hands-on Stories February 18
In the past few years, good wireless earbud choices have become even harder to find due, in part, to market saturation. Lenovo has thrown its hat into the ring with the Lenovo Smart Wireless Earbuds with Google Assistant and multipoint pairing. While the name isn’t very catchy, the clean, detailed sound and convenience might get you.
hands-on Stories June 23, 2021
Since the launch of the Chromecast with Google TV back in October, it’s been downright bizarre that Stadia, Google’s premier game streaming service, was not available on the company’s newest streaming hardware. Instead, to (officially) play on TV, players were forced to purchase a Chromecast Ultra and Stadia Controller.
Google has now launched a proper “Stadia for Android TV” app into the Play Store, and we’ve spent a few hours playing with it and learning its ins and outs.
hands-on Stories June 29, 2020
The true value of a game console, more than its raw hardware capabilities, is its library of exclusive games. We got hands-on time with the latest timed exclusive for Stadia — Crayta, a hub for both playing games and creating games of your own — and think it could very well be Stadia’s killer app.
hands-on Stories July 2, 2019
Since early this year, we’ve been tracking the development of what appears to be a KaiOS competitor being built within Google using Android and Chrome. We were able to get hands-on with an early build of this “touchless” Chrome to explore Google’s vision for Android-powered feature phones.
hands-on Stories August 17, 2016
Late last evening Honor announced the Honor 8 for the United States market, and we finally got a chance to go hands-on with the phone. As you may already know, the phone is basically the Huawei P9 on the inside, albeit aimed at millennial consumers and given a completely new external aesthetic. This phone has a glass back, a fingerprint sensor that you can press for app shortcuts, a dual-camera setup, and more…
hands-on Stories July 20, 2016
Just the other day ZTE and MetroPCS launched the ZMax Pro, a 6-inch smartphone with solid specs and great features such as a fingerprint sensor. Just glancing at the spec sheet you’d think this phone would cost at least $200 or more, but ZTE shocked everyone by launching this device for just $99. Is it any good? Let’s take a quick look after using the device for the past 24 hours…
hands-on Stories June 14, 2016
Today we’re taking a look at the recently announced OnePlus 3. I’ve only had this phone for a couple of days, so don’t expect a full review just yet. But instead, our initial impressions with more to come…
hands-on Stories June 10, 2016
Yesterday we got our hands on Lenovo’s just-announced Moto Z and Phab2 Pro, but one of the most important new features of the former — the company’s true flagship this year — is support for new modular backplates called Moto Mods. Lenovo announced a slew of them yesterday, including speakers from JBL, a camera module from Hasselblad, a pico projector called the Moto Insta-Share, an Incopio battery pack, and more.
Let’s take a look…
hands-on Stories June 9, 2016
Lenovo announced the first line of Moto phones since its acquisition of Motorola today, and there was not a single mention of the company from which the new devices got their namesake. The Moto X is gone replaced by the Moto Z and the Moto Z Force — the former being the true flagship with a super-thin build and the latter being a more rugged version with a better camera, a little more thickness, and a shatterproof screen.
Let’s take a look at the regular Moto Z, which in my opinion is the nicest phone Lenovo announced today…
hands-on Stories April 25, 2016
As we told you would be the case, LeEco held an event in China last week to announce a few new Android phones, a new all-electric vehicle concept, the next-generation of its SuperTV line, and a VR headset. While the Le 2 and the Le 2Pro are great handsets for the price, the phone that really caught my eye was the highest-end Le Max2. The Le Max2 is also a great phone for the price, but it brings specs and performance comparable to the latest-and-greatest Android flagships from Samsung, LG, and others.
Follow after the break for our hands-on video…
hands-on Stories April 12, 2016
We’ve had the HTC 10 all weekend, and wanted to share with you our first hands-on look. Of all of the flagship devices that we’ve seen in 2016, the HTC 10 is easily the prettiest.
The chamfered edges on the front of the HTC 10 lend a design reminiscent of jewelry, and the extra wide light-reflecting chamfer on the rear of the phone adds even more flair to the first impression. Have a look at our hands-on preview for a first-hand glimpse at HTC’s 2016 flagship. expand full story
hands-on Stories November 2, 2015
Nextbit’s Robin is a new smartphone that’s primary goal is to eliminate the lack of smartphone storage. Robin uses the cloud and intelligently archives stuff you don’t use or need often, while backing it up to the cloud. Recently, we took a trip to Nextbit HQ for a closer look at Robin and to see what it’s all about…
hands-on Stories October 12, 2015
Meet the LG V10. Somewhat of a super phone for LG, it features two screens, dual-front cameras, an extensive manual video mode for the rear shooter, and some beefy specifications. Basically, LG just gave the middle finger to anyone who bought a G4, because this might be a much better version of it…
hands-on Stories October 1, 2015
LG last night announced its LG V10 smartphone alongside the forthcoming LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition, but today the company held an event in New York City to show off the new products. We were on the ground at the event to take a look at the goodies, and below you’ll find a photo gallery and a hands-on video with the new Watch Urbane… expand full story
hands-on Stories September 3, 2015
Today we’re taking a look at Samsung’s new Gear S2 and S2 Classic. If you’ve been in the market for a new Android Wear smartwatch, you may want to hold out for one of these instead. The Gear S2 is standard model that looks a little sporty, but definitely feels great in the build department, while the S2 Classic will give you more of, well, a classic watch style…
hands-on Stories June 30, 2015
Samsung has yet to officially announce the much-rumored Galaxy A8, but now we know basically anything we might need to know about it (via Nowhereelse). The phone, which is apparently the thinnest that Samsung has ever made, can be seen from every angle in a recently-leaked hands-on video that managed to slip of the hands of Chinese telecom regulator TENAA… expand full story
hands-on Stories April 28, 2015
LG is back at it again and today we’re taking a quick look at the G4 with a brief comparison to its predecessor the G3. LG’s G4 takes on a similar look and feel as the G3, but everything feels a bit more refined. I’m a big fan of how it feels in the hand and even though it’s technically a bit taller than the G3, it doesn’t seem to affect the overall experience.
As far as specifications, the G4 features a 5.5-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440) IPS Quantum display, which is the same in size and resolution as its predecessor. The display has a very slight curve, but nothing near the G Flex series. Along with that, we have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor (dual-core 1.8Ghz and a quad-core 1.44), the Adreno 418 GPU, and 3GB of RAM…
hands-on Stories March 4, 2015
As many of you know already, when it comes to Android Wear smart watches, style is the defining factor. The software experience will be the same on any Android Wear smartwatch, but the mobile market is still trying to prove it can deliver on something that’s not only functional, but stylish as well. This year at MWC 2015, Huawei became a serious competitor in the smart watch space. Meet Huawei Watch. I think you’ll like it…
hands-on Stories March 2, 2015
When comparing the Galaxy S5 and the S6, there are a few important things to look at. There’s no doubt that Samsung’s Galaxy S6 is a major step above its predecessor, but what exactly is different? Without wasting too much of you’re time, we’ve put together a short video that will explain these difference in less than 90 seconds…
hands-on Stories January 8, 2015
CES 2015: Pinć VR headset for Android hands-on and first impressions
A few months ago, we visited Toronto-based Cordon Labs for some hands-on time with the work-in-progress Pinć VR headset case for Android-based smartphones and the iPhone. Fast forward to CES 2015 and we’ve once again had a few minutes to check out a new and improved prototype of the headset, now 20% slimmer and closer to becoming an accessory that could actually be pocketable without protruding through your pants. Read ahead for my first impressions of the Pinć and a brief overview of where I think it is headed.
hands-on Stories January 7, 2015
It appears 2015 is going to be the first year that Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay finally start seeing more widespread attention, and Pioneer is kicking the year off with five new NEX receivers, three of which are compatible with Google’s Android Auto. We had a chance to see one of them in action at CES 2015, and while it was made clear that this was just demonstration software, the receivers are most definitely doing a great job of showing off Google’s car OS in a package that’s relatively affordable. expand full story
hands-on Stories January 5, 2015
We got a chance to go hands-on this morning with the Asus Zenfone 2 at CES in Las Vegas, and I think I’ve come to the conclusion that this is one of the most notable smartphones to ever come from the Taiwanese company. Forget the fact that this device is the first smartphone in the world to come with 4 GB of RAM and consider this: At $199, this device, even without its headlining feature (which the base model is notably lacking anyway), is now by far the best $199-level phone on the market. expand full story
LG has officially unveiled the G Flex 2 and we’re here at at CES 2015 to bring you all of the details. The G Flex 2 carries over the same curved display/body design from its predecessor, but has significant improvements in the hardware department. Let’s go ahead and take a closer look in our hands-on and overview video…
hands-on Stories October 22, 2014
Google this afternoon announced Inbox for Gmail, its all-new emailing solution that is intended to coexist with the regular Gmail platform. Inbox for Gmail is available on an invite only basis for Android, iOS and Chrome. I am fortunate enough to have received an invite to Inbox for Gmail, and I have been giving the iPhone app a rundown to see how it works. For the most part, Inbox is everything that you know and love about Gmail in a sleeker package.
hands-on Stories September 6, 2014
Samsung recently announced the Note 4 which sports a new premium design with a metal frame, but before that came the metal-framed Galaxy Alpha. This device flew under the radar for many because it was announced at a very random press event in Russia last month. Unfortunately, the only way I can describe this device is being, “Samsung’s iPhone.” That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it seriously looks like an iPhone…
It looks like Sony has given up on its old smartwatch ways. As we confirmed days before its announcement, the Sony SmartWatch 3 is running Android Wear and has been given a slightly different (and simple) design when compared to its predecessors. While Android Wear is a solid wearable platform, for Sony fans the SmartWatch 3 may be a step backwards…
hands-on Stories September 5, 2014
LG recently unveiled its latest smartwatch, the G Watch R. This is the first Android Wear device with a full circle display, because as some of you may know, the Moto 360 has a “flat tire” due to the sensors located at the bottom side of the face. The good news is, the G Watch R is just as premium as the Moto 360, and in my opinion, possibly better…
hands-on Stories September 4, 2014
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note 4 at a press event on Sept. 3, 2014, but the fun didn’t stop there. The company also announced the Note Edge, which is a variant of the Galaxy Note series, but with a curved edge on its right side that can be used independently from the main portioned screen…
hands-on Stories September 3, 2014
Along with the announcement of the Galaxy Note 4 and Note 4 Edge, Samsung unveiled the long-rumored Gear VR headset. This headset provides an immersive virtual reality experience, without most of the complexities that come with an Oculus Rift. Oddly enough, Samsung’s Gear VR was created through a partnership between Facebook owned Oculus and Samsung…
After several teasers over the last couple of weeks, ASUS has officially unveiled its Android Wear-powered ZenWatch. This sleek little smartwatch may be similar to other offerings on the market, but it’s refreshing to see something like this from ASUS…
Samsung recently announced the Galaxy Note 4 at a press conference during IFA 2014 in Berlin and the hype is real. The Galaxy Note 4 is equipped with a new design that features a metal frame and stronger 2.5D glass on the front to help prevent scratches. Along with that, we’re getting beefed up internal specifications, better camera performance, and new software features…
hands-on Stories June 7, 2014
LG’s G3 is the big shot smartphone on the block and packs high-end specifications much like its competition, but with one big wow factor. The 5.5-inch display found on the G3 has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 giving it a screen density of 538 PPI, and trust us, that’s as beautiful as it sounds. Every inch of the display is crisp and almost looks as if all of the imagery was printed on a thin piece of glass.
This may be the device to buy in 2014, but we’ll let you know in our full review. Find out more about its beautiful QHD display, specifications, and everything else the G3 has to offer in our hands-on and first impressions video below.
hands-on Stories November 18, 2013
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We’ve already had a look at LG’s official video showing off the G Flex “self-healing” technology but this time around we’re getting a true hands-on. Recognizing that LG’s official video happened in the most optimal conditions using the very best in camera angles…this new video video courtesy of YouTube star Marques Brownlee shows off “self-healing” in the real world.
hands-on Stories November 16, 2011
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Google has just announced the new Google Music, so we’ve decided to show our lovely readers a quick tour. Above you’ll find a tour of both the Android and web app, including me purchasing a song. My Google+ friends were also able to use the one free play, as seen below.
hands-on Stories October 26, 2011
Sprint’s HTC EVO Design 4G just landed at my house to review, but first I thought I’d do a quick hands on for our lovely readers. Just as a reminder, the device packs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), HTC Sense, a 1.2 GHz processor, 4-inch qHD display, 5-megapixel rear-camera, 1.3-megapixel front-camera, Wi-Fi, and World Phone capabilities. Full video hands-on after the break:
