Friday, March 22, 2013

Sony Xperia Z: Service update is now available with minor bugfixes

Sony Xperia Z
The Sony Xperia Z receives in the Netherlands today an update to version 10.1.A.1.434. This update brings no major changes with it, but will first fix imperfections. Whether there is a fix in it for the sudden death bug "of the Xperia S is not known.

Xperia Z
The Sony Xperia Z is the new toptoestel Sony and features include a 5-inch full HD screen and is waterproof. The device is already available in the Netherlands and there are already many enthusiastic users. We often see that shortly after launch an update which rolled out the first errors are removed, but what the exact changes of this update is not known. The device runs at least still on Android 4.1.2. Multiple users on our forum have already received the update and installed.

availability
The update to 10.1.A.1.434 is currently being rolled out in the Netherlands. Yet it is not clear whether the update also Over The Air (OTA) is rolled out, but through the software program Sony may in any case be brought. Our forum is a message that the device was completely erased after the update, so make sure you have a good backup. Normally this should never be done without permission, so it will be to go wrong. The chance is very small that this should be done for such update. As soon as more information is known, we will supplement this article. Did you see him yet?

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Gmail app for android update: from notifications and respond faster searching

Gmail app for android
If you're an avid Gmail and Android user, you'll probably need the official Gmail application can. It has now been a while since we got an update for Gmail, but these are impressive. On devices with Android 4.0 or higher is the search a lot faster and become on devices with Android 4.1 or later, you can react immediately and archive incoming e-mails.

React faster with Gmail Search
The search function of the official Gmail app is not always been fast, but this is now changing. That is, if you have a device with Android 4.0 and higher. Of course we have just tried this and it does indeed seem that it goes faster, but it can also be sorts of “placebo effect” are.

The response from notifications is a feature much earlier should have been made available and is quite useful. When you an email gets, you (as you can see below, on devices with Android 4.1 or later some buttons. With the buttons you can directly on the email react with another button you can mail archiving. It is also possible to immediately remove any stickers. Whether else other improvements have been made, is not clear. It’s just a detail, but it seems that the titles of entries in any case become darker.

Availability
The official Gmail application is standard on all Android devices that officially have access to Google Play Store. This application update, you can also visit the Play Store, and the tab 'My Apps' menu. You will then automatically see that updates are available to you.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Galaxy S4 Snapdragon 600 to Europe, Exynos 5 U.S., or not?

Galaxy S4
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has officially announced two days ago in New York, but during this great show was not entirely clear what exactly was with the chipset used. Also, there was some confusion on the website of Samsung and staff did not much clarity. There is now more clear about the chipset!

Samsung Galaxy S4
The Samsung Galaxy S4 features a 5 Exynos chipset Snapdragon or 600, depending on the region and also has access to 2GB of RAM. Previously it was the site of Samsung (link from press release) to read that or Snapdragon S4 Pro, or 5-Exynos chipset would be later revealed that no Snapdragon S4 Pro, but a Snapdragon 600. After it was clarified, the question remained, of course, what version comes to the Netherlands and Belgium?

The standard rule is, America gets the Snapdragon 600, the rest a 5-Exynos chipset.
However, the countries where 4G is available will first Snapdragon 600 version get and later, when the 5-Exynos chip is ready, the octa-core version. In summary, the Galaxy S4 will be launched with a Snapdragon chipset 600 in the Netherlands and Belgium, we also find in the HTC One, then the Galaxy S4 equipped with a 5-Exynos chipset. When this will be, is not known.

Further, the Samsung Galaxy S4 a 5-inch full HD, Super AMOLED screen with a whopping 441 pixels per inch. Storage capacity 16, 32 or 64 GB available, may be expanded with a microSD card. At the back we find a 13 megapixel camera, a front 2 megapixel cameras. Furthermore, this new --running Android 4.2.2 with TouchWiz, Samsung's own GUI. Here are our first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 already read back.

Availability
The Galaxy S4 will be available from the end of April in the Dutch and Belgian shops are in the colors white and black. The suggested retail price is € 699 and the device is already pre-order through various retailers, possibly in combination with a subscription.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Samsung Galaxy Note III: screen size known Game Pad accessory

Samsung Galaxy Note III Game Pad accessory
The Samsung Galaxy series is and remains hugely popular, with the S-units, but certainly the Note smartphones and tablets do very well. It is therefore logical that a sequel to the Galaxy Note II, which we now perhaps an indication of the screen size by the Game Pad accessory.

Samsung Galaxy Note III
we do not know very much about the Samsung Galaxy Note III, although there are of course a number of rumors have been passed on this new device. The first rumor that came out, talked about a 6.3 inch screen, other rumors again about a 5.9 inch screen. Now there is the launch of the Galaxy S4 a Game Pad accessory announced, which might show that the Samsung Galaxy Note III indeed a 6.3 inch screen will get. Of course this is no proof, and it can also be pure coincidence, but it is certainly striking.

Availability
When the Samsung Galaxy Note III will be available is not known, but the expectation is that somewhere around the IFA 2013 will be the end of August, beginning of September will take place in Berlin. For now we will have to rely on rumors, but 6.3 inch is very big, right?

Friday, March 15, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 official: fast and many new features

Galaxy S4
Today it finally happened, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was announced in New York during a big event. There were already many details leaked in recent weeks, but now all specifications are officially known.

Samsung Galaxy S4
The Samsung Galaxy S4 features a 5 Exynos chipset Snapdragon or 600, depending on the region and also has access to 2GB of RAM. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the Snapdragon 600 version delivered, clocked at 1.9 GHz.

It is a 5-inch full-HD Super AMOLED screen with a whopping 441 pixels per inch. Storage capacity 16, 32 or 64 GB available, may be expanded with a microSD card. At the back we find a 13 megapixel camera, a front 2 megapixel cameras. Furthermore, this new toptoestel running Android 4.2.2 with TouchWiz, Samsung's own GUI.

Naturally, all the standard connectivity options like Wifi (a / b / g / n / ac), 4G, Bluetooth 4.0. The device weighs 130 grams, has a 2600 mAh battery and has infrared and thus it is possible for example to operate the TV. In appearance, the Samsung Galaxy S4 lot likes its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S III.

Additional Features
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will feature text prediction of SwiftKey (white label) and new functions such as Air View. It is possible to use a finger over the screen to hang without touching it and then for example a preview of a video in the gallery. Also, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Smart Pause feature, which allows videos stop be put as your eyes no longer focused on the screen. This course is an innovative feature, or it really useful, we need to test in practice.

Another interesting feature is S Health, so you no longer need Fitbit or Jawbone because a pedo meter sits. This makes it possible to record all movements and then to indicate how much you've moved on a given day. Also there is the S band, a bracelet that works with the Samsung Galaxy S4 and can sync via Bluetooth and all the 'motion data' passes.

Using the Dual Camera feature is possible with two cameras simultaneously take pictures. These can then merge and you have the choice of eight different frame effects. It is also possible during video calling two cameras to use, so that the viewer can see both front and rear. With chat application chat on is during video calling is also possible to screen sharing.

Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available from the end of April in stores. Galaxy S4 will be available in two colors, Black Mist and White Frost.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

5 Android apps you should not miss

5 Android app
We have weekly popular items New apps in the Google Play Store and new games in the Google Play Store, the app of the week, top 50 apps for beginners and top 25 Dutch apps, but there are many apps that also 'apps you should not miss ", a popular class of two years ago, another place has gotten.

Evernote
there are some applications that the entire AW-editors (and trailer) actively used, Evernote is one of them. This extensive application note gives space to store everything that comes to your mind, or for example take notes during a call. Evernote is available on many platforms, including Android and synchronization between devices is very easy. Definitely a must!

Tapatalk
For the enthusiast forum visitors Tapatalk is a handy application that allows a pleasant working environment in several forums to visit. Example, it is possible to use this application on the Android World Forum to visit topics to read, respond or (for administrators / moderators) to moderate. Tapatalk is not free and works only if the administrator of the forum also activated. Would you consider this test, you are welcome to our forum.

WeatherPro
The weather is always a topic much discussed and there are also hundreds of weather apps available. WeatherPro is one where myself very excited to be an accurate representation of the actual weather but also a prediction. There are plenty of free alternatives to WeatherPro, but by the way this is set up, the views and the actual data, this is for me one of the favorite weather applications.

Foursquare
Today we want to share everything, and that's always a good idea, let me just in the middle, but with Foursquare you to the world (or just your friends) to show where you are. You do this by to check on the location where you are at that moment to this then possibly sharing on social networks. You earn points with each check-in, allowing you to position the 'ranking' changed and you even mayor of a particular location can be. A fun, popular application!

Buffer
the social media world; running 24 hours a day, but one moment is of course better to post updates than others. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), you do not always have the opportunity to do this yourself and have automated systems that can do for you. Thus Buffer certain tweets schedule and do this at times when it is best to come into its own. Of course you can customize any times as you wish and Facebook updates or tweets at the right time to plan.

Previous editions of apps that you can not miss are found. Of course we and other readers appreciate if you give your opinion about this and any alternative apps.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Sony Xperia Z Reviews

Sony with the Sony Xperia Z has taken the lead in the 5-inch movement in the coming months the market will flood. We have previously viewed this unit on the eve of the CES where it was announced and then we were pleasantly surprised with the progress that Sony has made the Xperia Z.

Design
Sony is for devices where the design an important role. Where other smartphone sometimes a lot alike, gives you a Sony device like this. Maybe that's also a bit the Achilles heel of the brand, not everyone agrees with the design choices that Sony makes
Sony Xperia Z

The Sony Xperia Z is at first sight a little less exuberantly designed than its predecessors in the series as the Xperia NXT P. In Z we find no different materials and we have not the transparent border on the bottom. What we do have is a nice rectangular device on the front almost completely from the screen is a relatively narrow bezel and on-screen buttons. The screen is located in the metal housing which there is a gap between the screen and the cabinet, and there may come into junk. The back is completely smooth and of a high quality plastic and definitely nicer than the plastic we encounter on Samsung phones in the middle is tastefully Xperia name and at the top of the camera and flash.

Around we find the various buttons and all connections are hidden behind covers that you should open your nail picking. Such a cover is not handy but in this case unavoidable because the Xperia S is in fact completely waterproof, at least if you have the valves shut. The lower right corner still has a lanyard ring where you can hang on, I'm no longer met for years doing that, but it can!

And then there's the big button on the left. For some it is a big pimple and the other a sparkling diamond and I belong to the latter group. I think it's daring but very cool and it ensures that the Sony Xperia Z is distinguished from others. Another advantage is that you faster the on / off button takes you to an ordinary flat controls on the side.

Waterproof
Sony already has a device that is waterproof and that trick they have on the Xperia Z applied. They chose the unit of tabs to provide at any place where a jack. Perhaps the best way to get something waterproof, but on the other hand also very annoying. Every time you open a cover to pry him to charge or connect your headset.

But the consideration for this effort you need to do is a device that you do not have to throw away when you see him once in the toilet dropped or when you're drunk head in the pool gets.

Specifications
this flagship model has a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset for the underlying with 2 GB of RAM. The internal memory is 16 GB but you can expand with MicroSD card. The Xperia Z runs on Android 4.1 and is wonderfully fast.

Display
The Sony Xperia Z is equipped with an "ultra-clear high-definition Reality Display" with a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This image specification provides more text on your screen when you visit a website and a harder-white display. Personally I am a fan of the color display on this screen, the colors where others sometimes 'to' want to put the Xperia Z remains close to nature. This is also due to the Bravia Engine 2 which automatically optimizes the picture taken in terms of sharpness and colors. The screen of the Xperia Z has a 443 pixels-per-inch, and you can see that when the sharp photos you can take with this unit looks on your screen.

Not everyone has to speak when it comes to the screen of the Xperia Z is, as has been criticized on the viewing angle and the display. Of course some things very personally, as the experience of the colors on the screen.

Photo and Video
The Sony Xperia Z is equipped with a camera on the back of 13 megapixels, you can see that fact is not reflected in the institutions because there he goes up to 12 megapixels. Before you can use the camera you have to have patience because more than half of the time that you start the camera you have quite a long wait. It seems that there is considerable 'lag' in it and that can be annoying if you want to shoot a quick picture. The camera application is loaded with features like filters and a burst mode. It is up to you to see what you think of that use.

For video you will not separate to boot, the record sits next to the button for the camera. During filming I noticed is that the camera was jerky when I moved from left to right. During filming, you can also take a picture by simply pressing the camera button. The results of the camera you can see below.

Software
Sony also uses its own shell on the Android Devices. I am pleased that the adaptations of Sony are not very thorough, but in appearance but activates example Google Now in the same way as on the Nexus devices. More important are the applications that Sony itself has made and supplied to the unit. For example, there the Album application where you pinch (pinch to zoom) very simple example, the order of the pictures change.
Furthermore, Sony has installed apps such as Walkman and Films and Sony Select for applications.

SmartConnect is a unique application that can connect to different events. When you power on the charging cradle you can use this app by setting it on vibrate for example the sound goes. I have created a setting for the drive when I connect to the Bluetooth car kit puts the sound. It goes so far that you make automatically a Facebook or SMS can be sending to someone when you're in the car.

Energy efficient with the Stamina application
a large screen consumes more energy than a smaller screen, logical. The Sony Xperia Z has a 5-inch Full HD screen, which consumes a lot of energy. To the user it a whole day with his phone to operate Sony has an additional option in the settings put. When in the institutions 'power' you can select a number of measures to save energy and the most important is the Stamina mode. This setting assumes that when you are not using it you do not need to receive any notifications, so when the screen is off, the Stamina mode makes sure that no data is retrieved. You also have the option of several apps to exclude from this mode so you always can receive.

Unfortunately, the battery suddenly two days when the Stamina mode is activated. The first 48 hours the battery is very fast empty, then stabilized and that I could (in Stamina mode) a whole day with my device do. During that day I normally use the phone, call, send messages, but I have not navigated.

Conclusion
Sony with the Sony Xperia Z dealt with his past, they finally have a device on the shelves which is at least equal to the competition. In the preceding aircraft was mainly the processor at the exit of the model already obsolete, in the case of the Xperia Z is not so. The 5 inch screen is large, but the device is not much bigger than what we usually use. You notice it, because you are not as easy thumb reach the other side of the screen.

Starting up the camera often takes too long and that is something they have to adapt in an update in the coming time. The Xperia Z is packed with additional software from Sony, it is up to the user to use it or not. But the Walkman application is very good example to use. Are you looking for a great phone and the Samsung Galaxy Note just too big then you should definitely consider the Sony Xperia Z look.