Best cases for HTC One M9
You’re either waiting for your HTC One M9 to show up or you’ve just gotten your hands on one. Whichever category you may fall into, you’ll definitely want to protect that precious device from the pitfalls of drops, dings, and scratches. With a wide variety of cases ready at launch, we’ve put together this handful of our favorites:
Spigen One M9 Case Slim
We’ve heard nothing but good things from our readers regarding Spigen’s line of products so there’s no reason to doubt this One M9 slim case. Designed for a perfect fit, the non-slip surface is sure to help you keep a grip on your device.
LK Luxury One M9 Leather Wallet
Here’s a great option for those folks looking to consolidate phone case and wallet. Why lug around multiple accessories when this luxury leather offering combines the best of both worlds? Protect your device and carry your credit cards and cash at the same time.
roocase Glacier TOUGH One M9 case
This sleek option from roocase is crafted to show-off, rather than obscure, the beautiful design of the M9 while delivering solid protection. Not only are you safe from drops and bumps due to the elevated lip but you’ll also keep a pristine screen thanks to the built-in 5H screen protector.
TUDIA Ultra Slim One M9 Case
Here’s a great option if you’re looking for something with a minimal form factor. Ultra-slim and made of a rubberized gel, this case protects while providing a soft touch feel. Plus, the frosted clear is a sharp look.
Evocel Heavy Duty One M9 Armor Case
Craving something a bit more rugged? This Heavy Duty offering from Evocel packs dual layered protection with a TPU inner layer and poly-carbonate shell. Made in the USA, take one look at the tire-tread inspired design coupled with the integrated kickstand and you’ll know that this is the case for those who ride hard.
Join Prime and get the best One M9 cases with FREE two-day shipping!
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BlueDriver OBDII Scan Tool Review
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Whether you are a gearhead or not, as a car owner, it is always important to be on top of everything as far as maintenance and upkeep are concerned. This does mean regularly scheduled trips to a mechanic or workshop, but if you’d like to keep an eye on things in the meanwhile, you now have the tools to easily do so, that allow for the comfort of checking performance and error codes, if any, directly from your smartphone or tablet.
One such device and application is from BlueDriver, and here is our review of the BlueDriver OBDII Scan Tool!
What is OBDII?
On-Board Diagnostics, better known as OBD, as been around since the 1980’s, and basically involves plugging a dongle into a port in the car, which is usually found in the section below the steering while. In its early stages, this was a tool meant for mechanics, as the attached dongle would just flash a light if something was wrong, leaving it up to the user to actually figure out the problem.
Cars manufactured since 1996 now come with the OBDII standard. With this latest iteration, which is still found in cars available today, you are now able to get detailed information on what might be wrong with your vehicle, and since its inception, the feature set has continued to expand, with this tool getting smarter over the years.
How does it work?
Using OBDII linked to a mobile application isn’t exactly new, but has only recently become completely wireless, via Bluetooth. In this case, you get both the tool that is attached to the car, and an application, available for free on the Google Play Store, from BlueDriver.
Installation is as simple as it gets, and all you have it do is find the OBDII port in your car and plug the dongle in, which starts to flash blue when initialized. You then connect to the dongle via Bluetooth on your mobile device, and once linked, you can open to application to get started.
The application searches for and connects to the dongle, and once done, you are taken to the main screen that features an array of options, including Reading Codes, Clearing Codes, Smog Check, and detailed vehicle info. As an example, if you want to take a look at the vehicle info, all you have to do is tap on it, and a new screen will open that has all the detailed vehicle information on it. Every section includes relevant information about the current status of the car, and you also have the ability to forward this information via a shareable repair report.
Another tab in the application is called “Live View,” and as the name suggests, allows you to track detailed information about the car as it’s happening. You can add numerous options to this section depending on what you’re looking to keep a track of, and everything is shown in a list view, with information being updated in real-time. The Live View is a great way to know exactly what is happening, but can be overwhelming for those who aren’t particularly familiar with the mechanics of it all, and a more detailed breakdown of the information of the screen would certainly be more appreciated.
The final tab is the “More” section, and includes some useful tools such as the user manual, the option to update the firmware, as well as some advanced settings. The user manual is video based, and while it does a great job in providing the information you need, the videos can be a bit static and boring. Nevertheless, it certainly is extremely useful and a welcome inclusion.
I was able to test this device and app with a car that had its “check engine light” on. Finding the problem and the relevant error code, I did have to search for what it meant to figure out that the issue was related to a faulty gas cap. We replaced the gap cap, cleared the error message, and were good to go, saving us from an otherwise necessary trip to a mechanic.
Pricing and Final Thoughts
The BlueDriver dongle can be found on Amazon for $99.95, and as mentioned, the associated application can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. At first glance, the application seems to be quite minimalistic in its features, but digging into the menus and customizing the Live View screen allows you easily have all the detailed information you may need at your fingertips. More wallet-friendly OBDII bluetooth adapters are available, but they often don’t come with their own applications, and searching for compatible ones can be quite troublesome.
If you aren’t as familiar with the mechanics, this device lets you know that there is an issue, and gives you the opportunity to research it, and if possible, fix it on your own, even if the Live View becomes less useful. Having the ability to download and share a detailed repair report is always a big plus. If you’re a mechanic, or truly understand the ins and outs of a car, picking up this device is a no brainer, and should definitely something found in your toolkit.
Samsung could start offering Marvel themed Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge accessories
According to a new report, Samsung will offer some exclusive Marvel themed cases for the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge. Some renders of these cases give us an idea of how this arrangement might work, although it’s far from the real deal, at least at this point.
We know about Marvel’s partnership with Samsung which involves a bunch of handy accessories which are going to be displayed in the upcoming Avengers film. So it is possible that this is an extension of that and Marvel/Samsung can leverage the hype generated by the film and launch accessories themed as either one of the Avengers.
The renders are available for all the main characters including Black Widow, Nick Fury, Hawkeye etc. It does seem like a great idea to cash in on the popularity of the franchise. But whether Samsung will actually bring these accessories to the market is only for time to answer.
Source: Scweeny
Via: Sam Mobile
Come comment on this article: Samsung could start offering Marvel themed Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge accessories
Anker 2nd Gen Astro3 12800mAh Battery review
Design
Anker® 2nd Gen Astro3 12800mAh
The Astro3 does not stray from the traditional look of modern external batteries, as Anker decided to keep with the conventional square frame. Made from a matte black silicon material, the Astro3 feels great to the touch and is able to fit in discretely in any environment.
There are not physical button on the Astro3 as the external battery utilizes a motion sensor for most of its actions. On the right side you do get a break from the seamless look of the Astro3, as that’s where the three external charging ports and the Astro3’s own charging port is located. Aside from that, there is nothing else that takes away from the Astro3’s seamless appearance.
Features
Anker decided to do away with any physical buttons on the Astro3 and instead opted to use a built in motion sensor to activate the device. This means that whenever you need to charge the devices hooked up to the Astro3, all you have to do is give the battery pack a small shake. This motion also activates the white LED indicator on the front that allows you to see how much charge is left on the device.
The Astro3 comes with Anker’s proprietary battery charging technology, dubbed Power IQ. Every device has a certain amp current limit that it can be charged at. Modern devices are smart enough that they will only get the necessary amount of current that they were built to receive. The issue though is that most charging methods, unless you are using the official charger that came with the device, are going to charge your device at a slower rate. This is especially true when you try to charge you device using your desktop or laptop charger. This is where Power IQ comes in, the Astro3 has the capability to charge your device up to 4 amps, more than enough current for almost all portable devices. The Power IQ detects how much current it can send over to your device and will send over the maximum amount. This in turn makes ensures that your device will charge at the maximum rate, lowering your wait time.
Real World Testing
I must say, I was thoroughly impressed with the results of the Astro3. Straight out of the box, I decided to see how it would fare, so I hooked up my HTC One M8 which I had forgotten to charge the night before. It did not take long for the Astro3 to have my M8 go from 15% to 100% with the Power IQ technology and ready for the day ahead. I was able to charge my M8 three more times before the Astro3 finally needed to be charged itself. That is really impressive by today’s standards and the Astro3 did a remarkable job putting other external batteries to shame.
Charging the Astro3 itself did take some time though, as is to be expected from such a big battery, so I left it charging overnight and was delighted to see it fully charged by morning come. I am sure I would have been able to squeeze another charge out of the Astro3 for my M8 had it been fully charged when it came out of the box, but three full charges is still no laughing matter. Especially for a device that is relatively inexpensive when you consider like products and what you are getting in return.
Final Thoughts
The Astro3 is fantastic external battery that makes for the perfect gift for any tech fan. Being able to keep your devices charged at all times is a necessity in today’s busy world and the Astro3 is more than capable in assisting with that need. You can purchase an Astro3 and find more information regarding the device by heading over to Amazon using the links provided.
The post Anker 2nd Gen Astro3 12800mAh Battery review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Moto 360 goes live on Moto Maker with various cases, bands and watch faces
Motorola announced this morning that the Moto 360 can now be ordered and customized through Moto Maker. The addition of the Android Wear powered watch gives you the ability to choose from the three cases, dark metal, light metal or champagne gold. After you choose your case you have nine watch bands to choose from […]
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Best screen protectors for Samsung Galaxy S6
The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S6 release date is rapidly approaching (or has already arrived) and that means new hardware will be gracing your hands at any moment. There’s a euphoric rush that accompanies getting a new phone — not unlike the smell of a new car or feel of a fresh pair of socks. Something inevitably happens, though, that none of us are immune to. That wretched first drop. Much like the broken window theory, it’s all downhill from there. What can you do to protect yourself from a busted screen and shattered dreams? For less than $20 you can protect that precious handset. We’ve put together a handful of the best screen protectors available to keep your Samsung Galaxy S6 fresh and clean.
Spigen Galaxy S6 Crystal protector
We’ve featured accessories from them in the past and Spigen delivers, again, with this hard coated solution. Both front and back protectors are included and promise a precise application free of bubbles.
iLLumiShield Galaxy S6 Blue Light protector
This offering from Illumishield is a 2-pack of multi-layered screen protectors that features their Blue Light technology — designed to filter out the UV light that causes eye-strain. Promising a smooth and oil-resistant surface, this kit comes with a microfiber cloth, lifetime warranty, and installation squeegee.
Fosmon Galaxy S6 shatter-safe protector
Fosmon comes through with the oleophobic coating to stop fingerprints, smudges and oil slick streaks in their tracks (/infomercial voice). The 0.26mm tempered glass ensures your S6 stays shatter-safe while retaining an ultra clear resolution. Fosmon promises frustration-free installation with this screen protector.
Klear Cut Galaxy S6 protector
If bang for your buck is your game, this pack of 6 ultra clear screen protectors from Klear Cut is directly in your lane. Featuring the prerequisite scratch resistant surface and anti-bubble installation, you can also rest assured that you’re protected by a lifetime warranty.
VENA vShield for Galaxy S6
If you’re in the market for something that minimizes reflection, this anti-glare offering from VENA comes in a 3-pack to maximize value. Boasting many of the same features as our other showcased protectors, such as anti-smudge and hard coating, this pack may be the favorite for folks craving a matte surface.
Join Prime and get the best Galaxy S6 screen protectors with FREE two-day shipping!
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Anker Aluminum Portable Bluetooth Speaker review
Anker’s take on portable Bluetooth speakers is one of luxury and affordability. While this is a combination that few attempt and still fewer accomplish, Anker shows that fortune really does favor the bold.
Aluminum Shell
The aluminum shell of Anker’s Aluminum speaker is one of its top selling points, if not the top. One of my first thoughts when I first took the speaker out of its box was how magnificent it looked. How it gave the impression that it had been carved from a single slab of aluminum. Anker made some really great design choices and they tried hard to keep the device as slim and minimal as possible by only adding the necessary ports into strategic locations.
Up front you have the speaker grills, which as you can see from the image above, give the speaker a silvery, distinct look. On top you are greeted with the menu button, with the volume buttons on either side. The power switch has made its home on the right side of the speaker, while the aux jack, microSD card slot, and charging port are on the left. It all blends together to give the Anker Aluminum speaker its luxurious look.
Sound Quality
Now for the true purpose of the Anker Aluminum speaker, playing your favorite songs. After I hooked it up to my M8, I went through my usual morning playlist to see how the speaker fared. I am going to start off by saying that I was surprised. Surprised in the fact that a speaker that looks fantastic could also sound fantastic. My music came out clear and rich, which made my morning routine with Shakira another great experience.
8-Hour Battery Life
The Anker’s Aluminum speaker has a battery life of 8 hours but from personal testing I found that to be more like a solid 7, give or take thirty minutes. 7 hours is still a very long time considering that you will most likely not be listening to music for 7 hours straight, and if you are you can still always hook it up to a charger to keep your tunes going.
MicroSD Card Support
This is something that I was actually somewhat surprised to see. A microSD card slot built right into the speaker itself. Pleasantly surprised though, as I immediately took out the SD card from my phone to see if I could make the speaker play my music without me having to make any type of adjusted to the card. As it turned out, I didn’t. The speaker registered my music straight away and I was able to play my music without having to have my phone at all. While the purpose of buying a Bluetooth speaker is usually so that you hook it up to a Bluetooth device, I can see this being a handy feature for those days when your phones battery dies out and you still need to jam out to relive the days stress.
Final Thoughts
The Anker Aluminum speaker provides fantastic sound, great portability, and an overall premium experience. If you are in the market for a new speaker that sounds and looks good at the same time, then look no further than the Anker Aluminum speaker. To get more information and to purchase one, you can head over to Anker’s website or to Amazon.
The post Anker Aluminum Portable Bluetooth Speaker review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
WHOOSH! Screen Shine Go review
Take a look at your phone. It’s okay, I am not going anywhere. Apart from the fingerprints, smudges and pizza sauce from your lunch earlier, you just stared at something that is 10 times dirtier than your toilet seat. Now I don’t know about you but I am really rethinking about having checked my emails while I was eating lunch today. Now before you go and take all of your cleaning supplies out of your cabinet, I may have a solution for all of your smartphone cleaning needs, the WHOOSH! Screen Shine Go.
What’s In The Box
Well, it’s not so much a box as it is a sealed pouch, but I digress. What you get when you order a WHOOSH! Screen Shine Go is of course the bottle, which hold 30 mL of cleaning fluid, and an orange anti-microbial cleaning cloth. Other than that, they kept it nice and minimal and did not include any unnecessary paper in the packaging.
How Did It Fare
The WHOOSH! Screen Shine Go, which I will now be addressing as just the WHOOSH! Go, did a great job in cleaning my phone. I honestly had not cleaned it with dedicated cleaner fluid in a very long time and I had forgotten how the screen looked without all the oil from my hands keeping it down. The screen looked, for lack of a better term, clean. The screen had not looked that nice since I opened the box and took it out when I first bought it. The fluid also has a natural proprietary polymer formula that “ literally repels and resists dust, smudges and fingerprints.” While nothing is going to be able to keep your phone 100% smudge proof, I did notice that the WHOOSH! Go made it so that there were less smudges whenever I needed to use my phone.
Environment Friendly
Now, what really makes the WHOOSH! Go such a great product other than it’s great cleaning abilities is that you are getting to help the environment while you do it. WHOOSH! states that their cleaning fluid is “100% natural, non-hazardous, non-toxic and environmentally friendly”. Now you do not have to worry about accidentally getting the cleaning liquid on anything since it is completely harmless.
Final Thoughts
I really liked the WHOOSH! Go. Not just because it did a great job in cleaning my smartphone and helping it look newer, but because it did so in a natural way. If you have not ever used a dedicated smartphone cleaner, or you just need to replace your current one, the WHOOSH! Go is definitely a good option. You can learn more about the WHOOSH! Go by going to their website or by heading over to Amazon.
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Best cases for Samsung Galaxy S6
With the release date of the Galaxy S6 right around the corner, or having recently launched (depending on when you’re reading this), now would be the perfect time to start picking out which case you’re going to use to protect your new investment. Pets, children, butterfingers and puddles all seem to be attracted to new devices.
Whether you’re into a heavy-duty housing or would rather opt for a minimal form factor, most will agree that just one drop, knick, or bash can be both a literal and figurative crushing blow. In hopes of curbing some of that trauma, here’s a handful of the best cases available to compliment your Samsung Galaxy S6:
Spigen Galaxy S6 Case Slim
We’ve heard nothing but good things from our readers regarding Spigen’s line of products so there’s no reason to doubt this Galaxy S6 slim case. Designed for a perfect fit, the non-slip surface is sure to help you keep a grip on your device.
Caseology Galaxy S6 Fusion Clear Case
This scratch-resistant clear cover offers something for those folks who have a taste for gold. The poly-carbonate bumper helps protect against impact and the raised lip keeps the front and back free of wear.
Verus Air Space Cushion Galaxy S6 Case
Here’s a great option for those who want a tough exterior without occupying too much space. This dual layered design offers drop protection while maintaining a slim silhouette. Plus, take a look at the textured back and tell me you don’t want to grip that.
Spigen Galaxy S6 Slim Armor Case
How about another fine offering from Spigen? This Slim Armor case has the prerequisite shock absorption and precision fit while also implementing a kickstand. Packed in a sharp gunmetal frame, this lightweight option is worth a shot.
Evocel Heavy Duty Galaxy S6 Armor Case
Craving something a bit more rugged? This Heavy Duty offering from Evocel packs dual layered protection with a TPU inner layer and poly-carbonate shell. Made in the USA, take one look at the tire-tread inspired design couple with the integrated kickstand and you’ll know that this is the case for those who ride hard.
Join Prime and get the best Galaxy S6 cases with FREE two-day shipping!
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BRAVEN announces the BRV-HD, the new 28 hour ultra-rugged HD wireless speaker
BRAVEN has added another speaker to their ever growing collection of sound boxes. The latest in the line-up is the BRAVEN BRV-HD. The BRV-HD follows up on the award winning BRV-1 and BRV-X. The BRV line brings great sound to the wireless seen with the added perks of IPX-3 weather proofing. “The BRV-HD is a […]
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