Android Magazine - Issue No 33
Transcript of Android Magazine - Issue No 33
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www.littlegreenrobot.co.ukCheck our website for even more game reviews
Star Wars: Tiny Death Star
Monster Loves You!
Papa Pear Saga
83
Star Wars has undergone
a pixelated revival in Tiny
Death Star, as you work
with the Emperor to defeat the
Rebel Alliance once and for all. To
do so, you need to build fl oors of
the Death Star, with each one
having a different purpose. The
range is pretty varied and fi ts in
well with the Star Wars theme,
even if a few are quite samey. For
each fl oor you create, youll also
need to hire citizens to manage it
and earn credits for you. Theres
30 different species to choose
from, including Ewoks and Droids,
and each looks brilliant in their
pixelated design.
There are side quests that give
you credits and keep the
gameplay varied, such as
Star Wars: Tiny Death StarIn a pixelated galaxy far, far away
Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.3.3
quickhits
Add new fl oors when you have credits Characters look pixel perfect
capturing rebels spies and
completing the evil schemes of the
Emperor. Fans of the iconic Tiny
Tower series and Star Wars franchise
will feel right at home here.
Monster Loves You! is an interactive story where
you live the life of a monster and need to make
life or death decisions that will ultimately save or
lead to the demise of Monsterkind. The game links in with
fairy tales and provides the players with a range of choices
to enhance their monster in a variety of ways. For
example, do you choose to protect Goldilocks when the
three bears discover her? Or do you turn a blind eye?
Its a surprising amount of fun and the choices you
make ultimately develop your character in different ways,
and with over a dozen endings, theres plenty of replay
value. Monster Loves You! is a game that many people
wont take notice of, but it offers one of the most truly
individual gaming
experiences that
Android users
should certainly
be checking out.
Monster Loves
Price 1.78/$2.88 Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.2
Shape Monsterkinds destiny
The choices you make determine the outcome of your character
You!
Instead of actually fi ghting, Tekken Arena gets you to customise characters and earn
power-ups by taking part in tournaments around the world by watching animations. Its time-consuming and hard to play without using in-app purchases.
Tekken Arena Free
Alhambra Game 3.79/$5.99Based on the traditional board
game, Alhambra requires you to gather currency and build new land. Youll need to brush up on your fi nances to succeed.
Treasures of Mystery Island 2 3.79/$5.99
After being transported into the past, you need to help Alex and Lisa fi nd their way home by fi nding objects and clues.
Drift Mania: Street Outlaws0.60/$0.99
Sporting 3D graphics and a great control system, Drift Mania is a strong contender to Asphalts racing crown.
With over 400 playable clubs spanning 21 leagues, Champ Man is a fantastic football
simulator. Its detailed enough to keep all football fanatics happy without being too diffi cult for new users to get stuck in to and guide their team to glory.
Champ Man Free
Give every car a clean and a new lick of paint that comes through your car wash. Although
specifi cally aimed at kids, its a fun little game when you have a few minutes to spare. Just dont expect any engaging storyline or real longevity.
Car Wash & Design Free
As far as puzzle games go, Papa Pear Saga is as
crazy and colourful as they get. The premise is
simple enough, with you needing to launch Papa
Pear at a bunch of pegs with points being accumulated for
every peg you manage to hit. To get past each level, you
need to accumulate a certain amount of points, and it
follows in the same vein as Angry Birds, using a three-star
system to give you a performance rating.
As you progress through the game youll unlock
power-ups and additional items that can help give you a
points boost when needed. With levels getting quite
diffi cult near the end to complete, these added boosts
are too few and far between for our liking. Theres also the
usual plethora of in-app purchases on offer, but the game
can be completed
with ease
without ever
needing to
purchase one.
Papa Pear Saga
Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.3
Ping your pears to glory
The more pegs that hit the buckets, the more points you earn
http://www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk -
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Reviews
Motorola Moto GThe budget Moto G from Motorola sets new standards for low-cost phones W
hen the budget is tight and you want a
smartphone, its easy to think that you
are going to get a very much lesser
handset if you dont have lots of money to spend.
Motorola has set out to dispel that idea with its
Moto G, which offers some extremely tempting
features for a handset that costs less than 150.
Well, thats not quite true the bit about the
Moto G costing 150. There are actually two
versions of this phone. Theyre identical in every
respect except for their built-in memory. For
150 you can have 8GB. Up your spend to 174
and you can have 16GB. Make your choice
carefully as theres no micro SD card slot. On
our review handset an 8GB model, there was
5GB of free storage space.
If you are hunting down a thin and attractive
phone this might not be the place to look. At
11.6mm thick, the Moto G is a bit chunky, and it
is heavy too. It feels somehow heavier than its
143g. But really, dont let those things bother
you as this is a great phone.
Motorola has thought carefully about how to
make its G stand out, and has come up with the
clever idea of allowing you to personalise the
phone. There are fl ip shells which are fi tted by
removing the rather tight-fi tting rubberised
backplate and replacing it with a textured back
that is hinged into a front cover.
Saving moneyYoud normally expect to pay at least double
for a device of this spec
Android 4.4Well, not quite yet,
but an upgrade to
Android 4.4 is
promised and should
be hitting quite soon
Good screenBright and high-res,
the screen is
impressive. 720p was
previously unheard of
at this price
Memory mattersThe Moto G comes in
8GB and 16GB
variants. Theres only
5GB free on the
former, with no micro
SD slot
EDITORS CHOICE
goodfor...
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Review
VarietySpice things up with coloured fl ip covers for a
personalised look
SpeedThe lower-end quad-core processor is able to
handle most tasks fairly comfortably
Not being disturbedMotorolas built-in software can silence the
ringer at set times
There are also grip shells that fi t around the
back of the handset and add some protection
and some colour to the Moto G. There are plenty
of colour choices in both cases so you can
spruce up the device from time to time when
you feel it is looking a little old and dowdy.
The Moto G goodness doesnt stop with
shells. For a low-cost handset is it quite
remarkable that Motorola has been able to make
it water resistant. Theres no coveted IP rating
here, but still, we think it should be puddle-proof,
and defi nitely rain-proof. The battery is sealed in
place to help protect it from water splashes.
One area where low-cost handset makers can
often make the wrong decision to compromise
on features is the screen. Motorola has not
made a mistake here. The 4.5-inch screen has
1,280 x 720 pixels, making it good enough for
ebook reading, video viewing, web browsing and
other date-intensive activities. The viewing angles
are good enough, and Motorola has used Gorilla
Glass 3, which isnt something we see on every
low-cost smartphone.
Android has been left alone for the most part,
but Motorola has added in an app called Assist,
which can turn the phone to silent mode at set
times, even checking Google Calendar to fi nd out
when you are in meetings. Itll let persistent
callers through the barrier so emergency calls
should be catered for. You get an FM radio as
well, plus a handy tool for migrating your data
from your old handset.
The 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor is very
effi cient in both speed and power, and theres a
big kick in the teeth for other low-cost handset
makers in that Motorola has built the Moto G
around Android 4.3, with a promise of an
upgrade to 4.4. Android 4.4 is only currently
available on Googles Nexus devices and
doubtless the reason Motorola can offer it so
early is that Motorola is now owned by Google.
Most budget handsets launch with an outdated
version of the OS and stay there.
We cant help wondering if through Motorola
Google is trying to do with the Moto G at the
lower end of the market what it has done with
the Nexus 5 at the higher end offer a superb
handset that really gives the competition a hard
act to follow. If thats the strategy, wed say it
has been implemented well.
Dont look anywhere else if youre on a budget. The Moto G sets a new standard for entry-level phones
Verdict
ZTE Blade V
issue 032
None
worse thanbetter than
Motorola Moto G
Value for money Simply unrivalled. About half the price youd expect to pay
Features Not many extra features, but the quality of those here is high
Design Slightly chunky. Feels more solid than most budget devices
Performance Offers solid mid-range performance and good battery life
Operating system ...............Android 4.3 Processor ................................... Snapdragon 400,
1.2GHz quad-core
Memory .......................................1GB RAM, 8 or 16GB storage Dimensions ..............................129.9 x 65.9 x 11.6mm Weight ..........................................143g Display size ...............................4.5-inch Display resolution ...............1,280 x 720 pixels Expansion slot .......................None
technical specs
Price 148 More information www.motorola.co.uk
information
Motorola Moto G
Battery life
The battery seems a bit small but is still able to get you through a full day without a top up reasonable well
Flip coversThe Moto G doesnt
support the same
comprehensive
customisation options as
the Moto X did, but you can
still change the look of the
with a range of different
covers and shells
Theres a big kick in the teeth for other low-cost handset makers in that Motorola has built the Moto G around Android 4.3, with a promise of an upgrade to 4.4
Android 4.3
http://www.motorola.co.uk -
Reviews
Kogan Agora HDThe Kogan approach to budget Android handsets is to give you a quad-core processor and a fi ve-inch screen. We put the Agora HD through its paces to see how it fared
Kogan is a well-known brand in Australia, and
it launched in the UK earlier this year. It
specialises in selling at a low cost, and its
fi rst smartphone, the Agora, was a dual-SIM
supporting, fi ve-inch screened model for a little
over 100. We didnt hate it, but we didnt think it
was fantastic, even at that price.
Kogan has pushed the boat out again with the
Agora HD, again a fi ve-inch handset that can
accommodate two SIMs, and which this time
has a quad-core processor among its top
features. At 149, it is more expensive than the
earlier model.
There is a lot of good news about this
handset. Theres been a reasonable amount of
attention paid to the build, and the rubbery
backplate is useful in a handset that is this large
as it helps you get a fi rm hold. The curved edges
are attractive and the Agora HD is nicer to look
at than Kogans earlier model.
A fi ve-inch screen is not to be sniffed at, and
at 1,080 x 720 pixels, it delivers enough
resolution to show video and text to good effect.
The IPS panel delivers good colour depth too.
The screen isnt perfect, but for the price it is
perfectly adequate.
That quad-core processor is far from the
leading edge, running at around 1.2GHz, but we
found it responsive and it was able to handle
what we asked of it. Android 4.2 is here in its
raw form. Kogan has added just a couple of
extras. Theres an FM radio and a couple of apps
a fi le manager, to-do app, notes app, and
Backup and Restore, which uses a micro SD card
for backing up. There are also a few useful tools
to let you take advantage of the two SIMs.
Money savingThis low-cost handset is priced in an
affordable bracket
86
Auto-sleepAmong a few
software tricks is
one that enables you
to set the phone to
go off and come on
at set times to
conserve the battery
Big screenThe fi ve-inch screen is
nice for the price, and
the HD resolution is
very welcome too
Two SIMsWith support for two
SIMs, a cheap local
SIM when you are
abroad can be
accommodated for
goodfor...goodfor...
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Review
TravelWith support for two SIMs, this is the ideal
phone for travellers
VideoThe large, fi ve-inch screen is good for
watching video
WebWebsites look good on the Agora HD thanks to
its decent pixel count
If you only have one SIM then the handset
wont mind itll work as normal. If you do have
two then when you switch on the Agora HD you
are immediately offered preset default settings
for voice calls, video calls, messaging and data
connections, and you can change these right
away or at any time. And, of course, you can
then override your settings in the dialer by
picking whatever SIM you want to use on a case
by case basis.
Why might you want two SIMs? Well you might
travel abroad and want a cheap local SIM, or you
might have a second SIM for work-based calls,
for example. Be aware that, as is the norm, only
one of the SIM slots is 3G, while the other is
stuck at 2G.
the phone off in the wee small hours, but come
back on in time to sound your wake-up alarm.
The other annoyance is the amount of
onboard storage. The headline fi gure is 4GB. That
would be a fairly small amount if it were whats
free after the operating system has taken its toll.
But it is the before amount. The after amount
is just 2.6GB. Given that you cant store apps on
micro SD cards with Android as was once
possible, you should only consider this handset if
you are not that into third-party apps.
Its hard not to like what Kogan has done with
the Agora HD, but we do wish it could have
found room for more internal storage.Very good value if you can live with the Agoras serious lack of useable storage
Verdict
Value for money Good bang for your buck, albeit with some limitations
Features Some neat features including dual-SIM. Real lack of storage
Design Quite plain but okay build. Nicer than the previous model
Performance Not bad for the price, although there are limitations on what apps you can use
Operating system ...............Android 4.2 Processor ...................................1.2GHz quad-core Memory .......................................1GB RAM, 4GB storage Dimensions ..............................144 x 74 x 11mm Weight ..........................................153g Display size ...............................Five-inch Display resolution ...............1,280 x 720 pixels Expansion slot .......................micro SD
technical specs
Price 149 More information www.kogan.com/uk
information
Kogan Agora HD
Battery life
Youll need to be careful about your usage if youre to get through a whole day without needing to recharge
Nice designThe design is quite
attractive, and theres
a grippy rubber fi nish
to the back
That quad-core processor is far from the leading edge, running at around 1.2GHz, but we found it responsive and it was able to handle what we asked of it
Four coresThe unnamed quad-core
processor is not the fastest
weve ever experienced,
but it was nippy enough for
normal day to day tasks
There are two cameras. The back-facing one
shoots stills to eight megapixels. It is nothing
special, though you might like playing with the
time-lapse shooting mode. The front two-
megapixel camera is perfectly good for making
video calls.
However, two things drive this handset down
in our estimation. One is the battery life. The
Agora HD has a 2,000mAh battery and its
probably only going to keep the phone alive for a
day if you are a light user.
We do really like the little software feature
that lets you set the Agora HD to turn itself on
and off at set times. You could use this to turn
ZTE Blade V
issue 032
Motorola Moto G
issue 033
worse thanbetter than
Kogan Agora HD
http://www.kogan.com/uk -
88
Reviews
Advent Vega Tegra Note 7
Dixons own-brand Advent made a big splash when it released the original ten-inch Vega. Can it repeat the feat with its new device?
Many of our readers will remember the
original Advent Vega, which launched just
over three years ago. Yes, three years ago.
It arrived at a time when ten-inch tablets were
expensive and underwhelming, bringing with it a
rock bottom price tag, support from a top UK retailer
and a powerful Nvidia chipset. Throw in a high
degree of hackability and it was exactly what the
market needed it sold in huge numbers and to this
day is fondly remembered among Android fans. The
successor has been a long time coming and while it
shares some key features with its predecessor a
Nvidia processor is still on board and its still very
competitively priced it has also changed to refl ect
how the tablet market has matured since the
original was released.
The Advent Vega Tegra Note 7 is, as the name
suggests, a seven-inch tablet. The release of the
Nexus 7 another Nvidia device changed the
tablet market completely. Prices dropped,
practicality increased and the device was a runaway
success. With the 2013 Nexus 7 moving to
Qualcomm internals, you could argue that the Vega
device is that devices spiritual successor too.
Overall, the Vega packs good specs, albeit lacking
in some areas compared to its main rival, the
aforementioned 2013 Nexus 7. At the heart of the
silky smooth, while the speakers draw you in
GamingThe powerful processor and GPU make gaming
Great soundWhy do other companies put speakers
on the back of their devices? No such
problem for the Vega. The speakers are
loud and clear, even if they dont quite
go up to 11 for intense gaming sessions
Portable sizeThe Vega is 9.4mm thick and weighs
320g. Its very similar in size to the
original Nexus 7 and in that regard, its
surprisingly pocketable particularly
when using the optional ultra-thin case
Stylus functionalityIf a tablet with an in-built stylus is a
must, your options are pretty
limited only the Galaxy Note 8 offers
similar functionality and its a lot more
expensive. The DirectStylus is a high
point of the device it feels great
Connectivity portsThe micro USB power socket on the
Vega is on the top, alongside the micro
HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone port
and the power button, which has a
nice fi rm click to it. The volume
buttons and the micro SD socket are
on the right of the device
Weak screenThe 1280 x 800 IPS screen is the
weak point the colours dont
pop like they do on some of its
rivals. The screen has a fairly
wide bezel but the tablet is still
easily held with one hand
goodfor...
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Review
Bluetooth controllersChoose a case with a good stand to prop the
device up, and its great fun
DrawingThe stylus is more useful than you think. Grab
Sketchbook Pro from Google Play and create!
Taking picturesIts not going to replace your point and shoot,
but the included app is one of the best
Nexus 7 2013
issue 029
worse thanbetter than
Advent Vega Tegra Note 7
Value for money While the device falls behind the class leaders, it represents excellent value
Features Software is relatively pure Android, but the core hardware features are comprehensive
Design Its a slab of black plastic. Some nice detail on the back, but the front is bland
Performance The Tegra 4 processor is highly capable and will handle anything you throw at it
Operating system ...............Android 4.2.2 Processor ...................................Nvidia Tegra 4 1.8GHz quad-core Memory .......................................1GB RAM, 16GB storage Dimensions ..............................120 x 190 x 9.4mm Weight ..........................................320g Display size ...............................Seven-inch Display resolution ...............1280 x 800 pixels Expansion slot .......................micro SD
technical specs
Price 179.99 More information www.pcworld.co.uk
information
Advent Vega Tegra Note 7
Nvidias background is in gaming and the Vega is a great gaming tablet
Battery life
Nine to ten hours of normal use is achievable, but gaming will shorten the lifespan considerably.
The Advent Vega is a worthy follow up to the original. Its not the right tablet for everyone, but if it fits your need, its well worth a look
Verdict
Asus MemoPad
HD
issue 032
device beats a Nvidia Tegra 4 heart a quad-core
CPU and a very powerful GPU ideally suited to the
most demanding of games. 1GB of RAM is onboard
(surprisingly, given the trend towards 2GB of RAM
on devices now) and 16GB of storage. A micro SD
slot, something that is arguably essential as many
games grow to well over a gigabyte in size,
supplements this. The usual array of connectivity is
present micro USB, micro HDMI for connectivity
to a TV, Bluetooth 4.0 and, of course, Wi-Fi. A
fi ve-megapixel camera is included if you need it,
together with a VGA front-facing camera for video
calling and selfi es. The camera itself is acceptable
for a tablet, using SmugMugs Camera Awesome
as the camera app.
The screen on the Vega is a 1,280 x 800 IPS
unit. Its not bad, but it feels a lot like last years
screen both in resolution and clarity. It certainly
pales next to the new Nexus. The new Vega, as
with the original, is a device thats engineered to a
budget price point some compromises are
evident and this is one example.
Nvidias background is in gaming and the Vega is
a great gaming tablet. As well as the powerful
hardware and expandable storage, the device
includes dual front-facing stereo speakers. With
PureAudio technology built in, they crank up to a
decent volume and its an often-overlooked
feature that really contributes to an immersive
gaming experience.
The Vega has one more party piece up its sleeve
and the clues in the name. The tablet ships with a
stylus and a silo in the device to put it in. The stylus
itself has a great weight to it and an angled, spongy
tip that lets you vary the thickness of screen input
dependent on the pressure you put on it. The
bundled apps for use with the stylus are fairly
basic, but with the Google Play store on board,
plenty of alternatives are available.
Out of the box the Vega includes Android 4.2 in a
very stock Android style. A handful of game demos
are included and a couple of Nvidia Tegra specifi c
apps, but if you like your Android pure, you wont
fi nd much here to offend. Performance is silky
smooth and battery life is good, although heavy
gaming can deplete it quickly, as with any device.
Distinctive designIts unashamedly black plastic, but a textured back
and distinctive design make the Vega interesting to
look at and to hold. An optional smart case and
stand with automatic wake and sleep functions
slides into a groove on the devices side
Camera AwesomeThe camera itself may not be awesome, but it
uses the Camera Awesome app to take
pictures, and it is one of the best, most
functional and easiest to use camera apps for
the Android platform
http://www.pcworld.co.uk -
Reviews
HP Slate 21
90
HPs all-in-one device gives you the full Android experience in a
21-inch display. What could possibly go wrong?
As its name implies, the HP Slate 21 has a
21-inch screen. It runs a mobile OS and is
located in the Tablets section of HPs
website, yet it weighs 4.85kg and runs off the
mains. Is it really a tablet, then, or is it a desktop
replacement? Or something else?
When you fi rst set the Slate 21 on your desk
it feels as though it should be used as a
desktop computer with a keyboard and mouse.
With three USB ports, plus Bluetooth, you can
attach them, or you can tilt the screen right
back on its hinge and use the device almost fl at.
Trouble is Android isnt really optimised for
Media centreBig screen and loud speaker equals above-par
multimedia performance on Android
Hefty bezelWe dont mind the
bezel so much, but the
fact that it sits half a
centimetre above the
screen makes some
gestures diffi cult to
execute
Ports galoreThere are loads of
connectivity ports round
the back, including
three USB, one SD and
even Ethernet
Refl ective screenThe screen is of great
quality but we found it
to be quite refl ective.
Keep it pointing away
from windows
Loud speakerThe speaker below the
screen is very loud and
produces good quality
audio. Theres even 100
volume levels to give
you precisecontrol
goodfor...
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Review
A nice try but essentially a flawed concept. Android simply doesnt suit a device of this size
Verdict
None
issue 003
None
issue 003
worse thanbetter than
HP Slate 21
Value for money Okay price but youd surely be better off with a tablet
Features Software compatibility is mixed. Lacks anything to tie hardware and software
Design Hinge works well. Chunky bezels obscure some of Androids gestures
Performance Fast but software is not optimised for this form factor
Operating system ...............Android 4.2.2 Processor ...................................Nvidia Tegra 4 1.66GHz Memory .......................................1GB RAM, 8GB storage Dimensions ..............................530.9 x 353.8 x 67mm Weight ..........................................4.85kg Display size ...............................21.5-inch Display resolution ...............1920 x 1080 pixels Expansion slot .......................SD, 3 x USB
technical specs
Price 329 More information www.hp.com
information
HP Slate 21
Battery life
The Slate does not have an emergency backup battery, so the device needs to be plugged into the mains at all times
keyboard and mouse, so you invariably fi nd
yourself needing to prod and swipe anyway.
Android isnt especially well optimised for a
21-inch display either. The soft keyboard is
hilariously oversized (not to mention surprisingly
laggy) while the status bar is overly small. This
means the standard gesture of swiping down
from the top-left of the screen to open the
notifi cation pane becomes excessively fi ddly,
and is not helped by the fact that the screen is
inset about fi ve millimetres below the bezel.
We also encountered numerous apps that
had problems. From those designed only to run
in portrait mode so ran pillarboxed with black
bars either side, to word-processing apps whose
default font sizes had been set with much
smaller screens in mind, to games that needed
tilt controls. Even the browser is set up to use
mobile websites rather than the full versions.
Once we were fully set up and had started to
gain an understanding of where the Slate 21
would work and where it wouldnt, it became
somewhat useable. It never felt like anything
other than a kludge, though, rather than a
perfect marriage of hardware and software.
Which is not to say its all bad, just that the
strong points are all hardware related. The
1080p IPS screen is outstanding. It is bright and
crisp and has pretty much unlimited viewing
angles. The speaker below the screen was also
impressively loud. Between them they made the
Slate 21 a decent media centre. And when we
did fi nd apps that worked well there was some
fun to be had in the big screen we especially
enjoyed a spot of zombie bashing in Dead Trigger
2, even if it did make our arms ache.
On the design and build front we were fans of
the large rear hinge that enabled us to position
the screen at any angle we wanted. We were
less keen on the very plasticky build not a
major problem for a desktop computer but much
less appealing for something that invites you to
touch it. The Slate has no battery, so requires
access to mains power at all times, making it a
defi antly non-portable device.
With a beefy Tegra 4 processor clocked at
1.66GHz performance was good, although we
would have preferred more than the 1GB of RAM.
The AnTuTu benchmark test of processor and
graphics performance put it up with the Galaxy
Note 3, currently the most powerful Android
device, and the Vellamo test of HTML5
performance put it ahead of everything. Of
course, were comparing it to Android phones
and tablets. The Slate 21 may look like a
desktop computer but neither the hardware nor
the software are up to the task of replacing an
actual PC for anything approaching a task that
would be regarded as demanding.
At the outset we asked whether this was a
desktop computer or a tablet. In truth it took us
about ten minutes with the Slate 21 to fi nd the
answer: its neither. It is too large and unwieldy
to be a tablet, and runs software not suited to a
desktop. It is an interesting idea, a kind of logical
next step on from Asus Transformer series of
tablet/laptop hybrids. The main difference being
those devices work as either/or, unlike the Slate
21. HP suggests it is ideal for the kitchen or
bedroom; we cant see why a proper tablet
wouldnt serve you better in either case.
TVLoad up a few streaming TV apps like BBC
iPlayer or Netfl ix at will
MapsSwiping your way around Google Maps and
Street View is awesome on this device
OrganisingPut a few choice widgets on the home screens
and you can get organised easily
http://www.hp.com -
92
ReviewsThe worlds first Android powered compact system camera has reached new heights of connectivity, but can it take great photos as well as download apps?
The rise of cameraphone photography has
created an obsession with sharing shots as
soon as possible after taking them. Were
now too impatient to wait until we get home before
uploading our photos to the internet and want to
keep everyone updated in real-time while were on
the go. Of course, the problem is the lower quality
of smartphone snaps that restrict you from
showing off your photography skills in all their glory.
Never one to miss an opportunity, Samsung has
stepped into the breech with what it is heralding as
the most connected compact system camera in
the world the Samsung Galaxy NX. This
Android-powered interchangeable lens camera has
both Wi-Fi and a SIM slot, so you can share your
photos exactly as you would on any smartphone. It
also means that you can surf the web,
communicate with friends and download apps
onto the camera. And although you cant actually
make phone calls, you can still keep in touch via
apps that enable internet calls, email and even text
should you want to.
The Galaxy NX runs Android 4.3 with Samsungs
TouchWiz UI in a version that is basically the same
Sample photos
BulkyThe camera body is bulky
but comfortable to hold,
and also relatively
lightweight at just 495g
with the battery
Large sensorThe 20.3-MP APS-C CMOS
sensor is on hand to produce
high-quality images that are
sharp and vibrant. Even at
ISO 3200, images are crisp,
clear and true to life
Samsung Galaxy NX
as weve seen on most of its 2013 phones. This
includes a number of photo-oriented apps and
functions. Photo Studio enables you to access huge
libraries of images taken by others based on your
location, giving you inspiration for composing your
own travel shots, while Story Album organises,
reframes and resizes your images to create photo
books that you can display and print.
Built-in creative filters such as Vignette, Fish Eye
and Sepia are also immediately on hand to help you
produce arty shots, and you can experiment with an
array of Smart Modes including Panorama, Multi
Exposure and Sound and Shot for recording audio
with still images.
Something else the Galaxy NX has in common
with the rest of the Galaxy range is the large
4.77-inch touchscreen. The display takes up the
entire back of the camera and is fantastic for
reviewing images. Unfortunately, this also means
that there is no room for any physical buttons to
control the camera, so almost everything has to be
controlled by touch. This is not good news if youre
not a touch-control fan, but it doesnt slow down
operation too much, and in fact makes selecting a
Detail is good and with the large sensor
you can control depth of field well
Colours captured are bright and vibrant,
without appearing over-saturated
Plenty of detail is captured up until ISO
3200 where images gradually lose quality
Android poweredThe Galaxy NX is powered by
the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
operating system, meaning
that you have access to
thousands of free and
paid-for apps on the Google
Play store
Lens systemThe 18-55mm kit lens
performs well, but there
are also 12 other
compatible lenses for the
NX system. These include
a 3D lens, 20mm prime
and 60mm macro lens
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93
Review
focus point much easier. The mode dial on the top
of the camera is blank and is simply used to scroll
through the digital mode dial on screen, plus if you
are using a lens with Samsungs i-Function
technology and press the iFn button, it can be used
to change your exposure settings too.
Although we didnt fi nd using the screen too
diffi cult in bright sunlight, you can also frame your
shots using the electronic viewfi nder. It
Of course, what really sets the Galaxy NX apart
from a smartphone or tablet is the image quality.
The large 20.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor is
the same as the one found in the superb NX300
and produces crisp, detailed images, even in low
light. Noise doesnt appear until ISO 3200 and only
becomes a major issue at ISO 12800 and above.
The Advanced Hybrid Autofocus system also
performs well, combining phase detection and
Streets ahead of your smartphone camera, of course, but the price is simply too high to be able to recommend
Verdict
Value for money Although the Samsung Galaxy NX is at the height of connected camera technology, it is still very expensive
Features As well as full manual controls and plenty of handy built-in functions, you can also download apps to extend your shooting, editing and sharing possibilities even further
Design The body design is ergonomic but also feels quite cheap and very bulky for a CSC, with a size similar to that of a DSLR
Performance Thanks to the large sensor, image quality is superb, with accurate colours and lots of detail. It performs well at high ISOs and focusing is quick
Operating system ...............Android 4.2 Processor ................................... 1.6GHz quad-core, DRIMe IV
imaging processor
Memory .......................................2GB RAM, 16GB storage Dimensions ..............................136.5 x 101.2 x 25.7mm Weight ..........................................495g with battery Display size ...............................4.77-inch Display resolution ...............1,280 x 720 pixels Expansion slot .......................micro SD
technical specs
Price 1299 More information www.samsung.com
Samsung Galaxy NX
350 shots with the NX, although it does depend how heavily you use the other features
The 20.3-MP sensor is the same as the one found in the superb NX300 and produces crisp, detailed images, even in low lightautomatically switches on when you put your eye
up to it, however, it can be a little slow in doing so
and is easy to accidentally switch on by moving
your fi nger in front of it.
Although a compact system camera, the size is
more akin to that of an entry-level DSLR due to the
chunky grip and large viewfi nder protruding from
the otherwise slim-line body. It is comfortable to
hold for long periods however, and although it feels
rather plasticky, this also means that it wont weigh
you down too much.
Situated inside the large grip, there is a similarly
large battery that is necessary if you plan on using
the camera to surf the internet or play Angry Birds.
It doesnt drain too quickly but it does depend on
what you use it for. Next to the battery are two
slots, one for a SIM card and one for a micro SD, an
unusual sight on a dedicated camera. You also get
16GB of internal storage and 50GB of free Dropbox
storage for backing up your shots.
contrast AF to deliver sharp shots quickly and
effortlessly, although it does struggle a little in low
light. The only thing that will really slow you down is
the series of painfully drawn out welcome screens
that appear every time you start up the camera.
Once you are switched on, going in and out of
stand-by mode by pressing the on/off button is
instantaneous, but powering down the camera
completely could mean you miss an unexpected
photo opportunity waiting for it to slowly spring
back into life.
Despite this slow start up and the rather
unattractive design, the Samsung Galaxy NX is a
fantastic bit of kit for those who want to take
high-quality images and share them instantly.
However, as it is so technologically advanced, it
also comes with a rather eye-watering price tag.
Until this falls dramatically, it is likely to only end up
in the hands of Android enthusiasts with plenty of
disposable income.
RAW shootingThe Galaxy NX gives you the
choice of shooting in JPEG
and RAW, and you can
process images in-camera
Touch onlyThe external controls are
sparse, but they are just
enough to get by alongside
using the touchscreen
1299www.samsung.com
information
Battery life
Youll get around
http://www.samsung.comhttp://www.samsung.com -
Accessories
Netatmo Urban Weather Station
You can be forgiven for being a
little bit suspicious of the real
use of the Netatmo Urban
Weather Station and it isnt until you
really explore the units capabilities
that you appreciate its benefi ts. The
weather station consists of two
sensors, one which you situate close
to your Wi-Fi router, while the other is
placed outside in a safe and secure
place. Thankfully the tough aluminium
exterior of both sensors means they
can pretty much handle any weather
elements thrown at them.
After then installing the Netatmo
app on your Android device, you can
begin to track the weather conditions
in your local area. Although being able
to track the weather conditions is a
nice feature, its the various other
features on offer that make the Urban
Weather Station a very interesting
piece of kit.
Theres scope to track humidity
levels both in your home with the
smaller sensor and outside, as well
as tracking CO2 and noise levels.
After prolonged use, you can begin
looking at creating your own tracking
system using the sensors to measure
the things that really matter to you.
The customisation is really impressive
and the level of detail you can go into
on your Android smartphone is
superb. To take it a step further, you
can also use the free app to set up
notifi cations to notify you of when
theres a massive change in the
weather conditions.
Despite being a very niche product,
the Netatmo Urban Weather Station
really is the best piece of kit weve
ever seen for tracking the weather
and other conditions in your local
area. Theres no denying that the item
itself is for a very niche audience but
it certainly manages to do the job it
sets out to complete.
Weather fanatics will fi nd exactly what they need
Performance
Value
specification
More information www.netatmo.com
verdict
Price 139/$179
Design
The most detailed weather report of all time
ChargingThe two sensors are
charged in different ways.
The smaller indoor sensor
can be charged via the DC
power unit that comes with
it, whereas the larger
outdoor sensor is powered
by four AAA batteries
Manage dataAll the data thats picked up via both
sensors is automatically added to
the Netatmo app on your Android
phone. Its also added online to the
Netatmo servers, which you can log
in to and see whenever you want
Real-time notifi cationsSeasoned users will
want to check out the
notifi cations feature,
which enables users to
create custom
notifi cations that will
alert them to drastic
changes to the current
climate in their area
Braced for all weatherBoth sensors are quite heavy and encased in a
thick coating of aluminium. We tested both
sensors in the midst of a storm and neither
sensor had a scratch on them by the time we
were done
94
http://www.netatmo.com -
being poor upscales of current Android versions.
GameStick
Price 79.99/$79.99 More information www.gamestick.tv
Price 75/$99
More information www.jays.se
The a-JAYS Five earphones have a few features that lift them
above the norm. First, theyre tangle-free. The cord is fl at and
rubberised and is literally impossible to get tangled no matter
how carelessly you throw them into your pocket. Its also
quite heavy as a result, and longer than average too, and
wearing them dangling in front constantly felt as though they
were being gently tugged from our ears. Next up is an Android
app that enables you to confi gure the phones, including the
performance of the button and various audio settings. The
remote control works perfectly well without the app, and we
tended to use the equalizer settings in our audio app of
choice to tweak sound. On the whole we found the audio
output to be very good if not spectacular it was certainly
good enough for streaming music. Finally the Fives feature
MEMS technology for improved speech quality, and here it
did indeed perform very well. These earphones come
beautifully packaged and look great. A good buy.
with their own Android app
The Parrot Zik headphones are not cheap, but for the audiophile
they are worth the price. The design, by Philippe Starck, is
gorgeous theyre large but light and perfectly weighted. The
materials and build quality are brilliant. The headset connects to
your phone via Bluetooth but does not forgo the added
connectivity you get with a wired unit. The right ear piece has a
built-in controller that enables you to skip tracks and adjust the
volume, and theres also a sensor in one of the earpads that
detects when you remove the headset. The accompanying
Parrot Audio Suite app gives you control over your music,
including what the company calls the Parrot Concert Hall effect.
This expands the sound, although despite its rather grandiose
name we didnt feel it to be a must have and were quite happy
listening without. On the whole though theres little to quibble
about headphones dont get too much better than this.
Treat yourself to a truly premium audio experience
Parrot Zik
Price 299.95/$399.95 More information www.parrot.com/zik
After numerous delays, the GameStick is fi nally upon us and despite several changes, its
sole aim is to provide a solid gaming experience powered by Android. The GameStick
plugs directly into the HDMI port on your TV and is controlled by the controller that comes
free of charge, even if the odd controller shape wont please everyone. Setting up the
console is easy enough and the selection of games on offer is fantastic. Its hindered
with lag issues throughout, which sometimes make games unplayable. Theres also
problems with certain games not playing at the correct resolution, with some simply
GameStick looks to become the Android gaming king
Tangle-free earphones
a-JAYS Five
Acce
ssorie
s
Headphones dont get too much better than this
EDITORS CHOICE
http://www.gamestick.tvhttp://www.jays.sehttp://www.gamestick.tvhttp://www.parrot.com/zik -
9696
Super smartphoneGive your device a battery boost with one of these handy portable chargers
The fl at build of the TYLT Syncable stops any
tangles and tears from happening, with the thin
rubberised coating being tough and durable.
Although we only tested the smaller 12 inches,
which happened to be more than enough for
charging all Android devices, there are longer
versions of the cable
available if required.
Price 25.00/$29.99
More information www.tylt.com
TYLT Syncable
MobileLite Wireless Price 55.19/$59.99
More information www.kingston.com
Despite the primary use of the MobileLite
being a superb SD and USB reader, it also
has a great charging function for users to
check out. Its a bit slow at getting devices
to full battery life, but the other things the
unit is capable of make the MobileLite a
very useful piece of kit. Its also noticeably
thinner than many other portable chargers
and lightweight enough for you to keep
on you at
all times.
Kit: Emergency charger Price 34.99/$55.99 More information www.mobilefun.co.ukThe small size of the Kit will please a lot of users, and with the necessary cables folded into the
chargers design, its easy to carry around on your person. Out of the group, the Kit has the smallest
battery life, meaning youll need to charge it often. Unfortunately this does also mean it takes a long
time for it to get your phone fully charged and the LED lights that line the front of the charger to notify
of charging levels tend to be misleading. Although its size works in its
favour, the Kit has little else going for it.
Accessories
Price TBA/$69.99
More information www.global.
power-skin.com
What really makes the PoPn
charger completely different to
the other chargers on test here
is that its suctioned front
means you can stick it to the
backplate on your phone and
charge it at all times. It does
add a fair bit of bulk to your
device, but the speedy
charging process makes up for
that. One problem with
prolonged use of the PoPn is
that youll soon notice the fl ex
in the plastic casing, which
really detracts from the
otherwise stellar performance.
PowerSkinPoPn
http://www.tylt.comhttp://www.kingston.comhttp://www.mobilefun.co.ukhttp://www.global.power-skin.comhttp://www.global.power-skin.com - http://www.salomshop.comhttp://www.maxell.euhttp://www.kensington.com
-
NEXT MONTH
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BIGGEST ANDROID PROBLEMS SOLVED
THE BEST NEW DEVICES ON TESTThe hottest new Android phones and tablets tested in full
Issue 34 goes on sale:
UPGRADE
ANDROID
HACKING MASTERCLASS
The hardware and software you need to keep your phone bang up to date
From beginner to advanced: the defi nitive guide to hacking Android
All your Android annoyances, and how to fi x them
Your amazing Android snaps
Taken a great shot with your Android phone or camera? Send it to us at:
From John M. Edmond
Used HTC Desire C
From Robert Harris
Used HTC One
From Alan Negus
Used Samsung S4
From Russ Lewis
Used Samsung S III
mailto:[email protected] -
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