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Posts tagged ‘Reviews’

24
Jul

TextMuse an aMusing way to text your friends (App Review)


In case you were wondering, yes the title of this review has an intentional pun in it. I have another reason that I used that word aside from the opportunity to be punny. That reason is that I feel amusing is the a word that accurately sums up this app. I’ll tell you why.

TextMuse overview

The whole concept behind TextMuse is to have a repository of interesting items, that you can send to your friends via text. The whole value of this app will come down to whether you’re a big texter or not.

When you first open the app, you are presented with a very basic tutorial of sorts. It doesn’t really tell you much, but the app is very intuitive and most people will be able to figure it out, even with the tutorial. This is one of my favorite features of the app.

From there the app breaks down the items that you can share into categories.

  • Trending
  • Highlighted
  • News
  • I Can Has Animals
  • Inspiring Quotes
  • Birthdays and Occasions
  • Recipes of the Day
  • Daily Deals
  • Friendship and Love
  • Sports
  • Celebs/Entertainment
  • FailBlog
  • Everyday Texts
  • News of the Weird
  • Fact of the Day
  • Science and Education
  • Fitness and Health
  • My Texts

By default, all categories are shown, but in the settings of the app, you can uncheck the categories that you don’t want. The My Texts category allows you to create your own texting templates.

From there you are pretty much ready to start using TextMuse. Select something to share and blast it out to your friends that you want to share it with.

TextMuse setup

Aside from downloading this from the app store, the only setup, that isn’t even required, is to deselect categories that you are uninterested in. The app will take care of everything else.

Who will enjoy TextMuse?

This is a loaded question. Personally I wouldn’t use the app because I’m not a big texter. I know plenty of people who are and who would love this app. For me to use it, they would need to integrate other sharing options. This is one of the only opportunities for improvement that I see. If I could share some of the quotes or funny pictures on Facebook, I would use the app.

The only other opportunity for improvement that I see is that when you want to send a funny cat picture to your friend. It does not actually include the picture in the text. Instead, it sends a link to the picture. I can only conclude that SMS is the only messaging protocol that it supports. MMS doesn’t seem to be supported at this time. In their promo video, it shows the pictures in the texts, but perhaps this is an iOS only feature as they are all using iPhones in the video.

TextMuse

What we liked

  • Simple and intuitive design
  • Easy to send SMS blasts out to all your friends
  • Ability to customize content

What could be better

  • Other sharing options besides SMS
  • MMS picture attachments

Overall

If you enjoy sharing things through SMS, then this is the app for you. You may get some aMusement though just from looking through the articles, regardless of whether you are going to text it to someone or not.

The post TextMuse an aMusing way to text your friends (App Review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.

24
Jul

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet review


Buy now on Amazon

Editor's Choice Update 2015While there are quite a few good Android tablets around, many of them lean towards the budget-friendly, and therefore, mid-range side of things. As good as some of these devices may be, it’s been some time since we’ve gotten our hands on a truly compelling Android tablet. Sony is attempting to change all that with their latest high-end tablet offering, the Xperia Z4 Tablet. This device certainly seems to check all the right boxes on paper, but does it manage to meet, or even go beyond, our expectations? We find out, in this comprehensive Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet review!

Design

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-7

One of the highlights of the high-end Sony tablet line has always been how sleek and light these devices are, and that is something that continues with the latest addition to the series. With a thickness of just 6.1 mm and weighing 393 grams, the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet is an absolute pleasure to hold, and you almost forget that this is actually a rather large device. While featuring a plastic construction, the build quality certainly doesn’t feel cheap, and the textured matte finish of the back panel allows for plenty of grip as well.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-22

The rectangular shape, silver trim, and somewhat angular design, with signature elements like the large silver power button, are all very true to Sony, but its overall simplicity can understandably be mistaken as being bland, rather than elegant. The bezels up front may also not be the most aesthetically pleasing design element, giving the tablet the look of a picture frame when looking at it head on. It does serve a purpose functionally though, as the large bezels make for great resting points for your thumbs when holding on to the device.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-2

When holding the device in the landscape orientation, the power button and volume rocker are found on the left side within easy reach. This placement that makes complete sense, given that a large tablet such as this is primary designed for use in this manner, and it is actually quite surprising that not a lot of tablet manufacturers do this when it comes to their large tablet offerings.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-23

The remaining ports are in their typical positions, with the microUSB port on the right, the headphone jack up top, next to a large plastic flap that covers the microSD card slot and the SIM card slot, of course, with the latter available with the 4G LTE-enabled version of the device. Up front are the usual sensors, a front-facing camera, and a multi-colored notification LED, but of note is the dual front-facing speaker setup, denoted by tiny slits that are very inconspicuous to maintain the simplistic elegance of the Xperia Z4 Tablet.

Display

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-6

The display of the Xperia Z4 Tablet is one of the main attractions of the device, with the 10.1-inch IPS LCD screen (2560 x 1600 and a pixel density of 299 ppi) being an extremely sharp display that provides everything you’d expect from a device of this caliber. The display is bright, vivid, with great viewing angles, and good color saturation, allowing for a fantastic experience regardless of what you are using the display for, be it web browsing, reading, keeping up with social networks, gaming, or watching videos.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-1

Given that this is a Sony device, you can also take advantage of Sony’s X-Reality engine for clearer, sharper, and more natural images, and there is also a Vivid mode that really increases the saturation for a more vibrant image with photos and video. More granular controls are also available, allowing users to make adjustments to the white balance, but it has to be mentioned that the default white balance and color temperature are already quite accurate, so you likely won’t have to make a lot of changes in this regard.

Performance

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-16

Under the hood, the Xperia Z4 Tablet packs an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, clocked at 2 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 430 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. This processing package, despite some well-documented issues, is still one of the best out there, and that is easily seen when it comes to the performance of this tablet. The overall experience has been very fluid, with hardly any instances of lag or stutters. Opening, closing, and switching apps, multi-tasking, and navigating around the various elements of the UI have all been extremely smooth, and gaming on the Xperia Z4 Tablet is of no concern either.

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Of course, the big question that will be on everyone’s mind is with regards to the known overheating issues that come up with the Snapdragon 810, but fortunately, this problem hasn’t come up with this device thus far. Given that tasks that usually generate a lot of heat, such as gaming and watching videos for a while, is what this tablet was primarily used for, the Xperia Z4 Tablet has done surprisingly well with keeping its cool.

Hardware

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-25

The Sony Xperia Z4 comes with 32 GB of on-board storage, which is further expandable via microSD card by up to 128 GB, and comes with a standard suite of connectivity options, including the availability of a 4G LTE-enabled version. Everything is kept protected from the elements as well, courtesy of its IP68 rating from dust and water resistance, which means that the device can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for as long as 30 minutes without a negative impact on performance and usability.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-17

There is also a big emphasis on audio with the Xperia Z4 Tablet, with device featuring built-in Hi-Res audio support for reduced distortion digital noise cancelling technology, that is capable of reducing exterior noise by up to 98%, when paired with DNC headphones. The Xperia Z4 Tablet can also optimize audio specifically for your ears, no matter what pair of headphones or earbuds you use, and all of this does make for a fantastic audio experience. The audio enhancements are applied automatically, but you do have the option to play around with the manual equalizer controls and surround sound effects to cater the listening experience exactly to your liking.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-15

The great audio features continue with the dual front-facing speakers that the Xperia Z4 Tablet rocks. While you aren’t able to take advantage of any of Sony’s audio enhancements through these speakers, the quality even without it is still quite good, and significantly adds to the media-consumption experience. The speakers get loud, and everything remains crisp and clear throughout, with no signs of distortion even at the highest volume. This is easily one of the best speaker setups you can get a tablet right now, and this is one aspect where Sony, with its Xperia Z4 Tablet, is far ahead of the competition.

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The Xperia Z4 Tablet features a large 6,000 mAh battery that has allowed for some quite impressive battery life. Using the tablet primarily for playing games and watching videos, the tablet still managed up to 6 hours of screen-on time in the 24 or 30 hours since being taken off the charger. The usage is significantly heavy in this case of course, and more casual use will provide a drastic increase in these numbers, so battery life is another area which should be of no concern to users.

Camera

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-10

Cameras have historically never been a standout feature of a tablet, and have always sort of felt like an afterthought, especially when compared to the cameras available with smartphones. The Xperia Z4 Tablet doesn’t do much to change the status quo, but does pack a decent camera package, with its 8 MP rear camera, and a 5 MP front-facing shooter.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-18

The camera software is as you would expect from Sony, with its minimalist and user-friendly interface. Apart from standard modes like Superior Auto and Manual, there is also a bunch of novelty shooting modes included, like face in picture, sweep panorama, multi-camera, and AR effect. The usefulness of some of these modes is questionable, but they can be a lot of fun if you do choose to use them.

The picture quality, however, is exactly what you would expect from a tablet camera. Some decent shots are possible, and this camera should do fine in a pinch, but you’re in for some disappointment if you’re hoping to be able to replace your primary mobile photography device, be it a point and shoot camera or your smartphone. Lighting conditions play a big role in this case, with the best shots possible in well-lit environments, and with the level noise and loss of detail increasing as the lighting situation worsens.

Software

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-1

On the software side of things, the Xperia Z4 Tablet is running Android 5.0.2 Lollipop with Sony’s Xperia UI on top, which remains one of the best Android skins out there. While there are some noticeable differences from stock Android, such as the color scheme and the customizable application drawer, a lot of Material Design elements are intact, and together makes for a smooth and snappy software experience.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-21

Many of Sony’s staple software add-ons are available here as well, such as Small Apps that allows for easier multi-tasking, and is a lot more useful on the large screen of a tablet with the additional real estate available, rather than on a much smaller smartphone. The Lifelog application is also included, which is great not only for tracking your fitness data, but also your general overall lifestyle, to see how much time you’ve dedicated to certain activities, like sleeping or listening to music, throughout your daily routine.

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Like many other Sony mobile product, the Xperia Z4 Tablet also comes with PlayStation integration, allowing users to remotely play PS4 games directly on the tablet. This is definitely a huge selling point for PS4 owners, and is something that is very unique to Sony, which gives this device a huge leg up in the gaming department when compared to other tablets.

Specifications

Display 10.1-inch IPS LCD display
2560 x 1600 resolution, 299 ppi
Processor 2 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
Adreno 430 GPU
RAM 3 GB
Storage 32 GB, expandable via microSD up to 128 GB
Camera 8 MP rear camera
5 MP front-facing camera
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
GPS + GLONASS
NFC
FM Radio
microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3.0 TV output)
Battery 6,000 mAh
Software Android 5.0.2 Lollipop
Dimensions 254 x 167 x 6.1 mm
389 grams (Wi-Fi only)
393 grams (LTE)
Colors Black, White

Gallery

Pricing and Final Thoughts

The official availability of the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet in the US is yet to be announced, but the device is available via Amazon, with the price points currently at $699 for the Wi-Fi-only version, $729 for the 4G LTE version, along with another option that comes with an included Bluetooth keyboard, priced at $759, but keep in mind that these prices do tend to fluctuate.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-19

Editor's Choice Update 2015So there you have it for this in-depth look at the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet! Sony manages to once again tick off all the important boxes, with the device featuring a large beautiful display, thin and light design, fast performance, excellent software experience, Hi-Res audio, and PlayStation integration. Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect product, but Sony does come close with the Xperia Z4 Tablet. As mentioned, it has been a while since we’ve seen a truly compelling Android tablet in the market, but this device manages to go even beyond our expectations, which is very exciting. Granted, the price is towards the higher-end of the spectrum, but the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet is certainly worth it.

Buy now on Amazon

24
Jul

Satechi RideMate waterproof bike mount [Review]


I

f you live in a larger city, bikes may be your main form of transportation because they do not use gas and are easier to park. I live out in the country where the only think within reasonable biking distance is a barn, but I still use my bike for exercise. The Satechi Ridemate is a waterproof bike mount for your phone to keep it safe in case you ride through a puddle or get stuck in the rain. I decided to take the Ridemate for a spin and see how well it worked and if it kept my phone safe and dry.

First Impressions

The box contains the pouch to put your phone in along with the handlebar mount for your bike. The construction of the pouch and mount feels sturdy, and the hefty zipper coupled with the Velcro assured me that my phone would be protected from water inside this case. There is a plastic window on the front of the case allowing you to see and interact with your phone along with a smaller window on the back for your camera.

RideMate back windowI noticed that the box said it fits phones with up to 5.7″ screens. I did not take this as a limit, however. I took this as a challenge to fit my effing huge Nexus 6 into this bike mount. And guess what…it actually fit.

Fit, of course, being used loosely. There is absolutely no room left in the pouch and the zipper barely zipped, but I got it! Now this being said, the RideMate is not meant to house phones larger than 5.7″ so I would not recommend trying to cram a larger phone in there.

After spending a few minutes fitting my phone into the RideMate pouch, I tested to make sure I could still use my phone. There is a large window in the front of the pouch that allows you to use your phone while it is inside the mount. The touchscreen on my phone was fully responsive through the window and I could see every part of my screen.

One thing that was difficult was finding the power button to unlock my phone. It took some fiddling because there are no buttons on the pouch or window to see the edges of your phone.

On the back of the RideMate pouch, there is a smaller window for your camera. The camera on my Nexus 6 sat right in the middle of this window, but if your phone has a camera that sits over to the side, it might be obstructed because the window does not reach to the very edge of the pouch.

Setup

RideMate LatchOnce I had my phone inside of the pouch, setup was easy. The bike mount clamps onto your handlebars nicely, and the hold was strong so I did not worry about my phone slipping off while it was on the mount.

Attaching the phone pouch to the mount is also pretty easy. There is an attachment on the back of the pouch that slides onto the bike mount. Once it clicks and locks into place, there is a tab on the back of the pouch that you push to make sure the pouch is not coming off of the mount.

If you need to use your phone but do not want to spend time taking it out of the pouch, you can remove the pouch by pushing the tab back and pulling the pouch off of the mount.



Usability

Using the Satechi RideMate is just like using any other bike mount with the exception that this one is waterproof. The screen is fully functional and visible while riding so using GPS to get directions is simple and easy. If you want to listen to music, however, you should invest in some Bluetooth earbuds because there is not way to plug headphones in while your phone is in the pouch.

RideMate UsabilityThe Satechi RideMate is rated at IPX6 which means it will stand up to heavy splashing and rain; two things that you might encounter on a bike ride around town. The RideMate is not rated for water immersion so do not think that you can take it underwater.

However, I was pretty confident with the RideMate’s seal and wanted to see if it could handle being underwater. Long story short, I did not see any signs of leaking from the few minutes I had it underwater, but I would not recommend using it in a pool since it is not rated to handle these types of activities. If you drop it in a bucket of water or bathtub though, I would not worry as it should be just fine.

One thing that I did worry about was overheating because the airtight seal around the phone means that there will be no airflow to the phone. In my testing, I did not notice any overheating, but it you are riding on a particularly hot day, you might want to check and make sure your phone is not getting to hot.

Overall Impressions

My time with the Satechi RideMate has been positive and negative. The RideMate does a wonderful job keeping my phone protected from water and attaching your phone to the mount is a breeze.

But I wonder what it has over simply buying a normal bike mount and a waterproof case for your phone. With the second option, you do not have to worry about possible overheating, you can plug headphones in to listen to music, and you do not have to carry you phone around in an ugly pouch.

What I liked:

  • Solid construction
  • Good seal and nice waterproofing
  • Easy to setup
  • Phone was still usable inside the pouch

What I did not like:

  • Possibility of your phone overheating
  • Ugly pouch for your phone
  • It did not have much over a waterproof case and normal bike mount
  • Your phone might have to be taken out of its case to fit

For only $40, $30 currently on Amazon, the RideMate might sound like a good deal to you. But if you are seriously considering a waterproof mount, you might want to see how much a waterproof case and mount for your phone are.

The post Satechi RideMate waterproof bike mount [Review] appeared first on AndroidGuys.

23
Jul

Trring brings nostalgia to your lockscreen [App Review]


Want something different for a lockscreen? Look no further. Trring brings a rotary dial phone-type launcher right to your lock-screen, granted that you don’t care much about security.

Setup

Because of how simple it is, you really don’t need instructions on how to use it. Nevertheless, there is still a tutorial that shows you how to assign different apps to the different slots. I did experience lag, but that can be attributed to the fact that the app is in Beta.

Function

The obvious use of the app is to provide a unique lockscreen. It’s like a rotary-style phone except that instead of numbers you have your designated app. Pressing and dragging on the app icon like dialing on the phone unlocks and launches the chosen app. It’s a simple but effective way to have shortcuts on your lockscreen that cannot be accidentally launched while in your pocket. There is another icon at the bottom of the screen that will allow you to switch ‘phones’. Instead of having app shortcuts, you now have setting shortcuts, like WiFi toggle and Bluetooth on/off. This can of course be changed back by clicking on the same button. It’s a pity that I experienced lag, however this was mostly when using the actual application; and to be fair, the app is in beta testing.

Is it for me?

Unless you’re a big fan of unlock patterns and passcodes, it may not be a bad idea to check it. I myself enjoyed it, but, as it lacks any sort of security, I simply could not use it on a permanent basis.

Shortcuts to apps. The key icon is to simply unlock the device
Toggles and other shortcuts
And there are also some handy settings

What we liked:

  • Original and nostalgic design
  • Simple to use
  • Easily customizable
  • No adverts

And not so much:

  • Lack of security
  • Lag

It’s worth a shot if you don’t mind some occasional lag and lack of security. It’s worth mentioning that it’s also not great for daily use. Sure, we can all handle some unresponsiveness and lag, but when it’s the lockscreen…  maybe not so much. If you love it there is a paid version available which will unlock some more features.

The post Trring brings nostalgia to your lockscreen [App Review] appeared first on AndroidGuys.

22
Jul

Kinivo M2 Bluetooth 2.1 Speaker System [Review]


I

love listening to music. I listen to it while I am walking around campus, driving in my car, sitting around my house, and even while writing this article. However, I have never gotten into headphone, speakers, or any other type of audio equipment. As long as I could hear the music and it sounded good, I was happy. When I got the chance to review the Kinivo M2, I was eager to see if a new set of speakers would drastically change how my music sounded.

First ImpressionsKinivo M2 full set up

In the box, you find two 2.5″ wired satellite speakers and one 6.5″ subwoofer. The power cable is built into the subwoofer and a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable is also included. When I first took the M2 out of the box, I thought it looked pretty nice. The wooden subwoofer felt solid and the gold accents along the black speakers popped.

The satellite speakers are plastic and have a glossy finish on the front that picked up fingerprints extremely easily. From just taking them out of the box and setting them up on my desk, the fronts were covered with prints and I had to spend some time cleaning them off. My favorite aesthetic feature of the M2 has to be the glowing ring around the volume know. The blue-white light is almost futuristic and I love anything that lights up. This system is not going to blow anyone away in the looks department, but it feels solid and well-built while still managing to look nice.

 

Setup and Operation

SKinivo M2 NFCetting up the Kinivo M2 was a piece of cake. I decided to replace my old desktop computer speakers with the M2, which was simple with the included 3.5mm-to-RCA cable. With the subwoofer hooked up, all that was left was plugging in the satellite speakers into the correct places and setting them on my desk.

The Kinivo M2 can accept audio from both a wired and Bluetooth source so the next step was connecting my phone to the speaker system. One great feature of the M2 is that it uses NFC so all I had to do was set my phone on top of the subwoofer and select that I wanted to pair with the speaker. If you want to pair a device that does not have NFC, you can do that by pressing the “Pair” button on the back of the subwoofer and searching for the M2 in your device’s Bluetooth settings. To switch between wired and Bluetooth, you must press the “Source” button on the back of the subwoofer. While this is not difficult when the M2 is out in the open, having it below my desk required me to get on my hands and knees to reach the button.

Kinivo M2 back pluginsPlacing all the controls on the back of the subwoofer did make for a cleaner product, but I do with the buttons had been placed in an easier to reach spot such as next to the volume knob. Speaking of the volume knob, it is located on the side of the Kinivo M2’s subwoofer. It is easy to turn and sometimes almost too sensitive. With the subwoofer placed beneath my desk, I found that it was easy to adjust the volume with my foot and that has been working quite well so far.



Sound Quality

Here is the most important part of any speaker review, because at the end of the day, a speaker’s main purpose is to create the best sound possible. I have owned a few Bluetooth speakers in my life, but none of them were 2.1 speaker systems; so I expected the Kinivo M2 to deliver some decent sound quality.

However, I was completely wrong. The M2 is one of the best sounding speaker systems I have heard. Lows sounds great with the added subwoofer and I can feel the air moving by my feet when listening to a song with hard hitting base. The mids are just right and provide good separation between different voices and instruments. The highs are bright and clear, fully rounding out an enjoyable listening experience.

To put this speaker system to the ultimate test, I decided to try NPR’s recent “How Well Can You Hear Audio Quality” quiz. For those who are not familiar with this test, you are given three versions of an audio segment and are asked to select the one you think is the high quality, uncompressed auido. Each versions increases in quality with a 128kbps mp3, a 320kbps mp3, and an Uncompressed WAV.

Streaming over Bluetooth from my Nexus 6, I was able to easily identify the uncompressed audio all six times and get a perfect score. I am no where close to an audiophile and do not know a thing about high bitrate audio; however, I could easily tell that the uncompressed audio sounded better on the Kinivo M2. For comparison, through my Sennheiser HD 205’s plugged into my Nexus 6, I only got four out of five. I think that this is the best testament to the Kinivo M2’s sound quality. You can tell the difference in high quality audio when listening through these speakers.

Overall Thoughts

After using the Kinivo M2 for a few weeks, it has continually impressed me with its great sound quality for a reasonable price. The M2 retails for $120, but you can grab it on Amazon right now for only $80. For a speaker that sounds this good, both prices are a fantastic deal.

What I liked:

  • Amazing sound quality
  • Good price
  • Solid build
  • NFC for added Bluetooth pairing convenience
  • Easy set up
  • Cool, glowing volume ring

What I did not like:

  • Rear button placement can make reaching them difficult
  • Average design
  • Extremely sensitive volume knob
  • Glossy plastic on satellite speakers is a fingerprint magnet

The post Kinivo M2 Bluetooth 2.1 Speaker System [Review] appeared first on AndroidGuys.

20
Jul

Meizu M2 Note review


Buy now on Amazon

The M1 Note has not been around for a particularly long time, but that hasn’t stopped Chinese OEM Meizu from releasing its successor. Does this latest low-cost offering from Meizu prove to be worthy of an upgrade? We find out in this detailed Meizu M2 Note review!

Design

MEIZU M2 Note-15

Things largely remain the same between the M2 Note and its predecessor as far as the design language is concerned. The inspiration behind its aesthetics remains very obvious, down to the available color options. That said, the lack of creativity doesn’t translate to a poor design. The polycarbonate unibody design with a glossy finish and the rounded edges and sides at the back make for a device that feels great in the hand and sits nicely in the palm. The curves aren’t as prominent as seen with the M1 Note though, allowing for a better grip overall.

MEIZU M2 Note-10

Going around the device, the volume rocker and the power button are found on the left side, which is a much appreciated change with regards to the power button, having been moved from its place at the top, as seen with the M1 Note. The buttons allow for a solid tactile feedback, and are all within easy reach. The dual SIM card and microSD card slot combo is on the opposite side. The headphone jack and the microUSB port are found at the top and bottom respectively, with the single speaker unit found next to the latter.

MEIZU M2 Note-8

Apart from a few cosmetic changes and the shift in placement of the power button, the most notable change is the addition of a physical home button up front, replacing the circular capacitive key that also doubled as a notification LED. The new button no longer glows of course, but does provide a better navigational experience, with it acting as both a home button and a back button. Unlike its more expensive sibling though, the Meizu MX5, there isn’t a fingerprint scanner integrated into this tactile button though. Notifications are also now indicated by a traditional notification LED found above the display.

MEIZU M2 Note-13

An incredible trend we’ve been seeing in the Android smartphone world is the fact that price is no longer entirely indicative of build quality, and that is certainly the case with this smartphone. The design may not be particularly unique, but the build quality is solid and certainly doesn’t feel cheap. And that goes beyond what the sub-$200 price tag of the Meizu M2 Note would suggest.

Display

MEIZU M2 Note-14

The M2 Note retains the fantastic display of the original – its 5.5-inch IGZO display features a 1920 x 1080 resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 403 ppi, with everything protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 panel. This display also brings with it everything we loved about the original, including excellent viewing angles and brightness, and with the colors even more vivid this time around.

MEIZU M2 Note-1

There are a few additional aspects to the display as well, such as the adaptive brightness, which works well and is responsive to changes in the environment. There’s also a new system setting that gives you control over the color temperature, that can be useful given this display’s tendency to generally lean towards the warmer side of things.

As was the case with the M1 Note before it, Meizu continues to provide fantastic displays with even their low-cost offerings, and this screen is certainly the best we’ve seen when compared to other smartphones that fall in this price category.

Performance

MEIZU M2 Note-5

Under the hood, the Meizu M2 Note packs an octa-core 64-bit MediaTek MT6753 processor, clocked at 1.3 GHz, backed by the Mali-T720MP3 GPU and 2 GB of RAM. What is quite odd is the fact that the processing package is actually clocked at a lower rate than what was found with its predecessor, even if the processor of the latter is older. This made the M2 Note feel slower than the previous iteration, which was also reflected in the benchmark scores, which were, on average, about 25% lower.

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That said, general performance with the M2 Note is still quite good, even if not entirely at par with some of its direct competition. The availability of 2 GB of RAM is a big plus though, and multi-tasking is smooth. There is also a slight step back as far as the GPU is concerned, but the device is still able to comfortably handle most games without noticeable performance issues.

Hardware

MEIZU M2 Note-11

The M2 Note comes with 16 GB or 32 GB storage options, further expandable via microSD card by up to 128 GB. It’s important to note though that the second SIM card slot of the device is what also functions as the microSD card slot, so it will be up to the user to choose between enjoying the benefits of expandable storage or dual SIM capabilities.

The device also comes with a standard suite of connectivity options, and also fixes some of the GPS issues faced by its predecessor, though there still is some room for improvement. The M2 Note also allows for high-speed internet access via 4G LTE, but a compatibility check with your local network carrier is recommended before buying. Unfortunately, the device is limited to HSPA+ on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks in the US.

MEIZU M2 Note-6

The audio quality provided by the single speaker unit at the bottom of the device continues to be the same between generations, and while it does get fairly loud, some distortion is seen when set to the highest volume. As is also the case with any speaker found in this position, it is very easy to cover it while holding the phone in the landscape orientation.

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On the battery front, the M2 Note packs a large 3,100 mAh unit, which allowed for a very impressive battery life; the device comfortably lasts through a full day even with some heavy usage. With the brightness set to auto and while using HSPA+ for most of the day, the device lasted for around 14 hours, with just over 4 hours of screen-on time, with usage that included taking a lot of pictures and using navigation for 20 minutes.

Camera

MEIZU M2 Note-7

The Meizu M2 Note packs a 13 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front-facing shooter, which, at least on paper, is an impressive camera package for a device at this price point. The image quality is somewhat inconsistent though, as there are some misses along the way, in particularly related to issues with exposure. That said, some good shots are definitely possible, and the images feature good color and detail reproduction.

As far as the camera application is concerned, the interface is fairly simplistic, with an auto mode that is very easy to use. Surprisingly, there is a respectable amount of manual control available as well, that will allow you to truly cater the shot to your liking.

Software

MEIZU M2 Note-4

On the software side of things, the Meizu M2 Note ships with the Flyme OS 4.5.1, a forked version of Android based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. As has been the case with previous iterations of this OS, Meizu does get a lot of things right, especially in its latest form, but a few flaws unfortunately happen to show up.

MEIZU M2 Note-9

It’s important to note though that a lot of these issues are due to the fact that the intended market for this particular version of the device is China, and things should be a lot different when it makes it way to consumers in other international markets.

For example, as expected, there is no Google Play services available out of the box, and while there are a few Google Installer applications in the Meizu App Center, features like Google Now are still missing. The voice assistant and Drive mode system are both limited to Chinese, and there is also a slew of pre-installed Chinese applications that aren’t useful, unless you know Chinese that is. Luckily, these can be uninstalled, so they won’t be taking up any precious storage space. For now, users will also be limited to free features only, as you will be unable to purchase any music subscriptions, apps, or themes. Finally, the default keyboard isn’t very good for non-Chinese speaking users. As mentioned though, it will all be a very different story with the international version of the device.

MEIZU M2 Note-2

Some other more general issues have to do with the launcher itself, which likely isn’t going to be any different with an international version. For starters, as we’ve seen before from various other Chinese OEMs and Meizu as well, an app drawer isn’t available, which can take some getting used to, and will leave you dependent on folders to keep things organized and avoid cluttered homescreens. The notification dropdown lacks a Settings shortcut, which means that the only way to get to the Settings is to find the app, which is also very watered down when compared to stock Android. The lockscreen also doesn’t display any notifications, which is actually a very surprising implementation, which definitely will require some adjusting to.

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These negatives aside, there is a lot that is great with the software experience as well. For starters, the gesture wakeup feature is fantastic, and letter gestures can be customized and added to directly open a particular app, with the device executing everything very quickly. You also have the ability to choose which apps can be launched from the lockscreen with a swipe to the left or right.

The system apps are all beautifully designed, and the music app comes with a large collection of free to stream music. The Tips application is very useful, Smart Touch is a fun feature to use, and the device also packs power saving modes that go beyond what is offered with stock Android. Finally, the transitions between the various elements of the UI are consistent, and provide a very nice visual experience.

Specifications

Display 5.5-inch IGZO
1920 x 1080 resolution, 403 ppi
Processor 1.3 GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6753
Mali-T720MP3 GPU
RAM 2 GB
Storage 16/32 GB
expandable via microSD up to 128 GB
Camera 13 MP rear camera with dual LED flash
5 MP front-facing camera
Connectivity HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth 4.0, GPRS
Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery 3,100 mAh
Software Flyme OS 4.5.1 based on Android 5.1 Lollipop
Dimensions 150.9 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm
149 grams
Colors Grey, White, Blue, Pink

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Pricing and final thoughts

The Meizu M2 Note hasn’t seen an official release in the US and other markets outside China, but can be picked up on Amazon, priced at around $175, though the price does tend to fluctuate. Of course, checking for compatibility with your network carrier is highly recommended if you decide to pick this device up.

MEIZU M2 Note-3

So there you have it for this closer look at the Meizu M2 Note! Since the M2 Note was released just a few months after its predecessor, there isn’t enough of a leap between generations to leave M1 Note owners upset. That said, the M2 Note does bring some improvements to what was already a good device, the most notable addition being the availability of microSD expansion, even if it involves sacrificing dual SIM capabilities.

A more refined look and feel certainly help, and the M2 Note continues the tradition of bringing quite a lot to the table at an extremely budget-friendly price tag. The competition in this space has been growing over the past year or so, but an international version of the Meizu M2 Note will certainly give all those a run for their money. While not without its issues, the M2 Note does stand out, by managing to shine in areas where many low-cost devices don’t.

Buy now on Amazon

19
Jul

Android Auto on Pioneer AVIC-7100NEX Review


As I talked about in my recent article outlining what Android Auto is, Google is hoping to make our roads safer by bringing a feature-rich experience to your car without causing you to take your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel much longer than a single press-of-the-button. Pioneer gave me one of their AVIC-7100NEX units with Android Auto installed for me to use. Let’s see if Google’s idea was well implemented.

Setup

I go through a lot of this in my “What is Android Auto, and how does it work?” article, so I won’t go into much detail about how to do it.

I’ll get into this more later, but the odd thing about Android Auto is this it’s so simple… it’s complicated. Plugging your phone into Android Auto for the first time takes quite some time to download the Android Auto app, run the app, and actually set up the phone. There isn’t a whole lot for you, the user, to do other than sit and wait.

I have mixed feelings about this, as first-time set up for just about anything takes longer than normal, but I suppose when I would like to get in the car and get going, my road rage kicks in early when I’m sitting parked in my car for 5-10 minutes.

The other thing about Android Auto is while Google is much more restrictive about how a third-party app is designed for the system, not every app works perfectly with the system, and they don’t exactly work the way a car radio might normally work.

For example, I enjoy listening to podcasts at times while driving. If I get in the car and open a podcast through a third-party app, I like to listen to the whole thing before playing something else. So you’d think that the next time I get in the car, Android Auto would know to pull up that app and start playing that podcast immediately.

Well, that doesn’t happen. The system seems to think I want to set things up differently every time. While theoretically the system isn’t supposed to know what I want to play at any given time, at the very least I’d like it so that opening up the podcast app begins playing the last thing it played.

But at this point, who is to blame here? Seeing as how Google is keeping the design of the app under control, and the ones who approve it, it could be their’s.

However, we all know one of the beauties of Android exists in the openness of the app ecosystem. So then is it the app developer? Either way, it would be nice to see Google encourage this sort of functionality, so that just like a normal car radio, I don’t need to fiddle with anything just to get audio playing.

On that note, I’d like an easy way to find apps compatible with Android Auto through my phone as currently there is no easy way to find them on Play Store. Perhaps a link to a section in the Play Store from the Android Auto app (while not connected to the car) would be useful similar to the Android Wear apps.

Android Auto is leaps and bounds better than any other in-dash car software system.

Usage

Android Auto is a great piece of software… once you understand how it works.

Let me explain: Android Auto strives to keep things as simplified as possible, so that the driver won’t be distracted. Once you understand that, Android Auto works great. The problem is, I kept trying to complicate things. Rather, I kept trying to use it like an Android smartphone.

For example, when going to use Google Play Music, I wanted to select an artist to play. However, you can’t navigate to an artist’s page like you would on the Google Play Music app on an Android phone. Instead, you have to prompt Google with your voice, and say “Play *Artist Name*”. The only options you have by touch are “Listen now” (recommendations), “Recent playlists”, and “Instant mixes” (mixes based on your favorite artists & songs).

Point is, once you understand you’re not supposed to fiddle with the screen, using Android Auto is great. Navigating is fluid, animations follow Material Design standards, and compared to other car dash software, the performance is phenomenal. I felt like I had a smart car, being able to give it commands via voice with little-to-no hassle.

 

Conclusion

I understand that this review seems pretty wishy-washy about my feelings for Android Auto. I suppose that is how I feel, wishy-washy. On one hand, Android Auto is leaps and bounds better than any other in-dash car software system. I feel like I’m aboard the Enterprise talking to the ship computer whenever I ask Android Auto to give me the best place for tacos nearby.

On the other hand, some of the things I would expect to be natural parts of Android Auto, aren’t. Also, seeing as how the entry-level price of Android Auto is the cost of a flagship smartphone (no-contract), it can be hard for the average user to justify spending that money.

But really, how can you blame the developers of Android Auto? For a first-time build, it really is beautiful.

But I’d really like it to work like my smartphone…

But… but…

The post Android Auto on Pioneer AVIC-7100NEX Review appeared first on AndroidGuys.

18
Jul

Android Auto on Pioneer AVIC-7100NEX Review


As I talked about in my recent article outlining what Android Auto is, Google is hoping to make our roads safer by bringing a feature-rich experience to your car without causing you to take your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel much longer than a single press-of-the-button. Pioneer gave me one of their AVIC-7100NEX units with Android Auto installed for me to use. Let’s see if Google’s goal was well implemented.

Setup

I go through a lot of this in my “What is Android Auto, and how does it work?” article, so I won’t go into much detail about how to do it.

I’ll get into this more later, but the odd thing about Android Auto is its so simple… it’s complicated. Plugging your phone into Android Auto for the first time takes quite some time to download the Android Auto app, run the app, and actually set up the phone. There isn’t a whole lot for you, the user, to do other than sit and wait.

I have mixed feelings about this, as first-time set up for just about anything takes longer than normal, but I suppose when I would like to get in the car and get going, my road rage kicks in early when I’m sitting parked in my car for 5-10 minutes.

The other thing about Android Auto is while Google is much more restrictive about how a third-party app is designed for the system, not every app works perfectly with the system, and they don’t exactly work the way a car radio might normally work.

For example, I enjoy listening to podcasts at times while driving. If I get in the car and open a podcast through a third-party app, I like to listen to the whole thing before playing something else. So you’d think that the next time I get in the car, Android Auto would know to pull up that app and start playing that podcast immediately. Well, that doesn’t happen. The system seems to think I want to set things up differently every time. While theoretically the system isn’t supposed to know what I want to play at any given time, at the very least I’d like it so that opening up the podcast app begins playing the last thing it played.

But at this point, who is to blame here? Seeing as how Google is keeping the design of the app under control, and the ones who approve it, it could be theirs. However, we all know one of the beauties of Android exists in the openness of the app ecosystem. So then is it the app developer? Either way, it would be nice to see Google encourage this sort of functionality, so that just like a normal car radio, I don’t need to fiddle with anything just to get sound playing.

On that note, I’d like an easy way to find apps compatible with Android Auto through my phone, as currently there is no easy way to navigate to them through the Play Store. Perhaps a link to a section in the Play Store from the Android Auto app (while not connected to the car) would be useful.

Android Auto is leaps and bounds better than any other in-dash car software system.

Usage

Android Auto is a great piece of software… once you understand how it works.

Let me explain: Android Auto strives to keep things as simplified as possible, so that the driver can’t be distracted. Once you understand that, Android Auto works great. The problem is, I kept trying to complicate things. Rather, I kept trying to use it like an Android smartphone.

For example, when going to use Google Play Music, I wanted to select an artist to play. However, you can’t navigate to an artist’s page like you would on the Google Play Music app on an Android phone. Instead, you have to prompt Google with your voice, and say “Play *Artist Name*”. The only options you have by touch are “Listen now” (recommendations), “Recent playlists”, and “Instant mixes” (mixes based on your favorite artists & songs).

Point is, once you understand you’re not supposed to fiddle with the screen, using Android Auto is great. Navigating is fluid, animations follow Material Design standards, and compared to other car dash software, the performance is phenomenal. I felt like I had a smart car, being able to give it commands via voice with little-to-no hassle.

 

Conclusion

I understand that this review seems pretty wishy-washy about my feelings for Android Auto. I suppose that is how I feel: wishy-washy. On one hand, Android Auto is leaps and bounds better than any other in-dash car software system. I feel like I’m aboard the Enterprise talking to the ship computer whenever I ask Android Auto to give me the best place for tacos nearby.

On the other hand, some of the things I would expect to be natural parts of Android Auto, aren’t. Also, seeing as how the entry-level price of Android Auto is the cost of a flagship smartphone (no-contract), it can be hard for the average user to justify spending that money.

But really how can you blame the developers of Android Auto? For a first-time build, it really is beautiful.

But I’d really like it to work like my smartphone…

But… but…

The post Android Auto on Pioneer AVIC-7100NEX Review appeared first on AndroidGuys.

17
Jul

1byone pocket sized folding mini Bluetooth keyboard [Review]


1byone’s foldable keyboard is a grand little device. With portability in mind, the keyboard connects to a wide variety of devices including most Android, iOS and Windows devices. In fact, the keyboard has three dedicated modes for these three popular operating systems.

Setup

The keyboard is really simple to set up. By unfolding the keyboard, the keyboard will automatically turn on.

Once the keyboard is on, you just have to hit Fn + c to enter pairing mode. You will know that you have successfully entered pairing mode when the left light on the top of the keyboard flashes blue.

After you enter pairing mode, you just have to enter the Bluetooth menu on the device you want to pair and complete the pairing by selecting the 1byone keyboard.

Functionality

The keyboard has buttons that allow the user to switch between three modes, Android, Windows and iOS.

These modes provide functionality specific to these systems. For an example, the Android mode gives you a home button and media controls via the ‘Fn’ key.

The same key combinations would provide function keys when you are in the Windows mode.

Usability (Typing)

The keyboard layout is smaller than a standard keyboard. This was most likely in an attempt to keep the keyboard as small and portable as possible.

The result is a compact keyboard with slightly unnatural feeling keys. I often find myself hitting the wrong key or hitting the up arrow instead of the right shift button.

While this does cause some frustration, it is a lot better than trying to type a lot in one sitting with an on-screen keyboard.

Ignoring the smaller keyboard size, the keyboard has a nice feeling when typing. The keyboard reminds me of the keyboard on the HP Chromebook 11, one of my favorite keyboards on a laptop.

There is a bit of a learning curve as you get used to the condensed layout, but the keys are nice and responsive and have a lovely sound to go along with they typing.

Portability

The small form factor and the ability to fold the keyboard um into a third of its full size allows for unparalleled portability.

The folded up size of the keyboard allows you to just slip it into a backpack or any other bag. There really are no limitations to where you can take this keyboard.

The small size makes it perfect for times when you just want to grab a tablet and keyboard without having to lug around a full sized laptop.

You don’t even have to grab a tablet. It works great for typing up something on a phone/phablet if the need arises.

Build Quality

They keyboard is very well built. The folding feature is really nice, but I was afraid that it would result in a flimsy keyboard that wouldn’t be able to withstand the demands of portability.

The two hinges that allow the keyboard to fold up are sturdier than I expected.

While they are made out of plastic (just like the rest of the keyboard), the hinges don’t leave anything to be desired. Except for the fact that they squeak and creak quite a bit.

The entire rest of the keyboard feels nice and strong. It is a gadget that I wouldn’t mind throwing into a bag and dragging around town for those cases when I just need a physical keyboard.

Wrap Up

The 1byone Bluetooth keyboard is a great little device for on the go typing. For those who prefer tablets over laptops, this keyboard would be a great typing solution for you.

The keyboard offers great portability and works really well. It is great for me because I can now just throw it into my bag without worrying about damaging it and use it with my tablet to get work done on the go.

If you are looking for a way to be more productive on the go, this keyboard is a great way to do it by pairing it to your tablet. Boom, instant workstation on the run!

For under $40 on Amazon, I would go ahead and give this guy a go if you are in the market for a similar type product!

Be sure to check out 1by0ne’s other products like the 4 port USB 3.0 hub that I reviewed earlier this week or check them out on Amazon.

The post 1byone pocket sized folding mini Bluetooth keyboard [Review] appeared first on AndroidGuys.

17
Jul

1byone pocket sized folding mini Bluetooth keyboard [Review]


1byone’s foldable keyboard is a grand little device. With portability in mind, the keyboard connects to a wide variety of devices including most Android, iOS and Windows devices. In fact, the keyboard has three dedicated modes for these three popular operating systems.

Setup

The keyboard is really simple to set up. By unfolding the keyboard, the keyboard will automatically turn on.

Once the keyboard is on, you just have to hit Fn + c to enter pairing mode. You will know that you have successfully entered pairing mode when the left light on the top of the keyboard flashes blue.

After you enter pairing mode, you just have to enter the Bluetooth menu on the device you want to pair and complete the pairing by selecting the 1byone keyboard.

Functionality

The keyboard has buttons that allow the user to switch between three modes, Android, Windows and iOS.

These modes provide functionality specific to these systems. For an example, the Android mode gives you a home button and media controls via the ‘Fn’ key.

The same key combinations would provide function keys when you are in the Windows mode.

Usability (Typing)

The keyboard layout is smaller than a standard keyboard. This was most likely in an attempt to keep the keyboard as small and portable as possible.

The result is a compact keyboard with slightly unnatural feeling keys. I often find myself hitting the wrong key or hitting the up arrow instead of the right shift button.

While this does cause some frustration, it is a lot better than trying to type a lot in one sitting with an on-screen keyboard.

Ignoring the smaller keyboard size, the keyboard has a nice feeling when typing. The keyboard reminds me of the keyboard on the HP Chromebook 11, one of my favorite keyboards on a laptop.

There is a bit of a learning curve as you get used to the condensed layout, but the keys are nice and responsive and have a lovely sound to go along with they typing.

Portability

The small form factor and the ability to fold the keyboard um into a third of its full size allows for unparalleled portability.

The folded up size of the keyboard allows you to just slip it into a backpack or any other bag. There really are no limitations to where you can take this keyboard.

The small size makes it perfect for times when you just want to grab a tablet and keyboard without having to lug around a full sized laptop.

You don’t even have to grab a tablet. It works great for typing up something on a phone/phablet if the need arises.

Build Quality

They keyboard is very well built. The folding feature is really nice, but I was afraid that it would result in a flimsy keyboard that wouldn’t be able to withstand the demands of portability.

The two hinges that allow the keyboard to fold up are sturdier than I expected.

While they are made out of plastic (just like the rest of the keyboard), the hinges don’t leave anything to be desired. Except for the fact that they squeak and creak quite a bit.

The entire rest of the keyboard feels nice and strong. It is a gadget that I wouldn’t mind throwing into a bag and dragging around town for those cases when I just need a physical keyboard.

Wrap Up

The 1byone Bluetooth keyboard is a great little device for on the go typing. For those who prefer tablets over laptops, this keyboard would be a great typing solution for you.

The keyboard offers great portability and works really well. It is great for me because I can now just throw it into my bag without worrying about damaging it and use it with my tablet to get work done on the go.

If you are looking for a way to be more productive on the go, this keyboard is a great way to do it by pairing it to your tablet. Boom, instant workstation on the run!

For under $40 on Amazon, I would go ahead and give this guy a go if you are in the market for a similar type product!

Be sure to check out 1by0ne’s other products like the 4 port USB 3.0 hub that I reviewed earlier this week or check them out on Amazon.

The post 1byone pocket sized folding mini Bluetooth keyboard [Review] appeared first on AndroidGuys.