Android Magazine 51
Android Magazine 51
Android Magazine 51
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OF VIDEOS, TIPS & APPS
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LG
G FLEX 2
REVIEWED
LOLL
FIX
DROID M
t from Google I/O and the next big update
ARTWATCH 3
ISSUE 051
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C oming soo N
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MIDDLE-EARTH: SHADOW OF MORDOR 2015 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Originally developed by Monolith. In association with WingNut Films. 2015 New Line Productions, Inc. The Saul
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Welcome
To issue 51
WorldMags.net
Jack Parsons
Editor
Jamie Frier
Staff Writer
It has to be Google Maps.
As someone who can get
lost on a straight road,
it has proved invaluable
over the years.
Siobhan Maguire
Production Editor
Welcome
A
Instagram is my favourite
app as it gives me an
insight to all sorts of things
around the world, from
food to amazing places!
Adam Markiewicz
Senior Designer
As well as designing
Android Mag, I moonlight
as a musician, so Mobile
Metronome is denitely
one of my favourites.
GET IN TOUCH
What do you think?
Let us know!
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Jack Parsons
Editor
Unboxing videos
Video tutorials
Wallpapers
ww.lesilo.co.uk/android
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Contents
Inside issue 51
www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
CONTENTS
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al readers
Launcher
Previews,
news and
speculation
from the world
of Android
08 LG G4 and Xperia
Z4 go head to head
Latest LG and Sony
agships compared
10 The Android
Wear Book
Essential guide to
mastering your Moto 360
14
11 Dialer apps
Best apps for speedy calls
12 New Tech:
Android ATMs
Smarter banking
15
MOD
GENERATION
53 THE
WHAT TO EXPECT
FROM GOOGLE I/O 2015
HackerZone
This months top mods and tweaks
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63
Tutorials
GET THE S6
LOCKSCREEN
38 Tutorials
68
eviews
MOTO G
G 4G
66
LG
G FLEX 2
66 LG G Flex 2
68 Moto G G 4G (2015)
71 Archos 101 Oxygen
72 Prestigio Multiphone 5550 Duo
73 Vodafone Smart Max
74 Sony Smartwatch 3
88 Buyers Guide
46
SEND UNWANTED
CALLS TO
VOICEMAIL
74
SONY
SMARTWATCH 3
Apps
82 Head-to-head
The best handwriting
app revealed
84
UNCANNY
X-MEN
84 Game reviews
The best games reviewed
20+ APPS
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Xperia
More information www.sony.com
technical specs
Memory.......................................32/64GB stora
Dimensions..............................146 x 72 x 6.9
Weight ..........................................144g
Display size...............................5.2-inch
Display resolution...............1920x1080 pi
Front camera..........................5.1MP
Rear camera ...........................20.7MP (f/1.2
Connectivity.............................3G, 4G, NFC, B
Expansion slot.......................microSD (up to
LG G4 and So
Z4 go head-to-head
Sony and LG have taken
radically different
approaches to their
fourth-gen agships
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LG G4
More information www.lg.com
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www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Ustwo Watch
Faces
Price Free
From the makers of
indie game Monument
Valley, its no surprise
that this watch face app
is packed with bright
and beautiful designs.
Featuring some fantastically abstract
concepts, Ustwo Watch Faces will appeal to
anyone who enjoys some of Android Wears
more out-there default faces, such as Orbit
and Polar, for example.
Pujie Black
oid
Wear Book
This unofcial guide to the Moto 360 and more is
packed with user advice to set your watch by
S6 secrets revealed
Youve bought Samsungs latest and greatest handset, the Galaxy S6, now
what do you do with it? Find out in The Samsung Galaxy Book Volume 5. In the
same series as The Android Wear Book, this edition has been updated for the
new model, but is just as useful for Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5 owners. It is
packed with easy, step-by-step tutorials on everything from adding widgets to
your homescreen to mastering Samsungs apps, including S Planner and S Fit.
The guide is available for 9.99/$19.99, from all good shops.
10
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Price 0.97/$1.39
The best
smartwatches are as
much a fashion
accessory as they are
a high-tech gadget, so
it stands to reason
they should match your
personal taste. Pujie Black enables you to
create and customise Android Wear watch
faces, choosing both how they look and what
they do from displaying the date to showing
what your local weather is doing.
Behance Watch
Faces
Price Free
Turn Android Wear into
a work of art with
Behance. Similar to
DeviantArt, Behance is
a network for artists to
showcase their
illustrations, photographs and more. This
ofcial app has picked some of the nest
works and turned them into watch faces.
Each face includes an alternate image for
Ambient Mode too.
Weather Time
Price Free + IAPs
If youre a fan of how
the Yahoo Weather
app uses photos to
illustrate the weather
where you are, then
youll love Weather
Time. It does much the
same thing, with a full-bleed contextual
background image to match the weather
condition and temperature thats displayed on
your watchs homescreen.
WorldMags.net
1
GALLERY OF...
DAZZLING DIALER APPS
4
1
True
Contacts
2 drupe
With so many
different ways to
stay in touch, from
making a phone call to
Facebook Messenger,
drupe tries to simplify
the process. Just drag
the contacts prole
picture to the logo of
the relevant social
network app and you
will be connected.
Price: Free
3 Simpler
Contacts
& Dialer
Simpler Contacts
will help you tidy
your address book by
creating a favourites
list, deleting duplicates,
and customising the
colour of your dialer.
You can also search by
name or number for
super fast dialing.
Price: Free + IAPs
4 Truedialer
When dialing a
number for the
rst time, Truedialer will
search its extensive
database of numbers
to provide you with
additional contacts
details, which you can
then save to your
phone. Move between
number pad and
keyboard with a swipe.
Price: Free
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5 Humin
Cant remember
the name of that
person you met last
week? Instead of
providing you with an
alphabetical address
book of your contacts,
Humin enables you to
search according to
when you met them
last, your location and
where they work.
Price: Free
6 Hangouts
Dialer
The successor to
Google Voice,
this app is not just for
making free calls to
your friends on Google
Hangouts. You can also
call domestic and
international calls
without using your
minutes plan and at
a reduced rate.
Price: Free
11
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NEW TECH
Bra
ban
Use your pho
money with
magine going to an A
withdraw cash witho
This may seem like fu
little insecure, but than
on the cusp of becomin
The Cx110 ATM is a
that uses cloud-based
called NCR Kalpana to
experience for every ba
that within very soon, w
smartphones and Andr
complete transactions
whole operation.
Not only will ATMs be
efcient to use, but ba
more personalised ser
cloud computing will al
habits, potentially mea
your regular transactio
button. This system co
ATMs and its thanks to Androids open source
platform that this has become a possibility.
Finger scanning
Rather than entering a PIN
code into this next-gen ATM,
all you have to do is use the
ngerprint scanner on your
phone. Working with your
banks companion app, your
phone will then verify your
identity for the ATM
Personal
touch
By keeping a log of
your transactions
stored securely on
the cloud server,
ATMs could soon
learn what you want
to do and provide
personalised options
on the screen
Paperless banking
NCR also plans to integrate
mobile receipts which bypass
traditional paper receipts.
Instead, a text or email will be
sent to your device
Faster nance
Android synchronisation is
the next step, so you could
have selected your
transaction before you have
even reached the machine.
No more waiting in long
queues for your cash
At a glance
Product name
Cx110 ATM
The Kalpana NCR-driven ATM is an Android-based thin
client machine that will provide greater speed and
personalisation to bank customers.
Q&A
We spoke to Andy
Monahan, VP of Kalpana
software engineering
and Robert Johnston, NCR
global director, about the
Cx110 ATM
12
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Get in touch
twitter facebook
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Let us know what you
think of the Galaxy S6
low-light
1Pixel density 2 Taking
photos
The S6 is to the
iPhone as the Nintendo
3DS is to the rst
GameBoy. The S6s 2560
x 1440 Quad HD screen
provides a dense
490ppi, while the
iPhone sports a less
impressive 326 ppi on
its 1334 x 750 screen.
@lgrobot
/littlegreenrobot
Like us on Facebook to
send your comments
Recording video
10Running
multiple screens
4Controlling
your TV
5Charging
wirelessly
Customisation
ways the
Galaxy S6 beats
the iPhone 6
Mobile payments
7Keeping
your privacy
intact
Private mode is
available to all Android
Lollipop users so you
can hide anything you
want securely. The
iPhone, meanwhile
has a hide option that
still displays les in
their folders, which
rather defeats the
object, dont you think?
WorldMags.net
6Charging quickly
13
Feature
20 Lollipop fixes
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14
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Feature
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20 Lollipop fixes
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3. Get Xposed
If youve only just rooted your device, ensure
that you have downloaded Xposed Installer.
Then follow the in-app links to download the
Xposed module called Fix Lollipop Memory
Leak (bit.ly/1JHl3wl) to nish the process.
15
Feature
20 Lollipop fixes
WorldMags.net
5 ways to fight
battery drain
1. Delete apps that are
power-hungry
Repair broken
Wi-Fi
2. Regularly restart
This doesnt sound like a very technical
solution, but restarting your Android will clear
your cache and could make your battery last
much longer. However, we dont recommend
letting your device run down more than a few
times a month. Instead, keep it charged
regularly, restart it on occasion and you could
see positive results.
2. Uninstall apps
4. Factory reset
3. Disable unnecessary
services
It might come as a surprise to some that Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth can waste your battery if
theyre left switched on and youre not
connected to anything. Turn off these
connections along with NFC, GPS and your
cellular radiio, to save power. Most of these
can be toggled on and off in quick settings.
4. Go back to black
It is no secret that dimming the brightness of
your devices screen is going to help save
power, but did you know that the colour of
your background wallpaper could also be
draining your power? Due to AMOLED screens,
youre likely to get a longer charge by switching
to a black or darker wallpaper.
Some launchers
might be putting
your phone under a
lot of strain
16
Change the
look of Battery
Saver mode
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Feature
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Apps that
vanish into Air
One of the more bizarre Lollipop-related bugs,
some Adobe AIR apps are throwing up error
messages or disappearing altogether in Android
5.0. AIR is a piece of tech that enables Flash and
Dreamweaver tools to create software, in
particular, indie games. Machinarium, Hero Mages
and Empire: Four Kingdoms all use AIR, while
non-gaming examples include Instaweather Pro
and Conqu. Unfortunately, the only solution is to
wait for the Android 5.0.1 update, install it and then
re-download the apps.
Bring back
Bluetooth
Like GPS and Wi-Fi, some users have complained
about Bluetooth connectivity in Lollipop, reporting
that they have trouble pairing devices. Firstly, check
you are trying to pair correctly. If thats not it, try
deleting old Bluetooth proles in Settings>
Bluetooth as you may have reached your limit. If you
still cant connect, then delete the prole on both
devices again. After that, go toSettings>Apps>
All>Bluetooth share and see the Clear
dataandClear cache options. To nish, restart the
phone and set the connection up from scratch.
Fix your
flashlight
If youre a Nexus 5 owner, you may have found that
if you leave your phones ashlight turned on for a
while, it automatically times out and then the
ashlight and in some cases, your camera, will no
longer work. If you can, install Android 5.1.1 as this
should patch the problem. If not, the only solution
is to reboot your Nexus and avoid leaving the light
on too long in future.
Restor
video
playbac
Disable he
notificatio
H
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20 L ll
Feature
20 Lollipop fixes
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Stop
crash
Solve slow
charging
Fix Chrome t
Chrome Browseron Lollipop is set by default
store new tabs in the recent apps card stack,
for many this represents one of thebiggest
Lollipop failsof all. Fortunately, all you need to d
head to your Chrome settings and disable 'Mer
tabs and apps' to return to the more familiar tab
list, with a box next to the URL eld in Chrome
displaying the number of tabs you have open. Ta
to view your tabs separately from open apps.
GPS Problems
Connectivity issues are common with every OS
update, so wed be surprised if we didnt see
complaints after the arrival of Android 5.0. There are
a few xes to try before contacting the service
provider though. First, go into Settings>Location and
make sure the mode is set to High accuracy. If that
doesnt solve the issue, its time to boot the phone
into Safe mode to see if it's a third-party app that is
causing the problem.
18
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Feature
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Brighten up
the Nexus 6
Designed with Android 5.0 in mind, it might be a
surprise to nd the Nexus 6 has suffered from any
Lollipop bugs. However, some users have reported
that they have had problems with the adaptive
brightness feature which is supposed to lighten or
dim the screen depending on the surrounding light.
Sometimes toggling this mode on and off in
Settings>Display helps, and you can always
manually adjust it from the notication drawer. As
ever, a factory reset should help sort things out if
the problem persists.
20 Lollipop fixes
If none of our suggestions have solved your Lollipop woes and you
own a Neuxs, you can always reinstall an old factory image
Solve location
security bug
Despite being a baked-in Lollipop feature, some
people have had trouble with the Smart Locks
Trusted places feature which is supposed to
automatically unlock their device, like when they
are at home, for example. If this has happening to
you, rst check Smart Lock is enabled. If that
doesnt work, go toSettings>Accounts>Google
>Location settingsand make sure thatHigh
accuracymode is on. Another workaround that
some have found works, is to turn on Google Maps
or another app that uses the GPS to help pinpoint
your exact location.
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19
Feature
What to expect from Google I/O 2015
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15
20
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Feature
What to expect from Google I/O 2015
WorldMags.net
And
One of the things you can always guarantee at
the annual I/O event is some sort of
announcement of the next Android OS update.
However, it's not always straightforward.
At last year's I/O, Googl
announced
Developer P
until Autumn for a full
release and to reveal
that it would be called
Lollipop. Always
named
alphabetically, we
know the next
update will be
codenamed Android
M. In fact, Android M
has already been
spotted in the wild,
listed on the Android
Open Source Project
website, mentioned in r
to Logcat and the data
interchange format.
Where Lollipop was a massive overhaul of the
operating system, both visually and in terms of
features, Android M is rumoured to be a smaller,
OQTGEQPEKUGWRFCVGVJCVNQQMUVQJGNRZUQOG
of Lollipop's bugs. As this update looks likely to
be an evolution rather than a revolution, we dont
expect its version number to be Android
droid 5.2 or 5.3.
that doesn't mean
id M won't have any
features. Online
hatter suggests it will
make sure phone or
tablet is the hub of
Google's
interconnected
world. Whether its
your Android Auto
car, Android Wear
watch, Nest home
appliance or Android
V, M will bring them
together and create a
seamless user
nce. As with any new
date, the release of M
will be staggered, with Nexus and
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Samsung Galaxy S6, LG G4 and HTC One M9
receiving the update soon after.
100%
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Meringue 9% (6)
What should
Android M be
called?
What we would
like to see in
Android M
Further gesture
support
Wed love more intuitive taps and swipes
available on stock Android.
Landscape home
screens
Being able to navigate your phone in
landscape mode would be handy.
Messaging hub
Syncing your texts, Whatsapps and emails,
much like Blackberry Passport.
Google product
synchronisation
Making your phone work seamlessly with
Google Auto and Nest would be great.
21
Feature
What to expect from Google I/O 2015
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What else
could Google
announce?
Chromecast 2
Its highly anticip
that Google will
announce a revis
update to their
fantastic HDMI stic
This time around it
could ship with its
own remote control
for easier use.
20%
85%
Google Wallet
In direct response to
Apple Pay, Google
will show off the
newest software
update to their own
Wallet service.
However, any major
improvements seem
highly unlikely.
70%
Android Auto
Google has been
VGUVKPIVJGTUV
prototypes of their
driverless cars. With
several problems
being noted, Google
may be reluctant to
OCMGCP[QHEKCN
announcement.
Fitness tracker
22
CardboardVR
25%
A few lesser-known
sites have reported
Google is working
QPVJGKTQYPVPGUU
tracker. In such a
crowded market,
they will struggle to
PFVJGKTQYPPKEJG
they can
CRRTQRTKCVGN[NN
80%
5%
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Feature
What to expect from Google I/O 2015
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Nexus Watch
One of the ideas that has been banded around the past 12 months is the
likelihood of Google ever producing their own smartwatch. This seems even
more likely now that the Apple Watch has been announced, not to mention
both Samusng and LG flirting with non-Android operating systems for
smartwatches. Perhaps to this end; Google, Intel and premium Swiss
watchmaker TAG Heuer have recently announced they are going into
partnership together.
But, even if this is the long rumoured Nexus Watch, its still fairly unlikely that
Google will be set to announce anything just yet. What we can say for sure,
however, is that Android Wear will undoubtedly be centre stage at Google I/O.
With Google currently rolling out a huge update to the smartwatch OS,
including Wi-Fi support, a new interface and emoji-drawing, they will no doubt
want to showcase this further.
95%
Control
your TV
No loading
times
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20%
Feature
What to expect from Google I/O 2015
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Nexus 5
in South
d
45%
that
y pay for a full
Googles homeinvasion
Throughout 2014, Google made a huge push toward home automation.
6JGKTTUVUVGRYCUVQRWTEJCUG0GUVVJGUOCTVVJGTOQUVCVEQORCP[
founded by Tony Fadell, the man that helped design the iPod. They then
spent the rest of the year hovering up various other home automation
TOUNKMG&TQRECOCPF4GXQNXUQKVKUENGCTVJCVJQOGCWVQOCVKQPKU
very much on the agenda. Google I/O 2014 came a little too early for any
major news about Mountain Views plans for home automation, so this
would be the perfect stage for them to demonstrate their rival to Apples
HomeKit. We expect that Google is planning full Android integration with
0GUVUVJGTOQUVCVU&TQRECOUJQOG
YGDECOUCPF4GXQNXUJQOGJWDVQ
create an entire home that can
be controlled from your
phone or maybe even your
H likely is th
How
this
Android Wear device. Full
to happen?
integration may still be
some way off, but we
are certainly expecting
some kind of
Google must make the
aspirational connected
most of their acquisitions
home from Google
and challenge Apples
during the keynote
HomeKit
speech, even if it is just
Sundar Pichai turning a lamp
on with his Nexus.
75%
24
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Feature
What to expect from Google I/O 2015
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Google
Someone
makes
a joke about
Bendgate
Android M is
announced
Apple is
referenced as
some other
companies
The word
Someone
'innovative' is
Self-driving car
walks
on
stage
WUGFXGVKOGU wearing a VR drives itself onto
by a single
headset
speaker
Material
Design is
mentioned by
three
consecutive
speakers
Sundar
Pichai steals
the show
Huawei is
Google Fit
EQPTOGFCU video starts wi
the next Nexus
running feet
manufacturer
montage
people using
Nest
Spotlights swirl
This time the
across
the
stage
Crowd go crazy before a keynote
countdown
for Nexus Watch
clock is a giant
speaker or
Moto 360
product
bingo
An awkward
real life
situation is set
up on stage
Google Glass
isnt mentioned
at all
Sergey Brin
makes an
extravagant
entrance
Larry Pages
standing ovation
tops two
minutes
Google uses
a robot to
present
an item
Chromecast 2
announced
Heres one we
made earlier
Project Ara
phone
Bored-looking
audience shot
during technical
explanation
Video of Google
I/O viewing
parties from
around the
world
Matias Duarte
wears an
outrageously
bright shirt
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25
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Power up your life
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POWER UP
YOUR LIFE
30 amazing apps to enhance
your everyday life
Our phones are by our side morning, noon and night, holding everything
we need to get through the day inside their cases. Phones have evolved
rapidly to become essential tools in our everyday lives helping us get to
work, keep track of our exercise, decide what to watch and much more
besides. Take a quick look through your apps and realise just how
many functions your phone performs. It can act as an alarm clock,
personal organiser, newspaper, diet coach the list is endless.
This wealth of apps is one of the great advantages about
Androids open source platform, as there can almost be an
app for every thing you do throughout your day. To prove
the point, weve put together a list of the best
Android apps that will make your life easier
or more entertaining.
28
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awake. T
clock ap
but we t
Wake U
but the m
you hav
alarm. T
acciden
missing
youve s
shaken
return to
imposs
alarms a
means y
App
Price
Requ
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Newspapers are
becoming obsolete and
VJG[TGWUWCNN[NNGFYKVJ
loads of news that doesnt interest
you. News360 offers personalised
news blasts based on your
selected interests and feedback on
individual stories. Over a short
period of time this will provide the
news you want at the touch of a
PIGT
App name News360 Price Free
Requires Android Varies
29
Feature
Power up your life
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Inbox by Gmail is
Googles new take on
what an email inbox
should look like. As well
as being part of the Material Design
revolution, the app makes it much
GCUKGTVQPFGOCKNUHTQORCTVKEWNCT
contacts. However, one of its key
DGPGVUKUVJGCDKNKV[VQOCMG
lists and pin them to the top of
your inbox. Its so easy to create
a message, note or list and select
a time and date for Inbox to
remind you to perform the task in
hand. This could prove
particularly useful for a trip to the
shops. You can create your list so
you dont forget a thing and make
it remind you to go to the shop, so
you dont instinctively go home.
Whats also useful is that it will
enable you to snooze the alert for a
set period of time, in case you
become delayed for some reason.
30
Although it is currently only available in the USA, Tap & Pay with
Google Wallet is a great system for paying for items anywhere a
Debit MasterCard is accepted. Instead of fumbling around in your
DCIQTRQEMGVHQT[QWTYCNNGVPFKPIVJGTKIJVECTFCPFGPVGTKPI
your PIN, simply open up the app and swipe your phone on the terminal.
Transactions are completed in a flash and youll never have the inconvenience
QHIGVVKPIVQVJGVKNNCPFPFKPI[QWJCXGNGHV[QWTYCNNGVCVJQOG5COUWPI
Pay is on its way soon, too.
2 Set reminders
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Feature
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Boost your
productivity at
work
1HEG5WKVG
Dropbox
IFTTT stands for If This
Then That. This means
that the app can link two
of your phones services,
creating an action chain between
them. So if you take a photo with
Instagram, you can set it to directly
upload to Twitter or if your weather
app detects that rain is on its way,
you can receive a warning text. This
is a really useful time saver.
racking your brains trying to remember
%NQWF2TKPV
'XGTPQVG
CloudMagic Email
Feature
Power up your life
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Multi-sorting
One swipe lets you choose
your most contacted friends
or your recent contacts,
saving a lot of scrolling
App shortcut
You can also tap on the
messaging icons to be taken
straight to that app, so they
also can act as a widget
32
Feature
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Cant sleep?
Top 5 games
Snail Bob
Royal Trouble
your
3 Measure
progress
The app will wake you up as you
are exiting a REM sleep cycle so
you should awake naturally. You
can track the quality and length of
your sleep on a graph.
Sky Wings
It is quick and
easy to set up
quiet periods
during
meetings and
ongoing periods
f quiet
WorldMags.net
Sky Wings is an
entertaining cartoony
endless flier. You have to
dodge other planes, rocks and
bridges to try and score the
highest total possible. As there is
no end game, this is the kind of
game you can put down at any
time which is useful.
Honey Heroes
33
Tutorials
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masterclass
Enjoy Google Play
Music everywhere
Optimise your Google Play Music experience
on your mobile, laptop and smartwatch
You may not be aware that Google Play
Music offers a number of options for doing
more than just music playing. Not only does
it integrate well with other services, but you
can also use it with your Android Wear
device. It comes with pretty much every
Android phone so you wont have to work
hard to download anything beyond your
music. As with so many mobile apps there is
Indie alternatives Dont like Google Play Music? Try this alternatives
Spotify Music
Spotify is generally the rst port of call
for music lovers. It provides an array of songs to
choose from, with the free version propped up
with the odd advert. Easy playlist creation, too.
Soundcloud
Tidal
2. Sample songs
Google Play Music does give you the option to
listen to short samples of each song on an
album before you download it to give you the
chance to have a taste of it before forking out
for the whole record.
34
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min
guide
ss sic
cla u
ter M
as ay
m Pl
gle
o
Go
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Make your
own playlist
started
1 Get
The rst step towards claiming your free
your preferences
2 Select
The app will then give you the option of
your tunes
3 Choose
Now, just enter your Gmail address and
you will be good to go. The app will create various
playlists for you or you can use the magnifying
glass in the top-right corner to search yourself and
explore whats available.
pay accidentally
4 Dont
Head into your music settings by clicking
the hamburger menu in the top-left hand corner,
where you should see the option to cancel your
subscription before the next billing date. This will
delete your trial automatically.
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35
Tutorials
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Add mus
to your
desktop
Port all your songs from
your various accounts to
Google Play Music
songs on
4 Drag
The slightly more complicated option is
36
the app
1 Download
Fire up Google Chrome on your PC and
WorldMags.net
music
2 Add
Open up Google Play Music by either the
facebook twitter
/littlegreenrobot
@lgrobot
WorldMags.net
Change audio
settings
Alter the equaliser to get the best sound
for your favourite genres
the equaliser
1 Locate
Open up the Google Play Music app and tap
on the hamburger menu in the top-left hand corner.
Scroll down until you see Music Settings near the
bottom and click on that. Scroll down again until
you see the Equaliser menu option.
min
guide
ss sic
cla u
ter M
as ay
m Pl
gle
o
Go
Message us!
levels for
3 Change
different genres
sound levels
2 Adjust
Click on Equaliser and you will be taken to
this screen. Here you can adjust the bass levels
and surround sound settings. If youre into musical
customisation, you can change the power output
at certain frequencies to get that sound just right.
Download music
Customise for
watch
Adjust sound
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Rate track
37
Tutorials
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Manage photos
and videos
App used
up accounts
1 Set
Go to the Google Play store and download
Google Drive onto your phone. If you havent
already, set up a Google+ account and upload your
photos. Once youve uploaded a picture, it should
automatically get added to your account.
your pictures
4 IfMove
you want to group your photos into
albums, click on Add To. This will show you with the
various locations photos can be moved to. Either
create a new folder or choose an existing one,
re-name your photo if required and click Save.
38
your photos
2 Find
Load Google Drive and click the hamburger
menu in the top-left. You should see a Google
Photos option, but if not, you may have to update
your phones OS or Google Drive. Click Google
Photos and it should show your Google+ pictures.
them out
5 Sort
Once theyve been saved in your chosen
folder, you can sort them. Press the menu button
which will bring up options to sort your photos via
date added and last opened, among others. This
should help you nd pictures much more quickly.
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your pictures
3 Manage
If there are pictures you dont need or want
to have added to your Google Drive account, its
easy to get rid of them. Long-press on any image
and an action box will appear at the bottom of the
screen, letting you delete or move them.
WorldMags.net
App used
and sync
1 Download
Search for TicTalk chat on Google Play and
up the app
2 Set
Sign in to TicTalk chat with your details and
a page message
4 Send
Scroll down through the homescreen and
friends locations
5 Check
The home menu has the option to send a
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to send messages
3 Start
Tap on the Update status icon on your
smartwatch. This will take you to a screen that
gives you options to say what youre up to, such as
Chilling or Grubbing (Eating). Tap on this and it will
send an alert to anyone youre linked with.
a heartbeat
6 Give
TicTalk chat already has a system for
sending heartbeats. Scroll down the home menu
and tap on thinking of you. If your Android Wear
device has a heart-rate monitor, it will measure
and send your heart-rate to your contact.
39
Tutorials
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App used
Take a screenshot of
your watch
40
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the notication
3 Read
Tap the option quoted in Step 2 and after a
few seconds a new notication will appear at the
top of the screen. Pull the bar down to see
Wearable screenshot nished listed.
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Quick Android
Wear screenshots
It didnt work. Do I
have to start over?
Sometimes the emails will not
always send, particularly if many
are taken close together. In this
case, you can hit the back button
in the Gmail app and the
screenshots will be saved in
Gmail drafts for you to pick up
from a desktop PC or other
device. This works every time and
is a useful workaround if you have
problems when sending them
normally.
Square or round?
Even if the watch youre using is
round, the saved screenshot will
still be square. Round devices,
such as the LG G Watch R, will
leave a black circle on the final
image that is created
The conrmation
This alert will appear as soon as the
screenshot has been captured and
it has been added to a draft email
in the Gmail app. No other
notications will be shown on the
screen at this point
the email
4 Send
When you tap the notication you will then
be taken to the Gmail app, which shows an email
ready to send with the screenshot le included.
Enter an email address and tap Send.
the screenshot
5 Save
You can now save the screenshot from the
received email which will show exactly what was
on the Android Wear screen at the time you took it.
They will be quite low resolution.
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A square screen
6 Even
if your Android Wear device is round,
the resultant screenshot will be square because
this is the natural environment for the software.
Some edges may sometimes be cut off.
41
Tutorials
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end encrypted
SMS messages
d
contact
42
your key
2 Create
In the Key eld create your encryption key.
encrypted message
3 Send
When youre happy with your message,
Receive messages
4 When
you receive a message thats been
delivery reports
5 Get
It is useful to add delivery reports to your
list by date
6 Sort
Contacts are stored in alphabetical order,
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App used
discharging current
1 Check
First, launch Ampere. The app will then
Pro features
4 Additional
You can disable adverts and enable some
additional features by buying the Pro version
(0.75). To purchase, tap the key icon in Amperes
toolbar and follow the on screen instructions. If
you go Pro, tap the cog icon to see added options.
a notication
5 Add
Tap Notication to add an Ampere
notication to your notication drawer, and then
open the drawer to see the stats. Here, Ampere
can perform calculations from scratch through
Reset, or remove notications with Switch Off.
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at ze
3 Stuck
If Ampere is displa
be missing a working powe
The app may
work by tapping the cog in the top-right corner and
selecting Old measurement method. Return to
the main screen and see if the value has changed.
43
Tutorials
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UseAndr
yourdesk
OS
App used
44
your computer
1 Prepare
Create a new partition on your Windows
computer by opening Disk Management (the
quickest way is holding the Windows key, pressing
R, then entering diskmgmt.msc) and right-clicking
your hard disk drive. Select Shrink Volume, reduce
by 8 GB and then create a new 8 GB partition.
Android-x86
4 Test
Prior to installation, you may opt to get a
preview of how Android will run on your computer.
Three Live CD options are available, so using the
keyboard, select the rst Run Android-x86
without installation. If you have display issues,
reboot and select Live CD VESA mode.
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Android-x86
2 Download
Get a copy of Android (bit.ly/1jviil6) and nd
the version of 4.4 KitKat you want to download.
Some notebooks/netbooks have dedicated builds
of Android-x86, so these are recommended for
corresponding hardware. Once downloaded, burn
to optical disc or write to USB ash device.
Android on your PC
5 Install
If youre happy with the results of the Live
CD version of Android-x86, reboot again using the
hardware power switch. On the installation CD
menu select Installation Install Android-x86 to
harddisk. Youll be prompted to select a partition.
To install locally, select Create/Modify partitions.
Get in touch
Have you got a question?
Let us know!
@lgrobot
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
WorldMags.net
Ask your own
question online at
littlegreenrobot.co.uk
your partition
6 Create
The disk formatting tool will display
the partition
7 Select
Exit the disk formatting app with Quit and
system directory
8 Install
Not long to go. In the next screen, select
Android-x86 on a PC
9 Boot
You should see a message conrming a
with a keyboard
10 Navigate
Android 4.4 KitKat has support for USB
a virtual machine
11 Try
If you dont want to bother with the new
your virtual OS
12 Name
Name the virtual machine as Android-x86,
on your VM
13 Install
To continue the installation of Android on
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45
Tutorials
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Send unwanted calls to
voicemail automatically
App used
46
the contact
2 Find
Find the contact that you want to send to
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tips
5 Extreme silence
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Keep everything
min quiet at night
To only be interrupted by very important
contacts or notications. For such times, set up
Downtime to silence calls and notications
some
1 Make
notications settings
downtime
2 Create
settings
Now scroll down to the Downtime option and tap
Days to pick the days of the week when
downtime is relevant for you. You can leave
specic days out of the selection if you dont
mind being interrupted overnight on those days.
the setting
8 Make
Tap the small box next to the All calls to
voicemail option on the menu and a tick will
appear in the box. Now, until you come back in
and tap again to change the setting, all calls from
this person will go to voicemail.
downtime
3 Set
Finally, you need to set a start and end
time for your downtime using the nal two
options on this screen and making selections
on the clock menu that pops up when you tap
Start time and End time. For overnight silence
you might want to start at 10pm and stop at
7am, for example.
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the settings
4 Tweak
There are likely to be some very
important people that you want to let through
this system, like close family or very special
friends. To let those people through tap Calls/
messages from and make sure Starred
contacts only is checked. Remember to star
those important contacts individually.
47
Tutorials
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Delete unwante
downloads
App used
48
documents
5 Examine
Tap the Docs icon and youll see a list of
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th
3 Tweak
To change how
,
tap the three dot menu
p right of screen
and pick Settings. Decide if you want to show
hidden les and send anonymous usage statistics.
Advanced users can note the root option.
documents
6 Manage
To view a document, tap the icon to its left,
or its name, and it will open. Select a document
with its tickbox and a menu appears offering Copy,
Move and Delete options. The More button lets
you Rename, Share and Compress.
Apps used
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Sync accounts
Select an account
Each extra email account has
its own icon at the top of the
screen. Tapping on one of these
icon will bring up emails from
just that account, so you can
view it without interference from
other accounts.
Sort emails
All Inboxes synchronises all of your
emails from various accounts by
date and time received, so emails
from all of your accounts will get
mixed in together. However, you can
return to just see your Gmail emails
by tapping Inbox or one of your other
Gmail folders instead
Same format
Quicker search
settings
Google has also updated
the auto-complete
setting so you can nd a
particular email much
quicker. As you type,
options based on words
in headlines and body
text appear, as well as
the emails themselves.
Save to Drive
The update to the app has
added the option to save
any attachment straight
to your Google Drive
account. It is only a minor
alteration and saves you a
couple of clicks, but it is
denitely handy to have
the icon there to use
when youre short of time.
Cosmetic
upgrades
You may also notice that
there are a couple of
design enhancements to
the Gmail app. The
animations have been
updated for when you are
opening and closing
emails, and attachments
are also slightly larger.
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Tutorials
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App used
Adjustyoursmartwatchs
settings
Take control of your watchs ner features by diving into
the settings options, both on your watch and in the
Android Wear companion app
50
the light
2 Deactivate
When you tilt your wrist, your watch will
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Tweak settings on
your watch
Can I reset my
watch?
If your watch seems to be running
a little slow, try a factory reset.
Over time, it may have
accumulated les. Select Reset
device from the Settings on your
watch to completely wipe all data
stored on the watch. Be warned:
this data includes active
notications, tness data and
your preferences. After the reset,
you will have to pair your watch
and phone again.
Adjust brightness
Select this option from your
watchs Settings to set the
brightness level. You will be given
the option to select from one
(darkest) to six (brightest) by sliding
up or down
Aeroplane mode
If youre on a plane, you can select
this option in your watchs Settings
to turn off the watchs wireless or
mobile data connection. Tap it
again to turn connection back on
Find Bluetooth
devices
If youve saved music to your watch,
select Bluetooth devices in
Settings to connect it to wireless
headphones. This way you can
enjoy music on your jog, but leave
your phone at home
memory
4 Monitor
Tap Watch storage to nd out how much
RAM is available on your watch. Organised by size,
you will be able to see which of your apps are using
the most memory.
notications
5 Block
To stop alerts from species apps appearing
on your watch, tap Block app notications in
Settings. Press the + symbol and select the app.
Press X next to the apps name to unblock.
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51
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Learn
in style
The
Series
Discover more with the Book series expert, accessible tutorials for
photography, 3D art, Photoshop, web design and more
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facebook.com/ImagineBookazines
twitter.com/Books_Imagine
Hacker Zne
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Jargon Buster
Get up to speed on all the terms you
will need to know when hacking
your phone
OS
Short for operating system. Often the Android ROM will
be referred to as the OS this just means the system
les on the Android device that make up your user
experience, similar to Windows, Mac OS X or Ubuntu on
a desktop computer.
THE MOD
GENERATION
ROM
Stands for read-only memory. In the context of Android,
the ROM refers to the les that make up the operating
system installed on your device. Gaining root privileges
allows for replacement of the standard ROM
with a custom one.
Root
Rooting your phone gives apps access to parts of the
OS that are normally hidden from consumers. This
enables you to run more powerful software and install
custom ROMs on your phone.
ROM Manager
An app available from the Android Market that enables
you to install a whole new version of your OS with a
single click. It requires a rooted phone to use and is
ideal for those new on the scene.
Titanium Backup
This app from the Market enables you to back up
everything on your phone apps, data, settings and all.
It means that you can restore your phone to how it was,
even after youve updated or changed the ROM.
Unrevoked
Available from www.unrevoked.com, this is a
one-click tool that can be used for rooting many
popular HTC smartphones.
ADB
Stands for Android Debug Bridge. ADB is mainly used
for software development, but it also has some uses for
hacking your phone. It can be used to push les onto
the system folder, for instance.
Nandroid
You might come across the phrase perform a Nandroid
backup. This means using a custom recovery tool
to make a back-up image of everything currently on your
phone: OS, apps, data, etc. Its very useful should you
wish to restore your phone to its previous state later.
Radio
Radio refers to the software on your Android device
that deals with making phone calls and data
connections. Updating your radio version can bring
better battery life and signal strength to your device.
Some ROMs require the latest radio.
Flash
The storage in your device comprises ash memory,
a type of solid-state storage. The terms ash or
ashing mean installing new software onto your
devices storage.
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53
Hacker
Zne
WorldMags.net
T
CyanogenMod
essentially gives
older phones a new
lease of life
of Googles own operating system.
CyanogenMod essentially gives older phones
a new lease of life, giving you a huge load of
choices that either arent currently
supported in Android, or have come along
OnePlus coming up fo
Despite CyanogenMods continued success,
its not all going swimmingly. Recently,
OnePlus One announced that it intends to
drop the OS for its current and upcoming
smartphones, and replace it with its own
version of the Android operating system,
OxygenOS. This new OS has been developed
by a team that includes coders who worked
on Paranoid Android, a competing ROM to
Cyanogen. The update should be available
right now, but its not being delivered over
the air. Instead its an optional download, so
54
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The Mod Generation
Easily install
CyanogenMod
the ZIP
2 Download
You will need to download the ZIP le and
the ROM
3 Flash
Now youll need to install the ROM from
Success or failure
4 You
now need to reboot your device from
recovery mode. There should just be a button
marked Reboot, so tap on that. This rst time of
booting up a new OS can take some time, so be
patient and leave it a while before getting panicky
that youve bricked your device. Just to be on the
safe side, make sure youve got a Nandroid backup
ready to go before you start.
alternative options
5 The
If youre a little wary about installing an
unstable build of CyanogenMod on your device, you
can take the easier route and stick a version of
Cyanogen 11 on there instead. If youre running the
right rmware you can do this with the handy
CyanogenMod installer. Go to tinyurl.com/oyq4bwg
on a PC or Mac and click on the Get Started button
to get things in motion.
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55
Hacker
Zne
WorldMags.net
12 features to try in
CyanogenMod 12
The 12 best features available in CyanogenMods latest version
1
The Blacklist
Protected apps
Privacy Guard
Privacy protection is
another great security
feature of CyanogenMod.
This one lets you take
better control of the
permissions that the
apps youve got installed
on your device have. If
you dont want data
collected about you, you
can turn off settings to
make sure that it isnt. Its really simple to use
and it ensures that its you thats in control of
the information that your device is sending
out about you. If youre worried about digital
security, then CyanogenMod is denitely
worth installing for this reason alone.
Rearrangeable
notications
4
Status bar
ti
o
an
only be n
, rather th
phone or tablet.
denitely going to change that.
t to know
a
y
a
you wan
w
a
e
ip
w
s
to
having
pdates.
load of u
6 Filter
ns
noticatio
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The Mod Generation
7
Themes
Proles
Swipe
through
You can swipe through
the themes youve
downloaded to pick and
choose the different bits
of each theme that you
would like displayed
Ambient
Display
10
Trebuchet toggle
11
Sounds good
A better
The OS lets
you set up
different
proles that
trigger when
certain
situations
are met
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57
Hacker
Zne
WorldMags.net
status update
Which devices are best for
the hacking scene?
Galaxy S6
Edge
Rooted? Yes
Active Development:
QQQ Medium
Available to root the day
it wont on sale, try XDA
member amk19s
camera mod to boost
photo and video quality.
HTC One M9
Rooted? Yes
Active Development:
QQQ High
HTCs latest agship
has been rooted and
numerous ROMS,
mods and kernels are
now available for it.
Nexus 7
Rooted? Yes
Active Development:
QQQHigh
While Google may
have discontinued
this tablet, if you can
get hold of one, its
the ideal device for
new hackers to
practise on.
Moto 360
Rooted? Yes
Active Development:
QQQ High
Try the Gohma 2.3
smartwatch ROM to
boost the battery, reduc
lag and improve overall
performance.
Share clipboard
with Windows
Youve captured a portion of text on
your Android device which you need
to send to your desktop computer.
Perhaps you paste it into an email, or
create a document in your preferred
mobile ofce suite, paste it and sync
that document to Dropbox or Google
Drive. All a bit slow, isnt it?
Several solutions are available but
the best is probably Pushbullet,
available as an Android app and a
Windows app (a Mac OS X version is
also available). Once youre signed
into your usual Google account on
both devices, you can open
Advanced Settings on the Android
app and enable Universal copy &
Share anything
from Android
Taking the universal clipboard of
Pushbullet a step further, the native
sharing facility on Android is
incredibly powerful and useful,
whether youre sharing to your
hacks
Play games
on your tablet
using your
smartphone
Why play games on your
smartphone if youve got a larger
display on your tablet? You can
still use your phone, but use it as
a game controller instead.
58
1 Install Tablet
Remote twice
Go to Google Play and install Tablet
Remote on both devices. Ensure
they are connected to your Bluetooth
or Wi-Fi. The tablet will be the
receiver, the phone the transmitter.
2 Congure Tablet
Remote
On your tablet, run the app and open
Setup. Select Enable Tablet
Remote>Tablet Remote in Android
Settings. In the app, select Change
The Input Method>Tablet Remote.
WorldMags.net
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/littlegreenrobot
@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter to
Discovered anything good about
send us your tips & tricks your Android phone? Let us know!
Recording your
Android display
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Get great new features without getting your hands (too) dirty
AZ Screen
Recorder
Price: Free + IAPs
From: Google Play
Need root? No
This screen recorder
doesnt require a rooted
device as the feature is
native to Android 5.0
Lollipop. It combines
advanced features such as
front camera recording to
create polished results.
WorldMags.net
Check
our website daily
for even more tips & tricks
Set Orientation
Price: Free
From: Google Play
Need root? No
If you have an app or game
that is difcult to use, force
your Android device to
display upside down or
reverse portrait, for
example, and experiment to
nd what display you are
comfortable with and that
suits your usage.
www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
59
Hacker
Zne
WorldMags.net
Works with
Customise
your Lollipop
l screen
Change your lockscreens left and
right swipe shortcuts, and explore
lockscreen replacement apps
he best
r Android
OMs, although
success with
Ms.
something more
n custom shortcuts, you
ownload a lockscreen
ent app. Youll nd lots on
Play many are free and
patible with rooted and nonoted devices. After showing you
how to customise your lockscreen
shortcuts, well look at an example of
a lockscreen replacement app.
WorldMags.net
Xposed
1 Download
Framework
On your Android device, go to bit.
ly/1DLOwEr and download the latest
version of xposed-arm zip and the
installer. Boot into your devices
custom recovery. Select Install zip,
navigate to your xposed-arm
download and conrm that you want
to install this le. Reboot your device.
6 Create your
shortcuts
These two options refer to the swipe
gestures that you can perform on the
lockscreen. Tap either of these
options and youll see a list of all the
apps installed on your device. You can
then choose a new app that will
launch whenever you swipe left or
right on your lockscreen.
WorldMags.net
Xposed
2 Install
launcher
Use ES File Explorer to navigate to
where you downloaded the Xposed
installer le. Give this le a tap and
conrm you want to install it. Open
your app drawer and launch your
new Xposed Installer app. Tap
Download and search for Custom
Stock Lollipop Lockscreen.
your
7 Test
shortcuts
Once youve created your
shortcuts, go to the lockscreen to
test them. Youll notice that the
icons in each corner of the
lockscreen are the same, even
though they now link to different
apps. Reboot your device and the
icons will become white dots.
3 Download
Lollipop module
screen
4 Modules
Tap the Xposed module...
8 Try something
different
For something different, you could
try a lockscreen replacement such
as Hi Locker. This app combines
the Lollipop lockscreen with
features from earlier versions of
Android. Download it from the Play
store, then launch it and enter your
name when prompted. Tap Next.
9 Test your
lockscreen
Tap Turn on Notication access
and select Hi Locker. Read the
disclaimer and tap OK. To see the
app in action, go to your lockscreen.
To dismiss a notication, swipe the
notication to the left. To launch
the app relating to a notication,
swipe to the right.
WorldMags.net
5 Reboot your
device
In the toolbar, tap Modules and
select Framework from the
drop-down menu. Tap the Soft
reboot button and let your device
reboot. Now open the app drawer
and launch your new Custom Stock
Lollipop app. This has two options:
Left Shortcut and Right Shortcut.
10 Customise Hi
Locker
Hi Locker has options for
customisation, so relaunch the app
and scroll to the Personalize
section. Here, you can make
changes such as choosing a new
clock style or wallpaper, and editing
the message on your lockscreen
(its Hi Name by default).
61
Hacker
Zne
WorldMags.net
Works with
pull
1 ./adb
SystemUI.apk
Open your platform-tools folder, then the
Terminal and change the directory so its
pointing at platform-tools. Check the location of
SystemUI.apk on your device and then ./adb pull
it onto your computer.
4 Alter Music
EqualizerVisualizer.smali
Decompile System.UI.apk and open the
SystemUI.apk/smali/com/adi/rom/interface/
MusicEqualizerVisualizer.smali le. Open system
ui/res/values/public.xml. Replace in .smali with
public.xml values (listed in Step 4 XDA thread).
62
WorldMags.net
3 Change your
SystemUI les
Check Step 2 of the webpage mentioned in the
introduction as it lists all the les you need to
edit and the code to add. Open each le in a text
editor and make the changes. Then, recompile
SystemUI using: ./apktool.txt b SystemUI.
WorldMags.net
Works with
1 Download an S6
wallpaper
The rst step is to download a genuine Galaxy
S6 lockscreen wallpaper. Go to Google Play and
search for Wallpapers (GS6). Once installed,
open the app and scroll to one of the S6
wallpapers. Now select Save to SD card.
2 Grab an app
a theme
4 InSelect
dodol locker, you should spend some
the wallpaper
5 Enable
Go to Wallpaper in the app and tap the
a security method
6 Set
You should now choose a security
WorldMags.net
63
Hacker
Zne
WorldMags.net
Works with
Build a custom
stock kernel on
Sony devices
Create your own stock kernel for your Lollipop-powered
Sony Xperia with the Linaro GCC toolchain
64
WorldMags.net
your
1 Download
toolchain
Go to bit.ly/1EmYVZZ, download the
arm-cortext_a15 toolchain and place
it in your home directory. Then,
download and install Homebrew from
http://brew.sh/. Once Homebrew is
installed, you can use it to install the
Xz tool by opening a terminal window
and running: brew install xz.
6 Unpack ramdisk
WorldMags.net
2 Download the
kernel source
Change directory (cd) so terminal is
pointing at home directory. Extract
your arm-cortex le using: tar Jxvf
arm-cortex_a15-linux-gnueabihflinaro_4.9.1-2014.04-build_2014
_04_25.tar.xz. Then, download the
kernel source you want from bit.
ly/1cUrhyN or bit.ly/1cYTww3.
7 Prepare your
build tools
Log in to your GitHub account and
download the dtbToolCM (bit.
ly/1D97Abq) and the mkbootimg
(bit.ly/1Dbexdl) repositories. Make
sure you have read, write and
execute permissions on these
downloaded les, then move them
to your nal_les directory.
3 Create additional
directories
kernel.sin
4 Move
Change directory so terminal
5 Download
ramdisk_pack.zip
is pointing at custom_kernel/
kernel_src. Issue the following
command: bzip2 -dc (kernel source)
| tar xvf. Next, navigate to your .ftf
le and change its le extension to
.zip. Unzip, then open the unzipped
folder and move its kernel.sin le to
your ramdisk_pack directory.
your kernel
9 Build
Now, its time to build your
WorldMags.net
10 Create a
ashable le
Store the text le in your nal_les
directory, with the name buildit_4_
leo. Change directory so your
terminal is pointing at the nal_les
folder, then enter the command: ./
build_it4_leo. If successful, youll
get an .img le that you can then
ash to your device.
65
Reviews
WorldMags.net
LG G Flex 2
Screen display
The G Flex 2 features a Gorilla Glass
topped P-OLED panel, which uses
plastic backing rather than glass to
enable the signature curve on the
screen. Unlike the original G Flex, this
model has a full HD 5.5 display
Back buttons
Like its G2 and G3 siblings, the G Flex
2 has power and volume buttons on
the back of the phone, enabling LG to
use smaller bezels on the device.
Double tap to wake and sleep are
really convenient for quick use
Android Lollipop
Lollipop 5.0.2 comes preloaded on
the G Flex 2, together with LGs own
tweaks and enhancements. The
changes on the whole feel relatively
lightweight, with the exception of the
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tweaked with toggles and sliders,
which is a shame
Storage
UK variants of the G Flex 2 have 2GB
RAM and 16GB ROM, while
international versions have 3GB RAM
and 32GB ROM. MicroSD expansion
is also included, supporting up to
128GB
66
WorldMags.net
Review
WorldMags.net
LG G Flex 2
Fast snaps
The 13 megapixel camera on
the G Flex 2 is shared with
LGs G3 flagship, which
means it has the clever,
ultra-fast (sub 0.3 sec) laser
autofocus and takes great
pictures. The 2.1 megapixel
front facing camera is less
impressive though
information
Price 499.99/$504
More information www.lg.com
Self-healing
Battery life
The battery life on
the G Flex 2 is hugely
disappointing given
its impressive
3000mAh capacity
WorldMags.net
technical specs
Operating system............Android 5.0.2 Lollipop
Processor................................Qualcomm Snapdragon 810,
2.0 GHz octa-core
Design
The look of the device wows at first, but the
self-healing plastic doesnt feel premium
Features
All of the features youd expect to find on a
flagship phone are included
Verdict
67
Reviews
WorldMags.net
Moto G 4G (2015)
Is Motorolas upgraded budget
buy still value for money?
68
Long-life OS
The original Moto G was
launched running
Android Jellybean, but
was always near the
front of the queue for
updates. This Moto G 4G
runs Lollipop 5.0 out of
the box, so should get
the latest features for
years to come
Booming
speakers
The front-facing stereo
speakers are another
worthwhile upgrade.
Loud and composed,
they certainly wouldnt
disgrace an HTC device
with BoomSound
written on the back
WorldMags.net
Review
WorldMags.net
than wed like to see from a high quality phone
in 2015, but we cant say we noticed much lag
using it day to day.
However, our main issue with the Moto G 4G
(2015) is the price, which is 150. On the one
hand, Motorola deserve credit for selling this
handset for almost the same price it was three
years. In a world where the Samsung Galaxy S6
costs 600 and most midrange phones are
around 200, this is still a competitive price tag
but not as much as it used to be. The ZTE
Blade S6 also offers 4G and Android Lollipop,
along with a superior 64-bit processor, 2GB RAM
and a 13MP camera for only 30 more than
Motorolas latest offering. Other manufacturers,
including HTC and Huawei, are also zoning in on
Moto G 4G (2015)
information
Price 149/$TBA
More information www.motorola.co.uk
Supplied by Motorola
Battery life
The 2,390mAh
battery is impressive
for a low cost
handset and
delivered a near fullday charge
8MP camera
The rear camera is an upgrade
on the original Moto G 4Gs 5MP
camera. The flash is also
brighter and the camera focuses
faster. The f/2.0 aperture also
ensures that photos are brighter.
We got the best results when
using the HDR mode
technical specs
Operating system............. Android 5.0
Processor ................................ Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2
GHz quad-core
Design
A slick-looking phablet that feels high
quality, with a customisable back cover
Features
The few proprietary apps it has are very
useful, plus impressive camera and speakers
Style on a
shoestring
Like all Moto phones, you can
customise the device to suit you.
The back of the Moto G 4G pops
off and can be replaced with any
number of shells
interchangeable cases available
in a range of colours
WorldMags.net
WithVerdict
a phablet makeover
and moderately improved
specs, this is the best Moto
G ever but only just
69
WorldMags.net
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every
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Quote
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Online at www.imaginesubs.co.uk/and
*Terms and conditions This is a US subscription offer. You will actually be charged 75 sterling for an annual subscription. This is equivalent to
$112 at the time of writing, exchange rate may vary. 4 free issues refers to the USA newsstand price of $12.50 for 13 issues being $162.50, compared
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Review
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Camera
The less said about the
cameras the better. The
rear camera is a 5MP
affair, while the front is a
2MP offering. Neither are
particularly sharp and
the front one especially
is very inefcient in
lower light conditions
Storage
16GB internal storage
isnt bad for this device
and youre able to bump
it up to 64GB with an SD
card. It does have to be
formatted to fat32
standard, which
shouldnt be a problem
information
Price 169.99
More information www.archos.com
Supplied by Archos
Screen
E-reading
One highlight of the 101
Oxygen is the standard
Android e-reader. There
is a handful of pre-loaded
books on the device and
it is easy to read,
especially in landscape
mode where you get two
sizeable pages of
content to view
technical specs
Battery life
WorldMags.net
Performance
Design
Uncomfortable to hold, cheap feel and
unattractive row of port placements
Features
Nothing to get excited about. Stock Android
apps, plus preloaded OfficeSuite is good
Verdict
71
Reviews
WorldMags.net
Prestigio
Multiphone
5550 Duo
information
Price 123.11/$TBC
More information promo.prestigio.com
Supplied by Prestigio
Dual SIM
The dual-S M mode
supports a normal S M
and a micro-S M,
although with an adaptor
you can operate two
micro-S Ms. ts easy to
switch between S Ms
but you dont get
PQVKECVKQPU QP QPG KH
the other is in action
Lots of juice
The 3,000mAh battery
could last the careful
user a couple of days. As
youre unlikely to want to
play many graphicsheavy games on it, this is
easily achievable. t is
also removable so you
can easily swap it out if
you want to
Storage
Battery life
This sizeable
3000mAh battery is
more than able to
handle the limited
screen and
processor
technical specs
Operating system............. Android 4.4 KitKat
Processor ................................ MediaTek MTK6582
1.3GHz quad-core
PrestigioMultiphone
5550 Duo
Is Presigios latest budget
phone truly prestigious?
Performance
Doesnt work well under pressure but no
major hold ups during medium-energy tasks
Design
The phone is too large and feels cheap
despite the attempt at a premium look
Features
Runs near stock Android and has a decent
camera, but has far too much bloatware
Verdict
72
WorldMags.net
Review
WorldMags.net
Quick snaps
Small storage
The preloaded apps take
up almost half of the
8GB memory, but
thankfully a number of
them can be deleted.
MicroSD support can
also add an extra 32GB
Vodafone Smart
4 Max
information
Price 125
More information www.vodafone.com
Supplied by Vodafone
Battery life
Clear screen
At 720x1280 pixels and
sporting a pixel density
of 245ppi, this is not the
UJCTRGUV UETGGP [QWNN
GXGT UGG DWV KVU HCT HTQO
being bad. The viewing
angles are really
excellent as well with no
colour distortion
whatever the angle
Smart design
The build is fairly quirky.
The sides and top have
sharp, squared edges
like a Sony but rounded
corners like a Samsung,
while the bottom is a
sweeping upward curve
technical specs
Operating system............. Android 4.4 KitKat
Processor ................................ Qualcomm MSM8926
1.2GHz quad-core
Vodafone
Smart 4 Max
W
WorldMags.net
Design
It feels a bit cheap and the design is unique.
Easy to hold, though
Features
Nothing different as regards added
features, but some nice third-party apps
By Verdict
entering the 6-inch
screen market Vodafone is
taking a risk, but it is a good
quality, cheap alternative
73
Reviews
WorldMags.net
Sony
SmartWatch 3
information
Price 189.99/$TBA
More information www.sonymobile.com
Supplied by Sony UK
Workout
Becomes independent
from your phone when
out exercising. The
SmartWatch 3 will
continue to track your
steps and runs even if
you dont have your
smartphone on you, so
youre not weighed
down by your device
Take a dip
Battery life
Sony claims that the 420mA
battery will give you two days of
normal usage
The SmartWatch 3 is
waterproof to a depth of
1.5m and can stay
submerged for 30
minutes as long as it is
in fresh water. Sony
says it can go in
swimming pools as long
as it is rinsed afterward
Speak
Colours
technical specs
Operating system............. Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Processor ................................ ARM A7 1.2Ghz quad-core
Memory..................................... 4GB storage/ 512MB RAM
Weight......................................... 45g
Display size ............................ 1.6 inch
Display resolution............. 320x320 pixels (282 ppi)
Connectivity .......................... Bluetooth, NFC, GPS
Expansion slot..................... N/A
Performance
The Smartwatch 3 runs very smoothly and
quickly, completing all tasks with ease
Design
Although the square watch face is more
practical, it loses a lot of style points
Features
Mostly standard Android, but added GPS
and waterproofing set it apart
Verdict
74
Sony SmartWatch 3
Is it third time lucky for Sonys Android Wear device?
WorldMags.net
FORWorldMags.net
THE GNU GENERATION
www.linuxuser.co.uk
Available
from all good
newsagents &
supermarkets
today
ESOURC
ER
VERY IS
DE
E FRE
SU
OWNLOA
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ON SALE NOW:
Fix your network connections Amazing Pi hacks Run Linux in the cloud
THE LATEST NEWS
ESSENTIAL GUIDES
DEFINITIVE REVIEWS
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EXPERT OPINION
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facebook.com/LinuxUserUK
twitter.com/LinuxUserMag
Accessories
WorldMags.net
Perfect
phone cases
Finding the right phone case for your device can be a nightmare. We have
gone through some of the latest models to help you make the right choice
ArmourDillo
Price 12.99/$16.49
More information www.mobilefun.co.uk
Otterbox
Commuter
Price 24.99/$TBC
More information www.clove.co.uk
76
WorldMags.net
Otterbox
Defender
WorldMags.net
S View Cover
Price 39.99/$50.99
More information www.mobilefun.co.uk
GROUP
TEST WINNER
WorldMags.net
77
Apps WorldMags.net
Tinkerplay
2 hour wonder
! 40
120 80
EDITORS
CHOICE
! 40
120 80
0-40 minutes
40-80 minutes
80-120 minutes
keep
refund
Play with your articulated toy, moving and rotating its parts
specification
Price Free
Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 4.0
verdict
Performance
Design
Value
A fun and simple way
to create articulated
3D models
Build your gure from the various body parts and then paint it
78
best free
alternative
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
Atari Fit
We wouldnt normally
associate retro gaming
with tness, but this is
the curious
combination featured in Ataris new
app. The idea is that by completing
workout routines, you earn virtual
coins to spend playing the built-in
retro games. So far there are only
three on offer Centipede, Pong
and Super Breakout though more
are promised. It could prove a useful
incentive, although you can always
bypass the exercise and just buy a
bundle of coins.
The apps selection of over 20
workout plans, designed by expert
personal trainer Michael Porter, are
arranged into a range of categories:
specification
Price Free + IAPs
Designed for: Phone
Requires Android: 2.3
verdict
A novel concept, but there
are denitely better tness
apps out there
Workout Trainer
Follow tutorial videos, create custom
workouts, try challenges and link up with friends
Snapi
Beatport
Taking a sele, or grele, isnt so easy if you have to not only hold the
phone at arms length, but grapple with nding the shutter button as
well. Snapi attempts to solve this problem by making the shuttertriggering process completely hands-free without having to hold a silly sele
stick. Instead, you use simple hand
gestures to take a photo. First, you raise
an open palm toward the camera, then
close and open it again to start the
countdown, giving you enough time to
lower your hand and get yourself into
position. Helpful icons and beeps
conrm that the camera has recognised
your gestures. The app works from a
distance of up to 4 metres (13 feet),
great if you want to prop your phone up
against something for a group shot. In
our experience, it worked reliably and
could well prove useful.
Price Free
Designed for Phone
Requires Android 4.1
best free
alternative
Price Free
Designed for Phone
Requires Android 4.0
WorldMags.net
EDITORS
CHOICE
Material
Power Menu
Make Lollipops stock
power menu more varied
Disappointing many users,
the power button menu in
Android Lollipop only offers
a Power Off option. To add extra
ones, try out Material Power Menu
on a rooted device (otherwise it will
run as a demo). Once set up, its
triggered when you long-press the
power button and tap the Power Off
option. Youre
shown a menu
with a choice of
Reboot, Shut
Down and Soft
Reboot, with
options for
Recovery and
Bootloader too.
Price Free
Designed for Phone
Requires Android 4.0
79
Apps WorldMags.net
Riff
Make video stories with
your friends
Collaborative video apps
have been attempted
before (remember Krowds
and MixBit?), but maybe Facebooks
Riff can make the idea really take off
this time. After signing in with
Facebook, youre greeted by a
colourful interface and featured
videos to demonstrate the concept.
For instance, Balancing act shows
clips of people and animals balancing
on things. You can swipe left to skip
clips, while tapping the + icon lets
you shoot your own clip to add to that
video. Unlike Vine, there appears to
be no restriction on clip length and
you get the option to reshoot and
conrm before adding it.
Since the only other videos you
can see in the menu are those your
Facebook friends have started or
added clips to, you may want to start
your own to get the ball rolling. Give it
a topic title, shoot the rst clip, tap
the option to share with Facebook
friends, and itll be uploaded and
posted. That closed network should
prevent unwanted/unsuitable clips,
but you can delete or report them.
Star Walk 2
Night Sky Guide see the stars in all their glory
Anyone fascinated by
the recent solar eclipse
might well fancy a bit of
stargazing. In which case, the
arrival of Star Walk 2 on Android
it launched on iOS last year
will be a boon. Billed as the next
generation, this completely new
version was rebuilt from the
ground up to be faster and
smoother, and features an all-new
interface. Its celestial view looks
Drupe
EDITORS
CHOICE
Price Free
Designed for Phone
Requires Android 4.3
80
like this?
try this!
Price Free
Designed for Phone
Requires Android 4.1
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
quickhits
top apps for...
IY
Smart Tools
2.20/$2.99
specification
Price 1.96/$2.99
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 4.0
verdict
Performance
Design
Value
An excellent astronomy app
with some truly heavenly
views to admire
2 hour wonder
Want your money back? Youve
got 120 minutes to decide!
! 40
120 80
! 40
120 80
! 40
120 80
0-40 minutes
Home Improvement
Tools 1.47/$2.25
40-80 minutes
80-120 minutes
keep
refund
wikiHow Free
Chromatik
Play popular songs on any instrument
There are plenty of apps
with guitar chords for
popular songs, but what if
you play another instrument?
Chromatik offers free sheet music
arranged for piano, guitar, violin,
trumpet, ute, percussion, voice and
other string/brass/woodwind
instruments over 20 in total.
The apps main screen features an
array of categories, including musical
genres and topics like The Beatles
Songbook, Disney and Best of 2014.
You can also use the search facility
to nd an artist or tune. However,
The synced video can be hidden so you can
concentrate on the sheet music
like this?
try this!
Price Free
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 4.1
WorldMags.net
Houzz Free
Get inspiration for your home
makeover from the millions of
hi-res photos in this comprehensive
resource, labelled the Wikipedia of
interior and exterior design. Some ideas
might be a little pricy, though.
Home Design 3D
Free + IAPs
While a bit ddly and requiring
an IAP to use properly, this app enables
you to create 3D rooms and play around
with furniture and dcor. So it could prove
handy for visualising interior designs.
www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
81
WorldMags.net
head tohead
to
Which app can make the most sense
out of your messy handwriting?
GOOGLE HANDWRITING
INPUT
vs
MYSCRIPT
SMART NOTE
If you dont like traditional keyboards, there
are apps to send your texts, tweets or
emails by handwriting. Weve tested two
of the best, Googles
Handwriting Input
and MyScript
Smart Note.
specification
Price Free
Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 4.03
specification
Price Free + IAPs
Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 4.0
Smart Note
SET UP
FEATURES
HANDWRITING
RECOGNITION
ERROR
CORRECTING
ASSISTANCE
And the winner is... Although theres more to MyScript Smart Note, Google Handwriting
GOOGLE
HANDWRITING
INPUT
82
Input wins. This is mostly due to the fact its a better app to use when
performing the primary function of writing instead of typing. Both are
excellent products, though, and the note-taking in MyScript is great.
WorldMags.net
BUILD
A
BETTER
WEB
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Digital edition available at www.greatdigitalmags.com
Available on the following platforms
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Games
WorldMags.net
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes:
Universe in Peril
Experience marvellous mayhem
and countless characters
what weve
been playing
Angry Birds Stella
Pop Free + IAPs
While theres a bathful of
bubble-popping games around, this one has
that special Angry Birds charm. Were still
trying to three-star all the levels, which can
be frustrating, but its still fun.
Modern Combat 5:
Blackout Free + IAPs
The popular FPS has had a
spring-clean. We like the extra weapons,
character customisation and new zone
control multiplayer mode.
Recommend a game
84
twitter
@lgrobot
X-Men:
Days of
Future Past
A future setting for truly
retro gameplay
Based on a classic 1981
story arc from the X-Men
comics, this side-scrolling
brawler lets you play as characters
including Wolverine, Cyclops and
Scarlet Witch. Each has their own
skills, which can be upgraded.
Starting in a dystopian future, the
game switches to a variety of
locations for you to battle, all well
presented. Exploring stages lets you
WorldMags.net
Price 3.17/$3.94
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 4.0
WorldMags.net
quickhits
Lunchtime action
Boss Monster
Free + IAPs
Plot each units path using waypoints and issue commands
Price 2.99/$4.99
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 2.3
Project Parkour
Free + IAPs
MotionTennis Cast
Use your phone as a racquet
ZombieHighway2
Clarkson goes on the rampage?
Combining zombies and driving, this sequel
improves on the original with some new
weapons and redesigned vehicles. As before, tilt
controls are used to steer your vehicle along a highway
while fending off zombie attacks. Mow them down if you
can, but if they manage to latch onto the vehicle, you can
shoot them or brush them off by knocking the scenery.
Since its a survival game, youre ultimately doomed,
but if you make a mistake you can use rewind to go back a
few seconds. There are plenty of challenges and rewards
to keep you playing. New weapons and vehicles are gained
as you progress and while IAPs can be used to unlock
them early, theyre not essential.
Fighting Fantasy:
Record Keeper Free + IAPs
A sort of greatest hits
collection for RPG fans, this lets
you relive moments from the
Final Fantasy series. A huge character
roster and weekly special events make it.
Dungeon Hunter 5
Free + IAPs
The latest instalment in Gamelofts
action-RPG series has a new
asynchronous multiplayer mode,
Strongholds. While theres a fair amount
of grinding, its worth persevering.
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our website for
even more game reviews
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85
Games
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Almightree:
The Last
Dreamer
Save a crumbling world by
solving puzzles
When your world is
crumbling around your
feet, what do you do?
Start hugging trees! Well, thats what
the wizard in this puzzle game does,
as he searches for magical
Almightree seedlings to awaken.
Each stage is a race against time
as our blond hero attempts to
navigate to the Almightree seedling
before the crumbling ground catches
up with him. The 3D viewpoint is xed
and theres no indication of which way
to go, so you have to explore to nd
the correct route. A diagram at the
top shows your progress and how
much land has shattered behind you.
There are obstacles to overcome,
such as gaps and cliffs, both solved
by plantsportation which involves
teleporting a wood block from one
place to another. Special owers also
need to be avoided, while later levels
add complications. Its well
presented, challenging and a
truly enjoyable puzzler.
Stormblades
Swipe, slash, hack and
crash your way through
Price 1.32/$1.99
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 2.3
86
Bearing obvious
similarities to Innity
Blade, but lacking the
exploration aspect, Stormblades
sees you duelling with foes. As well
as swiping to slash, you need to
parry the enemys attacks by
swiping in the other direction. Some
attacks require you to dodge by
double-tapping, although this can
sometimes result in a sword slash by
mistake which can be annoying.
While the enemies get harder, and
you can upgrade to weapons with
special powers, the main action
stays the same, so it can get
repetitive. In addition, we
experienced glitches, including
crashes, on a couple of devices.
However, it doesnt overdo the
freemium aspect and you could play
it through without in-game currency.
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quickhits
top apps for...
V quiz show
ans
Tipping Point
specification
Price Free + IAPs
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 4.2
verdict
Performance
Design
Value
Nothing revolutionary, but a
nicely polished and highly
playable game
1.49/$2.46 + IAPs
What might seem a daft idea
for a TV show works well as a mobile
game. Answering quiz questions is
secondary to the business of playing
that giant coin-dozer machine. Beware
though, its really addictive.
2 hour wonder
Want your money back?
Youve got 2 hours to decide!
! 40
120 80
! 40
120 80
! 40
120 80
1.49/$2.31 + IAPs
80-120 minutes
keep
refund
1.49/$2.49 + IAPs
like this?
try this!
Pointless Quiz
Fotonica
This endless runner
combines retro-style
wireframe graphics with
electronic tunes to great effect. It
can make your eyes go funny after a
while, but its addictive.
Viewing the angular landscape
from rst-person, arms pumping, you
tap and hold the screen to keep
running in each course. Good timing
is required to release and jump gaps,
otherwise you may lower a level if
you fall off, its race over which can
get frustrating as its tricky to climb
back up. You also need to time your
The Chase
Price 0.99/$0.99
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 4.0
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Blockbusters
Free + IAPs
Ill have a P please, Bob! Soak
up the nostalgia while playing solo or
multiplayer, and buzz in with the correct
multiple-choice answers. Its tricky typing
them in on a timed Gold Run, though.
Catchphrase
Free + IAPs
Its good, but its not right!
Actually, this Android version isnt bad. You
have to identify the phrase shown by each
cartoon animation. Instead of typing, you
assemble it from jumbled words.
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87
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BUYERS GUIDE
Discover the best smartphones, tablets and accessories
to buy i
t t
h t
88
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Buyers Guide
WorldMags.net
TOP 10 SUPER SMARTPHONES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Moto X (2014)
While the previous Moto X was something of a agship underdog, the second-gen model is bigger and
better. Its 1080p screen, 13MP and the Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor still offer competitive
specs, despite the handset being launched late last year. The Moto X (2014) also offers a near stock
Android experience with 15-minute Turbo charging, but is much cheaper than the Nexus 6, which
offers the same features. Its biggest problem is a lack of microSD support.
395
Sony Xperia Z3
499
While it is only a minor upgrade on the Z2, the Xperia Z3 is still a very impressive handset. Artfully
crafted from glass and metal, the Z3 is not just stylish, but also 100 per cent waterproof. Its 20.7MP
camera is one of the best weve seen and the PlayStation Remote Play feature will appeal to gamers.
LG G3
Though its expected to soon be replaced by the G4, the LG G3 continues to impress us with its
pin-sharp QHD 5.5-inch screen, laser-focused 13MP camera and lightning-fast processor. However, its
faux metal plastic casing is disappointing, as is its mono speaker.
HTC ONE M9
We marked the M9 down for only being an incremental update on the M8, but it is undeniably a
superb phone. Underneath its elegant silver and gold chrome shell, it houses a superfast Snapdragon
810 processor, 20MP camera, 3GB RAM, 32GB memory and some clever customisation tools.
Nexus 6
Googles rst phablet, the Nexus 6 is larger than either a Galaxy Note 4 or OnePlus One. This can
make it an awkward t for one-handed use, but the gigantic 5.9-inch QHD display looks fantastic. It
also has a super-fast processor and 3GB RAM for zippy use, along with a commendable 13MP camera.
ZTE Blade S6
The best ZTE Blade in years, it runs Android Lollipop, has a 64-bit Snapdragon processor, 2GB RAM
and the exact same IMX214 camera as the Sony Xperia Z3 which costs around the three times as
much. Its overall iPhone-inspired design is disappointing, but at 7.7mm it is surprisingly thin.
Honor 6
This 5-inch phablet is Huaweis attempt to win over the Western market. While the imitation iPhone
design and skinned Android KitKat interface are a bit generic, it is positively packed with features,
including an incredible octa-core processor, 1080p display and long-lasting 3,100mAh battery.
Xiaomi Mi4
While OnePlus is the bigger name in Chinese exports, Xiaomi is selling millions of units in its home
country. The Mi4 manages to undercut the OnePlus One on price while maintaining impressive build
quality. Like OnePlus, Xiaomi uses a non-standard OS but its equal to KitKat 4.4.
See issue 44
284.98
See issue 41
579.99
See issue 50
549.99
See issue 37
569
See issue 45
499.99
See issue 47
189.99
See issue 50
233.99
See issue 47
263.95
See issue 44
KS Hive Buds
Price 10/$TBC
Website amazon.co.uk
Price 24.99/$TBC
Website kitsound.co.uk
A comfy pair of reasonably priced
-ear headphones with 11mm
ivers th
nge isn
you ar
w bass,
good ex
th thes
See issue 45
WorldMags.net
WINNER
Sennheiser CX
5.00G
Price 69 99/$89 95
W
Buyers
Guide
WorldMags.net
TOP 10 BUDGET BUYS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Moto G 4G (2014)
The Moto Xs budget cousin set new standards for the low-cost phone with support for 4G. While its
made of a cheap plastic, the Moto G has not compromised on screen quality, which is 4.5 inches of
sturdy Gorilla Glass 3 and offers 1280x720 pixels. The small memory can be boosted thanks to a
microSD slot. Running near-stock Android, Motorola has conrmed Moto G 4Gs next upgrade will be
Lollipop, ensuring future-proong for some time despite the launch of a new Moto G (2014) model.
Moto G (2014)
While the second-gen Moto X has won us over, the Moto G (2014) has fallen short of the top due to a
lack of 4G despite the similar price point. However, this is a trade-off if you would rather have the
slightly larger 5-inch screen or the useful addition of a dual SIM.
Moto E (2014)
Available for under 100, SIM-free and no contract, the Moto E is the ultimate no-strings-attached
smartphone. With a sturdy, splashproof case, 1980mAh battery that will go the distance and microSD
slot to expand the tiny 1GB memory, the Moto E is an impressive build that wont break the bank.
Asus ZenFone 5
While it is one of the most expensive phone in our budget buys chart, the ZenFone 5 offers an awful
lot for less than most mid-range phones. A stylish metal design is available in a range of colours, it has
a sharp 5-inch screen, powerful Intel Atom processor 8MP camera with a range of shooting modes.
Honor 3C
The low-end alternative to the Honor 6, this frugal 5-inch phablet is a bit behind the times running
Android Jellybean and only offering 3G signal. However, a 2MP front-facing sele camera, generous
2GB RAM, expandable memory and dual SIM support help to make up this. Great for rst time users.
Acer Liquid Z5
A good-looking phone with tapered edges, the Acer Liquid Z5 offers a stylish alternative to most black
brick handsets. Its innovative Float Apps interface also makes it easy to multitask apps. However,
humdrum specs, like a low-res screen, leave it ranking low in the competitive world of budget phones.
90
From 111
See issue 42
149
See issue 44
82.91
See issue 40
129
See issue 48
125
See issue 48
109.25
See issue 49
129
See issue 44
120
See issue 34
110
See issue 39
79.99
See issue 39
Trial Xtreme 4
Price Free
Like stock car racing
for the small screen,
Daytona Rush is a mix
between a racing
career game and an endless runner.
Drive your car around the famous
Daytona Speedway circuit until you
crash, earning points for completing
challenges. Its very basic though.
Real Drift
Car Racing Free
WorldMags.net
WINNER
Price Free
A lite version of
the 0.63/$0.99
game, it still does
exactly what it
says on the tin. Earn points
for drifting and money for
winning races to customise
your virtual motor.
Buyers Guide
WorldMags.net
TOP 10 BEST TABLETS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
h its 8-inch screen and premium price tag, Sony is pitching the Z3 squarely against the iPad Mini in
d to compete with its rivals. Weighing just 270g, it is slim and slender with a stylish minimalist
ign that belies the blazing processor and 3GB RAM under the hood. Its Triluminos display can give
msungs Super AMOLED screens a run for their money and works fantastically with Sonys PS4
mote Play feature so you can enjoy console-quality games on the go.
Google Nexus 9
A mighty Nvidia Tegra K1 processor and 3GB RAM mean that even running the most graphic-heavy
games wont slow this 64-bit tablet down. The built-in BoomSound speakers also offer great sound
quality, making Googles new tablet an all-round media consumption device.
Tesco Hudl 2
This sequel to the supermarket chains own-brand tablet cant compete with premium models, but
sets a new benchmark for budget tablets. Upping the display size from 7 to 8.3-inches, the Hudl 2 also
runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat and can handle anything you throw at it thanks to an Intel Atom processor.
LG G Pad 8.3
A well-rounded tablet, the LG G Pad 8.3 offers solid specs with a selection of impressive built-in apps.
These include Polaris Ofce so you can write documents on the go, and QPair, which shares your
smartphone notications to your tablet so you never miss important updates.
From 269
See issue 46
From 319
See issue 45
349
See issue 43
329
See issue 39
99
See issue 44
GOING UP
179.99
See issue 40
GOING UP
199
See issue 38
169.99
GOING UP
NEW ENTRY
See issue 38
49.99
See issue 48
79
See issue 46
NEVER MISS AN
ISSUE OF ANDROID
MAGAZINE
For the latest reviews,
check out our great
subscription offer on
page 26
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on a
year doenae
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Share your tips & tricks
Join us on Facebook and Twitter
to share and receive some
great tips and advice
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DroidSupport
hints&tips Get more from your Android phone with our handy hints
Google Now anywhere
Did you know that you can launch Google
Now by holding your nger on the home
navigation icon and swiping upwards to
Google icon that appears. You dont need a
dicated shortcut icon to jump straight to it.
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93
DroidSupport
WorldMags.net
I can no
longer
receive calls!
I bought a phone off a friend and
everything seems ne except for the
fact that I cannot receive any calls.
My SIM card works in another phone
so it is not that, but even stranger is
that I can make outgoing calls
without any problems.
Jon Godfrey
Hi Jon. It would be
extremely unlikely for
this to be a hardware
problem because, as you say,
you can make calls so we will
instead look at software, and
more specically the settings
you have enabled on your
phone. Go to the
There is
indeed a
feature that lets
you block calls
How do I
stop spam
calls?
As each day passes, I am receiving
more and more spam calls and
texts, and it has reached the
point where I am considering
changing my number. I have
been told that there are ways to
block number in the A
operating system, but
need a solution which
this easy to set up.
How can I
lose
TouchWiz?
I love my Galaxy Note,
Im not a fan of the
A but
TouchWiz interface. After
You can get close to automatically
blocking all unwanted calls
Maurice Santiago
Hi Mauric
is indeed a
in Android
you block calls wh
accessible via the
in the Phone app.
Call rejection and
decide which mod
want to employ. T
system, however,
your input and yo
need to ensure th
have entered any
numbers that you
reject in the futu
quickest way to
to look at your ca
after a spam call
come in and then
the call in quest
tap the menu ke
select Add to Au
list. Any future
from that numb
rejected before
even alerted, so
enjoy the peace
are using Googl
Hangouts for tex
94
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Magazine team
Editor Jack Parsons
jack.parsons@imagine-publishing.co.uk
01202 586279
Contributors
the launcher
1 Install
Go to Google Play and search for Google
Now Launcher. It is completely free and doesnt
take up much memory at all which is an indicator
that it will not be slowing down your phone in the
future. Once installed, check to see if any special
instructions appear for you to follow.
Christian Cawley, Oliver Hill, Phil King, Shaun McGill, Paul OBrien,
Harry Slater, Jessica Thornsby, Sandra Vogel, Rob Zwetsloot
Advertising
Digital or printed media packs are available on request.
Head of Sales Hang Deretz
01202 586442
hang.deretz@imagine-publishing.co.uk
Advertising Manager Alex Carnegie
01202 586430
alex.carnegie@imagine-publishing.co.uk
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International
Android Magazine is available for licensing.
Contact the International department to discuss
partnership opportunities.
Head of International Licensing Cathy Blackman
+44 (0) 1202 586401
licensing@imagine-publishing.co.uk
Subscriptions
For all subscriptions enquiries
0844 245 6963 (UK)
+44 (0) 1795 414 972 (Overseas)
Email: android@servicehelpline.co.uk
13 issue subscription (UK) 51.90 (CC)
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13 issue subscription (ROW) 75
Circulation
Head of Circulation Darren Pearce
01202 586200
Production
settings
4 One-click
Press the menu key to see all of the home
screens displayed horizontally and icons to set
new wallpapers, add widgets and deal with the
minimal settings. You can tap any panel at the top
to jump to it or select Widgets to see all of the
available widgets that are installed on your device.
Finance
Finance Director Marco Peroni
Founder
Group Managing Director Damian Butt
Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material
lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of
Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced
in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher.
All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose
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to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and
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up the screen
5 Fill
You can now tap and hold any widget or app
Google Now
6 Use
Swipe right from the homescreen and youll
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our website daily
for even more tips & tricks
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Introducing the new NX500
with UHD 4K video.
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