Roxanne Briean

iOS 8.3 Update Review – Do You Have What it Takes?

April 23, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

Last week, Apple launched the iOS 8.3 update after the initial announcement of iOS 8.0. This iOS 8.3 update is a huge update that provides an improved emoji keyboard and plenty of bug repairs for iOS 8 issues. In the previous weeks, the specialists have tested Apple’s newest update and nowadays, there can be offered an answer to an essential question: Is the iOS 8.3 worth buying for the iPhone and iPad? Let us see.

Apple has remained active in the several weeks since the first iOS 8 releases in September 2014. The company has combined out eight systematic iOS 8 updates to deal with the program’s problems and provide new functions. It is also preparing to offer at least one more. An iOS 8.4-release time frame is yet unknown even if it is said that it might be arriving in June 2015.

The company’s present iOS update, the iOS 8.3, is a lot more than your conventional bug fixer. This update comes with a large modify log that functions with over 300 emojis, a new look for the emoji keyboard, a few awesome changes to its Message app and a range of bug repairs. iOS 8 issues have been an obstacle since its release and Apple has been trying its best to deal with the most obvious problems.

iOS 8.3, like any iOS update, has the prospective to help, or harm, the efficiency of your system. Apple never makes you to set up the iOS updates, which places the decision in your hands. Installing it or not, this is a problem that has been in the thoughts of many iPhone iPod and iPad customers in the period after the iOS 8.3 launch.

They continue to flood the specialists with concerns about the Apple’s iOS 8.3 update and their most well known query moves is whether it is worth the installing on the iPhone and iPad. So, is the iOS 8.3 good for these devices?

iOS 8.3 Review

After a couple of weeks, many tech nerds have invested a ton of their energy and effort with Apple’s iOS 8.3 update. Moreover, while they are assured in their examining, it is worth noticing that usage is going to differ from system to system, individual to individual. Many probably do not have the same applications set up and there is a good possibility that some have more films, use more LTE and run more difficult programs than most users do.

These brief opinions are information leading to an ultimate choice about whether to have the iOS 8.3 update. Again, a final choice is going to be in the users’ hands. The update to iOS 8.3 is not needed and such reviews should be a place to begin searching and it is recommended collecting as much opinions as you can before deciding on the best option.

iPhone 6

The Apple’s iPhone 6, or at least most models of the iPhone 6, have been affected by various problems since the device’s appearance in September 2014. Apple’s iOS 8.3 update has lastly handled some of these ongoing iOS 8 issues and that is bound to improve the Apple’s leading 4.7” design.

While the iOS 8.2 use on the iPhone 6 is mixed, the iOS 8.3 on an iPhone 6 runs outstanding. Battery energy, connection, speed rate and app efficiency are all strong after making the shift. However, it is the balance improvements that have thrilled the owners.

Prior to the iOS 8.3’s launching, the users were encountering two annoying bugs, one linked to Wi-Fi while the other was a problem of landscape mode. The iOS 8.3 repaired both of those problems on the iPhone 6 mdoels and the iOS 8.3’s change log is created from a few new functions but it is generally bug fixes. If you are having issues with the iOS 8.2 and below, installing the iOS 8.3 will certainly repair the iPhone 6 problems.

Now, the iOS 8.3 update is recommended to iPhone 6 customers dealing with issues on iOS 8.2 or below. It is also worth to have it for those who use plenty of emojis, gather a ton of junk mails or if you are looking to buy an Apple Watch.

iPhone 6 Plus

Even if there have been a range of iOS 8 problems on the iPhone 6, using the iOS 8 on the iPhone 6 Plus is far more constant. The iPhone 6 Plus was struggling in the several weeks after its preliminary release but Apple has gradually repaired the device’s program. the iOS 8.3 will help the majority of the iPhone 6 Plus customers as well.

The iPhone 6 Plus battery lifespan is still incredible, Wi-Fi and wireless connection are quick and constant, and the product has not been missing any of the speed after finishing the conversion from iOS 8.2. There have not been any significant problems with the program, at least not yet. Knowing the history of bug repairs on board the update, there are not anticipated any exciting things to pop up later on.

The iOS 8.3 update for the iPhone 6 Plus is suggested to anyone having problems on the iOS 8.2 and below. It will intricate a bit further on a few of the advantages that have been observed after getting the new program on board.

iPhone 5s

The iOS 8.3 update for the iPhone 5s has been used since Apple’s product launch some weeks ago and so far, this update is working perfectly. It is worth noting that the iPhone 5s has not struggled like an iPhone 6. This device has behaved fairly well with an iOS 8 on it.

Unsurprisingly, this iOS 8.3 update delivers ongoing balance to a smart phone that is now over an year old. The battery energy is still very good, all Wi-Fi options are connected when they should be and the iPhone 5s works very fast. In addition, those wireless problems that were had on the iOS 8.2 have been cleaned out by the iOS 8.3, hopefully now it is for good.

We definitely think that the iOS 8.3 update for iPhone 5s is one which is worth setting up, especially if you are having various iOS 8 issues. You will want to also have the iOs 8.3 update if you did not installed yet the iOS 8.2 and you are thinking to have an Apple Watch over the course of this year. You need to have in addition the Apple Watch app in order to match it up with an iPhone 5s.

iPhone 5

The iOS 8 update for the iPhone 5 has been an up and down issues for the ageing smart phone. Gradually, the product is hammering its way returning to where it was before the Apple’s iOS 8.1 damaged its prestige.

For those who do not know yet, after updating to iOS 8.1, the iPhone 5 began presenting plenty of lag. Even if some recession is not uncommon on an ageing iPhone, this recession was regular and troublesome to the point where the phone was almost useless.

Apple’s iOS 8.3 wants to fix more of the destruction made by iOS 8.1. It is still not returning to where it was before last year’s update but it is certainly getting nearer. There are high hopes for the iOS 8.4.

And for everything else, the iOS 8.3 update for the iPhone 5 gets kudos. Battery energy, connection and applications are all operating great after making the shift from iOS 8.2.

iPhone 4s

There has not been yet an in-depth analysis regarding the iOS 8.3 update for iPhone 4s, but there have been compiled responses from iPhone 4s customers. And, from what we have gathered, the iOS 8.3 is a strong update for Apple’s former flagship smart phone. While there have been a variety of problems about iOS 8.1.3, opinions about iOS 8.2 and iOS 8.3 were mostly beneficial.

Keep in mind that the iPhone 4s is a rather old gadget and new programs can sometimes malfunction on old devices. Those who own an iPhone 4s will have to do a lot of analysis before you making the update to iOS 8.3, mainly if they are on iOS 7 and below.

iPad Air

iPad Air 2 runs well on iOS 8.3 since it has always been quick, but it seems as rapid as it can be on the iOS 8.3. There are no problems and bugs, which were experienced, and battery energy is strong, even with large movie use. iOS 8, across the panel, has been constant on the first-generation of iPad Air. This is why it has not been a surprise to see iOS 8.3 run so well on the Apple’s ageing 9.7” display.

The iOS 8.3 update for iPad Air is doing great on this device. There have not been any serious problems and battery lifespan, connection, applications and speed are just as they should be. It is an amazing update and one that all iPad Air first-generation customers will like to look into.

So, considering all the elements listed above, we like to respond to your question: is it worth having the iOS 8.3 set up on the iPhone and iPad?

It is a difficult problem for many individuals, but what can be said in the end is the following: there are only a few users who need to be careful with Apple’s newest iOS 8 update.

Our experience with the iOS 8.3 has been so great on both iPhone and iPad, and the reviews that are seen from other iPhone or iPad customers is, generally, an excellent one. For most gadgets, iPhone 6 or iPhone 5 too, iOS 8.3 is an incredibly useful update.

CM4 Q Card Case – a Multi Functional Product

April 20, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

The CM4 Q Card Case can sound like an odd name but this is one of the top cases for Galaxy S6 around and provides additional performance, all while securing the new smart phone. Not only it is thin, light, portable and resilient, but it also acts as a wallet being an excellent choice that will be described in detail below.

Having now the Samsung Galaxy S6 easily obtainable around the world from all important suppliers in the US, clients are probably looking for an awesome case to secure their bright new cell phone made from metal and glass. Here we will tell you more information about the CM4 wallet case for Samsung Galaxy S6, the features that make it different, a few prospective faults and more in our complete evaluation. They also sell one for Galaxy S6 Edge for those who took the path for the GS6.

These days such items are all over Amazon, eBay and on the racks of mobile products shops, but hardly ever provide more than just some primary security for the gadget. The Galaxy S6 has a wonderful 5.” Quad-HD display, layers of glass cup on both the front and rear and is covered in metal. You will want to keep it under protection, while having a few included functions simultaneously. These are not your common trash “flip wallet cases” either, and we will describe why.

Some owners most of the times do not use a case, but many such items can protect various models of smart phones, for example the CM4 Q-Card case can be used for the Galaxy S4. It is also a good choice for an iPhone, used with a Galaxy S5 and will likely offer great protection for the S6 as well. This is not too thin or too thick and provides functions the users need and want.

CM4’s Q-Card case represents more than just a conventional TPU and thermoplastic hard-shell protection. It has a resilient full-frame security form with a super thin style, and a trademarked soft touch, yet lasting, rubberized feel and top quality materials. Then, the lip shapes a little bit over the top side of the case, and will cover that 5.1” display from ever being scraped.

The smooth feel of modern plastics is outstanding, and the wallet part looks and seems like authentic leather, but is not. It is some kind of material which feels excellent. It is smooth, relaxed, simple to keep, stylish, and most significantly, provides three functions in one. The first is acting like a phone case, second as a wallet, while the third is a new innovative incorporated secret kickstand. Yes, there is a kickstand on the smart phone case.

The CM4’s case covers the whole Galaxy S6 completely, and the control buttons are the best on the cases appeared lately. Most times, they are a little bit off, too difficult to press and using the energy or volume control button seems like a burden. However, they have created them a little bit over-sized and smooth, so reaching the energy key or switching up/down the volume is very simple given the intricate style of this specific case.

All of the slots and receptors are perfection cut, but unfortunately, the speakers grill on the end of the Galaxy S6 is too close to the side, that it is a little bit off in order to keep the case resilient. It does not protect the speaker, but it is not completely centered like many, but this is just nit picking.

The case is made so great that it is just big enough to secure the display, protect the huge and sticking out 16MP digi cam lens, and the single “thickness” is its wallet design, which is rather thinner. Then, for the first time on a Q-card case, there is a barely visible slit inside the plastic on the rear, where you can slide the credit cards or your ID within, this acting like a kickstand. It is not perfect, as you do not want the credit cards figures noticeable to people who are close by, but this idea is innovative, and works like a charm. It takes your own bank credit card for a kickstand, and it is very durable.

CM4 guarantees the case can perfectly keep up to three credit cards and some cash. It is a little limited at first and the cards can be a difficult fit, but after only a couple of times of utilization it shapes and wears in, providing you just enough hold that your credit cards will not drop out, and you can leave a few cash for expenses within too. Basically, this is a case, a kickstand and a wallet, and all in one stylish and simple item. It comes in blue, black and gold, and its price is only $39.99. So, get one perfectly, understanding that it will last for a few years.

The only problem is its plastic part between a micro-USB charging slot and the dedicated home buttons and fingerprints scanning device. It is very thin, and somewhat cheap. This is an analyze device, and the ultimate delivery product has been remodeled to provide a better stronger style, so this will not be a problem

Not only the clients can accept the small bits of included width, but it is actually more durable. For those who have never been keen to have a wallet, now they can have their smart phone secured, along with the driving license, an ATM card and some benefits credit cards all-in-one. Time is precious and having an item with many purposes can save a lot of effort when looking around for them.

At the end of the day, these cases situation are easy to use, resilient, give the customer more functionality than a common case, and they are just an all around outstanding item. No, they may not provide as much protection as others, but you can have something less expensive on Amazon and for 39 dollars, you will get all CM4 Q-Card Galaxy S6 case can offer for a long time.

Second Destiny DLC to land in May

April 16, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

The second Destiny DLC is called House of Wolves and it will land on the 19th of May.

Besides bringing new missions it will also try to fix some of Destiny’s issues regarding its shared economy – thus making leveling easier, and enticing players to keep at it, and buy upgrades, customize gear. Comparing House of Wolves with the first DLC, The Dark Below, one can see how much more work has been put into the new expansion – the first one was released last year, on the 9th of December, and offered a new cooperative Strike mission, and a six-player Raid.

House of Wolves adds a ton more to the content – with 60 new pieces of gear set to be added, and 14 new weapons.

New ships too, and it seems that Bungie’s creative team isn’t lacking the ability to make-up names – The Shark Wrestler, Never Liked Thermodynamics and Teatime With Marduk.

But we are more interested about the story, and what directions are the Guardians supposed to take. It’s rumoured that the game will be returning to the faction-based civil war with Wolves being considered traitors to the Queen.

A new Raid is set to make its appearance in the DLC – The Arena. It will take place in The Reef.

Destiny was released on the 9th of September last year, and has garnered a strong fan base – it received mixed to positive reviews. Most issues were regarding the plot and post-campaign content.

Bungie has referred to the game as a shared-world shooter, refusing the title of MMO. It feels exactly like a first person shooter that incorporates rpg elements, and is set in a MMO platform – why blatantly refuse this description is beyond my understanding.

Destiny ranks on Metacritic at the 75/100 mark – not bad, but also not exceptional. If you plan on giving it a go, take a look at a couple of gameplay videos on YouTube. I tried it, and it wasn’t for me. Here are the best ones I could find – Destiny Gameplay Walktrough Part 1, and Part 2.

Destiny is available for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Image Source: 1, 2

You Can Now Play Hearthstone on Your Smartphone

April 16, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

Blizzard’s Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft has been released for Android and iOS.

In an attempt to make me late all the time, and to stop me focusing in important meetings, Blizzard has released Hearthstone for smartphones – curses!

I’m not mad, it’s an incredible fun an addictive game, something that we definitely needed for our smartphones – I didn’t get into all that Candy Crush Saga games, or Subway Surfer, they really felt too casual for me.

The interface has been redesigned to fit smaller screens, and the content is pretty much the same – only your time will be wasted trying to put in a few more games before starting work, or during it.

If you’re not familiar with Hearthstone, let me tell you the essentials.

What is Hearthstone? It’s a digital collectible card game, or for short CCG, and it’s also free to play. Although it offers unlimited paid content, and limited free content – but don’t let that throw you off, even if you don’t pay for additional content you’ll still have tons of fun playing it.

It was released in March 2014, and it was received with open arms and overwhelmingly positive reviews. It’s easy to get into, and the tutorial explain every single thing you need to do in the game – of course, advanced tactics are to be practised over and over again. Superb card animations, great voice-overs, and well paced unlockables keep Blizzard’s motto true ” just one more game…“.

I’ve been playing since release day, and I think I have more than 50,000 games in my backpack. After all this time playing I can say that I’m not bored at all. I still find crazy card combos to win the game, and I still get my hiney kicked on occasion. I also have an arch nemesis that goes by the name KragKiller003 – one day, one day you will feel my wrath!

There are 9 classes from which you can choose from, and every class has a designated hero:

Druid – Malfurion Stormrage
Hunter – Rexxar
Paladin – Uther Lightbringer
Mage – Jaina Proudmoore
Priest – Anduin Wrynn
Rogue – Valeera Sanguinar
Shaman – Thrall
Warlock – Gul’dan
Warrior – Garrosh Hellscream

Almost all the classes from World of Warcraft, except Monk and Death Knight – we will probably see them in the near future.

Every class has specific abilities, unique hero powers, and class-specific cards – which include equipments, minions, and spells.

For example I can play the mighty Druid Malfurion Stormrage and use Shapeshift to give myself +1 Attack on my current turn, and +1 Armour. Then if I have enough mana crystals I can choose to play an additional card – maybe Swipe that deals 4 damage to an enemy and 1 damage to all other enemies, or probably I’ll play the Ancient of War card that lets me choose between inflicting 5 damage, or pumping up my health to +5 and giving the card Taunt. Taunt forces my enemy to attack that specific card until it’s no longer on the table.

But wait a second there. What are mana crystals? Think of mana crystals as food. You start the game with 0, and each turn you get another one until you hit the limit of 10. You use food, mana crystals, to put down cards, use equipment or spells. There are also some specific cards that give you mana crystals, but never above the limit.

I know it seems complex if you read about it, but download the app, it’s free, and start playing it. You’ll learn how to destroy your foes in no-time.

Will we meet on the battleground?

Image Source: 1, 2, 3, 4

5 Smartwatches to Choose from if you Don’t Like Apple

April 15, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

Apple’s new smartwatch hit stores last Friday, and it has been reported to have sold over 1 million units on launch day – as it was expected.

But not everyone likes Apple, or their OS. Here are 5 smartwatches to choose from if you don’t like Apple.

Motorola Moto 360

It was launched in September of 2014 and at this moment there is a huge price drop of almost $100 if you buy it from Google’s device store – it’s about $165.

If you don’t make it in time, don’t fret, Amazon and Best Buy are also selling the gadget but at a slightly higher price of $180.

It has a beautiful design, it doesn’t feel clunky on your wrist, but it has a low battery life of almost 12 hours. And if your wrist isn’t large enough, it will look entirely goofy on your hand. But all in all, it’s definitely worth it at that price.

LG G Watch R

It’s about $349, almost on par with Apple’s price, but this one actually looks and feels like a watch. It has a bright, clear round display, and its performance is more than acceptable, but it can only be charged with a dock, and its battery lasts about 2 days – a lot more than Motorola’s Moto 360 half-day lifespan.

It measures 46.4 x 53.6 x 11.1mm – it is slightly thinner than the Moto 360, so it will understandably sport the same goofiness on your hand if you have petite arms.

Pebble Time

Now this is a smartwatch that puts everything else to shame – especially in the battery life department, because it can last up to one week. The only thing that I can say it lacks from the Pebble Time is its design – it looks like a toy watch. Its color e-ink display just doesn’t do it for me, even though its perfect for a long lasting battery. It’s only $199, and for what it offers at that price it’s a steal.

MetaWatch Strata

It has the exact same functions as any other smart watch on the market, but it’s cheaper – only $179. It’s only compatible with Android phones, and the iPhone 4S.

ASUS Zenwatch

For only $199, the ASUS Zenwatch sports a beautiful leather band, and all the capabilities of a smartwatch. It has an Amoled Display that is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 – so you don’t bump into a desk and shatter your smartwatch into a million tiny pieces.

I’m really digging the path that smartwatches are going on – more battery life, while at the same time focusing on its performance, and utility. Ain’t gonna’ buy one just yet. I’ll wait 2, maybe 3 generations.

How about you? Are you a happy smartwatch owner? Or this trend doesn’t intrigue you?

Image Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

HP Spectre x360 Review

April 15, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

Hewlett-Packard has formed an alliance with Microsoft, and with the help of engineers from the Windows team they released the Spectre x360.

HP’s Spectre x360 is the company’s new flagship notebook, and boy, isn’t it beautiful – premium design, high-performance, comfortable keyboard, stunning screen, and a battery-life that is to die for. Also, it starts at $899!

Borrowing the best things from its competitors!

HP’s new device borrows all the best things from Apple, and Lenovo. The beautiful design inspires me to think of a MacBook and the hinge mechanism is actually from Lenovo – they even call the mechanism the same way as Lenovo’s Yoga line. This ain’t a bad thing at all, and it’s not like they stole trademarked words.

The Spectre x360 is designed almost like a MacBook air – a unibody CNC-machined aluminum, and it’s specific wedge shape. But even though the resemblance is uncanny, it feels like a different kind of beast all together. For example the hinge – you poses full control over it, and it feels smoother, it folds into itself.

It weighs about 3.26 pounds, that is 1.47 kg, and measuring 0.63-inch, 15.9mm, is one of the thinnest notebooks out there. The machine keeps its thickness in tablet mode, or when its folded shut – a minor feat, but a good one whatsoever. The Quad HD model is a little bit lighter than the 3.26 pound full HD one, and it stands at 3.17 pounds – 1.43 kg – you can’t even sense the difference.

Even though the Spectre x360 is one of the thinnest notebooks out there, it still feels a little bit clunky, and on heavy on the side. You won’t get tired carrying it in a tote bag on your shoulder, or a backpack, but you will feel its weight when you use it in tablet mode. I recommend restin the device in your lap – unless you go to the gym daily, then by all means, do a biceps routine with it too.

Let’s talk ports, sockets, and what you can connect to it. It sports three USB 3.0 connections, a HDMI socket, a Mini DisplayPort, an SD card slot, a headphone jack and a volume rocker – that is designed especially for tablet mode. If you’re looking for adapters, you should know that HP sells Ethernet and HDMI to VGA adapters for $30 a piece.

A comfortable keyboard, and a new track pad!

The keyboard and track pad are made from scratch by HP, and in all fairness they seem better than what’s on the market at the moment. It’s a little bit shocking that the team behind Spectre x360 didn’t implement Microsoft’s Precision touch pads, and it went with one from Synaptics. The track pad feels like HP’s last generation flagship notebook, the Spectre 13 – it’s a wide click pad, elongated so that Windows 8 users can perform specific gestures on either end of the track pad’s touch zones. It’s really helpful when swiping to expose the Charms Bar, but that feature will go away in Windows 10, and Microsoft’s new OS will be released in a few months.

All in all, the touch pad is comfortable and you won’t get frustrated when you use it – and I think that’s the most important part.

The standard model of the Spectre x360 comes with a 1080p display, but for a few hundred bucks extra you can upgrade it to a 2560×1440 one. The full HD display, as the Quad HD one, is perfect for watching movies, and I can surely compare its quality with the new 13-inch MacBook Pro – you can read a full review of Apple’s latest gadget right here.

The dual audio speakers branded on the laptop’s bottom side are somehow incomprehensible, visually I mean, but they are on par with what the competitors are offering.

When it comes to reading, and writing speeds, it doesn’t shine in any way – at least, not compared with Apple’s latest MacBook Pro Retina that has whooping speeds of up to 1.6/GBs. They are not bad, it’s just that they aren’t something you buy the Spectre x360 specifically for. It stands at 555 MB/s (reads), and 270 MB/s (writes).

Intel’s fifth generation processors make the x360 a beast!

Intels’ fifth generation Core processors aren’t staying away from HP’s latest device, and it will come paired with their new Broadwell processors. To quote myself from another article regarding their name – ” It has a nice ring to it, somewhere on the lines of what I would expect to see in a James Bond movie – Mission Broadwell, or commonly known in spy communities as The Life Ender.” – with a notebook like this, of course my social life will die as soon as Mortal Kombat X, The Witcher 3 and GTA V will hit stores.

It ranks pretty great in benchmark tests – PCMARK7 – 4,965; 3DMARK06 – 8,810; 3DMARK11 – E1,667 / P932 / X265; for the HP Spectre x360 2015, 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200U, Intel HD 5500, 8 GB RAM version.

Battery life expectancy is top-notch!

The Spectre x360 amazes when it comes to battery life expectancy – HP states it has a runtime of 12 hours and 30 minutes, but of course it depends on your configuration a.i. the lowest res model will definitely last longer. In a continuous video loop test I got to the half-day mark, but not with much – it lasted 12 hours and 13 minutes. I turned Wifi off, but brightness was set to the 40 percent mark. It can last this long due to the fact that Microsoft and HP shut down certain parts of the system when not in use – like the hinge sensors that tell the device in what mode it is in. Their low fan noise also conserves energy.

Regarding its state in the software department, the Spectre x360 is fully optimized for Windows 8.1. After all, it was built with the help from Microsoft’s Windows team. But it’s not just fully optimized for Windows 8.1, it’s better optimized than its competitors. The notebook will, of course, be shipped with Windows 8.1, but it’s a clean version, so you don’t have to worry about bloatware. It comes built in with HP’s own apps like Connected Photo, but you also get Netflix, The Weather Channel, and Hearts Deluxe. McAfee comes paired with the device – not just a trial version, but a one year free subscription to their LiveSafe service.

With Windows 10 coming out in just a few months from now, you’ll have nothing to worry about when you’ll be able to upgrade, for free, your copy of Windows 8.1. Right after shipping of the Spectre x360, both HP and Microsoft have stated that one of their primary focus is to shift engineers to the Windows 10 architecture so the new device can run smoothly when it comes out.

You can choose from 3 configurations!

If you want to buy HP’s newest flagship notebook, you should know that you have to choose from 3 configurations.

The standard model is $899 for Core i5-5200U processor, 4GB of RAM and a 1080p touchscreen. It’s the only one fully customizable – meaning you can double the RAM for $50, add a Quad HD screen for $100, upgrade the processor to a dual-core i7 processor for $150, and even change the 128GB standard storage space for a 256GB, and 512GB disks – $50, to $200.

The $1,150 model consists of a 1920×1080 display, a Core i7 CPU, 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage.

The last model in their roster, and the best one also, will make you cough up $1,400 for a higher-res 2560×1440 screen and a 512GB SSD – it has the same processor as the mid-level $1,150 model.

But before you settle down and buy this marvellous beast, take a look at what the competition has to offer!

The Competition

Dell XPS 13

It comes with a 13-inch display, weighing in at 2.6 pounds, that is 1.1 kg, and with a superb Ultrabook design that we have been accustomed to with Dell – it was also nominated for one of the finalists positions in 2015’s Best of CES awards. It comes paired with a Mini DisplayPort, a headphone jack, 2 USB 3.0 connections, a Kensington lock slot, and a full-sized SD card reader.

When it comes to battery life it falls short – only 8 hours of runtime.

The 13-inch display has a 1080p resolution, but you can upgrade it too to 3200×1800.

The standard model will make you dig in your pockets for $800 and it consists of an Intel Core i3-5010U Broadwell processor, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, Intel HD 5500 Graphics and a matte 1920×1080 screen. You can upgrade the RAM up to 8GB, processors to i5, and i7, and also its storage space. If you want the high-performance device it will cost you $1,900!

MacBook Pro Retina

This one is the most expensive of the bunch, but it offers incredible quality, and a battery life on par with the Spectre’s – 11 hours and 23 minutes isn’t bad at all. But Apple’s device truly shines when it comes to their new PCIe-based SSDs – it can reach speeds of 1.6 GB/s and max sequential write speeds of 1.5 GB/s. It leaves the Spectre way behind with it’s 555 MB/s (reads), and 270 MB/s (writes) speeds.

The standard model is a whooping $1,299 and its bundled with a 2.7GHz fifth-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Iris Graphics 6100, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB PCIe-based solid-state drive. For $100 more you can get a 2.9GHz Core i5 processor. For the 3.1GHz Core i7 CPU version it will cost you $300 more. You can double the RAM to 16GB for $200. Upgrade the storage space to 256GB, or 512GB SSD. There is also a 1TB version in the works, and rumours have it it will cost up to $1,799.

For more detailed information, I highly recommend you to read the MacBook Pro Retina 2015 Review right here.

The Conclusion

HP’s Spectre x360 is a really great laptop. No, it isn’t the best one on the market, but for $899 it’s a tough cookie. Your other options consist of Dell’s XPS 13, but it’s battery life just makes me want hurl it into a river, and Apple’s MacBook Pro Retina which is the most expensive one.

You decide. What are you inclined to buy? Tell us in the comments section below!

Image Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Moto 360 has an incredible price drop

April 14, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

It seems like everyone is afraid of Apple’s new smart watch. Moto 360 has an incredible price drop – you can buy it for about $165!

Google’s device store puts the Moto 360 at $165 with a leather strap, and that’s $85 off from the original price of $250 – the wrist wear device is just several months old.

If you manage to run late to the party don’t worry because Amazon and Best Buy are also selling the Android Wear device, but at a higher price – $180.

It’s probably a hint that Motorola wants to clean out its current stock of smart watches to prepare for the sequel.

The Moto 360 was officially launched on September the 5th of 2014, and it was seen as the best Android Wear device at the time – although that isn’t saying much. It sports a beautiful design that is fully customizable, it’s not clunky on the wrist, and it even has wireless charging but that’s jut about it. It only comes in large size, and those of us who have petite arms will just look goofy trying to wear the device. The battery life is terrible – 10 to 12 hours and you need to recharge it.

It doesn’t have a ton of features, and you’ll mostly play with them in the first day or so before getting bored and completely forget about its functions. I mostly used it for notifications and time keeping – I used to give it voice commands, but after my first week I wouldn’t be bothered to do such thing.

Yes, the heart sensor and pedometer are a nice touch, but it’s novelty soon diminishes and you are just left with a normal watch that also pairs your phones notifications.

The Moto 360 is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. It doesn’t only protect it from scratches, but also if you somehow drop the watch, or bump into something, it won’t shatter into millions of small pieces.

For $165 is quite a bargain, and if you have that amount of cash just laying around, I recommend you go for it. It’s a new piece of technology and it’s cool as hell. You’ll be amongst the few who support this new pioneering gadget!

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Samsung Galaxy S6 Review

April 10, 2015 By Roxanne Briean 1 Comment

After more than two years without producing anything of notice on the mobile phone market, Samsung finally managed to draw some attention with their new Galaxy S6. The device has greatly improved software, a brand new design and unique hardware construction, when compared with their previous products. Everything adds up for this to be the best Samsung smartphone ever released.

Samsung announced, during the 2015 MWC, that they will be releasing their new flagship device on April 10, 2015. The Samsung Galaxy S6 will be available in a few different colors, including gold, blue, white and black.

To be frank, I didn’t expect this phone to be so incredibly good, but, as it stands, it is a masterpiece. This is my review of the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Pricing

In the US, depending on which carrier you chose the price will slightly vary but, of course, you can pick the offer that suites you the best.

T-Mobile

They will sell the 35 GB Galaxy S6 for $0 upfront but with a 24 month contract that costs $28,33/month, while the full retail version will cost $679,92.

The 64 GB model is priced at $99,99 initial fee and another $32,49 each month for 24 months, or $759,99 full retail.

You can also purchase the 128 GB version for $199,99 upfront and $27,50 per month with a 24 months contract, while the full retail version will cost you $859,99.

At T-Mobile the device will be available for purchase in three colors: gold, white and black.

In order to attract more customers, they are also offering a free, one year subscription to Netflix to anyone that preordered the phone before April 12.

AT&T

They will sell the 32 GB Galaxy S6 for $199,99 with at two year contract, while the 64 GB model will cost $299,99, and the 128 GB version will sell for $399,99.

Under AT&T’s “Next 24” payment plan, the 32 GB Galaxy S6 sells for $22,84/month, while the 64 GB model will cost $26,17/month and the 128 GB version will be available for 29,50/month, for 30 months.

Under the “Next 18” payment plan, the 32 GB Galaxy S6 will cost $28.55, the 64 GB model will cost $32.7 and the 128 GB version will cost $36.88, for 24 months.

Unlocked, the 32 GB Samsung Galaxy S6 will set you back $684.99, while the 64 GB model will cost you $784.99 and the 128 GB version will sell for $884.99.

Sprint

Here, the Samsung Galaxy S6 will cost you $199,99 for the 32 GB version, 299,99 for the 64 GB one and 399,99 for the 128 GB model, with a two-year contract.

You can get all of the S6 models for free if you chose the “Sprint Unlimited Plus” plan. The 34 GB model will cost you $80/month, the 64 GB version will cost you $85/month, while the 128 GB model will cost you $90/month. Customers will also get a $20/month credit, that they can use to upgrade their phone, which they will be able to use after a period of 12 months.

If you want to get the unlocked version from Sprint, then you will have to pay 684,00 for the 34 GB model, $786,00 for the 64 GB one and $864,00 for the 128 GB version.

Verizon

At Verizon, you can purchase the 32 GB Samsung Galaxy S6 for $199,00, the 64 GB Galaxy S6 for $299,99 and the 128 GB Galaxy S6 for $399,99, with a two year contract. Here, you will get a $50 discount.

If you are interested in the “Edge” program, then you will pay $24,99/month for the 34 GB model, $29,60 for the 64 GB one and $33,33 for the 128 GB version, with a 24 months contract.

The full priced version at Verizon will cost you $599,00 for the 34 GB model, $699,99 for the 64 GB one and $799,00 for the 128 GB version.

U.S Cellular

At US Cellular you can get the 34 GB phone for $199,99 and the 64 GB one for 299,99, with a two year contract.

Under their installment pricing plan, you will have to pay $34/month for the 32 GB model, or $38,59/month for the 64 GB version, and the contract will last for 20 months.

They also offer the unlocked version of the phone. The 32 GB Galaxy S6 will sell for $680,00, while the 64 GB Galaxy S6 will cost $770,00.

You can also buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 at the following retailers: Best Buy, Cricket Wireless, Amazon, Boost Mobile, Metro PCS, Sam’s Club, Costco, Walmart and Target.

Design

Finally, Samsung threw away that plastic cover that they used on their previous models and replaced it with a metal one, following Apple’s example. The case is made out of strong glass with an all-metal band that give the smartphone an extremely robots feel.

As far as looks go, Samsung kept their design heritage, after all they are a company that love to cling on to their tradition. The front of the phone reminds me of the Samsung Galaxy S4, with round corners combined with a oval shaped home button.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Design

The most curious fact about the design of the S6 is that they left out the microSD card slot. I believe that this was nothing more than a marketing scheme, again, taken from Apple’s business playbook. Nowadays, a 64 GB microSD card is roughly $30, so everybody would have purchased the less expensive 32 GB model and added a card to it afterwards. Apple has been doing this for some time now and marketing research shows that there are a lot of customers that are willing to buy the 128 GB phones. I think that Samsung wants a piece of that action as well. Some of their fans will surely be annoyed by this, but the majority of people will simply be happy with the 34 GB model.

When you are holding the Samsung Galaxy S6 in your hand, you will feel like you are holding premium quality device. It is elegant, yet compact and the 5,1 inch screen, that takes up most of front of the device, look really good.

As far as build quality goes, we can finally acknowledge that Samsung has indeed created a device worthy to stand next to the iPhone 6 and the HTC One M9.

The metal bands that go around the sides of the phone are split by small plastic strips in order to allow the antenna and other devices to make their connections. If this seems familiar to you, it’s because the exact same design was applied to the iPhone 6. The strips are necessary for the phone’s signal to get trough. However, because of the glass back and front I was a bit surprised to see them put in.

Just like before they placed the power button on the left side of the device and the volume buttons on the right side. This alignment worked very well in the past, so why change something that is good? Finally, they’ve upgraded the home button, so now, when you press it, it will give a very sturdy click.

A less attractive element is the placing of the back camera. If you were to hold the phone sideways, then you will see that the camera sticks out a bit. It’s not very aesthetically pleasing and, at the same time it is very much exposed to scratching. They have done this in order to allow a more powerful optical system and by the end of this review you will see that it was totally worth it.

As I’ve mentioned above, the Samsung Galaxy S6 is available in four different colors: blue topaz, gold platinum, white pearl and finally, my personal favorite, black sapphire.

The available colors for the Samsung Galaxy S6

Hardware

If you were to look under the hood, then you will see that it packs an octa-core processor, made out of two quad-core processors, the Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 plus the Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57. It also has a Mali-T760 graphics processor unit (GPU) and 3 GB of RAM. This is by far, the most powerful phone ever made.

The Screen

Samsung has always had good screen technology and the Samsung Galaxy S6 makes no exception. The Super AMOLED display provides a clear image, with pure blacks against crisp whites, that makes even the darkest of scenes to be shown perfectly.

It is quite a big screen, 5,1 inch to be more precise, with more pixels than before and a 1440 x 2560 resolution, which matches the Galaxy Note 4 but the Galaxy S6 has a higher PPI (577). This indicates that you are looking at the sharpest display on the market.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Screen

LG has started the QHD level of screen in 2014, when they released the G3, but that phone’s screen was based on LCD technology that left the display a bit dark and made it power hungry, as every pixel added extra pressure on the battery.

After that, Google Nexus 6 came along and impressed everybody with its bigger screen, that despite its wide display, it still looked awesome. The Note 4 was released next, with the same resolution and the bar was set for future smartphones.

You would think that by combining the number of pixels from the Note 4 with a more compact screen should result in a superb display, but sadly it doesn’t. I do not mean to say that the screen of the Galaxy S6 looks bad, because it really does not, I just want to point out that the QHD resolution is rather pointless, without adding much to the mix, especially with its high power requirements. I must admit, that optimized videos do look better on this screen and when you hold both devices side by side, it is very noticeable that the display of Galaxy S6 is superior to a normal, run of the mill full HD display.

I think that brightness, contrast and accuracy are a lot more important than pixel count, and here, the S6 really delivers. When you set the brightness mode to manual, the screen will do exactly what we would expect from an AMOLED display and ramp up to 347 cd/m2, but if you set it to auto-brightness then it will go up to 560 cd/m2 in order to compensate for sun glare during those warm, sunny days. If you turn down the brightness slider to its minimum, then the screen will dim to 1,92 cd/m2.

The contrast is perfect and it will help a lot when watching TV programs and movies, and the photos will give you the illusion that they are popping out of the screen.

The most impressive aspect of this screen is its incredible color reproduction.

We are used to see these kind of results from professional monitors and not a smartphone’s display. It is truly a remarkable feat of engineering.

The Special Features

Among the basic features of the Galaxy S6 there are two functions that are worth mentioning. The wireless charging and the fingerprint sensor.

The fingerprint scanner is not really a new feature, for it was also present within the Samsung Galaxy S5, but this time it is a lot better. The swipe of the screen gesture was completely replaced with a touch-based, flawless and fast sensor.

The second special feature I’ve mentioned, was the in-built wireless charging feature. The wireless charging plate does not come with the Galaxy S6, but it will work with any standard QI charger.

Software

The Samsung Galaxy S6 comes with the 5.0.2 version of the Android OS, also known as Lollipop. Just like the previous models, it uses the TouchWiz UI, but greatly improved. They have removed a lot of unnecessary buttons and made its structure a little bit more logical. The design team has made the TouchWiz more intuitive and a lot simpler to use. Just after a few hours of “playing” with the device, I can safely say that the new “skin” is more fluid, lean and light.

Samsung has invested a lot in colors and animations for their new TouchWiz. It is more bright and colorful than ever. Now, for the first time ever you have the ability to remove pre-loaded apps. You cannot uninstall the manufacturer’s applications, but, for the most part, you have to option to disable them. For example, all pre-loaded Google apps can be disabled, except for the Google Settings. The same situation applies for other apps too. You can’t uninstall Skype, OneNote, OneDrive, WhatsApp, Messenger of Facebook, but you sure can disable them.

Audio

The first thing that you will notice when you see a Samsung Galaxy S6 for the first time, is that the speaker is located at the bottom front of the device, but it is still better than having it on the back of the device. If you are looking for a superior audio experience, with front-facing stereo speakers, then I recommend that you get the Xperia Z3, or the HTC One M9.

Samsung Galaxy S6

For unknown reasons, Samsung dropped the ball when it comes to audio quality. The only way you can get a stereo sound is by using headphones.

It is rather unfortunate that you will be able to play mobile games with top-quality graphics and get frustrated by the audio. The placement of the speaker is also a downside. Imagine playing a game and holding your phone in a landscape position. I can guarantee you that most of the time you will be holding your hand over the speaker, blocking the sound.

The S6 speaker is 50% louder than its predecessor, the Galaxy S5, but it doesn’t sound any better.

The Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S6 has a 16 MP camera on its back and a 5 MP one on its front. Both of them have real-time HDR and wide-angle lenses, that are very useful when taking pictures in low-lighting condition areas. The primary camera comes with “Optical Image Stabilization” and an amazing “Pro Mode” for those of you that want to use manual settings.

The back camera of the Galaxy S6

The back camera is yet again equipped with selective focus, it features an infrared sensor for creating better white balance and for color correcting images. It also features rapid activation and also delivers a wide number of interesting modes, including 4K, fast motion, panoramas slow motion and many, many more. You can quick access the camera by double-tapping the home button, even if the phone is locked.

The Battery

They have taken a huge risk by adding a small, non-removable, Li-Ion, 2,550 mAh battery. It would have been better if they kept the 2,800 mAh removable battery found in the Galaxy S5. Most state of the art smartphones on the market have a 3,000+ mAh battery.

The lifespan of this battery for an average user is anywhere in between 16 and 18 h.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 supports PMA and WPC protocols for wireless recharging. This makes the phone compatible with almost all wireless chargers available on the market today, and at the same time this standard, universal wireless support is 1,5 times faster than on the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Like the Moto Maxx and Nexus 6 before it, it has successfully implemented the fast recharge feature. You must plug it in for only 10 minutes and it will have enough juice for 4 hours of usage.

Technical Specifications

Type: Phone

MANUFACTURER: Samsung

Model: SM-G920

Dimensions: 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm

Weight: 138 g

Screen Size: 5.1 inch

Battery: Non-removable Li-Ion 2550 mAh

Display Technology: AMOLED

Screen and Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels (576 PPI)

Back Camera: 16 megapixels

Front Camera: 5 megapixels

Flashlight: LED

U.I.: TouchWiz

O.S.: Android v5.0.2 (Lollipop)

RAM: 3 GB

Storage Space: 32 GB/ 64 GB/ 128 GB

Removable Storage: not available

Chipset: Exynos: 7420

CPU: Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 + Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 (octa-core)

Maximum Clock Speed: 2.1 GHz

Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, LTE and HSPA

Conclusion

For the first time ever, I can say that I love using TouchWiz. It underwent trough significant changes and all of them are for the better.

The Galaxy S6 is breath of fresh air in the Galaxy S line and it is by far the best Samsung phone ever made.

Its two defining characteristic are: no removable battery and no microSD slot. They made up for those changes with fast recharging battery, software and processor optimizations and superior memory technology.

Even if you get the 128 GB model, storage will still be a problem while filming in 4K and you will have to save your videos to Google’s cloud.

Perhaps the most important thing, is that they improved the features that really matter the most and stopped adding new, useless ones.

This may be an expensive smartphone, but in my honest opinion, it is the best available on today’s market.

Pros

Great new design, made out of metal and glass

Fast charging feature

Incredible screen

Very good UI

Good camera performance in low-light situations

Excellent processor

Cons

It is not waterproof

The camera lens sticks out

The speaker is mounted at the bottom

There is no microSD card

It is rather expensive

Image source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6

The biggest games this year have been confirmed for E3 2015

April 8, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

The E3 event for gamers is like opening up gifts 6 months prior to Christmas – but at the end of the day you have to put them back in the box.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo is an event that takes place every year in Downtown Los Angeles.

If you build it, they will come – every year developers, publishers, fans, gamers, and geeks all around the world, gather so they can witness the future of the gaming industry.

There are some big names confirmed to appear at this years E3 – some new entries, and some older ones that appeared last year also. But the thing is, we just have a fraction of the list at this moment, and it’s a huge list. See for yourself:

Assassin’s Creed Victory
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
Publisher: Ubisoft

Video footage has already been leaked on-line, but it’s incredibly low quality and I don’t recommend you spoil this beauty. Just wait a little bit more, and you’ll definitely not be disappointed. Hint: the story is going to take place in 19th century London.

Crackdown
Developer: Cloudgine
Publisher: Microsoft

Crackdown had a short video teaser last year at E3, and it’s making a comeback this year – we expect a release date, and more awesome videos.

The Division
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Publisher: Ubisoft

Well, I’ve been waiting for this one since its first announcement back in 2013. Ubisoft has stated that The Division will be released in 2015, but for the love of God, we are hoping that this title won’t endure the same chaos that plagued Watch Dogs – it had so much potential, but the developers just destroyed it. I’m blaming Ubisoft and their horrendous deadlines for the mischief. Anyway, if you want to see a game-play trailer for The Division, you can do it right here.

Doom
Developer: iD
Publisher: Bethesda

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what to expect from this E3 entry. I loved the last re-hashed version of Doom, but its expansion was poorly made, and it felt lackluster.

Fable Legends
Developer: Lionhead Studios
Publisher: Microsoft

I remember being a wee child when the first Fable was released, and it was tons of fun. So much freedom to do whatever you want – it was exhilarating.

Forza Motorsport 6
Developer: Turn 10 Studios
Publisher: Microsoft

We don’t know if the game will be playable on the floor, but it’s great that Microsoft announced the game for E3.

Gears of War
Developer: Black Tusk Studio
Publisher: Microsoft

The trailer will most certainly be played at Microsoft’s press conference. Gears of War has been an important exclusive franchise for Xbox, and later on for PC.

Halo 5: Guardians
Developer: 343 Industries
Publisher: Microsoft

I’m a little bit saddened, still, that Bungie has moved on to create other amazing titles. Hopefully 343, who are the new sovereign lords above Halo, will not fail us. It has been said that the developers will focus more on the story, rather than the multiplayer side.

Mass Effect 4
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA

Last year EA teased us with screenshots – now we expect more. But, come to think of it, why expect more? Its in EA’s hands, and everything that EA touches turns to copper. I would be more than happy with other publishers taking up the Mass Effect franchise. I still have to play the 3rd installment.

Minecraft: Story Mode
Developer: Telltale Games
Publisher: Telltale Games

I’m really loving Telltale Games. I adored the first season of The Walking Dead, blazed in a day through the season one DLC, and I waited like a pup in front of a Doggy Treat store for each new episode of season 2. Tales from the Borderlands is really great, but I’m not digging their Game of Thrones series – and I’m a huge GoT fan. But I have confidence that the bright minds at Telltale will not disappoint us.

Mirror’s Edge 2
Developer: Dice
Publisher: EA

Rhianna Pratchett, the writer of the first installment, isn’t going to work on the sequel and that somehow makes me lose faith in the whole project. I said it before, and I’m going to say it again – I don’t trust EA one bit.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony

We are not mad that it was pushed back to Spring of 2016 – we are glad that they take so much time to offer a great end-product. Naughty Dog hasn’t failed us yet, and there is no reason to believe they will be starting now.

This is just but a fraction of the huge list – that hasn’t even been fully announced yet. E3 2015 will begin on the 16th of June and it will end on the 18th of June.

Are you planning on attending this year? What games are you excited for? How about unannounced ones?

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You can pre-order Intel’s new PC on a stick

April 7, 2015 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

Intel’s new PC on a stick is available for pre-order now via Amazon and Newegg – it will ship at the end of April.

Don’t think of it like something that would replace your desktop PC – it’s not case – but think of it as a step in the right direction.

What can it actually do?

Well it’s a PC on a stick that can turn your TV into a Windows, or Linux machine – just by sticking the USB dongle into a port.

Users that were lucky enough to get a hold of pre-release dongles have reported that while the stick can’t replace your desktop PC, it tries incredibly hard to do so – and it can run simple games from Steam, stream Netflix shows, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Youtube runs smoothly.

Also users have reported that they didn’t encounter any problems whatsoever when loading PowerPoint and other presentation software – this can come quite in handy if you pair it up with a projector.

It has an SSD storage of 32GB, so don’t expect to fill the stick with HD movies, but you can add a 256 GB Micro SD card and you can boost the storage size up to 8 times – you’ll have your very own mini system.

It sports a Intel Atom 64 bit Quad-core Processor, with 2 GB of RAM, WLAN 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.0, 1 HDMI port, and 1 USB 2.0 port.

Bluetooth makes it easy as pie for you to connect a wireless keyboard and a mouse.

It’s definitely not for gaming, but some users have managed to install even World of Warcraft – no, it doesn’t run smoothly as you think, it’s somehow stuck at 20-25FPS, but it isn’t that bad, it’s actually quite great if you think how much a little dongle costs.

Newegg is selling the USB stick for $150 and it also comes with a licensed version of Windows 8.1, but I’ve seen other retailers selling the device with Linux software on it for $100 – $11 more than the official $89.

I’m really intrigued about Intel’s new PC on a stick, and what its capabilities truly are – I need to test it out myself.

Are you going to exchange your old laptop with Intel’s new PC on a stick?

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