Android

FREETEL Announces Their Latest Smartphone at MWC 16'

Events, News & Features February 22, 2016

FREETEL Announces Their Latest Smartphone at MWC 16′

There’s more than just Samsung and LG giving out news here at Mobile World Congress as Japan-Based Freetel has introduced their REI smartphone! The smartphone itself sports an aluminum back cover that will not only sport a diamond cut aluminum edge, but will be available in four color choices. Using the Android 6.0 operating system, the REI (which means beautiful, elegant, and wise), is the latest edition of smartphones from the brand. And with features like dual 13 megapixel PDAF rear cameras and an 8 megapixel front camera, the 5.2”-inch smartphone comes complete with a 1080 X 1920 Full HD…

ALCATEL Announces Their IDOL 4 Series!

Events, News & Features February 20, 2016

ALCATEL Announces Their IDOL 4 Series!

With Mobile World Congress 2016 gearing up this week, ALCATEL is announcing their IDOL 4 series today. Attempting to capitalize on the success of the IDOL 3, the IDOL 4, and IDOL 4s smartphones, they are introducing new features such as the new Boom Key and a unique augmented multimedia experience. “The IDOL 4 series marks another milestone in ALCATEL innovation,” said Dan Dery, Chief Marketing Officer at ALCATEL. “The Boom Key boom-ifies everything, from the sound to photos to gaming. Something we’re really excited about, and something I’m eager to show my friends is that we’ve augmented IDOL 4’s multimedia…

Alcatel Announces The First Windows 10 Phone for T-Mobile

Deals, News & Features February 10, 2016

Alcatel Announces The First Windows 10 Phone for T-Mobile

There have been plenty of rumors this week regarding whether or not ALCATEL would release their Windows 10 Phone at some point this week. Well it’s official. As of Wednesday, February 10th, ALCATEL ONETOUCH announced that T-Mobile will be receiving it’s first Windows 10 Smartphone in the Fierce XL, for the price of $139.99. President & General Manager for ALCATEL ONETOUCH Steve Cistulli states: “As the fourth largest mobile phone manufacturer in North America, ALCATEL ONETOUCH has continued to grow rapidly in the U.S. mobile marketplace by offering consumers the perfect amount of more when it comes to their mobile…

A Quick Look at the Honor 5X and Its Android Skin

Reviews February 7, 2016

A Quick Look at the Honor 5X and Its Android Skin

We will be doing a full review of the Honor 5X soon; it’s a phone with the build quality of a flagship at budget pricing. But the Honor EMUI skin has gotten a lot of criticism, and it may not be as bad as first reaction seems. It’s easy to judge the EMUI apps and enhancements negatively if you’re a fan of plain, stock Android. But this is a phone aimed at people who aren’t looking for a flagship; Honor is a subsidiary of Huawei, and if you want a flagship, they make the Nexus 6P or the Huawei Mate…

Huawei Mate 8 Is One Thoughtfully Designed Android Superphone

News & Features January 27, 2016

Huawei Mate 8 Is One Thoughtfully Designed Android Superphone

At CES 2016 Judie and I both received a review sample of the new Huawei Mate 8. The large Android handset is impressive both in regard to features and design. Their PR department recently shared some of the key aspects of the device with us. In anticipation of the full review we wanted to share a few noteworthy features. 

Acer Releases Chromebooks, Tablets, Laptops, and More at CES 2016!

Events, News & Features January 4, 2016

Acer Releases Chromebooks, Tablets, Laptops, and More at CES 2016!

Acer is busy at CES this year! They’ve always been a big player in laptops, smartphones, tablets, and computer equipment in general, and they have updates for just about everything this year! There’s a lot to be excited about, whether you’re looking for a high-end Windows machine or a simple Android tablet, so let’s check it all out!

Alcatel Onetouch Releases New Phones, Tablets, and even a Kid's Wearable!

Events, News & Features January 4, 2016

Alcatel Onetouch Releases New Phones, Tablets, and even a Kid’s Wearable!

Alcatel Onetouch is very busy at CES this year. They’re covering a ton of areas, from Android phones to Windows tablets and child-focused watches with safety features. Basically, whether you want a phablet or a device to keep your elementary age kiddo safe, Alcatel has a product for it. On the Android front, Alcatel has a tremendous number of new phones available in the Pixi 4 line. Do you hate the trend towards bigger and bigger phones? Alcatel has a 3.5in phone coming. Looking for a phablet? They’ve got one with a 6 inch screen. And if Android tablets are…

ZTE Spro 2 with Android Touchscreen is a Surprising Pico Projector Standout

Reviews January 3, 2016

ZTE Spro 2 with Android Touchscreen is a Surprising Pico Projector Standout

The ZTE Spro 2 is an Android-based pico projector with a built-in 5” touchscreen that, when paired with an activated Verizon SIM card, can serve as a wireless hot spot with 4G speeds. It has an internal speaker and battery as well, making it a great all-in-one solution for presentations on the go. The Spro 2 currently sells for $499.98. Breaking the mold from conventional pico projectors, the ZTE Spro 2 has a built-in touchscreen tablet so that it’s easy to operate and can used with or without a separate media player. With Android 4.4 KitKat running, you’ve got access…

Saying Goodbye To Google Project Fi

Reviews December 18, 2015

Saying Goodbye To Google Project Fi

I joined Project Fi in August of this year. Project Fi is essentially a prepaid phone service for which Google acts as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). This is just a fancy term for a company which doesn’t own the cellular towers but merely purchases a bulk block of service from the carrier(s) and resells it.

Get Great Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals on the Huawei Watch

Deals November 19, 2015

Get Great Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals on the Huawei Watch

Did you read my Huawei Watch review? If you did, you’ll recall that it is currently my favorite smartwatch. If you’re interested in one, this is the time to buy! On Black Friday, Huawei will be offering $50 to $100 off select watch models through GetHuawei.com, BestBuy.com, select Best Buy stores, Amazon.com, Target.com and Google Play store.

Mattel View-Master is a Blast from the Past

Reviews November 19, 2015

Mattel View-Master is a Blast from the Past

So many of us, especially as we enter the holiday season, fondly remember our favorite childhood toys – Barbie, G.I. Joe, Tinkertoys, Lincoln Logs, Lite-Brite, Legos, etc. For me it was the View-Master, that handheld plastic stereoscopic viewer that connected me with exotic locations around the globe. Now Mattel has relaunched the View-Master for the modern, high-tech era.

OnePlus X Set to Be the Next Phone You Never Knew You Wanted

News & Features October 29, 2015

OnePlus X Set to Be the Next Phone You Never Knew You Wanted

The OnePlus One was one of the best-priced Android phones to come out in the last few years; made in small batches which created demand from those without invitations to purchase, it combined many of the features that people liked from different phones to create one single shockingly inexpensive, well-built and well-featured device. Dan and I both bought one.

The True Innovation in Verizon's New Motorola Droids Is the Droid Maxx 2!

Editorials October 28, 2015

The True Innovation in Verizon’s New Motorola Droids Is the Droid Maxx 2!

Yesterday Verizon and Motorola announced two new Droid smartphones; the Droid Turbo 2 with an “indestructible” screen, and the Droid Maxx 2. On paper, the Turbo 2 is the real story; the screen, 48 hours of battery life, and tons of customizations. The Maxx 2 has a lot of that, minus the indestructible screen. Oh, and it costs only $384.

The New HTC One A9 Is More than Just an iPhone 6 Wannabe

News & Features October 20, 2015

The New HTC One A9 Is More than Just an iPhone 6 Wannabe

After all the articles swirling around last week regarding how the new HTC One A9 looked like an iPhone 6 copy, looking at the just released phone, I’d have to say “not really”. Okay, it’s got the same antenna lines, but you can find those in other unibody Android phones.

An Android User's Thoughts on iOS: Likes and Dislikes

Editorials October 7, 2015

An Android User’s Thoughts on iOS: Likes and Dislikes

I’ve been an Android user ever since I received a G1 as a gift. I’ve only ever had Android phones and tablets, so I haven’t had a lot of exposure to iOS. When my workplace offered us a phone for work use, I had a choice between a Galaxy Note 4, a Galaxy S6 and the iPhone 6.

Always Have a Charging Cable Nearby with the Echo Connect Key!

Reviews October 3, 2015

Always Have a Charging Cable Nearby with the Echo Connect Key!

We’ve all panicked while out and about, realizing that our phone battery is low, and either we scramble to the car to get the cable, or we turn off every setting possible in attempts to keep enough battery to make it home. The Echo Connect Key by the company named, you guessed it, Echo, is a small charge key that you can attach to your keyring so you’ll never find yourself without a way to charge your device. Now what if you have an iPhone and your friend offers you their Micro-USB cable? Well there’s a solution to this as well!…

Is a $300 Savings on a Smartphone Worth It to YOU?

News & Features September 30, 2015

Is a $300 Savings on a Smartphone Worth It to YOU?

I asked the Gear Diary team a question last night: if you had an additional $300, how would you spend it? The reason I asked, was that $300 seemed to be the average cost difference between an iPhone/Galaxy phone, and the new Nexus phones (Nexii?) and the Moto X Pure; was it enough to lure switchers?