An interesting project is currently live on Kickstarter that will get the attention of smartphone users.
Having personally experienced frustration over the lack of mobility in his own smartphone chargers, Cemal Samsilova set out to create a solution to what he has determined to be a universal problem, thus Revocharge was born. Here’s what it has going for it:
Revocharge uses conductive charging meaning your phone will charge like it’s plugged in wall outlet.
Autosense technology making it capable of optimally charging various devices from iPhones to Android phones. Automatically adjusts to a devices need for optimum charging.
The battery can then be removed, recharged, and replaced, providing users a constant flow of energy without having to carry cables or cords.
It features earth magnets, providing a powerful, yet easy to adjust, hold from case to mount.
Replaces all your charging cables and worry of losing them.
The system also includes a car mount and desktop charging system to keep your phone charged wherever you go.
Early backers will be able pre-order the wireless charge case, magnetic battery and Micro USB charge/sync cable for $39. Learn more about Revocharge at www.facebook.com/revocharge, on Google Plus, and on Twitter.
Rogers and Fido launched Rogers/Fido Device Tune-Up, a new Canada-wide, free in-store diagnostic tool that lets reps solve many of our customers’ smartphones problems on the spot. According to Rogers, customers can save time, and they won’t have to part with their cell.
Device Tune-Up has many features for Rogers and Fido wireless customers:
Get a Device HealthCheck: The first step in the diagnostics process, a Device HealthCheck will be run to make sure your smartphone is up to date and running like new. Depending on your operating system we can check what apps are running, what is using up your battery, if you have the latest OS and more
Safeguard your data: Are you passing your phone down to a friend or family member? Device Tune-Up can securely wipe you data and even back it up.
Transfer data from one device to another: If you’re getting an upgrade, Device Tune-Up can transfer your data from your old smartphone to your new one so you can be up and running right away. Depending on your OS or where your data is saved, contacts, images, videos and SMS can be transferred
Rogers provided a video that explains the Device Tune-Up program in more detail:
Posted in Commentary with tags Apple on August 25, 2014 by itnerd
iPhone 5 users might want to take note of a repair program that Apple has started for certain iPhone 5 units within a certain serial number range sold between September 2012 and January 2013. If your phone is covered, Apple will replace the battery free of charge under the logic that “a very small percentage of iPhone 5 devices may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently.” The linked web page has the ability to check your serial number. Thus it might not hurt to check to see if your iPhone 5 is covered.
Posted in Products with tags Bell, ZTE on August 25, 2014 by itnerd
ZTE isn’t a phone company that you’re likely familiar with. But they aren’t small. ZTE is one of the top five largest smartphone manufacturers in its home market of China and in the top ten worldwide. They’ve come to Canada with the Grand X on the Bell network. Let’s see if they’ve come to play with the big boys like Motorola.
Here’s what it comes to table with:
Quad Core 1.2 GHz CPU
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
5″ 1280×720 220 PPI screen with Gorilla Glass
1 GB RAM and 1.3 GB of storage which is expandable up to 32 GB via a MicroSD slot
5 MP Auto focus rear camera with flash
1 MP front camera
802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
HSPA with a max speed of 21 Mbps
The phone is largely plastic. But it feels solid in my hands. The back is easily removable and so it the battery which is a good thing. It’s fairly thin and easy to hold in my hand. Though fitting it in your pocket may be a bit of a stretch. The screen is very sharp which is something that I didn’t expect from a phone that’s in the budget category. Neither is the fact fingerprints on the screen don’t affect the viewing quality. It comes with a largely stock version of Android Jelly Bean. Other than the addition of some Bell apps, it really seems that ZTE hasn’t done much to it. That’s a formula that will work for them. Just ask Motorola with the Moto G and Moto G LTE. Users will find it easy to adapt to. Plus with the quad core processor it is reasonably quick. However, because it’s a HSPA phone, it’s not quick when it comes to mobile data. Using Speedtest.net, I got an average of 4.45 Mbps downstream and 2.70 Mbps upstream on Bell’s network. However, someone who is buying a phone at this price point isn’t going to care. Plus, the’ll likely leverage WiFi as well.
Now when it comes to the camera, it’s a 5 MP shooter. The user interface for the camera is well thought through giving you a surprising level of control. You can customize ISO, white balance exposure and contrast among other items. That’s something that I wasn’t expecting from a phone that’s classified as a budget phone. It also does 720p video. So to test both out, I went to Pearson Airport to photograph planes landing. First, here are the stills. Click the picture to see it at full resolution:
For a 5 MP camera. It’s pretty good. Now here’s the video. Set it to full screen and 720p resolution:
It was pretty decent though it did have problems trying to keep the focus perfect when tracking the plane. Still, I think for most people, this will be fine as long as you don’t take action videos.
Finally there’s battery life. I got just over a day of usage which is very good as that’s what you want from a phone regardless of what price point it’s at.
What’s the bottom line? The ZTE Grand X brings a quad core processor and lean implementation of Android along with a decent camera and decent battery life to the budget phone market. It’s $0 on a 2 year plan or $149 outright. Clearly, ZTE is serious about playing in the budget end of the market and you should take a look of them if you’re in the market for a smartphone at that end of the market. Also, Motorola might want to keep an eye on them as well as ZTE is clearly going after their turf.
Revocharge Magnetic Wireless Charging System for iPhone and Android Announced
Posted in Commentary with tags Revocharge on August 25, 2014 by itnerdAn interesting project is currently live on Kickstarter that will get the attention of smartphone users.
Having personally experienced frustration over the lack of mobility in his own smartphone chargers, Cemal Samsilova set out to create a solution to what he has determined to be a universal problem, thus Revocharge was born. Here’s what it has going for it:
Early backers will be able pre-order the wireless charge case, magnetic battery and Micro USB charge/sync cable for $39. Learn more about Revocharge at www.facebook.com/revocharge, on Google Plus, and on Twitter.
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