Man Meets Android

So Google has brought out some new messaging/communication apps....We were due a refresh, anyway. I love Google apps a lot, and I have used these since they were launched. Here is my review.

Google Allo

Download link
This is Google's new messaging app. The setup process is fairly regular, the only interesting thing being that one has to log in with a working phone number in addition to a Google account. Very clean interface, and I like that. It is never going to be inundated by ads, which is a good thing. It gives conversation suggestions while you are chatting, which is nice. You have the option to increase or decrease the text size on the fly, to reflect your degree of expression, and you have a whole new set of stickers to play with, which are really fun. I like the fact that when you share a picture with someone, it fills the width of the phone, giving more info even without opening it up in full screen. It also has an incognito mode for your more private conversations.

I like this app. It emphasizes expression more than anything else, and I can't really say enough about how I like the clean, material design-based interface. But what I think is the best part of it all is how they have baked Google Assistant into the app. It essentially works like Google Now On Tap, and gives you live search results on the content of your messages, be it an address or movie title. It can either be as a standalone chat function, or right from within your chat with another individual. It is so handy, and reminds us that Search will always be Google's strong suit, and they will not let you forget that.

Google Duo

Download link



Simple. The only word needed to describe this. This is Google's new video calling app. It is so simple you will feel very awkward using it sometimes, because it feels like there needs to be more that can be done or that you should do. But it works very well, especially over WiFi, but the mobile data quality is not bad either. It has this amazing feature called Knock Knock where when enabled, you can see what your caller is doing before you even pick up the call. It is so cool! I found myself just watching what my caller was doing, and forgetting to answer the call. Like Allo, it is also tied to your working phone number.

Also they have some of the cutest ads you will ever see! Here's one of them:

VERDICT

I love these apps. They are simple, and work very well. Simple efficiency. They could easily replace a lot of present messaging apps I use.

I do have a few reservations. First, these apps are not multi-platform in their present configurations. This is a big drawback, because it means essentially that if you are not on the phone you used to install them, you will not have access to the facility. A lot of other apps even have desktop functionality, but this doesn't. Sad.

Also, I just kept wondering what would happen if these were merged together into one super app. I don't mind them separate, but I believe there are some who would prefer access to both at the same time. Allo has only chat functionality, and Duo has only video.

Google Hangouts was a bust for me, and I barely used it, but I like these apps, and I would suggest that Google discontinues support for Hangouts to move traction to these new offerings. Invite your friends to use both Duo and Allo, and see for yourself what they are all about.

First things, first: Instagram Stories will not kill Snapchat (Stories).

Recently, media content sharing giant, Instagram, released a new feature called Instagram stories, in which an Instagram user, new or old, can use a combination of photos and/or video clips to share with their audience what they have been up to, in a less curated way than just posting a picture at random times. Like Instagram says in its marketing ad for this feature, everyone has a story, and it shows as Instagram is less of a museum now, and has a more personal touch to it, like you are actually being part of someone else's day, more involved. Very similar to what another app does....

Now this development was welcomed less with enthusiasm and expectation, but more with surprise, bewilderment and outright disgust in some areas, because this for me, might just be the worst case of legal plagiarism I have ever seen. It's like the head of the design team at Instagram just told his crew, Do not stress yourself; do you all use Snapchat? Go and copy as much as you can from them, even the name (Stories); only change Snapchat to Instagram. It is bad. They copied so much, even down to the gestures for navigating the interface. They probably didn't change their logo because they did get a new logo recently, and it might have made them look even more ridiculous. Even the CEO of Instagram admitted as much that their new feature was heavily inspired by Snapchat's. 

But I think Instagram did a good job. Some might even argue it is better than it's competitor.

I think there are more daily active users on Snapchat, but there are more users overall on Instagram. It might not be far-fetched either to state that 90% of anyone with any kind of social media footprint is on Instagram, but the figure would be far lower for the popular Snapchat. Snapchat has created its niche among young people and celebrities with this demographic following, and it promises an environment of exclusivity hardly experienced anywhere else. It is also comparatively feature-rich with the use of custom bit emojis and geofilters giving it a unique experience. Instagram broke no laws. They didn't bother reinventing the wheel. 

Instagram stories is a very bare bones setup, which I must admit is way less stressful to use than Snapchat, especially for new adopters. It doesn't require the installation and setup of new software/apps, or indeed a huge learning curve. An average person on Snapchat might follow and be followed by 50 people either way, but on Instagram, there is a significantly larger audience. Which is why Instagram did not need to roll out so many new features, because with this release, Instagram is looking to regain relevance in the content management sphere. What Instagram did before, they did without peer. Entering into the Stories game will increase their daily user base, and make it more relevant.

The cool kids will stay on Snapchat for the sake of its exclusivity and some idea of solidarity with the brand, but having used both platforms, I have noticed that people like Instagram Stories. They really do. Quite a number of people now post on both platforms (see work!), especially because of the fan base built up on Snapchat that they don't want to lose, but I predict that more celebrities and companies are going to eventually migrate fully to Instagram, as it would provide a single platform which can provide all their publicity needs, both curated and not, to a much wider audience.

Instagram has nothing to lose. Absolutely nothing at stake. Worst case scenario, their user base increases by a negligible amount, but as they release new features and introduce some form of ORIGINAL creativity and innovation, Snapchat will not be dead, but it would have to share its spotlight with a media outfit, that popular or not, is bigger than it is.

By the way, you guys remember that Facebook owns Instagram, right? I'll just drop that here.

What do you think of the article? If you like it, share with your peeps. If you have a contrasting opinion, leave it in the comments below, and I will do my best to reply cordially to everyone who asks a question or needs clarification.

#ManAndroid

Download Snapchat and Instagram from Google Play Store.

Greetings, Android lovers and enthusiasts! The summer has been around for a few weeks now, some are already dreading when it will end, and they have to go back to doing something where they wear more clothes. Relax. Summer still has a few more weeks to go, and here are a few apps to help you maximize and enjoy your time.

GO SOMEWHERE!

1. Booking.com (Playstore link)

My number one travel app. Excellent for booking hotels and other forms of accommodation to basically anywhere in the world. Even your village! (unlikely). The more you use this app, the more access you have to secret deals, and even greater discounts. Don't let the fact that you know no one in a particular city stop you from visiting. Customer reviews are always very helpful and detailed.

2. Viator (Playstore link)

This app gives you variety of options on what to do when you go somewhere new, or if you even want to discover more things to do where you already are! Simply type in the name of the city where you want to go, and it will give you a lot of activities that you can do there, and also, for some attractions, if you book with Viator, you could get priority and VIP treatment when you get to the event or location.

3. SkyScanner (Playstore link)

Easy to use app to find the cheapest flights to any destination in the world. Also set price alerts for particular routes, and it would inform you of when a cheaper flight is available, and gives you an opportunity to book flights right from the app itself. Hotel booking and car rental services also available.

4. XE Currency (Playstore link)

Keep abreast with the exchange rates to help you plan and budget responsibly. You could even compare exchange rates of more than one currency at a time, if you want.

5. 1-Weather (Playstore link)

There are a ton of weather apps out there, and most of them very beautifully created. I have been using this one for the past week or so, and I am listing it here, not because it is better than any other one, but just because I like it, and it has a very nice, detailed widget. Auto-location is also available, so it would give you the weather update of whatever location you're in.

6. Google Maps (Playstore link)

Do I really need to say much or anything about this? Organize your movement. Check public transport options. Find information about locations, as well as customer ratings and pictures. Go and get this app. Don't think, just do it.

7. TripIt (Playstore link)

Aggregate all your travel plans in one place, whether it is your flight information, hotel booking details, car rental information, or tourist attraction itinerary. This app is best used linked to your email of choice where it can automatically import this information, or you can manually enter the information and have the app chronologically arrange all the information for you. That easy.

8. Google Play Music (Playstore link)

My top music streaming service. Take your music with you wherever you are. This service allows you to listen to your music wherever you are, has an ever-increasing list and variety of what is already a vast and impressive library of music. No internet, no problem. Save your music to your phone, and keep on enjoying the service even while online. Also, you can save up to 20,000 of your personal songs to your account, and listen to them wherever you are.

LEARN SOMETHING!

9. Udemy (Playstore link)

Whether you're travelling or not, the summer gives you some extra time on your hands, no work or school, so why not use that opportunity to learn something new, or brush up on some old skills? Udemy is one of such platforms which offers thousands of courses for you to learn, some free and some premium. I am currently enrolled here, and I am enjoying the ease of learning using this medium.

10. Amazon Kindle (Playstore link)

Arguably the world's most popular reading platform. Not everyone could actually have the physical tablet which made this so popular, but you don't need to. Install the app on your android phone or tablet, and you're good to go. Discover and purchase new books and subscribe to periodicals right from this app.

There are so much more apps to be found on the Play store, but these are my favorites. Would you add any to my list (how dare you)? If you do, leave the name of the app in the comments section, and I will look at it, and probably recommend it to others.

Thanks for reading!

Been a while!

Samsung, a couple of days back, at their annual Samsung Unpacked event, announced their 2 new flagship phones in their category. The S7 and S7 Edge, for me, are conclusive evidence that Samsung has indeed grown up, because looking at these phones, a lot of intelligence has gone into the design, usability and even handling of these devices. I will be addressing some highlights of this phone that I observed, and that I think make these phones Samsung's best till date. Except otherwise stated, all features mentioned would be applicable to both phones.

1. IT'S THICKER!


This feature has me so excited! I have never been a fan of light or slim phones, because the phones feel so small and slippery, with not enough grip purchase, plus every time a phone is slimmed down, something is sacrificed, whether it is battery, or aesthetics (camera bump). With the extra millimeter or so of thickness, more can be done inside the phone.

2. BIGGER BATTERY

This feature lends credence to my view that Samsung is smarter. Samsung did not reinvent the phone with these devices, but they took an already awesome phone in their predecessors and made it so much greater. One key issue with the flagships from last year was that you had such an awesome phone, but you had to carry its awesome charger with it as well. It's like going to a restaurant to eat a gourmet meal, only to be told you have to wash the plates after you're done. The S7 has been bumped up from the S6 to contain a 3000mAh battery, while the S7 Edge is now about 3600mAh. Now your Samsung can fully express itself without you being worried that you can enjoy your phone, but only for so long. And it still has fast charging, but not removable/swappable battery.

3. EXPANDED NOTIFICATION EDGE (S7 EDGE)


For such a novel idea as the curved screen on Galaxy Edge devices, there was only so little functionality and things you could do. Now, you can put a lot more content on the notification edge, even adding up to two vertical rows of apps or shortcuts, so that more is available to you instantly. Same smart thinking that brought multi-tasking to the Galaxy Note phones, taking advantage of all that real estate. Smart Samsung.

4. EXPANDED STORAGE SLOT IS BACK!


This also doubles as a dual SIM slot, so for those who complained about that in the previous phones, Samsung has magnanimously brought it back. Even though personally, I have not missed it. I use a 64GB Oneplus One and I have never used more than 25GB, not because I can't, but because I haven't needed to, and I am a power user. But I assume that there are people who probably have some form of media files that they would need to keep on their phones, so Samsung providing that option will only endear more people to them.

5. BETTER IN THE HAND


Sometimes, as cliche as it sounds, the little things make the best long term difference. There's a curve to the back of the devices, meaning that it fits more naturally in the curve of your palm, and you can hold it for much longer, and more comfortable. Also, because of the increased thickness, the camera bump is significantly reduced, and can be placed on a table without it rocking and not being stable. The little things.

6. EXCITED ABOUT THE NOTE 6!

After seeing all that has been done with these phones, I am excitedly looking forward to what Samsung will do with the Note 6. Probably an even bigger battery, better stylus integration with the notification edge, even faster processor and better camera, etc. 

___________________________________________________________________________

There are many other cool features of these phones, like being dust and water-resistant for up to 30 minutes, improved screen and camera, Always On feature, more user friendly TouchWiz interface, better VR experience, etc., but Samsung have done right in not doing too much to change these phones from their big brothers. Because let's face it, how many people buy a new phone every year? Truth be told, most people that buy this phone would probably be those who own an S5 or its contemporaries, so Samsung has just tweaked a good phone, and made it great. 

That being said, whoever buys this phone, no matter how recently you got another one, you won't be disappointed. 

Agree? Disagree? Drop a comment below and let me know. Share with your friends too!

I used to own a Blackberry Bold 2. Or was it 3?


Finally, a Blackberry phone that not only the mother would love. This is Blackberry's latest offering, the Priv, where Priv stands for Privacy. What makes this device so unique is that it is running Android for what would hopefully be the first in a long line of such phones. It hasn't lost its Blackberry identity entirely, as it still comes packaged with some native software, and a gorgeous slide out keyboard, but more on that later.



I am actually quite excited about this phone, especially because it was so sad when the company, which was a giant in the smartphone industry, was usurped by the likes of Apple, Samsung, and not forgetting their own ineptitude. I can't wait to get a unit to personally examine, but from my research, here is the GOOD and the BAD about this phone.

THE GOOD

The Keyboard

This piece of hardware, akin to the Blackberry Messenger might just be the remaining icons of the Blackberry identity remaining. And this doesn't disappoint at all. This would be the selling point to Blackberry purists (all 13 of them). Still as tactile as ever, and made even better with Gesture Control. Also it's pretty cool when you slide it out and show off to your friends (can your phone do that?). Frees up more screen estate so you can see more, but you might not be able to install your preferred third party keyboards like SwiftKey or Fleksy. Double tap on the keyboard and it becomes a cursor so you can move around documents. Neat.

Runs Android

Interestingly, this wasn't supposed to be the first Blackberry device running Android, and what a game changer it would have been for the company, but they decided to go with BB10 instead. But it's here finally, running a skin on Android 5.1.1, hopefully with guaranteed updates in the future. Blackberry were smart to keep the Android experience as pure as they can, and with the keyboard tucked away, one could be forgiven for forgetting it's an android device.

The Device Build

I already mentioned that this device feels premium and solid. About the same height as the Note 5, if you don't mind big phones (phablets) you'll feel right at home with this phone. Built to play with the big boys, it has a gorgeous AMOLED screen, and an 18 MP camera on the back. The back is not smooth and slippery like we see in a lot of phones today, so it is easy to hold in the hand.

THE BAD

The Device Build

This phone is heavy comparatively. The Galaxy S6 weighs 138g, the iPhone 6S, 143g, and this one comes in at almost 200g. It is weight you will notice. It comes only in black, and it sn't exactly a sleek phone, so it is not a pretty phone. When you slide the keyboard out, it feels top heavy, so two-handed use might be necessary. The camera is hit or miss, and even with the 18MP sensor with optical image stabilization, there are many other phones out there, some cheaper that will take better pictures of what you're having for lunch. Nothing wow about the battery life.

Blackberry Hub/Notification Tray

One thing that is synonymous with Blackberry for me is clutter. That is so evident in the notification tray. It looks too busy, and there is too much going on. Keep it simple, like other android phones do. The Hub is a literal dumping ground of all your notifications in one place without any categorization, and it just looks like a mess.

The PRIV Part

This sounds like a good idea in itself, but also sounds like a marketing gimmick. Who buys a phone these days, and says, I really want a phone built with enhanced privacy features in mind? If they really wanted to nail down the privacy part, such new features like a fingerprint scanner to unlock the phone should have been necessities.

MY CONCLUSION

This is a lovely phone. Built well too.Coming from any other Blackberry phone you would love it, and let us not forget this is the first of what would be more phones to come, so let us encourage them for their effort. Is this a contender for best Android device? No, but it is an indication that there might just be salvation for this company yet.

A few weeks back, I decided to take the bold step to do a factory reset on my Oneplus One device. My phone had become buggy, and all I had tried to do to fix it wasn't working.So I backed up all my important files that were not already in the cloud (photos and contacts are perpetually backed up online), and then I followed the clear instructions to do a factory reset. And I loved the result. It worked beautifully and ran smoothly.

The Android operating software in its early days wasn't smooth. At all. It was very slow, and very buggy as well. It is much, much better these days, and gives us the kind of efficient and smooth operation we have come to enjoy, but once in a while, it feels good to get a new phone without actually buying one.

First lets understand what a factory reset does. It removes all USER DATA and restores the device back to factory settings providing that the device is not rooted. User data is defined as apps, call logs, contacts, and anything else the user has placed in the device's memory. A factory reset really only deals with the Data and the Cache partitions.



These are my top 5 reasons for doing a factory reset on your android device.


1. BUGGY PERFORMANCE
Sometimes, there seems to be a niggling issue with your phone. It becomes too slow, apps don't open on time, error messages always come up. You have tried to fix the problem as much as you can, but still with no results. A factory reset would restore default settings before you had the problem.

2. SWITCHING PHONES
Let's say you're feeling generous, and you want to give your little brother your phone, but you don't want him to have access to your stored data, and you want him to enjoy the phone like new. He will appreciate the effort. Side note, this also applies to sisters, boyfriends, girlfriends, friend zone tenants, etc.

3. SELLING DEVICE
Similar reason to the one above, only more risky because the device will be handled by a total stranger. Data protection is a very big security issue in contemporary times, so you don't want some random person with access to your pictures, texts or emails.

4. ROOTING DEVICE
This one is a bit controversial. The rooting process already has an integrated procedure for wiping the phone before enabling its added functionality, but I believe you stand a better chance of an optimum rooting process if you first do a factory reset, as it has been observed that rooting is not exactly an error-free process yet. Not obligatory, but it really can't hurt.

5. JUST BECAUSE
Remember how smoothly your phone worked when you first bought it? Like has been previously stated, sometimes you just want a fresh start, and you don't want to buy a new phone. Also it will help you to weed out the unnecessary apps you have previously installed. If after you reset your phone, you still think you need to reinstall an app, then you probably need it. If not, good riddance, more space.

One thing you MUST always remember to do before a factory reset is to BACKUP your data. A factory reset would wipe your phone clean, so what ever you don't backup, you will lose. This is also useful for those scared of losing their data when they reset their android phones or tablets. Back it up, reset, then restore. You can back up either to a cloud storage facility or removable storage.

Factory reset processes differ from device to device but at its core, they work on the same principle. Follow this link for instructions on how to factory reset your device.

Do you agree, disagree? Do you have more reasons to do a factory reset on your android device? Share in the comments below.

This is a continuation of the last blog article {Part 1}, which you guys received very well indeed. We are going to be reviewing a few more apps to make you the efficient android-using student.

Many of these apps will make you want to not carry ANYTHING else with you, except your android phone/tablet. Don't believe me? Read on.

1. AnkiDroid (Anki)

Playstore link

I found this app literally an hour before writing this post. Saw it under someone else's school productivity recommendations, installed it, and I love it already. It is a flashcard app, which makes memorizing important points very easy. It is smart too. You could either create your flashcards from scratch with your own content, or you could browse from flashcards already created on the subject matter. It also deduces how fast you're able to answer the questions and based on that, decides when to reveal that card again. It doesn't have a 4.5 rating for nothing. It works perfectly when you use it with the desktop version.

2. CamScanner

Playstore link

You will throw away your scanner after you use this app, especially if you have a more than average camera. This app scans documents by using your camera to take pictures and then storing them in an enhanced and clearer form. I have used this app a lot, and even if the paper is rumpled or folded, it has functionality which will allow you spread it out and see it clearly. You can even store multiple pages per document, so it looks like you are flipping through pages.

3. Pushbullet

Playstore link

Another favorite app of mine that I install on ALL my devices. I would install it on my wallet if it were possible (it isn't). This app helps to transfer (push) files between devices. Some content is just better seen on a bigger screen, or you are going out, and you push an article to your phone so you can read on the go. It uses your email address to push files to all your devices where you have it installed. You can transfer files, text, links, pictures, videos, etc., between devices. You could also push items between different people, as long as they also have Pushbullet, and you connect with them. You could even reply messages on your phone from your PC. You really need this app. Trust me.

4. ColorNote

Playstore link

This is my favorite note-taking app. The interface is honestly not so interesting to look at, as it is very basic, not modern or sleek-looking really, but it is very efficient. It gets the job done very well. The notes can be color-coded and with labels to keep you better organized. For taking notes in class, this comes highly recommended by me.You could also use this app to create any lists you want, as well as set reminders. You could also sync across devices, so that what you've already posted in your phone, for example, will show up on your tablet, where you could view and edit the document.

5. Any.Do

Playstore link

There are a ton of to-do apps on the Play Store, but this one stands out because it is so simple in it's design, but packed full of features. You can set reminders, drag and drop to plan your agenda, integrated speech recognition, seamless cloud sync, adding sub-tasks and notes. You could also share with other people easily, making collaborating on assignments or deadlines easier. The reminders stay in your notification drawer so you never forget the task you have to do.


Alright, guys. These apps wrap up my list of the best school productivity apps I have come across on the Google Play Store. What app do you use the most? Which is your favorite? Which one did I miss? Put a comment below, and let's see, I might just be sold too.