Samsung Galaxy S5 mini, Welcome to the Family

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S5, has been basking in all its glory. Why wouldn’t it? It’s been hitting the headlines all too often. With all the staggering specs, and the design that is both undeniably engineering feat and a breakthrough, all tech savvy people and the lay alike would go banana. But at some point, did you think that it can be a lot to handle? Or perhaps maybe you almost loved every inch of it, yet just keeps hating it for one tiny bit—price.

But wait, for a smarty piece like that, wouldn't the price sound just reasonably fair? A-anyone? You’ve done your part waiting for the so-called next big thing (ehem, Samsung Galaxy S5); would it hurt to wait for another big thing… at least big at heart?

Save all your mini heart attacks for Samsung Galaxy S5’s cousin, the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini! This classic mini version would make you fall in love deeply, not only does it have almost all the specs you want from the S5, but it also comes cheaper—ideally! The S5 trimmed down a little, yet doesn’t compromise the mobile experience it offers? Who won’t be in shut-up-and-take-my-money mode? Well, thankfully, you won’t have to splurge every pretty penny you have just to experience the S5 greatness!

This compact 4.5-incher comes with the same dimpled design on the battery cover and also has the IP67 certification—promising that it would be dust and water-resistant like that of the S5. You can also recognize features like heart-rate monitor, fingerprint scanner, and it can also be associated with Samsung’s wearables.

As what is expected to a mini version phone, its resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels would be no match for the giant S5’s 1080 x 1920 resolution. But if you pull out your calculators and do the math—do it mentally if you will—then, a 326 ppi would totally be as good as that of iPhones.

It’s also equipped with a quad-core processor, but this time around, it’s only clocked at 1.4GHz that can actually suffice even if it’s lower than the 2.5GHz of S5. You can also enjoy its 8 MP and 2.1 MP back and front shooter respectively that are actually not pretty bad at all compared to S5’s 16 MP rear camera—half the value it may seem.

The S5 mini apparently only has 1.5GB of RAM and an internal storage of 16GB. But it supports microSD card, so expanding S5 mini’s storage would be a no biggie. Giant S5 is powered by a Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery—reasonable enough to power such great device—and having 2100 mAh battery for S5 mini would be forgivable.

Launching of this great mini is expected this early July starting in Russia, and then globally. The netizens are already speculating regarding its price, but the closest we got to reality is ranging from £250 to £399.

Fire Up Your Mobile Life with Amazon Fire Phone

Amazon has been trying to make name in the mobile world since they have launched their famous Amazon Kindle tablets. Now, it’s back for more and is even aiming for more mobile fans as it unveils its first-ever handset, the Amazon Fire Phone.

Amazon Fire Phone is not a household name yet, but with its premium specs, it will surely earn respect from smartphone users.

Find out what Amazon Fire Phone has in store for you.

Hardware:

This new kid on the block sports a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset. This is the same chipset that other famous Android smartphones use like Google Nexus 5, Sony Xperia Z1, LG G Flex, LG G Pro 2, Nokia Lumia 930 among others. This is matched with a Quad-core Krait 400 clocked at 2.2 GHz. It is also geared with 2GB of RAM for efficient multi-tasking pleasure.  

Software:

Amazon Fire Phone runs on Fire OS 3.5, an Android-based operating system that's customized for Amazon. This OS gives you a fluid user interface experience that you can really hope for a phone.

Camera and Memory:

Immortalizing your decisive moments also comes vividly with its camera. Its 13MP rear camera can also go head-to-head with other mobile phones’ shooter. It can also record 1080p HD videos. A selfie-lover? Well, this phone is gifted with a very good 2.1MP front camera that is perfect for self-portrait shots. You can easily store all your photos and other important files with no hassle as it comes in 32GB and 64GB variants. If that is not enough for you, you can always go for the unlimited cloud storage for your photos.

Network:

This newbie can never go bullied with its LTE-capable network. Connecting to the internet will be just another walk in the park. It also gives you better voice coverage through its wide UMTS and GSM bands. It is also Wi-Fi ready and supports NFC and Bluetooth.

Audio:

What’s more, this newborn genius also offers exceptional audio as it is powered with Dolby Digital. Now, it is just the phone for audiophiles.

Other Features:

It is also a 3D phone which uses four front cameras to track your head. This is called Dynamic Perspective. This is a custom-designed sensor system that responds to how you hold, view, and move your phone.

Another remarkable feature of the Amazon Fire Phone is the Firefly technology that instantly identifies printed texts so you can make calls, save new contacts and visit websites without typing. Isn’t it so amazing?

Amazon Fire Phone is here, will you get one?

What to expect with iOS 8

 September,  at first, it may not seem as something to look forward to, but mind you, September brings so much promise that people from around the world are so eager to get to. Rumour has it that the most awaited gadget of the year is set to be released in the month of September. The release of Apple iPhone 6 which is wrapped with so many leaks and rumours that no one is entirely sure which one to believe, and which one to take for granted. One thing is for sure though, coupled with the release of the Apple iPhone 6 is the release of its latest version of operating system, the iOS 8.

As a regular consumer, you may well take note that upon deciding to purchase a smartphone, there are two important things that you must consider before shedding some cash for a certain device: first, hardware and second, operating system. Once you’ve exhausted all your power in researching for all the amazing features of a smartphone, taking a peak on its OS should be the next in line. With the upcoming release of the iPhone 6, consumers are treated with not just a brand new hardware but an equally sensational operating system. This makes us ask, what should we expect with the iOS 8?

1.       Photos App

This improvement will benefit avid Apple users that own not only one but multiple Apple devices. If you have a Mac, an iPad, an iPod and an iPhone, you can store all your photos in all your Apple devices real time. Your treasured images will always be available whenever, wherever.

2.       Messaging

The iOS 8 promises to give messaging a new life by allowing you to send not just text messages but also voice recordings, and videos fast and convenient.

3.       User Interface

Also, an improved and more user-friendly user interface is expected for the upcoming iOS 8. Interactive notifications and convenient shortcuts are available. Multitasking will also be a piece of cake.

4.       Keyboard

The iOS 8 considers its upcoming keyboard to be the smartest keyboard ever, as it will not just be suggesting correct words and spelling, but also suggests the possible words to say to anyone you are sending your message. This allows the user to have fewer taps on the keyboard to type the message.

5.       Sharing Files

Family Sharing through iCloud will also be available in the iOS 8, making sharing files whether a new app or a new song or movie can be easily passed on to a maximum of six family members anytime you wish.

6.       iCloud

With the new and improved iCloud it will be easier to work on whichever device you opt to use and all your files will be readily available for you.

These are just some of the known features of the new iOS 8, however, there will be no reason to fret because the waiting and the anticipation will soon be over as both hardware and OS will be released in September 16. 

Better Android Smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S5 or Sony Xperia Z2?

Without a doubt, Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2 are two of the most talked about Android smartphones this year 2014. Even more exciting is both of them are pulsing with quad-core processor. The blogosphere has been abuzzed with the two as both of these smartphones simultaneously flaunt their impeccable specs to show us who is better, and who deserves the limelight. But, which phone is really the one for you? Which phone would and should really win your heart? Let’s have an overview with their specs to know which phone excels in which areas, shall we?

At first glance…

Design and display always have the biggest impact. If it can’t catch your attention, then you’ll never know if it really is more than meets the eye. And so, at first glance, which one caught your eye now that both these phones are water and dust resistant? Starting with the Samsung Galaxy S5, its design somehow resembles to its predecessor Galaxy S4 together with Note 3. If you’ve been satisfied with the designs of the aforementioned phones, then perhaps you’ll get the hang of the S5’s design, iterative as it may seem minus the dimpled touch. Yes, it claims to be a waterproof phone, but only the bottom of the device is covered, in which the microSIM and microSD slots are hidden. Yet this removable panel makes it feel solid enough despite the heavy reliance on polycarbonate plastic. And it actually protects better against dust since it comes in IP67 rating compared to the IP58 of Z2.

Talk about the build and design of Sony Xperia Z2; glass and metal match up together, giving you that seamless block feeling. Now, you might think this gives it an edge against the S5, but wait till you get your hands on it. With a 5.78 x 2.89 x 0.32 dimension in inches, you’ll notice that this handset device is not that handy at all—rendering S5 more comfortable to hold than the Z2. Yet, the aesthetic appeal of Z2 beats that of S5; not to mention the premium, non-plastic feel it offers.

Which phone’s screen will get your eyes spoiled?

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is equipped with a 5.1inch screen, while Sony Xperia Z2 offers a 5.2-inch. Yet both have significantly different underlying technology. Samsung has 1080p Super AMOLED employed, while Sony Xperia Z2 has 1080p Live Colour LED tech. And for pixel density, they have 432ppi and 424ppi respectively. Yet despite the lower pixel density of S5, its screen still delivers brilliant brightness and vivid colours. And Sony doesn’t what to get left behind, so it focused more on punchy contrast and refinement of detail for great viewing angles even with off-axis viewing.

Which camera specs could capture your attention?

Samsung Galaxy S5 sports a 16MP shooter at the back, while Sony Xperia Z2 wants you to be impressed with its 20.7MP shooter.  S5 gives you a remarkable swift autofocus that helps to produce accurate colour and punchy contrast in good lighting. But the Z2 focused more at speed and producing stills with more detail. It even works better in low light conditions as it has more accurate exposure and punchier contrast. That being said, the score would likely be chalked up to that of Z2.

Which phone performs well?
The first specs mentioned are just the icing on the cake. But one of main selling points of these smartphone devices actually boils down to their performance. As mentioned earlier, both are equipped with quad-core processor. Only, Z2’s clocked at 2.3GHz, and S5’s at 2.5GHz. But as for the RAM, S5 is 1GB short compared to Z2’s 3GB RAM. Both exhibits blazingly fast performance, but still both have flaws. S5 occasionally stutters a bit while the Z2 gets warm quicker. As for the storage, Sony Xperia Z2 sports 16GB internal memory, while Samsung Galaxy S5 has either 16GB or 32GB. Both are also expandable to 128GB as they support microSD cards. So, which one is it?

And the Verdict is…

Both phones are inarguably impressive and have an edge over the other. Depending on what area, both phones excel as they are able to pull it off. Yet, this time Samsung gets the crown. Yes, Z2 may have all those ah-mazing specs, but a lot of people would actually find S5 easier to use because of its hand-friendlier design. But if you have bigger hands to hold Z2, then you might as well enjoy all the specs it offers. But don’t just dwindle your choices down to these two as there are still lots of choices out in the market.

Top tips for saving battery juice on the Samsung Galaxy S5

The newest flagship of Samsung smartphones was already out in the market a month ago. Well, as everyone expected, it’s bigger, better, and tougher – it’s the new Samsung Galaxy S5. And if you’re one of the privileged individuals who got the hottest Samsung Galaxy S5, congratulations! Of course, you can do almost anything you wanted – surf the internet at a lightning speed, take breathtaking photos, play HD videos and games, and even use it outdoor without worries for it is dust-proof and water-proof. But the bad news is that, just like any other Smartphones, it doesn’t come with a whopping battery to get you going as long as you want. Yes, it is powered by a decent 2,800mAH battery, but it's a powerful mobile monster too, that could use all the juices in just a matter of hours.

Fortunately, there are few things that you can do to extend your fun and bond with your precious Samsung Galaxy S5. Feel free to follow these tips and save the battery life of your Samsung Galaxy S5:

        Turn down the display brightness

A bright display will drain your battery quickly because its huge display pushes millions of pixels. Take time to manually adjust  the brightness of your screen instead of setting it in auto mode. Auto mode will automatically adjust your screen’s brightness according to your condition through its sensors. This means that your Samsung Galaxy S5 uses the sensors all the time, it will drain your battery juice rapidly. It may even leave your display at a level that is too bright for your environment. You may set your display brightness that is acceptable for your eyes.

         Turn off Wi-Fi and cellular function when not in use

If it is on, it is in constant search for Wi-Fi networks, its 3G function can also murder the battery life. If you have a bad connection too, get off it and you’ll save the juices for your battery.

          Limit your display timeout as short as possible

The moment you stop touching your phone’s screen, the timer will start, telling the phone when to turn off the display. The longer it stays on, especially if you’re not using it, the more battery juice it uses. Try setting it at 15 seconds and you’ll be surprised at how much it saves on your battery life.

          Use smartwatch for notifications

Of course, you will spend extra dollars, but a smartwatch can lengthen the life of your battery because you don’t have to peek at your phone’s display all the time.

         Get your phone in Ultra-power saving mode

This enables you to get the most out of your battery by limiting the apps that you can use like Phone, Messages and Internet with additional apps like Calculator, ChatOn, clock, Facebook, and Voice Recorder.

        Kill background apps that are not in use

Apps running in the background can steal your battery juice, so make sure that you kill them if you’re done with them. However, if there are apps stuck in the background, you can try rebooting your phone, this should kill all those ghosts in the machine.

Enjoy your new Samsung Galaxy S5 longer by saving your battery juice!

Samsung Galaxy S5 VS Apple iPhone 6: Smartphones battle it out

We love comparing. Finding out what is new, what is trending, what is the best, what makes it the best.  This generation wherein everything’s digital, we keep our hands only on the latest, the hottest, simply the best of the best smartphone. Now joining us in this round by round match are the two biggest brands of mobile devices. Samsung’s pride and current flagship the Galaxy S5 versus the rumoured (yet highly popular) Apple iPhone 6. Who beats out the other?

Round 1: At first glance

On the right corner, wearing sleeker curves and metal frames, weighing in just 145 g. The slimmer, the stronger, Samsung’s champion—the Galaxy S5. On the other side of the ring, wearing thinner bezels and chassis (perhaps the thinnest to date), lighter than its predecessor, it’s none other than Apple’s rumoured iPhone 6. Let’s go into details, both have astonishing processors with Galaxy S5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and Android Kitkat OS and iPhone 6’s new A8 chip processor and Apple iOS8; however, Apple iPhone 6 stayed with 1 GB RAM wherein Samsung started producing smartphones with 2 GB RAM ages ago. The iPhone 6 is rumoured to be released with 128GB capacity while the Galaxy S5’s 32 GB internal memory comes in short, although you can boost it up with an external microSD (which is a bit of a bother though).

Round 2: Standout Features

More rumours on iPhone 6 include making it water resistant and equipping it with features for health and fitness, oh wait, don’t we already have that in Samsung Galaxy S5? At least Apple is focusing on a more secured digital payment via TouchID sensor, wait what? Galaxy S5 has that already? With rumour mills overflowing about Apple’s new iPhone, smartphone enthusiasts hope Apple will unveil the iPhone 6 with newer and more innovative features which (most importantly) does not require breaking a lot of money jars.

Round 3: Your necessities

A perfect smartphone must have the following: a high-quality display, a superb camera, and a long-lasting battery to juice up these wonderful features. Samsung Galaxy S5 has a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display with 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution while Apple is devising a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 pixel resolution display (with a lot of chitchats on the side) made out of Sapphire and, wait for this, embedded solar panels to keep your battery at full level all day long. In terms of which has the better camera, Apple iPhone 6’s camera can go two extremes, one where it plays safe with an 8MP camera along its same old features or one where it goes “Lytro”. Who doesn’t want a smartphone with the greatest after-shot focus feature? Samsung Galaxy S5 has its own version called Selective Focus topped with a superfast 0.3 second capture and HDR Live option. Lastly, with all the amazing features and huge quality displays eating up all your battery, who stays up on the ring? The iPhone 6 may unveil groundbreaking technology by adding solar panels inside its Sapphire display but a lot of buzzes say it will stay between the1,700 mAh to 2,000 mAh range which is immensely low compared to Samsung Galaxy S5’s 2,800 mAh battery.

In this never-ending battle of which is the best smartphone, Samsung and Apple are indeed the ultimate rivals. After three rounds of spec to spec, feature-blowing match, which one won your vote?

Photo-enhancing camera lenses for smartphones

We, as humans, seem to have this insatiable hunger for progress and advancement. This is how the word innovation became essential into each of our lives. We tend to strive to be the best, make the best and have the best things we can grasp on. We can actually see innovation taking place each and every day of our lives, making our lives easier, better and far more advanced than the usual, transforming those who are a creature of habit into completely and exactly the opposite.

 The only thing we can do to preserve the moment is to remember it for the rest of our lives and immortalize them as photos. But we don’t always have the luxury of having a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera (DSLR) hanging around our necks to capture certain moments for these moments seem to come at random timing. So what’s the best thing to capture your precious, priceless and treasured photo? What else than your trusty and reliable smartphone.

Well, of course the image quality is not as good as what the DSLR camera could have delivered. Still, with its pocket-friendly build and portability, your smartphone is the next best thing to have rather than having a bulky and heavy DSLR camera. Recently, we are flooded with photo editing apps to aid our needs for having the perfect photo, but if these apps still do not suffice or satisfy you, the attachable camera lenses come barging in to cater to your needs. Here are some attachable camera lenses that top the list of attachable smartphone accessories out in the market today:

Photojojo Lens Set

Simply snap on these lenses on your smartphone’s camera lens and watch them work their magic on your photos. Each lens has its own featured effect to add more drama and creativity on your photos.

Easy-Macro Universal Smartphone Lens

Probably the most budget-friendly amongst all the attachable camera lenses. The Easy-Macro lens is compatible on all mobile devices and pulls off a very seamless feel and is highly portable. It is said to promise you 4x magnification and razor-sharp close-up images.

iPro Lens System

Customize your smartphone with this stylish case that features not just a trendy-looking design but offers to enhance the quality of your captured images. It comes with various lenses. Each lens features different effect that may just take your breath away. With the iPro lens system you’ll be capable of taking wider shots and exemplary close-up images.