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Posts tagged ‘Android’

1
Dec

Chrome for Android slims down the internet when speeds are slow


If you’ve ever been stuck with slow mobile internet and just wanted to read an article, Google has some mighty good news. It’s about to release a new feature to its Chrome for Android Data Saver mode that will only display text when it senses a slow network. Once a page loads, you can then show all images (above) or specific ones by tapping on them. Google says that the new trick will use up to 70 percent less mobile data on Android devices.

Source: Google

1
Dec

Google Hangouts finally supports Apple watch



The latest update for Hangouts on iOS won’t tell you this, but Google’s instant messaging app will play nicely with your Apple Watch now. What the change log does say, however, is that you can now reply to notifications in-line — but that means following up via Apple’s wearable is an option. You can pick from a handful of pre-written responses, but those don’t include canned messages for telling your coworker to bring funky-flavored KitKat bars from Japan to CES. No, that’s where using voice dictation comes in, silly. If your iOS gizmo hasn’t updated yet, we’ve got you covered at the source link below.

Source: iTunes

1
Dec

Omate Rise is a circular Android 3G smartwatch for just $200


Omate probably isn’t the first brand that comes to mind when you think of smartwatches, but the truth is it was one of the first to launch a 3G-enabled smartwatch. It’s been over two years since then but such devices have yet to fully take off, not to mention that LG has recently canned its latest LTE watch. But that’s good news for Omate who is launching the Rise, a $200 fully circular smartwatch, via Indiegogo on December 7th. Much like its predecessor, the Rise runs on full Android 5.1 (customized with Omate’s new OUI 4.0) instead of Android Wear, meaning you can side load any regular Android app — including all the missing Google Play services — onto it. But of course, you’ll have to get used to poking around on that 1.3-inch, 360 x 360 round LCD. Additionally, the Rise also works as a notification watch with phones running on either iOS 9 or Android 4.4 and above.

30
Nov

Adobe Premiere Clip brings its video-editing tools to Android



Adobe’s bet on mobile productivity is serious, with its suite of Creative Cloud apps leading the way. One of the company’s newest applications is Premiere Clip, a video editor that first debuted on iOS. But now Adobe is bringing this app to Android, giving users on the platform a fast and easy way to create videos on the go. Adobe Premiere Clip automatically creates videos from media stored on your smartphone or tablet (among other things), which can then be shared to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Aside from letting you distribute saved videos on social media, you can also polish those on the desktop with Adobe Premiere Pro CC — though you’ll need a subscription for the latter feature. The best part about Premiere Clip is that it’s free, and could be a good option if you have to make a video in a pinch.

Via: Android Police

Source: Google Play

29
Nov

30 Gorgeous HD wallpapers of planet Earth


The third planet from the Sun is Earth and it is my favorite planet of them all. We only have one Earth and it looks absolutely stunning from outer space. We’ve curated 30 HD wallpapers for you to use as your background on your smartphone or tablet.

Check out the wallpapers and download as many as you would like.

The wallpapers are all in the scrolling images above, and if you want to save them, follow these instructions:

  1. Click the left/right arrows to scroll through the images
  2. Maximize the image you like by clicking on it
  3. Long press or hold down on the image and click “save”
  4. Go to your gallery or Google Photos and find your image
  5. Click “use as” and then click wallpaper

If you see a wallpaper that belongs to you and you would like to receive credit, I would love to give it to you! Just drop a comment in the section provided below with some proof (You know, just so we don’t have people claiming things that are not theirs…) So, please choose those that you like and enjoy!

best-space-view-of-earth-wallpapers-hd

 

The post 30 Gorgeous HD wallpapers of planet Earth appeared first on AndroidGuys.

28
Nov

ZuperDAC Review: A neat little audio enhancer


Not too long ago, we had a look at Zorloo’s Digital Earphones. They utilized a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Convertor) into the cable which, in short, meant that the audio output bypassed the standard processing within the phone and was instead improved through the dedicated chip on the cable. They’ve now produced a similar product called ZuperDAC.

ZuperDAC is a USB stick style audio enhancer. Think of it as your normal memory stick, except with an audio jack on the opposite side and with no storage capability. You can plug it into any USB port that can output audio, which ranges from your standard laptop to a USB On-The-Go supported phone. Plug your headset in, and the audio is again rerouted through the DAC converter, increasing audio quality. How does it size up?

Hardware

20151126_185043The unit comes sealed in a neat little box. With a bit of grappling, the top part comes off to reveal a snuggly nested converter.
It shortly became obvious that it is made of premium materials once I took it out. The cold Aluminum build is solid and showed no immediate signs of weakness. Attempting to wriggle the USB tip was futile as it is well built into the model.
There is the simple Zorloo logo on top. You’ll see the standard 3.5mm audio jack on the other end of the stick, along with a small hole for the status LED. And that’s about it. The product is small, simple and uncomplicated while not being boring at the same time. It’s a sweet spot which results in something pleasing being made.
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The status LED is simply an indicator of what the stick is busy doing. Red means it is initializing (usually present for a few seconds) and green means it is running without a hitch. It is however very set back into the device and can only be seen if you look at it straight on, which is a great thing as it does not disturb you in a dark environment.
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Inside the actual product is where the magic happens, though. On the circuitry, you’ll find an ESS Sabre ES9018K2M HiFi AudioDAC. If you’re like me, you probably have no clue what that is and how it stacks up against the competition. So, I read up on various forums and websites, and it became evident that this is a top-of-the-line chip, comparable to the likes of the high-end offerings of Snapdragon and Intel.
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But what does this specific chip do? According to ESS’s website, its function is “a high-performance 32-bit, 2-channel audio D/A converter targeted for audiophile-grade portable applications such as mobile phones and digital music players”. It takes the instructions in binary (digital) and converts them to electric signals which drive your speakers. Yes, this happens most of the time, but the exception here is quality. The ZuperDAC, in short, uses a very capable chip to produce some of the best sound possible. On paper, that is.
The other chip that Zorloo mentions is the ESS Sabre ES9601 HiFi Headphone Amplifier. This is also a high-level chip that works with the previous one to smooth out the audio experience, including “powering up and down without any clicks or pops”, “maximizing battery life” and “minimizing circuit board size”. If you don’t understand some of that, that’s perfectly fine. All you need to know is that it’s a good thing for the greater audio experience.
Now’s also the ideal time to mention the size of a normal DAC. You’ll usually have to carry around a large device that looks like something along the lines of this:
AnDacWhite-Back
Something like this, however, is comparably better in terms of audio, but you may be willing to lower your standards for something more portable.
There’s only one thing I would like to see different. It would be nice to have a little hole dug out the unit somewhere to hang from a lanyard, like you see on a memory stick. Especially as it’s so portable and may be carried around often.
How does ZuperDAC perform in real life?

 Audio

 I always love receiving audio-related products. Plugging them in and waiting to see how good the product is results in both disappointments and surprises. Fortunately, it was the latter with ZuperDAC. After a quick download of the driver, I let my mixtape rip, the increased quality caught the attention of my ears and, albeit mediocre, I could definitely hear that it was better than normal. One thing that particularly caught my attention was the decreased static noise in the wee background, particularly on low-quality files.
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It will route the audio to whichever output is plugged in first

The second time I plugged it in resulted in a slight annoyance. The volume was significantly lower and the volume controls were playing up, as it showed the volume as off on my laptop sceen. Putting it back in again soon rectified these problems and I believe it is an error with the Windows drivers as this did not happen on Ubuntu. I am happy to report that this has not happened again.
Screenshot (51)
Coming back to the audio, the DAC did not have a set audio output in terms of favoring bass or treble. Depending on your headset quality, this effect differs. Using a standard LG QuadBeat 3, a standard quality pair, both sides were equally affected. Using a higher-end Beyerdynamic DTX350P, the fuller potential of the set were realised as the bass was more heavy and affected more than the treble. This being said, any improvements were slight and were not overdone. They were minimal but sufficient to make a substantial difference. It was also particularly effective at bringing out small details that I never before noticed.
Screenshot (50)
There really are no negatives here. It does as advertised and offers a viable alternative to a full-blown DAC set. It would’ve been nice to see smoother drivers and maybe even an equalizer designed for ZuperDAC that can be used on your PC.

Daily Use

Now is a good time to state that you can use it with Android and iOS. Granted you have the adequate adapter cable (I did not in my case), you can connect your headset through the ZuperDAC audio jack which in turns goes into the USB OTG cord into your respective charging port. This is an alternative to Zorloo’s digital Earphones, in case you would like keep your specific headset.
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ZuperDAC (right) offers a more portable and convenient HiFi solution as compared to the standard DAC unit

It will set you back a fair $79 ($74 + $5 for shipping) and is available in Gold and Silver. Keep in mind that this is a substitute for that big ‘oil DAC I was talking about earlier, which will save you both space and money.

Opinion

Zorloo has created a nice product for your average consumer looking for perhaps a little bit more boom in their music without having to go all out. The strong, premium build of ZuperDAC is certainly pleasing. The price tag is complimented by the utilized audio chips and resulting audio quality.
If you are not an audiophile, you may be daunted by the price tag. All I can say is, don’t be. A high-end DAC can cost thousands of dollars, and while you may not be getting the entire package with ZuperDAC, it certainly is something designed for the average person. In this case, that is probably you.

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You can purchase a unit here at Zorloo’s website, in either Silver or Gold.

The post ZuperDAC Review: A neat little audio enhancer appeared first on AndroidGuys.

28
Nov

Instagram tests multiple account support on Android


The Instagram team appears to be readying an Android update that will introduce one of its most highly requested features: multiple account support. For the average user this probably isn’t a big deal, but for professional photographers, social media managers and small business owners, this addition would make life much simpler. As Android Police reports, Instagram is testing the feature on Google’s mobile OS right now — you can gain access by joining the Instagram beta program, or by grabbing the latest APK from APK Mirror. Once you’ve got the right version installed, just dive into your settings and scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll see the new option “Add Account.” From there, you can switch between the two by tapping the drop-down menu on your profile page.

Source: Android Police, APK Mirror

27
Nov

Incredible last minute Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Nexus 6 just $199.99


I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and enjoyed a feast. I also hope you had a safe holiday.

Now for a few more deals we have for you as more and more deals keep rolling in. Check out the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals below.

 

Motorola Nexus 6 Unlocked Cellphone, 32GB, Midnight Blue – LINK ($199.99)

Nexus 6 64GB – LINK

Deal is good for Black Friday only.

 

  • More space to explore – A bigger phone with more everything
  • Brilliant 6″ screen and dual front-facing stereo speakers make content shine
  • Go longer and charge less with 3220 mash battery and turbo charging
  • Get the most out of Android 5.0 Lollipop (compatible with Android Marshmallow 6.0

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HTC Google Nexus 9 Android 6.0 – LINK (starting at $239.40)

Black Friday deal only.

Designed for work and play, the Nexus 9 features a just-right 8.9” screen with front-facing speakers for rich music and audio. 64-bit processor drives productivity and play to new levels, with intuitive voice commands and automatic Android updates that keep you on the cutting edge. Total device integration makes it mobile and access to over a million apps makes it amazing. Meet Nexus 9: For movers and makers.

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Sennheiser HD 598 Special Edition Over-Ear Headphones ($94.99) – LINK

Deal is good for Black Friday only.

 

  • Premium, audiophile-grade over-ear, open back headphones
  • Padded leatherette headband and luxurious velour covered ear pads perfect for long listening sessions
  • Compatible with virtually every audio device including phones, tablets, computers and stereo components
  • Two cable options (3 meters and 1.2 meters) included along with 3.5mm adapter plu

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LG Google Nexus 5X 16GB Smartphone ($299.00) – LINK

Deal is good for through Nov. 30.

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Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation and $50 Amazon.com Gift Card – LINK

 

  • $50 Amazon.com Gift Card included in the bundle
  • Auto-Schedule. No more programming. With auto-schedule, Nest learns from you and programs itself
  • Auto-Away. Don’t heat or cool an empty home. Auto-away adjusts the temperature after you leave
  • Remote control. With the Nest app, you can change the temperature, check energy history and get an alert if your home is too hot or cold

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Fire, 7″ Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB – LINK ($34.99)

 

  • Beautiful 7″ IPS display (171 ppi / 1024 x 600) and fast 1.3 GHz quad-core processor. Rear and front-facing cameras.
  • All-new Amazon Underground, a one-of-a-kind app store experience where over $10,000 in apps, games and even in-app items are actually free – including extra lives, unlocked levels, unlimited add-on packs and more
  • Enjoy more than 38 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, apps and games
  • 8 GB of internal storage. Free unlimited cloud storage for all Amazon content and photos taken with Fire devices. Add a microSD card for up to 128 GB of additional storage.
  • Updated user interface – Fire OS 5 designed for quick access to your apps and content plus personalized recommendations that make it easy to discover new favorites
  • Up to 7 hours of reading, surfing the web, watching videos, and listening to music

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Three months of Spotify Premium music streaming service for 99 cents – LINK

Now through Jan. 2 2015. New customers only.

Spotify

1byone Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna – LINK

 

Promo price: $19.99 (Savings of $30)

Start Date:  11/29/2015 9:00 AM – End Date: 12/05/2015 9:00 AM

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1byone Belt-Drive 3 Speed Stereo Portable Turntable with Built in Speakers – LINK

 Apply coupon code VMYCB8F3 at checkout for a savings of $10.

Start Date: 11/26/2015 00:01 AM – End Date: 12/02/2015 23:59 PM

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1byone OUS00-0562 Amplified HDTV Antenna 50 Miles Range – LINK

Enter coupon code JPKVJ85T at checkout for a $10 savings.

Start Date: 11/26/2015  8:00am – End Date: 12/3/2015  11:59pm

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Vantrue R1 Pro Dash Cam – LINK

Save $26 with coupon code VANTRUE1. From Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

 

  • Built with Ambarella A7L50 + OV4689 Lens solution. 2K (2560*1080@30fps / 2304*1296P@30fps) Super HD recording with HDR greatly enhancing the image quality, clearly shows license plates and street signs when playback. 170-Deg. viewing angle presents a wide field of view. Noise reduction microphone and speaker built in, allows a clear review of the sound.
  • Auto recording after powered provides a convenient use; seamless loop recording plus the G-sensor detecting any impact and auto locking the important video segments, you will never miss an important moment.
  • 2.7″ TFT LCD display supports video and image playback, and offers an easy setup convenience. Support a timeout function that turns the display off after the recording begins so you won’t be disturbed by another glowing rectangle on your windshield.

 

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Solove Titan 20000mAh Ultra Slim Power Bank – Save $15 in all colors

Deal good from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Full review here.

Gray and Silver – LINK –  Apply discount code SOLVEBLC at checkout.

Green and Gold – LINK – Apply discount code SOLVETHX at checkout.

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HAVIT Bluetooth 4.1 Portable Wireless Sports Bluetooth Headset – LINK

10% off code androidg from now until 12/30/2015

Deal applies to 7.1 surround sound headset as well – LINK

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Vantrue PowerUp C1 Quick Charge 2.0 18W USB Car Charger – LINK

$5.99 (save $4) + Free shipping – Code: VANTRUE3

Deal is good from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

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The post Incredible last minute Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Nexus 6 just $199.99 appeared first on AndroidGuys.

26
Nov

Happy Thanksgiving! 15 HD festive wallpapers for your smartphone


Happy Thanksgiving!

Whether you love eating turkey or a tofu turkey, Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to relax and enjoy a feast. To help get the celebrations started we have assembled 15 HD wallpapers for you to liven your holiday spirit.

Check out the wallpapers and download as many as you would like.

The wallpapers are all in the scrolling images above, and if you want to save them, follow these instructions:

  1. Click the left/right arrows to scroll through the images
  2. Maximize the image you like by clicking on it
  3. Long press or hold down on the image and click “save”
  4. Go to your gallery or Google Photos and find your image
  5. Click “use as” and then click wallpaper

If you see a wallpaper that belongs to you and you would like to receive credit, I would love to give it to you! Just drop a comment in the section provided below with some proof (You know, just so we don’t have people claiming things that are not theirs…) So, please choose those that you like and enjoy!

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The post Happy Thanksgiving! 15 HD festive wallpapers for your smartphone appeared first on AndroidGuys.

26
Nov

Huawei still thinks 6-inch phablets is the way to go


It’s been well over a year since Huawei launched its premium Mate 7 phablet, and as of August, over five million units have been sold worldwide. That’s far more impressive than the original goal of just one million phones. While the smaller Mate S has since been released, the company still believes in sticking to the masculine roots of the Mate series, which brings us to the Mate 8. Like before, this model sports the same 6-inch 1080p display spec but now also covers 95 percent of NTSC gamut. As a bonus, there’s a piece of 2.5D glass on top of that. Of course, the biggest selling point this time is the new octa-core Kirin 950 chipset which promises much higher performance and efficiency at the same time, mainly thanks to the new 16nm FinFET+ process, some more powerful CPUs (4 x Cortex-A72 and 4 x Cortex-A53), ARM’s flagship Mali-T880 GPU and integrated LTE Cat 6 modem.

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