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Tuesday, March 22, 2016

5 Reasons the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge is Worth Buying

Our reviews are in, you should know all there is to know about the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge at this point. We told you about each phone’s stunning design, the top level specs that few can come close to matching, the return of missing features, and of course, the almost immediate availability.

But maybe you didn’t want to read through the thousands of words we put together in those official reviews. Maybe you just want the highlights broken out into the simplest of forms to help you decide if either is worth buying. Well, here you go.

These are 5 reasons the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge is worth buying. 

1. A best in class camera experience

While using the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge, even though it has a beautiful and premium design with incredible performance and decent battery life (depending on the version), I can’t help but think that the best feature is its incredibly fast and easy-to-use camera. Samsung dropped the resolution to 12MP this year, but in doing so, included a sensor that captures more light through bigger pixels and is insanely quick to focus on subjects. It creates stunning bokeh effects, shoots in 4K, kills the competition in low light, and is simple to launch, yet still has the full manual controls, slow motion video modes, and everything else you would expect from a flagship smartphone.

But maybe most importantly, it’s a camera that you can’t really screw up with. What I mean is that it’s so fast to focus and so fast to shoot, that your photos will be great almost every time. And if the first shot isn’t up to your standards, taking another two or three to make sure it is, only takes a second.

2. Best of the best in smartphone specs

Both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge feature top of the line, high-end smartphone specifications. Inside, Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB of RAM power the applications and operating system, while generously-sized batteries keep the phones going during your long days at the office. The Galaxy S7 features a 3,000mAh battery, which is a solid step up from last year’s Galaxy S6 that features a 2,550mAh battery. As for the Galaxy S7 Edge, it received the largest battery upgrade, with the device sporting a 3,600mAh battery, up from the 2,600mAh battery that was in the Galaxy S6 Edge.

Going deeper, both devices feature Near Field Communication (NFC), 32GB of built-in storage, expandable storage via microSD up to 200GB, a 12MP Dual Pixel back-facing camera, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v 4.2 LE, fast wireless charging, fingerprint reader, a variety of environment sensors, heart rate monitor built into the LED flash module, and Android 6.0 “Marshmallow.”

The only differences between the two phones are the display sizes and battery capacity. While the Galaxy S7 features a 5.1″ Super AMOLED QHD display, the Galaxy S7 Edge is slightly larger, packing a 5.5″ Super AMOLED QHD display. Both feature the same resolution of 2560 x 1440.

Compare these specs to anything else on the market, in addition to the inclusion of IP68 water and dust resistance, and you might be looking around for quite a while.

3. Samsung Pay

What’s the best mobile payment system on the planet? It’s the one included on the last handful of Galaxy smartphones, including the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. We’re talking about Samsung Pay, which not only allows you to pay over NFC like Apple and Google’s payment systems, but it also lets you pay at non-NFC terminals with MST, a technology that emulates a credit card swipe.

I won’t attempt to explain exactly how MST works, but just know this – Samsung Pay will blow some minds with its tricks. You can go into almost any shop with a credit card swiper and touch your Galaxy S7 to its card slot to make a payment. You will frequently have cashiers tell you that “We don’t do that stuff here,” just before their jaw drops to the floor as payment clears.

Just keep in mind that Samsung Pay currently has a limited number of accepted cards. Feel free to check here to see if yours is supported.

4. Water resistance is back

Included with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, IP68 water and dust resistance will protect your phone from a majority of the elements that would typically render a smartphone completely trashed. For example, if you are shooting pictures of your kids in a swimming pool, then your iPhone goes tumbling into the water, you are out of luck. Apple, for example, states clearly that the company’s 1-year limited warranty and AppleCare Protection Plan do not cover water damage. In addition, Apple, along with most Android OEMs (LG, HTC, etc.) go so far as to build Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI) into their smartphones, just so they can be sure that any accidental water damage done to a phone does not need to be paid for by them.

The point is, accidents do happen, but when your phone features a high rating of water and solid resistance, it’s one less thing you have to worry about. With a rating of IP68, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are protected from total dust ingress, as well as long term liquid immersion. So, when you see those videos of the Galaxy S7 going through a washing machine cycle, or being dropped in the deep end of a pool, you need not worry, as you know it will most likely survive undamaged.

5. You have choice in size

As stated previously, the only differences between these two phones are the display size and battery capacity. On one hand, you have the smaller and easier to use with one hand Galaxy S7, featuring a 5.1″ Super AMOLED QHD display and 3,000mAh battery. On the other hand, you have the slightly larger Galaxy S7 Edge, with a 5.5″ Super AMOLED QHD display and 3,600mAh battery. Really, when it comes to which phone you should pick, it’s entirely personal preference. Do you want a smaller phone? Do you want the extra 600mAh battery capacity? Or maybe, are the features baked into the Galaxy S7 Edge’s Edge Panel worth the extra price you pay?

For me, while Samsung did upgrade the Edge Panel features to make them more noteworthy, I wouldn’t go so far as to say they are the reason you should buy the Galaxy S7 Edge. If the S7 Edge is calling your name, it’s probably because it features a larger display and larger battery. Beyond those two things, nothing entirely separates the Galaxy S7 from its larger self. If you have not already, be sure to watch our overview of the updated Edge Panel on the Galaxy S7 Edge, and maybe that will help you in making your decision.

At the end of the day, having a choice between which Galaxy S7 model you want is key, and Samsung likely recognizes this need in the market. Consumers love options, plain and simple.

5 Reasons the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge is Worth Buying is a post from: Droid Life



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LG CAM Module for LG G5 Available for Pre-Order, Listed at $70

The LG CAM Plus module, made specifically for the LG G5, is now listed up for pre-order on B&H Photo. Listed with a price of $69.99, this little “friend” for your smartphone adds a grip for better picture taking, dedicated shutter and record buttons, as well as an additional 1,200mAh of battery juice. 

To use this accessory, you will insert the module into the device, as if you were placing in a new battery. This, along with the Hi-Fi Audio DAC module, are among the first accessories made specifically for the LG G5’s module slot.

While the benefits are easily noticed, that $69.99 price is hard to chew. Really, this module is a little grip for your phone with a dedicated shutter button. Should it really cost anything more than $49.99?

If the price doesn’t scare you away, you can pre-order it right now.

B&H Photo Link

LG CAM Module for LG G5 Available for Pre-Order, Listed at $70 is a post from: Droid Life



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Saiyan Battle is the Straightforward Dragon Ball Z Fighter You Need

If we have any Dragon Ball Z fans here, check out Super Battle for Goku Devil on Google Play. This game is as straightforward as can be, having you play as a Super Saiyan warrior. Like you would see in earlier Mortal Kombat games, you play one boss at a time, moving your way up the ladder to more difficult opponents.

The first few rounds are easy, with plenty of energy to spare on all of your favorite moves, such as the Ki Blast, Kamehameha, Dragon Recall, and Big Bang Attack. However, as you progress, encountering boss characters you should recall from the franchise, their attacks become very powerful, and eventually, you may fall victim to their strength. 

As you use attacks, your energy will drain, but bosses will drop power ups to help you regain your attack energy. Once you are at max energy, you can unleash deadly attacks. As far as movement in concerned, all you need is two fingers; one for moving your character up and down to avoid attacks, and one more to engage the boss. If you master your timing, you can essentially miss any incoming attacks.

The game is free to download and play, but inside, there are plenty of ways to get additional coins to unlock new variations of the same character. From what I see, there is no exact reason to do any of this, unless you want to look different. On top of that, after a few rounds, a video ad will play. Such is the state of mobile gaming.

Go get your power level over 9000 already, noob.

Play Link

Saiyan Battle is the Straightforward Dragon Ball Z Fighter You Need is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Photos Gets Smarter With Album Creation

When you come back from a trip, many times, you will upload a few photos to social media, but the rest get lost on your device, never to see the light of day. Thanks to an incoming update for Google Photos, Google’s photo service will intelligently suggest a new album for you, and will automatically place your best photos from your trip into an album. 

Once the photos are collected, users can place text captions to better describe what’s taking place in a photo, and Google will also add a map so you can see just how far you traveled. Essentially, this feature is much like the Stories you see on Google Photos, but instead of a story, it’s a photo album.

User can also enable a collaboration mode, which allows other users to upload their own photos to your album, making a big, shareable album for all to see via mobile or desktop.

The update is rolling out today.

Play Link

Via: Google

Google Photos Gets Smarter With Album Creation is a post from: Droid Life



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HTC 10 to be Announced on April 12 in New York, London, and Online

HTC’s next phone, a device that is rumored to be called HTC 10, will arrive April 12 through a multi-event announcement across the globe. This morning, HTC sent out a teaser and invites to events in New York, London, and Taipei. HTC also plans to stream the happenings on HTC.com for the rest of the world to see.

The event kicks off on April 12 at 8AM Eastern (5AM Pacific).

We’ll have coverage! 

htc 10 event

HTC 10 to be Announced on April 12 in New York, London, and Online is a post from: Droid Life



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HTC Hot Deal: Buy a One M9 and Nexus 9 Package for $649, That’s $399 in Savings

For this week’s Hot Deal from HTC, the company is offering a free Nexus 9 tablet ($399 value) when you purchase a new One M9 for $649. The phone can be purchased for any major US carrier, or you can select between an Unlocked model and Developer model. Each is priced at the same $649. 

When you add a One M9 to your cart, HTC brings the price of the One M9 down to $250, which is $400 off of the listed price. In checkout, HTC keeps the Nexus 9 price at $400, but with the discount applied to the smartphone, you are essentially getting the Nexus 9 tablet for free, still having to pay the original $649 for the smartphone.

Keep in mind, the HTC 10 should be right around the corner in April. If having the latest and greatest tech is your style, you may want to hold off on this deal. However, if scoring a Nexus tablet that can run the Android N preview, and rocking a phone with BoomSound seems legit, by all means, this deal is killer.

Have at it by following the link below.

HTC Hot Deal Link

HTC Hot Deal: Buy a One M9 and Nexus 9 Package for $649, That’s $399 in Savings is a post from: Droid Life



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Google Re-Brands Chromecast App as Google Cast App, Launches New Website

As a part of today’s announcement for new VIZIO P-Series TVs with Google Cast support built-in, Google also announced that the Chromecast app will be re-branded as the Google Cast app.

The switch-up makes a lot of sense, since the technology is called “Google Cast” and we have moved well beyond just the dongle-centric Chromecast at this point. We are now seeing Google Cast built into speakers and TVs, along with Google’s line of plug-and-play products, so the simplification to just “Google Cast” could help with any confusion. 

An updated Google Cast app will arrive later on in the week with the new branding on both Android and iOS.

To help introduce the new branding, Google has launched a new website as well. The site focuses on teaching us what Google Cast is, where it can be found, and what it’s used for when put in play on your TVs and speakers.

Play Link

You can check out the new Google Cast website here.

Google Re-Brands Chromecast App as Google Cast App, Launches New Website is a post from: Droid Life



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VIZIO Introduces P-Series TVs With Google Cast Built-in, Speakers Too

This morning, Google and VIZIO announced new P-Series TVs with Google Cast support built directly into the display. What does that mean? Well, that means that you don’t need a Chromecast in order to Cast all of your favorite content to your new VIZIO TV. They also announced new soundbars and speakers that all support Google Cast. 

With the new P-Series, VIZIO seems to have ditched the typical Smart TV functionality and instead just gone with Cast support, although they are calling it SmartCast and have an app to go along with it. They are shipping the new TVs with a full 6-inch (1080p) Android-powered tablet as a replacement for the typical remote, because after all, you do need a smart device like a tablet or phone in order to really take advantage of Google Cast functionality. Keep in mind that your current phone or tablet will also work for Casting, but VIZIO’s tablet adds some extra functionality.

The new P-Series also supports casting up to 4K, is supported by iOS and Android apps, and starts at $1299 for the 55-inch model. If you want to go H.A.M. on a new TV, there is a 75-inch version with Google Cast that can be had for $3799.

To learn more about the new P-Series from a TV nerd standpoint, head over to VIZIO’s site.

As for the soundbars and speakers, VIZIO is introducing standard-shaped soundbars as your central speaker, but they also have a slim-shaped subwoofer and set of satellite speakers to round out your surround sound setup. If you want sound to fill a room or take with you instead of home theater products, VIZIO has new Crave 360 and Crave Pro speakers that should do the trick. The 360 is a cylindrical styled speaker (think Amazon Echo) that is portable and carries an 8-hour charge. Then with the Crave Pro, you get that SONOS-like sound without the portability.

You can learn more about the new speakers here and here.

The VIZIO SmartCast app, which is what powers most of the functionality behind the new P-Series TVs can be found at Google Play.

Via:  Chrome Blog | VIZIO

VIZIO Introduces P-Series TVs With Google Cast Built-in, Speakers Too is a post from: Droid Life



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