LG G Flex review
I should preface this review by saying, up until now, the biggest phone I’ve used on a daily basis is a Galaxy S 4 with an Otterbox defender case. But since that didn’t bother me one bit, I didn’t dream something this size would throw me for a loop the way this has. Coming from the Blu Life Pure mini which has a 4.5 inch display, it was an even bigger shock.
First thoughts
*HOLY CRAP that thing is huge* *Wait a minute, why is it curved again?* *How do I turn this thing on?*
The phone is, in my honest opinion, too big to be manageable with one hand. But in LG’s defense, they made the device about as small as they could with a screen that size. The quality of the display is lacking, it has a grainy rainbow quality, the likes of which you might see when oil smears on the display.
Hardware
The front is plain with a singular LG badge at the bottom center. There are no buttons on the sides, top or bottom, but the SIM tray is found on the upper left hand side of the device, the microUSB port in the bottom center and 3.5 mm headphone jack directly to its right. Aside from the curved display, the most interesting thing about this device is on the rear. Top center you’ll find the extremely poor performing 13 megapixel camera stacked above the volume up, power/sleep, and volume down keys. The device’s IR blaster is located to the left of the sensor and the LED flash to the right. All hovering over another LG badge. Lastly, at the bottom center, the T-Mobile symbol to the left of the speaker.
Although the display is large, the curved nature does make one-handed use seem a bit easier than the alternative, as you don’t have to reach your thumb quite as far to the top opposite corner. Also due to the curvature, holding the device to your face isn’t as daunting as you would expect from something so large as it seems to cup your cheek much like the banana “phone” you used to answer when your little niece handed it to you ringing.
There are some definite issues with the build style, though. First, the combination of the slick “self-healing” plastic back and the curve makes it so this device will slide off of any uneven surface, so don’t even think about setting it on your lap while driving.
There’s a certain charm to not having any buttons on the sides on the device, but I just can’t get used the the buttons near the camera, I constantly find myself smudging up the lens while trying to elevate the volume.
The obvious draws about the device are the curve and the large display, but aside from the great size, the display is really nothing to write home about, and when you’re in sunlight, the screen makes an odd silver glare which I can only compare to that of looking at a 3D display from an odd angle. But I think these are issues which will be solved with time.
The size is great for YouTube and Neflix, no problems with volume at all, but it’s nigh impossible to utilize the device one-handed while laying down. I found myself trying to smush it against the couch or bed to keep it propped up, and always had issues with my palm hitting things on the screen when I stretch out my thumb.
For full specs, check this out.
Software
At the time of writing this review the device is still running Android 4.2.2. Let’s start with knock to wake. Simply tap twice on the screen while it’s asleep to turn it on. This being the first device I’ve used which supported this feature, I will really be sad to lose it. The launcher is practically identical to Samsung’s TouchWiz, the “Apps” button is far right, the weather widget is very similar and the Google search widget is the exact same, even in it’s stock arrangement in the middle of the screen beneath the clock/weather widget. The most notable feature of the launcher will appeal to the neat-freak in you, the ability to create folders within the app drawer.
My only complaint to LG about the software is the fact that, even though the device has on-screen buttons like a Nexus, they saw fit to replace the multi-tasking button with a menu key. To access the task switcher, like most devices with hardware keys, you must long-press the home button. To add insult to that injury, there’s a way to change the order of the buttons and add new ones, but still no multi-tasking button, the only new buttons are “Launch quick memo” and “Pull notification panel down”
However there are a plethora of customization options, from per app color for the nav-bar, down to the ability to swipe the buttons to squish them to the left or right to facilitate one-handed operation.
Overall it feels like another solid, smooth Samsung LG device. Although the technology behind the display wasn’t ready for this high a profile release, and, in my opinion the curve doesn’t serve enough of a purpose to be attractive, this device performs admirably and as long as you aren’t off-put by the form-factor, size and display quality, it will serve you well.
The post LG G Flex review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Dixons and Carphone Warehouse in talks to merge their 3,000 UK stores
Dixons is one of the last tech stores left on the UK’s high street, but it’s not content to just survive while rivals die off. Instead, the outfit has confirmed that it’s been in behind-the-scenes merger talks with smartphone store Carphone Warehouse. If the deal goes through, it would create a retail behemoth with 3,000 stores and 35,000 employees — at least before any cost-cutting begins. Nothing has been decided just yet, but the two companies have until May 19th to determine whether a tie-up is worth it, so execs at Phones4U may be in for a few sleepless nights.
Source: Dixons
Harmonix’s ‘Fantasia’ gets a multiplayer mode, new songs
Harmonix is letting us in on a few more details about its upcoming game Fantasia: Music Evolved. During a demo last week at GDC the company showed us a new discovery realm of the game called “The Hollow,” a new multiplayer mode, and took the wraps off of six new tracks coming to the colorful music-conducting game.
Similar to the underwater world we saw at E3, The Hollow is a part of the game meant for exploration rather than structured gameplay — and the forest scene has a ton to explore. Much like the other discovery realms in the game, parts of world start to come into color the more songs you play, with a little taste of your completed songs incorporating itself into the world. Areas of The Hollow we saw had magical mushrooms that you could play (not that kind of magical shrooms, these), as well as fairies you can interact with and an elk with playable bells in its antlers. It all looks pretty amazing, and is something we could definitely see ourselves spending hours exploring.
We played through a bit of the game on multiplayer, and were pretty impressed with how the game (and the Kinect) was able to handle two players conducting simultaneously. Back in the day when we saw the game on an Xbox 360 the Kinect had trouble understanding who was playing if others were in the room. Now that problem has been taken care of, and the Xbox One we did the demo on was able to identify and interact with two players simultaneously without picking up any of the movement from the handful of other people who were also in the room.
When Fantasia is released later this year it will have a total of 30 different songs. Today Harmonix is announcing six new additions to its already-announced roster of tracks:
· David Bowie – “Ziggy Stardust”
· Antonin Dvorak – “Symphony No. 9 from the New World”
· Lorde – “Royals”
· Nicki Minaj – “Super Bass”
· White Stripes – “Seven Nation Army”
The Dvorak delivers on a promise developers made early on to include some tracks from the all-classical film in the mix. The song was one of the demos we saw last week, and one that we can guarantee you’re going to want to play even if you aren’t traditionally a classical fan.
All in all it looks like the game is coming together nicely, and is going to be a blast to play. It’s expected to hit stores at a TBD date later this year. If you’re anxious to get a peek yourself, you can get a glimpse of some of the Dvorak song and The Hollow in the vid below.
Filed under: Gaming
Android KitKat 4.4.3 could already be in testing, allegedly addresses Nexus 5 camera Bug
We know that Google is always working on something new, so we knew it would only be a matter of time before news of the next iteration of Android software come out. It’s not quite official, but LlabTooFer (who has a pretty good record of leaks) has suggested that Android KitKat 4.4.3, allegedly called build KTU72B, is currently already going testing, which suggests that it is going to be coming out sooner rather than later.
Along with the suggestions that the new build of KitKat is going through its pre-release paces, LlabToofer has said that one of the things that they update will address will be to fix a “known camera bug”. We can only assume that is the bug on Android 4.4.2 which causes unwarranted CPU usage during camera app operation on the Nexus 5; no doubt Nexus 5 owners will be happy to hear this.
Hopefully we hear more about Android 4.4.3 as it will be interesting to learn what else the update will aim to address. What would you like to see in the next Android update? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Source: Twitter via Phone Arena
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Benchmark scores for the two Oppo Find 7 variants show very interesting Results
Last week, the Oppo Find 7 was officially released and as promised, Oppo announced two variants of their flagship device. The two devices have very similar hardware except for a few key differentiators: the lesser of the two, the Find 7a, has a 1080p display, Snapdragon 800, 2GB RAM, whereas the fully-fledged Find 7 will have a 2K (1440p) display, the newer Snapdragon 801 processor and 3GB RAM (for the other specs, check out the announcement here). Many of you might have thought that getting the 2K version of the device might be a no brainer, but a leaked benchmark of the two Oppo Find 7 variants shows a interesting, if different, story.
Basemark benchmark for the premium Oppo Find 7 model
Basemark benchmark for the Oppo find 7a
As you can see, the ‘standard’ version, i.e. the Find 7a, actually outperforms the premium version of the device in the Basemark benchmark test. The most plausible reason for this difference is the fact that the Snapdragon 801 in the premium model, despite being faster than the original Snapdragon 800, actually has to work a lot harder to power the 2K resolution display; more isn’t always better it seems.
This definitely puts an interesting spin on choosing between the two devices, and potentially the other phones which are boasting 2K displays still to be released; perhaps Samsung is onto something with its 1080p Galaxy S5. What do you think about these benchmark results? Which device would you get based on what we know now? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
Source: ePrice via Phones Review
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uPod, an Android podcast player worthy of your attention [App of the Day]
For all you podcast fanatics out there, a newly released app, uPod, is a must have to keep your podcast organized and easily accessible across all your devices!
uPod allows you to keep track of all your favorite audio/video podcast subscriptions when you’re on your tablet or on your phone. It also has a sleek interface to make it all happen. Because we like to look at our apps, even if it’s designed for listening enjoyment.
uPod “light” is available for free from the Play Store which gives you access to 2 hours of podcasting per month. However, you can pay the one time $4.49 licensing fee and have all the podcasting your heart desires.
Check out the ridiculously long feature set:
Audio playback with speed control
- Video playback including audio only option
- Offline show notes
- Drag-and-drop playlist
- Cross device sync for playback positions, playlist and nearly everything else
- Coverart centric user interface
- Effective inbox workflow for assorting new episodes
- Automatic, resumable downloads
- Automatic media file cleanup
- Support for bluetooth headsets and headset controls
- Lock screen and notification playback controls
- Podcast subscription management
- Podcast specific settings
- Discover/search new podcasts
- Import of subscription lists from OPML files
- Responsive layout (phone and tablet support)
- Holo design
The app requires Android 4.0 and up.
The post uPod, an Android podcast player worthy of your attention [App of the Day] appeared first on AndroidGuys.
MIT pioneers ‘living materials’ for self-aware chairs
If Moya, Species 8472 and the White Star are any indication, then science fiction has always had a love affair with the idea of living spaceships crafted from genetically engineered material. We’re not at that point yet, but a team at MIT has harnessed E. coli’s natural ability to produce biofilms — the pink slime you find in the shower if you’re not too good at cleaning — in order to build primitive structures. Even better, is that when the team added gold nanoparticles to the mix, the cells formed rows of nanowires that are capable of conducting electricity. The point of all this, of course, is to develop objects that react to their environment and regulate their activity accordingly. Researcher Timothy Lu told The Register that he was hoping the tech could be used to construct a living chair that adapts to your posture — although the more we think about it, the more creeped out we are by the idea.
Via: The Register
Source: bioRxiv (PDF), MIT
What is The Importance of SEO in Website Designing?
There is really all the more in making a powerful webpage on the web than just having extraordinary plans seen. To bait or pull in additional viewers or guests and in the meantime be recognized by systems, it is vital to acquire an enhancement arrange that is viable. It is a completely diverse matter for the accomplishment of a site.
It is generally found that when extraordinary developments in outlines have been used. The enhancement is not ready to capturereasonably in a manner that it should be to seek objectives that might be accomplished. Thus, it is of incredible essentialness for designers of site to nearly work with the web promoting specialists. The final effects will then be a victory through a cautious and well thoroughly considered arrange by the combo of deliberations of the two gatherings.
The change that is seen after the effects of the SEO service
It can’t be contended that so as to get the investment of viewers and guests, the sites must look extremely magnetic and engaging. All things considered, the in general manifestation of the site must be launched in ways that won’t empower the enhancement exertions to have a negative effect. Now and then, particular site creating elements can empower this to happen, that must dependably be kept away from. The utilization of glimmer movement and also Java Script, that are the most loved instruments utilized by specific site engineers, are acknowledged to be two great illustrations of deliberations in plan that should be evaded for the reason that this don’t even have a part for an advancement to be flawless and web crawlers don’t perceive it.
You will doubtlessly figure out that such a large number of different components or elements requirement to be considered from the point of view of a web configuration organization when attempting to have the pages positioned. The consideration of a site delineate well as simplicity in route and have these fused in the whole outline idea of the page are all crucial.
- For any particular sort of arrangements for a site, a configuration which uses words in H1 headings and Meta tags is genuinely gainful and must be distinguished likewise.
- It is acknowledged to be that keeping in mind the end goal to attain accomplishment in the improvement arrangements and deliberations; it is critical and vital to have proficient and simple connections made inside in a site page.
- Making utilization of one of a kind Urls and page names and making the route of the page to the minimum clicks conceivable are ways that are solid in giving a positive impact in the enhancement endeavours and is said to be a great angle in the site creating arrangements.
The improvement of the web designing by the SEO
When the SEO services have shown up so many benefits in the improvement of the web designing then it is for sure that many individuals will be hiring firms like Big Drop Inc to design their websites.
Author Bio: – This post has been composed By Annie Jackson, She is young writer & freelance & working for toptenreviews.com
What are The Pros and Cons of Mobile Blogging?
So you’ve got a really good blog going and you are getting extraordinary feedback. You may have a few blogs and are starting to understand everything. It might be a ton to manage. Mobile blogging has rapidly turned into an incredible stake for bloggers. There are numerous profits to blogging on the go. For a lot of people, there are things mobile blogging simply can’t do and also being in front of your machine pounding it out on WordPress or Blogger. The following lays out things to consider when choosing to go mobile blogging.
The pros of mobile blogging
- You can blog for all intents and purpose or any PDA.
- Whether you are an iPhone enthusiast or you’re on a Droid or a fundamental lowest part of the line phone, you can mobile blog.
- As long as you have content informing, you can mobile blog through SMS.
- Have email on your mobile phone? You also can blog from your phone by sending an email to your blog stage.
- WordPress, Blogger, Livejournal, Typepad, Tumblr and more will provide for you an email location to send in your blog posts.
- A lot of people additionally let you bring in your voice blog post.
- It’s not difficult to upgrade your blog on the go.
- In the event that you’re at a concert and you need to overhaul your blog with your audit of the reveal to, you can from your phone.
- Blog about the best soil grown foods at the local agriculturists market Saturday morning as well.
- Your plane hasn’t taken off yet however you don’t have room schedule-wise to haul out your smart phone and get connected? Send a snappy post from your phone.
- You can without much of a stretch post a photograph and a couple of words before the flight chaperon ask to sympathetic turn off your electronic mechanisms.
- Time management for anyone could be a torture.
- Bloggers are fixed to their workstations for a considerable length of time on end.
The cons of mobile blogging
- In the event that you are a super blogger and have numerous blogs on distinctive stages, you may need to upgrade them all independently.
- This might be tedious worst case scenario.
- There are some cool applications out that can help, yet numerous don’t blanket all blogging stages.
- Is it accurate to say that you are open to completing overwhelming writing on your phone? In case you don’t have a console, it could take you a while to get that blog out.
- Your touch screen iPhone could drive you insane if you continue hitting the wrong letters or spell check changes your words.
- Don’t rack up crazy wireless bills by not having the best possible plans set up.
- Your information plan ought to be boundless assuming that you are utilizing an application or blogging from your web browser.
- While messaging your blog posts, boundless content plans from the best ecommerce website design are in place too.
Business solutions made easy
Marketing is the bread and butter for most people, it is also the life of every business plan. Without efficient marketing strategies a business would have to shut shops. A good marketing strategy will help you reach your target customers in the most precise way. Marketing is also a challenge as not everybody gets a hang of it. There are two types of Network marketing which work in the online business i.e. Top Tier Business and multi level marketing. It is not easy to tell which business is better because if you are a part of multi level marketing you will obviously not support Top tier business and vice versa.
But one needs to have an equally fair knowledge on both the businesses to differentiate or to function in any one of them.
My top tier business is based on direct selling on the web. The more you make a sale the more you earn. These types of businesses have a high margin in terms of commission. For example, if you sell a product that costs Rs.5000 for the consumer and the commission is approximately Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3000. This kind of a commission is very high as compared to other types of selling in the market. It is a very lucrative business for people who want to quit their ongoing jobs and earn quick money. But not all have the courage to take this big step in their career unless they have fewer responsibilities on them.
What are the advantages of Top tier businesses?
They provide a very high commission as compared to other selling; they make money very quickly and do not have to build huge organizations. You get the best of the marketing solutions at a fraction of the price.
What are the disadvantages of Top tier businesses?
It has a huge start up cost as compared to other businesses, doesn’t provide passive income and is also really hard to sell and recruit in these kinds of businesses.
However every business has advantages and disadvantages. But one should always have a positive outlook towards any kind of work or business to prosper in it or to create milestones in them.
At the end of the day everything depends on the personal opinion. If you feel that you are good at selling and can do this activity over and over again then Top tier business is the best suited for you.
This kind of opportunities helps the quick money makers fulfill their dreams and achieve something in life. This is only possible for those who think differently from others.
It is not easy for all to take a decision for all to enter into top tier business and excel at it. Many take this decision with all the confidence but cannot deliver when it comes to performing. However for some it is a cake walk to deliver and consistently perform at the same time. Also they keep on doing this on and on every time without any difficulty or boredom and most importantly excel at it also.
There are a lot of companies and websites that offer help to become an excellent My Top Tier Business leader. However it all depends on your will power and grasping skills to be a leader or ust a follower in this line of business.
Not all have the nag to create history in every business especially my top tier business as this requires a lot of passion dedication and patience to deal with consumers companies and most importantly your own self to become the number one in it.
AIVAnet 