bit of customization involved, with skins based on flags, colors, and other silly things to make your worm stand out. The real challenge in Slither.io comes from outmaneuvering and outplaying others in order to make them destroy themselves and allow you to absorb them. The game can be downright infuriating at times, with large players dominating the map for long periods and aggressive people out to get the smaller players. However, it’s very addicting and offers a sense of sweet victory when you defeat someone and use their remaining energy to grow. Thankfully the game also offers an AI mode if you don’t want to play online with others.

Slither.io offers a few different control schemes if the default one is too difficult for you. There is a joystick mode, which allows you to steer with an on-screen joystick and two different drag modes where you guide with the tip of your finger. There is also a boost mode that consumes energy to speed up, which can be used in different ways to either attack or survive.

There isn’t too much to Slither.io, besides its simplistic concept and harsh challenge at times. Compared to similar “.io” games, it’s one of the least complex but definitely one of the more fun ones to play. Thankfully there are no microtransactions to speak of, but there are ads. The ads themselves are harmless, but there is a “premium” no ads version of the game for $3.99 which is laughable seeing as the game doesn’t have egregious ad placement and the desktop version is exactly the same and 100% free. Do yourselves a favor and don’t bother with the paid version at all as it offers no added value unless you truly hate advertisements. Also, sometimes the connection when playing online can lag and cause stutter which may inadvertently cause you to die. An unfortunate situation but understandable when dealing with a large-scale multiplayer game spanning hundreds of players at once.

Conclusion:

I really like Slither.io. I’ve played both the desktop and now the Android version and it is a satisfying game when you do well, and offers a challenge that few games of this caliber can offer especially on mobile. I’d recommend it to anyone but younger kids may have a hard time and also the player nicknames can sometimes be a bit NSFW, so be wary of that if you let your kids play. Solid game, be sure to check it out!

Download Slither.io on the Google Play Store

10 glamorous apps for the fashion enthusiast

Alexandra Arici
-
1

Fashion is a staple of someone personality and sometimes you can tell quite a lot of things about a person just by looking at how they are dressed. Traditionally you’d expect ladies to be the big fashionistas of the world, but today a lot of gentlemen are interested in following fashion trends too and the percentage of men who know how to dress properly has grown considerably.

Since we live in an era of technology, it is now super easy to be the first among your friends to know about the latest trends and even replicate some of the hottest celebrity outfits. All you need is to download a few apps on your phone. There are plenty of Android apps in the Google Play Store which aim to make life less complicated for fashionistas. The trouble is there’s lots and lots of them, so you might not know what to choose. Luckily we have done the work for you and cherry picked out some of the best apps for the fashion enthusiasts – male and female alike.

Lookbook

01 LookbookMillennials will absolutely adore this app. Don’t know what to wear anymore? This app provides a rich database of urban chic outfits, so you can easily get the needed inspiration. Lookbook also provides info on where to get a specific item of clothing, so if you really like a blouse or a dress you can actually go out and get it. You can either sign-up or just browse anonymously, but you won’t be able to like or comment on user profiles.

Sylect

02 StylectYour love of shoes is bigger than Carrie Bradshaws’? Well then the Sylect app is for you. It’s basically a Tinder affair for shoes. See something you like? Swipe right. Something you don’t? Swipe left. The app will showcase shoes from well-known retailers and brands such as ASOS, Boohoo, Zara, H&M, Misguided, River and more. Discover new and amazing shoe designs, as well as super discounts and deals. All folded neatly into one app.

The Hunt

03 The HuntNo, the app doesn’t have anyting to do with Thomas Vinterberg’s masterpiece starring Mads Mikkelsen. You should totally watch the film by the way. Anyway going back to the app, let’s image you are at a party and you see someone wearing the skirt of your dreams, but you’re too shy to ask where she got it from.

Instead you can snap a quick photo of the outfit and post it in The Hunt app. Community members will help you identify the item, so you can go ahead and purchase one for yourself. Or they can suggest alternatives. Say goodbye to envy! The app will also allow to do a bit of shopping, by suggesting you pick up some of the trending products.

Chic Sketch

04 Chic SketchIf you have ever fantasized of becoming a fashion designer, this app will bring you closer to your dream. Chic Sketch is a special application among fashion apps because it brings something extra to the table. Basically this piece of software can covert personal photos into custom fashion illustrations.

The app has quite a few bad reviews on Google Play but that’s because you’ll need to pay to have the sketch forwarded to you. The app is free for download but to receive the photo conversion you’ll need to pay $9.99. So keep that in mind if you want to try out the app and only download it if you’re willing to pay for the service.

The app works like this – a user uploads a photo which is then sent to a team of illustrators who turn the picture into a fashion sketch. Be advised that it might take a while before you receive your drawing, depending on how many people are ahead of you in the virtual queue.

Gilt

05 GantLove a good flash sale? Gilt is the place to go when you’re trying to find designer clothing items at affordable prices. The app displays amazing deals on shoes, clothing, outwear and accessories – some of them designed by popular fashion houses like Gucci, Prada and more.

Poshmark

06 PoshmarkIf you’re facing a situation where your closet is filled with clothes you no longer wear, Poshmark is the app to go to for support. Fashionistas can sell old outfits and make room in their wardrobe for new stuff by listing the items they want to sell for free.

But that’s not the only thing you can do with Poshmark. Users can also shop over 5,000 brands in every size. Gets your hands on designer clothes from Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Nike and more at up to 70% off.

Etsy

07 EtsyMaybe you want to stand out of the crowd and wear a clothing item that hasn’t been produced in series. Then the Etsy app should be your destination. The app is home of some great handmade artists and independent designers who offer their unique designs at affordable prices. Actually one of my favorite indie designers NOCTEX has a shop on Etsy, don’t hesitate to check her out.

Vogue Paris

08 Vogue ParisAnyone with a love for couture has certainly heard of Vogue, a magazine which has been at the forefront of fashion ever since its inception in 1892. Now you can get to read the magazine right on your Android phone or tablet. Thanks to the Vogue Paris app (in English) you can take advantage of all the wonderful articles covering fashion, beauty, jewelry and culture.

Snupps

09 SnuppsNot particularly good at organizing your stuff? Snupps is here to help. All you need to get started is snap/upload images of your items and start organizing them on your virtual shelves. How about in real life, you might want to ask? Well hopefully figuring out a plan of how to sort things virtually will inspire you to put it into practice, as well.

The app has a very Instagram-like feel, so if you like that don’t hesitate to download it.

DressingRoom by Gap

10 GapThis last up isn’t out yet but was announced during CES 2017, but it is scheduled to launch later this month. Know you will need a Google Tango-enabled device like the ASUS ZenFone AR to be able to run it.

Basically the app will allow users to try on clothes in an AR experience without them having to exit their homes. Shoppers will be able to select their Gap style, choose their body type and a digital mannequin you can even shape to make it look more like you will model the garment for you. DressingRoom by Gap will also allow users to purchase the item they have tried on.

PRICE DROP: Motorola Z Droid, Z Force Droid discounted by 50% until February 20

Scott Webster
-
1

Verizon and Motorola have dropped the price of the Moto Z Droid and Z Force Droid as part of a Valentine’s Day promotion. Starting immediately, and running through February 20, customers can purchase the two phones for half of their normal costs.

The Moto Z Droid shakes out to $13 per month over 24 months while the Z Force Droid comes in at $15 per month over the same time frame. Total costs break out to $312 and $360, respectively. The Moto Z Play Droid is also getting a discount right now which puts the total cost of the phone at $120.

moto_z_verizon

Customers are required to pay the normal cost of the phones over two years; a credit is applied each month, ultimately bringing the price down in the process. Cancel service with Verizon and you’ll be on the hook for the remaining, original balance.

The Z Droid line of phones are the latest from Motorola and Verizon, each having its own unique selling points. All three, though, are equipped to support the MotoMods from Motorola and its partners. If you’re looking for devices with extra flexibility and long-term viability, the Z Droid models should definitely be considered.

daydream_closed

Daydream View VR

Additionally, the Z Droid and Z Force Droid are officially compatible with Google’s Daydream View VR. As an added incentive from Verizon, the virtual reality wearable is also getting a hefty price cut. For a limited time, the Daydream View is available at $50, a discount of $30. All three colors are offered as part of the promotion: Slate, Crimson, and Snow

Google details its malware squashing strategy

Alexandra Arici
-
1

You might not know this but Android has an embedded security feature called “Verify apps” which routinely scans newly installed apps to see if they are secure or not. However, there are certain instances when Verify apps is rendered useless.

Some users, for example choose to disable this feature. Therefore, Google has had to get creative in order to continue to hunt for bugs, so it devised an intelligent workaround to this problem.

Devices with disable Verify apps are dubbed Dead of Insecure (DOI) by Google’s security team. There are other reasons why a device could be classified as DOI. For example, the phone or tablet might not be in use anymore or it houses malware which prevents Verify apps from continuing its vigil.

Google Malwear StrategyGoogle classifies devices which have seen installs for unknown sources but continue to check back in with the security system as “Retained”. The search giant then uses the percentage of retained and DOI devices after an app installation to calculate the probability of it being a malicious one.

Google says this algorithm has helped identify more than 25,000 apps as pertaining to different malware families including Ghost Push, Gooligan and Hummingbad.

Sick Android is SickOnce a potentially harmful app has been identified, Google will switch Verify apps on and instruct it to clean up the mess.

Now, if you stick to downloading apps and games from the Google Play Store, you have nothing to worry about, since Verify apps is there doing its job. However, if you decide to venture out of the Play Store ecosystem, things get a little trickier, but Google is hard at work figuring out ways to keep your device malware free.

Is your Samsung device getting Android 7.0 Nougat? Check here to see

Alexandra Arici
-
0

We’re in the middle of January, so naturally the news that Samsung had finally stared to roll out the Android 7.0 Nougat update for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge (in select markets) was pretty exciting.

Well now that Samsung has taken care of its premium device duo, it’s time for the Korean tech giant to focus on some of its other products, which are also awaiting the update.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Gets NougatToday Samsung has officially announced the list of devices which are scheduled to get the Android 7.0 Nougat update before the first half of 2017. Here’s the list:

  • Galaxy S6
  • Galaxy S6 edge
  • Galaxy S6 edge Plus
  • Galaxy Note 5
  • Galaxy Tab A with S Pen
  • Galaxy Tab S2 (LTE unlocked)
  • Galaxy A3
  • Galaxy A8

Samsung also listed some of the new features users of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge (and hopefully the other devices too) will be able to take advantage of once they upgraded to Nougat. The company says that Quick Panel is now cleaner. Titles have been removed from the icons in the panel’s first depth, while the icons in the second depth are now clustered in groups of nine.

Notifications got an upgrade too, as they are now grouped to display info more clearly and come with support for Direct Reply.

Galaxy-S7-EdgeMulti Window on Nougat supports two apps in split-screen view plus five more separate windows via the new pop-up window function. There’s a newly added Performance Mode which allows users to choose between four different modes including Optimized mode, Game Mode, Entertainment Mode or High Performance depending on the task running onboard of the device.

Last but not least, Android Nougat for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge will add Samsung Pass – the feat which allows users to install a master key for website login on Samsung Internet.

Verizon to intro new 5GB for $55 data plan on January 24

Alexandra Arici
-
2

Verizon performed a bit of market research and recently came to the conclusion that most customers don’t use more than 5GB of data per month. According to Big Red, 4 out of 5 of its subscribers take advantage of less than 5GB, so the company has come up with a new plan to cater to the needs of this particular segment.

Starting January 24, customers are invited to get onboard the $55 for 5GB plan which also offers Unlimited Talk and Text. But there’s a small catch here you need to take into consideration before jumping onboard with Verizon for this one. Only those who pay bills using the carrier’s own Auto Pay payment program will be charged $55 for the plan. The rest of subscribers will have to take out $60 out of their pockets if they want the new plan.

Verizon Data PlansVerizon also offers a 4GB of data plan for $50 and an 8GB +2GB per line plan for $70, but if you don’t fall under any of these two categories, the new 5GB of data bundle might be exactly what you need. You don’t have to make a decision now, as there’s plenty of time left until Monday for you to think about it.

If you decide that the new Verizon plan is for you, you should now it will be available in store or over the phone, but not online.

Verizon StoreVerizon is marketing this particular bundle as “The Plan you’ve been waiting for” that’s “Just for you”. We should also note that the new plan is flagged as a “promo” – which means Verizon is only experimenting with the 5GB bundle idea to see how it is received by customers. We have no idea how long it will last, though.

News Republic app update adds “Made for Samsung” features for Galaxy devices

Alexandra Arici
-
0

If you ever owned a HTC device you are probably familiar with the News Republic app, which is the official partner of HTC BlinkFeed. The app’s mission is to offer access to full articles from thousands of news sources in different languages, to users who are always on the go.

Well this week the company behind News Republic, Cheetah Mobile announced the latest version of the app which brings a new “Made for Samsung” component to the table.

News Republic App for Samsung 3The new version will add a few feats for Samsung product owners who like to be kept up to date with various topics. For starters, the update brings text-to-speech support, so if you’re on the metro, going home after a long day at work and feel too exhausted to read, you can tap the “speaker icon” on the article page and have the news piece read out to you.

On top of that Samsung users can also take advantage of a long-press feature to uncover more information (via Wikipedia) on a certain topic without closing the article.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge owners are treated with a surprise in the latest News Republic update. Now users can simply open the Edge Panel app in order to view a list of Breaking News that can be opened via a single tap.

Happen to own a Gear S3 smartwatch? Even better! Now the app is capable of delivering Top Stories to the wearable’s circular display, so users can read them directly from their wrist.

16145622_1455972574435822_659388769_oLast but not least, News Republic has been improved as to allow users to select individual news outlets they want to follow from within the app. Recommendations will be delivered in the article’s list page.

So if you too own a Samsung device, go on to the Samsung Galaxy Apps store and download the News Republic for Samsung to get your batch of daily news.

1...987988989...1,315Page 988 of 1,315