Category: Reviews

There are plenty of Android tablets on the market of all sizes but one of the best remains the Google Nexus 7. The Asus built 7″ tablet hit the market in 2013 and two years later, it is still one of the best tablets you can buy. It offers fantastic specs that rivals many tablets today plus has a display that is nothing short of amazing.  Couple that with a pure Android experience and you have the complete package.

I’ve been using the Nexus 7 for the last couple of weeks as my main tablet over my Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 and I don’t see myself going back.  I’m personally a big fan of the 7″ to 8″ tablets as they travel well (and I travel a lot) and while the Nexus 9 certainly offers many of the same benefits, the size of the Nexus 7 is a big advantage if you are looking for this size device but don’t want to compromise on features or functionality.  Equally, the tablet is still readily available with the 32GB Wi-Fi unit priced at only $199 making it a great value for what you are getting in the Nexus 7.

Google Nexus 7 – 32GB Wi-Fi – $199

When it comes to Bluetooth keyboards, there are plenty to chose from in the market. The questions for most of use come down to two big factors: A comfortable keyboard layout (not too cramped) and the overall footprint of the device. It is a difficult combination to find but the team over at iClever have come up with what I think is an excellent and functional solution.  The iClever Foldable Wireless Keyboard gives you the full keyboard feel of a keyboard you would have on your desktop (or close to it) while it neatly folds into a compact square that you can easily carry with you without taking up a huge amount of room.  It works on any device that supports Bluetooth 3.0 or higher and it has OS-specific function keys for Android, iOS and Windows.  With a standby time of over 200 days and 84 continuous hours of work time, this keyboard should meet the needs of even the most demanding user.  All of this is in a package that sells for $34.99, a steal of a deal for all that this keyboard has to offer.

iClever Foldable Wireless Keyboard – $34.99 – Amazon

When compared to some of the more advanced activity tracking apps available in the Google Play Store, Google Fit seems pretty basic.  And it is.  While designed to be a hub of all your physical activity, Google Fit has some growing up to do.  Yet there is a simplicity about the app that makes it a joy to use.  It’s not cluttered with endless bar charts or huge amounts of data shoved in your face.  The data’s there, but tucked away so you only focus on the here and now.

I’ve been using Google Fit for the past several weeks as I explore its benefits and its limitations.  There are plenty of both and if Google continues to build on it as they have done over the past few months, it will be a powerful application for you to keep track of your steps, miles walked, runs, swims and other activities along with your weight.  Plus, there are already other apps like Withings and RunKeeper that plug into Google Fit to be that central hub of activity.  And it’s free and with Android Wear support, the future is bright for this app.  But you will need a bit of patience for now.

Google Fit – Free – Download Now

I’ve have stated many times publicaly that single biggest limitation to mobile technology is battery power. It seems every time that we make an advancement in battery technology, we shove more stuff onto the phone to consume that advantage. It is, as they say, what it is.

That means carrying extra batteries or an ability to charge the built-in battery on your device is a must. Portable, battery powered chargers have been around a long time but the team at Hisgadget recently sent me their Introcircuit Power Castle to review. It is nothing short of awesome. It packs a 15,000mAh battery with dual USB charging ports, each able to put out 5 volts and 2.4A of power to charge your smartphone or tablet.  It also uses a SmartID technology to identify the type of device you are charging to give maximum charging efficiency.  Even better, the Power Castle has built-in LCD display to tell you exactly how much power is left in it.  While the Introcircuit Power Castle is not the smallest external battery you can buy, it is certainly one of the most powerful and priced at only $39.99, its a great value.

I have been writing reviews of mobile devices and technology since 1999. In that time, I’ve reviewed well over 100 mobile devices of all shapes and forms, starting with the H/PCs of days gone by to the current crop of Windows Phone and Android devices. To say I don’t get excited about phones much any more is an understatement.

Then came along the OnePlus One. It’s a phone that has been out there for nearly a year now and while it had a fitful start in life (a somewhat botched invitation system to buy them), they are now readily available. Frankly, I’m not sure I’ve ever enjoyed a phone as much as I have enjoyed this… One.  Spec wise it is top-notch with a powerful processor, huge amounts of RAM and on-board storage, an all day power user battery, a stunningly good camera (front and back) and a display that is easy on the eyes. It has everything that you would expect in a flagship device from any manufacture but at a budget friendly mid-market price of $299 for the 16GB model.  Beyond the specifications however, the OnePlus One is a joy to use.  It has a solid Android Lollipop build with powerful features and functionality built in that allows you as a user to customize it the way that works best for you.

The OnePlus One is without a doubt one of the best phones I’ve ever reviewed.  It is not perfect but it is close.  Real close.

While every Android phone will come with a SMS app, there are plenty of alternative apps available in the Google Play Store.  One of those is from Google themselves, the Google Messenger app.  It is a solid alternative to native text apps, giving you both SMS and MMS capability in a clean, simple UI that is quite colorful at the same time.  I’ve been using the app for a couple of weeks now on my BLU VIVO IV phone and after trying several others, it has become my default texting app.  Here are my thoughts and review of the app which is free in the store.

Google Messenger for Android – Free – Download Now