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  • Top 5 Android Devices for 2018

    Top 5 Android Devices for 2018

    With a user base comprising roughly two thirds of the world’s smartphone owners, Android is the world’s most popular mobile operating system. The availability of the software for device makers is a key reason for the popularity. The Android OS is universally compatible and available without restrictions.

    The other main reason Android is the world’s most popular mobile operating system by a wide margin is the price of their phones. The fact that you can buy an Android phone on a tight budget, doesn’t mean that there aren’t also premium Android phones available. The best Android phones on the market are ready to stand toe-to-toe against the iPhone in terms of performance, build quality, and features.

    Today we are gonna talk about the Top 5 Androids on the market. Four of the phones we will cover are staples. Android flagships and devices someone you know currently adores. The last one you may never have heard of, but mobile enthusiasts all over the world are raving about it and paying attention to new models. If you’d like to buy a premium Android phone today, this is what you need to consider.

    Samsung Note 9

    This is the big dog on the Android block. Despite its troubled past the Note 9 in new, improved and the Top Android Device for 2018.The  Galaxy Note 9 truly puts powerful technology in the hands of pioneers who demand more. Innovative features and design make it the only phone to keep up with the next generation of achievers. The Note 9 isn’t a radical design departure from its predecessor. It’s still a glass-and-metal sandwich, and the only significant aesthetic changes are new colors, slightly chamfered edges, and a better location for the fingerprint sensor below the cameras.

    How do you make it to the top of the Android list? If you are Samsung you start with a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display. This is key, as any modern woman will tell you bigger is better. You take that screen and power it with the latest Snapdragon Processor. Snapdragon 845. It needs to have RAM, 6gb will do.. 8 it better. That is a lot of power in your pocket,4,000 mAh battery will be needed. That’s gonna get hot… Add in a  Water/Carbon Fiber cooling system. Bind this all with the latest Android software Google has to offer and you have the Best Android enabled mobile device…. The Note 9.

    Google Pixel 3

    The Pixel 3 takes brilliant photos, even in super low-light, with its single rear lens and it can capture wider selfie photos. It’s water resistant, has wireless charging and it can screen unwanted calls. I was most impressed by the vibrant and sharp photos it took with a single rear camera. Then it has Night Sight, it can brighten up even the darkest of scenes without a flash so well I cant comprehend its tech, or maybe it’s magic?

    The design of the Pixel 3 is delightful, with Google’s signature two-tone design has been retained on the back, with a small glossy section at the top which houses the camera module, and a matte section for the bottom 80 percent which has the centrally-placed fingerprint sensor near the top. It is lovely. Google switched to OLED screens in their flagships now and we’re glad they have. The higher contrast ratio really tells, especially in low light and dark conditions where true black stands out and back lights cause problems.With a 2,260 x 1,080-pixel resolution, the Pixel 3 display is stunning and gorgeous.

    What I like most about the Pixel 3 and the reason it hit the 2 spot in all of the Android universe  in the Top Android Device for 2018 is the device hardware and software are made by one company. This phone is designed inside and out to be fully compatible. Then is the Pixel 3’s groundbreaking artificial intelligence (A.I.) inside. The Pixel 3 can do things no other phone can. A lot of these A.I. smarts reside in the camera, which we’ll get to soon, but Google Assistant is growing more useful by the day and there are other genuinely helpful features in here that add up to a great experience.

    Samsung S9

    The Galaxy S9 once again proves Samsung’s formula of a gorgeous 5.8-inch screen, sexy dual-curved design and terrific camera for well-lit shots can’t go wrong. Whiplash-fast speeds, wireless charging and water resistance complete the package. And it looks stunning in purple and blue.

    Content with the design and appearance of the S8, Samsung focused its efforts on small, mostly unseen changes that result in a better overall experience, but not a dramatically different one. That isn’t to say the Galaxy S9 and the larger S9 Plus are bad phones; the S8 was an excellent phone last year, and the S9 builds on that.

    So, what is actually new? Two things: the fingerprint scanner has been moved to a much easier-to-reach spot on the back of the phone, and the single speaker has been upgraded to a stereo pair. In an obvious attempt to replicate Apple’s Face ID system, Samsung has introduced a new combination face-scanning / iris-scanning feature that can be used to unlock the phone instead of the fingerprint scanner.

    The rest of the S9’s improvements are under the hood: it’s running Qualcomm’s latest processor (in North America; other markets will see Samsung’s own Exynos processor), 4GB (S9) or 6GB (S9 Plus) of RAM, and a new LTE modem that supports even faster gigabit speeds. Those are specs we’re likely to see in almost every Android flagship this year, but Samsung is the first with them out of the gate. The design, display, and specs of the S9 bring zero surprises, but they are the things that influence your day-to-day use of the phone more than anything else. For the most part, Samsung nailed the basics and is the 3rd best Android in 2018.

    LG G6

    If you long for an Android flagship phone but can’t stomach the high prices of the Google Pixel 3 and Samsung Galaxy S9, the LG G6 will prove an attractive alternative. Though the G6 uses a slightly older chipset – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 rather than the Snapdragon 835 used in the S8 and Pixel 2 – few notice a performance difference in practice. The G6 also ditches the unusual modular design of last year’s LG G5 in favor of a more traditional unibody design with a non-removable battery and an elongated screen. Though some may regret the fixed battery of the G6, its battery life is superior to that of the G5.

    Like most current flagship phones, the LG G6 features dual rear-camera lenses. Unlike with some other phones, though, the purpose of the dual lenses isn’t to enable the G6 to capture portraits with blurred backgrounds. Instead, the lenses enable you to switch between standard and wide-angle shots. The G6 also includes a built-in app that enhances the process of capturing square photos for Instagram. Thanks to the dimensions of the G6’s display, you can view your most recent square photo on one half of the screen while viewing a live feed from the camera lens on the other half of the screen.

    Though the LG G6 may lack the latest and greatest hardware – not to mention the eye-catching designs – of the Google Pixel 3 and Samsung Galaxy S9, it still manages to give you a true flagship phone experience at a significantly lower cost and ranks as the 4th best Android phone in 2018.

    Red Hydrogen One

    A lot of you have not heard of this one. You should. The Hydrogen one  Holographic 4-View (H4V) capture, your content isn’t just seen. It’s felt. From an exotic sports car’s shine to the last rays of the sun at dusk, H4V capture produces beautiful lighting effects with dynamic textures, glitters and light shafts. Welcome to the end of flat content. It is true innovation in the realm of mobile devices, the kind of innovation you can only get with a top Android device.

    he Hydrogen One is defined by its ambition. It’s meant to revolutionize not just phones, but all of media with a “holographic” display and a camera system capable of recording into this 3D format. The phone is also expandable, and RED — one of the most esteemed names in digital imaging — plans to release an add-on camera sensor that’s capable of transforming the phone into a full-on cinema camera.  Imagine a full cinematic camera in the pockets of all our next great film makers and artist. This may not be the commercial success it should be, but time will yield this to be the beginning of a revolution and for that alone it gets the 5 spot for the Top Android Device for 2018.

     

     

  • Top 5 Video Chat Services

    Top 5 Video Chat Services

    For years we were promised video chat in every movie and tv show that took place in the future. The Jetsons did it, Back to the Future did it. I grew up assuming it was weeks away from reality my whole life. Then one glorious day in 2010, Steve Jobs said the word Facetime and video chat was a everyday reality.

    Video chat is the best way to connect and call your friends, family and loved ones. Allowing you to instantly share special moments in real time. Since 2010 the market flooded with video chat options. With so many options which is the best? Ill figure this out, so you can tell which setup is right for you. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and TVs, there are plenty of ways to get you up and running, and here are five of the best.

    FaceTime

    Apples proprietary video telephony system. FaceTime is available on supported iOS mobile devices and Macintosh computers. FaceTime supports any iOS device with a forward-facing camera and any Macintosh computer equipped with a FaceTime Camera. Apple bought the “FaceTime” name from FaceTime Communications. CEO Steve Jobs announced FaceTime on June 7, 2010 in conjunction with the iPhone 4 in a keynote speech at the 2010 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Support for the fourth generation iPod Touch (the first model of iPod Touch equipped with cameras) was announced in conjunction with the device’s release on September 8, 2010. Just like that everyone had video chat in a matter of days.

    if you have an iPad then the FaceTime app will already be installed ready for you to start using. From within there you can find contacts that are also using Apple hardware, and then it’s a simple as tapping the video icon and the app will make a call to them. It is the standard for video chat apps, The app that all other video chat apps are judged and found wanting.

    WhatsApp

    A far underestimated and often overlooked, WhatsApp is a real player in the video chat game. It is the default backup to facetime for global use. WhatsApp Messenger is a freeware and cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook. The Nice thing about Whatsapp is it is universal, and will work on almost any device anywhere in the world.

    Google Hangouts

    Yes, of course Google has its own option too – and it is called Hangouts. This allows for calls and video chat from within a browser on your laptop or PC, so anyone else with Hangouts on a computer, phone or tablet can be contacted. Hangouts lets you have multiple callers in one video chat too, intelligently spotting who’s talking and making that video the main one on screen. The app also allows for messaging so you can share photos but also allows for screen sharing. Lot of great features with Hangouts you don’t get in other apps.

    Skype

    Skype is a web-based communications tool that offers video chat, international calls, and texting via the web. This is very popular for its free video chat and communications capabilities, which are very basic at best. As a business communications tool, Skype is branded as the best and most inexpensive solutions provider for VoIP services. For those who want to fully maximize its potential and use it to improve productivity and drive revenue up, there is an enterprise pricing package for business communication that costs only $2 per user per month. With one simple platform, Skype for Business offers features like, Online meetings for up to 250 people and Secure communication lines via strong authentication and encryption.

    Facebook Portal and Video Chat

    Something new you probably didn’t know about. Facebook is launching its own device for video chat. Portal is aimed at connecting you to family and friends through video chat. The idea is that, instead of holding your phone up to your face for a jerky visual conversation with grandma and grandpa, you get a beautiful mini-TV, with a 10-inch screen.

    While not just a video chat service, Facebook’s Portal smart screen does more than just make calls. You can use it to watch videos, play games and find out the local weather, or help you tell children’s stories. Think an Alexa tablet powered and connected by Facebook.

    Pied Piper PiperChat

    A revolutionary middle-out compression was the missing piece in the video chat software world. PiperChat is similar to Google Hangout, FaceTime, and Skype. It is a video chat app that uses Pied Piper’s compression software. Piperchat is the most comprehensive and best video chatting application ever to be seen, using the same middle out compression algorithm as pied piper inc, piper chat can stream flawless 1080p video calling with only just a mere 3g signal.

  • Should You Buy an LG V40?

    Should You Buy an LG V40?

    The newest phone from LG, the LG V40, is here and making waves. Is it worthy of all the hype surrounding it? Or is it a lame entry into the packed Android market? Today we’re going to take an in-depth look at this new smartphone and tell you whether it’s worth your hard-earned money.

    LG V40 Review

    Design

    First things first: this is a smart-looking phone. All-glass designs are a favorite of ours, and this phone feels great in the hand. In fact, it’s probably one of the best-feeling LG phones we’ve seen. The screen is huge and vibrant, and, unlike other premium phones, the LG V40 still has a traditional headphone jack.

    The V40 also sports the industry-standard water resistance and wireless charging capabilities. While these features are unsurprising, they remain as convenient as ever. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your smartphone you’re going to be impressed by these quality-of-life upgrades.

    Cameras

    The five (yes, five) cameras are the star of the show here. While the Pixel 3 and iPhone XS are impressive for snapshots, the LG V40 is a real photographer’s smartphone. The wide-angle lens is unparalleled for sprawling vista shots. The lighting and colors in bright shots are absolutely stellar. There are low-light options, great portrait settings and more. If you love snapping photos and like a ton of options, this is the phone for you.

    Pricing

    The V40 runs between $900 and $980 in the US, depending on where you go to get it and which carrier you choose. That makes it comparable in price to most premium smartphones like the Galaxy Note 9 and iPhone XS. It is a tad bit less expensive than those phones, but not by much. While it might cost a bit less, you don’t sacrifice on power or speed.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re an Android fan who wants a great phone for taking pictures then you’re going to love the V40. However, casual shutterbugs might find the multitude of settings a bit overwhelming. Compared to the Note 9 and Pixel 3, this is a solid phone. You won’t be disappointed in this phone for the price, and we can fully recommend it (especially for photographers).

  • SmartPhone Spotlight: The Palm

    SmartPhone Spotlight: The Palm

    Palm Pilot is back. No this is not a tech throwback, this is legit. Palm is back in action after being shut down in 2011 by HP. A startup out of California now uses the Palm name, and it’s serious about breathing new life into the brand. They are releasing a new android based smartphone sidekick. It’s a back up phone of sorts? The Robin to your smartphone Batman? The new phone known as just the Palm. The Palm is a small device you carry around when you don’t want to bring your main iPhone or Galaxy along. Like to the beach or warped tour. Let take a look in to this, “The Palm”

    The Great

    • Small
    • Tiny
    • Miniscule
    • Cheap

    The Not

    • Lacks everything you need on a daily bases
    • No NFC

    The Conclusion

    It’s a backup phone that fits is the palm of your hand. It is a thin version of the iPhone 3g with slightly more power and running android. My first impression, it’s a giant smartwatch. I think I want one

     

    The Palm In Your Palm

    So lets address the elephant in the room, new Palm has nothing to do with the old palm or Palm pilot. They just got the name. That said, The Palm is a 3.3 inch LCD display with Android 8.1 OS. Palm has redesigned the interface to give it a more friendly Palm feel. The Palm is a beautiful little thing, crafted from aluminum and Gorilla Glass 3. Its has a amazingly sharp screen, with pixel density of 445 PPI. For those keeping score at home that is top of the charts iPhone XS level. The Palm is crystal clear.

    The guts are comprised of a octa-core Snapdragon 435 chipset with 3GB of RAM. Pretty unimpressive and available in any free android MetroPCS is giving away this month. This is a Verizon exclusive, but for any of you that pay attention we know all Verizon phones are factory unlocked so The Palm will be able to be used with any carrier.

    An 800mAh battery tucked away inside. Palm claims will last about 8 hours on a single charge. You can extend that battery life a bit with a feature Palm calls Life Mode, which is meant to help you disconnect when needed and focus on what’s happening in front of you. Its like enabling airplane mode.

    The Look

    With rounded edges, no fingerprint reader and only one power button on the entire thing, the Palm’s resemblance to the iPhone is unavoidable. Extremely easy to hold and use, it almost slipped out of my hands a few times. Palm wants you to buy accessories for this phone accessory like a workout sleeve or lariat. Palm will also sell you a bi-fold wallet case and a Kate Spade clutch which you wear around your wrist.

    “Creating a smaller smartphone would have been easy, but Palm is unique in that it augments the smartphone in a special new way,” said Brian Higgins, vice president of device and consumer product marketing at Verizon. “Palm and Verizon set out to reinvent something in a smaller form factor that allows you to connect with only what matters.”

    The Palm Quick Speck Look

    • 3.3-inch, 445ppi. 720p resolution
    • 12-megapixel rear camera and flash
    • 8-megapixel front-facing camera
    • 32GB local storage/3GB RAM
    • No expandable storage
    • Battery capacity: 800mAh
    • Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor
    • Proprietary optical sensor to unlock the phone, but not 3D, not secure enough for mobile payments
    • One speaker on front
    • USB-C port
    • One button power/lock
    • Gesture controls
    • Android 8.1
    • No NFC
    • Water-resistance: IP68

    The Final Thought

    It’s a backup phone that does all of the things your current phone does, just not as well. It to be used in a pinch. I really don’t know what to make of this. I have carried a backup phone for the last 10 years, and I’m enjoying not having 100% communication reliability. There has to be some fail safe to just go off grid for a moment. I will get its own number or a simple sim switch and you are good to go with your regular number. For $299 it is a pretty inexpensive phone, my just be the phone I slip in to my baggies on those long boat days.

  • Smartphone Spotlight: Xiaomi Mi Mix 3

    Smartphone Spotlight: Xiaomi Mi Mix 3

    We have the First 5g Smartphone, I said It would happen. I said it would happen before the end of the year. Here we are. WE know Chinese phone maker Xiaomi is working on one of the first 5G-enabled phones you can buy. However you’ll have to wait until next year for it. I know I know, next year. We have hard details though. Lets take our first look in to the first 5G- enabled smartphone. The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3.

    The Great

    • 5G
    • Good Power Spec
    • Snapdragon 845

    The Bad

    • Unknown yet

    The Conclusion

    Xiaomi’s Mi Mix phones are traditionally its most expensive and configurations with more storage typically cost more. It is priced great and will be our Guinea pig in to 5G. This will not be a commercial success but is much needed. Bugs, glitches and kinks galore are to be expected.

    Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 and What We Know

    Thursday at the Forbidden City we got our first 5G enabled smartphone annonced, the Mi Mix 3 is the latest addition to Xiaomi’s line of all-screen flagship phones. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, it has a 6.39-inch display like the Mi Mix with a 2,340×1,080-pixel resolution, meaning 93.4 percent of its body is screen. All the standar features are here. It has four cameras — two each on the front and back — as well as an astonishing 10GB RAM variant. That is impressive now, this time next year it will be the norm.

    Battery capacity is a less impressive 3,200 mAh, although I don’t expect great battery life. I have a feeling the 5G power will be more draining then the engineers are accounting for. While this isn’t the biggest battery we have seen, the phone does supports wireless charging. Also check out the fingerprint senso, it is right there on the back of the phone, no surprise there.

    For starters The Mi Mix 3 will come in three versions. You can get 6GB or 8GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage, or the top-end model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. It will be available in three colors: onyx black, jade green and sapphire blue. It will have a starting price point of $475 and be available early next year.

    Quick Spec Look

    • Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
    • 6.39-inch AMOLED screen, full-HD+ display (2,340×1,080 pixels)
    • 6GB RAM with 128GB onboard storage; 8GB RAM with 128GB storage; 8GB RAM with 256GB storage; 10GB with 256GB onboard storage
    • 12-megapixel dual rear cameras
    • 24- and 2-megapixel dual front cameras
    • Rear fingerprint sensor
    • 218 grams (7.69 ounces), 158 by 75 by 8.5 mm

     

    The Final Thought

    It is sleek, simple and elegant. Make no mistakes though The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 will be clunky, it will over heat and underperform, but we are here. The future isn’t ahead its now. Remember what I told you a few months back, the 5 g network will power the wifi at the resorts on the moon. Today is the start.

  • Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Cell Plan

    Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Cell Plan

    Your cell phone and cell plan is a huge purchase and the center of all of your communication, and primary social tool. No longer are they for making calls in an emergency, they are now our most used possession. When we become so dependent on these devices, the cost tend to creep up and rise out of control.

    To help you save on this important cost, we are going to break down the cost and some tips when looking for new cell service. Whether you want to upgrade to a new phone or lower your monthly cost, we will take a look at all the dos and don’ts. Here are the five things to consider when looking for a new cell plan and the no contract cell phone plans as well.

    First Things First

    First off you need to decide on the phone you want to use. There are a lot of options and they update constantly. There are 3 options to consider here, iPhone, Android, non-smartphone or feature phone as they are called today. I don’t recommend buying a feature phone to anyone. You may think it is easier, it is not. A feature phone will lacking functionality also has a more cumbersome operation process. The smartphone is easier to operate and easier to customize to only use the features and functions you want.

    Do You Need a Flagship Device?

    As far a smartphones go you have the iPhone or an Android. The iPhone’s are more powerful, easier to use, more reliable and last longer. The Androids have more advanced feature sets and more customizable. Apple and Samsung make the 2 main device but there are a slew of other brands when looking in to Android. LG, HTC, OnePlus, Motorola all make new top of the line phones every year. You can get a great android device for half the cost of the premium Samsung Flagships.

    iPhone?

    This is always my recommendation. Due to their reliability, durability and ease of use and cost of ownership being much lower. The average iPhone will last 3.5 years, stay current and cutting edge. Isn’t the cost very high? Not really, The highest end new iPhone is the most expensive device on the market, but last year’s models or cheaper models like the XR are available. There is always an iPhone for any budget and they are always the best option in their class. Even today you can purchase an iPhone 7 for less than $450.

    No Contract No Cry

    Wait! $450? Aren’t phones supposed to be free! I never paid for a phone before… No they have never been free, and yes you paid a lot more for your free phone then you think. This brings me to my next point. Contracts. Don’t do them. Years ago the iPhone 7 that is selling for $450 with no contract would have been free with a 2 year contract. The cost of the subsidy was built in to your cellular plan at an average of $40 per month. Did you do that math? Your free phone cost you $960. Your best option is to find the phone you want and purchases at full price.

    The New Cell Plan

    This lead me to my last tip, by bringing your own phone you can get the best price on your plan. No longer do you have to worried about prepaid or postpaid. You can pick the plan you want and the carrier you want. Verizon and AT&T are the premium providers, with better, faster and more extensive coverage. They mock each other plans so cost are just about the same. Sprint and T-Mobile are your bargain carriers, cheaper and service will have holes and speed issues. You may not notice but odds are you will. Their new cell plan will run you a few dollars less.

    The Next option is to go with non-carrier 3rd parties. MetroPCS, StraighTalk, Cricket, Boost. These are providers that don’t have a network of their own and instead piggy back on the Carriers network. While these can be the cheapest option, they do not receive the same level of coverage. Even though they are using the same network, they are at a much lower priority and do not share in with the roaming agreements the major carriers have in play. So while you may get to use T-Mobile’s network, you will be out of service when it is not available. With a direct T-Mobile service you would jump on to one of the other networks. This is something you want to evaluate when buying a new cell plan.


  • Whats Up With the HTC Blockchain Phone?

    Whats Up With the HTC Blockchain Phone?

    HTC is releasing blockchain version of HTC’s U12+ flagship, featuring a 6-inch QuadHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio, Snapdragon 845 chip, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, 16-megapixel dual camera, 8-megapixel dual selfie camera, IP68 rating, 3,500 mAh battery, and Android Oreo. It has all the specs, pretty standard. What is interesting, and what Id like to take a deeper look into the is the blockchain tech HTC is packing in to its new HTC blockchain phone.

    What is Blockchain?

    For those of you that are unfamiliar, blockchain is an is an undeniably ingenious invention. Blockchain is allowing digital information to be distributed but not copied. Blockchain technology created the backbone of a new type of internet. Originally devised for the digital currency, Bitcoin, (Buy Bitcoin) the tech community is now finding other potential uses for the technology. Information held on a blockchain exists as a shared — and continually reconciled — database. This is a way of using the network that has obvious benefits. The blockchain database isn’t stored in any single location, meaning the records it keeps are truly public and easily verifiable. No centralized version of this information exists for a hacker to corrupt. Hosted by millions of computers simultaneously, its data is accessible to anyone on the internet.

    HTC BlockChain

    AS for the blockchain tech in the phone The phone contains a wallet that’s kept in a secure area “protected from the Android OS,” according to a press release, which can be used to hold the keys to your cryptocurrency and tokens like CryptoKitties. HTC also made a social key recovery mechanism in case your phone is lost, stolen, or you misplace your key information. You’re able to keep the recovery details with a few trustworthy friends, who must then download a key management app. HTC will then use a secret sharing algorithm to send the info to your friends, which you can then piece together if needed. The phone is also being opened up for third-party developers to make their own key apps and wallets.

    HTC says one of the purposes of a HTC blockchain phone is to allow users to control their data. But as long as this is an Android phone, some of that data still flows to Google.

    The Final Thought

    Another interesting development is that this phone can only be purchased with crypto currency. Being a blockchain phone, the Exodus 1 can be purchased only for crypto. 0.15 Bitcoin or 4.78 Ethereum will get you a phone. That’s $958 and $950, respectively, but the prices will change by the time I finished typing these words. That’s how crypto works. The HTC Blockchain phone can be purchased via the early access program.It  will be available in 34 countries including the US.

  • Top 3 Wireless Chargers

    Top 3 Wireless Chargers

    Electronics and technology are constantly evolving to make our lives more convenient. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the cell phone and cell phone accessories market. One of the newest and hottest developments to make life a little easier is the wireless cell phone charger.

    This gadget makes charging your phone easier and faster than ever before. No longer do you need to worry about fooling with your charger cord. Simply dock your device on top of the charger and begin charging without having to plug anything in.

    Especially if you have a newer iPhone, wireless charging is a feature you should be taking advantage of. Your iPhone 8 or later features integrated wireless charging that allows for an easy and intuitive charging experience. Your iPhone has a glass back that works with Qi-certified chargers that are available as accessories and in cars, cafes, hotels, airports, and furniture. Qi is an open, universal charging standard created by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).

    There are many Qi-certified chargers available in the market, which charge an iPhone with the latest version of iOS and most Android devices at rates up to 7.5 watts. With so many aftermarket and cheap chinese wireless charging products out there on the cheap it is important to pick the right wireless charger. Read on to find out more about the top quality wireless chargers!

    Native Union Drop Wireless Chargers

    Shut up and take my money. These are the best, most efficient and best looking. The Native Union Drop Wireless Chargers provide fast and secure charging for iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone XR, and all other Qi compatible devices. Designed with a silicone tread, it keeps your device in place while charging and prevents overheating for optimum charging speed, up to 10W. Mounting in the car right now.

    They are offiner a special on the Native Union Drop Wireless Charging set. The set includes a SmartCharger, featuring dual USB-A ports to charge two devices at once, Smart-IC Technology to guarantee your devices are charging at their maximum speed, and sophisticated protection measures to ensure safety for you and your devices. SMART CHARGER’s small and compact design with foldable pins makes it pocket-sized, perfect for travel and those tricky to reach power sockets. Hands Down, the way to go and they are very affordable. If you have to have a charger in the kitchen, the beautiful Native Union Drop Wireless Chargers is what you want. The charging set is only $69.99.

    Mophie Wireless Charger

    The mophie wireless charging base is optimized to quickly and easily charge your iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, as well as iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone 8. Simply set your iPhone on the wireless base and charging begins immediately. The non-slip housing ensures perfect placement and the included wall adapter means you have everything you need to get charging right in the box. comes in at a nice $39.99.

    Case Mate’s Power Pad

    The Case Mate Power Pad isn’t the cheapest option on the list, running about $60, but it is probably the most effective. Case Mate’s Power Pad is extremely versatile, compatible with both Android and Apple phones . This rectangular pad comes in black or white and offers Qi wireless charging. Including fast charging at 9W for Samsung smartphones or 7.5W for Apple’s iPhones. The cable is attached to the pad and plugs into the 18W Quick Charge wall adapter. This will come in the box. There is a  stand which allows you to prop your phone in portrait or landscape while it charges. The versatility and options make it a great find for someone who wants a charger that does it all.  Keep in mind, however, that this isn’t the most stylish looking option on the list, but its features and quality more than make up for its appearance.


  • Smartphone SpotLight: LG V40

    Smartphone SpotLight: LG V40

    LG’s finest industrial design, power packed Android smartphone. The V40 is distinctive, modern, and stacked with desirable features, a phone seemingly destined for inevitable stardom. To cap off 2018, LG’s releasing the Lg V40. A 5 camera no-nonsense flagship that aims to take the best bits of the G7 from earlier in the year and improve upon them in every way possible.

    The Great

    • 5 cameras
    • Snapdragon 845 processor,
    • Massive OLED screen,
    • Excellent battery life,
    • Waterproof
    • Wireless charging,
    • MicroSD storage
    • A headphone jack on a phone.

    The Not

    • Awkward to hold
    • Slow camera autofocus
    • Nothing Special

    The Conclusion

    The LG V40 is a terrific alternative to the iPhone XR and Huawei Mate 10. More than that, it is described more accurately as a blend of the 2. But with 5 cameras.

    Jack of All Trades

    Want a sleek, durable handset that’s practically all screen. A device with gobs of performance, super long battery life, an amazing camera and a headphone jack. How about water resistance, wireless charging, microSD expandable storage and support for any cellular carrier, too? This is it. The V40 will reportedly feature five different cameras, two on the front and three on the back. The triple camera setup on the back will apparently be arranged similarly to the P20 Pro, featuring a standard lens, wide angle lens, and a third lens that could be for bokeh effects.

    The 5 Cameras

    The biggest feature of the V40 is its five-camera setup — three sensors on the back and two on the front. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen an Android phone with this many cameras, but that doesn’t take away from LG’s implementation whatsoever.

    • Rear camera 1 — 12MP main sensor with OIS and f/1.5 aperture
    • R camera 2 — 16MP wide-angle lens with f/1.7
    • R camera 3 — 12MP telephoto 2x zoom lens with f/2.4
    • Front camera 1 — 8MP main sensor with f/1.9
    • F camera 2 — 5MP wide-angle shooter with f/2.2

    That Screen

    The only thing that sets LG’s phones apart is there screen. They have the best looking and highest quality OLED screen on the smartphone line up. It gets as bright or clear as Samsung’s screen outdoors but with a crisper more attractive color segment. OLED stands for “organic light-emitting diodes,” and it’s very different from the popular LCD screen technology seen in most phones recent years.

    The V40 uses an LG-made OLED display, and while past LG panels on the V30 and Pixel 3 XL have left us yearning for more, that’s not the case with the V40. This screen is robust and beautiful and can display true, actual blacks. LG does a lot of things right here, offering a truly beautiful display, fast internals, great cameras, and an exquisite design. The small(ish) battery and high price tag are definitely downsides to keep in mind, but even so, this is a phone that should absolutely be on your shortlist this holiday shopping season

    The Design, Don’t let it Slip

    The back of the LG V40 is made out of glass, and while just about every Android flagship has this same construction, LG’s done something unique to make the V40 stand out. The LG V40 has almost nothing in common with the V Series phones that have come before it. The only thing remaining from the Second Screen is a floating widget. The metal back and giant chins have been replaced with glass and slim bezels. Everything that was sharp and industrial is now more premium and svelte. It’s a gorgeous design that is absolutely stunning, Its sleek and by sleek I mean slippery. It will slip through your fingers like star systems slipping through Grand Moff Tarkens fingers.

    LG V40 Quick Spec Look

    • Display
      6.4-inch OLED FullVision display
      538ppi
      3,120 x 1,440 resolution
      Corning Gorilla Glass 5
      19.5:9 aspect ratio
      HDR10-capable
    • SoC
      Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
      2.8GHz, octa-core
      GPU Adreno 630
      RAM 6GB LPDDRx4
    • Storage
      64 or 128GB
      UFS 2.1
      MicroSD expansion up to 2TB
    • Audio
      Boombox Speaker
      DTS:X 3D Surround Sound
      32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC
      3.5mm headphone jack
      Audio Tuned by Meridian
      Super Far Field Voice Recognition
    • Battery
      3,300mAh
      Non-removable
      Fast wireless charging
      Quick Charge 4.0-compatible (ships with QC 3.0 charger)
      Qi wireless charging
    • USB Type-C port
    • IP rating IP68
    • MIL-STD 810G certification
    • Network LTE-A 4 Band CA
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac
    • Software Android 8.1 Oreo
    • Colors New Aurora Black, New Platinum Gray, New Moroccan Blue, Carmine Red

    The Final Thought

    Instead of straying from the pack, the LG V40 blends in with this year’s fleet of flagships. LG finally decided to stop playing around with gimmicks and made the best phone they possibly could. It has everything you wants but lacks the thing you didn’t know about, and that is where it fails. The V40 has a tough road ahead if it wants to stand out, but if you give the phone a chance, you just might be impressed with what you see. Pre-orders for the LG V40 are open now with full retail availability as of October 18. The phone ranges from $900 to $980 depending on where you buy it, making it one of the most expensive flagships of the year.

  • Samsungs Galaxy F, the Foldable Smartphone

    Samsungs Galaxy F, the Foldable Smartphone

    WE have talked about it before and Samsung has been threatening to  formally announce and commercially release the world’s first foldable smartphone for some time now. A lot  setbacks as well as numerous design revisions and production delays caused by various technical challenges, have delayed this. So long has it been delayed that  everyone from Huawei to Lenovo, LG, Oppo, Xiaomi, and even Motorola is suddenly in this race.

     

    Galaxy F Foldable Smartphone

    Now Samsung has yet to give up its  ground breaking and leading innovation headway. The latest plan calls for a introduction and short public demo as early as next month, Regardless of logistical issues, and a release next year. This isn’t just another cool feature. This is the next evolution, this is as legendary as the smartphone release. We have only had updates and upgrades to apples design for 11 years. Yeah we have come a long way since the first iPhone and release of the first android. This announcement from Samsung will usher In the next decade.

     

    Get excited! Just after the  Galaxy A9 announcement event, Samsung Mobile President DJ Koh clarified the details of the company’s next gen  flexible device, stating it “has to be really meaningful to our customer.” And  “disappear six or nine months after it’s delivered”, aiming to create new and compelling use cases, such as seamlessly switching from a tablet mode with advanced multitasking capability to a more portable phone.

     

    We don’t know yet what the mock ups, or how the construction will be strong enough to withstand constant fold-ing motions. Samsung sounds pretty confident that’s ultimately going to be very durable. They promising global availability this time, which is bold. Considering the light footed limited run of a similarly experimental but far less risky Galaxy initial release.

     

    The Final Thought

    This isn’t just what is next, its not a flash in the pan feature. This is the future, all of it. The light flexible glass will get integrated in to everything, everywhere. Next years “Galaxy F ” foldable smartphone will just be the start. As long and Samsung can get it together