How to Free Up Space On Your iPhone in 10 Steps

January 21, 2015 By Nancy Young 1 Comment

There comes a time when your iPhone, no matter the generation, might start running slowly, freezing and even have applications crash on it at times – while sometimes this might just be an issue of corrupt files on it, easily fixable by restoring it to factory settings and re-downloading all of your apps back on your device, most of the times it will be caused by storage space clutter and a full memory.

When dealing with lower storage space units, like 16 GB or 32 GB iPhones, I’m sure you would love to make space for your regular playlist, taking photos or immortalizing specials moments on the go. Here’s a list of 10 things you can do to make sure all of the above will be possible and have your phone run as smoothly as it did when you first got it out of the box.

#1 Restore your iPhone

The first and most basic thing you can do to free up space on your iphone, albeit a little time consuming is the good old restore. Depending on the amount of data you have stored on your iPhone, counting apps, photos, videos and contacts, it might take anywhere between 20 minutes and even hours. But for an all purpose clean up, fix up and a solution to pretty much anything that might be wrong with your phone software wise, it would be well worth the time. Restoring your iPhone is, regardless, advisable to do on a regular basis as it makes sure your device stays clean, up to date and with as little stacking over time issues as possible.

The restore to default settings can be easily accessed through either your iTunes or directly from the phone’s menu, although it is not a recommended way of doing things. The reason behind that is the fact that a hard restore from your device’s menu would entail the loss of your data with no available backup. It’s best if this option is left only for the times when your phone ends up in a critical state (hopefully never!).

The way you can do this the regular, safe way is by selecting your iPhone from the iTunes menu and heading to the Summary tab. After that, the first thing that you do is backup your data, either via iCloud or your machine, before heading to manually restoring.

#2 Tinker with iTunes and find more answers

No matter what Apple device you have, when connecting it to iTunes, the program’s interface will give you an ample and easy to understand overview of your space management. On the bottom of your screen under the Summary tab, there’s a color coded bar displaying the total amount of space on your iPhone that fills up depending on what you have on your device – photos, videos, apps, documents and “Other”.

The Other category includes a number of things, such as stored emails, messages, web browsing data (cookies, bookmarks, etc.) – this type of data occasionally bugs out and ends up taking more space than it should. Manually removing it is one way to do it, but restoring your iPhone might still remain the better call.

#3 Check your usage

The number three thing you can do to free up space on your iphone is checking usage. If restoring seems like too much of a hassle, the next best thing you can do is finding out exactly what is taking up your phone’s space.

There is a number of surprising things that you can discover as culprits behind a clogged storage. The way you can get this done is accessing your iPhone’s settings menu. To manage your storage, you will be looking at the Usage tab under the General segment of the settings menu.

By tapping Manage Storage, you’ll be taken to a list of apps and how much space they take and the amount of total storage – divided in used and available.

#4 Beware of apps’ internal downloads

While the previous only provides you with insight on which applications are being problematic when trying to free up space, here’s how you delve deeper into the issue. A lot of applications don’t remain at their original download size.

You might be surprised to see some of your apps as being listed as using entire gigabytes of space instead of the few dozen megabytes that their download size was listed as when you got them.

The reason behind that is that a lot of apps enlist a number of internal downloads – Spotify, Podcasts, Cloud and Dropbox services are a few of the apps of this sort.

To fix this, all you have to do is access the particular app that displays unusual storage usage amounts and check whether it’s the downloadable content at fault. After that, it’s your call – you can either opt for deleting the app and finding an alternate way to make up for its lack, or manually delete the unnecessary downloaded content.

#5 Delete unused games

Games are for most of us a pretty fun way of spending past times, whether you’re travelling, stuck in traffic, waiting for someone or whatnot. Given the technology powering up our handheld devices these days, the games that are released come up to par with the hardware capabilities.

With great performance and great graphics however, also comes great space consumption. Even small scale games can take around 50 MB of space, and while that might not seem a lot, when you find yourself with a hefty collection of all sorts of gaming apps gathered from here and there, the space they take suddenly becomes staggering.

If you’re like me, and hold on to many of your games simply because you keep thinking you’ll get back at them and play again sometime in the future when you get bored of the latest fun thing you found, it’s advisable to take a leap of faith and delete some of them when you’re in need of space – considering your scores get saved up to your Game Center account, you can always go back and download them from the AppStore and continue right from where you left off.

#6 Find a better way to store your photos and documents

Syncing your data with your desktop/laptop manually is not a bad way to get this done, especially if your machine’s hard disk is large enough for you to not care whether you’ll be using an extra dozen of GB. The smarter choice however, is definitely making use of your iCloud or Dropbox space.

Without spending a cent, you can get up to 7 GB of free Dropbox space, and iCloud offers a basic 5 GB of space with any iPhone you purchase, with the possibility of upgrade. Apple offers 20 GB upgrades for $0.99 a year, 200 GB for $3.99, 500 GB for $9.99 and 1 TB for $19.99. For such a small price you can basically get almost limitless space for any sort of data you want to hold onto.

Google+ is an option as well, considering it provides unlimited amount of storage for photos that do not exceed 2048 x 2048 resolutions and videos that don’t exceed 15 minutes in length.

By keeping your photos, videos and documents constantly uploaded to your cloud, you will surely always be able to revisit them, without having to clog up your mobile phone storage space, and even make sure you never accidentally lose them – in the unfortunate case that you ever have your iPhone lost or stolen.

#7 Get rid of texts that pile up

If you’re the kind of person who texts a lot, it’s not unusual for thousands of messages to end up eating storage space just like anything else. Again, it doesn’t seem a lot since every single text probably doesn’t exceed mere bytes. Multiply that by a thousand and suddenly you’re realizing that hundreds of megs are actually taken by them.

Holding onto texts is nice, but let’s be frank – how many hundreds of messages will you be scrolling up through and how often? Again, manually deleting them – either separately or via the usage feature is one way to do it, but another, automatic and clever method is making use of a setting that many people overlook.

In your Settings menu, under Messages you can opt for your iPhone to regularly and automatically delete out of date texts. You can turn this option on and personalize the frequency of the clean-up by scrolling down to “Message History” and selecting one of the other options instead of “Forever”.

While you only get to choose between 30 days and 1 year, it can still prove to be a helpful hand. Furthermore, you can also customize the life span of audio and video messages received just as well, lower in the same menu.

#8 Sign up for a streaming music service

Unless your music playlist consists of songs that are unavailable on the market, this is probably one of the best space savers out there. Entire, literal gigabytes of space can be freed up if instead of keeping your favorite music saved on your iPhone, you either stream your favorite songs. This is possible through a number of ways, one of the rather popular ones being the music steaming service called Spotify.

It’s just as heavily customizable as your home made iTunes playlist would be – allowing you to make different, separate lists of your favorite songs. Not to mention that it’s a great way to stay up to date with new hits, new album releases and even make new musical discoveries.

Apple also offers its own, personal way of making things better for music lovers, especially those who use iTunes for grabbing their tunes primarily. For a $25 a year subscription, you can get unlimited access to iTunes Match, thus making every track in your iTunes library accessible with just one tap, via iCloud.

The songs that you love the most can be downloaded by tapping the cloud icon next to it in your song list.

#9 Remove old podcasts and videos

While it may seem very obvious to some, here’s something that might not have crossed your mind. Remember all those podcasts that you listened to while doing chores or whatnot? What about the videos and movies you put on your phone to watch for some long flight?

Yeah, go right ahead and delete them. It happens ridiculously often that we forget these things ever existed after we’re done listening to them or watching them. And since you don’t access these parts of your phone as often as you would others, they might be gathering spider webs there on your mobile device for absolutely no reason.

Chances that you will listen to your podcasts again or watch entire movies all over again on your phone out of all things are what – none? Deleting them is easily done by manually accessing your “My Podcasts” at the bottom of Podcasts app main screen.

The application will even make it easier for you, having inbuilt capabilities of sorting through your favorite podcasts and pointing out which you have already listened to by moving them all the way to the bottom of the list. The actual removal is done by a simple swipe to the left and there – you’re done!

#10 Be wary of photo streaming and HDR

Photo streaming is an option you get when you own more than one Apple device – whether it’s a phone, tablet, iPod, iMac or Macbooks. Sure, having all your photos saved on all of your devices will ensure that you can access them anytime, anywhere you are and be nostalgic to your heart’s content.

But in reality, there’s no reason for you to do physically have them on your phone when you can just quickly access them from your Cloud service of choice. Unless it’s vital for your photos, no matter the number, to be present on all of your Apple devices, you can go right ahead to the Settings menu and turn off “My Photo Stream” from under the “Photos & Camera” submenu.

If you’re using HDR (High Dynamic Range) to take a photo in either low light or for some extra shadow quality, you might be baffled to find out that your phone is constantly saving duplicates of the picture taken – one in HDR, and the original one.

If you consciously choose to shoot using HDR, just go ahead and delete the originals – you can find the option that automatically sorts this out in the Settings Menu – Photo & Camera. The culprit is the option that you can find at the bottom of the submenu – just turn off “Keep Normal Photo” and your phone will cease to save duplicates, one of each kind.

Android Lollipop Look Available through Google Now Update

January 15, 2015 By Nancy Young Leave a Comment

People are currently waiting patiently for the new Android 5.0 Lollipop update to roll-out, but what they did not know is the fact that you can enjoy a similar look through the updated versions of Google Now Launcher and Google Search app.

Through these updates, Google brings the Lollipop look to any device that runs Android 4.1 to Android 4.4 for users who want to take a glance at how Android Lollipop looks like.

Rumors about Google working on their own private launcher have started back in February of last year and the launcher is set to take over your homescreen. The app was actually released in August 2014 and it has now been updated, borrowing the design style of the new Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Google Now Launcher and Google Search App

Google Now Launcher is not currently able to replace the stock launcher from HTCS, LG, Samsung or others and puts a customized experience front and center by Google. This brings to the table a new app tray, different icons, the Google Now feature – swipe to the left and many more. The Google Search app and Google Launcher are strongly tied together so both of them have received updated version with more features and better design, this week.

By installing both of these apps now, you will automatically get the Android 5.0 look. This is also a new thing since prior to these updates, both Google Now Launcher and Google Search app were set to be installed in the version of Android you had on your smartphone.

You do not have to wait and you do not have to upgrade your phone to see hoe Lollipop looks and feels like. What more can you ask for?

Once you have downloaded and installed the latest versions of both Google Now Launcher and Google Search apps you simply have to press your home button and enjoy the new look on your smartphone. The new Google Now Launcher interface is meant to bring Android 5.0 Lollipop a bit closer to all of Android users, if you are running an Android 4.1 version of the operating system or higher.

Through this update you will have the all-white look of the Google Search bar, “Ok, Google Now” hotwords for devices capable of hands-free controls through voice and even some cool new animations available only with Lollipop.

Google Now Launcher is certainly not the only Launcher available on Google Play but it is surely the one you will want to take on a spin today. With the new slide-out settings panel, an improved popup for voice control when you would much rather use your voice than typing and many other neat updates, Google Now Launcher is the Launcher you need to download and check out.

HTC and Motorola are currently the two companies that have started introducing Android 5.0 Lollipop to their devices on a much larger scale than their competitors, LG and Samsung. However, all of these companies are taking their times to offer the updated version of the operating system with their own touch.

Google has already started putting on Android 5.0 Lollipop on their Nexus tablets and handsets so if you want to update the current version of Android on your Nexus 5, 7 or 10, you will be able to, soon enough. The announcement was made by Google on Twitter,

“#AndroidLollipop rollout has started and will soon be available on most #Nexus devices. Dessert is served.”

However, as 9to5Google noted,

“The update is rolling out over-the-air to Google’s main line-up of Nexus devices, including the Nexus 5, 7 (both generations, but not LTE/3G versions yet), and 10, while rollout for LTE/3G models of the Nexus 7 as well as the Nexus 4 will be coming at some point in the near future.”

One of the best things that Lollipop brings to the table is the ability to silence, adjust or customize what notifications can get through to you. Many notifications and notification sounds are really annoying but with the new Android 5.0, you can choose which of these notifications you actually want to receive and when something important comes up, you can actually respond straight from your lockscreen.

Lollipop also promises extended battery life, coming with a battery saver feature which is set to extend your device’s battery life for up to 90 minutes. If you do not know how much longer will your battery last, simply check whatever time you have left based on your current level of battery drain.

Google explain that they tried to make the new interface as user friendly as possible, making it more tangible and with a much more fluid look.

LG, Samsung, HTC and Motorola

LG was the first one to introduce Android 5.0 Lollipop to its LG G3 users, in Poland. Dr. Jong-Seok Park, CEO and President of LG said:

“LG is absolutely committed to giving our customers the best mobile experiences available and bringing Android Lollipop to G3 owners as soon as possible is a top priority.”

It actually appears like LG’s G3 will have Android 5.0 faster than Google’s Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. Everyone thought these guys are well behind their competitors but it looks like they’ve still got some aces up their sleeves.

Android 5.0 Lollipop is currently available for Samsung in Poland and in the UK for Galaxy S5 owners. Sam Mobile reports:

“This is the first time the Korean giant has delivered a major Android software upgrade in such a short period of time, only 31 days – Google dropped final Lollipop code to AOSP on November 4th. Currently, the new software upgrade is only available in Poland, however, it should start appearing in other European countries shortly.”

Although LG was the first to introduce Lollipop on its device in Poland, Samsung is still the leader of the pack, managing to bring forward the new operating system 31 days after they have received the source code from Google (they have received it on the 4^th of November).

Image Credits

The update is expected on HTC starting with February as the company announced they would finish integrating the updates on their devices 90 days after receiving the code from Google.

Motorola has not currently made any release date public but it is working on first updating the Moto G and Moto E devices.

Android Updates Including Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Update for Nexus

January 5, 2015 By Deborah Campbell 28 Comments

Google released an update to their Android Lollipop operating system, Android 5.0.2 for Nexus 7 Wi-Fi 2012 edition users. The update is meant to fix some major bugs, but the reviews so far haven’t been very favorable. Today, we’re going to take a look at the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update for Nexus and we’re going to reveal what Android users should expect from the new Lollipop update.

Android Lollipop

Google revealed their new operating system, Android 5.0 Lollipop on June 25, 2014 during the Google I/O and became available to the masses over-the-air at the end of the previous year, on November 12, 2014 for Google Nexus and Google Play edition devices. The operating system update for Google Nexus included the following devices: Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus 10. Naturally, Lollipop saw many improvements to the Android OS, but also delivered quite a few bugs and problems.

The first update for Lollipop, Android 5.0.1, came soon after the initial launch and it was made available for Nexus, 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013 edition), Nexus 9 and Nexus 10. Unfortunately, the update was not available for users of Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi edition.

Android 5.0.2 Update for Nexus

Now, Google has released another update to their operating system, Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, and it’s only available for the Nexus 7 Wi-Fi 2012 version. It appears that Google wanted to make amends for those users, but this very specific update left many other users, such as the Nexus 7 3G 2012 ones, quite frustrated. They’re still using Kit Kat and they’re not very happy about it.

The thing is that this update might just be a very targeted update, for the Nexus 7 Wi-Fi 2012 model only. There is still no news about other devices, so before you get any more excited than you already are, keep this in mind and rejoice only if you’re a proud Nexus 7 2012 owner. Also, Nexus 7 2013 edition doesn’t seem to be getting the Android 5.0.2 update any time soon.

All this fragmentation between updates is going to make Android lose some of its users. The fact that there is no universal availability of Android 5.0 Lollipop in 2015 is something most users find unacceptable.

The update rollout is coming at a snail’s pace, but it is coming, so keep an eye out for it or for Google’s announcement. Aside from design changes, expect major bug fixes, such as battery drain. Tech blog, Naked Security, revealed that:

Google recently confirmed a fix for the memory issues causing app crashes on Android 5.0 Lollipop. The company says that the fix has been approved for a future Android update though the company did not say what the update might entail. It’s possible that we’ll see it arrive with an Android 5.0.3 update or we could see it arrive with the rumored Android 5.1 update. Nothing is confirmed and it could take months for Google to roll out a fix.

Lollipop Massive Memory Leak

Many of those folks who did manage to get an update to their Android are now complaining of bugs. More bugs than anyone ever imagined, unfortunately. As mentioned above, the Nexus 7 2012 version didn’t get a 5.0.1 update, but a 5.0.2 one, which means that the vast majority of Android users are still using Android 5.0.1. The bug that seems to be really wreaking havoc in Android these days is a software bug that affects RAM memory. The operating system causes memory to simply leak; for example, when you are running 5 apps at the same time, your phone is going to decide at one point that it is at a critical point and that it is running too many apps and it is going to close some apps just to free up some resources.

No matter how much memory your smartphone or tablet has, if you are running Android 5.0.1 there is a chance that your system will run out of memory, which is never a great thing to be around.

This is by far the most annoying and common bug that Android 5.0.1 has offered the world so far. Android 5.0.2 didn’t fix anything because it wasn’t a targeted update, but Google is expected to release Android 5.0.3 Lollipop any time soon.

Tech blog, Naked Security, revealed:

The thread on the issue tracker is hard to follow as there are lots of complaints and there is lots of general unhappiness, but little in the way of official comments from Google or Android developers. However it does now seem that Google has agreed that this is a bug, and that it has been fixed in the source code.

Until something is done to help all those affected by the bug, nothing is going to change, apparently:

What that means is that the latest source code used to build Android doesn’t leak memory. However that doesn’t actually help affected users at the moment. The next step is for Google to make a new release of Android, probably Android 5.0.3 Lollipop, with this and other bug fixes. However there is no news on when that will be. Let’s hope it will be soon.

Until the new Android 5.0.3 update comes along, all you can do is wait patiently and try not to get annoyed by the whole situation. If you’re experiencing a memory leak and nothing seems to help, then we suggest you file an official complaint with Android and wait for them to reply and maybe give you a few pointers on the issue.

Have you experienced any issues with Android 5.0.1 or Android 5.0.2? Drop us a line in the comment section below and tell us about your experience.

Galaxy Note 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Note Edge: Features, Price, Camera Comparison

November 19, 2014 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

Samsung has always had an innovative vision of the electronic future. In September, the company announced a couple of new products. While they emphasized on the new features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, they also revealed a revolutionary new phablet, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, which would become available in limited edition. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4, was released to the public starting with October.

At the moment it is available with most U.S. and European carriers. The Note Edge was released on 14 November for most U.S. carriers and it is expected to become available in Europe and Australia starting with November 28.

The defining standard for high-end smart-phones is excellent display quality, performance and power. Samsung’s devices have always benefited from top-notch components. With the Galaxy Note series, Samsung has established a new segment on the market, that of 5-inch screen phones. These gadgets are designed to offer a more enjoyable experience for browsing, texting and multimedia apps. The Note 3 from Samsung was extremely successful, and we are confident that the Samsung Note 4 and Note Edge will be equally appreciated by the public.

The Note 4 and Note Edge do not disappoint. As a matter of fact, they have very similar specs. The main difference between the two is this: while the Samsung Note 4 preserves the traditional appearance of smart-phones, the Note edge has a bent and wrap-around screen with a quick access menu for notifications and apps. We would like to take a closer look at these devices, and compare their main feature. In order to do this, we will first compare their specs, then analyze each device separately.

Samsung Explains its Choice of Design

The first thing you will notice about the Note edge is the fact that it’s an unusual device. The wrap-around screen has been the subject of much heated debate. Many specialists argued that it would shatter quickly, or that the shortcut bar wasn’t reason enough to adopt this design. Samsung has always been the ‘luck of the draw’ type of company. They were not afraid to experiment with unusual designs which they were not 100% would be successful. On the other side of the barricade, Apple is waiting to jump on the bandwagon. We wouldn’t be surprised if Apple would also adopt a wrap-around screen if the Note Edge becomes successful.

Samsung has actually shed some light on its design choices:

It was a matter of the overall design concept of the Galaxy Note 4. If its predecessor was about being ‘classic’, the Galaxy Note 4 is more about being ‘modern sleek’ with an emphasis on the urban vibe. With the implementation of metal frame with diamond cuts, the designers wanted to take a more simple approach which aligns with the ‘modern sleek’ design concept. Therefore, the Galaxy Note 4 has fewer decorative design factors, and the stitch on the back was one of them.

Specification Comparison for the Note 4 and Note Edge

General	Samsung Note 4	Samsung Note Edge
Alternate names
Dimensions (mm)	153.50 x 78.60 x 8.50	151.30 x 82.40 x 8.30
Weight (g)	176.00	174.00
Battery capacity (mAh)	3220	3000
Removable battery	Yes	No
SAR value	NA	NA
Display
Screen size (inches)	5.70	5.60
Touchscreen type	Capacitive	Capacitive
Resolution	1440×2560 pixels	1440×2560 pixels
PPI	515	NA
Colors	16M	16M
Hardware
Processor	2.7GHz quad-core	2.7GHz quad-core
Processor make	Qualcomm Snapdragon 805	Qualcomm Snapdragon 805
RAM	3GB	3GB
Internal storage	32GB	32GB
Expandable storage type	microSD – 64 GB	microSD – 64 GB
Camera
Rear camera	16-megapixel	16-megapixel
Flash	Yes	Yes
Front camera	3.7-megapixel	3.7-megapixel
Software
Operating System	Android 4.4	Android 4.4
Java support	Yes	Yes
Browser supports Flash	No	Yes
Connectivity
Wi-Fi standards supported	802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac	802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac
GPS	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes, v 4.10	Yes, v 4.10
NFC	Yes	Yes
Infrared	Yes	Yes
DLNA	No	No
Wi-Fi Direct	Yes	No
MHL Out	Yes	Yes
HDMI	No	No
Headphones	3.5mm	3.5mm
FM	No	No
USB	Micro-USB	Micro-USB
Charging via Micro-USB	Yes	Yes
Proprietary charging connector	No	No
Proprietary data connector	No	No
Number of SIMs	1	1
SIM Type	Micro-SIM	Micro-SIM
GSM/ CDMA	GSM	GSM
3G	Yes	Yes
Sensors
Compass/ Magnetometer	Yes	Yes
Proximity sensor	Yes	Yes
Accelerometer	Yes	Yes
Ambient light sensor	Yes	Yes
Gyroscope	Yes	Yes
Barometer	Yes	Yes
Temperature sensor	No	No

1. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 perfectly embodies the design and performance philosophies of Samsung Galaxy Alpha. This means that it has a metallic frame around the screen, and a durable plastic casing on the back, which should ensure perfect adherence with the hands. Surprisingly enough, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is smaller than the Note 3 because its frame was downsized but the screen remained at the same size: 5.7-inches.

You are probably already familiar with the SuperAMOLED technology, but you will be happy to know that the new Samsung has a QHD 2560×1440 pixel resolution. Pixel-per-inch density for the screen is 515. Like all high-end Samsung smart-phones, the Note 4 is equipped with 2.5 D Gorilla Glass 3. This means that it has slightly bent edges that ensure proper usability. Irrespective of model, the Note 4 phablet will have 3GB of RAM and 32 GB internal memory storage. In other words, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 is more than equipped to handle any type of Android content and multimedia app.

As far as hardware is concerned, there are two models available for the Galaxy Note. One of them has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 Chipset with a quad-core Krait 450, 2.7 Ghz processor and Adreno 420 graphics. The second option comes with an Exynos 5433 which benefits from 2 quad-core processors: a quad-core Cortex A57 1.9Ghz processor with Mali-T760 graphics, or a quad-core Cortex A53 1.3GHz processor with Mali-T760 graphics.

The 16MP photo camera has also received an important upgrade: it now has optical image stabilization, which will ensure better image quality for dynamic subjects. It is also possible to record HD videos in 4K 2160 and 30FPS format. The funny part is that Samsung actually tweaked the front camera specifically for selfies. Enthusiasts will now enjoy a 3.7MP front-camera with improved light and special functions for selfies.

Samsung Note 4 is the perfect tool for business people, journalists and tech enthusiasts because it features many useful tools like the Snap Note, which allows you to scan, edit and email documents. You can also use the pen to write down important information. Journalists will definitely enjoy the three microphones which were designed to tone down background noise during audio recordings. Lastly, the slightly better battery version (3220 mAh) should offer at least two days of autonomy, a lot more than that of other high-end smart-phones on the market.

Is Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Worth Buying?

We would rush to say ‘yes’, but each buyers should weigh the pros and cons of such a device. The Note 4 is indeed a high-end smart-phone which promises unparalleled performance, but it will probably also come at an outrageous price (U.S. carriers are selling it for 800-1000 dollars free of contract). We strongly advise you to go hands-on with it before deciding to buy it. All in all, Samsung Note 4 lives up to the expectations imposed by its predecessor. If you aren’t willing to purchase it yet, you might want to wait for the Note 3 upgrade.

The Good: Incredible specs, beautiful design, balanced price considering its features. A perfect successor to the Note 3.

The Bad: None so far

Now let’s take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.

2. Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Overview

Before we address the features, we have to take a closer look at the screen. Why did Samsung go for this design with its Note Edge? The most important question is why was the shortcut bar placed on the right side and not the left? Here’s what Samsung says:

The main focus of the designers was to provide the analog feeling. When flipping through the pages of a book or note, many people flip it right to left, right being the initial contact point. […] Since people generally tend to read from the left to right, the designers thought it would be the right decision to place the Edge Screen on the right side.

Consumers are still on the fence when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, but this is probably because the device is extremely different from what they were used to. We have played around with it, and besides the fact that it is extremely beautiful and efficient, the device is also sturdy. The soft back was a serious design consideration for the company. It appears that it will allow consumers to swap the battery between the Note 4 and Note Edge. In addition to this, the choice for leather is meant to create a smoother sensation for the handsets.

As far as hardware and specs are concerned, the Note Edge is extremely similar to the Note 4. The screen is 2560×1600 (which means 160 pixels wider than the Note 4). The bent screen increases the phablet’s width with 4mm.

Since the top-of-the-line model sports the same features as the Note 4, we would like to take a closer look at its innovative features. The first thing you should know about the Edge is the fact that it favors righties, unlike other smart-phones which work well for both categories of users.

Apps on the Side

The so-called ‘edge screen’ is home to several interesting apps. First we have your store favorite apps, which are extremely similar to the Windows Taskbar or OS X Dock. This is basically your shortcut go-to place for fast processes. You can easily place up to two app bars with 20 programs. Here are a few other interesting uses of the edge screen:

Displaying widgets: Much like the updates which appear on the top-left side of the screen on Android smart-phones, the edge screen is home to updates and ticker-style news from websites, emails, social networks etc.

Several utilities: The note edge sports interesting tools such as a countdown timer, stopwatch, ruler, flashlight etc.
Streamline interfaces: you can use the edge screen to take photos (the camera’s shutter button appears tucked along the edge). Features like this open more screens pace for you.

Alarm Clock & Games: you can enjoy several basic games with the edge screen. Also, if you are laying the phone flat on the nightstand it will display the time on its edge, very dimly.

Social networks: the edge screen can be used to view notifications on social platforms.

The best news is that Samsung is providing third-party developers with tools that will enable them to add new features to the edge screen. This will lead to more creative uses of this innovative device.

The Good: The Galaxy Note Edge is a triumph of novel design which seamlessly incorporates an asymmetrical shape in a brand-new phablet. The specs are among the best on the market right now.

The Bad: This device is costly. It is actually among the most expensive phablets on the market right now. In addition to this, it has yet to be proven how well the gadget handles drops and shocks.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge & Note 4: Which one should I choose?

It all boils down to personal preference. The Note edge represents a bold move for Samsung, and it might not be very well received by the public. This is the main reason why the Note 4 retains the traditional design and is expected to maintain the south-Korean producer in tops. All in all, if you are not constricted by your budget and if you do not mind larger phones (keep in mind that we are talking about phables, not smart-phones), you should definitely experiment with the Note Edge.

Once again, we urge you to go hands on with the device before deciding to buy it. The screen is the main reason why the Edge is more expensive than the Note 4 as well. We hope that this research will help you with your decision.

Free Stuff for Note 4 and Note Edge Buyers:

Samsung has always offered great freebies with its premium smart-phones, and this time is no exception. The company has finally detailed its Gift package for the Note Edge and Note 4. Let’s take a look at all the cool features that you will be receiving if you decide to purchase one of the high-end Note phablets:

Dropbox: 50 GB of storage space for 2 years for new users free
Diddeo and AmpliTube LE: free unlocked features
Audible: 3 month subscription
Wall Street Journal: 6 month subscription
NYTimes – Breaking news: 12 week subscription
Bloomberg Businessweek+ : one year subscription
OnLine: 3 month subscription
SketchBook for Galaxy: free professional-grade drawing software
100% Games: 3.250 free gems in Dungeon Hunter 4 game
Paypal: access to special deals for online stores. You can save 50$ or more
Life360 & Workout Trainer: 6-month subscriptions
Tripadvisor: exclusive functions
Hancom Office 2014 & ArtRage free
RealPlayer Clout: 6 month premium membership
More

Keep in mind that the offers do not come pre-installed. You will have to install them from the Samsung app store in order to activate your offers.

Galaxy Note Edge & Note 4 U.S. Prices

Both devices are available for purchase in the United States. Let’s take a look at the offers made by the most influential carries in the states:

S Cellular Galaxy Note price: 299.99$ on-contract, 770.16$ off-contract
S Cellular Galaxy Note Edge: the carrier isn’t selling the Note Edge yet

Verizon Galaxy Note price: 99$ on-contract, 700$ off-contract
Verizon Galaxy Note Edge: 99$ on-contract, 946.00$ off-contract

T-Mobile Galaxy Note price: 750$ off-contract
T-Mobile Galaxy Note Edge: 870$ off-contract

AT&T Galaxy Note price: 99$ on-contract, 826$ off-contract
AT&T Galaxy Note Edge: 99$ on-contract, 946.00$ off-contract

In conclusion, both devices are expensive but that’s to be expected considering that they sport top-of-the-line features and designs. We hope that the Edge screen will become popular and we are eager to see how the audience will receive it. Stay tuned for more information about smart-phones and phablets!

Galaxy Note Edge Release Date: Global Samsung Note Launch Patterns

October 26, 2014 By Karen Jackson Leave a Comment

The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge was announced along with the Galaxy Note 4 on September 3 through the Unpacked event. It is a well-known fact that Galaxy Note Edge which sports a breakthrough curved display is not a mainstream smartphone that is readily available. In September, Samsung had announced that the Galaxy Note Edge will be limited edition concept smartphone. In other words, the Note Edge is a niche device.

Samsung had revealed that it will manufacture only 1 million Note Edge units for this year and it will aimed towards selected countries of the world. One of the major reasons behind it is more complicated for the manufacturer to build a curved display smartphone. Moreover, the apps will have to redesign to suit the display screen of the handset.

According to the release patterns so far, the Galaxy Note Edge seems to be marketed towards countries like the US, South Korea, UK, Germany, Japan and China. Also compared to the Galaxy Note 4, the Note Edge comes with an expensive price tag.

UK Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Release Date

In the UK, the preorders for Samsung Galaxy Note Edge had begun even when the stock of the handset was not available with the UK retailer- Clove Technology. The retailer listed the Note Edge around the last week of September with a price tag of £650 along with VAT whereas the Note 4 was listed with them with a price tag of £575 along with VAT.

After Clove Technology, even other UK retailers joined the suit and started with Galaxy Note Edge preorders. However, UK retailers have recently declared to its audience that the arrival of the device may delay. Hence, we are not sure by when the handset will be available in the UK.

Japan Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Release Date

In Japan, Samsung had organized a special event called the Galaxy Note Edge World Tour to showcase the handset and its features. Through the event, Samsung declared that the Galaxy Note Edge would be come to popular Japanese carriers – KDDI and NTT DoCoMo. The Galaxy Note Edge release date is slated for the last week of October in Japan.

According to NTT DoCoMo, they will be launching the Galaxy Note Edge on October 23 with only black color edition of the handset. The date has passed but the handset is not available for purchase in Japan. The white one is expected to hit the Japanese markets through DoCoMo in November. Even though Galaxy Note Edge preorders started in the UK first, Japan is the first country to receive the world first smartphone that features a curved display on its right edge.

US Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Release Date

In the US, the Galaxy Note Edge is expected to arrive through all the four leading carriers of the country, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. In the third week of this month, Sprint confirmed the arrival of Galaxy Note Edge on its network as it cleared the FCC certification. It is only after a handset is certified by FCC, it can release in the US. The announcement of the FCC certification for Sprint’s Galaxy Note Edge came after the handset was FCC certified for AT&T and T-Mobile.

As of now, Verizon Wireless which is also going to offer the Note Edge has not revealed anything on the device in the recent past. Also, we are not sure when the handset will be made available through US Cellular. Rumors have it the US Galaxy Note Edge release date is November 4. This piece of information has not been verified by the Samsung. The pricing of the device has not been revealed but speculations indicate that the Galaxy Note Edge pricing through US carriers will be $399 on contract.

Russia and India Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Release Date

Until now, the Galaxy Note Edge release date for various speculated markets like the UK, South Korea, Japan and other are still unknown. Another country that has been recently added on to the list of countries that are to receive the Note Edge is India. As expected, Samsung did not announce Galaxy Note Edge release date for India but the handset is expected to hit the Indian markets by the end of this year.

Russia too is a new addition to the list of countries that are poised to receive the niche smartphone. For the Russian audience, the pricing of the device has been revealed. It is priced at RUB 49,990 which equates to $1225 and is expected to release with the last two months of the year. The information of Russian release was revealed by Hi-Tech.Mail.Ru which is well-known for releasing accurate information.

China, Canada and Australia Galaxy Note Edge Release Edge

The Galaxy Note Edge is also expected to come to the world’s largest smartphone market of China. It is priced at CNY 7,000 which equates to $1139. As far as Canadians are concerned, they will have to wait longer as the device is expected to come to Canada by next year.

For Australia, the Galaxy Note Edge release date is set to November 12. However, there seems to be a delay in Australia too because few days it was rumored that the Note Edge would release in the Australia by November 5.

The Galaxy Note Edge is the only handset in the world to feature a curved display on its edge. The edge display can be used to see notifications, news, access frequently used apps and many more. The size of the Super AMOLED display of Note Edge is 5.6-inch and it supports a quad HD resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels.

The Galaxy Note Edge’s performance is driven by Snapdragon 805 chipset that works at a speed of 2.7 GHz along with 3 GB RAM. The handset comes preloaded with Android v4.4.4 KitKat overlaid with TouchWiz UI. Since the Android Lollipop has arrived, the Note Edge will be one of the handsets that will receive the new Android build very soon.

The handset also features a 16 MP main camera with OIS and the front features a 3.7 MP camera. It also features a very intuitive S-

iOS 8.0.2 on iPhone 6 Plus: Installation, Performance, Apps, Battery Life, Bugs & Issues

September 30, 2014 By Cristopher Hall Leave a Comment

Apple releases two new updates of iOS 8 shortly after the launch of iPhone 6 Plus. The iOS 8.0.1 update came with lots of major issues due to which Apple instantly offered an iOS 8.0.2 update. Apple resolved all the problems related to the connectivity of iOS 8.0.1 through iOS 8.0.2.

iOS 8.0.2 is an extremely minor update, but it comes with some really significant feature. Earlier, the company removed the feature that lets apps to connect with the new Health app. However, Apple restored this feature in iOS 8.0.2 so that users can keep an eye on their fitness and health.

Moreover, the company solved and altered the issues associated with the third party keyboards. Some of the features of iOS 8 are pretty evident in the video.

Undoubtedly, iOS 8.0.2 update is relatively small if compared to iOS 8 but still it is certainly a significant bug fixer. The release of iOS 8.0.1 proved that even small updates can create major problems in devices.

People are now really skeptical about the installation of iOS 8.0.2 to their devices since iOS 8.0.1 really gave them a tough time. They are waiting for the reviews of iOS 8.0.2 in order to avoid getting into more trouble.

On the whole, the iOS 8.0.2 update seems pretty satisfactory but still it is not devoid of faults.

Installation:

An extremely positive thing is that iOS 8.0.2 consumes only 20 minutes of your precious time for installation.

Performance:

There are five chief sections that users should check shortly the installation of any major update. As I have mentioned above even iOS 8.0.2 has some fault. Therefore, people would definitely look forward towards the release of another update. Following are some noteworthy things of iOS 8.0.2.

Apps:

Even this update is unable to fix the problems of apps that are completely inactive. However, iOS 8.0.2 is gradually supporting the apps of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus but in a very low speed.

In general, the majority of the apps run quite well, such as Tweetbot, Alien Blue, NetFlix, Instagram and Spotify. Nevertheless, few apps are still facing some problems when you use them.

Some people reported that some of the apps take a lot of time to act. Therefore, if you have planned to install iOS 8.0.2 then get ready to deal with app crashes in iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Battery Life:

Apple has offered a remarkable battery in iPhone 6 Plus. It is chiefly because of the large size of the phone.

Luckily, iOS 8.0.2 do not have any negative impact on the battery life of iPhone 6 Plus. At first, you might feel that it is using comparatively more battery than the previous update. Consequently, keep an eye on the amount of apps you use daily in order to evaluate the battery life of iOS 8.0.2.

Connectivity:

iOS 8.0.1 was surely a terrible experience for the owners of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The update bought a connectivity issue that made the devices useless. People were not allowed to make calls even if they were located in a well connected area.

Fortunately, iOS 8.0.2 fixed all these issues associated with the service of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Do not blame iOS 8.0.2 if you come across something strange while using hotspot. It happens surely due to some OS X Yosemite public beta instead of iOS 8.0.2.

Although there is not any major issue related to the Wi-Fi. Nevertheless, your device might complain about network delay whenever you refresh an app.

Bugs and Issues:

iOS 8 would not resolve each and every issue of iOS 8 but still it is better than iOS 8.0.1. Some users complain that iPhone 6 Plus hang in landscape or portrait mode when they use an app. Every time they have to close the entire app to get rid of this issue.

It looks like camera of iOS 8.0.2 is unable to distinguish between the landscape and portrait mode. It might take your photo in portrait mode even when you hold your camera in landscape mode.

Speed:

iOS 8.0.2 works great when it comes to speed. iOS 8.0.2 will run with a perfect speed on iPhone 6 Plus. It will give a real feeling of using the latest device of Apple.

Whether You Should Install iOS 8.0.2 or not?

It is recommended to install iOS 8.0.2 since it fixes tons of bugs created by iOS 8.0.1. Your iPhone 6 Plus will work really better when you get rid of all those issues such as predictive keyboard, Health Kit and much more.

Apple is planning to release Apple Pay for its users till the end of October. Thus, you can also directly upgrade your device to iOS 8.0.3 which will probably release soon.

7 Most Favorible Apps Of iOS 8

September 21, 2014 By Kenneth Scott Leave a Comment

As soon as Apple released a new iPhone people began to rush for the pre-orders . Some people prefer to wait a bit in order to purchase the product on a two year contract.

Yesterday, Apple launched a new update of mobile operating system for both the iPads and iPhones. iOS 8 is completely packed with loads of features for the users. It is expected that iOS 8 would also be compatible with the upcoming Apple Watch.

There are several features that immediately gained popularity among people and Hey Siri is one of them. It is an Apple’s voice control personal assistant that will allow user to interact with an iPhone without touching it.

This time Apple unlocked several features for the third party developers so that they can integrate their apps in iOS 8. There are various other reasons for downloading the new iOS 8 update.

Amazon:

Amazon is one of the world’s biggest retailers. Some people might be shocked why Amazon is mentioned over here. Apple has introduced it in iPhone app several years ago. This time Apple offered Amazon with an addition of a minor feature that is Touch ID.

This time Apple gave the option of Touch ID support that will let users unlock the apps through a fingerprint sensor. The iOS 8 version of the Amazon comes along with Touch ID for merely for the iPhone users. It makes selling and purchasing way easier for the owners of iPhone 5s.

Beach Buggy Racing:

For several years, Apple’s chief aim is to get hold of mobile game space. The Previous year, Apple declared iOS controllers that nearly surprised everyone. However, this year they recognized that iPad and iPhone game developers are capable enough to fight with PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS. The game developers can only reach to the level of rivals through improved hardware access.

Metal is the system which provides developers an access to the new hardware system. This new hardware offers stacks of video games in the iTune Store. Among all those games Beach Buggy Racing is the most alluring one. It is pretty similar to the Mario Kart in which you race and fire weapons on the other users. The best thing is that it is free of cost for everyone.

One Note For iPhone:

Sharing on the iPhone was a really big headache. The performances of some apps and services were extremely unpredictable. Apple adds a feature through which apps can effortlessly interact with one another.

With Microsoft’s OneNote for iPhone and iPad you can straightforwardly find the way to the item that you wish to share. Then you can share it in the Safari menu.

1Password:

This time 1password manage consist of more than one. Earlier it was really a hassle to manage passwords in iOS because the apps were not allowed to communicate with one another. Apple provides a bit more space in iOS 8 to the app maker.

The new app 1Password makes use of Touch ID to confirm the identity of users. Moreover, it is now combined with Safari as a result of which it is not essential to enter the password in Safari as well.

PIX2:

In iOS 7 users were required to use different apps for the purpose of editing picture. Apple introduced PIX2 in iOS 8 that enables users to edit their pictures in a simple and intuitive manner. It signifies that PIX2 merely need a tap in the option of edit pictures and the filters are all set.

Users can make a story on their photo just by swiping gestures to select filters and typography words.

Day One:

Day one is a new journaling app that offers beautifully designed and feature rich apps. In iOS 8 Apple released a stellar update for Day One which comes some incredible new features to the app.

Generally, people are afraid to use journaling since they consider it unsafe. For all these sorts of users Apple incorporated Touch ID support which ensures the safety of users’ secrets.

Day One now brings a Today widget for your Notification Center. It will display the entries of last 50 days on your cell phone. This app also comes with a Share extension now.

Slice:

Apple has numerous types of package trackers in the App store for years. Slice makes it possible for you to track packages from everywhere with one simple login. Users can also keep a check on the prices and shop for new items with the help of this app. Furthermore, iOS 8 added a Touch ID support in this app that will let users track packages from the Today Screen.

Currently, iOS 8 is accessible for download and its installation might consume a lot of your precious time.

Iceland proclaims Volcano Eruption area safe for Air Travel.

August 30, 2014 By Kenneth Scott Leave a Comment

The volcano eruption that began on Friday had stopped now. The eruption compelled Icelandic Meteorological office to move its warning level to red.

Today, Icelandic Meteorological office concluded that the eruption is no more hazardous for any flight, whether its of low range or high.

National Crisis Coordination Centre stated that crack that started at midnight at Holuhraun lava north of Vatnajokull glacier came to an end at nearly 0400 UTC (GMT). The fissure has been approximately 600 meters long and is located 5 Km north of the Dyngjujokull glacier in a north Vatnajokull glacier.

Although the seismic activity will persist in that region

Iceland’s largest volcanic system cuts a 190-km (120-mile) long and up to 25-km (15 mile) wide path athwart the North Atlantic Island. The volcanic system has been struck by thousands of earthquakes since last two weeks. Consequently, scientists were already red alert for the fear of any outbreak.

Reykjavik’s Met Office stated that the eruption wrapped few parts of the Bardabunga system. However, there were no mark of ashes like that from the Eyjafjallajokull eruption which occurred in 2010.

Though the menaces of an ash cloud are high in case any of the sub glacier also erupts. Iceland authorities for some hours changed the aviation warning level to red which is conceived as the highest on the scale.

Martin Hensch, a Met office seismologist informed that the eruption was at the top of a magma dyke 40 km from the main Bardarbunga crater.

According to Nick Petford, a vulcanology expert at the University of Northampton usually the fissure eruptions are massive and die in a span of days. Nevertheless, there could be an exceptional case.

Oculix An Amazing Trip Through Netflix Catalogue

August 22, 2014 By Deborah Campbell Leave a Comment

A group of Netflix programmers fused company’s video with the virtually reality capability. It is presented by the Oculus Rift headset as a fun project Netflix Hack Day.

This application allows the customers of Oculix to surf through a floating 3D Netflix video catalog with the help of gestures. These gestures include turning of head and hand movements which make it fun for users to view a video in a VR theater setting.

Eric Smith, an analyst of Strategy Analytics stated that this new experience is probably an extremely persuasive differentiator for a mature service like Netflix. It will help the company remain on the top of the market. Though it is not suitable for common usage since the user can get perplexed through it.
Motion sickness could also be a major problem even though developments in VR technology are continuously explaining the problem.

Moreover, Smith said that no doubt the company has always lead the way in streaming special content since the last decade. The release of 4K video services in 2014 made the company more influential. This constant struggle helps Netfilx a lot in competing with its rivals.

Brian Blau, a research director at Gartner expressed that this communication with video through VR is quite appealing. Managing the video through gesture is far better than the typical remote control.

Best Buy accidentally leaks Moto 360 smartwatch specs

August 18, 2014 By Deborah Campbell Leave a Comment

Motorola’s new Moto 360 smartwatch still had to be unveiled to the public, however, Best Buy has accidentally released the device’s features and price. A product page for the smartwatch is available, perhaps it was launched a bit too early by accident. Regardless, the page suggests that the new smartwatch will arrive at $250.

That is definitely more than Samsung’s Gear Live and the LG G Watch, but perhaps that can be owed to, on the elegant design. The new Moto 360 isn’t just another rectangular screen attached to a band, its a bit more watch-like, with a circle and not a rectangle. According to the leak, the smartwatch will come with a 1.5 inch LCD touch screen running at 320 by 290 resolution.

The face of the smart watch will be protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The watch will support Bluetooth 4.0 and work with most devices that have Android 4.3 or later. The watch facilitates voice commands through a microphone in the watch. The watch also has an integrated heart monitor and a pedometer. Apart from the obvious fitness-tracking functionality, the heart-rate option may also be of medical utility. There is no GPS in the watch, and the watch also includes an ambient light sensor, probably to adjust the brightness relative to the light in the room and outside in the sun. The information could possibly be inadequate or there may be a slight disparity in the final product, including the price.