Best minimalist cases for Samsung Galaxy Note 5
What’s the best thin, minimalist case for Galaxy Note 5?
Don’t hide the light of your beautiful Samsung Galaxy Note 5 behind a thick case. Let it shine with a minimalist cover that shows it off and protects it at the same time. Here are our favorites.
- Samsung Glossy Cover
- Ringke Fusion Crystal Clear case
- Spigen Liquid Crystal case
- Poetic Affinity case
- RhinoShield CrashGuard case
- Incipio Octane Pure Carrying case
Samsung Glossy Cover
When you want to protect your Samsung Galaxy Note 5 from scratches, but you don’t want to conceal the beautiful lines of your phone, you can’t go wrong with the Glossy Cover from Samsung. Since it’s made by Samsung, you know it will fit your phone to a tee.
You’ll love how the Glossy Cover feels in your hands and the way it helps you grip the large and slippery Samsung Galaxy Note 5 — you’ll also like the fact that this case protects it, while remaining unobtrusive; in fact, you might even swear you don’t have a case on your phone at all.
The case itself is made of polycarbonate with a coating to prevent fingerprints and scratches. The plastic around the corners protects the most vulnerable parts of the phone and a see-through back lets you show off that attractive metallic finish. It’s also compatible with Qi wireless charging.
See at Amazon
Ringke Fusion Crystal Clear case
The Ringke fusion Crystal Clear case is a very thin yet protective case that shows off the Samsung Galaxy Note 5’s shiny metallic finish.
It’s a clear case that’s got a TPU bumper that wraps around the vulnerable edges of the phone. To protect the ports from dust, this case features tabbed dust covers that are easily lifted off for full access.
A unique aspect of the Ringke Fusion Crystal Clear case is that it comes with a template from which you can create your own back cover. It’s basically a cardboard cutout that allows you to cut photos to fit perfectly. Since the plastic cover is see-through, any design you create and insert will be visible — or you can just rock your attractive Samsung Galaxy Note 5 naked.
If you’re looking for a minimalist case that shows off your device or lets you create your own back cover, then the Ringke Fusion Crystal Clear case is for you.
See at Amazon
Spigen Liquid Crystal case
The Spigen Liquid Crystal case is a flexible case that adds no bulk to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 while still protecting it against bumps and scratches.
Made from flexible TPU, the Spigen Liquid Crystal case has a small raised lip surrounding the edges of the phone in the front and the camera lens in the back to protect these vulnerable areas from scratches.
Since the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is notoriously slippery to hold, you’ll enjoy the fact that the Spigen Liquid Crystal case feels grippy, allowing you to feel confident that you won’t drop that expensive tech on the floor while you’re walking around..
There is one thing to be aware of about this and any other case made from clear TPU, and that is that it has the tendency to yellow over time.
If you want a bendable and minimalist case that doesn’t add bulk, leaves your phone completely visible, and helps you maintain your grip on it, then give the Spigen Liquid Crystal case a try.
See at Amazon
Poetic Affinity case
The Poetic Affinity case is designed to protect and enhance the appearance of your Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
Made from clear polycarbonate and soft TPU, the Poetic Affinity has patterned sides that make the phone easier to hold and keep it from slipping out of your hands.
The back is clear with a raised pattern that prevents scratches. The insides of the case have raised TPU ridges that help to minimize shocks, should you drop your phone on the ground and around the front edge of the phone is a raised bezel to prevent damage to the screen when you lay your phone face-down.
If you want a case with an attractive pattern that’s also protective, then the Poetic Affinity case is a good choice.
See at Amazon
RhinoShield CrashGuard case
You can’t get much more minimal than the RhinoShield CrashGuard case.
It’s a bumper that wraps around the edges of your Samsung Galaxy Note 5 with a raised lip around the front edge to protect the screen. It weighs less than an ounce and is just 0.09mm thick, so yeah, it’s really, really minimal.
However, don’t let its barely there quality fool you. Believe it or not, the RhinoShield CrashGuard will protect your phone from drops of up to 11 feet. That’s pretty crazy, especially for a minimalist case.
If you want a real minimalist case that is still protective, then the RhinoShield CrashGuard is definitely for you.
See at Amazon
Incipio Octane Pure Carrying case
The Incipio Octane Pure Carrying case is great for showing off the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 in all its shiny glory while still protecting it from getting banged up.
It’s composed of a clear polycarbonate shell and a soft thermo-plastic urethane (TPU) bumper that protects the device from scratches and bumps without adding bulk. The TPU bumper comes in a colorful hot pink so that you can always find your phone, even in a dark room. It also looks nice and enhances the phone’s metallic sheen.
If you want a case that’s colorful and protective, the Incipio Octane Pure Carrying case is the one you want.
See at Amazon
What are your favorites?
We’ve told you about the minimalist cases that we love, but how about you? Let us know in the comments below.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
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Tumblr is bringing ads to user blogs
Tumblr is planning to quietly introduce a new advertising program that means users will start seeing ads across their blogs.
The company didn’t exactly elaborate on how these new ads will work, but it seems as though it might be an extension of the current “Creatrs” program, where brands work directly with Tumblr users rather than using third-party liaisons.
The ad opportunities will stretch to all Tumblr members, however. So it won’t matter if you’re running a blog for dank memes or to show your love for all things Supernatural, as “any eligible Tumblr” will be able to join the program and can even earn money by registering. The process will launch later this year.
It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to the actual ads, though. If you’re an avid Tumblr user and want to back out of having ads on your blog, you can actually turn off the on-blog advertising option via Settings. Otherwise, ads will be turned on by default. They’ll show up on the main Tumblr page, slide-out section and via mobile apps.
The ads are set to launch this Thursday.
Via: TechCrunch
SoundCloud reportedly wants to find a buyer
SoundCloud’s paid Go music service is a hot mess between its clunky interface and poor selection, and that may be leading the company to consider some more drastic ways of making money. Bloomberg tipsters claim that SoundCloud’s owners are “exploring strategic options,” including a possible sale at a valuation of $1 billion. The discussions are reportedly still young and might not lead anywhere, but the very possibility that it’s on the table is notable — the company may not be confident that it can profit from its legions of listeners.
The company hasn’t commented so far. Having said this, SoundCloud may face an uphill battle even if it does decide that a sale is the best solution. It’s reportedly having trouble finding buyers that believe it’s worth $1 billion, and even Twitter’s $70 million investment only valued SoundCloud at $700 million. It may have to either be patient or accept that its current offerings don’t command a premium.
Source: Bloomberg
It’s official: Nextbit launches limited-edition red Robin phone
A couple weeks after slyly teasing a red-coloured Robin, Nextbit has made the new version of its flagship official.
Nextbit, a new phone-maker made up of ex-Google and ex-HTC people, has announced that it is “introducing a limited ’ember’ colorway” for Robin this summer, and it described the new phone as having “a neutral, deep-black back with bright red end caps that really pop”.
Robin stands out from other Android handsets simply because it aims to resolve your storage woes with a clever software system that uses the cloud, and it will smartly archive and restore your content based on your usage and needs. When Pocket-lint reviewed the phone earlier this year, we said we liked the refreshing design, and that Nextbit’s cloud storage solution works well.
Nextbit
During its ember announcement, Nextbit also announced beta testers will receive a software update for Robin that adds video support; the company has long promised to offer support for videos in smart storage. Beta testing is open to all Robin users. They just have to join the beta program (click here to join). Nextbit plans to eventually roll out the new feature to all Robin users.
- Did Nextbit just accidentally reveal its next Robin phone?
- Nextbit Robin review
As for that ember-coloured Robin, Nextbit said it’ll only be produced in a limited quantity and sold exclusively at Nextbit.com for $299 starting 27 July. However, if you’re in India, sales are via Flipkart and kick off the following week.
Robin was previously only available in the colour blue.
Nextbit
China finishes building the world’s largest amphibious plane
On November 2nd, 1947, the Hughes H-4 Hercules took off for the first time. The test run lasted less than a minute, and it traveled for around a mile. The H-4, erroneously nicknamed the Spruce Goose, was a behemoth; its wing 320-foot wingspan is still the largest of any plane to fly. But that flight was also to be its last; a proof of concept developed by Howard Hughes that was shelved shortly after the test. Now, China’s state-owned aircraft maker AVIC has built an amphibious plane that fulfils Hughes’ dream of a colossal sea-faring plane.
The AG-600 is about the size of a Boeing 737, and is designed for both marine rescue missions and firefighting. It can land and take off out at sea, supporting search and rescue operations for up to 50 passengers at a time. It can also scoop up 12 tonnes of water in 20 seconds, before depositing it where it’s needed. It has a maximum range of just under 2,800 miles, and a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tonnes.
Despite its shorter wingspan, the AG-600 will be the largest amphibious aircraft ever made, as the Spruce Goose never made it to production. AVIC hopes to sell it to nations other than China, with local press suggesting countries with “many islands,” including Malaysia and New Zealand, have expressed an interest in purchasing the craft.
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Three’s Essential plans scrap the perks to cut the cost
All the major UK carriers offer customer perks designed to tempt you onto their networks, such as EE’s brand new bonus of free BT Sport access for six months, or Vodafone including European roaming as part of your contract. Three plays this game too, but in a new shake-up to its pay-monthly plans, it’s begun offering an entirely new perk: No perks at all, in exchange for a lower-cost tariff.
To do this, Three effectively doubled the number of pay-monthly tariffs it sells overnight. Those that were available before have been renamed “Advanced” plans, while the new tier are known as “Essential” plans. These give you the same minute, text and data allowances at a lower cost, as you are sacrificing free customer service calls, tethering and Three’s Feel at Home perk, which lets you to roam in 18 popular destinations abroad at no extra cost.
Three is also talking up the flexibility of these Essential plans. Penny-pinchers that were perhaps too frugal with their tariff choice can upgrade, add a tethering allowance or simply purchase extra minutes or data at any time — for a fee, of course. The Essential tier is available on one-month and 12-month SIM-only plans, as well as a decent selection of 24-month handset plans, the latest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices included. Naturally, the pricing structure is pretty complex, but simply put, an Essential tariff will save you up to £5 per month, or up to £120 over the course of a contract.
Three actually launched the new tier in bricks-and-mortar stores on July 19th, but you won’t find them online until tomorrow, when the carrier’s website will be updated with the cheaper offerings. At which point, you’ll be able to choose between customer perks or cold, hard cash savings.
Source: Three
Google brings Family Library sharing to the Play Store
The Google Play Store’s rumored Family Library feature officially goes live today with expanded sharing options for all of your apps, movies, TV shows and books. With a little bit of setup, your Google Play Store purchases are now available across every device in your household.
When you sign up for Family Library, you’ll be asked to enter a credit card to cover any purchases made by your family, but the account administrator/keeper of the family finances will be able to approve purchases for the other users or allow them to use their own credit cards or gift cards. The primary account holder also has final say on which purchased items will be shared to the communal library and which they can keep only on their device.
While all Google Play apps and media will sync across any of your family’s Android devices, only books, TV shows and movies will be available to iOS users. (In other words, you can’t sync that Android copy of “Monument Valley” to your sister’s iPhone.) The service is live as of Wednesday morning, but will be rolling out to users over the next 48 hours if it doesn’t immediately show up.
Finally, it’s also worth nothing that Family Library is still separate from the Google Play Music family plan the company launched last December. Those subscriptions won’t change, but that service is now available in 12 countries, including Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and Mexico.
Firefox for iOS just received a slew of new updates
Firefox has rolled out some brand new features for its iOS browser, including the ability to add website-specific search engines and tab recovery.
First off, the browser is now speedier than before, with a 40% reduction in CPU usage and 30% reduction in memory usage noted in the latest version of Firefox for iOS. You might appreciate that extra speed when it comes to the next feature, which sounds pretty darn useful: the ability to search any website within the address bar.
For instance, you could add in eBay or Wikipedia and search straight from the browser’s address bar without ever leaving the page you’re currently on. You can head to a website with its own search box, tap on the magnifying glass, and add it to your (growing) list of search engines.
There’s also a new menu with easier navigation, as well as the ability to recover tabs you closed on accident. If you’re someone who likes to stick with your favorites, you’ll also be able to set your favorite page as your homepage and return there by pressing the “home” button.
You can download Firefox for iOS and try out these features right now if you’re so inclined.
Trump wants Russia to hack the US government
Late last week, thousands of emails from the Democratic National Committee were released by WikiLeaks, the contents of which have caused plenty of controversy at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this week. The FBI is investigating and Russia is believed to be a prime suspect in the hack that led to these emails getting leaked. Naturally, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has had plenty to say about the hack and some of the messages themselves. But what he said today is yet another level of crazy from an already audacious candidate.
“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” Trump said today, reports The New York Times. “I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.” By “find,” it’s pretty clear Trump was advocating for another hack to uncover more emails, specifically those from Hillary Clinton’s private email server when she was Secretary of State. Regardless of whether those emails were on a private server or not, hacking emails sent while she was Secretary of State would amount to hacking the US government. The emails in question were deemed personal and private and deleted by Clinton.
Later in the news conference, Trump was asked to clarify his comments by a female reporter. He deferred, saying that “that’s up to the president” before telling the reporter to “be quiet” and “let the president talk to them.”
If Russia or any other country or person has Hillary Clinton’s 33,000 illegally deleted emails, perhaps they should share them with the FBI!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2016
At the same time, Trump’s running mate Mike Pence said that there would be “serious consequences” for Russia if the FBI’s investigation can confirm the country’s involvement in the hack. Reuters reports that Pence said both parties and the US government would work together to “ensure” Russia suffered those consequences. It’s a far more clear-cut and reasonable statement than what Trump has said thus far, to be sure.
Trump had previously made comments that cast doubt on Russia’s role in the email hack, saying he thinks that it’s a deflection tactic by the Democrats. And it wouldn’t be surprising if he later says his comments weren’t meant to be taken seriously — he’s done it before. Regardless of what he meant, he basically asked another nation to try and hack us, something that isn’t exactly presidential.
His confusing remarks continued as he reportedly refused to call on Russian president Vladimir Putin to not meddle in the US election process. “I’m not going to tell Putin what to do,” Trump said. “Why should I tell Putin what to do?” He then went on to say that if Russia is indeed behind the hack, it just shows how little respect foreign countries have for the US right now.
So, in summation, Trump has said that Russia is likely not responsible for the hack, claimed Democrats are using Russia to divert attention from the email hack, asked for Russia to try and hack us again and then said that if Russia was behind it, it’s because they don’t respect the country’s leadership. It’s a typically head-spinning string of positions, but given Trump’s professed admiration for Putin, we don’t expect to see him call out the country for its alleged role in the DNC email hack.
Update, 12:35PM: Hillary Clinton’s campaign has issued a response to Trump’s statements (via CNBC):
“This has to be the first time that a major presidential candidate has actively encouraged a foreign power to conduct espionage against his political opponent. That’s not hyperbole, that’s just the facts. This has gone from being a matter of curiosity, and a matter of politics, to being a national security issue.”
The Democrats are all but certain to address this when the DNC continues tonight in Philadelphia, where President Obama is scheduled to speak.
Source: The New York Times
The VERTX is an e-cigarette with a touchscreen
The V2 company rolled out a new e-cigarette model this morning called the VERTX. I have no idea how that word is pronounced but the device does offer a number of unique features. For one, it’s the only micro e-cig on the market with a touchscreen. Users can easily adjust both the heating element’s voltage — from 3.5V to 4.5V — and the device’s LED indicators simply by swiping across the VERTX’s face.
What’s more, it offers a far more efficient heating element than what you’ll find in similarly-sized e-cigs. The company’s press release touts three times as many puffs per cartridge as previous V2 models or the PAX Juul, its primary competitor. The 420mAh lithium-ion battery promises “bigger clouds and better battery life” so you’ll be able to really show everyone in the coffee shop that you’re big into vaping. And keep it up for hours.
The VERTX currently relies on pre-filled cartridges that snap into place using the mystical powers of magnets. However, blank cartridges will be made available later this year allowing users to fill them with whatever e-liquid they choose (fingers crossed for hash oil).
The device will come in two varieties: the $90 VERTX Plus, which has the touchscreen, and the $50 just VERTX, which does not. They’re currently only available through the V2 website though they’ll be rolling out to select retailers in the coming months.
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