Tech Gadgets That Make Traveling a Breeze

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Supposedly half the fun of travel is getting there, but what if traveling could be fun from start to finish? This year's CES was all about travel tech designed to make your next vacation (or business trip) a lot less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. 

Of course, an open mind and adventurous spirit are the most important things to bring with you on any voyage but there are plenty of gadgets and accessories that are worth packing. Here's some of the newest travel tech, some of which debuted at CES 2016, that's equally useful for world travelers and weekenders.

The Egg – a Phone to Cloud Photo Solution

Eggcyte's personal cloud device, the Egg, is a must have for phone-wielding shutterbugs who have more subject matter than storage space. 

The Egg can connect to your phone from anywhere in the world so you can share up to 50,000 snapshots with friends and family back home. And after you've said goodbye to your favorite destination, scrolling through those vacay pics is as easy is firing up the app. 

Samsung's Galaxy S7 – Best in Class Photos on the Go

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has premium specs that include a best in class camera with 4K capture capabilities, low-light optimization, a cool menu of effects and a fully outfitted manual mode. Why make this your go-to travel phone? 

The brand's latest offering brings back IP68 dust resistance and long-term water resistance up to 3m, which means you can bring it just about anywhere. And best of all, if you get it from T-Mobile this phone comes with a free year of Netflix, perfect for binge-watching your favorite shows on the go.

Bluesmart – the Smartest Suitcase 

This four-wheeled, extra strong carryon-friendly bag does more than keep your stuff safe. Bluesmart can weigh itself, has not one but two USB charging stations, and comes with a built-in tracker that's smart enough to alert you if it senses that your luggage is on its way to Timbuktu. 

Want the tracker without all the extras? Stash Trakdot in your suitcase and you'll always know where in the world your bags are. 

Zagg – Untethered Audio Anywhere

The retractable earbuds on Zagg's versatile Flex Arc headset let you curl up and forget about your neighbors on the plane. 

And then when you get to your destination, you can get the party started with built in external speakers that offer surprisingly souped-up sound for such a small package. 

Sol – a Bag that Does Double Duty

Samsung C&T's Sol Bag is a stylish oversized clutch that features integrated solar panels that charge your devices whenever you're walking in the sun. Of course, if you're traveling to an out of the way destination a high capacity power bank makes more sense.

In that case, grab Aukey's portable charger – it has enough emergency backup juice to charge your iPhone ten times plus a built in flashlight.

Bedphones – Promoting a Good Night's Sleep

DubsLabs has created Bedphones, a new kind of nighttime earbud designed to combat the challenges travelers face when falling asleep away from home. This speaker sits outside your ear so you can bliss out with white noise or fall asleep to your favorite podcast without the uncomfortable feeling of something in your ears. 

Better still, the Bedphones app senses when you've nodded off and automatically shuts off your audio to save you power. 

Mobi EyeFi – for Faster Photo Transfers

The Eyefi Mobi WiFi SD card makes the chore of transferring photos from camera to device a breeze.

Your snapshots are automatically sent from your camera to your iOS, Android, or Kindle device using wifi. 

What else do you need to stash in your carryon? Definitely check out the latest on-the-fly audio translators and ultra light laptops – especially if it's business bringing you to the far reaches of the globe. Ultimately there's no such thing as 100% stress free travel but with the right tech you can come pretty close.

READ ALSO: Transportation Options While Vacationing

As always, would be great to hear what you think!

*by andreascy*

Samsung Offers Hot Line of Products This Fall

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

This year's the world's leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances (IFA), was dominated by wearables, slim lines, super curves and a whole lot of innovation. Nearly all the big players had smartphones to showcase – some derivative and some surprising. 

Samsung, arguably one of the biggest players in the consumer electronics world, brought its’ A game to Berlin with four new devices custom-made to take the wind out of competitors’ sails. While there's no way to know if the brand revealed everything it has up its sleeve at IFA it certainly showed that it hasn't lost its edge. Here's what had people talking about Samsung and has fans excited for fall:

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

While the device is similar to the Galaxy Note 4, it does contain a standout feature that will push the boundaries of today's mobile display technology. The Edge features a 5.7-inch screen and adds a seamless 1-inch second screen that curves beautifully around the left-hand edge of the phone. The Galaxy Note Edge screen, which uses a Youm flexible display, may very well change how people interact with their devices. Everything from alerts to apps can be accessed without any interruption to other mobile experiences. Even with the phone locked and the case closed, notifications and messages are accessible. Its release near the end of 2014 could mean an unprecedented level of connectivity with less screen time. Users interested in the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge should sign up at T-Mobile for an alert when the device becomes available. 

Galaxy Note 4

While it still sports the 5.7-inch screen of the Note 3, the screen has gotten a boost with a Quad HD Super AMOLED (2,560 x 1,440 resolution) display that's adaptable to changing lighting conditions. That's super good news since a more powerful camera offers 16MP and lets in 60 percent more light resulting in image quality on par with most users' point-and-shoots. A lightning fast 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, an improved S Pen with Smart Selection and a quick charging battery are also among the high-quality features. This flagship Galaxy Note 4 has a forecasted October release. 

Gear VR

Virtual reality is finally coming to consumer's pockets thanks to the Gear VR, which is powered by the Note 4 and slated for end-of-year release. What sets this device apart is that the immersive audio and 3D video experience users enjoy is provided by the Note 4's Quad-HD screen technology. Simply slide the Galaxy Note 4 into the headset to deliver superb gaming environments, cinematic settings for movies and TV and larger than life sound. 

Gear S Smartwatch

This is the company's third smartwatch and its codename – Solo – says a lot about why it's a game changer. Unlike nearly all other smartwatches and wearables that can only be used when linked to a smartphone, the Gear S is a 3G capable standalone device that's so smart it's brilliant. A dual-core 1GHz processor, 4GM on internal storage and 512MB RAM mean it can have its own apps and programs and can even send texts and make calls – all using Samsung's own Tizen portable OS. Though experts disagree on the viability and longevity of the wearables market it's pretty clear the Gear S is going to be a hit. Watch for it in October.

The takeaway? Changes to mobile technology are happening faster than ever and Samsung is keeping pace admirably. It remains to be seen whether the competition will keep up but it's clear fans have plenty to look forward to.

RECOMMENDED: Why Curved Screens are the Next Innovative Trend

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*by andreascy*

Why Curved Screens are the Next Innovative Trend

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Between televisions, smartphones, tablets and laptops, most consumer electronics share one distinguishing characteristic: their flat, rectangular displays. It looks like technology is changing that though with a newer trend called curved screens. 

Unlike previous similar wavy displays that featured a contoured glass over a flat display, these new devices and electronics actually use an innovated curved display that offers a variety of benefits from being more ergonomic to improving the multimedia experience.

About Curved Screen Technology

Deemed the new flat screen, curved technology using displays based on OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology, which has made it simpler for manufacturers to enhance or improve two-dimensional screens. Curved screens, which are flat panels that are bent after the fact are also flexible, which means they can be bent with a certain amount of pressure. 

Curved screens are made possible because of a newer flexible glass called Willow, which is manufactured by Corning. It is about as thin as a piece of paper and is chemically coated to enhance transparency and conduct electricity. The thinner the glass, the more curvature you can get. The OLED displays are placed on this type of glass. Televisions with these types of curved and flexible screens can bend on demand by using a remote control. 

Samsung was one of the first to market both televisions and smartphones with the curved screen technology. In 2013, the Samsung Galaxy Round, which is a tablet/smartphone hybrid, was released with its concave screen. The telecommunications giant also introduced a 55-inch OLED TV, which not only had a stunning picture with its 4,500mm curvature radius, but an almost $10,000 price tag to go with it. LG also came out with a 55-inch OLED television, which has a 5,000mm curvature radius.

Besides the Galaxy Round, the LG G Flex from T-Mobile also uses the curved screen technology. Because the curved screen contours to your face, the design reduces the distance between your mouth and the microphone, thus enhancing voice quality. The OLED display also provides a bright, vivid panoramic experience and reduces the glare. In addition to these two devices, it is also rumored that the Apple iPhone 6 is designed to use the same concave screen technology.

Benefits of Curved Screen Technology

Curved screen technology will take some getting used to, especially as more manufacturers create products with it. However, there are several benefits to using it:

- More ergonomic: Phones with curved screens fit more comfortably in your hand.

- Improved multimedia experience: Similar to an iMax experience, the curved screen enhances multimedia viewing by negating the distortion of the screen’s edges and create an image that is perceived as flat. 

- Increased battery life: The LG G Flex has a “tap to life” function that allows users to tap twice on the phone to wake it up instead of picking it up and turning it on. It also has a 3500mAh battery, which produced a longer life than typical smartphone batteries.

Wave of the Future or Just a Gimmick?

Curved screens may just seem like a marketing gimmick, especially when it comes to televisions, since mounting and viewing may require extra attention. However, researchers strongly believe that curved screen displays are the next innovative trend in electronics.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: The Future Is Now: Self-Healing Phones Hit the Market

Smartphones with curved screens offer reduced glossiness typically found in flat displays, and improve screen privacy. That, coupled with the subtle concave of the screen, has opened up the doors to improving on this technology for other products and for future generations.

*by andreascy*

Our Selection of the Top 10 Devices Revealed at CES 2014 Mega - Event

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Hello Brothers & Sisters entire world. Enjoy your days in this blessed week. Not sure what you're after, but we hope the rest of your day is good. 😃

Thanks to you, THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY is continuously growing! Do you want to shape the future with us? We are currently conducting a survey and we'd appreciate if you share your valuable feedback. The survey will only take a few minutes. Please, help us to serve you better! 

If you enjoy our blog site, then you know it, if it's Tech it's here. And today, we bring you the future. We dive into CES 2014, the Gigantic Tradeshow event (Location: Las Vegas, USA) and we present the Hottest New Technology gadgets around. 

Another year, another Consumer Electronics Show has come and gone, and our editorial team picks the best devices that hit the show floor. Some truly interesting innovations, including Smart Watches, Gaming hardware, PC Concepts, TVs, and more.

So what are we waiting for? Let's get to know the Top 10 Devices from this year's event. With a drum roll, ladies and gentlemen, here is the honour list:

1. Pebble Steel Smartwatch

Now hand watches do better than showing time, date, stopwatch and alarms. Pebble Watch came at CES with a new metallic version called "Pebble Steel Smartwatch".

Still supporting Android and iOS, this version includes Corning Gorilla Glass, protecting the E-lnk screen. The battery of the watch was created to last for a week. It's price is $249 and is going to be available from January 28, 2014.

2. Oculus Rift Crystal Cove

The 3D headset for gamers has been improved: Oculus VR revealed its new prototype for Oculus Rift, code-named "Crystal Cove".

This model includes small infrared LEDs on the front surface of the headset. These LEDs that look like white dots emit signals that a camera captures, similar to a webcam. By the way, the graphics are more detailed: Crystal Cove can refresh much faster the information displayed (every 1 to 2 milliseconds compared to 16 milliseconds from the previous model).

3. Project Christine

Here is an interesting concept PC, perfect for huge RTS (real-time strategy) games like League of Legends or StarCraft II. "Project Christine" is a bold re-imagining of the modern desktop with a modular design, made by Razer, a not very large company that develops and sells devices for gamers.

Christine comes with this fascinating design, and several modules like CD/DVD drives, Hard Disk Drives, GPU, RAM Memory etc. Users can customize or upgrade the PC by simply changing the modules on the central tower in order to have a better gaming experience. You can even hot swap the power supply!

4. PlayStation Now

Two months after the release of the PlayStation 4, Sony unveiled it's cloud service "PlayStation Now". Players were waiting for this since 2012, after the acquisition of Gaikai, a company which provides technology for the streaming of high-end video games.

We don't have a release date for the moment, however we know that the service will be compatible with PS4, PS Vita and maybe with smartphones, tablets and TVs. Also it will allow users to play PS3 games (and PS2?) without installing the games on the console.

5. LG’s Curved TV

The key number of this TV by LG is 105. Actually 105 inches for the LG Curved Ultra HD TV, with a 21:9 screen.

The advantage of this curved TV is it's viewing angle. The viewing angles are as wide as you like and the picture is extremely clear from virtually any perspective. By the way, LG, knowing that there'll be a little number of adopters, also made a 65-inch version. Simply awesome!

6. Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

We wonder how Samsung was inspired for it's Galaxy Note Pro tablet: you just have to see the home screen to say that it reminds a bit Windows 8 Modern UI (Metro).

Going by the specs this lightweight (759gr) 12.2 - inch tablet, measures 7.95 mm thick. It comes with Android 4.4 KitKat, and offers a huge display resolution of 2560x1600 (pixels), 3 Gb of RAM, and a huge Exynos 5 Octa chip plus a combined 1.9 GHz Quad Core and a 1.3 GHz Quad Core processor. And it's performance doesn't stop here.

7. Parrot MiniDrone

Star of the CES 2014, the Parrot MiniDrone, a quadricopter that received several awards including an Innovation Award in the category "Wireless Handset Accessories".

The MiniDrone works by being connected to a smartphone or a tablet using Bluetooth Smart. With it's ultra compact design, it can do high speed flights, do acrobatics with great precision and climb along walls with two ultralight wheels. This thing can really fly...

8. EyeLock Myris Iris Scanner

Forget fingerprints! Between DNA and Technology, there is Eyelock Myris, a USB iris scanner device, which has an arguably better take on biometric security. Pick it up, flip it over, look at it, and the sensor will scan your eye to verify your identity. It can work with your PC, Mac or Chrome OS.

Better than using passwords! Myris allows you to protect your digital life while making it more easily accessible. Thank you DNA!

9. Nvidia Tegra K1 Processor

It also had it's say at CES. Nvidia unveiled Tegra K1 Processor, having 192 GPU cores and 4 Gb of Memory.

The processor brings huge graphics performances from PCs or consoles to tablets and smartphones. It allows for example to play PC or console games on Android, with an amazing graphics rendering. The 32 bit version will be released on the first half of 2014.

10. Makerbot Z18 Industrial 3D Printer

As we talk a bit more about 3D printing, Makerbot revealed it's Replicator Z18 which is definitively a beast of a 3D printer.

Even if it's cost is huge ($6,499), the Replicator Z18 3D Printer allows prints up to 12x12x18 inches (about 30x30x45 cm). According to Bre Pettis, CEO of Makerbot Industries, "this is industrial-strength 3D printing".

With that we're closing the curtains on CES 2014. We hope you liked our selection. Please take our poll on the best devices below, and leave a comment about your own opinion.

What was the best gadget of CES?
	Pebble Steel Smartwatch
	Oculus Rift Crystal Cove
	Project Christine
	Playstation Now
	LG’s Curved TV
	Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2
	Parrot MiniDrone
	EyeLock Myris Iris Scanner
	Nvidia Tegra K1 Processor
	Makerbot Z18 Industrial 3D Printer
pollcode.com free polls

Learn about the latest happenings on Social Media, news and comments, plus tips on using Facebook and other web social tools.

Thank you all for your support! Have a productive week. 😎💓

*by andreascy*

HTC One Max Vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

First came the smartphones, then the tablets, and now the latest fad is "phablets" - devices that sit somewhere between oversized phones and undersized tablets. 

License: Image author owned 

The latest phablet from Samsung, the Galaxy Note 3, has had tremendous success on the market, and now HTC is entering the scene with the HTC One Max. 

License: Image author owned 

Can it stand up against the Note 3? Let's look at the specifics and find out.

Size

When it comes to size, it all depends on whether you're more excited about the phone or the tablet part of the phablet. It makes a difference here, since the One Max is significantly larger and heavier than the Note 3. Samsung's device measures in at 5.95" x 3.12" x 0.33" with a weight of 5.93 oz, while the HTC is a whopping 6.48" x 3.25" x 0.41" and weighs 7.65 oz. If you're on the fence about whether to get a phablet versus a regular smartphone, you probably don't want to start off with the One Max. Its formidable size makes it fall much more solidly in the "tablet" category. If, however, you're looking more for a tablet that can call and text, the One Max's size won't throw you at all. Of course, the Max's 6" screen is a nice bonus when it comes to watching movies or reading text.

Internal Specs

When it comes down to the numbers, the Note 3 easily wins this race, with its 2300 MHz processor and ridiculous amount of RAM - a full 3 GB - trumping the One Max's 1700 MHz processor and 2 GB of memory. In practical use, however, most will not notice the difference. The HTC One Max has enough memory and processing power to effortlessly handle the average user's workload. The Note 3 will be heavily discounted at Sprint Black Friday 2013 sale on November 29. Given the impressive specs, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a better buy for the holiday shopping.

Input Options

The Galaxy Note 3 was designed to be used with a stylus and even ships with one. This makes it easier to accurately access what you want. The HTC One Max has chosen instead a touchscreen method. Will most people miss the stylus? Maybe not, unless they've gotten used to it on a Note. What the One Max does have that is unique is its fingerprint sensor. Taking its cue from the iPhone 5s, the sensor sits on the back of the device, allowing you to securely unlock your phone with just a touch of the finger, rather than inputting a passcode or something more time-consuming.

Software

Both these devices are up-to-date with Android 4.3, the latest version of Google's Android operating system. Each phablet's manufacturer has put its own user interface on top of Android. Samsung's TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 offers heavily-advertised features like S Pen functionality and Air Command, while HTC Sense 5.5 includes a feed reader on your homescreen and Zoes, a video clip recorder connected to the camera app.

Which Is Better?

The HTC One Max, in many ways, has just taken its popular HTC One phone and made it larger. The Galaxy Note 3 is more technologically innovative, has better specs, and better demonstrates why a phablet might be preferable to a smartphone. That's not to say the Note 3 is for everyone. The HTC One was an excellent phone and its larger counterpart has many of the same great qualities. If you're set on a phone-tablet combination, however, you can't beat the Note 3 for convenient phablet-centered features.

David Johnson loves to review gadgets and share money saving tips. He recommends buying a new smartphone during Sprint Black Friday sale to get the best price of the season. 

*by andreascy*

What Are The Best Bluetooth Headsets?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Bluetooth headsets are becoming more and more popular for people who love to take their music with them but don't want to hassle with carrying around an MP3 player as well as a cell phone. Most cell phones today can easily double as an MP3 player and with Bluetooth technology, there's no reason to have wires strung around your body so you can listen to your style of music in complete privacy. Also, having a Bluetooth headset means you don't have to drag your phone out of your pocket every time it rings, nor do you have to hold the phone to your ear which means you can keep your hands free to do other things such as continuing to work.

So which headset type will be best for your needs? If your main need for a headset is to answer the phone quickly and easily while keeping your hands free, then you'll want a device that hangs off of one ear. If your main goal is to enjoy your music while having the convenience of answering your phone if it rings, you'll want a headset that covers both ears so you can have the full stereo experience for your tunes.

Here are some of the best Bluetooth single-ear options for you:

- Plantronics

- Samsung

- Jabra

- Jawbone

Here are some of the best Bluetooth stereo headset options:

- Nokia

- Plantronics

- Jabra

- LG

Manufacturers will have several different models which will give you a combination of price versus performance ranges you'll have to examine to find the best fit for your needs and your budget. Some of the parameters you'll be considering will be battery life (both in-use and idle), range, price, audio quality and phone compatibility. Also keep in mind that some versions of these headsets are also earbuds so if you're uncomfortable with an earbud, you'll want to take notice.

Keep in mind that while Bluetooth headsets are offered by most cell phone carriers such as Verizon and T-Mobile either as an option or as part of an accessory package, these are essentially headsets from one of the above manufacturers with the cell phone carrier's label on it and a premium price attached. Unless you're getting an exceptional deal on your accessories package through your carrier, you'll be better off looking for your Bluetooth headset elsewhere.

Today, Bluetooth headsets are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. One of the best ways to find the perfect Bluetooth headset for you is to shop online at some of the big box retailers and electronics suppliers. This enables you to compare all the available features of each headset and once you've decided on which headset you want, you can then search for the best price. Bluetooth headsets make cell phones a lot easier to deal with and a lot more private as well and as inexpensive as a quality Bluetooth headset is, taking advantage of that ease of use is well worth the investment.

CHECK ALSO: Samsung Offers Hot Line of Products This Fall

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*by andreascy*

HTC One Vs Samsung Galaxy S4: Which One Should You Buy?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

They’re the two new kids on the smartphone block. But when it comes to picking the difference between the latest offerings from smartphone experts HTC and Samsung, it can be tricky to decide which cool new device is the right one for you. 

The answer really depends on who you are and what you want from your phone. To help you make the decision between these phones that are fresh off the conveyor belt, here is a run down of each of their best features.

For a reputable brand with reliable support: The Samsung Galaxy S4

When we expect so many things from our phones, it is inevitable that not all of these things will work perfectly for the amount of time that we use our device. Smartphones are designed with a short life-span in mind, but sometimes this can be too short.

So, if you’re after a strong support service and a brand you can trust, it is probably best to stick with the Samsung, as it is a larger company with a better reputation for solid customer service. 

For a pretty phone: The HTC One

It sounds really vain to choose a phone on the basis of its looks, but if you (or your teenage daughter) prioritise aesthetics above all other features, than the HTC One is the smartphone for you. Its contoured aluminium edges and pleasing home screen design make for a welcome change from the functionalist, plastic style of the Samsung. The HTC One also comes with a strong metal case, which looks a lot nicer than the flimsy plastic one that comes standard with the Samsung.

For extra storage space: The Samsung Galaxy S4

If you’re the sort of person who needs an SD card full of all of your movies, photos, songs and games sitting in your smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 should be your pick. The Samsung has expandable storage, which means that you can keep more of your stuff on your phone, without needing to offload onto a home device (like a laptop or a hard drive.) The HTC One does not allow for expandable storage, so you’re stuck with the 32 or 64GB memory with no opportunity to use additional memory cards.

For a cost-effective solution: Possibly either, but your best bet will probably be the HTC One

If you want the cheapest contract you can get for a high quality smartphone, the HTC One should be the phone that you are enquiring after. Most major phone dealers are offering their cheapest plan for the HTC One at a lower rate than their cheapest plan for the Samsung S4, but it will depend on your provider. 

For great battery life: Either

Both the Samsung and the HTC report similar battery life - unfortunately, neither is that astounding when it comes to the juice in the phone. So, ultimately, it just comes down to which features are the most important to how you use your phone, rather than how long you use it for between charges.

Frances Ward is a tech nerd from Sydney. When she’s not trying to figure out who is the best provider for her managed cloud, she’s comparing smartphones on the internet.

*by andreascy*

Top 21 Weatherproof Products and Aluma-Tough Tags

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

From a Notebook that sustains water jets to anodized aluminum tags that last 20 years in sea salt, these cutting-edge products stand up to just about anything. 

Stay connected, organized and dry with the top 21 weatherproof products of 2013. Ranging from quirky to practical, these products were carefully selected as shining examples of how technology makes everyday products better, and people’s lives easier.

Links to all the items are available here.
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*by andreascy*