Motorola Moto G4 Plus review
The original Moto G – released back in 2013 – was one of the first smartphones that kicked of the trend of affordable but high quality smartphones, and went on to become one of the best-selling Motorola smartphones ever. Motorola has continued to release a successor every year since then, but with a lot more OEMs offering options in this ever-growing category, Motorola did have to do something different with the forth generation of their affordable mid-range smartphone.
- Hands on with the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus
- Moto G4 Play announced
That something different arrived in the four of three variations of the latest Moto G, with the Moto G4 Play, the Moto G4, and the Moto G4 Plus, that come with varying display sizes, processing packages, camera setups, and other hardware features, with the latter being the highest-end of the lot. While more expensive when compared to its siblings, the Moto G4 Plus remains extremely affordable, and tacks on a few extras that ultimately make it far more compelling to users.
Buy the Moto G4 Plus now!
What does this device bring to the table? We find out, in this comprehensive Moto G4 Plus review!
Design
Unlike the flagship Moto Z, which features a dramatic departure from the norm, the new Moto G4 Plus retains a lot of the design language of its predecessors. There are a few minor aesthetic changes, but for the most part, the line of Moto G4 devices features a design that is largely reminiscent of previous Motorola smartphones.
The Moto G4 Plus comes with an all plastic build, and despite appearances, the frame is plastic, albeit with a metallic finish. Understandably, you don’t get the premium look and feel of a smartphone that features a metal or glass build, but for a phone made of plastic, the Moto G4 Plus is definitely one of the sturdiest ones out there. It doesn’t feel hollow, rattle, or creak in any way, and feels like a very solid phone overall. This is something that Motorola has always done a good job with, and its great to see this continue to be offered with the Moto G4 Plus.
On the back is the signature Motorola dimple, and the back cover has a nice texture to it, that helps a lot with the grip. However, the smooth finish of the sides does result in the phone being a touch slippery, but not enough to be a cause for concern. The back is also removable, and gives you access to the SIM card slot and the dedicated microSD card slot, with some versions of the device, depending on the market, also coming with dual SIM card slots. While the back cover is removable, the battery is not.
The power button and volume rocker are found on the right side. The power button comes with a textured pattern that makes it easy to differentiate from the volume rocker, but the button layout is unfortunately a little too high up on the chassis to be within comfortable reach. The power button should have also ideally been placed below the volume rocker, but that isn’t case, and requires a lot more effort to get to. The buttons don’t provide a lot of tactile feedback either, and you’re often left wondering whether you have actually pressed them, because of how they feel. The headphone jack and the microUSB port are at the top and bottom respectively.
Display
Unlike previous generations of the Moto G, the IPS LCD displays of the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus have been bumped up to 5.5-inches, with resolution getting a boost to Full HD as well, resulting in a pixel density of 401 ppi. That said, those who prefer a smaller size have the option of the Moto G4 Play, which comes with a 5-inch 720p display.
The larger display and higher resolution allows for a more enjoyable experience when reading text, watching videos, and playing games. It’s not the best Full HD display on a smartphone out there, but it certainly more than gets the job done. It looks sharp, with good viewing angles, and the display is vibrant enough for the colors to not appear washed out.
Performance
Under the hood, the Moto G4 Plus comes with an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, clocked at 1.5 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 405 GPU and 2 GB, 3 GB, or 4 GB of RAM, depending on which storage option you opt for. This particular review unit comes with 3 GB of RAM, and the performance has been pretty good.
You won’t see very impressive results when running benchmark tests, but as far as real world performance is concerned, everything has been fast and responsive. Apps launch quickly, multi-tasking is smooth, and the device can handle gaming without much of a hitch.
Hardware
The Moto G4 Plus is available with 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB in built-in storage options, and as mentioned, this also dictates how much RAM you will be getting. There is also expandable storage via microSD card, up to an additional 256 GB. While there are versions of the device, depending on the market, that feature dual SIM capabilities, you will still get a dedicated microSD card slot, so the great news is that users won’t have to make the choice between dual SIM support and expandable storage, which is often the case with other affordable smartphones out there.
The Moto G4 Plus comes with a single front-facing speaker above the display, and is a part of the earpiece. There is no stereo sound to be had, but the single speaker does sound pretty good, and is capable of getting decently sound without sounding tinny or distorted.
Also up front is a fingerprint scanner placed below the display, and this is one of the extra hardware features that is available only with the Moto G4 Plus. The fingerprint sensor is as fast and accurate as expected, and is comparable in quality to the scanners found with more high-end smartphones as well.
It may sound a little nitpick-y, but it has to be mentioned that this scanner isn’t particularly attractive looking. The square shape clashes with the rounded and curved design of the Moto G4 Plus, and looks out of place. Another very minor issue is the fact that the sensor doesn’t double as a home button, and anyone who has used a device with a front-facing fingerprint scanner will find this something that takes some getting used to.
There is still no NFC available, which is unfortunate, and means that you won’t be able to use this device to quickly connect to Bluetooth speakers, transfer content, or use apps like Android Pay. Another point of note is that the Moto G4 Plus, and other devices in the line, aren’t water resistant anymore. While you will get some form of splash protection, that should keep it safe from a simple splash of water or a sprinkle of rain, these phones aren’t IP-certified, and will not survive being submerged in the water.
The Moto G4 Plus comes with a 3,000 mAh non-removable battery, which has become the standard size for a lot of current generation smartphones. The battery has been pretty good, and the device can provide a full day of use with average usage that involves sending and receiving messages, browsing the web, checking social media, watching a few videos and playing games for a little while.
With more intense usage, such as when playing a lot of games or taking a lot of pictures, the battery does run out pretty quickly though. However, the Moto G4 Plus does come with fast charging capabilities, so you will be able to get back to a full charge in a short amount of time.
Camera
The camera is another hardware feature that is better on the Moto G4 Plus when compared to the other devices in the Moto G4 series. The Moto G4 Plus comes with a 16 MP rear camera with a f/2.0 aperture, phase detection auto focus, and a laser auto focus system, along with a 5 MP front-facing shooter. However, there is no optical image stabilization available, which is unfortunate.
The Motorola camera app has also been improved significantly, with there being a shutter button now that makes taking pictures with one hand easier, and the app in general is simpler and easier to use. A swipe from the left side opens up a menu for basic camera settings, and a button on the upper right corner lets you quickly switch between photo and video, along with a few other modes like panorama and slow motion video. The most notable change with the camera app is the addition of a manual mode, which is something that was definitely long overdue.
As far as picture quality is concerned, it is actually surprisingly really good. Granted, it’s not going to stack up favorably against the high-end Samsung and LG flagships out there, but for a device that is so inexpensive, the camera is certainly capable of taking some nice looking shots. In good lighting conditions, you get shots with plenty of detail and vibrant colors, and the images are sharp, without looking over sharpened.
Dynamic range isn’t the best, with the camera tending to crush shadows a little too much, but that is all taken care of with HDR. Using HDR mode tones down the shadows and highlights, and adds some more vibrancy to the image, without making it appear unnatural or fake.
In low-light conditions however, is where the camera falls apart extremely quickly. We expect some noise to be present in images taken in poorly-lit situations, but the grain is quite significant with the Moto G4 Plus. Highlights are also typically overexposed, there isn’t a lot of detail to be had, and the camera also has trouble finding a point of focus in low light.
If you’re looking for a really good low-light smartphone camera, the Moto G4 Plus is unfortunately not going to cut it, but in most other situations, this camera more than gets the job done. The 5 MP front-facing camera comes with a wide angle lens, and proves to be more than adequate to cover all your selfie taking needs.
Software
On the software side of things, the Moto G4 Plus is running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and this is as close to stock Android as you can get without it being a Nexus smartphone. There is virtually no bloatware to be found, and the software package isn’t as packed with features as what may be found with the high-end Motorola offerings.
There are some features available though, such as Moto Actions, which lets you do things like turning the flashlight on with a chopping motion, flipping the phone over to silence it when it rings, or launching the camera with a twist of your wrist. A simpler version of Motorola’s ambient display feature is also available, but with there being no sensors on the front, it is entirely contingent on motion.
You can’t wave your hand over the display to wake up the phone, and it also doesn’t continuously pulsate to indicate notifications. The only time it lights up is when you take the phone out of your pocket or pick it up from a table, or when you initially receive a notification. Other than these Motorola features, the software package is entirely stock Android, and sometimes, a clean and simple experience is all you need to keep things smooth and snappy.
Specifications
| Display | 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution 401ppi |
| Processor | 1.5 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 |
| GPU | Adreno 405 |
| RAM | 2/3/4 GB |
| Storage | 16/32/64GB |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 256 GB |
| Cameras | 16MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture 5MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes |
| Battery | Non-removable 3000mAh battery |
| Software | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow |
| Dimensions | 153 x 76.6 x 7.9-9.8mm 155g |
Gallery
Pricing and final thoughts
If the standard black or white options aren’t enough, the Moto G4 Plus can be customized using Moto Maker, that lets you choose between different back cover and accent colors, and allows you to add an engraving as well. That said, the availability of Moto Maker is dependent on the market.
The price and availability of the Moto G4 Plus in the US is still unknown, but in India, the 32 GB version (with 3 GB of RAM) is priced at Rs 14,999 (~$230), while the 16 GB iteration (with 2 GB of RAM) is priced at Rs 13,499 (~$207), and we can expect the pricing to be similar in the US as well.
So, there you have it for in-depth look at the Motorola Moto G4 Plus! The Moto G series has always been among the best bang for your buck smartphones around, and things remain the same, even with the technically more expensive Moto G4 Plus.
- Hands on with the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus
- Moto G4 Play announced
The Moto G was in desperate need for an upgrade though, and the changes Motorola has made to the display and camera make the Moto G4 Plus a very compelling option for those who are looking for a smartphone that falls in the sub-$250 category.
Buy the Moto G4 Plus now!
What do you think of the Moto G4 Plus and the improvements made vs previous Moto G smartphones, and do you plan to buy one? Let us know your views in the comments below!
The Mill’s shapeshifting Blackbird can mimic any car
Securing exotic, high-performance vehicles for a video shoot can be an expensive and arduous ordeal. Between dealing with availability of the vehicle, location, and filming, setting up the perfect shot for movies or commercials is extremely difficult. With the Blackbird, The Mill has made it possible to shoot automotive content without needing a specific vehicle.
The Blackbird is the world’s first fully adjustable car rig that cannot only alter its chassis to match the precise length and width of almost any car, but its looks as well. Using CGI, the car rig can be re-skinned to look like any car, and its electric motor can be programmed to emulate the driving characteristics of the subject car, too. Automotive content producers no longer need the physical vehicle for a shoot as the Blackbird is a do-it-all-rig.
In addition to being able to drive and look like any car, the Blackbird can help users build a virtual version of its environment by using a combination of 3D laser scanning and high-dynamic range imagery. For those that aren’t as imaginative, The Mill has created a unique AR application that allows individuals to see the intended CGI vehicle on top of the rig.
As its name implies, the Blackbird was hand built in the same hanger as the Blackbird SR-71 supersonic jet by technicians from JemFX and took two years to complete.
Related Video:
Source: The Mill, YouTube
Disable three iOS features you likely use only by accident – CNET
With each iteration of iOS, Apple adds new features to make iPhones and iPads more flexible and easier to use. I happily accept these improvements each year, but there are some that end up just getting in the way.
There are three features in particular — two for the iPhone and one for the iPad — that I use only by accident. Let’s have a look at what they are and how to disable them.
1. Reachability
Reachability was introduced with the iPhone 6 and iOS 8 to help those with tiny Trump hands reach elements on the iPhone 6’s larger screen. Reachability moves the screen down so that you can more easily tap, swipe or otherwise interact with something at the top of the screen. With a double-tap on the home button, the current screen slides halfway down the display.
Granted, I went through an adjustment period with my iPhone 6 but I have since grown accustomed to its larger screen dimensions and only access Reachability by accident.
To disable Reachability, go to Settings > Accessibility and turn off the toggle switch for Reachability.
Enlarge Image
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
2. Shake to Undo
Shake to Undo is another feature that I use only by mistake. It pops up on certain apps — Mail and Messages most frequently for me — and asks if I want to Undo Typing.
To disable it, go go to Settings > Accessibility. You’ll find Shake to Undo a few lines above the Reachability setting discussed previously.
Enlarge Image
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
3. iPad multitasking
I do not use my iPad as a productivity machine. I use it to watch Netflix and my Cincinnati Reds on the MLB app, read The New York Times and play the occasional game of Ticket to Ride. I never need to do more than one of these things at a time, so the only time I engage the iPad’s slide-over and split-view features is by accidentally swiping from the right edge of my iPad.
Enlarge Image
Matt Elliott/CNET
To disable the slide-over and split-view features on your iPad, go to Settings > Multitasking and turn off the toggle switch for Allow Multiple Apps.
Are there other iOS settings you disable to keep them out of your way? Please let me know in the comments below.
Where to buy the Sony Xperia X Performance in Canada
The Sony Xperia X Performance is the more, well, performant version of its Xperia X counterpart. Featuring the best aspects of Sony’s Xperia Z series with a new focus on design and intuitive software, it’s certainly Sony’s best phone ever. Here’s where to get it in Canada.
Buy the Sony Xperia X Performance from Bell
Bell sells the Xperia X Performance at a flagship price, with a predictable $500 subsidy.
- $199.99 on a 2-year contract
- $699.99 on a month-to-month plan
It is available in black and white variants.
See at Bell
Buy the Sony Xperia X Performance from Rogers
Rogers will be selling the Xperia X Performance on July 14. You can reserve the phone now and receive a free pair of Sony headphones until July 14th.
- $199.99 on a 2-year contract
- $699.99 on a month-to-month plan
It will be available in black.
See at Rogers
- Sony Xperia X review
- Sony Xperia X Performance hands-on
Maybe Google just found its social network after all
YouTube has long been a social network — we just haven’t thought of it the right way. And now with mobile livestreaming, it’s even more important to change that mindset.
Google+ is no Facebook. It’s not supposed to be, and it’s not going to be. (Facebook made sure of that.) And while that’s both good and bad, there’s no denying that there’s power in numbers. And with more than a billion active users every single day, Facebook has the numbers.
That Google never managed to figure out social will forever be a black mark on the company’s legacy. For all the incredible engineering work its done, Google couldn’t win at getting folks to talk to each other? (OK, maybe it’s not that surprising.)
But perhaps Google’s about to finally carve out its social niche — in a very familiar place.
YouTube.
YouTube is adding livestreaming to its mobile apps. That it hadn’t already — ceding months and months and millions and millions of users to the likes of Periscope and now Facebook (and, I’d argue, Snapchat) — is damn near criminal. This is YouTube we’re talking about. This is Google. It’s been doing livestreaming for what seems like forever. Hangouts on Air made it ridiculously simple for anyone to spin up their own online talk show. So why not on phones?
I’m old. And despite living this digital stuff every damn day, I still think in old ways sometimes. If I start streaming from YouTube, who’s going to see it?
YouTube’s going to see it, dumbass. All those subscribers. All those people who already are notified anytime their favorite channel adds a new video. And now? They’re going to know when you’re broadcasting live. Just like on Facebook. So what if there’s not some umbrella website for all things social and Googly? The watercooler is already there, with folks around it. It’s YouTube.
YouTube isn’t just a repository — a place to stash your videos to be embedded somewhere else. It hasn’t only been that for quite some time, a fact some of use figured out too late. Take any number of the personalities out there. (I refuse to call anyone a “YouTube star” or, worse, a “sensation.”) They figured it out and cultivated an audience. And you can see just how strong that audience can be if you look at our own MrMobile. And our own Android Central channel continues to grow.
Who’s going to see all the livestreaming on YouTube? The millions and millions of folks already there.
And now? Now we’ll all have an easy way for our audiences — every single one of us on YouTube — to follow along, live. It won’t be constrained to Google+. Chances are we’ll still be able to embed streams on webpages, which is fine and all. (But that’s also legacy.) No, Google just made it even more important to grow a YouTube audience. It made it even more important to explore what’s on YouTube, for it to help separate the wheat from the chaff, and for those of us on the other side of the screen (which, again, potentially is all of us) to do compelling things and create moments that are worth sharing live.
We’ll also livestream breakfast, of course. And all that other mundane crap we do every day. (And, yes, the old-guy boss in me recognizes that this is, in fact, one more thing that we’re going to have to do in the course of our jobs.) And our subscribers — that’s such a clinical, engineery term — will come along for the ride, closer than they’ve ever done before.
So maybe with live streaming directly from the YouTube app in our pockets, Google’s finally going to find itself with sort of social network it should have cultivated from the start. Or maybe it’s had it all along, and we just haven’t thought of it in the right way.
Yahoo Mail now lets you decorate your email and more
Yahoo is rolling out an update for its Mail app that enhances the personalization features of the app, while also adding new productivity capabilities. The new Stationary feature allows you to send emails with professionally-drawn themes.
The new features you’ll find in the app, according to Yahoo, include:
- Document Preview: Previewing an attachment will not only save you space and data, but you can now view large files on your phone or tablet significantly faster, without any download.
- Home Screen Widgets: We’re adding a fourth widget that shows the unread message count for all your accounts and mailboxes.
- Disable Swiping: You ask, we deliver. We’re bringing you the ability to turn off the swipe to delete functionality. Never accidentally delete an email again.
- Spacing: We want to make sure your inbox reads just how you like it. So, as many of you have requested, you can now choose five levels of inbox spacing, from super-dense (no avatars, no message snippet) to super-expanded (several lines of message snippet).
- Update to Themes: We’ve updated the dark grey theme to be extra-high-contrast.
The updated Yahoo Mail is rolling out on the Google Play Store now.
Best Android apps to use with your Chromecast
What are some of the best apps I can use with Chromecast?
Your Chromecast, small as it is, can do a lot thanks to a plethora of available apps. Play games with your friends in the living room, compete in dance competitions against people around the world, stream your latest vacation pictures to your big-screen, and keep up with the latest and greatest TV and music. There are a ton of apps to use with Chromecast in the Play Store; here are the best for whatever you’re looking to do.
- Cast Store for Chromecast Apps
- MegaCast
- AllCast
- Plex for Android
- Videostream Chromecast: Mobile
- Google Cast
- GamingCast
- Big Web Quiz
- Just Dance Now
- Cast-a-Draw
- Tricky Titans
- Twitch
- YouTube
- Netflix
- HBO NOW
- TED
- YouTube Gaming
- iHeartRadio
- Google Play Music
- Pocket Casts
Cast Store for Chromecast Apps
The number of apps in the Google Play Store can lead to a distinct complication: is this app compatible with Chromecast? Luckily, this app acts as an index for Chromecast-compatible apps only. Don’t worry, there won’t be any shady business — choosing an app from the Cast Store takes you directly to the Play Store where you can download it as normal.
This is the perfect choice to start off your collection of apps that work with Chromecast.
Download: Cast Store for Chromecast Apps (Free)
MegaCast
If you’re having problems playing certain media on your Chromecast, MegaCast will be right up your alley. Chromecast rcan’t support some video file-types, including TS and DIVX. MegaCast offers real-time transcoding so that you can play any media file from your phone or tablet on your Chromecast.
Don’t wait around while other programs transcode your videos — start watching now.
Download: MegaCast (Free, In-app purchases)
AllCast
AllCast is a multi-purpose streaming tool that lets you see your photos, listen to your music, and watch your videos on Chromecast. It allows you to access files not only from your phone or tablet but also from any network attached storage or cloud services. Keep in mind that there is no built-in transcoder for file-types unsupported by Chromecast.
The free version of AllCast is essentially a trial version — you get a minute of viewing time, per file. The premium version of AllCast costs $4.99, and it allows you to stream to your Chromecast all you want. Check out this app now to stream files from the cloud to Chromecast.
Download: AllCast (Free, $4.99 Premium)
Plex for Android
Plex lets you set up a media server in your home that allows for streaming to your Chromecast. Your music, photos, and videos are easily shared — you can even sync to cloud services for extra backup or for those times when you’re away from your media server.
The free version of Plex puts a one-minute playback time on media from your server, but you can stream personal photos and videos from your Android phone or tablet for as long as you want. Plex is a fantastic app for anyone looking to set up a media server for their Chromecast.
Download: Plex for Android (Free, $4.99/month, $39.99/year, $149.99/life)
Videostream Chromecast: Mobile
The mobile version of this app acts as a remote control for the Chrome app, VideoStream. There is no media server required — you use this app to pick the video on your computer you want to watch and it will stream to Chromecast.
Fast forward, rewind, pause, and play media files using your phone or tablet and leave your desktop in the office while you stream video to your living room TV. You won’t even have to leave the couch.
Download: Videostream Chromecast: Mobile (Free)
Google Cast
The Google Cast app is essential for everyone with a Chromecast. It acts a catch-all for other apps on your phone or tablet that have streaming enabled. Browse through your personal media files, trending media on Netflix and YouTube, or even new album releases on apps like Google Play Music.
Google Cast is as simple to use as apps come, and it works with many more devices than Chromecast, including Chromecast Audio.
Download: Google Cast (Free)
GamingCast
Your Chromecast can be so much more than a streaming content receiver. What you’re getting here with GamingCast is a console with six games: Snake, Pong, Xonix, Tetrominoes, Flapper, and Breakout. The game is displayed on your TV, thanks to Chromecast, and you use your phone or tablet as the controller. Pong is currently the only multiplayer game on the list, but there are more games on the way.
Give GamingCast a try for some retro gaming action with your friends.
Download: GamingCast ($1.50)
Big Web Quiz
Big Web Quiz is perfect for get-togethers with your friends. You can connect up to five devices at once — trivia questions pop up on your Chromecast, and each person answers as quickly as they can on their device.
Questions are generated with a combination of Google Knowledge Graph and global search trends, so it’s unlikely you’ll ever see the same question twice. Get ready for some hilarious queries and equally hilarious answers.
Download: Big Web Quiz (Free)
Just Dance Now
Want to prove to your friends that you’re a talented dancer? What about people around the world? Hold your phone in one hand while you dance to a music video playing on a Chromecast-connected TV. The better you follow the model dancing on-screen, the better your score.
Earn stars and level up as you compete; this is a great app for competitive dancers who don’t want to leave the house.
Download: Just Dance Now (Free, in-app purchases)
Cast-a-Draw
Are you a fan of Pictionary? With Cast-a-Draw, pictures drawn on your phone or tablet are streamed in real time to your TV connected to Chromecast. The best part of Cast-a-Draw is its kid-friendly design — there are no ads and no links — so kids won’t be exposed to anything inappropriate nor will they be able to leave the app for extraneous sites.
This is a fun party app (or kid-entertainer) that only requires one Android device, other than your Chromecast.
Download: Cast-a-Draw (Free)
Tricky Titans
This free game has some attractive artwork to go along with its fun, competitive gameplay. It is turn-based, so some strategy is required; your Titan stands guard over a town, and you must choose to attack, defend, or power up. Depending on what your enemies choose, you could either smash them or be smashed. Hold your phone or tablet close to your chest like a hand of cards as you control your Titan.
Check out Tricky Titans if you want a fun party game that isn’t based on trivia or reaction times.
Download: Tricky Titans (Free)
Twitch
Participate in live chat from your phone or tablet while you watch HD game streams from around the world on your TV. Your favorite game is no doubt being played right now, whether at the amateur or professional level. Yes, Twitch is home to many of gaming’s biggest tournaments and is home to many of the world’s biggest streaming stars.
Consider Twitch if you want to watch your favorite games being played — pick up tips and tricks while you watch the pros, and have a laugh with other viewers in the live chat.
Download: Twitch (Free)
YouTube
This app is by far the best way to watch YouTube videos on your Chromecast. You’re able to see your subscriptions, your playlists, your channels, and more. It’s perfect for anyone who can’t enough of YouTube. Latest videos on the big-screen? Yes, thanks to Chromecast.
This app is optimized to be the YouTube experience, so forget about impostors.
Download: YouTube (Free)
Netflix
Sure, you can mirror your screen to watch Netflix on Chromecast, but why not use their native app? Choose what you want to watch from your phone or tablet, then let your Chromecast take it away. You’ll be able to use your phone or tablet for other purposes while you watch — just switch back to the app when you’re ready to change what you’re watching.
Can’t get enough Netflix? Good just got better with the Chromecast app.
Download: Netflix ($8.99/month)
HBO NOW
With the amount of piracy surrounding Game of Thrones, HBO realized they needed to create a streaming service for people without cable. Their answer is HBO NOW, a streaming service that gives you instant access to all of their programming. Episodes are released at the same time as on broadcast TV, so you won’t be missing anything and can keep up conversation with your friends enjoying broadcast HBO.
Stream to your Chromecast and enjoy everything HBO has to offer on a bigger screen.
Download: HBO NOW ($14.99/month)
TED
Are you a fan of interesting people and their ideas? Want to know what’s on the cutting edge of science, religion, and culture? TED’s app gives you access to all TED Talk episodes in their library, with subtitles available in over 90 languages. You can create your own playlists, share episodes with your friends, and even download episodes for when you’re without internet access.
Some TED Talks are better viewed on a TV, so stream to your Chromecast and see the video presentation accompanying the speech.
Download: TED (Free)
YouTube Gaming
Competition is great; it forces companies to strive to be the best. For a long time, Twitch was high above all curated game-streaming sites. That’s changed, thanks to YouTube gaming, and it’s you who profits. YouTube Gaming has a boatload of live and recorded gaming sessions to choose from. Its interface is easy to navigate (as you’d expect from YouTube), its search has a lot of filters to choose from, and the quality of videos is dependable.
Want to try an alternative to Twitch? Try YouTube Gaming; it looks great streamed to Chromecast.
Download: YouTube Gaming (Free)
iHeartRadio
The iHeartRadio experience is like driving around in a magical car that picks up music and radio stations from around the world. You can make your own radio stations based on music related to a certain artist, or you can listen in on established stations from big cities, including L.A. and New York. There is also a built-in podcast player, myriad sports stations, and live news stations that keep you up-to-date with happenings around the world.
The best part of iHeartRadio is that, unlike on-demand streaming services, artists can’t refuse to have their music played. You’ll be able to listen to anything you want, as long as it’s played on radio.
Thanks to Chromecast, you can stream audio to your speakers and have a real, window-shaking time.
Download: iHeartRadio (Free)
Google Play Music
Streaming music is taking on more and more users each day, and Google is here with its own service. For free, you can upload your own music library to Google and listen to it from any device, or you can listen to ad-supported radio based on moods or artists. There is also a growing podcast library. Connect to your speakers with Chromecast and make the neighbors mad while you listen to your music library.
If you subscribe, you have access to about 35 million songs. Best part? Listen without ads, and even download songs to your device to listen to when you’re offline. A subscription to Google Play Music gives you access to YouTube Red — no more ads while you watch videos! Subscriptions are available for a single user ($9.99) or for a family of six users ($14.99).
Download: Google Play Music (Free, $9.99/month, $14.99/month)
Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is ideal for anyone who wants to keep up with their favorite podcasts and discover new ones. This app has many features and some excellent support that we feel make it worth the money. You can set up downloads for a time when you’re within Wi-Fi range, you can remove dead-time to significantly speed up podcast run-times, and you can, of course, stream video and audio to your Chromecast. There are plenty more features that you’ll love, from sharing with friends to in-depth display settings.
Some things Pocket Casts doesn’t have are ads and episode limits. Woohoo!
Download: Pocket Casts ($3.99)
Your favorite apps?
What are your favorite apps to use with Chromecast? Let us know in the comments below.
Chromecast and Chromecast Audio
- New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio review
- All the latest Chomecast news
- Join the discussion in our forums
Chromecast:
Google
Walmart
Best Buy
Currys UK
Chromecast Audio:
Google
Walmart
Best Buy
Currys UK
Verizon pushes June security patch update to Samsung Galaxy Note 4
If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 on Verizon, you may want to check for an update. The carrier has just begun pushing out an over-the-air update to the phone, bringing it up to date with the June Android security patch.
From Verizon:
The current software update gives you the most up to date Android™ security patch on your device.
Once updated, your Note 4 should be up to software version MMB29M.N910VVRU2CPF3 with the latest security patch installed. If you haven’t yet been prompted to install the update, you can check manually through you phone’s Settings menu.
Have you nabbed the update yet? Let us know what you think in the comments or on our forums!
Thanks to Ed and quayday8 for the tips!
Where to buy the Sony Xperia XA in Canada
Sony’s Xperia XA is its new mid-range offering as part of its new X lineup. While it lacks the specs of its Xperia X counterparts, it has a lot going for it in its $349.99 package.
It features a 5-inch 720p display, a MediaTek Helio P10 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 13MP rear camera sensor, 8MP front camera sensor, and a 2,300mAh battery.
Buy the Sony Xperia XA from Bell
Bell sells the Xperia XA at a decent price, with an option to walk out of the store paying nothing up front.
- $0 on a 2-year contract
- $349.99 on a month-to-month plan
It is available in black and white variants.
See at Bell
Buy the Sony Xperia XA from Virgin Mobile
Bell’s flanker brand also sells the Xperia XA for the same price as its parent company.
- $0 on a Platinum plan
- $0 on a Gold plan
- $199.99 on a Silver plan
- $349.99 on a month-to-month plan
It is available in black and white variants.
See at Virgin Mobile
- Sony Xperia XA hands-on
YouTube launches live mobile streaming: Here’s what you need to know
Google-owned YouTube is trying to catch up with Facebook Live and Twitter-owned Periscope. It’s finally adding a live-stream button to the YouTube mobile app, even though it’s already offered the feature in a limited capacity for about 5 years.
Shortly after announcing the news at the VidCon annual online video conference in Anaheim, California, Google published a blog post to explain how the feature will work. We’ve therefore detailed everything you need to know, and we will update this piece over time with more information as it becomes or available, or when YouTube finally gives the green-light to its live-stream functionality.
YouTube live-streaming: Didn’t it have this already?
Yep. YouTube began offering live streaming on YouTube in 2011. It live-streamed the Royal Wedding in 2011, for instance.
Google also said that about “one-sixth of the Internet” watched Felix Baumgartner leap from space live on YouTube in 2012. And just this year, YouTube actually broadcasted a 360-degree live stream of the Coachella music festival. The thing to note however is that Google didn’t allow just anyone to live-stream. It limited the feature to specific creators (like Red Bull, which broadcasted Baumgartner’s leap).
However, on 24 June, Google announced that it would bring the power of live video to creators everywhere.
YouTube live-streaming: When will it be available?
Google hasn’t yet announced an official launch date for YouTube live-streaming. It has only said: “Soon, we’ll be putting the power of YouTube live streaming in the palm of your hands.” However, the live-streaming button and redesigned YouTube mobile app is already available for select creators, launching The Young Turks, AIB, Platica Polinesia, SacconeJolys, and Alex Wassabi.
It will be rolling out more widely soon.
YouTube live-streaming: How will it work?
From what we can tell, YouTube live-streaming will be an entirely mobile experience. That means it will be baked right into the YouTube mobile app. There won’t be a new, single-purpose app just for live-streaming. For instance, YouTube has an app called Creator Studio that makes it easier for creators to manage their channel on the go. They can check their latest stats, respond to comments, and get notifications.
There’s also an app called Capture that lets creators start recording in a snap, then edit, and share videos of any length right from their phones. Unlike these functions, YouTube live-streaming won’t get its own app. You won’t need to open anything else, at all. You’ll just hit a big red capture button right there in the corner of the YouTube app, then take or select a thumbnail photo, and broadcast live.
YouTube live-streaming: What will it feature?
Chat
When you’re live-streaming via YouTube, your subscribers and fans will be able to watch and chat in “near real time”. Google has shared images of YouTube’s upcoming mobile redesign, and it looks a lot like Periscope. Chat bubbles appear overlaid on the video, allowing a creator to talk to fans. YouTube creators will also be able to switch the camera from front-facing to rear-facing view.
Search
Because live-streaming will be built right into the YouTube app, Google said it will have access to all the features regular videos have, so you’ll be able to search for them, find them through recommendations and playlists, and protect them from unauthorized uses.
YouTube live-streaming: Is it too late to the game?
YouTube may have offered live-streaming capabilities for a long time, but it hasn’t offered a single-purpose app like Periscope, nor has it widely offered the ability to launch a broadcast straight from the YouTube mobile like how Facebook Live works from the Facebook app. Both of these methods are easy to use and offer a push-button experience in which users can simply click to go live.
YouTube is now scrambling to catch up. It’s updating it’s mobile app so that the ability to go live will be baked right in. Maybe it’s a little too late for the company; it’s hard to tell at this point. But one thing is for sure: live-streaming is totally in right now, and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. So, if YouTube can jump in now, it’s better late than never. Right?
Want to know more?
Check out YouTube’s blog post for more details.
AIVAnet 