The app that we’ve all been waiting for! Pokemon GO is released to the wild and we can finally catch Pokemon in real life! The fun and adventurous thing about this game is that it is augmented reality and allows you walk around and explore your city and surroundings while catching these cool monsters. Sorry, if you’re expecting to sit at your computer and fool around for hours on end — this app isn’t for you.
View of Pokemon GO gameplay.
Pokemon GO delivers an overall fun experience with chances to meet real life people that are on the same mission as you are, to become a “Pokemon Master”. Check out the wonderful experience of the app, which is available on iOS and Android from our friends at TWiT:
Why do we have computers in our pockets if we cannot increase our productivity? I am all for having a fun game or two, but if your device is just sitting in your pocket collecting dust — then perhaps you should switch back to a feature-phone, eh?
Whether you use Android or iOS, the big players in the productivity app arena are the same and here I will highlight the best cross-platform apps for you to choose from!
EverNote. This utility of all utilities is probably the best swiss army knife of note taking applications there is on the market today. With the ability to clip from websites, send notes via email or phone, adding voice to notes, advanced collaboration features — this one app simply has and does it all! See the power here –>
TickTick. Need a to do list application? This is for you. Google sign in, sync accross multiple devices, web interface and multiple lists that you can track — need I say more?
Buffer. Have multiple social media accounts that you want to manage and manipulate at one centralized location? Buffer has the tools to allow you to do that. In addition, you can track the success of what you share and schedule when your posts go out! Nothing short of excellent.
LastPass. Password managers are abundant nowadays, but with password generation built in and over the top security being used to secure your credentials, look no further. The iOS app even allows for unlocking the password vault with TouchID to ensure the most security on your device.
BetterNet. What is BetterNet? It is a cross-platform VPN client that will secure your data as it’s transferred over the internet. More important is that you secure yourself when you are on a network that you are not familiar with (ie. Starbucks Wifi, Airport Wifi, etc) as these are breeding grounds for attack. Some believe that VPN does not work and does not conceal you data, tell the non-believers that they are 100% wrong not even ISPs can tell what you are sending because it is through a secure tunnel. (end points does not equal packets) Want to know why you should have and utilize VPN?
These top productivity tools are sure to brighten your technological day! All of these have equal iOS, Android and Chrome counterparts!!
So you’re looking for an unbelievable typing experience? Look no further than GBoard, by Google for iOS. Combining swype, Google search and ease of use, this keyboard is heaven-sent.
Installation
As with most apps on mobile operating systems, installation is quick and easy — GBoard is no different. On iOS you are greeted with setup screens which guide you through the proper ways of granting the app the needed access. From there, the app is setup and ready to use. In fact, I’d go the extra mile and remove the English keyboard (usually set as default) — this can be added again later if you want. (Note: Password entry is still limited to the iOS stock keyboard for security purposes.)
Day to day use
Nothing short of a dream. Coming from a generally superior typing experience on Android, the iOS stock keyboard has always been missing something and other keyboards that I tried just missed the mark.
If you’ve felt the same way, GBoard is for you. One of the best typing experiences on a mobile platform, ever.
Bottom line: Usually I give some middle of the road answer. There is no middle road here people, download the app.
iPhones, Galaxies, G4s, Xperias, Lumias, Moto — those are just a few of the names that you hear when it comes to that time of year for you to consider buying a new smartphone. First things first, let’s clear the air and recognize that Android 6.0 and iOS 9.2 will get you to the same destination, one may require more or less clicks, one may look better or worse and one may look the same or widely different depending on the device but the end result is the same.
Now that that is out of the way, let’s break down the important components of a smartphone purchasing decision:
Amount of money that you are willing to spend, Price.
Ecosystem preference.
Peripheral preference. (things like USB, lightning, etc.)
3rd party support.
Power user or simple user.
Price
Apple puts iOS on devices that they build — that’s it; so, in a nutshell, one must conform to their prices and they can get expensive. One thing to note is that Apple focuses on really marrying the software and hardware together to create one of the finest smartphone experiences that money can buy. When it comes to Android devices, prices fluctuate all over the place from the biggest flagships such as the Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 5, HTC One M9 and more you will pay top dollar. However, there are mid-range devices that can sometimes give users just as good performance without completely emptying out your pocketbook.
One important note, do NOT buy a cheap Android device (something less than $250 or something sold in Walmart) then complain to all of your friends that Android is not a great operating system. The problem here is that you as a buyer, made a poor decision when buying your device (find another tech site willing to share that truth with you).
Quality and performance come at a price.
Ecosystem Preference
Some of us have large iTunes libraries with music going back to the days of the first iPod, while others cannot live without GMail, Google Keep, then you have others that simply need the embeded support of Microsoft’s suite of apps — everyone is different. With that being said,the Apple App Store and Google Play Store largely have the same apps and games; however, please expect most apps to be developed and arrive first on the Apple App Store. This is not due to an embedded hatred for Android it is due to the sheer number of devices that a developer has to account for when creating an app, versus iOS being on similar hardware at all times. One thing to note here is that Google typically makes all it’s it’s services available on multiple platforms while Apple does not — with the exception of Apple Music appearing in the Google Play Store.
The Windows Store is really missing key apps though, examples are Instagram, Google Chrome and more — this shows that developer support as well as user support really is not there.
Popular smartphones from 2015.
Peripheral Preference
USB is an industry standard. Standards are good and are largely used and promoted by more open companies such as Google. Apple, although screaming of quality, locks the user in here with a lone lightning port on the device alongside a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Chargers and charging cables cannot be shared with anything that is not an Apple device.
Third Party Support
Literally everything you see from third parties are made to support Apple’s latest and greatest flagship device. As noted above, this does not happen because OEMs dislike Android or Google, it is because iOS is only on a select group of devices, while Android phones and tablets can come from literally any OEM that gets the required certification from Google and others who do not. Meaning, it is simply easier to adapt or provide an interface from an iOS device rather than account for each and every smartphone running Android.
Power user or Simple User
While some power users enjoy iOS, for those of you who love to tinker and have control of literally every part of your smartphone — the choice is simple, go with an Android device. However, with great power also comes great responsibility. Having an open platform means that you as the user could change a setting that leaves your device running a bit slower or even a bit faster. One can setup the homescreen in any manner that they like in addition to even creating custom gestures and assigning actions.
If you like to take the simple approach to a smartphone, you really don’t care about customizations other than a case and just want your device to work day in and day out — the choice is clear, go with an iOS device. The way that iOS and Android are built are fundamentally different and that is key here because apps only interact with so many layers of the operating system, which makes some apps somewhat limited; yet, this focuses in on providing a clean, consistent and sometimes less cumbersome experience.
Conclusion: The choice is yours! Do you have an unlimited bank account, do you like to trick out your homescreens or would you rather be consistent and reliable.
Two great ways to reach the same destination, just choose your ride!
The crowds are gathered, with Apple devices clinched in hands, to await word from Tim Cook and other important members from Apple. This was quite the impressive event, due to the fact that there were many new things introduced, updated and unveiled.
First, we got down to business with new innovation on Watch OS 2, shown proudly on the Apple Watch. Health is the focus here, with doctors having the ability to help pregnant moms, to viewing the health stats of a patient that he is currently in transit to — big help and a good innovation here. (These are likely enterprise only features that would not be used by the general public.) Innovation is innovation, nonetheless.
Next, we get into Apple TV and the new iPad Pro. Let’s start off by saying, the re-imagined Apple TV is just what Apple needed. The previous generation was nothing short of horrific. No apps, no apps and no apps. If it couldn’t be cast by Air Play or use one of the built in features for the Apple TV, you were not going to watch it. The new Apple TV features a curated version of the iOS App Store that has room for fun games and excellent interactive apps. Then you have the new Siri enabled remote, which allows you to ask questions regarding movie titles and more and essentially guide you through your experience on the device. Some question the amount of talking you are going to do with the remote in hand; however, the way it is designed — you may almost be forced into using the voice features. The remote does not include a directional pad as the previous iteration did, it includes a swipepad. However, the App Store addition alone is enough for owners of the previous generation to automatically upgrade. Yes, do it.
Refreshed Apple TV.
Let’s talk about the iPad Pro. Apple’s new 12.9″ behemoth of a tablet, starting off at $799 at the lowest storage option, is seemingly the company’s answer to the Microsoft Surface tablet. “The most powerful iPad yet” and they are not lying, this thing is a monster, paired with the optional keyboard cover and Apple Pen and you have quite the creation tool. The Apple Pen will allow for intensive graphics creation from supporting Adobe apps, in addition to more creation inside of the Microsoft Office suite. This tablet will certainly only appeal to a select audience due to it’s price tag and large size. As we know the iPad Mini is the best selling Apple tablet, and it appears that it will stay that way, even with the introduction of a larger sibling. Note that in order for you to have the full experience that Apple was touting, this setup with cost you a little over $1000, even at it’s lowest storage option (remember the mention of a select audience?). Let’s not forget to mention that this guy is packing 4 speakers, making for a better stereo sound experience.
iPad Pro lineup.
The part of the presentation that we were all waiting for, iPhone. As we have come to expect, the S lineup is usually a small iteration on the lineup that came before it; however, this time is different for Apple. This time, Apple has actually made big under the hood changes (that is, instead of making one new change and making you shell out more cash for something trivial).
New A9 processor which should be much improved from the previous generation
2 GB of RAM, increased from 1 GB
5 MP iSight camera
12 MP rear camera with 4K video
3D touch (Apple’s new take on a long press, deals with pressing the screen with variable pressure to initiate and can bring up different context menus on apps)
[Source: CNet, Everything you need to know about the iPhone 6S]
Is this “S” iteration worth the upgrade? As with any S upgrade, it’s up to you, as history shows itself, the S is always better than the previous, it is hard for me to understand why you would buy any Apple phone that’s not the second generation, as you don’t have to have every iteration. Users of the iPhone 6 may not wish to upgrade so soon, but if you are carrying around a 5S, this is almost a must buy.
Overall, this was the best press event of the year (to date) in regard to releases and news from from the presentation.
Tech for the masses, meant to empower, educate and inform by Dexter Johnson.
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