BlackBerry Priv – Second opinion
BlackBerry’s failure to keep up with the changing times resulted in a dramatic shift in fortunes for the once extremely popular smartphone manufacturer. The company has struggled to make an impact over the past few years in a market that it used to dominate, but BlackBerry is hoping to steady the ship with their first Android smartphone, a device that does a great job in combining BlackBerry’s signature features with current market trends.
Josh has already covered the finer details of the BlackBerry Priv in a comprehensive review, but I would like to share my own thoughts on this device in this “second opinion” look at the BlackBerry Priv!
Design
Starting with the design, the BlackBerry Priv is a portrait-slider phone, which is a form factor that we haven’t seen in a long time, and BlackBerry’s decision to bring it back is definitely interesting. With a thickness of just over 9 mm, it’s not as thick as you would expecte a device with this form factor to be, and combined with the 5.4-inch display size, the Priv is quite manageable in one hand.
Also helping the handling experience a lot is the back cover, made from a soft plastic weave with a carbon fiber look to it, which is one of the most grip-y materials I’ve come across recently on a smartphone. Holding the device almost makes it feel like having a suction cup stuck to your hands, which also means the BlackBerry Priv can certainly go without a case, since there is likely little risk of it slipping out of your hand.
The fact that the BlackBerry Priv features a portrait-slider form factor is sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia, and it certainly helps that it works really well. It comes with a spring-loaded mechanism that makes it very easy to slide up and down, and by sliding it about half way, it will spring into place. Pushing the slider is also easy, with it protruding just a little bit above the bottom chin, and there is also a metal rail that gives you a point of contact to slide this portion up or back in place.
Moving the slider upwards reveals the physical QWERTY keyboard, which is something that BlackBerry has been known for, for a very long time. However, any BlackBerry enthusiasts may not be particularly satisfied with this keyboard, because it is quite cramped, which makes it really hard to type on. I don’t have big hands, and even then, typing on this keyboard wasn’t the easiest experience, and the travel on the keys is also a touch shallow.
The nice thing about the keyboard is that it also doubles as a track pad, so you can actually use to scroll through a web page or your social media feeds, and also swipe between home screens. The keyboard can also be used to auto-complete words by swiping up, or delete whole words, by swiping to the left. However, I did notice that the scrolling is very inconsistent, with it switching between being inverted or not, quite randomly. While the functionality available with the keyboard is great, I do wish that the overall typing experience was a little better.
Display
The BlackBerry Priv comes with a 5.4-inch AMOLED display, with a Quad HD resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 540 ppi. As you would expect from any AMOLED screen, you get the inky deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast ratios, and the high resolution makes it great for reading text, browsing the web, watching videos, and playing games. It may not be the best AMOLED screen around, with OEMs like Samsung doing a better job with leveraging this technology, but overall, the display of the Priv is really good as well, and I’ve had no issues with it at all.
One thing you will notice with the display is that it is curved along the edges, but it isn’t as drastic as what is seen with a device like the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, and doesn’t offer any additional functionality either, with the majority of the curved glass covering the bezel.
Performance and hardware
Under the hood, the BlackBerry Priv comes with an hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, clocked at 1.8 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 418 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. As far as day to day to performance is concerned, the device does handle general tasks very well, with everything going smoothly, including opening apps, mutli-tasking, and gaming.
That said, while I haven’t faced any issues with day to day performance, the buggy software package is what proves to be a let down. There have been reports of some users having a very buggy experience with the Priv, while there have been others for whom everything has been flawless, but I unfortunately fall in the former camp. Most of the bugs are minor, but there are a few that can get annoying. For example, when I am typing on the physical keyboard and then want to switch to the software keyboard, the latter doesn’t show up. To get it to work, I actually have to exit the application and open it again to get the software keyboard to pop up. Another issue I’ve had is while making phone calls. After hitting the dial button, the screen turns off, and even pressing the power button doesn’t help.
However, the biggest problem I’ve had with the Priv is that it overheats when playing games or watching videos. Of course, all devices tend to get warm when performing any strenuous tasks, but the Priv actually got hot enough to the point where I had to put the phone down and let it cool off for a while.
In my experience, the battery life possible with the large 3,410 mAh unit of the BlackBerry Priv has been just average. It is possible to get through a full day, but required being somewhat miserly with my usage. If I did play games or watch a lot of YouTube videos however, I would typically find myself having to recharge the device half way through the day.
See also: Blind Camera Shootout – the winner is…
Camera
The BlackBerry Priv comes with an 18 MP primary camera with optical image stabilization and optics made by a reputable European company, Schneider-Kreuznach. This is actually a pretty decent camera, and is capable of taking some great shots in good lighting situations, with good colors, sharpness, and a good amount of detail. Image quality deteriorates significantly in low light conditions however, with a a lot of noise to be seen in the shot. The front-facing 2 MP camera isn’t the most impressive either given its low resolution, but it is serviceable enough to take a decent looking selfie.
The camera application is very easy to use, for the most part, and the availability of an exposure slider along the bottom of the view finder is a useful addition. That said, the actual act of taking a photo is really slow, and sometimes it takes a few seconds before a shot is taken. This is certainly unacceptable for a flagship smartphone in 2015, but hopefully, that is another issue that can be resolved in a future software update.
Software
On the software side of things, the big story here is the fact that the Priv is the first smartphone from BlackBerry to run Android. What you get is a mostly stock build of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, so you aren’t going to find a whole lot of customization here from BlackBerry. The user interface is mostly familiar, with the only noticeable changes being the grid layout seen in the Recent Apps screen, and the three dots under the icons on the homescreen, that mean that if you swipe up from it, a pop up widget will appear, which is a great way of saving space on the actual homescreens.
Extra features available include BlackBerry Messenger and DTEK, with the latter being a security application that can do anything from setting a screen lock, to encrypting the entire device. The app will also show all that the applications are doing and what they are accessing, and even comes with event logging. Security is something that BlackBerry has been known for in the past, and it is great that you are still getting that here with the Priv.
Another fun feature that is built-in is the ability to use third party icon packs from the Google Play Store to customize the look of the default launcher. This is something that you can normally do only with another third party launcher, and having it available here is a nice touch.
Specifications
| Display | 5.4-inch AMOLED display Quad HD resolution, 540 ppi |
| Processor | 1.8 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 Adreno 418 GPU |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB expandable via microSD up to 200 GB |
| Camera | 18 MP rear camera with OIS, dual LED flash Schneider-Kreuznach optics 2 MP front-facing camera |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac A-GPS Bluetooth 4.1 NFC microUSB 2.0 |
| Battery | 3,410 mAh |
| Software | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Dimensions | 147 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm 192 grams |
Gallery
Final thoughts
So there you have it for this second look at the BlackBerry Priv! Overall, I think that the BlackBerry Priv is a solid smartphone that does a good job of bringing together the best features of BlackBerry with the Android OS.
Read next:
Most of the issues that this device faces can be fixed with software updates, and ultimately, the Priv is a great first attempt by BlackBerry, and will certainly have fans excited about what the company may have in store in the future.
The Nexus 6P takes Android smartphones to new heights (Review)
The Nexus 6P is a product of the perfect marriage between a relatively unknown Chinese company, Huawei, and a well known company, Google. Before this year, very few people in the U.S. knew of Huawei as a consumer product company, but they have been a leader in the communications industry since the 80’s. In 2014, Huawei generated a record profit of $5.5 by becoming one of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers among many other consumer products.
Google and Huawei partnered to bring us the most “premium” Nexus in the 6P. The Nexus 6P has been my daily driver, on the AT&T network for the last two months, and has genuinely made me a fan of stock Android and Huawei. The Nexus 6P is a device designed and built to impress: it is a representation of how much pride, research, and countless hours went into making one of the best smartphones ever. Let’s take a look.
Design
Without question the Huawei made Nexus 6P is a device that stands apart from the crowd. It’s really difficult to stand above a crowded market of great looking devices, but the 6P manages with its clean lines, all metal build, premium colors, chamfered edges and perfect size.
The Nexus 6P is a sturdy all metal phone, and comes in three colors: Aluminum, Frost(white) and Graphite. There is a circular fingerprint reader on the back, a power button with a volume rocker on the right side of the phone, a 3.5mm audio jack up top, with dual speakers on the front.
On the back of the device is a glass strip near the top which houses the flash and camera. Some may think it looks out of place, but on my Graphite colored 6P I don’t even notice it. After two months of daily usage without a case, my 6P is scratch free and looks the same as the day I got it. The chamfered edges hold up well and do not chip or scratch like some devices with similar edges have been known to do.
The all metal build is a nice change from the Samsung Galaxy Note5 which has a glass back. That glass back looks nice, but is a fingerprint magnet and also feels extremely fragile. The Nexus 6P is extremely well balanced, which is very important for a device with a 5.7″ display and using it one-handed.
Software
I’m sure many of you Android fans have heard Apple loyalists say the iPhone “just works.” It is one of the most annoying statements that Apple fanboys can possibly say, because there’s an implication that all other software does not work. And as much as I hate to admit it, there is a little bit of truth to “it just works”, even though iOS has its fair share of issues. With all of the freedom Google allows manufacturers, many companies like Samsung and LG have completely changed what Google intended with Android. By doing so, Android sometimes gets a bad reputation as buggy and slow.
Samsung and LG heavily customize Android by adding in features like S-Voice(Samsung’s own OK Google), Samsung Pay, split-screen, a customized skin, and much more. Some of the features are great, and some are downright terrible. But the main issue with customization comes when Google releases an update to Android. Samsung and LG have to modify every update Google releases, which creates fragmentation. By having fragmentation, some users of Samsung’s Note Edge and Note 4, waited six months longer than those on stock Android, to receive Android 5.1 which was a huge improvement over 5.0. Android 5.0 was riddled with bugs like poor battery life and memory leaks, and those users were left hanging with $800 devices that “just didn’t work.”
The solution for some is to “root” which allows those users to install their own versions of software and fix those bugs, but voids the manufacturer warranty at the same time. And the vast majority of users will not root their devices as they simply do not know how.
In addition to fragmentation, Samsung and LG also partner with companies like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon to add in their own software. My last count of AT&T fpre-installed apps on my last Samsung Galaxy Note5 was an astounding 25, all of which could be deactivated but not deleted. Those apps took up an incredible 1.5GB of space, and when I paid for 32GB of internal memory, I should hope that I would have the freedom to delete AT&T’s junk ware.
AT&T bloatware on the Note5
Stock Android
I know many of you already have been fans of stock Android, but for those of you who weren’t, now is the time to consider it. Android 6.0 Marshmallow is the best version of Android to date. Google has built in new features such as Doze, which is designed to improve battery life when your phone is not in use. It also brings built-in fingerprint reading for unlocking and waking your smartphone, while also being verification for Android Pay.
With Android 6.0 there is far greater control in what you share with new permission controls. There’s deeper integration with Google Now ,and Android is there to help you search phrases and words with much greater ease.
Better yet, there is no carrier bloatware. While one, two, or even five apps aren’t bad to come pre-installed from AT&T, I cannot condone AT&T’s behavior with its incredible amount of bloatware they install on its devices. Not only do they waste space, but they frequently ask for updates, and I simply do not want them. Seriously, how many people actually use the Yellow Pages app that AT&T installs on every device?
With stock Android, you have the basic apps that Google provides you with and nothing more. Google gives you the freedom to install whatever apps your heart desires.
And most importantly, when Google does release an update, Nexus devices are the first to receive them and that will keep them up to date. I never truly appreciated how important updates were until I was stuck on Android 5.0, and dealing with all of its awful bugs on my Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. I truly felt ripped off by Samsung for charging me over $900 dollars and then making me wait six months to get simple bug fixes.
Pure Android 6.0 just works and it works well. After two solid months, I have yet to experience a slow down, random closing app or any other common software issues.
Battery Life
The Nexus 6P comes with one of the largest batteries available in a mainstream U.S. smartphone at 3450mAh. Phones of a very similar size, the Samsung Galaxy Note5, Moto X Pure and LG V10 all come with a 3000mAh battery, over 10% smaller. After two months, those devices have still yet to update to Android 6.0 which has the Doze feature that dramatically improves battery life.
Doze is defined below:
“If a user leaves a device unplugged and stationary for a period of time, with the screen off, the device enters Doze mode. In Doze mode, the system attempts to conserve battery by restricting apps’ access to network and CPU-intensive services. It also prevents apps from accessing the network and defers their jobs, syncs, and standard alarms.
Periodically, the system exits Doze for a brief time to let apps complete their deferred activities. During this maintenance window, the system runs all pending syncs, jobs, and alarms, and lets apps access the network.”
In day to day terms, this means, the Nexus 6P has damn good battery life. You can imagine most of us phone enthusiasts push our smartphones pretty hard, and I am no exception. I frequently take pictures, take notes, text friends and family, message Androidguys colleagues, email, play games and listen to music.
I will admit before Android 6.0 and the Nexus 6P, I plugged my phone in to charge whenever and wherever I could. There is no shortage of micro USB cables, and I hate having anxiety over low battery life. For a phone enthusiast, there are very few things worse than running out of power. Doze, app-standby and a 3450mAh, make this one of the best performing devices when it comes to battery life.
I know without question that the Nexus 6P has the best battery of any phone I have used before, because I do not have a compatible charger at my work. My typical work day starts between 5-6am, and runs until 5-6pm. Once I get home, I immediately take my super cute dog to the park for an hour, and when I get home I exercise for 45-60 minutes before dinner. At no point in my day am I connected to a charger, because Huawei and Google decided to go with USB type-C, the latest standard in USB cables. The main benefits of USB type-C are a completely reversible plug, and faster data rates. And I’m too cheap to buy more USB type-C cables for my office, so there literally is one place to charge my phone which is at home. At the end of my day, I am typically left with 40-50% power and that’s with heavy usage. I never charge my phone during the daytime.
Micro USB on the left and the new USB type C standard on the right
As much as I hate having a new USB standard, the trade-off is well worth it and I hope USB type-C does take over as the new standard. It is so much easier to not have to worry about making sure I plug the charging cable in the correct direction, and it still provides fast-charging capabilities.
With a 3450mAh battery, Android 6.0 and USB type-C, the Nexus 6P is the next generation in battery life performance.
Display
I have been a huge fan of AMOLED displays ever since I started using Samsung phones. Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode(AMOLED) differs from Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) by how they light up the screen. (I’m not a display expert so I apologize for my ignorance but if you want to learn more click here for a comparison). Many LG and Sony smartphones use LCD displays, which in my eyes, show back-light bleed and don’t show true blacks because of the nature of the back-light.
AMOLED displays on the other hand offer super high-contrast ratios, as every pixel is controllable, and has saturated and rich colors. Some may prefer LCD due to better color representation, but I simply love AMOLED displays and that is the technology that the Nexus 6P uses for its display.
Both AMOLED displays on the Nexus 6P(left) and Note5 perform admirably in full day light.
With a QHD resolution, 1440 x 2560 pixels, the Nexus 6P has a very clear and easy to read display. The only phones I have come across with a similar performing display are the Galaxy Note 4 and 5, Blackberry PRIV, and Galaxy S6 and variants.
The Nexus 6P has one of the best performing displays on the market.
Performance
Powering the Nexus 6P is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1, 2.0 GHz octa-core 64-bit with 3GB of RAM. The first generation Snapdragon 810 was riddled with issues like over heating and throttling causing Samsung to go with their own Exynos octa-core processor for the first time in the U.S. Many feared the Nexus 6P would suffer from performance issues with the Snapdragon 810, but Qualcomm solved the issues in the v2.1 processor and my day to day experiences would prove that to be true.
Benchmark tests are designed to test hardware and the latest Samsung processors usually win those tests by a long shot. The Nexus 6P won’t win first place in benchmark tests, but it will win in day to day usage as it does not stutter or have memory issues. On a perceived performance level, I have yet to use a faster phone. 3GB of RAM is more than enough memory when paired with stock Android 6.0 and the Snapdragon 810.
The Nexus 6P may not win benchmark tests, but it will win in real life usage.
Gaming, multi-tasking, photo editing, emailing, video watching was all smooth sailing with the Nexus 6P.
Camera
The Nexus 6P comes with a 12.3MP rear camera, f/2.o aperture, with IR laser-assisted auto-focus and an 8MP front facing camera. The pictures I took look great to me, but I will let you decide in the gallery I have listed below. As for the speed of the camera, it loads super quickly with a double-click of the power button and snaps pictures just as quickly.
The Nexus Camera’s lens with f/2.0 aperture lets more light in and captures sharp images in stunning detail.
For a camera in a smartphone, I am more than happy with it and desire nothing more. The Samsung Galaxy Note5 is still has the best camera, but the Nexus 6P is a close second. Decide for yourself if you like the camera in the pictures I have in the gallery.
Fingerprint Reader
The new fingerprint reader is going to be something everyone uses going forward. Google developed “Nexus Imprint” as a way to unlock your phone, turn on your screen on and breeze through checkout lines using Android Pay. The Nexus 6P asks you to set up a fingerprint, you can do more than one, when you set-up the device. All you have to do is place the same finger on the fingerprint reader five or six times so it can accurately read your fingerprint without worrying about placement.
The fingerprint reader is so easy to use, I don’t see anyone leaving their phones unlocked anymore. I was one of those users who hated to type in pass codes, and also hated Samsung’s fingerprint reader because of the failure rate. I always thought Apple did the fingerprint reading the best on its iPhone, but I can now proudly say that Google OWNS every other fingerprint reader on the market.
Nexus 6P fingerprint reader.
One downside, after two months of usage I have seen an increase in the failure rate with the fingerprint reader. I attribute the failure rate in the fingerprint reader accumulating smudges and oil from my hands. When I clean the back of my phone with a damp cloth, performance improves, but this is something I hope Google and Huawei address in the future.
Audio
The Nexus 6P comes with dual front-facing speakers which get loud. They are definitely clear at the highest volume, but do lack depth and bass if I were to judge it against the HTC One. If I were to judge it against the Nexus 6 or Note 5, I would choose the 6P in a blind test as the best performer every time. Speakers should not be on the back or bottom of a phone as it does not make sense to point sound away from your ears.
I wish all phone manufacturers would stop putting speakers on the bottom or rear of the phone and make it a general rule that they should be placed in the front. Having two speakers is always better than one as well. It may not be important to most, but dual-front facing speakers are a must have for me and the Nexus 6P delivers.
The best Android phone of 2015
I know choosing the best Android of 2015 is highly subjective and there are worthy contenders like the LG V10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note5. But I choose the Nexus 6P as the best phone of 2015 – it is cheaper than the Note 5 and V10, and is equal to or wins in almost every head to head category. Most importantly it wins in the software department with no carrier bloat and gets the first updates from Google.
Thanks to Huawei and Google, I have become a true fan of stock Android and simply do not desire to change to another smartphone which is a first for me. The Nexus 6P truly is premium and is a product that both should be tremendously proud of. Both companies should take a bow and we all should stand and applaud this device. With superior software, gorgeous and durable build, a super high resolution display, fantastic camera, a new fingerprint reader, dual-front facing speakers and incredible battery life, the Nexus 6P leaves no detail behind.
The Nexus 6P has set the bar for all other Android devices. I highly recommend the Nexus 6P.
Buy the Nexus 6P at the Google Play Store.
The post The Nexus 6P takes Android smartphones to new heights (Review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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.
Hardware
The unit comes sealed in a neat little box. With a bit of grappling, the top part comes off to reveal a snuggly nested converter.
Audio
It will route the audio to whichever output is plugged in first
Daily Use
ZuperDAC (right) offers a more portable and convenient HiFi solution as compared to the standard DAC unit
Opinion
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.
ASUS Chromebit review – the little Chrome OS dongle that could
Current Google CEO Sundar Pichai once said he wanted to see Chrome and Android in every screen available, a goal that is now looking more real than ever. Android is obviously all over the spectrum, but there is a whole other beast Google has been very good at taking over the market with – Chrome OS.
This web-based operating system now exists on laptops, desktop computers and even all-in-one PCs. These are known as Chromebooks, Chromeboxes and Chromebases, but that is not where Google wants to let things end. This light, fast and affordable platform is now making its way into a new form-factor that allows more flexibility.
Today we are focusing on the ASUS Chromebit, a small dongle that can fit into any pocket and convert any HDMI-enabled screen into a full-fledged Chrome OS device. Yes, even your TV, likely the largest screen you own.
But what is the benefit here? That is something we will talk more about later in the review, but let me give you a little teaser here – the ASUS Chromebit is only $84.99. Interested? Keep reading for more details!
Buy the ASUS Chromebit from Amazon
Buy the ASUS Chromebit from Newegg
Design & build quality
Thinking back on how big computers needed to be just a decade ago, this thing does seem like a marvel. We used to own large boxes that took over a huge part of our desks. Now I find myself getting an ASUS Chromebit in the mail, in a box that could easily fit a glass. This thing fits right in the palm of my hand and can easily outperform my first desktop computer. If you want numbers, it measures in at 123 x 31 x 17 mm. That’s just digits, though, so I am better off telling you it is about the size of one of those wide highlighters we used to have back in school.
The ASUS Chromebit certainly doesn’t look bad, but it’s also nothing to write home about. And that’s a good thing! This is not a product you will be showing off to anyone. It will live behind your screen and stay hidden most of the time, something it does a very good job at. It is discrete, both in size and aesthetics.
What you probably will care about is whether it’s well-built or not. After all, this is a portable device of sorts. The idea is that you can use it at your living room, desk, work, presentations and even hotel room. This jack of all trades can do it all, so it needs to be built to withstand such lifestyle.
Hopefully the guys at ASUS never read this bit, but I actually dropped the Chromebit once. It fell out of my pocket and came out of this accident without a single scratch. Literally, the thing still looks new. This is pure testament of its good build quality, but you don’t need to mess up (like me) and put it to the test to know this. You can feel it right off the bat, the first time it lays on your hand.
Even if built mostly of plastic, the Chromebit definitely feels solid. It has a certain weight that let’s you know it’s definitely not a hollow product, a factor that gives off a level of security I never had with a Chromecast.
Hardware & specs
Let’s go through the externals first, shall we? Everything is pretty straight forward here. Uncover one end of the ASUS Chromebit and you will be presented with a full-sized HDMI connector. The box also includes an extension for those TVs that make it hard to connect this device directly to. On the other end we can find a USB 2.0 port for connecting all your peripherals and storage devices. There’s also a small power jack on the side, which is used to keep your mini PC alive.
Let me touch a bit on that energy system, though. It’s already bad enough that it uses a non-USB power port, but there are a couple other inconveniences I found here. For starters, you can’t plug this into the TV’s USB port and grab energy from there. This is justified, though, as it is a Chrome OS computer and needs more energy.
What really gets to me is that the included Power cable is uncomfortably short. I would say this cable is about 1.25 meters, which makes it a pain to plug in if your TV (or whatever screen you are using) is a tiny bit too far from an outlet.
How about them specs? Let’s go over them real quick.
- Chrome OS
- Rockchip quad-core RK3288C CPU
- ARM Mali-T624 GPU
- 2 GB of RAM
- 16 GB of internal storage
- 100 GB of Gogole Drive storage for 2 years
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth 4.0
Performance and OS
Now, the moment of truth. How good is the ASUS Chromebit as a computer? Let’s begin with the OS, which will really be what most of you will care about. That is because, like most other Chrome OS devices, the Chromebit is very good at some things, but very bad at others.
Keep in mind this pretty much runs a glorified version of the Chrome browser. Google has added plenty of offline features and apps to Chrome OS, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it heavily relies on an internet connection. Regardless, most people use computers for the internet alone, which is the whole idea behind the very existence of this operating system.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you will have to sacrifice popular programs that any user would otherwise have at their disposal when working with Windows, Mac OS X or Linux. Say goodbye to Photoshop, Lightroom, Microsoft Office, most games and any other program you would usually run natively from a PC. Everything is web-based (or limited).
That’s not to say the OS is bad, as there are plenty of benefits to be had with it. Keep in mind that because it is a web-based OS, it is also very light. Super light. This thing will boot up faster than any other computer. In fact, the Chromebit was usually on by the time my TV decided to boot up. And because it doesn’t need much resources, it can run very well without crazy specs.
This takes us to the next point – how well does the ASUS Chromebit perform? Those who have used a lower-end Chromebook will find a very similar experience going on here. The computer runs perfectly if you are a basic user. I was streaming Full HD videos with no issue, and I never saw any hiccups with casual usage. Nor did I find any bugs or problems.
My only gripe with the Chromebit is that those 2 GB of RAM are definitely not enough for any multi-tasker out there. I found that even having 4 tabs open started slowing down the machine, something that is simply unacceptable in my line of work.
But if you never really open 4 tabs or more, this may not be an issue at all. I mean, this is an $84 computer, after all. If multi-tasking is the only thing I can complain about, in terms of performance, I say ASUS is doing a really good job.
Should you buy the ASUS Chromebit?
With that, we come back to the question you asked yourself at the beginning of this review – should you buy an ASUS Chromebit? As it goes with most devices, the answer is not as simple as a “yes” or “no”. I will tell you this device is not for everyone, though. Who is it for?
It’s portability and affordable price point make it a great secondary computer for those who move around frequently, are always on-the-go, or need a good presentation machine. It will take care of all your browsing needs, as long as you don’t go nuts with multi-tasking. Now, things may be a bit more complicated if you want to make this your primary computer, but it’s definitely doable depending on your needs.
A casual user who simply wants to browse the web, visit social networks and stream movies/music will be satisfied. I can also see it being a great tool for public places (schools, hotels, libraries, etc.), as it is affordable and very easy to manage for IT departments. If you only need to use the web, don’t multi-task much and won’t need your traditional programs, this little dongle is great.
And the Chromebit definitely has its market, which is something I happen to be fond of… it has its purpose and place in the wide ecosystem of devices we own. I personally wouldn’t say the same about Chromeboxes, which sacrifice portability, screen and keyboard, yet cost about the same as a Chromebook. I just don’t see the point in that. But for $84.99, I can definitely get behind something like the ASUS Chromebit.
If you fit the category described above, it’s certainly a great buy. And at this price you would be hard-pressed to find anything better.
Buy the ASUS Chromebit from Amazon
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Battle of the minis: OnePlus X vs Xperia Z5 Compact vs Moto G
There has been an on-off trend by smartphone makers to release “mini” versions of their flagship handsets, in years gone by Samsung always had a “mini” version of its latest “S” device. However Samsung isn’t the only one playing the “mini” game. After the success of the OnePlus One, OnePlus decided to repackage the One’s internals into the OnePlus X, a smaller 5 inch device, down from 5.5 inches. This makes it the “mini” version of the OnePlus One and the Two. Sony likewise has mini (compact), normal and large (premium) versions of the Xperia Z5, and Motorola offers the Moto G (and to some extent the Moto E) as “mini” versions of its “X” range. But which is the best? To help you choose, here is my comparison of the OnePlus X versus the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact versus the Motorola Moto G.
But before we dive into the comparison, I just want to bring up the whole “5 inches is now a mini” thing. Over the last few years there has clearly been a trend towards larger screen phones. From the days of the 3.2 inch HTC Dream we have all become used to devices with screen sizes from 5.0 to 6 inches. With many of the flagship phones offering displays greater than 5 inches, it seems that now 5 inches is consider “mini.” So although I would have preferred to review phones smaller than 5 inches, it seems that the market has decided otherwise!
Pricing
Before going on to look at these phones I think it is right to first look at the prices. Although these are all “mini” devices there is quite a big difference in how much they cost. At the top end is the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact. It is available in the UK from a variety of places and costs around £429 without a contract. In Europe you can buy it off contract directly from Sony for €599. For those of you in the USA, there is no news about when or if the Z5 series will be officially available there, however you can find it Amazon.com starting at about $520, but some listings go as high as $700.
Next comes the OnePlus X at $250 with 16GB of internal storage, half the price of the Z5 Compact. Finally is the Moto G which in the US can be bought for $179.99 with 8GB of internal storage, while the 16GB model costs $219.99.
Design
As well as a big difference in price, these three devices also differ significantly in terms of design. The design of the Z5 Compact should be instantly familiar to anyone who is acquainted with Sony’s other Z devices, particularly the Z3 Compact. It looks like the Z5 and Z5 Premium but in a much smaller body. It includes the signature button layout including the dedicated camera shutter button and a new large power button, which also houses a fingerprint reader. Overall the the Z5 Compact feels nice in the hand and is easy to handle, mainly due to its size and symmetrical design.
See also: Sony Xperia Z5 Compact review
The OnePlus X has dual glass panels and a metal frame which gives the device a premium feel, way above its price point. The metal frame utilizes micro-cuts that contribute a lot to the handling experience without scraping the skin or feeling uncomfortable to the touch. While the Z5 Compact has a dedicated camera button, the OnePlus X has a dedicated Alert Slider which allows you to switch between “Do not disturb” mode, that silences the device completely; priority only interruptions; or normal “All notifications” mode.
The Moto G is certainly the bulkiest of these three devices, mainly due to its curved back. But with the curved back (and the plastic mid-plate the comes down from the camera lens to the Motorola dimple) you also get access to Moto Maker, which means, along with swappable back plates, users can now bring customization to the next level. Through Motorola’s website, you’ll be able to choose your front, back and accent colors, as well as add personal engravings on the phone’s back. As well as this high level of customization the Moto G also has front facing speakers (as does the Z5 Compact) and IPX7 water resistance, which means that it can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes.
See also: Motorola Moto G 2015 review
So which has the best design? That depends on what you want. The ability to customize the Moto G with Moto Maker is very attractive for those who want to personally define their phone’s look and feel. Having said that, the Moto G is certainly bulkier than the Z5 Compact and the OnePlus X. Unfortunately Sony has managed to put the volume rocker in the worst possible place on the Z5 Compact, which I personally see as a major design flaw. What that means is this, if you want subtle, slim and elegant then the OnePlus X has the better design, if you want customization and bright colors then go with the Moto G.
Display
Two of our three phones have a 720p HD display, while the other features a full HD screen. You might think since the Z5 Compact is the most expensive of the three then that would be the device with the HD display, but you would unfortunately be wrong. The Z5 Compact comes with a 4.6-inch display with a 720p resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 323 ppi. Although it must be said that the resolution and pixel density work perfectly for such a small display, you are left feeling that for the price you should be getting something more. Having said that, the color reproduction is good, due to the Triluminos display with the X-REALITY Engine enhancements.
The OnePlus X features a 5-inch AMOLED display with a 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution (441 ppi). Overall the display experience is excellent with everything you would expect from an AMOLED screen, including deep blacks and good levels of contrast. OnePlus has also taken advantage of the AMOLED display tech in its software by including an Ambient Display feature. It is triggered by waving your hand over the proximity sensor, which causes the screen to show a minimal version of the lockscreen for a quick glance at your notifications and the clock.
That leaves the Moto G, which features a 720p display. Unfortunately because the device uses a 5 inch display (up from 4.5 inches found in the original Moto G), the pixel density is the lowest in our group at just 294 pixels per inch. However the display is IPS, which gives good viewing angles and the screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.
Clearly the OnePlus X is the winner here, Full HD and AMOLED, there isn’t much more you can ask for.
Hardware
Although the Z5 Compact has a smaller screen, Sony has not compromised on the internals. The Z5 Compact uses an octa-core Snapdragon 810 backed by the Adreno 430 GPU and 2GB of RAM. There is 32GB of internal storage and the option to add more via a microSD card.
The Z5 Compact is IP65 and IP68 waterproof rated, which according to Sony means you don’t need to worry if you get caught in the rain or want to wash off dirt under a tap. As for sound, the Z5 Compact features dual front facing speakers meaning that the sound is always projected directly upwards and outwards. The speakers can get quite loud (for a 4.6 inch phone) however at the highest volumes the sound loses depth and can be a bit “squeaky”.
When it comes to the battery, the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact packs a 2,700 mAh unit, which is more than enough for a smaller phone like this. You should be able to get 5 hours of screen on time over a period of between 36 and 42 hours of standby. It also supports Quick Charge 2.0 and don’t forget the fingerprint reader.
Unlike the Z5 Compact and the Moto G, the OnePlus X uses a 32-bit processor rather than a 64-bit processor. This may seem like a real disadvantage for the OnePlus X, however the good news is that the company picked one of the best 32-bit processors available, the Snapdragon 801. In addition to the performance figures which I give below, you can find out more about how the Snapdragon 801 compares to its 64-bit rivals in my comparison of the Snapdragon 810 vs the Exynos 7420 vs the MediaTek Helio X10 vs the Kirin 935.
The X offers dual SIM support, however the secondary SIM slot also doubles as a microSD card slot, which will certainly be appreciated, since the 16 GB of on-board storage will not be enough for many people. On the battery front, the OnePlus X packs a 2,525 mAh unit, which is pretty standard for a phone of this size. With moderate usage, the device allows for around 3 hours of screen-on time, which is pretty average, however good when you consider the price point. The standby time is also quite impressive, with due credit being given to the AMOLED display and features like Ambient Display and Dark Mode. Unfortunately there is no fast charging functionality.
It is worth mentioning that the OnePlus X doesn’t fully support 4G LTE in the USA because it lacks a couple of key bands. Although the international coverage is much better, those in the US should think twice before getting this phone if 4G is a requirement.
As I mentioned previously, the Moto G packs a 64-bit processor, however it isn’t a high-end 64-bit processor. That doesn’t mean it is lacking in terms of every day usage, however it isn’t going to break any speed records. Accompanying the Snapdragon 410 processor is 1GB of RAM on the 8GB model and 2GB RAM on the 16GB model. If you are buying a Moto G I would really recommend going for the 16GB version for both the extra storage and the extra RAM.
Although Motorola has included a removable back cover, the 2470mAh battery is non-removable. However, that shouldn’t be a problem as the the Moto G delivers impressive battery life. You should be able to get around 5 hours of screen on time over a 16 to 18 hour day. If you do run out of charge, however, the lack of quick charging means it takes over two hours to charge from full, so you’ll want to plan your charging accordingly.
In terms of hardware the Z5 Compact is the clear winner here. You get a flagship processor, 2GB of RAM, NFC, a fingerprint reader, front facing speakers and a good battery. Of course, the Z5 Compact has that premium price, so we should expect flagship internals. When it comes to the other two, the processor is better in the OnePlus X, however consumers in the USA might be better off with the Moto G.
Performance
In terms of general performance the Snapdragon 810 in the Z5 Compact provides a snappy user experience. The UI is smooth and there aren’t any lags, you won’t find yourself wishing there was a different CPU in the phone. The gaming experience is also very good, in fact the Z5 Compact manages an impressive 58.5 fps for Epic Citadel in Ultra High Quality mode. As for AnTuTu, the device managed a top score of 62,130, while on Geekbench it managed 1306 (single-core) and 4295 (multi-core). For CPU Prime Benchmark the Z5 Compact scored 20771.
The Snapdragon 801 is still a great processor package, however don’t expect the same performance levels as the Snapdragon 810. For daily tasks, like writing emails, listening to music, watching the occasional video, and general web browsing, the OnePlus X doesn’t skip a beat. However Josh Vergara did notice the occasional little stutters during his review. These may be due to further refinements needed to Oxygen OS (OnePlus’ replacement for Cyanogen after the very public bust up between the two companies), as it isn’t something I experienced when I reviewed the Snapdragon 801 powered ZUK Z1.
In terms of benchmarks the OnePlus X scored 37956 on AnTuTu, 914 (single-core) and 2528 (multi-core) on Geekbench, and 12160 on CPU Prime Benchmark. When running Epic Citadel the X manages 39.1 fps in Ultra High Quality mode, however it does much better in High Quality mode with 52.3 fps.
The Moto G is the slowest of the devices scoring 23252 on AnTuTu, 528 (single-core) and 1574 (multi-core) on Geekbench, and 3217 on CPU Prime Benchmark. For Epic Citadel the Moto G manages 30.6 fps in Ultra High Quality mode and 56.4 fps in High Quality mode.
| Device | AnTuTu | Geekbench | CPU Prime Benchmark | Epic Citadel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Xperia Z5 Compact | 62130 | 1306 (single-core), 4295 (multi-core) | 20771 | 58.5 fps (Ultra High Quality mode), 58.7 fps (High Quality mode) |
| OnePlus X | 37956 | 914 (single-core), 2528 (multi-core) | 12160 | 39.1 fps (Ultra High Quality mode), 52.3 fps (High Quality mode) |
| Motorola Moto G | 23252 | 528 (single-core), 1574 (multi-core) | 3217 | 30.6 fps (Ultra High Quality mode), 56.4 fps (High Quality mode) |
Looking at the performance results it is clear that you get what you pay for. The better the performance, the more the device costs. The Z5 Compact is the winner, however in terms of price/performance the OnePlus X has lots to offer.
Camera
On paper the camera in the Z5 Compact should be the best in our group. The Z5 Compact uses a 23 MP Sony Exmor RS sensor, a wide angle 24mm G Lens, and offers 4K video recording. Also the built-in app has lots of features way beyond just HDR and Panorama. In reality the results from the Z5 Compact have been disappointing when compared to other flag ship phones. In this lineup the Z5 Compact’s camera performs as well as the others, but not better.
The OnePlus X comes with a 13 MP rear camera that uses phase detection autofocus and leverages HDR. The camera application is the same as the one found in the OnePlus 2, which uses swipes on the viewfinder in order to switch between various modes, including slow motion video, time lapse, and panorama. There isn’t much manual control available, aside from basically just being able to trigger HDR.
The OnePlus X is guilty of some classic pitfalls. It’s great in good lighting conditions, but quality deteriorates drastically as conditions worsen, and taking a shot will always require a very steady hand. This actually becomes more of an issue with video capture, which gets a bit choppy more often than not. For a daily shooter, the OnePlus X requires a little more diligence to get good shots, but for its price point, we don’t fault the camera too much for that, unless your focus is video recording.
The Moto G features a 13 megapixel rear with an f/2.0 aperture and dual LED flash. The sensor is the same one that Motorola used in the Nexus 6 and it features a HDR mode plus it is capable of shooting 1080p video. In daylight, the camera produces colors that are vibrant and captures an impressive amount of detail. In particular, HDR mode makes a big difference to images and does a good job in lighting up shadows. Daylight performance is definitely impressive, but sadly, as the sun drops so does the camera performance.
Here are some comparison shots so you can see for yourself:
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Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
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OnePlus X
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Motorola Moto G
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Software
The Z5 Compact comes with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop by default and it will receive an upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow at some point in the future. Sony has added a light skin on top of stock Android and also included extra features and Sony related apps. As well as the software for managing the fingerprint reader there is a myriad of device connection options including the ability to wirelessly play content from your Xperia to other devices (i.e. Sony TVs), screen mirroring, connecting to Playstation controllers, and MirrorLink. There is also a theme library. Under Power management there are several different power saving modes available including STAMINA mode, Ultra STAMINA mode, and Low-battery mode.
See also: This is Sony’s Concept for Marshmallow, and it’s very promising
The OnePlus X comes with OnePlus’ Oxygen OS, which brings a mostly stock-looking Android edition to the OnePlus X. Much of it is really familiar, since it is based on Android 5.1.1, and the Lollipop inspired interface includes a paginated app drawer and a Quick Settings menu. OnePlus have added a new feature called Shelf, where frequent apps, favorite contacts, and user-defined widgets can be stored. More input options are available, with users given the choice between capacitive keys or on screen navigation keys, and gestures like double tap to wake are to be found as well.
The Moto G features a near-pure Android experience (Android 5.1.1), meaning you’ll have access to the Google Now launcher, with just a couple Motorola-specific apps thrown into the mix. The first of those is Moto Display, which shows you waiting notifications or the time automatically when you pick the handset up or pull it out of your pocket. Moto Display is very useful when you consider how many people don’t carry a watch and check the time on their phone and it definitely helps improve the battery if you are one of them. There is also Quick Gestures, which let you accomplish simple things easily. A double flick of the wrist turns the flashlight on or off, while a double twist of the wrist launches the camera. However, this latter feature can be a little too responsive meaning you might activate the camera just by picking up the phone from a table.
If you want a stock Android experience then you will get that from the Moto G, if you are looking for a more customized version of Android then the Z5 Compact or the OnePlus X could give you what you are looking for. Overall, the three devices offer a good software experience and you won’t be disappointed with any of them.
Specifications
| Sony Xperia Z5 Compact | OnePlus X | Motorola Moto G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 4.6-inch IPS LCD display, 720p resolution, 323ppi | 5-inch display, 1920 x 1080 resolution, Gorilla Glass 3 | 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, 720 x 1280 resolution, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 | Qualcomm 2.3GHz Snapdragon 801 | 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 330 | Adreno 306 |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB | 1 or 2GB |
| Storage | 32GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200GB | 16GB, microSD expansion up to 128GB | 8 or 16GB, microSD expansion up to 32GB |
| Software | Android 5.1 Lollipop, Sony’s customized UI | Oxygen OS (based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop) | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| SIM card | Nano SIM | Nano SIM, dual compatible (but uses microSD slot) | Micro SIM |
| Dual SIM | No | Yes | No |
| Water resistance | IP65 / IP68 certification, capless USB | None | IPX7 |
| Quick Charge 2.0 | Yes | No | No |
| Cameras | Sony Exmor RS 23MP rear-facing camera, Sony Exmor R 5MP front-facing camera | 13MP ISOCELL 3M2 CMOS with f/2.2 rear-facing camera. 8MP front camera | 13MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera |
| Battery | Non-removable 2,700mAh battery | Non-removable 2,525 mAh LiPo battery | Non-removable 2470mAh |
| Dimensions | 127 x 65 x 8.9mm, 138g | 140 x 69 x 6.9 mm, 138g | 142.1 x 72.4 x 11.6mm, 155g |
Gallery
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Final thoughts
When many OEMs produce a “mini” smartphone it is often a cut down version of an existing (and popular) model. Not so with Sony, the Z5 Compact is a true flag ship device but with a smaller screen. That isn’t to say that it doesn’t have its drawbacks, the price being one, however if you want the same performance as you would get from the Z5 or the Z5 Premium, but in a smaller form factor, then the Z5 Compact is a good choice.
However the price tag on the Z5 Compact isn’t for everyone’s pockets, and to some extent I am not sure that the extra money buys you all that much. You can actually buy a OnePlus X and a Moto G together for the same price as a Z5 Compact! The Moto G still stands out as the best budget smartphone around, however don’t expect break neck performance from the device. As for the OnePlus X, it has set a new standard for entry-level phones, it is a shame that it isn’t fully compatible with 4G LTE networks in the USA.
Read next:
If I had $550 to spend on a small phone, which one would I buy? Honestly I would probably get two OnePlus X handsets (since I live in Europe), or maybe a OnePlus X, a 16GB Moto G and use the change to treat my family to a nice day out.
Quickly charge your devices on the go with iClever Dual USB Car Charger (review)
As a pest control technician, I have to drive everywhere, so car chargers are very important for me. With The iClever Dual USB Car Charger, I can now quickly charge my devices as I drive from A to B.
Overview
The dual charger has a slick design that allows you to charge up to two devices at the same time. It has a relatively small profile, making it fit easily into any power outlet your vehicle has, without poking out too much, while giving you peace of mind that you will have enough power for your devices. The charger easily slides in and out of the power socket, but not too easily. Once in, it will stay put until you are ready to unplug it.
Just like iClever’s desktop chargers, this car charger also features their Smart I.D. technology. This means that whatever device you plug in will charge at its max rate. Now, if you are using your phone to listen to music, as I do, or have multiple processes running, this may potentially slow down your charge speed, but not by much.
Design
The design is pretty small, for a dual port charger. Once plugged in, it sticks out less than half an inch. 
The width is about and inch, so it shouldn’t interfere with anything else in your vehicle. It also has a blue indicator light, telling you if you have power or not. This light is only visible through the USB ports, so if you have something plugged in, it is not visible at that point.
With other car chargers, I have had issues where they either slide out too easily or it feels like I will yank the entire dashboard out with it. With iClever, they have designed it the charger to slide in and out with ease while staying in place until you are ready to remove it.
Usage
I have gotten the best use out of this charger while I work. I typically drive anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to get to a customer, and usually about an hour and a half to get back home. Ever since getting this charger, I haven’t had to worry about what my screen brightness is, or whether my GPS is on. At least, not while I’m at work.
For regular use, this is still a great charger. Small trips can help to maintain your current charge levels, such as to the gas station or grocery store. This is definitely a must have if you are planning a road trip.
Summary
I absolutely love this car charger, not only because of the quality but also the price. The iClever Dual USB Car Charger is currently on sale at Amazon for $9.99.
The post Quickly charge your devices on the go with iClever Dual USB Car Charger (review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Pebble Time Round review
Something we all want from our smartwatches is to have them look as close to an actual watch as possible. Of course, some of the latest Android Wear releases can certainly be considered fashionable, and more importantly, indistinguishable from regular timepieces. However, the biggest hurdle faced by these devices is their size, something that can easily be seen, and always felt, with most current generation smartwatches being thick enough to pale in comparison to the sleek analog watches that are available.
Pebble hopes to address this issue with the latest addition to the popular Time series, along with this device also being their first foray into the circular watch face game. How does this new smartwatch fare amidst increasing competition? We find out, in this in-depth review of the Pebble Time Round!
Don’t miss: Pebble Time review
Design
The big story with the Pebble Time Round is its circular display, which is a first for the wearable maker. As technology has improved over the past few years, circular smartwatches have been growing in popularity, and Pebble is now trying to bring their Time series into the growing group of round smartwatches released this year. With that said, there is a lot more to the design aspect of this device than its circular watch face.
The metal-constructed round body is made splash resistant rather than completely water resistant, and is something that will take some getting used to. It does make sense, though, given Pebble’s larger focus on this being more of a traditional timepiece and less of a tech wearable. To that end, lugs on the top and bottom are also available to accommodate either 20mm or thinner 14mm watch bands.
Another aspect you will notice right off the bat is just how thin the Pebble Time Round is, and when compared to just about any other smartwatch out there, the Round comes out looking much sleeker. This also makes it far more accessible for anyone with smaller wrists. Of course, the body is thick enough to make room for the up, down, select, and back navigation buttons, as that still remains the primary mode of input, given the lack of a touchscreen display. The buttons do make for a somewhat weird back, where the charging port is also found towards the top. That isn’t something anyone will see when the device is on your wrist, though. The buttons feel solid and offer good tactile feedback, which is great, since these buttons will be used a lot.
The Pebble Time Round is the lightest smartwatch we’ve used to date
Pebble’s commitment to making an incredibly fashionable smartwatch continues with their choice of bands, which include leather and metal options – both of which nicely complement the silver, black, and rose gold bodies. The leather band seen in this review feels really nice on the wrist, and doesn’t take away from what is quite literally the lightest smartwatch we’ve used to date. You actually won’t realize that you are wearing the Pebble Time Round most of the time, up until you have to take it off to charge.
The Pebble Time Round is simply one of the best looking smartwatches available now, not because of what it packs in, but rather because it prioritizes minimalism. Granted, there are a few features that had to go by the wayside in order to make this thin body work. But if you’re looking for a smartwatch that is as easy on the eyes as it is easy to wear, the Pebble Time Round is definitely worthy of your attention.
Display
The switch to a round display means a new way of fitting information on the color-capable e-paper display, but Pebble has managed to handle the round design beautifully. Speaking of the display itself, e-paper means that the watch is easy to view in bright conditions, with a back light available when in poorly-lit situations. In broad daylight, however, the Round has the same issue as the original Pebble Time, and it can get tough to really see the elements on the display. The back light can also be a bit strong in low-light conditions, but the intensity can be lowered in the Settings menu.
The only real issue we had with the display is triggering the back light
The only real issue we had with the display is triggering the back light easily, which sometimes required the wrist movement to be overly aggressive to make it happen. The 2.5D Gorilla Glass panel also gives the display a nice sheen, but a bit of a peeve we have is with the bezel. The issue isn’t just with how thick the bezel is, but also with regards to how it is used.
The silver version of the watch, as seen in this review, comes with minute markings all around the bezel, and as such, some may prefer the black edition, that comes with either hour designations or nothing at all. This meant that I was torn between getting a digital watch face, or using an analog one to properly utilize those minute markings. Luckily, the Pebble Store does have plenty of good looking options to choose from. Of course, the bezel can also be covered with a skin of some sort if it is a big deal for you, but even if it isn’t, it is definitely something that you will notice.
Performance
Similar to what we got with the Pebble Time, performance on the Time Round is snappy and smooth. We hardly experienced any issues with apps. Apps and watch faces are installed from the accompanying smartphone application, and doing so is a pretty easy experience. After that, the apps are either standalone on the watch, or require a companion application on the phone.
In either instance, we’ve had a good time using apps like the Pomodoro Timer, or even a sleep tracking app, without any issues. In an upgrade from the first-generation Pebble devices, the various Time editions can also save what the current app is doing, even if it gets covered up with an incoming notification. The Time operating system is able to perform most tasks without any issues, and provides a smooth overall experience.
Hardware
Hardware on the Pebble Time Round is actually rather simplistic, and with this essentially being a smartwatch that requires pairing to a smartphone, Wi-Fi and mobile network connectivity aren’t a focus. For that matter, there are no extras like a heart rate monitor either, but there will supposedly be smart straps available in the future that will add this function.
Voice input is quite good on the Pebble Time Round
What you do get is the standard Bluetooth connection, with a microphone underneath the buttons on the right side for voice input. Voice input is quite good on the Pebble Time Round, and only in the loudest of environments is it difficult to perform proper dictation. For most purposes, such as replying to messages, we didn’t have much trouble with it. When the watch needs to alert the user about anything, it uses the vibration. While effective, the smaller body does mean that the vibration is a little weaker than we’d ultimately like it to be.
Battery life on the Pebble Time Round is a big deal, and unfortunately not in a good way, with it being the first smartwatch by the company to not boast exceptionally long battery life. While the Time and the original Pebbles last for a week, or even more, the Time Round is only able to squeeze out around 2 days. This does make sense though, given how thin the device is, and is a compromise that just had to be made for the sake of aesthetics. Of course, two days isn’t terrible given its competition, and you can get more with lower usage if you only focus on notifications. Still, battery life is disappointing given what was possible with its predecessors. Charging the Pebble Time Round is incredibly fast however, with only about 20 to 30 minutes required to get back a full charge from 0 percent.
Software
On the software side of things, we have the round version of the Pebble Time OS, and the transition to this new shape has been smooth, for the most part. What we do love about the Time OS is its nice transitions and sometimes cute animations, that make for a fun experience that is still very functional.
Going through the app list requires hitting the up and down buttons a lot, and this is the same input method within any and all applications as well. Even the animations that are just for the Time Round are nice eye candy, like an iris animation when going backward in the interface. The Timeline is the main addition here, where you can go up or down from the watch face to see future events, reminders, and other useful information. If you aren’t much of a calendar user already, this might not strike you as a must-have function, but after installing one of the few apps in the store than can convert voice input into reminders, the Timeline can prove to be a good tool.
Notable developers still haven’t brought their apps to the Round
To that end, applications are the crux of the Pebble experience, providing a layer on top of what is primarily a good notification center. That said, with the transition to a round body, applications had to be changed in order to utilize the space better, and that conversion is not yet complete. For example, Yelp and Evernote have yet to make their applications available for the Round, which is a little disappointing, but will hopefully be rectified soon. Certain apps do make the Round their home however, like Solanum, a Pomodoro style app, and Note to Self, which takes voice input and uses key phrases to insert what is said into the Timeline.
It is easy to find uses for the Pebble Time software, even past the main the function as a method to see notifications from your phone. If you have never used a smartwatch as a way to keep your phone in your pocket, you should definitely try it. Customization is still alive and well in the Pebble ecosystem, and with an even better looking body to surround it all, a little due diligence can certainly make the Time Round a worthy companion to have on your wrist.
Gallery
Pricing and final thoughts
You can buy a Pebble Time Round with a leather strap directly from Pebble’s website for $249, with the metal band versions going for $50 more. The smartwatch can be found much cheaper on Amazon right now, however.
So there you have it, for this in-depth look at the Pebble Time Round! For its design and the well-performing functions this smartwatch offers, users will look to the Time Round as the watch they want when simplistic elegance is the order of the day, and that is exactly what this device is able to achieve. For most users, being able to see notifications, and in most cases, respond to them is the core of a smartwatch, and Pebble has certainly delivered that.
Where other smartwatches fail is in their feature sets – not because these features aren’t good, but because the design has to suffer to make room for them. The Time Round is the anti-thesis of this trend in smartwatches, and by prioritizing simplicity, it is probably the first device that can be recommended to anybody. If you really do need a heart rate monitor, the ability to make calls from your wrist, or even use the device for mobile connectivity, then this isn’t the device for you. What you do get here is simplicity, elegance, and one of the best looking smartwatches we’ve seen all year.
The fierce competition
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Quickly charge all your devices with the iClever 4-port USB Rapid Desktop Charger (review)
As our demand for wireless technology increases, so does our need to charge our new devices. With the iClever 4 port USB desktop charger, you can easily charge all your devices.
Overview
The iClever desktop charger plugs right into your wall, making it super easy to charge any four devices at once. It also features Smart I.D. technology, enabling it to instantly recognize the type of device and then charge it as fast as your device will allow. Now, this isn’t anything like the fast charge feature of the Samsung Galaxy S6, nor will all your devices charge at the exact same rate. Each port has a max output of about 5 volts. I had my personal phone, work phone, and wireless earphones plugged in, all of which were fully charged within 1-3 hours.
Design
The charger has a very slim, black design, making it very portable and allowing it to easily fit wherever you need it, such as a nightstand, counter/desktop, or the floor. Unfortunately, this also makes it hard to stay upright once you plug in your devices. If you have room, laying it on its side won’t be a problem. If you need it upright, readjusting your USB cables should keep it upright. If iClever made it with a slightly wider base or a separate base mount, that would correct this issue.
The sides are made of a matted rubber type texture around the exterior, which looks great, but makes it very prone to smudge marks, so be careful. The front and back sides have a glossy plastic, which are easier to clean, so I would recommend holding the charger by these ends when plugging in your cables.
Usage
The best use for this charger will be wherever you are. If you are at home, you can have all your devices plugged in through one outlet, eliminating the need to have a bulky power strip. With a bit of cable management, it can also make it easy to keep your work or personal space more organized as well.
With the slim design, you can also take it on the go, making it easy to charge up if you get to a location that has limited power outlets, such as a hotel, restaurant, cyber cafe or coffee shop. For sure, this is a must have device when you are traveling.
Summary
I really like this charger. The size is great and well worth the price. It is on sale at Amazon for $14.99
The post Quickly charge all your devices with the iClever 4-port USB Rapid Desktop Charger (review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
V-Moda Zn in-ear headphones review: Zinc metal shows its beauty inside and out
If you’re an on-the-go music lover and haven’t heard of V-MODA, you really should. It is a relatively new company (compared to the likes of renowned brands like Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, or Shure), but has climbed up the ranks very quickly as a result of stellar headphone sound and design. The team at V-MODA knows how to tune the audio presentation to really connect with listeners and get our hearts pumping. The engineers also put a large focus on quality, building the hardware like a tank and ready for your abuse.
On top of that, V-MODA’s leader, Val Kolton, consistently puts a large influence on a compelling design. He thinks headphones make a statement, like a fashion accessory, and they better look good on your head.
Up until now, most of V-MODA’s success has been attributed to on-the-head products. It’s been several years since we’ve seen attention given to fans of in-ear headphones. Well, now that has changed. Allow me to introduce the V-MODA Zn.
This isn’t just another earbud. V-MODA has taken its development experience over the years and shrunk it down to something that can stand with the rest of its lineup. These little guys were given special attention, down to the unique use of liquid Zinc metal in their construction. Let’s check out if the Zn lives up to the anticipation.
Design
The experience with each V-MODA product begins at the unboxing. There’s always a red strip on the on the box that you have to cut (Val Kolton describes this as a ribbon cutting ceremony). Pushing up from a slit on the bottom reveals the product presentation.
Remember how I said that the company sees headphones as fashion accessories? It feels like you’re opening the box to a piece of jewelry. The layout shows the earpieces on top, the 3-button remote, the metal y-splitter, and the other sizes of eartips.
Being a V-MODA product, there’s a lot of interesting things to talk about in the Zn’s design. The cool and striking look that the company typically devotes to its headphones wasn’t abandoned just because this is a small product.
At the same time, the Zn gets its own design signature. You won’t necessarily be able to tell at first glance that it’s made by V-MODA, but it won’t surprise you to find that out either.
Just as impressive as the edgy design is the clever use of material. The Zn’s construction is mostly plastic. And it’s not an expensive-feeling plastic either. But the design draws your attention two ways: with the use of depth and a unconventional metal – Zinc (hence the product’s name, “Zn” is the element’s abbreviation).
V-MODA advertises the exotic housing as “liquid Zinc metal”. It’s so unique in fact that the product is labeled “Limited Edition” because the alloy isn’t so easy to come by.
And it isn’t just for looks. The Zinc metal mold is the acoustic chamber for the driver. Therefore, the sound you get out of these is like no other.
Although the plastic surround isn’t at all interesting itself, V-MODA uses it cleverly for a striking presentation. The contrast of the plastic against the shiny metal alloy portrays an elegant roughness. The metal is a gem that must live encapsulated in a guardian’s clasp. Yet, despite that fate, the beauty is still able to mightily shine through and let the world know that something special lies within. Why I call it clever is because V-MODA does this to tell a story while countering the cost of the unique material.
The attention to detail continues down through the cord. There’s a reinforcing fabric weave (Kevlar) that wraps around the length of the cable. Dubbed DiamondBack, the cable is claimed to be 20x stronger than the industry standard and can withstand frequent bending like a champ.
If you’ve known V-MODA, you know durability is a big priority in its design. The Zn is no exception, the build carries a military-level MIL-STD-105 robustness standard.
And not forgetting that this is in-ear model (which moves in and out of your pocket), V-MODA also thought about the cord’s shrink-wrapping material. It has a particular substance/finish that inhibits tangles. If I haven’t been clear about it yet, V-MODA engineers the heck out of its devices.
The Zn’s sound is produced by a 8mm dynamic driver, which follows conventional speaker driver technology. A lot of high-end in-ears have moved on to balanced armature (BA) drivers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re superior. There are pros and cons to both methods. Sennheiser was another manufacturer not convinced with BA drivers for superior acoustics and stuck with a dynamic driver in its flagship in-ear, the IE 800.
Regardless, V-MODA has made sure that the sound performance is up to its high standards. Therefore, the meticulous tuning is supplemented with “limited” (made in Italy) custom-made filters between the driver and housing. V-MODA refers to the special filters as the “gatekeepers of golden acoustics”.
Generously, the Zn’s packaging also includes a leather carrying case. The flap secures via a magnetic connection.
Inside the case, you’ll find another set of eartips (clear) and ear hooks.
The eartips are easy to remove and replace. On the stem of the earpiece, there’s a notch that secures the tip in place and a metal mesh that protects the sound tube from earwax.
Usability
So V-MODA greatly thinks about design, how about functionality and comfort?
In-ear headphones are largely dependent on eartips. Not just in regard to fit, but also sound quality. If they don’t create a seal within your ear canal, you’ll miss out on detail. Eartip material also effects sound quality. Silicone tips generally promote bass more than foam, but foam tips isolate much better.
V-MODA believes it found a good compromise, with a custom silicone eartip. Dubbed BLISS (Bass Level Isolating Soft Silicone) 3.0 Fittings, it claims the best from both worlds – isolation and strong bass.
Sound-wise, I’m totally on board with this eartip. In the accessory kit, V-MODA includes a different set of eartips (clear) with thinner silicone and less impactful response. Use the black tips, they do wonders. The passive isolation isn’t as good as foam, but once you get music going, everything else is drowned out.
The small size of the earpieces means the entire housings will go into your ears. My only complaint is that to remove them, it’s easiest to pull from the cord. This isn’t ideal; cord attachments are generally a vulnerability (the Zn’s earpieces are not removable from the cable). But I’m confident in V-MODA’s construction.
My only other concern was that the largest included eartip was just barely enough for me to get an appropriate seal. But this is a “your milage may vary” thing. My ear canal’s aren’t the smallest. However, I know that other manufacturers include a wider variety of sizes, so I would recommend V-MODA to follow suit.
In addition to my previous praise about the Zn’s cord, I also want to gladly mention that the length is considerable. Skimped length is often a complaint with headphones, but that isn’t a problem whatsoever here. The total length from earpiece to plug is 46″ (13″ from earpiece to y-splitter, and then 33″ to plug).
Zinc metal on the y-splitter is a very nice touch (subtly flashy). Having had a pair of Sennheiser CX985 before, I was initially worried. The weight of the metal on the CX985 gave my earpieces an annoying downward pull. Fortunately, the metal V-MODA chose is really light, feels like it’s not even there.
From the split, on the right cord, there’s a 3-button remote with a microphone on the back. The Zn is offered in two different models, solely because of the separation between Android and Apple. Unfortunately, Apple wins out here. Full functionality of the 3-button remote only works for Apple devices. Rather than prepare a separate 3-button remote for Android, V-MODA only removed the buttons that didn’t work (volume up and down) and made a one-button variant of the Zn. You can still use the 3-button model on an Android phone (that is the review unit I was given in fact), but the volume buttons won’t work. In other words, V-MODA only made a separate one-button remote variant purely for aesthetics. Being a writer for an Android site, I predictably recommend V-MODA to give Android devices equal attention in the future 
Pressing the center button play/pauses music, while holding it activates the open mic feature of the device it’s connected to (i.e. Siri or Google Now). You can of course also use it to pick up incoming calls.
Val Kolton is a big proponent of using headphones when you exercise. Therefore, an included accessory is an attachable earhook for cord stability when moving around a lot. This also helps a ton with cable microphonics if that’s a common concern in your lifestyle.
Sound
*For my sound trials, I used the LG V10 (HiFi SABRE 9018 DAC setting) and Tidal HiFi music samples.
Let’s get to the real testimony of this review – the sound. I’m going to start at the best aspect and then descend downward.
I cannot praise the low-end reproduction of these earphones enough. The bass detail and depth is simply amazing. It is a staggering feat for earphones to reproduce such a weighty bass response. It actually bests many full headphones I’ve heard. The moment you don the Zn and turn the tunes on, the impact of the entire low-end range strikes you. It’s emotional, expansive, and game-changing. The awe leaves me searching for an explanation to its magic. The acoustic walls of the Zinc housing are probably part of the answer, but I think the eartips are also complicit to the audio genius.
But the superb bass is not the only feat. The soundstage presentation is right behind it. Here, I look to the custom tuning filters for the explanation, which are said to control the airflow mechanics. The ambient reach of the acoustics feels physics-defying. I hear the placement and distance of instruments like no other earphone has allowed before. It is incredible.
The treble to me is an interesting animal. Detail is certainly captured, and the Zn can definitely reach far to surface the little nuances. But it’s not the cleanest reproduction I’ve heard, and sometimes I get little peaks of sibilance in higher-pitched instruments. Also, the transition between mid and high frequencies isn’t seamless – which leads to the next part of the discussion.
V-MODA’s front-runner headphone has long been the Crossfade M-100 over-ears, which follows a V-shaped sound signature. “V-shaped” means that the midrange frequencies are recessed to an extent in favor for a prominence of bass and treble. The Zn follows suit but I find the dynamic difference a bit more disruptive than with the M-100.
It may have to do with a compromise to get the favored frequencies shining, but the presence of the mids is average to me. Vocals sound like they’re at the dead center of your head and don’t exhibit the airy-ness that is adored from other sounds. The laid-back nature also makes vocals less intimate. Also, any melodies in that region (i.e. guitar riffs) are not as impactful and full as I feel they should be.
That doesn’t mean that the mids are bad whatsoever. They are detailed, clear, and accurate. It’s a relative comparison. V-MODA set the bar very high with other elements of the sound, I’m just saying that the mids don’t reach that voluminous level.
Part of that criticism stems from having owned V-MODA’s XS on-ears (which proceeded the M-100). The XS have a neutral sound signature and more lush mids. I would’ve liked to see this progression continue.
Final Thoughts
Through everything that’s been said, I ultimately hope you’ve captured my excitement. The attention to detail in every regard to an in-ear headphone is impeccable with the Zn. After going years without a strong in-ear offering, I am not only glad that V-MODA finally delivered, but love that it is one of the best earphones that money can now buy.
Even in spite of owning considerably higher costing earphones, the Zn’s bass reproduction blows me away. The impact is tremendous. If you’re any kind of bass-head but also value detail and other nuances in your music, you will fall in love these earphones.
Are they perfect? No. Would I recommend them to an analytical, reference-sound seeker? No. But that is not V-MODA’s goal. The goal is to extract details out of the sound that induce heart-pumping emotion.
The fact of the matter is that when I sit to listen to music, I keep wanting to reach for the Zn out of my set of earphones, and I don’t want to take them off. That enjoyment exemplifies what personal music listening is all about. I sincerely hope that the Zn can resonate loudly enough into the awareness of general audio lovers. You need to hear this.
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Become a master of sketching with Sketch Master (app review)
Ever since touch screens were invented, people have wanted to create art on those devices, and many people have. It seems like companies continue to make that easier with new technologies. Samsung with their S pen, and Apple with their Pencil. Developer Barilab has tried to make it easier on the software front with their Sketch Master app. Read on to see if they have succeeded.
Sketch Master overview
To put it simply, Sketch Master is a drawing app. That’s where the simplicity ends. Barilab brings features to the table that enable the average guy like me to sketch together a decent looking picture. Here are some of the features the app brings to the table.
- Two finger pan & zoom navigation with 3000% zoom
- Maximum size is determined by screen resolution
- Available unlimited layers (consumed disk space)
- Duplicate, Merge and Reorder Layers
- Toggle visibility and adjust Layer Opacity
- 7 brushes, including flood fill
- Text on the path
- Smooth brush stroking using hands corrections.
- Import images from Photo Library
- Import from Camera
- Save or share images
- Color select with HSB color space
- Color Swatches
- Color Picker
Sketch Master usage
The app is fairly simple. There is no tutorial, but just by clicking around on buttons, 
one will figure things out pretty quickly. One thing that I figured out pretty quickly is that if you do not have a Galaxy Note device with a fine tipped stylus, it can by a little hard to draw with just you finger. You can zoom in quite a bit to gain better control, but then it becomes difficult to see the whole picture. If you’re drawing with your finger then I recommend using a tablet with a larger screen.
Speaking of tablets, one thing that I would like to see in the app is a landscape mode when using a tablet. As of right now, the app only supports drawing in portrait mode. This isn’t a deal killer for me, but I’d like it better none the less.
One of my favorite features are the layers. By using the layers, you can add elements after the fact or easily remove elements that don’t look good. In my sketch, I placed an image as the background layer and traced the outlines of the image and used the color picker to match the colors in the image.
The other items are all customizable. You can change the brush type, color of the digital paint, and brush size. This will allow you to more accurately draw what you have in mind to draw and you can even add text and virtual stickers to your images.
What we liked
- Layers
- Image imports
- Color picker
What could be better
- Tablet support
- Better sticker selection
- Updated UI
4 out of 5 stars
This is a great app for killing some time, creating sketches, or even just taking down handwritten notes. The developer offers the app for free on Google Play and monetizes the app with adds. The ads are not very intrusive. If you’re looking for an app like this, I suggest that you give Sketch Master a whirl. You won’t regret it.
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