+ SAMSUNG HTC NEXUS SONY LG ASUS 60 APP

REVIEWS

100% unofficial

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

App reviews Tips & advice Hardware tested Hacking FASTER! SMARTER! BETTER! REVEALED
SAMSUNG GALAXY S IV & NOTE 8

HOTTEST H OTTEST OT ST PHONES NES

TABLET FACE-OFF Whats the best

Android tablet?

2013 3
The incredible new range of devices from HTC, Samsung, Sony & LG
The best apps for your new 1080p phone revealed

SPRING CLEAN YOUR PHONE

Essential ways to keep your device running like new

HD APPS

AMAZING

Discover what your Android can really do!

ISSUE 23

HACKING PROJECTS

Get Android on your laptop Run Ubuntu on Nexus 7 Android games console

Sony reinvents the phone

-Tom Bailey, Tech Editor, ShortList

Xperia Z exudes class

-Engadget, Jan 7th 2013

...this is our new favourite smartphone

-Stuff magazine, March 2013

chock-full with impressive Sony features

-Mobile Choice

The new Xperia Z smartphone from Sony

sonymobile.com

experience the best of Sony in a smartphone

The new Xperia Z

Discover more

Introducing the new Xperia Z smartphone from Sony.

Since its announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, the new Xperia Z smartphone has been hugely well received. Available in black or white, its impressive blend of design, technology and innovation make it the best of Sony in a smartphone.

razor sharp beauty

Feel like youre part of the action with the worlds sharpest 5" smartphone display* . The Xperia Zs 1080 x 1920 Full HD Reality Display is powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, which automatically optimises pictures and videos for superior brightness, contrast, sharpness and colour.

durable and water resistant

The Xperia Z has tempered glass with anti-shatter lm. Its also water resistant to a depth of one metre the highest level of water resistance in a smartphone. ** So whatever life throws at it, from a spilt drink to a sudden downpour, Xperia Z takes it all in its stride.

Discover more

perfect shots, any light

Always get the perfect shot with the 13MP fast capture camera and Exmor RS sensor its the worlds rst image sensor with HDR video for smartphones*. Shoot sharp pictures and HDR video in any light condition, from bright sunlight on the beach to dark candlelit restaurants. With Superior Auto Mode, settings are automatically optimised to make amazing shots even easier. And with the Full HD front camera, you can video chat and take self-portraits even in low light.

full of life and lightning fast

Theres no need to worry about running out of power Xperia Z has battery STAMINA mode, which gives you at least 4 times longer standby time. And when its in action, Xperia Z delivers super fast performance, via its Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core 1.5GHz processor.

sonymobile.com
In compliance with IP55 and IP57, Xperia Z is protected against the ingress of dust and is water resistant. Provided that all ports and covers are firmly closed, the phone is (i) protected against low pressure jets of water from all practicable directions in compliance with IP55; and/or (ii) can be kept under 1 metre of freshwater for up to 30 minutes in compliance with IP57. Icons are for illustrative purposes only. Sony and make.believe are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. Google Chrome and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. 2013 Sony Mobile Communications AB. *Verified by Strategy Analytics as of 4th of February 2013, for more information on Strategy Analytics results go to: www.sonymobile.com/testresults. **As of 4th of February 2013, outside of Japan there are no smartphones with a waterproof rating higher than the Sony Xperia Z.

Welcome To issue 23

Samsungs dominance of Android is great for Samsung, but probably less so for the long-term health of the Android ecosystem
MY HOME SCREEN
On (and off) Andys phone this month
fter a tricky couple of years HTC is looking to get right back in the game with its new agship device, the HTC One. My rst impressions are that its the best device the company has ever made, with some fantastic work on the design side, and some innovation and interesting decisions on the software. In particular is its focus on better photography, with a smaller-than-normal pixel count giving better results in low light, as well as plenty of tricks to help you catch that perfect shot. Well put all this to the test next month when we give the device a thorough going over. The One was undoubtedly the highlight of the recent parade of new devices, which have also given us an insight into the new trends for the months ahead. Among them, seven-inch tablets that can be used to make phone calls may not be the most sought after idea, but phablets are. Most manufacturers now have a larger-than-average device in their line-up, and Sony is expected to join in too. And then there is the small matter of the Samsung Galaxy S IV. Publishing schedules being what they are we didnt have the full details of the new phone when we went to press, but its safe to say that it will once again be the device that everyone else has to beat. It would be nice if HTC or Sony could mount a ght back with their new agships. Samsungs dominance of Android is great for Samsung, but probably less so for the long-term health of the Android ecosystem. The more big players there are competing on equal terms the better.

Welcome
A
7x7 Aurasma

HOW TO USE THE QR CODES

Zero-click access to the best apps in the Google Play store

A QR code is a 2D barcode that can act as a shortcut for delivering information, such as weblinks. Youll notice them throughout the mag scan them on your phone and you can download apps and send us messages instantly.
Download this free barcode scanner to use our QR codes. Handily, you can scan normal barcodes with it too, to help you nd bargains on all your favourite purchases!

ShopSavvy Free

APPS IN

Audioboo

This month Ive tested:

Its no exaggeration to say that this is one of the best devices Ive ever seen

HTC One

Lightning Browser

APPS OUT
ssLauncher Vector

scanning 1 Get Open ShopSavvy, hit the Scan a

Barcode button and then hold your phone over a QR code so that it appears in the window.

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/littlegreenrobot

Let us know what youd like to see in next issue

facebook email twitter

qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk @lgrobot

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Drop us an email and let us know what youd like to see in the mag

the link 2 Launch When it has read, the phone will

Andy Betts Editor
beep and vibrate, then launch the link. You may need to choose an app to launch it with.

Follow us on Twitter and send us your thoughts

SMARTPHONES.TABLETS.ACCESSORIES
COMPETITIVE PRICES . RAPID WORLDWIDE DELIVERY

Celebrating 20 years of business

SONY XPERIA Z
IP55 & 57 rated Android phone Quad-core processor 5 full HD display 13megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording including HDR mode 16GB internal memory MicroSD memory card slot 2GB RAM PlayStation certied 4G

522

HTC One
Over 300 new features Elegant & comfortable with a strong nish HTC BlinkFeed user interface delivering live stream of news, social networks etc HTC Boom Sound - Beats Audio tuning HTC Zoe camera with UltraPixels Powered by 1.7GHz quad-core processor 2G RAM for more efcient multi-tasking Weighs 143g and measures 9.3mm thin 4G, WiFi, NFC, DLNA

510

01202 552936

WWW.CLOVE.CO.UK

All prices include VAT, but exclude delivery. Prices are correct at time of going to press. Website price always applies. Errors and omissions should be excepted.

CONTENTS

Contents Inside issue 23

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

27 Special offer for USA readers 62 Exclusive subscription offer

Previews, news and speculation from the Android world 08 Android hacking goes mainstream

Launcher

Are you ready to start hacking your phone?

12 10 things you need to know about widgets

Get to grips with the best of Androids widgets

HOTTEST PHONES 2013

20 The incredible new range of devices from HTC, Samsung, Sony and LG

14 Million Sellers

We chat to Cellsh Studios about its bestselling portfolio

15 Make money from your phone

How much can you earn by recycling your old phone?

16 Tegra 4 on test 18 Messages

Early benchmarks for the new Tegra 4 processor Sound off about anything and everything to do with Android

28 Spring clean your phone

Essential ways to keep your device running like new

48 Amazing hacking projects

The most powerful hacks you can perform on your device

Hacker Zne Explore the limits of

your Android phone
Can this budget tab top the Nexus 7?

48 Amazing hacking projects

Contents Inside issue 23

50 Run Ubuntu on the Nexus 7 52 Cook your own Jelly Bean ROM 54 Make your own Android games console 56 Make use of your old phone 58 Run Android on your laptop

60 Hacking tips and tricks

Essential tips for getting the most out of your Android device

90 Acer Iconia Tab A110

Cutting-edge tablets and smartphones on test

Four high-spec ten-inch tablets go head-to-head

Reviews T utorials
86 Sony Xperia Z 90 Acer Iconia Tab A110 92 Versus TouchTab 10.1DC

Your complete guide to Google Play

Apps

Essential guides to getting more from your phone or tablet 28 Spring clean your phone 32 Tutorials
Keep your phone running as smooth as when you rst turned it on 32 Use text expansion and other tricks for faster typing 35 Work with more than one calendar 36 Sync Android with iTunes 11 38 Use Chromes cloud features 40 Remotely control and wipe your lost device

64 The best apps for your HD phone

We reveal a selection of apps that look great in high-def We test out two high-powered alternatives to Google Maps

78 Tablet face-off

75 Free GPS apps

86 Reviews

76 Game reviews

The latest games for phones and tablets reviewed

94 Accessories

App review index

76 71 69 77 71 72 71 71 70 70 77 77 69 70 77 77 72 77 69 71 73 77 76 69 71 68 72 Beat the Beast BlueBox Brian Blessed Alarm Clock Call of Mini: Brawlers Carbon for Twitter Ditalix Live Wallpaper Suite Echofon PRO for Twitter Falcon Pro (for Twitter) Gogobot Hushed Anonymous Calls, SMS Ikaruga Ironfell izik LINE Brush Line Runner 2 NFL Matchups Pup-e-cards from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Rise of the Blobs SleepyTime Plus Slices for Twitter Sliding Messaging Pro Steampunk Racing 3D Temple Run 2 Trackash TweetDeck Umano Yelo: Cheap Calls Worldwide

Power up your phone or tablet with this collection of goodies

Full in-depth review of the rst 1080p smartphone

42 Droid Support
Readers questions answered, plus troubleshooting tips and tricks

Xperia Z

86 Sony

46 Android challenge

Train for a marathon: Can you use your phone to get t enough to run a full 26 mile marathon? We nd out

78 Tablet face-off

Whats the best Android tablet?

36 Sync Android with iTunes 11

Get your music and other content onto your phone straight from iTunes
Check our website daily for even more news

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

All the latest from the world of Android devices

Android hacking goes mainstream

T
With millions of users now falshing custom ROMs onto their phones and tablets, Android hacking is no longer just for geeks. We take a look at the phenomenon
The rise in popularity of sites such as XDA Developers has led more people to really explore their Android device further, with more than just cosmetic changes being available. The sheer number of ROMs and tools now available to users can help them improve how the device functions and works overall. Paul OBrien, owner of popular Android enthusiast site modaco.com, believes that there are a wide range of reasons that the average user has taken to hacking their device. Sometimes people want to hack their devices to put back features that have been removed by an operator, such as tethering. The two biggest reasons we see however are to remove pre-installed bloat on the device (annoying apps that theyll never use) or to apply an update from a source other than their operator out of frustration at an extended wait. he Android OS prides itself on being as open and diverse as possible, and the biggest beneciaries of this are the hackers who are constantly looking for new ways to alter, improve and modify their phone or tablet. But the pre-conceived ideas of hacking being a niche and somewhat risky way of improving their devices are slowly diminishing, and instead hacking is opening itself up to a new wave of wannabe hackers. The younger generation of people who are moving into Android handsets are more daring in being able to experiment with their device, and the overall number of these people is always increasing, says Ramgopal Vidyanand, vice president of corporate and business development at Celltick. Android users want their mobile device to be a reection of their identity, and by hacking their phone, they can achieve this.

Our view

I was first sold on the benefits of Android hacking when HTC dragged its heels over updating the Desire to Gingerbread. I went the CyanogenMod route first, followed shortly after with a cobbled-together but mostly functional ICS ROM, long after the device was officially abandoned. I now routinely root every device I get. As a Galaxy S III user currently the ability to debloat the phone has been essential.

Andy Betts, Editor

Stay up to date
Catch up with the latest Android news and gossip

twitter
@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates

Installing your first ROM

Looking to get started in the world of Android hacking? Make sure these are the first places you check out

The XDA Forums are the central hub for all things to do with hacking Android devices. Theres a wealth of knowledge and custommade ROMs to explore. The lack of updates for devices supplied by operators is a major aw in the Android ecosystem, and its not uncommon to see a device just a year old be forgotten by its manufacturers. Dr Andrew Bilach, security researcher at Bluebox, believes that one of the main reasons why were seeing so many average users take to hacking their phones, is because of this very reason. For some, the only relief from existing security problems, or the desire to have an updated operating system, is to hack their device and install a custom ROM on it. The hacking community is essentially providing support, for free, that the companies a user has paid for are not. Ultimately, the software update cycle for Android is broken. Theres no denying that the positive aspects of hacking your device can lead to a wide range of benets for your device. For the average user, being able to tinker their device can help keep their phone or tablet in tip-top condition, without ever needing to spend big money on upgrading their device. Manufacturers have cottoned on to this, and although there isnt ofcial support for hacking phones from the likes of Samsung, HTC and the rest, the process of rooting has been made generally easier. With more and more device owners becoming hacking savvy, the openness of a device to use in this way is increasingly having an effect on a buyers choice of purchase, something manufacturers are becoming aware of, says OBrien. Some

XDA Forums

As well as offering a great forum to discuss ROMs, theres also a news section to keep you up to date with the latest big news in the world of Android hacking.

MoDaCo

The king of all ROMs, the ofcial CyanogenMod site has a blog which you can follow to nd out when the latest updates will be released, complete with bug xes.

CyanogenMod

Most people do not understand this entire set of risks in their eagerness towards rooting their device
Ramgopal Vidyanand, VP of corporate and business development at Celltick
manufacturers make the process very easy (eg Samsung), some manufacturers make it possible but a bit more difcult (eg HTC) and some, often driven by operators, make it virtually impossible (eg Orange San Diego). But despite the rise in popularity for hacking Android devices leading to a whole new wave of sophisticated tools, brand-new apps and extra features to install on rooted devices, theres also a wide range of problems and security aws that the wannabe hacker may not be aware of. As Vidyanand explains, for people new to hacking, there are things you should watch out for: There are a number of tutorials available on the web and a lot of things written around this which makes people think that what they are doing is a trivial task without understanding the implications. The application that they download can do a variety of things erase all data, log keystrokes on their device and transmit it, download random applications on to your device, make calls of its own running up your phone bill and the list goes on, he warns. Most people do not understand this entire set of risks in their eagerness towards rooting their device. Despite the problems many budding and seasoned hackers face, theres no questioning that with the resources so readily available, now is the perfect time for anyone looking to root their device to start to get involved.

To hack or not to hack?

Should you download a third-party ROM to update your smartphone? Or patiently wait for your network to send it out?
Is rooting your Android devices the right move for you, and what issues do you need to be aware of if you do it? Dr Andrew Bilach, security researcher at Bluebox and previously at Samsung and Qualcomm, discusses the pros and cons of hacking your phone to get the latest updates, or waiting for the ofcial one to be delivered by your phones manufacturer or network.

Choosing a third-party ROM: Full control of your device and its

features

Timely software and security updates Free support provided by the hacking
community devices

Software updates available for ageing Breaks device warranty Possibility of adding malicious ROMs
to device

The openness of a device to use in this way is increasingly having an effect on a buyers choice of purchase
Paul OBrien, owner of modaco.com

Waiting for an official update: Approved software update Easier device management with less
ROM variants

Device warranty still intact Safe downloads and protection from

malicious software

Minimal coverage for older devices Long waits for major software
improvements

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Visit us daily for news and more

HOT WHATS Developments to watch in

the Androshpere

Android taking a giant leap for mankind

The STRaND-1 satellite has launched into space carrying a Google Nexus One onboard. The aim of the mission is to see whether an ordinary smartphone can be used to drive a satellite in orbit. STRaND-1 will look to complete a wide range of tasks, including taking pictures of earth using the phones camera.
You can get many popular Android apps on a BlackBerry with mixed results

BlackBerry 10: the new platform for Android apps?

BlackBerry 10 can run thousands of Android apps. Is it really a viable alternative to your Nexus or Galaxy? ne of the major features to be found in Pros

Firefox OS: the new kid in town

Mozilla Firefox has conrmed that by mid-2013 they will have launched its rst mobile OS. Firefox OS looks to be a direct competitor to the Android and iOS duopoly, with the intent of providing a featurepacked OS for the masses. Early indications show that Mozilla is currently looking to implement the OS on LG and ZTE smartphones.

the new BlackBerry 10 OS is that it supports a wide range of Android apps. Despite increased pressure by BlackBerry to get more developers onboard, the current crop of BlackBerry apps is still pretty poor and far behind both Android and iOS offerings. However, the new crop of BB10 devices are able to run any Android app that is converted from the .apk format to BlackBerrys .bar, in what is a relatively simple process. However, the emulator in BlackBerry 10 is based on Gingerbread, and its performance is a curious mixed bag of part-BlackBerry, partAndroid that is barely satisfactory on either count. BlackBerry is keen to implement Android 4.1 in the future, but we cant see this as anything more than a stopgap to hide some of the gaping holes in the BlackBerry ecosystem.

There are a wide range of apps supported and it certainly lls the gaps left in the BlackBerry World store Many apps are better priced than their Google Play counterparts Cloud storage apps can be linked with the BlackBerry Playbook

Cons
Applications constantly stutter and often crash Some of the apps dont appear in their native resolution, often leaving it a pixelated mess The current crop of BB10 smartphones cant cope with some of the more powerhungry apps

Typing being made easy with SwiftKey 4

With SwiftKey Flow taking keyboard developers in a new direction entirely, SwiftKey 4 looks to bring together the best of manual and touch typing into one package. As youd expect, its hugely customisable and typing is as awless as ever.

Why Android and BlackBerry dont mix

It is great to see Android apps on a different platform, but this rst crossover simply doesnt work very well. Apps tend to be on the slow side and even trying to play the most basic of games is a laborious task. With

BlackBerry keen on porting over Android 4.1 apps, hopefully the next crop will be more of a success. For the time being, its hard to recommend any of the Oliver Hill, current BlackBerry phones over an Android alternative. staff writer

10

Scream
if you want to go
Who decided speed was just for the jetsetters? At Three, we think everyone should feel the rush of wind between their thumbs. So were revving up our entire network, adding some extra g-force, without charging a hefty premium. Thats ultrafast, without the ultra pricey.

Our Ultrafast network speeds & coverage vary. Youll need an Ultrafast ready device. See three.co.uk/network

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Visit us daily for news and more
app 2External functionality the 3Find best apps
Despite adding functions to some of the Play stores basic apps, youll also nd a wide range of customisable widgets that link to many non-Android websites and services. For example, the Spark 360 widget gives you full access to your Xbox Live prole perfect for gaming fans. There are hundreds of widget packs on the Play store you can download to expand your library of widgets. One of the best is HD Widgets, a comprehensive pack of simple, but beautiful widgets that offers a variety of clocks, weather icons and extended controls.

1Widgets on the big screen

Although the selection of apps for Android tablets isnt great, the amount of tabletorientated widgets is impressive. You can now nd dedicated tablet widget packs which offer a great assortment of features.

Extra 4 app features

10Customise

Theres no denying that widgets are a colourful addition to any home screen, and they are a great way of personalising devices. In Android 4.1, the choice is greater than ever.

Many new widgets that accompany apps tend to offer functions that cant be found in the app itself. Evernote is a great example of this, by utilising a wide range of quick editing features that make it one of the most interactive apps to use on your device.

9Google TV

If youre looking for a bigger way of seeing your widgets brought to life, then you need to invest in Google TV. Add widgets to your home screens that double up as shortcuts.

Widgets
Most Android devices come with several home screens for you to take advantage of, and each can be lled with several apps. Just remember to add your most important widgets to your central home screen so you have quick access to them.

things you need to know about...

5Important functions

Aside from their aesthetic qualities, many home screen widgets offer quick shortcuts to some of your devices most important functions.

your home screens 8 Social media 7Use

The ofcial Facebook and Twitter apps leave a lot to be desired. Luckily, theres a handful of decent widgets you can use to monitor them. Falcon Pro for Twitter is a great example, giving you full access to your Twitter account from a widget.

your 6Create own widget

Looking for a particular type of widget but cant nd one on the Play store? No worries, with Meta Widget you can create and customise your own personalised widget. The app works by transforming websites in to widgets, before giving you the tools to get customising.

12

Stay up to date
Catch up with the latest Android news and gossip

twitter
@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates

Millionsellers Cellsh Studios portfolio

U

VITAL STATS
THE AVENGERS LIVE WALLPAPER Price: Free

The inside story on Androids most popular apps

Q&A Perry Landesberg Cellsh Studios

Launched: June 2012 Installs: 1-5 million Play Store rating:

sers are always looking for new ways to customise their devices, so its no wonder that The Avengers Live Wallpaper, part of the Cellsh Studios portfolio, has rocketed past a million downloads. The wallpaper uses a 3D effect to really bring the wallpaper alive, and each character from this superhero team is wonderfully recreated. Live wallpapers are notorious for draining battery life and producing the same boring effects on a recurring basis, but Cellsh Studios has put together a winning formula to make people download its wallpapers time and time again.

Why do you feel people choose one of the many Cellsh Studio live wallpapers over other wallpaper-based apps? Cellsh Studios has pioneered home screen entertainment by offering an innovative catalogue of applications that allows fans to interact, personalise and connect with their favourite sports and entertainment brands without ever leaving their home screen. For example, in our Adidas Euro 2012 app, as soon as Spain won the championship over Italy, we updated the application in real-time so users home screens displayed Spains logo and exploding confetti. Fans immediately reacted, leaving positive feedback on Google Play. Its very rare to see an app on the Google Play store exceed a million downloads. Why do you think Cellsh has been successful at doing this numerous times? We start by listening to customer feedback on ways to improve our products and always try to innovate on the Android platform. We identify trends in the market and partner with iconic brands to quickly create products around those brands that make sense for the medium. When a user downloads one of our products, they are downloading a completely immersive experience and not just a static wallpaper. Our suite of products for each brand includes keyboard skins, digital clocks and soundboards. What are your plans in terms of future projects at Cellsh Studios? What should we be looking out for? We plan on updating and evolving our existing suite of products with new and exciting features that take full advantage of the Android platform. Our goal is to keep fans entertained and we continually look for fun and interesting ways to provide a unique user experience. We also plan on expanding our portfolio of licenses as well as creating original content concepts in 2013. This will include new lm products from Marvel such as Iron Man 3 and other movie studios. If you could choose just one, which one of your wallpapers would you keep on your phone all the time? I keep NBA 3D on my home screen because its fun and interactive, letting me shoot free throws all day long! It also includes live scores, news, weather, messaging animations and team personalisation. One of my favourite features is the in-arena billboards that we program remotely, which keeps me up to date with the latest news related to big games.

What makes The Avengers Live Wallpaper a hit?

Each character has its own set animation which helps them really stand out on your screen. The level of animation is customisable in the settings menu

Brought to life

Added extras

To make this live wallpaper stand out even further, Cellsh Studios has also developed an accompanying clock and ringtone that you can use alongside it

Multiple screens

Newer Android devices benet from having an array of home screens, and The Avengers Live Wallpaper makes great use of them. Scroll through them to uncover different sections of the wallpaper

One of the coolest features of this wallpaper is being able to set an animation that cracks your screen every time you get a new SMS or email. Give it a try! HTC Sense was the rst software customisation for Android devices that blurred the lines between a skin and a whole new platform. Over its ve versions, starting in 2009, it has developed from a simple UI designed to make Android more user friendly, to a massive suite of apps and tweaks that slowed HTCs ability to issue OS updates, to the more rened but no less rich Sense 5 in the new HTC One.

Cracking your screen

A brief history of

2009
HTC Hero
HTC Sense debuted on the Hero, running Cupcake. It was a welcome move, polishing up the rough edges of the still edgling Android 1.5 user interface.

2010
HTC Legend, Desire & Wildre
The With HTC Sense branding on the back of the Sense 2 devices showed how important the skin was becoming to HTC phones.

HTC Sense
14

CROWD SOURCE Opinion from the

Make money from your phone

Recycle your phone, earn some money and do your bit for the environment
f you have no use for your old phone then you may lean to just chucking it away, but by recycling it, not only can you help extend the life of many of its useful components, you can also make some extra money on the side. Nowadays there are a wide range of sites and adverts enticing people to part with their devices for cash, so nding the best price can be difcult. In this case, sites like CompareMyMobile are a great resource. By comparing 40 plus stores, on average, consumers can gain 43 per cent extra cash for recycling their old devices says Ashley Turner from CompareMyMobile. With budget devices becoming more prominent, various PAYG options available and short-term contract deals a more viable option, the average lifespan of a phone is only 18 months. Mobile recycling rms are now doing more business than ever before.

Twittersphere

@lgrobot Anyone purchasing a HTC One? Or are you waiting for the Galaxy S4 announcement? #decisionsdecisions #android
@gavinlew waiting for the s4 announcement, I have a contract due for renewal so its all coming at the right time @JamesEleyUK HTC One looks insane, but the battery worries me + not sure if I can break my Galaxy S love affair (Ive had every one of them!) @hungry121 gunna wait for S4 release and then try and nd the best contract deal between them both. @jdpjamesp If I had the money Id be on the #HTCOne immediately, but as it is I shall have to envy everyone else!

How much is your phone worth?

The top brands being traded in are: Key Most valuable traded in Android phone
Apple 51.8% BlackBerry 19.1% Samsung 11.0% Nokia 7.5% HTC 5.0% Sony Ericsson 2.4% Sony 0.7% Google 0.6% Other 6.3%

286
The fluctuating value of the Samsung Galaxy S III

Galaxy Note 2

90%
Of all gadgets that are traded in are

@asinrope a wise man would wait ;D @trucksandco S4 is going to be the best device ever, EVER!!

Phones

@lgrobot Whats everyone expecting from the Galaxy S4? Best phone of the year, or biggest op?
@jowlymonster I guess 1080p screen, pokier cpu... More interested in KLP and the Nexus 5, but not sure I can wait till Oct to replace my GNex! @thejackal1981 best phone of the year. No doubt

The fluctuating value of the HTC One X

Source: comparemymobile.com

2011
HTC Sensation
By Sense 3 the skin was becoming a mass of bloat, with over-the-top 3D animations obscuring the more rened Gingerbread styling.

2012
HTC One X, S & V
Sense 4 stripped things back, and even allowed you to place apps on the dock for the rst time. Whether it was needed on ICS was questionable, though.

2013
HTC One
The focus in Sense 5 is on functionality. A new Flipboard-style home screen panel and Zoe software for shooting and sharing stills and video. Itll come to older One devices in time, too.

@The_Techspert like all Galaxy phones it will blow anything else on the market out of the water. HTC, Sony, LG & Apple just cant compete!

twitter
Follow us @lgrobot to join in the conversation

15

Stay up to date
Catch up with the latest Android news and gossip

twitter
@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates

Antutu Browsermark Geekbench

Tegra 4 busts the benchmarks

T
he next generation of mobile processors wont be available for a few months yet, but that hasnt stopped the rst jaw-dropping benchmarks being made readily available for the most anticipated of them all: Nvidias Tegra 4. Past iterations of the Tegra chip have been included in some of the best tablets on the market, mainly the Asus Transformer Pad Innity and the Sony Xperia Tablet S, both of which offered great usability

How does it compare?

36849 16091 13976
Nvidia Tegra 4 HTC One X+ Samsung Galaxy S III

How does Tegra 4 benchmark against the current crop of phones?

Blisteringly fast benchmarks for speediest mobile processor yet

and streamlined performance. With Tegra 4, Nvidia is looking to go one step further, by offering a near faultless user experience for the next wave of high-end Android devices. Nvidias rst release of the Tegra 4 chip might be in its very own portable gaming console, Project Shield, a high-end device looking to port AAA games to the small screen with the aim of being the best portable games console on the market.

22678

HTC One

13300 9828 2777

iPhone 5 Nokia Lumia 920

Nvidia Tegra 4

2121 1735

HTC One X+ Samsung Galaxy S III

2262 1890 1970

HTC One iPhone 5 Nokia Lumia 920

4148 1541

Nvidia Tegra 4 HTC One X+

1873

Samsung Galaxy S III

3691

Nvidias Project Shield is powered by the Tegra 4 processor

HTC One

1640 1611

iPhone 5 Nokia Lumia 920

59.86 15.46

Nvidia Tegra 4 HTC One X+

Stats collated from RightWare, GSMArena and PassMark

29.60

Taiji

Samsung Galaxy S III

42.21 31.71

HTC One iPhone 5

32.45

Nokia Lumia 920

16

Get in touch!

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Galaxy S IV set to cement Samsungs Android domination

Visit our website for the full details on the Galaxy S IV

TRY THIS!
Three cool ways to get console games on your Android smartphone

amsungs domination of the Android market is set to continue with the launch of the Galaxy S IV. The device is the most hotly anticipated Android device to date, and its announcement follows less than a year after its predecessor went on sale. To date the Galaxy S III has sold more than 40 million units, and the entire Galaxy S range over 100 million. Samsung devices currently make up a staggering 40 per cent of all Android device sales. Samsung was set to unveil the biggest of all at a bash in New York on 14th March. Publishing deadlines being what they are we didnt have the full details as we went to press, but the Galaxy S IV was expected to feature a ve-inch LCD screen with 1080p resolution (441ppi), a 13-megapixel camera, octa-core processor clocked at

1.8GHz, 2GB of RAM and up to 64GB of internal storage. Head to our website www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk for full coverage of the device, including specs, hands-on reports and head-to-head comparisons with other leading smartphone models. The launch comes at a time when rumours persist about Googles concern that Samsungs runaway success is giving the company too much power over Android. HTC is one rival manufacturer that has suffered as a result, and its fantastic new device, the HTC One, was set to go on sale the day after Samsungs announcement. Google is expected to launch a new agship device through its own Motorola brand in the summer, possibly outside the Nexus range, in order to set out its vision of what an Android 5 device should be.

Stream blockbuster titles

With services like OnLive you can stream AAA gaming titles to your device. The touch controls are highly customisable and as long as you have decent Wi-Fi you wont incur any lag.

Expansion of the Galaxy

Galaxy S
Launch: June 2010 Sales: 25 million Other variants: S Plus S Advance

Galaxy S II
Launch: February 2011 Sales: 40 million Other variants: S II Plus S II LTE

Galaxy S III
Launch: May 2012 Sales: 40 million Other variants: S III Mini S III LTE

Discover the best digital mags

Blast from the past

There are some amazing emulators on the Google Play store that cover retro consoles. Some of the best include FPse, SuperGNES and MegaN64. All work with most downloadable ROMs.

Get Android Magazine and other titles on your device

o matter what Android device you own, there are plenty of ways for you to get your hands on some of the best magazines around. Our digital magazines super-site www.greatdigitalmags.com, gives you access to 20 amazing magazine titles, including our very own Android Magazine, as well as countless more eBooks and bookazines covering photography, gaming and technology. If youre missing a particular back issue of your favourite magazine, then no worries, as the site provides a back catalogue of issues for you to purchase. The site also provides links to the Google Play store, which offers a great way of picking up digital editions of your favourite magazines and storing them directly on your device. Once purchased, you can then sync the magazine between your various devices, meaning youll never be without it again.

When in doubt, hack

By rooting your device you can use it as a dedicated games console. You can pair it with a console controller, create a live stream and even turn your phone into a portable gaming server.

17

Messages
Inside Android Magazines virtual mailbag

Letter of the

Why Samsung?
Ive been following the growth of Android over the last couple of years, especially the incredible dominance of Samsung in recent times, and I have to admit I still havent got my head around it: Why Samsung? To my eye HTC has always made the best looking devices. Theyre the most distinctive, the most well built, and HTC is clearly one of the few Android manufacturers that puts design as a priority as much as anything else. And if you want pure speed, surely you would go for one of the Nexus devices. Without the bloated skins they represent what Android is supposed to be, and you get regular updates as well. And then if you want a good camera youd go for Sony, which is one of the best imaging companies in the world and is getting better all the time. To me Samsungs success is mystifying. Their devices are plasticky and blandly designed. The software is way overcooked, adding countless functions that we dont want and dont need. Add in the fact that the company seems to be so very

month
easily inuenced by other players in the mobile market it is really hard to see exactly where the appeal is. I am missing something special, or is their success simply down to the fact that they ood the market with so many devices? Shaun Ayling We say: Samsung is something of a juggernaut, and has been ruthlessly efcient at capitalising on its success in the Android market. Lots of devices at every price point is one factor in its success, as is heavy marketing its no coincidence that the two biggest players in the industry, Samsung and Apple, also market their products the most heavily. Then theres the missed opportunities by other manufacturers. HTC was in a strong position until a pretty disastrous 2011 cost it all of its momentum. The HTC One is a fantastic comeback, but it wont change things around overnight. And nally, dont ignore the fact that devices like the S III and Note II are, whatever aws you think they have, among the best mobile devices ever produced.

What is the secret to Samsungs success?

SD card vs cloud
I would be lost without an SD card unless manufacturers provided a minimum of 32GB, preferably 64GB at reasonable cost. I have a 16GB tablet and am constantly being told its full. I have transferred everything I can to SD card and cant delete any more. The cloud is no good as a) I havent got a contract and b) I need the data with me. I am using a lot of memory-heavy apps to do with mapping and podcasting so the cloud is useless. We dont all spend our time uploading and downloading songs and photos. Mitch Wright We say: We do get the feeling that the obsession with the cloud is a little ahead of its time. Until we have nationwide 4G or Wi-Fi coverage at a cost that is affordable to everyone

then it will never be a truly viable alternative to storing all your data on your device.

Upgrading to CyanogenMod
After reading 21 issues of your excellent magazine extolling the virtues of customisation (sorry I missed issue one), I decided to take the plunge after reading your latest article, Upgrade to Android 4.2 with CyanogenMod ROM - Issue 22 on page 54. I downloaded Titanium Backup but I couldnt back up because I was not rooted. There was no information about whether buying the paid version would work on an unrooted phone. I downloaded the version of CyanogenMod onto my SD card. I then booted into recovery and there was no option for backup and restore. This was where I stopped

and wondered if this was as easy as indicated. Am I missing something obvious? I would be grateful for a pointer in the right direction. Many thanks for your informative magazine. Paul Tifn We say: Titanium Backup wont work on a device that hasnt been rooted, and you cannot ash ROMs on an unrooted device either. The rooting process for your phone will also involve installing a custom recovery, which is where youll nd the backup and restore option. The stock recovery, which you currently have has no such option. Check out some of our previous issues for beginners guides to hacking Android devices.

Galaxy Note II wow!

Many thanks for your excellent and informative magazine which I look

forward to every month. I recently switched to a Samsung Galaxy Note II phone. And wow! The Note II is simply superb in so many ways. In particular, as a long time user of WM phones from the early days, it is fantastic to have the return of a proper stylus. There are several areas which I am struggling with and hope you can help: 1. How can I add or remove apps from the split/multi-screen side tab? Or does the system do that automatically? Are there any settings which I can change apart from manually moving the tab around the screen? 2. You recommended two backup programs in a recent magazine: Carbon and My Backup Pro. Which one is the best? And will it really backup/restore everything perfectly including everything on the SD card? 3. The auto-rotate screen option is

18

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Imagine Publishing Ltd Richmond House, 33 Richmond Hill Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6EZ +44 (0) 1202 586200 Web: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk www.greatdigitalmags.com www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

Magazine team
Editor Andy Betts
andy.betts@imagine-publishing.co.uk 01202 586254

Staff Writer Oliver Hill

oliver.hill@imagine-publishing.co.uk 01202 586285

Sub Editor Philip Morris Photographer James Sheppard Editor in Chief Nick Jones Head of Publishing Aaron Asadi Head of Design Ross Andrews
Contributors
Christian Cawley, Sean Cooper, David Crookes, Duncan Evans, Steve Jenkins, Shaun McGill, Will Shum, Jessica Thornsby, Sandra Vogel Digital or printed media packs are available on request. Head of Sales Hang Deretz 01202 586442 hang.deretz@imagine-publishing.co.uk Advertising Manager Jennifer Farrell 01202 586430 jennifer.farrell@imagine-publishing.co.uk Senior Account Manager Nick Marrow 01202 586419 nick.marrow@imagine-publishing.co.uk

Advertising

A Ferarri and a Ford Focus. But which is which?

Digital
Head of Digital Mat Toor Digital Projects Coordinator Steven Litton

checked in Settings>Display. In spite of this, my seven home screens are not rotating into Landscape mode. Can this be done without rooting the phone? 4. I installed a micro SD card and then synced my seven playlists (a total of 3,350 songs) to it through the Windows Media Player sync option using a USB lead. Is this the best way to sync my playlists/keep them updated or do you have a better suggestion? I am using Poweramp as the music player on my phone. 5. How can I materially boost the music and ringtone volume of my

Unskinned vanilla Android is fast

phone? The maximum volume is not bad; it is just that I would like the option to increase it further. I tried the two apps you previously recommended Volume+ and Smart Volume Control+ but disappointingly could not hear much, if any, difference. Your assistance would be much appreciated. Charlie Schlesinger We say: Thanks for your questions Charlie. Here are some answers: 1. Tap the Edit button to change apps, but third party apps need to be explicitly supported for them to be able to work here. 2. Well take a look at them both in greater detail in future, but we recommend Carbon for all round functionality. 3. The home screen doesnt rotate by default. You can try a separate launcher such as Apex or Nova from the Play store to add this, both of which work without rooting the device. 4. The Google Music cloud service will keep your collection

up to date, otherwise, your current method is just ne. 5. Volume boosting apps perform differently from one device to the next. Theyre more likely to work on a rooted device, although thats not a prerequisite.

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
Head of Subscriptions Lucy Nash subscriptions@imagine-publishing.co.uk 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) 13 issue subscription (Europe) 65 13 issue subscription (ROW) 75

Re: Nearly went back to the iPhone

I have to echo the sentiment of Ryan Clee (issue 21) for I too have recently purchased the Nexus 4, having previously had a iPhone 4S and Galaxy S3. I must say that the Nexus 4 is a Ferarri compared to the Galaxy S3, which is supposed to be a Ferarri but in reality is more Ford Focus. I wouldnt trade my Nexus 4 for anything on the market. Its fast, lag free and a total delight to use on a day-to-day basis. Julian Herbert We say: We can just imagine the hordes of S3 users reaction to you calling it a Ford Focus! But you do certainly have a point. The unskinned vanilla Android on the Nexus 4 is supremely fast, and its a refreshing change to the bloated software we see from the other manufacturers. Not that it affects their sales of course, so dont expect things to change any time soon

Circulation
Head of Circulation Darren Pearce 01202 586200

Production
Production Director Jane Hawkins 01202 586200

Founders
Group Managing Director Damian Butt Group Finance & Commercial Director Steven Boyd Group Creative Director Mark Kendrick

TRENDING
Let us know your thoughts on these hot topics Which do you prefer: the HTC One or Galaxy S IV? Do you use a phablet, and do you like its size? Which is your favourite Android device manufacturer? Get in touch! qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk

Printing & Distribution

Printed by William Gibbons, 26 Planetary Road, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3XT Distributed in the UK & Eire by Seymour Distribution, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT 0207 429 4000 Distributed in Australia by Gordon & Gotch, Equinox Centre, 18 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 +61 2 9972 8800 Distributed in the Rest of the World by Marketforce, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SU 0203 148 8105

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 speci cally for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This magazine is fully independent and not af liated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.
Imagine Publishing Ltd 2013 ISSN 2047-1580

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Hottest Phones 2013

Feature

HOT HOTTEST O TEST OT PHONES

2013 3
Find your next device with our guide to the incredible nextgeneration of Android phones and tablets

ndroid never stops moving. The progress of the OS and the hardware running it is astonishing, astonishing and the devices that well be buying over the next year are no different. From agship smartphones packing screens of incredible clarity to compact tablets competing with the likes of the megaselling Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire, to the increasingly popular trend for phablets, those oversized phone and tablet hybrids, hybrids the sheer breadth of hardware on offer is remarkable. Over the next few pages well guide you through the latest gear, and also explain some of the things you need to know when upgrading. The search for your next device ends here.

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Hottest Phones 2013

Feature

hen buying an Android tablet or smartphone you will need to carefully consider your potential needs and what you will use the device for. With so many different devices available in a variety of forms and sizes, it can be confusing working out which is best for you. Once you settle on a particular type, you then need to consider the price, manufacturer and long-term benets a device may offer. There are some choices you can make to reduce the chances of regretting a purchase and opting for a well-known manufacturer and higher-end model will usually help in the long run. Chances are that you will receive better performance every day and be able to use it in many more situations without having to worry about screen glare, battery life and so on. Also, the higher-end the device, the more likely it is to receive software updates quickly and over a longer period of time, so it could be a useful tool for twice as long as a budget model. You should carefully consider the screen on any device and check how well it performs in bright sunlight and also the battery life. These two aspects are rarely at the top of a specications sheet, but make a massive difference to how practical a phone or tablet is in a variety of situations. Speed will also be a consideration if you are expecting to multi-task often, and dont forget call quality, a feature which is often

overlooked in a time where apps dominate the thoughts of many mobile users. On the subject of apps, consider the extra software features some hardware manufacturers bundle with their devices and your access to media. Samsung, HTC and others are trying hard to compete with the Apple ecosystem by offering channels for renting and buying movies and music, but if your device can access Google Play you will have automatic access to a wealth of entertainment automatically. Some tablets do not come with access to Google Play and the Kindle Fires are a good example. They point directly to Amazon and this may limit your choice of apps and media on occasions. Many budget tablets on the market do not have direct access to Google Play and instead offer a very limited app store which can seriously limit your enjoyment of the product, but if you do your research and check this out rst you should be able to download everything you need. With regards to pricing, it is almost always benecial to research more than one option. Buying a smartphone on contract may seem obvious, but for some people it can prove cheaper to buy the phone outright and pay a much lower SIM-free subscription. Indeed, some mobile stores will even bundle a tablet with a smartphone on contract and this can prove valuable if you are in the market for both, but do not want to spend a lot of money up front.

Cutting-edge Android
Four ways Android is leading the mobile tech revolution

1080p screens
Full HD on a five-inch or smaller screen results in a spectacular pixel density, making videos crisper than ever before, and text as smooth, readable and easy on the eyes as an E Ink eReader.

Wireless charging
Banish the wires from your desk. Instead simply rest your phone on a wireless charging dock and the battery will become replenished, as if by magic. The Nexus 4 is blazing a trail in this area.

NFC
Near Field Communication is a wireless technology that has been around for a while but has yet to come of age. This will change soon, whether it be for connecting devices or facilitating mobile payments.

The cloud
Combined with 4G, giving you data speeds of around 100Mbps, the cloud is starting to take off as a key factor in the Android world. Having all your data on tap across all your devices will change things forever.

Buying the best you can will offer the biggest long-term benets

No matter what device you are considering and what you need it to do, a little research will offer many benets in the long run. We will stick with the advice that buying the best you can will offer the biggest long-term benets in terms of enjoyment of the product, reliability and overall longevity, and with so much choice out there, you really can be specic in your requirements to ensure that you end up with the perfect tool to help you get through each day. You can then start to enjoy all of the benets that Android can bring to your life and there are many.

Phones of the year Which devices can you expect, and when?
Samsung Galaxy S IV Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Huawei Ascend P2 Samsung Galaxy Note III New Nexus tablets

Sony Xperia Z

HTC One

Now
Motorola RAZR HD Asus Fonepad

April
Sony Tablet Z

May
Android 5

Summer

Autumn
LG Optimus G Pro New Nexus smartphone

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Hottest Phones 2013

Feature

ENTRY-LEVEL PHONES
Infobox
Price
<250/$400 SIM-free | <20 per month | <$30 per month | Pay as you go

Data

500MB-1GB

Core spec

Dual-core processor | 750MB RAM | up to 4.3-inch screen | 480 x 800 pixel resolution

Must have

micro SD card slot | 1600 mAh battery | 5-MP camera

Samsung Galaxy Express

and 1GB RAM, as well as a 5-MP camera. Nothing too exciting there, you might think, but you also get 4G support and Android 4.1.2 (with the TouchWiz interface) installed from the off. Both are things you would normally expect to have to move up a price grade to get your hands on and will give the Express lasting appeal. Samsung is presenting the Express as an S III for the more price conscious user, and in that sense it certainly looks as though it works. The phone will be available in the UK from some time in the rst half of the year.

amsung is pushing the Galaxy brand into pretty much every part of the market theres isnt a single price point where you cannot nd a variation on the best-selling Galaxy S III. The Galaxy Express is one of the more interesting of those variations. It straddles the entry-level to mid-sectors and makes an ideal device for anyone looking for a rst smartphone and doesnt want to compromise too far on functionality. So you get a large 4.5-inch display, but with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, a pixel density of a fairly low 207ppi, along with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor

Samsung Galaxy Express

Price range Entry-mid Best for Fast connectivity at lower cost Consider if Camera is not a priority You want 4G You like the S III, but not the price Upgrade from HTC One V | HTC Desire | LG Optimus Black | Sony Xperia Ray

SONY XPERIA U SPECS SCREEN UPDATES VALUE

1GHz dual-core, 512MB RAM, 8GB storage, 1320mAh battery 3.5-inch, 480p resolution, 280ppi Upgradeable to Android 4.0, but Sony tends to be slow updating its phones 120/$300 SIM-free

GALAXY EXPRESS
1.5GHz dual-core, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 2000mAh battery 4.5-inch, 480p resolution, 207ppi Ships with Android 4.1 and one of the first devices to get 4G compatibility 250/$400 SIM-free est.

VERDICT
Plenty of power and RAM to keep you going on the Galaxy Express The smaller 3.5-inch display on the Xperia U displays colours a lot better More timely updates with Samsung, a clear winner against Sony The Express is more expensive but you get a lot more for your money compared to the Xperia U

Acer Liquid Z2
Acers Liquid Z2 looks to be a simplied phone for people taking their rst steps in the world of Android. It comes with a unique feature called quick mode, which is an alternate launcher with an easier app drawer to navigate. Theres not a lot to write home about in terms of specications, as Z2 includes the usual budget necessities. Youll nd a 3.5-inch display, 3-MP camera and all powered by a single 1GHz processor. It will be shipping with Android 4.1, however. Best for: People who are looking for their rst foray into the Android ecosystem Consider if: Youre looking for a simple and easy-to-use smartphone

LG Optimus L5
The L5 is a stylish smartphone boasting simple design tweaks to help it stand out from the crowd. Considering the phone contains metal edging, large battery and a four-inch screen, its surprisingly lightweight and again another plus point for the L5 in terms of design and function. Theres an expandable micro SD slot, a worthy ve-megapixel camera and a single 800MHz processor under the hood. A snip at under 200, the L5 is certainly a device worth considering this year. Best for: Great battery life, stylish and lightweight design Consider if: You want a four-inch screen

Alcatel One Touch Star

With a dual-core 1GHz processor, 4.66-inch display and running Android 4.1, the One Touch Star blends budget price with mid-range specications nicely. Best for: Budget big screen Consider if: You want mobile browsing on the cheap

Sony Xperia E
A no-nonsense smartphone that comes with full Sony Walkman compatibility and includes professional audio technology to make phone calls clearer. Best for: People wanting a simple smartphone to use Consider if: Music is a must

LG Optimus F5
Boasting a 2150mAh battery and 1.2GHz dual-core processor, the Optimus F5 includes dedicated apps for improved multimedia le storage and usage. Best for: Accessing media les Consider if: Great battery life is top of your priority list

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Hottest Phones 2013

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TABLETS OF 2013
he number of Android tablets available now is bewildering, and at times confusing for consumers. From the high-end devices from the likes of Samsung to the very cheap budget models from companies you have never heard of, a purchasing decision can be full of potential pitfalls. It would be easy to advise against budget tablets from no-name brands, but they can also offer uses that still make them value for money. For example, if you have a child who wants a tablet to help them with basic tasks such as web browsing, watching movies and playing games, the cheapest tablets may sufce for their needs. If they are unaware of speed issues and the occasional glitch, a small outlay can offer plenty of use for the right individual. The pitfalls tend to come in reduced performance, often very poor battery life and screens that are difcult to read in bright conditions or difcult to tap due to a lack of sensitivity. Overall build quality can also be compromised, especially on the very cheap models under 100, so you should try to use one rst

before buying if that is possible. Ultimately, if you want a tablet for yourself and intend to use it for a variety of tasks indoors and outdoors, you would be better paying the extra for a higher-end tablet. You will get better quality components throughout, a better screen and battery performance which does not get in the way of daily usage. Your

potential usage will determine how much you should spend, but there are very good quality tablets available at budget prices (Galaxy Note 8, Nexus 7 etc) so dont presume that cheap or small always means poor performance. There are some real bargains available in the Android tablet world at the moment.

Dont presume that cheap always means poor performance

Asus Fonepad

The Fonepad not to be confused with Asus other brand, Padfone is essentially a tweaked version of the Asus-built Nexus 7. With similar size and screen res it has upgraded build quality, the rare sighting of an Intel processor and, like the Note 8, it can also be used to make calls.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z

At just 6.9mm thick a whole 2.5 slimmer than the iPad Sonys Tablet Z can stake a claim to being the most desirable tablet around. Its among the most powerful too, with a ten-inch screen with 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, 1.5GHz processor and 2GB of RAM. And, like the phone, is fully waterproof.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Filling in the gap between the Note II phablet and the full-sized Note 10.1 is the 8. It comes with the trademark stylus, but also has a new feature for eight-inch tabs: you can use it to make phone calls. Ideally youd do this using a Bluetooth headset, but you can hold it to your ear if you really wish to.

HP Slate 7

Veteran PC-maker HP has delved into the world of Android tablets with a device that wants to go head-to-head with the Nexus 7. Itll be priced slightly lower around 129 or $169 and couples decent build quality, Beats Audio and reasonable specs with the inevitable compromises.

Best combinations Which phone and tablet go together best?

Budget
Nexus 4 + Nexus 7 The dual Nexus setup gives you almost unrivalled power and extreme portability in a package that is also mind-blowingly cheap. Buy from the Play store and you can pick them both up for the price of a single agship phone.

Media
Sony Xperia Z + Nexus 10 For media use, resolution is the key. The 1080p display on the Xperia Z and the better-than1080p display on the Nexus 10 tab will provide you with the best on-the-go movie experience you can get.

Workhorse
Samsung Galaxy Note II + Asus Transformer Pad Innity If power is your priority then the best-selling phablet, the stylus-equipped Galaxy Note II, and the high-end hybrid from Asus will give you a phone, smartphone, sketchpad, tablet and laptop in just two devices.

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Hottest Phones 2013

Feature

MID-RANGE PHONES
Infobox
Price
250-400/$400-$600 SIM-free | <30 per month | <$40 per month

Data
1GB

Core spec

Dual-core processor | 1GB RAM | 4.5-inch screen | 720p resolution

Must have

1800mAh battery (removable) | micro SD slot | Regular OS updates | 8-MP camera

Motorola RAZR HD
also represents a success in the design department, borrowing some of the design cues from the RAZR i, our favourite mid-range device from last year, with its not quite edge-to-edge screen enabling the 4.7-inch display to t inside a chassis nearly 5mm shorter and nearly 3mm narrower than the Galaxy S III and which, at 8.4mm thick, claims to be the worlds most compact smartphone. We also love Motorolas skin, which is about as light as can be without being full-on Vanilla Android. The tweaks and enhancements it brings are genuinely useful and fully consistent.

id-range devices consist of features that would have been considered cutting edge just a year earlier, and theyre becoming more and more appealing. The RAZR HD is Motorolas agship handset, yet it sits closer to the mid-range than the kind of behemoths that are competing at the very top end of the market. And thats no bad thing, for this is not a phone that is left wanting. If its 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM are so-so, the presence of a 720p AMOLED display, a 2530mAh battery and 4G connectivity are certainly not. The phone

Motorola RAZR HD
Price range Upper mid-range Best for Fast browsing, long battery life Consider if You dont need quad-core Battery life is a priority You need something tough and sturdy Upgrade from Samsung Galaxy S II | HTC Desire HD | Samsung Galaxy Nexus

MOTOROLA RAZR HD SPECS SCREEN UPDATES VALUE

1.5GHz dual-core, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, 2530mAh 4.7-inch, 720p resolution, 312ppi

SAMSUNG GALAXY S 3 MINI

1GHz dual-core, 1GB RAM, 8-16GB storage, 1500mAh Four-inch, 480p resolution, 233ppi

VERDICT
Fast processor and beefy battery life make the RAZR HD a winner here The larger screen on the RAZR HD looks crisp and clear whenever you use it Both companies are quick with their updates, so this is a draw The S III Mini can be found generally cheaper than the RAZR HD. Contract prices also tend to be much cheaper

Motorola tends to be timely with its OS Ships with Android 4.1. No word on 4.2 updates; RAZR HD contains Android 4.1 update as of yet 300/$500 SIM-free 280/$350 SIM-free

LG Optimus F7
The Optimus F7 sports a very similar spec to Motorolas RAZR HD, with a 4.7-inch 720p display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor and eight-megapixel camera, although it doubles up the memory to 2GB. But while the RAZR has great design and build quality, the F7 is noticeably cheaper in this respect, with a style more akin to the Galaxy S II from a couple of years ago. Still, a good spec including 4G in a well-priced handset gives it plenty of appeal to consumers. Best for: 4G on a budget Consider if: You want a large screen and a lightweight handset

Acer Liquid E1
Not the rst brand youd think of when picking out your next smartphone, but Acers E1 has some decent specs for a device parked at the lower end of the mid-range sector, with a SIM-free price of around 190 ($288). Theres the obligatory dual-core 4.5-inch screen processor and 1GB RAM, 4.5 with 960 x 540 resolution and ve-megapixel camera, all powered by Android 4.1. Most camera interesting is that the device will be available in single and dual-SIM congurations. Best for: Work and business use Consider if: You want a dual-SIM option to balance work and home life

Huawei Ascend G510

The large 4.5-inch IPS display does a great job at bringing out the full Android 4.1 experience. Huaweis Emotion UI isnt too bad either. Best for: Enjoying your favourite apps on a big screen Consider if: You want a close resemblance to Vanilla Android

Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra

With a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 16GB of storage and full AMOLED display, the One Touch Ultra is a device to keep your eye on. Best for: Shooting video in 720p Consider if: You want to try an emerging mobile brand

Vertu Ti
The British-made Vertu Ti includes mid-range specs for a mindbogglingly high-end price of 7,000/$10,000. Its titanium-lined case certainly has the style and protection factor, however. Best for: Showing off Consider if: Money is no object

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Hottest Phones 2013

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THE RISE OF THE PHABLET P

hablets have surprised many people because they are selling in huge numbers to people who want something more from their mobile experience. The idea of a smartphone has changed and in some ways reverted to the larger screened PDAs which preceded the growth of mobile phones and always on connections. People are no longer overly concerned with the size of their devices, but rather are focused on getting things

Do you need 4G?

including, there are other obvious advantages batteries are larger and last for much longer per charge, movies can be viewed in a more comfortable and natural environment and faster processors can be employed to keep everything moving quicker than you can blink. Some phablets feel like mini computers rather than phones and are thus capable of much more than standard-sized smartphones. The downside is, of course,

4G is costly and enjoys sporadic coverage, but its only a matter of time before it becomes the norm
4G is the next big thing in mobile telecoms and is looking to build upon the huge popularity of mobile data which is driving the entire industry forward. Initially, 3G took some time to attract users because there were no obvious usage cases for it. The operators touted video calling as the perfect use, but the masses decided against that and so over time usage grew as devices became smarter and users found a need for the faster speeds. 4G now finds itself in the same position; offering very fast mobile data rates, but with no obvious advantages for those who already use 3G every day. Of course the speed of 4G will enable you to stream videos without buffering, play multiplayer games without lag and do so much more, just like you can with a fast home Broadband connection, but there is a price to be paid for this extra speed. The technology is new and coverage is sporadic so if you decide that 4G will be beneficial, you will need to weigh up the benefits against the extra subscription costs. Network providers also tend to limit the amount of data you can use each month and these limits will become much more noticeable with 4G because its so easy to use hundreds of megabytes in a couple of hours when streaming content. If you have access to Wi-Fi often and find 3G works well for you, it may be worth waiting until the technology has bedded in and prices come down. Until then, it is likely that only those who use mobile data throughout each day for media will gain value from the technology. Also, you should be aware that battery time can be reduced significantly when 4G is enabled, which can impact on the practical usage of your phone.

Capable of much more than standard-sized smartphones

done, and as the tasks they want to do become more complex, so the need for a larger space to work in becomes more of a necessity than ever. The Galaxy Note and Note 2 from Samsung include technology that works with a stylus in a way we have not seen before. Handwriting is as easy as with a pen on paper and you can even hold the stylus over the screen without touching it to check emails etc. Besides the software touches that Samsung and others are the size which can make phablets difcult to carry in a pocket or to use one-handed at times. As humans we can usually adjust quite quickly to whatever device we carry with us, but your needs will have to be balanced against the practicalities of ownership of a phablet. If you make very few voice calls and tend to spend most days typing and staring at the screen, a phablet will work well. For more traditional phone usage, a smaller device may still work best for you.

Where can you use your 4G phone?

4G can be used in many countries, but different bands and frequencies are used in each, and then by each operator within a country. There is no guarantee that a 4G phone will work on every 4G operator within a country, unlike 3G which has become more standard.

UK
band 3 (frequency 1800)

EUROPE
band 3, 7, 8, 20, 38 (frequency 800, 900, 1800, 2600)

USA
band 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 17, 25 (frequency 700, 1700, 1900, 2100)

AUSTRALIA
band 3, 40 (frequency 1800, 2300)

Phablets sized up
6.1 Huawei Ascend Mate
A surprisingly capable device which will suit those who want decent specifications at an affordable price. It does most of what the competition can, but the design may not suit everyone.

The revolution in size is pushing mobile ownership to new heights

5.5 LG Optimus G Pro

The specifications are incredible, even by todays standards, and the design is great to look at and hold. This could potentially be the perfect phablet in the right hands.

5 Sony Xperia Z 5.7 ZTE Grand Memo

At just 8.5mm thick this is a remarkably thin (and light) example of the phablet phenomenon in action. But it doesnt come at the expense of power, with a 1.7GHz quad-core CPU and 3200mAh battery.

Not technically a phablet, but on the absolute limit of how large a smartphone should be. Its impossible to stretch your fingers from one end of the screen to another, but wont get you funny looks when making calls.

5.5 Samsung Galaxy Note II

The phablet which is the most wellknown offers a lot of benefits and innovative uses for the owner with a great screen and a design which makes it feel smaller than it is.

25

Hottest Phones 2013

Feature

HIGH-END PHONES
Infobox
Price
400+/$600+ SIMfree | 30+ per month | $40+ per month

Data

2GB to unlimited

Core spec

Quad-core processor | 2GB RAM | 4.7-inch display | 1080p resolution | 16GB+ storage

Must have

2300mAh battery or greater | 4G | HDMI-out | Good OS update support

HTC One
TC might have been having a hard time of things over the last couple of years, but if theres any justice in the mobile world, the HTC One will put them right back in the game. It is, without question, the most beautiful device weve seen from any Android manufacturer, totally rivalling Apple and Nokia when theyre working at the peak of their powers. The phones externals are solely aluminium and glass, giving the device a really solid feel and attractive look. The attention to detail, such as incorporating dual-stereo speakers as a design feature or incorporating an infrared port (for controlling your TV etc) into the power button, is something to marvel at. But the One is more than just looks. The processor is fast, the RAM plentiful and the battery larger than HTC has equipped its devices with in the past. HTC has also been brave with its camera. Instead of following the 13-megapixel trend, the Ones camera is just four megapixels but each pixel is considerably larger than on other phones and so will produce higher quality images in low-light conditions. HTCs best in years.

HTC One
Price range Top bracket Best for Media, photography Consider if You dont want to wait for the Galaxy S IV Youre not concerned about the lack of megapixels You want the best screen going Upgrade from HTC One X | HTC Sensation | Samsung Galaxy S III | Nexus 4

HTC ONE SPECS SCREEN HACKABILITY VALUE

NEXUS 4

VERDICT
The HTC One out-specs the Google phone in almost every respect. A true cutting-edge device for 2013 The screen on the HTC One is stunning, arguably the best weve seen on any smartphone from any manufacturer The Nexus 4 is the hackers phone of choice, but HTC flagships always prove popular. A tie! Nothing can challenge the Nexus 4 on price, although the One will remain on the bleeding-edge for some time

1.7GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM, 1.5GHz quad-core. 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, 2300mAh battery 8-16GB storage, 2100mAh battery 4.7-inch, 1080p resolution, 468ppi Unlocked, rooted, should be plenty of ROMs Around 500/$750 SIM-free 4.7-inch, 720p resolution, 318ppi Unlocked, rooted, lots of ROMs and tweaks From 239/$299 SIM-free

Samsung Galaxy S IV
Looking set to become the biggest phone of the year, the Galaxy S IV builds on the immense popularity of the a range that has already shipped in excess of 100 million units. The usual combination of boundary-pushing specs and software innovations combine to produce what is the most hyped phone in Android history. The question is, is the brand now strong enough to be a runaway success regardless of the what the phone delivers (much like weve seen with the recent underwhelming but still immensely popular iPhones)? Can the newly invigorated HTC and Sony, along with all the up and coming Chinese manufacturers be able to reign in the mighty Korean giant, or are they all simply battling it out for second place in a market where rst place is all that counts? The coming weeks and months will reveal all. Best for: Raw speed and software innovations Consider if: You want to invest in Androids most popular brand

Asus Padfone Infinity

The Padfone has had mixed success so far, but with the Innity it might just come of age in 2013. The Padfone concept consists of a high-end smartphone 1.7GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM, ve-inch 1080p display with an accompanying dock that turns the device into a ten-inch tablet. Its a fantastic product, albeit something of a niche one for now, complete with a hefty price tag of 999 (799, or $1,300) that is guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows among consumers. Best for: Portability, convenience Consider if: Money is not an issue

Huawei Ascend P2
The P2 supports Cat4 LTE, which bumps 4G speeds by 50%. In reality your actual speeds depend on what your network can deliver. Best for: Speedy downloads Consider if: Youve a compatible 4G network

Sony Xperia Z
Sonys best Android phone to date has superfast performance, a great screen and stylish design. The camera performance and video playback make it the perfect choice for multimedia fans. Best for: Video and stills Consider if: Comfortable with size

ZTE Grand S
The Grand S has a ve-inch, 1080p screen, lots of RAM and a processor clocked as fast as any other device. Incredibly, this is squeezed into a 6.9mm thin shell we await battery results! Best for: Speed Consider if: Youre OK with regular charges

26

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T utorials
masterclass

Spring clean your phone

Expert tips to help remove the clutter on your phone or tablet and make it run like new again
f you are starting to notice some signicant slowdown on your device, it might be time to give it a thorough spring clean. With a wide selection of tool and utility-based apps on the Google Play store, youll have no trouble sourcing apps aimed at making your device run that little bit quicker. In this masterclass, we have covered some of the fundamental things you should do to make sure your Android device is running at its optimum, and listed the apps you need to use to achieve this. In our rst tutorial well guide you through the process of wiping hidden cached les on your device, and identify the apps that use up the most data. Our next two tutorials will show you two different ways of streamlining the content thats stored on your Android, with the second of these tutorials using the essential ES File Explorer management app. And, if you need a way to optimise your devices RAM and take its power to new levels of awesome, then youll denitely want to read our fourth step-by-step. In our nal tutorial well guide you through the best apps for helping to give your battery life the ultimate spring clean. Top tips to make your battery last until the end of the day 1. Background apps Even when you exit an app, it doesnt necessarily mean the app has been properly closed. Without double checking, the app can run in the background on your device and drain battery levels without you knowing. 2. Invest in a replacement Many phones have replacement batteries you can purchase to help give you longer battery life. These batteries tend to be slightly larger than the originals, so they come with a new backplate for you to use with your device. 3. Syncing problems Apps like Facebook and Twitter are notoriously bad for draining battery life. These sort of apps need to constantly sync to your device to keep themselves updated, but this can drain your battery life an awful lot quicker 5. Keep track of Bluetooth than normal. Bluetooth is another popular battery 4. Manage your screen killer, so when not in use, make sure By far the biggest user of your devices its turned off. A great app to monitor battery life is the screen. Having it on a this is Power Controls, which bright setting is a bad idea, so make automatically disables it after youve sure you change it accordingly. nished using the service.
Ask your own question online at littlegreenrobot.co.uk

There are so many apps that can help improve my phone, but do you have any advice for avoiding the ones lled with spyware?

Unfortunately, tool and utility apps are commonplace for malicious apps to call home. The best advice we can give you is to make sure you read the user reviews and only download trusted, reliable apps from brands you recognise.

Essential tune-up apps

Use this software to keep your phone feeling fresh

RAMbo - Memory Optimizer FREE

Faster phone

Advanced Mobile Care

Use RAMbo to free up some of your current memory usage and ultimately make your phone a whole lot faster. Youll be surprised with just how much of your memory is being used without you knowing.

Task killer

JuiceDefender Ultimate
JuiceDefender Ultimate is the app to use if youre looking for ways to improve your devices battery life. The app scans your phone to where battery usage is at its highest and looks to minimise its impact for you.

Despite Advanced Mobile Care having a wide range of different features to explore, its best use is to be a task killer that can help stop applications from draining your battery life.

Better battery

28

ss ur cla yo e ter n ic as lea dev g c id m rin ro Sp And

Works with

All versions of Android Difculty Easy

Clear the cache to 2 recover memory Speed up

min guide

Defragging your phone will let you perform the most basic of tasks a whole lot faster than before

Get more internal storage by removing appcreated cached les with App Cache Cleaner

henever you download and use an app, small secondary les are also created alongside them packed full of data. These cached les may start off small in size, but can soon take up a considerable amount of your internal storage if left unmanaged, and subsequently slow down your Android device. Caches can contain anything websites youve visited, Tweets youve read all intended to speed up your phone, but sometimes having the opposite effect. There are a wide range of cache cleaners on the market, but the most efcient is App Cache Cleaner. This app will locate the hidden cache les created by your apps, perform a full scan of every app on your device and then remove them in just a few seconds. Its a free download from Google Play, so lets get cracking.

access to your files

Download and open Total Defrag HD Free from the Google Play store. Once youve done that, press on the Defrag option listed at the top of the app.

your apps 1 Analyse Download and install App Cache Cleaner

from Google Play. When you open the app for the rst time, it will perform a full scan of the apps installed on your device. Depending on how many apps you have stored on your device, this could take up to a few minutes to complete.

your cache 2 Check All your apps will now be listed with the
biggest cache les shown at the top. Most of the default Google apps create large cache les, so expect to see them positioned at the top. At the top bar youll also nd a total cache number that displays what can be cleared. The app will now analyse your device to pinpoint the les that can be permanently removed. This process can take a few minutes to complete.

individual cache 3 Wipe If youd prefer not to entirely wipe your

cache, you can choose to remove them individually. Press on one of the apps listed and wait for the menu to calculate the total amount of cache that can be removed. Press the Clear button to remove it.

the lot 4 Scratch To remove your entire cache, simply press

the Clear All button at the bottom of the apps listing page. Depending on how much it needs to delete, the wipe can take a few minutes to complete. Youll receive a notication telling you how much was wiped. A yellow bar will now appear indicating the progress of the defragging process. Once completed, itll show you how many temporary les were removed.

29

T utorials Find out whats using up the space on your SD card

Works with

Android 1.6 and up Difculty Intermediate

Explore your SD card and nd where your storage space is being used

ne of the most useful apps you can download from the Google Play store is a le management app. Not only can these applications give you full access to your smartphone and SD cards les, it can also be a great place to delete large, hidden les in just a few steps. One of the premier le manager apps available is ES File Explorer File Manager, a one-stop shop for le management that also includes a wealth of interesting features for you to use.

The feature that youll want to check out if youre keen to spring clean your device is the SD card scanner. Using this feature will let you see where your internal storage is being used, and which les in particular should be removed to clear up some space. Once youve completed a scan, youll then be able to delete those hefty les from your device. In this tutorial, well take you through the process of scanning your SD card and identify the type of les you should remove immediately.

the app 1 Open Open ES File Explorer and follow the built-in
tutorial to help get you started. Along the top of the app are a series of controls that house different features. For the purpose of this tutorial, long press on the fth icon across titled TaskMgr.

SD Card Analyst mode 2 There are a wide range of features you can
take advantage of in this menu, including a Security Manager, Task Manager and App Manager option. We want to select the SD Card Analyst mode located near the bottom of the menu.

a scan 3 Perform Youll now be taken to an identical screen

as before, but youll now see DiskMgr listed at the top of the app. Press on DiskMgr to commence a scan of your SD card. Typically, the scan will take around three minutes to complete.

your storage 4 Check After the scan youll be able to see a variety
of things. At the bottom of the screen is a general overview of your storage, and by swiping left you can see a widget that displays le types and the storage they take up.

Delete hefty folders 5 Thanks to the scan youll be able to see

which les are taking up the most room. Scroll through your folders and nd a large le you want to remove. Long press on the specied folder and choose the Delete option to nalise it.

30

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ss r la u rc yo te n ice as clea dev mring roid Sp And

Android 2.1 and up Difculty Easy

Disable battery killing features

Give your battery life a detox with Battery Booster

t isnt just your internal storage that can be affected if you dont give your device the occasional spring clean. Many apps include features that dramatically lower your battery life, and without paying attention to it, your devices charge will soon run out. The most reliable way of making sure your battery life is in tip-top shape is by downloading the Battery Booster app. This app works in the background of your device and disables some of the most common ways in which battery life is drained. For example, the app will disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you arent using it, and disable the pesky auto-sync option in Facebook, which is a true battery life killer.

in the background 1 Running After downloading the app from the Play
store, open it up and read the instructions provided. The app will explain how it works, and how much battery life you can save while using its features. Once read, press on the See Battery Usage Stats button.

the drain? 2 Why The application will now take you to a

complete rundown of all the elements that are draining your battery. As you scroll through the list you might be surprised with how much spring cleaning you need to do. Press on one of the options that consumes a lot of battery.

to disable features 3 Start Youll now see an even more detailed

breakdown of how much battery life that particular feature or app drains. You can choose to permanently disable the feature, force stop it or you can edit the features settings to tone back on its battery usage.

2 min Optimise your devices memory guide

Get your device back up to speed by giving the RAM a thorough tune-up

Download and open the Memory Booster - RAM Optimizer app from the Google Play store. Once opened youll be able to see an all-encompassing breakdown of your current memory usage, and the amount of memory thats available to you.

Select the Task Killer option from the toolbar at the top of the app to see an individual breakdown of each app and service on your device, and the memory theyre using up. Typically, any social networking apps will be using most of your memory.

Select the Show User Only option in the bottom-right of this screen to see just the apps you have installed on your device. Select the apps you want to stop for the time being and press the Kill Selected Apps button to free up some memory.

Navigate back to the home page and select the Quick Boost option at the bottom of the app. This will quickly search your phone for memory it can instantly free up for you to use. After its nished itll display a breakdown on the memory it freed for you.

31

T utorials Use text expansion to type faster

Works with

Auto capitalisation

Android 4.2 and up Difculty Intermediate

Every time you nish a sentence, the rst letter of the next word will automatically be turned into a capital with the subsequent letters being lower case. It saves you having to tap to shift the key into upper case yourself. Untick to turn it off

Enable gesture typing

Theres a lot more to using text and dictionaries in Jelly Bean than you think

The slightly strange concept of gesture typing is activated here. What it means is that you tap and hold on a letter then slide across to the next one in the sequence without lifting your nger. This creates a trail of connected letters

t may come as a surprise, but theres a lot of different ways and features when it comes to getting your thoughts into your Jelly Bean Android device. It isnt just auto-word correction, theres predictive word suggestions, gesture typing and next word suggestions. You can add dictionaries for other languages and install a graphics pack of Emojis these are the Japanese version of emoticons. If you install these then they become one of the suggested words in the prediction bar when typing. If all that wasnt enough and you werent already typing at the speed of sound, you can use the sound-text function as well. Simply tap on the microphone symbol on the virtual keyboard and your Android device will convert speech to text. In this tutorial were going to explore how to use these various features, starting with the predictive text that offers whole word suggestions in the predictions bar above the keyboard, as you type.

Dynamic oating preview

By having this option active, as you create a word through the gesture process, the suggested word in the predictions bar is also repeated, hovering above where your nger is on the keyboard. It makes it easier to see because your nger obscures the tablet

Next word suggestions

Not content with guessing what you are trying to type, activate this function and when you have nished one word, the system will suggest the next word you might want to use. Tap on it to agree or start typing something else and it will disappear

the dictionary 1 Find On your Android 4.2 device go to

Settings>Language & input and select Personal dictionary. Here you can add and remove your own words to the devices global dictionary, as well as setting up the text expansion shortcuts. Its a great place to get started.

your word 2 Add Tap on the Add button in the top-right hand
corner to begin creating your word shortcut. You can at this point add a new word and press the back button for it to be automatically saved, but you can also create a longer string and assign a shortcut to it if you wish.

Assign a shortcut 3 Add a word or phrase in the main box where

it says Phrase. In our example were adding our email address, consisting of 25 characters. Now under Shortcut add a different string of characters (but not a commonly used word). Were using eee. Press the back button to save.

32

quick Take control of the various languages on offer tips

To use the American English dictionary go to Add-on dictionaries in Settings and install it.

1 Letter to America?

2 Disable or remove

Its better to only have American or English active at once, so use the Disable function on one.

Different languages can use different virtual keyboards. You can change the default keyboard to suit.

3 Different keyboard layouts

4 Change the volume

The default volume for key press sounds is 30. You can make this louder or quieter in the Settings.

Add words to the dictionary. Go to Settings>Language & input> Personal Dictionary. Tap on Add.

5 Add your own words

Ask your own question online at littlegreenrobot.co.uk

How do I use speech to text translation?

A much quicker method of text input is to use the speech-text translator. On the bottom row of the virtual keyboard is a microphone icon. Tap on this to activate the built-in Google Voice app. When prompted to speak, start talking. Do it slowly for more accuracy and so that you dont get completely ahead of the system. Tap on the keyboard icon to return to normal keyboard control.

the shortcut 4 Test Now start typing in a document, email etc.

Enter your shortcut string and the phrase you assigned it to will show as one of the suggested words. In our case we type the three-letter string eee, and have the option to substitute our email address a total saving of 21 screen taps!

suggestions please 5 More If a choice of three suggested words isnt

enough when typing, tap and hold on any of the words in the predictions bar. A pop-up box will appear showing an even greater choice of suggested words that sound vaguely similar. It works for corrections and suggestions.

Why does the voice translator only work when connected to the internet?
The simple reason is that it uses external servers to process the voice recognition. If you nd that this is a useful function to have wherever you are then you can download ofine speech recognition to enable it to work even if there isnt an internet connection. Go into Settings>Language & input and tap on the Settings icon for Google Voice typing.

words 6 Correcting One of the other features to note in the

keyboard is that if you have spelt a word incorrectly, tapping space at the end of it will trigger the auto-correct. This also applies for adding apostrophes where needed. You dont have to tap the correct word in the predictions bar.

other languages 7 Support To add additional languages go to Settings,

tap on Language & input, then on the Settings icon for the Android keyboard English (UK). Under the heading for Text Correction, tap on Add-on dictionaries to see those available. To add German for example, tap on Deutsch and then on Install.

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graphic 8 Getting If you want to sprinkle your text with Emoji

those crazy Japanese versions of emoticons then go to the same language dictionary area again and select Emoji for English Words. Now when you type, characters for these will be suggested in the predictions bar.

some fun 9 Add When writing emails in particular, its

difcult to convey emotion, sarcasm or whether you are being warm-hearted or mean. In the bottom-right corner of the keyboard is a set of emoticons. Tap and hold to display them all, then move to select.

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Works with

All versions of Android Difculty Easy

Manage more than one calendar

Do you use multiple Google calendars or need to check a corporate one? Heres the simple way to use them

aving a mobile digital calendar is one of the great advantages of owning a smartphone. In Android you can enter and check appointments, set reminders and classify yourself as busy or free but sometimes this isnt enough. From time to time you might nd that information has gone missing. Invites might have been sent to a different email account to the one you use with your Android, resulting in you being late or even missing appointments. Whether you are running multiple

Google accounts or you have a work calendar that you need to access from your Android phone, there is an excellent built-in tool that enables you to merge appointments from multiple calendars into one for easy checking. Better still, the process is remarkably quick and painless. Put simply, youll never be late for an important date again!

a new account 1 Adding Your Android phone will have one calendar
set up by default, whether you have used it or not. A new account can be added by opening the Calendar, selecting the menu and choosing Settings, then Add Account. You get a choice of Google or Corporate.

second calendar 2 Syncing While you might nd you need assistance

from your IT department if you choose Corporate, the Google option requires just a username and password, although a new account can be created. Once signed in youll be able to sync your browser, contacts and your calendar.

both calendars 3 Display With the new calendar synced, open the
main Calendar view to check if the appointments are displayed. Dont forget to check Month/Week views if nothing shows at rst. Open the Calendars to be displayed option in the menu to check which calendars are active.

calendars 4 Toggle Viewing a busy calendar might be easier on

your small mobile screen if you can remove additional data from view. This can be done by toggling the Calendars to be displayed option, but you can also open Settings and toggle whether the calendar is synced.

new appointments 5 Adding If you need to add a new appointment to

the calendar, you will need to select which of your accounts it is going to be added to. All you need to do is go to the Calendar menu and select New event. Here the account name is listed; tap to display the alternatives.

multiple calendars 6 Search You can even search all of the calendars
you have added for particular appointments. The Search option will automatically look for the phrase you enter, displaying the results regardless of the calendar. If necessary, use the calendar toggle options to reduce the number of results.

35

T utorials Sync iTunes 11 with your Android phone or tablet

Works with

Android 2.1 and up Difculty Intermediate

Use iSyncr to get iTunes syncing seamlessly with your Android

hether you prefer to use iTunes as your default music purchasing service or previously used iOS devices and consequently built up a library of music with it, theres no doubt that getting iTunes to sync music to your Android device is very handy. However, it wont do it alone, it needs some help in the form of third-party apps that install a host server program on your computer, and an app on the Android device. The idea is that the host program gets the music and

playlists from iTunes and sends them to the Android app. In turn, some apps can harvest photos and videos created with your Android device and sync them back to a location of your choice on the host computer. There are a few packages that do this, but one of the most popular is iSyncr by JRT Studio. The host software for your PC or Mac is free, but the Android app is an inexpensive purchase. In this tutorial were going to sync iTunes music from a Windows PC to a Nexus 7 using iSyncr.

software 1 Host Syncing your Android requires both an app

and a host program on your computer. Go to www. jrtstudio.com and download the PC version. Theres also a link for the Mac version. Run the installation and unblock it from Windows Firewall.

Download the app 2 Now go to Google Play and type in iSyncr.

There are separate versions for a PC or Mac host. This costs 2.46. Sign in to your Google account and hit Buy. Select the device to send to and click on Continue. Review the purchase and buy.

gure iSyncr server 3 Con Double-click on the iSyncr server in the

Windows system tray and click on the WiFi Settings tab. The Password isnt the same as the Wi-Fi router password on your network, its just for this connection so it doesnt need to be changed.

photos and video 4 Add To get any photos and videos from your
Android to sync to your iTunes you need to change the Photo and Video paths to where you store that media. Add Android to the folder name to keep them separate. Then click on Save.

the app 5 Checking Although the system works over USB and
Wi-Fi its best to run it rst over USB. Go to your device and tap on iSyncr. On launching iSyncr theres a tutorial that you can run which explains the steps. Plug your device into the computer.

36

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How do I sync with Windows Media Player?

Simply plug your phone into your computer and it will be detected and youll have the option to sync automatically. No additional software is needed.

iTunes info 6 Gathering Right-click on iSyncr in the System Tray and

click on your device name. This gathers information from iTunes and also launches the program. Ignore that and click on the dialogue box that iSyncr produces to see various tabs.

music artist 7 Selecting Each tab contains a listing of all the things
presently in iTunes. Simply go through each one and tick to select for syncing to your Android device. An additional option is to remove music from your device that isnt in the iTunes library.

sync options 8 Other Click on Options. One of the benets of

syncing iTunes music is getting the album art as well. Ensure this is ticked. Everything will be placed in a folder called Syncr. Click on that and change it to something more memorable like iTunes Music.

Start syncing music 9 Click on Done and then on Sync to start

syncing the music across. This copies everything over song by song with a percentage complete notice. If theres a lot to do it will take a fair amount of time. Click on Exit to nish here.

your music 10 Play Go to your device and tap on the Music

app. The synced music will now appear along with any other music you have stored and can be played as you want. Now exit this and go back to iSyncr. Tap on Tools.

gure upload options 11 Con Tap on Settings. Tap on Remove USB Tab to
select as it doesnt actually do anything. Tap on WiFi Reverse Sync. Put ticks into the boxes so new photos, videos and Amazon MP3s can be sent back to your computer.

by Wi-Fi 12 Syncing Go back out of Settings and tap on WiFi.

Your iTunes library computer should appear here. Tap to select it. This lists all the playlists, music, videos, books, TV programmes and lm categories. Tap on one and then on View to select.

a playlist 13 Adding The playlist for 90s songs has been

selected to View. The purple sign means its waiting to be synced. This applies to all media you view. Tap on Sync Now to sync this playlist, or music or other media, to your device, by Wi-Fi.

37

T utorials Use Chromes cloud features

Works with

Varies with device Difculty Easy

Heading out and want to continue reading that webpage? All you need is a Google Chrome account and your phone

eve all been there sat at a computer engrossed in a long web browsing session when suddenly you have to go out. Its always a wrench to nally tear yourself away, wishing that you really didnt have to. Its quite silly, of course, because in most cases the same content will still be there later on. While that knowledge doesnt do much to quell the urgency, thanks to Google Chrome for desktop and Android devices, this no longer needs to be a problem.

Once an account is set up, syncing can occur between desktop and mobile devices, enabling you to carry on with your browsing session wherever you are. This system also manages the syncing of bookmarks between desktop and mobile browsers, so youll never be caught without access to your favourite websites again.

in 1 Signed For the synchronisation process to work,

you will need to be signed into your usual Google account on both your desktop and your mobile Chrome browsers. From the menu, click Settings and tap Sign in to Chrome, where you will need to add your username and password.

gure services 2 Con Once signed in, you will need to instruct
Chrome what information to share between your desktop and your mobile. Under Services, ensure that Sync is set to On, and select Chrome to Mobile, which will send your recent webpages from your desktop to Android.

Open synced bookmarks 3 Along with syncing your recent pages in

Chrome, your favourite bookmarks will also be available in Android. These can be accessed by opening the menu and selecting Bookmarks. Your favourite webpages can be browsed in folders and tapped to load them up instantly.

bookmarks 4 Find Depending on how your bookmarks are

arranged in the desktop version of Chrome, youll see different results when you tap the Favourites button (a dark grey star). Folders will be named as per your desktop browser, so check this to nd what youre looking for.

recent webpages 5 Sync You can check what has been recently
viewed on your desktop computer using your Android phone. The Other devices option in the menu displays a list of websites based on your desktop Chrome tabs, as well as indicating when the sync took place.

Reading on Android 6 Note that there may be some difference

between the webpage as viewed on your phone and on your PC. To overcome this, use the Chrome apps Request desktop site option, which will present the page as viewed on a desktop rather than the mobile version.

38

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Feature

WIN!

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PARROT ZIK WIRELESS HEADPHONES

he fruit of another creative collaboration between Parrot and world-renowned French designer Philippe Starck, Zik wireless headphones integrate touch control, superb sound and comfort into a sleek design. Zik ensures you never miss a beat with a head-detection sensor that pauses music when headphones are round your neck and seamlessly starts playing again the moment you put them back on. Noise-cancelling technology insulates your ears from up to 25dB of unwanted external sound. The quality of sound that you do want to listen to is also improved, using Parrots unique Concert Hall Effect, to create a more natural and pleasing listening experience. The headphones are also entirely free from wires, enabling you to listen to crystal-clear music using Bluetooth. Parrot has integrated NFC into a tag on the left headset that enables you to pair, connect and play music from your NFC-compatible device with a simple tap to the Ziks. Designed specically for use with smartphones, Parrot Ziks also enable you to take calls hands-free. When you receive a call, tap on the right-hand side of the headphones to answer a call, or touch the panel for two seconds to reject it. Simple. To get to grips with your high-tech headphones and adjust your settings, the Parrot Audio Suite is available on the Play store. Parrot Zik headphones retail at 299/$399. However, to be in with a chance of winning one of three sets, all you need to do is head to www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk/zik.

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Closing date for entries is 18 April 2013 For terms and conditions visit www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk/zik

39

T utorials Remotely control and recover your lost device

Works with

Android 2.2 and up Difculty Intermediate

Take control of a misplaced, lost or stolen device to help nd out exactly where it is

here is the very real possibility of misplacing or losing a device, which, at the very least is irritating. The chances of a device being stolen are less likely but you need to be ready in case any of these scenarios do happen. Android Lost is a free app that enables users to remotely control a device through a Google account. After installing the app users can remotely control a device using a host of features. Remote control of a device is done through the Android Lost website. The

user signs in and is remotely connected to any device that the Android Lost app is installed on. If you have simply misplaced the device, the alarm option is a great choice for nding it. Hit Send and a full volume alarm will go off. If you cannot hear the device there is a GPS feature which will locate the device within 60 seconds. Not only does the app enable users to help nd a device but it also lets users control elements of a device. You can search through contacts, reboot the phone and even take a picture.

Lost app 1 Android Head to the Google Play store and search
for Android Lost, download and install. Now open the application and select the administration rights option. This will activate the app on the device, but to use the app tap Exit and head to www.androidlost.com.

Access permission 2 Select the Sign In link in the top-right corner

of the page this will redirect to Google accounts. Add login details and log in. The Android Lost app will then request permission to access a Google account. Select the Google account to use and press Allow to continue.

basics 3 Control Switch to Controls and reveal a selection of

options under the default Basics banner. The rst option is Alarm, which will set off a siren at a predetermined volume. This is ideal for trying to nd a lost phone or device. Select how long the alarm will last and tap Alarm to set if off.

location 4 Device The GPS option, under Basics, displays the

current location of a device. Select Send location and wait for the Google server to display a pop-up showing the location. If the GPS is disabled or not available, the network location is displayed. Again, ideal for nding a device.

Status 5 The current status of the phone or device,

ie battery level, can be sent directly to the server. Alongside Phone Status there is the option to disable sound to make a device silent. Alternatively, it can be switched on. There are the same choices for Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi.

40

quick Root and boot get a better understanding of Android Lost tips
1 Rooted options
The premium features Reboot and Shutdown phone will only work on phones that have been rooted. A boot message appears when a device is booted. To disable, simply send an empty message.

2 Boot message

Switch to Logs to view recent activity. Click an attachment to view more details or delete a log entry.

3 Logs

4 Scan code

To get the Android Lost app the quick and easy way, go to Get Started and scan the QR code.

The Settings icon sits under the username in the top-right. Click to view details or add new ones.

5 Settings

2
and text 6 Message There are a selection of options for sending
messages. The first option is the Message popup one which simply sends a message to the device that the Android Lost application is correctly installed on. Type in a message and select Send. Alternatively, send a text.

guide

Losts premium min features explained

The basic version of the Android Lost app has plenty to offer, but you can try out the Premium features free for a week

Notes 1 Personal When the Android Lost app is installed package 7 Hide Switch to Security to view the Package
display option. By default the Android Lost app, known as Personal Notes, will be added to Apps. If a device gets stolen, the Personal Notes icon can be hidden by selecting Hide Package. To show, click Display Package. on a device, users will see a Personal Notes icon appear on the home screen or in Apps. Tap to open and view two options, Exit to close the app or tap Try premium features.

search 2 Contact Tap the Premium link to view the

associated features. Contact Search is a simple feature that enables users to remotely search contacts on a device. Add a name and hit Search to get related contact details.

to speech 8 Text If a phone is lost or misplaced the Text to

speech option under Mobile enables a spoken message to be remotely activated. Simply type in a message, or use the default, and press Speak. Seconds later the message will be played on the selected device.

launcher 3 App Remotely control third-party apps via App

Launcher. To remotely launch an app, the package name is needed. This can be found via the Google Play URL of the app, for example, com.sticksports.stickcricket. Add the package name and hit Send to activate.

4 Reboot The final two premium options enable

users to reboot or shut down a phone. To initialise these features users simply need to click the Reboot or Shutdown button. However, these options only work on rooted smartphones with premium features enabled.

41

DroidSupport
troubleshooting advice hints and tips
an expert email Got an Androidrelated problem that you need solving? Let us know!

qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk Share your tips & tricks

Join us on Facebook and Twitter to share and receive some great tips and advice

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Google Maps leaving me lost

On my Nexus 10, every time I go into Google Maps it cant nd my location. The GPS is on but I am still having no joy. Any suggestions? I hope you can help me. Gavin Pennington
If the GPS is turned off, then your precise location cannot be found but since you have this turned on and Google Maps is still struggling, it suggests you have a problem that goes a little deeper. It shouldnt take us too long to get to the bottom of the issue, though. Most likely, this is because Location Access has not been set up correctly. Go to Settings>Personal>Location access and allow the Nexus 10 to access your location by icking the switch to On. Now you need to check the boxes for either GPS satellites or Wi-Fi & mobile network location. The former works like a vehicle GPS and uses satellites, while the second lets your location be found without GPS. Why not check both boxes? Next go to Settings>Accounts> Google>Location settings and ensure the switch is in the On position. Google apps need to be able to access your location information and this is the one-step setting which enables you to do so. If it is turned off, then Google apps such as Maps cannot access your location data.

Follow us on Twitter to send your thoughts and questions

Did you know?

You can turn notications off on any Android device by going to Apps in Settings and selecting the app that you do not want to receive notices from. Simply uncheck the box which says Show notications and it will prevent it from annoying you in the future.

If your Nexus is not allowing access to your location, ensure you have GPS satellites enabled

42

Got a problem with your Android phone or tablet? Send it to us and well nd the solution

Ask your questions

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Get help from our Facebook community

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Send your questions for our team of experts to tackle

How can I print without using the cloud?

I would like to know whether there is a way to print documents from my Nexus 7 without having to use any cloud services. I carry out surveys and use Quickofce Pro for this. I travel up and down the country, mostly to remote parts where there is no mobile phone signal at all. Matt Grifths
We see that you would prefer not to use Wi-Fi or a phone network to print. Thankfully, there is a solution for you and it is possible to print via Bluetooth using PrinterShare Premium Key which costs 7.95 via Google Play. In order for it to work, you need to make sure you have Bluetooth activated on your Android device and then ensure it is paired with your printer. The app will ask for your permission to download a driver for your Bluetooth printer, which you need to accept, but once you have done this, the two

will pair up and you will be able to print without the need for Wi-Fi or a phone network. PhotoShare will also enable you to select a nearby USB printer. The options are available to you when you go to print one of your documents. Although you do not want it, the easiest way to print from your Nexus 7 is via Cloud Print which works using Wi-Fi. You will need an ePrint printer or one which is Wi-Fi enabled and there are apps available from Google Play from various printer manufacturers (such as

You can print a wealth of documents using the PrinterShare app

You will be asked to select a printer including Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi options

Samsung, HP, Epson, Kodak, Canon or Brother) to make this process simple. If you dont have a cloudconnected printer, then you will need to route it through your computer using the Chrome

browser. The instructions for this are contained on the Cloud Print page: www.google.com/ cloudprint/learn. You can also email documents to compatible printers so this may well be an option for you.

hints&tips Get more from your Android phone with our handy hints

If you want to use your Android device to control the apps installed on your childrens device, go to Google Play on your device, select Accounts and Add another. Ensure this account is the one linked to your kids device.

Check your kids activity

If you miss the row of punctuation at the top of the keyboard when hitting space, you can go to Settings>Language & input>Android keyboard settings>Advanced settings. Scroll down and uncheck Next word suggestions.

Customise your keyboard

We know you can get a refund within 15 minutes, but what if the app is so large it takes more than 15 minutes to install? Go to your account, click Report a problem under Options. Select Id like to request a refund.

Request an app refund

43

DroidSupport
It is possible to go some way to rectifying this by using the app Llama. This works by setting up a series of events with actions and conditions. So, for example, you could set Llama to detect when a Bluetooth device is connected. You could then have it toggle Bluetooth on and turn the device into car mode. It can, however, be a little buggy. Indeed, Llama admits this and gives you a warning that your home button may stop working until you re-enable the keyguard. It says it may also make your SIM card lock act strangely. You could also use an app called Tasker but this is not a free app. Of course, you could decide not to set your Android screen to lock before you start driving, in which case you would get around the problem. We would always advise, too, that you never touch your Android device while driving and to pull over when it is safe to do so in order to change anything on your handset.

Did you know?

Your home screen can become very cluttered but there is a quick and easy way to remove unwanted shortcuts in Jelly Bean. Simply long-press an icon and ick it up. Then go to Settings>Apps, select the app and Uninstall.

Guarding my privacy

cloud-aware app too, so your personal data is always protected remotely. Sounds quite sneaky, but it does work.

I nd that Im regularly handing my phone to other people to use, or just look at, for one reason or another. Given the amount of personal information Ive got on there this does make me a little nervous at times. Is there any way to lock access to certain data?

Better apps for S-Pens

A

David Marnow
Theres no way to do that on a phone, David. On an Android 4.2 tablet the best solution would be to use the multi-user account feature to create a blank account you could boot to whenever anyone else is using the device. There are apps that can help protect your privacy. One good one is called Loky. This creates a secure area on your device into which you can save the data you want to keep private, and you can even set it up to intercept text messages and the like from specic contacts. Its a fully

I use a paper diary because I nd it quicker to access and use. Now I have the Galaxy Note 2 I wonder if there is a diary app which makes use of the S-Pen? Chris Williams As Chris pointed out in his extended email to us, the S-Pen which is a stylus that lets you make great use of your Galaxy Note 2 and is perfect for gestures and handwritten notes will work with the S Calendar app that comes with the device. But you can only annotate or draw on important dates when you are in the month mode and Chris wants a diary app which goes further. We like Jotter. It has been produced to take advantage of the S-Pen and it has some neat

Its good to talk in the car

I need to use my phone while Im driving so I have bought a Parrot Minikit Smart Bluetooth hands-free device for my car. But when I set my Android screen to lock, I cannot receive dialled calls. Simon Booth

My Nexus 4 wont upgrade

Ive bought two Nexus 4s for members of the family. One of them gets regularly updated with system updates, but the other seems to get little, if any. Theyre both SIM-free so I dont think its a network-related issue. How can I go about updating the second handset? Simon Walker
This is not an uncommon problem and xing it may require a little bit of force (although the roll out dates for updates tends to differ for different customers, so patience can work). Dont worry you wont break your Nexus with this method but it should do the trick even if you have to try it a few times. Some people have reported having to perform this more than six times or more before the upgrade process will begin successfully so dont give up. If at rst you dont succeed, you know the drill. To get things moving, go to Settings and navigate to Apps>All>Google Services Framework. Tap Force Close and the Clear Data and Clear Cache options. Accept the Google Services prompt if it asks for one. At

this point, it is worth restarting your device and then attempting to retry the update. Go back into Settings>System Update>Update Samsung Software. Click on Check Now. Your navigation links may be slightly different to this but not so that it would cause you any problems. You may nd the update is now under About and System Update. Whether or not you will have the same issue when Google releases further updates to the Android operating system were not sure, but this method should hopefully resolve those future issues too. Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

44

Got a great tip, or found a cool shortcut? Let us know!

Share your tips

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Discovered anything good about your Android phone? Let us know!

features such as disabling the back button so you dont inadvertently mess up your note-taking with a misplaced tap. You can use the app to produce notebooks for tasks, diary, art or general note-taking. But you may also want to try Fit Tight Planner which has a day and month view and works with the S Pen on the Note 2. Every day has its own canvas on to which you can hand write notes using the stylus and the same goes for the monthly view as well. Best of all, you can pick it up on Google Play for just 1.23. Make use of that 15-minute trial!

How dangerous are some apps to your device?

I have the tSpyChecker app by Tao Software which checks dangerous apps installed. It states that some apps require access to certain features on my phone. Can you please advise if these are safe and good apps?
M S Malik
You go on to say that the features which your apps are trying to access include IMEI numbers, your contacts list, SMS messages and the ability to make phone calls. The tSpyChecker app alerts you to potential problems and helps you make sense of what the app is doing and why. Whether or not an app which wants to access this information is good or not differs from program to program. App expert Ian Naylor, who runs the developer App Institute, tells us that many apps which ask for such permission dont actually need access. The developer, in a lot of cases, has simply turned on all permission requests but not made use of them in their apps. In general, your apps will not be spying on you. Asking for access to your contacts could be to help auto-complete names within an app. It may want your

Update 60% Complete

update update
We bring you the news and

Spotify loses my cached tracks

T
The tSpyChecker app is free and lets you assess the level of permissions you grant

rumours on the latest Android updates, and the phones that can run them
he OS update has gone quiet for the time being, as we wait for news on whether devices will get 4.2 or whether, as weve predicted, most manufacturers will give it a miss and skip straight to Android 5 in Q3. But Google has been busy on the software side, pushing a new Google Settings feature to devices via a Google Play Services update that happens in the background. This green icon, which you may have already noticed on your phone or tablet, is a handy mechanism for managing all your Google accounts and apps from a single location. A useful feature, in fact, and one that possibly hints at things we can expect to see when Android 5 hits in May. Were expecting a greater focus on and tighter integration for the various Google apps and services, so making them congurable from a single location certainly makes sense, especially if they are going to start sharing information with each other more than they currently do. In addition, an excellent new update to the Chrome browser has been launched, one that signicantly improved on scrolling smoothness and speed. Theres still some way to go before it is perfect, but it is getting there.

Im a big fan of Spotify, but Im having a few problems with the Android app. First, it randomly loses playlists that Ive downloaded for ofine use, which means the app goes online again to download them when I try to play them. Its not ideal when Im on a 3G connection as its eating into my allowance. Second, I cant nd any way to search for playlists or the like. At the moment I need to subscribe to them on my desktop in order to be able to access them on my phone. Is there a solution to this, or is it just one of the limitations of the app?

phone status to check a network signal. There will, of course, be some apps that will attempt to do bad things with the data it accesses. Always read app reviews and try and nd out what an app wants to do with your data by performing a quick Google search before agreeing.

Andy Cox
Were also big fans of Spotify, Andy, and we can relate to your problems. Regarding the loss of cached tracks and playlists, we have encountered this before but not so much since the most recent updates, so hopefully it has been xed. To prevent the app eating into your allowance, go into Settings and make sure Download over 2G/3G is set to Off. As for nding playlists, this is a limitation of the app but there are third-party apps that can ll in the gaps. Weve had some joy with ShareMyPlaylists, which enables you to search shared playlists and subscribe and download within the Spotify application itself.

the icons 1 View Once youve got your hands on the app,
tSpyChecker shows each app that you have installed on your phone together with a series of icons. Each of these denote the type of permission you have granted and they include access to your contacts or ability to make calls.

an app 2 Check Select an application that looks suspicious

or that is accessing something that you now feel it should not be doing. This will go into much greater detail about the permissions set up on your device. Check, however, the creator of the app before taking action.

an app 3 Uninstall tSpyChecker lets you uninstall an app you

do not want by simply tapping Uninstall. If you do not want an app to appear in the Application Management List because you deem it okay, just tap Exclude and then OK. Youll now be able to keep an eye on new apps that you install.

45

Challenge

Can you train for a marathon using apps?

Dont break a sweat, use these apps to train for a marathon

unning for 26.2 miles is a near-impossible task for the average person, but with the correct level of training and dedication it can be achieved. To make the leap from tness-phobic to marathon pro, we put the vast library of apps on the Play store to the ultimate endurance test

Physical and mental tness

Before even considering running a marathon, you need to be in suitable shape to so. We rst downloaded the Caloric Diet Tracker app to help guide us through a rigorous dieting period. The app is highly customisable to suit your needs and with the helpful monitoring system, we were able to get to a decent weight to start from. Another common problem when starting an exhaustive tness routine is the potential damage that can incur to your body. As a preventive measure we installed the Stretch Guru: Run app, which turned out to be a fantastic guide through a whole series of stretches we could use to keep our muscles and joints in tip-top shape. Another app that came highly recommended to us was Running Tips, a simple enough app that helps perfect your running technique.

Tools of the trade

One of the most closely contested areas on the Play store is the Health & Fitness

our heart was feeling the benets

46

Set us a challenge!
Test us out through Facebook and Twitter

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Follow us on Twitter and send your comments

App checklist
Marathon Timer
Price: Free Developer: Standalone Soft

RunKeeper - GPS Track Run Walk

Price: Free Developer: FitnessKeeper, Inc.

Runners Calculator
Price: Free Developer: RacerX Price: Free Developer: PS

Heart Rate Zones Stretch Guru: Run Zombies, Run! 5k Training

Price: 1.49/$1.99 Developer: Six to Start
RunKeeper gives you plenty of extra useful data

Price: 0.63/$0.99 Developer: Lori Bryan Living

See your daily calorie intake in Caloric

Endomondo Sports Tracker PRO

Price: 3.99/$4.99 Developer: Endomondo Price: Free Developer Noom Inc.

[tip] Make sure the GPS on your device is turned on so that apps like RunKeeper and Endomondo can track your location and the distance you run.

[tip] There are also apps to help you prepare for smaller ten and ve kilometre races.

Monitor your heart rate

section. Making sure we picked the best apps to help track our progress was important, so we ended up downloading two of the biggest apps on the Play store in Endomondo Sports Tracker and RunKeeper. Both are superb for keeping a training log of your daily workouts, as well as monitoring the distance and type of terrain you covered on your run. You can then share your running experience with each individual apps social feed. After a few weeks of working on our running distance, we needed some extra help on our cardiovascular tness. Cardio Pro helps track how your overall cardiovascular performance has improved or worsened, and Heart Rate Zones was essential in making sure we were on the right path, and our heart was feeling the benets.

Caloric Diet Tracker Cardio Pro

Price: Free Developer: phil917

Running Tips

Price: Free Developer: Achilleas Kalkatzakos

Success rating

Practice makes perfect

The only thing left for us to do was to more. After practice, practice and practice more several more weeks we were easing past ten kilometres in distance, and after a further month we were comfortable with running a half marathon distance. To break things up we downloaded the Zombies, Run! 5k Training app which offers a unique audiobook story as you try to survive a zombie outbreak. To get us ready for the marathon, we downloaded the Marathon Timer and Runners Calculator apps to help us monitor our timing mid-race.

With one of the most densely populated areas of the Play store behind you, nding the right tools to help you train for a marathon is easy. The only downfall is that they cant do the hard work and run the marathon for you instead!

Complete

90

Verdict:

47

AMAZING ANDROID HACKING PROJECTS

D
Discover the most powerful hacks for your phone and tablet
o you root your Android devices as soon as you rst take them out of the box? Do you chop and change ROMs on a weekly basis, just because you can? Then chances are youre ready for a project a bit more ambitious. Over the next ten pages well guide you through some of the ways you can put your enthusiasm for all things hacking to productive use from running Android apps on your laptop to setting your tablet up as a fully functioning computer. Well even show you some of the things you can do with that old Android phone going sat unused in your drawer. You dont need to be an expert, of course. While some of the projects here do require you to at least be familiar with the ins and outs of ashing ROMs and using a custom Recovery see our guide in issue 16 for a comprehensive introduction and also to have a device that is already rooted (and with an unlocked bootloader if needed too), weve also thrown in a few ideas that you can do without any real knowledge of the more technical side of the Android world. Hopefully the projects here will also give you inspiration to go even further with your hacks and tweaks, and truly unlock the potential of your Android device.

Hacker Zne

Explore the limits of your Android device

Learn how to: Run Ubuntu on a Nexus 7 Cook your own Jelly Bean ROM Make an Android games console Make use of your old phone Use Android on your laptop
48

49

Amazing Hacking Projects

Amazing Hacking Projects

Dual-boot the Nexus 7 with Android and Ubuntu

Turn your tablet into a full computer with this dual-booting solution
the computer as an appliance. Yet for many of us it is still too early to ditch the desktop in favour of a tablet 100 per cent of the time. In fact for some, the holy grail would be to run a full desktop OS on a tablet, combining the best of both worlds. And now that is possible. Using the MultiROM solution, from developer Vojtch Boek, you can install an Ubuntu ROM on a Nexus 7 and run it

T
50

heres a lot of talk in tech circles these days about how were entering a post PC phase. Its the idea that computers as we know them powerful, technical, frequently inaccessible machines are becoming a thing of the past, replaced more and more by tablets and other devices that can be used for the same purpose, but keep the actual computing parts well hidden from the user. Its a move towards

alongside the standard Android installation. Its an interesting experiment, pushing the boundaries of what the Nexus hardware is capable of. Ubuntu is on the slow side, so you wont want to adopt it for normal use, but it works, as do many of the platforms apps. And with Ubuntu slowly moving towards Android and a more mobile future, it is an experiment denitely worth investigating.

Amazing Hacking Projects

Time taken: 45 minutes

What you need

1 Get ready
Before you get going make sure your Nexus 7 is prepared. It needs to be rooted, and you should perform a Nandroid backup. Also install the Android SDK, and copy the downloaded kernel, MultiROM zip and Ubuntu ROM (see what you need box) onto the Nexus internal storage.

Nexus 7 Android SDK from http://bit.ly/Yoowqz Patched kernel from http://bit.ly/11DZcUZ MultiROM zip from http://bit.ly/11DZcUZ Modied TWRP recovery from http://bit.ly/11DZcUZ Ubuntu ROM from http://bit.ly/VQZVQ6 USB on-the-go cable and USB drive (optional)

the 2 Flash new kernel

Boot into Recovery by holding down the volume down and power buttons simultaneously and selecting Recovery. Navigate to Install zip from sdcard and locate rst of all the patched kernel le you downloaded and copied to your tablet. Flash this le it will take just a few seconds.

3 Flash MultiROM
Next up repeat the procedure but this time ash the MultiROM zip le. This will also only take a few seconds to complete. If you were to reboot your device now you would see a boot menu appear before Android started. This is what gives you your dual-booting capability.

a new 4 Flash Recovery

Now you need to ash the new Recovery via fastboot using the Android SDK. Boot your device to fastboot (power and volume down) and connect it to your computer. Launch a terminal window and change the directory to the platform-tools folder in the SDK. Now type fastboot ash recovery [recovery lename.img] to ash the new recovery.

to 5 Boot Recovery
That should take a couple of seconds, and youll see the progress in the Terminal window. Now boot to Recovery once again. Youll see that youre now running TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). Tap on Advanced, then MultiROM to add your second ROM.

your 6 Choose Ubuntu ROM and location

In MultiROM tap Add ROM, then choose the type of ROM you want to install (Ubuntu, in this instance) and a location you can ash the ROM to an external USB drive if you have one installed. Tap on Next and then locate the Ubuntu ROM you copied onto your devices storage.

the 7 Flash ROM

Youre now ready to start ashing Ubuntu. Ensure your Nexus is well charged, or plugged into the mains. Swipe the Swipe to conrm slider and the ashing process will commence. The process takes a while, at least ten minutes, and somewhat more if using a USB drive.

the 8 Reboot device

When the ashing process is complete, reboot your Nexus 7. Instead of launching straight into the OS an extra MultiROM screen will rst appear enabling you to choose which of your two OSs you want to boot. In this case, Internal means Android, and Ubuntu is signied by the ROMs lename.

9 Select Ubuntu
You can change the names of the two ROMs, to make it easier to identify them in future. Tap Misc for some extra options. When done select the Ubuntu ROM to boot into that. Again it may take a few minutes while the rst boot completes, but should be faster in future.

10 Get set up
Youre now ready to set up the Ubuntu OS. Leave the device to prepare itself, even if you see a few dodgy screens. Eventually you will be greeted with the Ubuntu setup screen. Follow the steps on screen, and then you will be launched into the full Ubuntu OS.

51

Amazing Hacking Projects

Cook your own Jelly Bean ROM

H

Want to get Jelly Bean on your phone but cant nd the right ROM? Our guide will show you how to make your own
ead over to one of the internets many Android hacking communities and youll nd literally hundreds of custom ROMs designed for pretty much any phone or tablet you can think of. Each one gives you a different experience, whether it be faster, or leaner, or stripped back or packed with extra functionality. And while you can normally nd something to suit your requirements you dont need to limit yourself to what is already out there you can make your own. Android is an open source operating system, and the open source ethos runs rmly throughout the Android hacking community. You can pick a ROM that you like, and further tweak and tailor it so that it meets your needs. It is complicated, though, and starting from scratch requires you to be either a developer or keen to learn. The best place to get started is using Kitchen apps that enable you to take a ROM and repackage it with your own personal tweaks. For this project were using dsixdas Android Kitchen, which runs on Windows, Linux and Mac, and can be used to modify existing shipped ROMs, custom ROMs or your own Nandroid backups. You can add or remove apps from the ROM and make assorted other tweaks, including using your own scripts if you are a developer.

Pick a ROM that you like, and further tweak and tailor it so that it meets your needs
52

Amazing Hacking Projects

Time taken: 30 minutes

What you need

the tools 1 Prepare To begin you will need to

download and install dsixdas Android Kitchen. Depending on whether youre using Windows, Mac or Linux you may need to download a few other things as well in order for it to work. Follow the FAQ at http://bit.ly/Xks0xs for the full details.

A compatible device (see http://bit.ly/Xvsj7H for list) A compatible source ROM or Nandroid backup dsixdas Android Kitchen from http://bit.ly/Xvsj7H

your source ROM 2 Pick You will need a ROM to use as your source.
Compatible ROMs differ based on what device you are working with. Some can use CyanogenMod or AOSP ROMs, or you can create a Nandroid backup from your phone and use that. Were using a stock Galaxy S III ROM.

the Kitchen app 3 Run To launch the Kitchen, unzip it and open up
a Terminal or command line prompt. The required commands differ depending on which OS youre using. First change to the Kitchen directory using the command cd followed by the path to the kitchen folder. Then type ./menu to launch.

the base ROM 4 Import Locate your source ROM, or Nandroid

backup that you have copied from your phone. You can use this to, for example, add or remove apps. To import it into the Kitchen, drag and drop the ROM (do not unzip it if it is in the .zip format) to the original_update folder in the Kitchen directory.

the ROM image 5 Add Now look at the Terminal window. Youll see
a menu of options, listed largely in the order youll need to use them. Hit 1 and press Enter to add your ROM to the working directory for editing. You will get a few options such as backup, plus a choice of ROM images. Choose the right one.

the ROM 6 Rename The simplest bit of personalisation you can

do with your ROM is to give it a new name. In the Kitchen press 7 and Enter. You will now see the original name press y and then type in your new name and hit Enter. This will show in Settings>About when you boot the ROM.

and remove apps 7 Add ROMs often feature apps you dont need,
and lack those that you do. When in the Kitchen you can add or remove apps by adding or deleting the .apk le in the system/app folder in the WORKING_myrom directory. This is an easy way to customise the features of your ROM.

the APKs 8 ZipAlign After adding any new apps you will need to
zip align them. This optimises the apps for when installed with a ROM, and will greatly improve their performance. In the Kitchen menu press 5 and Enter, and then press y. Once this is done use option 23 to check for any errors.

the ROM 9 Rebuild Its worth starting with minimal changes to

see how Kitchen works, and you can experiment later on. When done, build your ROM by pressing 0 in the menu, then 99. Select y when asked whether to sign the ROM. The ROM image will be saved in the Output_zip folder.

your own ROM 10 Flash Once the le has completed compiling, and
it may take a while depending on its size, copy it to your SD card then ash it as you would do any other ROM. If it fails, simply restore your Nandroid backup to get your phone fully working again, and then go back to make some more tweaks.

53

Amazing Hacking Projects

Create your own Android console

Play your favourite mobile games on the big screen
The gaming capabilities of Android devices has increased tenfold in the past year, offering unique and diverse games for the masses of Android enthusiasts regardless of which device they own. Despite the number of high-quality games now available for users and the increase in Android game consoles in development, the hardware currently has its limitations. Even if youve got your hands on a Galaxy Note II, the small screen size is often a hindrance, leading to clumsy touchscreen controls and graphical issues which plague your gaming experience. Hardcore gamers will also bemoan the lack of choice regarding gaming accessories exclusively built for the Android platform, and will instead have to make use of regular earphones that offer nowhere near the same immersive feeling. Despite the limitations, Android gaming is on the rise, and by undertaking this project youll be able to turn your rooted Android phone into a brilliant portable games console to rival some of the dedicated devices on their way.

Time taken: 30 minutes

What you need

Games youll want to download Dead Trigger The Bards Tale Mass Effect Inltrator Rayman Jungle Run Assassins Creed Final Fantasy Dimensions ChuChu Rocket! Chaos Rings Total War Battles Stream your gameplay to the world
Create a live stream of your mobile gameplay using the Ustream app

Rooted Android device running 2.3 or later HDMI-compatible TV Micro HDMI cable Full HDMI cable USB cable Elgato Game Capture device PlayStation 3 wireless controller Sixaxis Controller app Laptop or desktop computer Professional gaming headset (optional)

external 1 Connect microphone

Before you can begin streaming your live gameplay, youll rst need to connect an external microphone to your device to add commentary.

the 2 Download Ustream app

Download the free Ustream app directly from the Google Play store. Open up the app and create an account using your email.

to 3 Connect HDMI TV
Connect your phone directly to your HDMI TV or desktop computer and navigate to the correct settings on it. Open a game and begin playing.

4 Start streaming
Your stream will be taken from your mobile, but having connected it to your HDMI source will mean you can play along on a bigger screen.

54

Amazing Hacking Projects

Get the ultimate gaming experience

Use the very-best accessories and apps to get Android gaming bliss

Test streams

The 3.5mm audio jack on your phone is great for connecting a wide variety of gaming headsets. Once connected, youll be able to use the microphone to speak to your teammates

Audio functions

Try a couple of test streams out at rst when using the Ustream app to make sure its working properly. It wont work with many older devices that dont run Android 2.3 or later

Although the stream from your phone to television or desktop might not look as good as a full gaming console would, it certainly beats playing it on a smaller screen

Streaming

Try TwitchTV

Prefer Xbox?
If you prefer playing with an Xbox controller, you can do, but the process of connecting it to your phone is a much, much harder process to complete without disassembling it rst

If youre feeling really condent in your gaming ability, open up a TwitchTV account on your laptop and start streaming live to the world and interact with your audience

Six steps to an authentic gaming experience

Use everything you have at your disposal to transform your device

phone to HD TV 1 Connect Use a micro HDMI cable to connect your

phone to your HD TV or computer. If you have problems getting the picture to show, make sure your TV is currently on the correct channel.

With your phone connected, navigate to your phones settings and select HDMI Format screen. Choose the resolution of which you want the game to be displayed at.

2 Select HDMI Format

a controller 3 Choose Theres a wide variety of controllers to

choose from, so pick one that works for you. Most Android-compatible controllers work via Bluetooth or micro USB. Connect to your device through USB.

connection 4 Established After establishing the connection between

the two via micro USB, youll then have complete control of what appears on your output TV. At rst you may experience a small amount of lag.

controller 5 Bluetooth Unplug the phone from the controller and

enable Bluetooth on your device. Press on the Bluetooth function on the controller and phone and begin playing wirelessly.

headset 6 Attach Attach a headset with a 3.5mm audio jack to

your headphone port on your smartphone. You now have everything you need to get a true Android gaming experience.

55

Amazing Hacking Projects

Modify your ageing device to perform a completely new function

Great hacks for your old phone

hen its time to upgrade to a new phone, your old device is often soon forgotten about. Although it may have an inferior OS update, average power and mediocre features, theres still a wide range of things you can do with it. The hackable nature of the Android operating system means that the devices that run it can be heavily customised and modied to perform a variety of different tasks and functions. Their Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities can also be tinkered with to perform different functions, and youll be surprised with what can be achieved if you no longer want to use your ageing phone as an actual phone anymore. In this project well be exploring some of the more interesting and useful ways you can implement new functions into your old Android devices, and best of all, they can all be performed with minimal spend.

Use your phone as a VoIP webcam

By using your devices camera you can modify it to become a fully functional VoIP webcam
With apps like Skype, Viper and Tango all being great ways of saving money on calls and texts, why not take it one step further and use your phone as a traditional VoIP webcam. By following this simple tutorial youll be able to connect your computer to your smartphone via Wi-Fi and begin video chats in no time at all.

Download DroidCam 1 Download DroidCam on your

devices. Open on the computer and choose to connect via Wi-Fi.

IP address 2 Input Youll now need to enter the

matching IP address of your phone directly to the desktop software.

the devices 3 Connect Once connected, open up the

DroidCam desktop software and select Stream video and audio.

VoIP client 4 Use Use Skype to start a video

call. Head to its settings and select DroidCam as the primary source.

56

Amazing Hacking Projects

Create your own independent email server

Put together your own email server and take it wherever you go
An old Android phone tends to be small and generally low powered, so a great use for it is turning it into a portable email server. By using the Servers Ultimate app you can create a personal email account server, and manage it in the palm of your hand. The servers can be started and stopped whenever you arent using them, and even better, your old phone doesnt need to be rooted for it to work properly. If email servers arent your thing, you can even create a DLNA server within the app.

1
Download the Servers Ultimate app from the Google Play store and select the Email Server option from the list of choices. Now enter the server name, and add the necessary port details when required. Press Conrm once this is completed.

Select the Domains option from the top toolbar and add all information as and when needed. If you get stuck here, use the apps help function. Scroll across once more to the Users category and add your own email details when instructed.

Your smartphone will now run as an independent email server, and acts as a gateway from where emails can be sent and received. If you have problems with the various ports, this forum thread over at XDA Forums is helpful (http://bit.ly/PxmvFI).

Create an AirPlay streamer

By connecting to your iTunes account over AirPlay, youll be able to stream your iOS music collection through your phone

Open up iTunes and navigate to your music. Download the AirBubble app from the Play store and install it on your device. Once enabled, the app automatically connects to your iTunes account if in close proximity.

Begin playing music through iTunes, but choose your listed phone as the audio receiver (usually listed on the menu on the left of the software). If done correctly the music will now begin playing through your device.

Turn your phone into a portable hard drive

Transfer and store the various documents and media les stored on your device without spending anything
If youve got a device with an expandable memory slot, you can simply swap and change your micro SD card when you wish, enabling you to store a multitude of les, and access them on your device. By using the USB Tethering function on your phone, you can then instantly connect it to your desktop computer and move the various les around.

Insert a brand new SD card in to the expandable memory slot on your device. Find a media le on your phone, and choose to transfer it to your SD card. After a few seconds itll be ready to transfer across.

1 Insert SD card

Connect a micro USB cable to both your phone and desktop computer. From the menu that appears on your device, select the Mass Storage option, and then enable USB storage.

2 Connect to desktop

the E: 3 Find drive

Your phone will be listed as the E: drive on your computer, usually named SD card, or the type of device youre using. Double-click on the E: drive icon to access it.

4 Start transferring
Youre now free to transfer les to and from your phone and computer at will. Do this to transfer les between home and work, or simply use it to access your cloud storage.

57

Amazing Hacking Projects

Run Android on a laptop

Download, install and employ your favourite Android apps on a Windows or Mac machine
The Google Play store is awash with some top quality apps that enhance and extend the Android experience. BlueStacks is an app that brings the Android app experience to the owners of Windows and Mac machines. The BlueStacks App Player can be downloaded from www.bluestacks.com. Its is currently in beta and free of charge. The App Player comes with a selection of pre-installed apps and the opportunity to download even more. Google Play is the key player when it comes to downloads, but the app also offers alternatives including the Amazon App Store. The App Player is neatly arranged into app sections for quick searching and My Apps for downloaded apps. The installed apps open in a window with the option to go full screen. To take full advantage of the BlueStacks experience, the BlueStacks Cloud Connect app needs to be called into action. Simply install the Cloud Connect app and you can sync your mobile apps from a phone.

Time taken: 25 minutes

What you need

Laptop (Windows or Mac) BlueStacks software via www.bluestacks.com

and install 1 Download Head to www.bluestacks.com and

download the Windows, or Mac version, of the BlueStacks App Player. When complete, run the app and install to the desktop. With the app installed, run the App Player to open the apps main window.

The App Player is split into two parts, a selection of app categories at the top, and available apps below. Click an app section title to view the currently available apps. Alternatively, use the search option to nd associated app stores.

2 App Player

an app 3 Add Once an app that you want has been found
it is simply a matter of clicking the app and waiting for it to be installed. To play the app, select as normal. To delete an app go to Settings, select Manage Applications and hit Delete.

Connect 4 Cloud Click the Settings icon, bottom-left in the

BlueStacks App Player and select Cloud Connect to start the sync process. Add an email address and phone number and continue. This will provide a PIN number. Make note and close down the window.

app 5 Connect A set of instructions will be sent to the email

address and phone used in the previous step. Head to the Play store and download and install the BlueStack Cloud Connect app. Open and enter the PIN number provided and hit Login to connect.

syncing 6 Start Once logged in, a list of all the apps on the
phone or device will be listed. Click the empty box in the top-right corner to select all apps or choose individually. When all apps are selected, tap Sync to start the process.

58

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Hacking Tips
status update
Which devices are best for the hacking scene?

Explore the limits of your Android device

Hints for the Android hacker

actually be placed on your smartphones lockscreen. Its still early days for this handy widget, so you currently cannot download it from the Play store. Youll need to grab the .apk le and install it manually from http://forum. xda-developers.com/showthread. php?t=2100219 but its well worth the additional effort. This app is easy to set up and works out-of-the-box with Android 4.2, but if youre running an earlier version of Android youll need to download the WidgetLocker Lockscreen app (1.99, Google Play) before you can place the widget on your lockscreen.

Sony Xperia Z
Rooted? Yes Active Development: Low Minimal ROMs or mods for the Z so far, but bloat-free ROMs are available. Remember you will need to unlock the bootloader rst as well.

Sony Xperia T
Rooted? Yes Active Development: Low The James Bond phone has been rooted but there are few ROMs or kernels to play with. Jelly Bean is available, though. Create your perfect ROM by deleting apps or adding .apk les

HTC One X+

Rooted? Yes Active Development: Medium A few options are available, but the device is not nearly as popular for ROMs as its predecessor the One X was.

Customise your custom ROM

Nexus 4

Rooted? Yes Active Development: Yes At such a low price the Nexus 4 is set to become one of the must-have devices for developers. Great news for the rest of us!

If youre running one of the more popular devices youll have a wealth of custom ROMs to choose from, but if you cant nd one thats quite right its relatively easy to add and remove apps before ashing your ROM. Download a custom ROM onto your computer and unzip. Locate the app folder, which in most cases is in the System folder. This will bring up a list of .apk les. If youre removing apps, check its safe to do so rst (its probably not a good idea to remove Browser.apk, for example!) and if youre adding apps they must have the .apk extension. Zip the folder

back up when youre done with it. Remember to toggle the signature verication option when ashing (since this is an unsigned ROM) and your newly tweaked ROM should be good to go!

Get notications at a glance

With Androids notication bar you can see all your updates with a single swipe, but why stop there when you can get all this information without even unlocking your phone? Although there are already a few notication widgets on the Play store, the new Lock Screen Notications widget can

Review all of your notications without even unlocking your device

quickhacks
Rooting with SuperOneClick
SuperOneClick is a one-click rooting solution thats ideal for hacking newcomers. It supports a wide range of devices, especially among newer models. As always, make sure youre fully backed up before attempting to root your Android device!

Download the app 1 Download SuperOneClick from

http://shortfuse.org on your PC and run the Setup le to install. Before connecting your device, check that its USB debugging option is enabled in Settings>Apps>Development.

Begin rooting 2 Connect your device using

USB. Launch the SuperOneClick app on your hard drive and tap Root to begin rooting. If SuperOneClick cant detect your device, check you have the correct drivers installed.

Test the root 3 Select Yes when prompted

to test the root and Android will send a su command to your device. If the root has been successful, youll see a new SuperUser icon in the app drawer.

60

Discovered a great hack or tweak? Let us know!

Share your tips

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Is there anything youd like to see us cover in the mag? Drop us a line!

Jargon Buster
Get up to speed on all the terms you need to know when hacking your phone

Hacker Zne

Locate the .apk le and tap to install

Installing apps from .apk les

it more usable. For instance, if you nd the notication shade is out of the reach of your thumb located at the top of your big-screen phone, you can set notications to work in tablet mode, in which case they move to the bottom of the screen. Likewise on mid-sized devices such as the Nexus 7 you can choose to run certain apps in tablet mode, and make better use of some option screens by displaying the settings in a split-screen display. For more information, and to download the ROM, visit www.paranoid-rom.com.
With over 30,000 home screens youre guaranteed to nd something you like

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.

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.

Google Play is a fantastic resource for app-hungry Android users, but what if the app youre hankering for isnt in the Play store? Maybe its a great idea thats still in beta testing, or its developer has chosen to offer the app exclusively through their website. In this situation, the solution is to download the apps .apk le and install it on your device manually. Download the .apk le on your computer and connect your Android device using the USB cable. Open either the SD card or the devices internal memory and copy the .apk le over. Youll now need an app that can install .apk les. There are plenty available in the Play store, but we like to use AppInstaller. Check your Android device wont automatically block all applications from unknown sources by opening Settings> Security and ensuring that the Unknown Sources checkbox is ticked. Launch the AppInstaller app and browse through the different folders until you locate the .apk le. Tap to install.

30,000 wallpapers

Android SDK treats

Root

Want to freshen up your device but dont know where to start? A quick browse around the myColorScreen website is a great way to get inspired. myColorScreen is a giant repository of customised home screens that have been created by the Android community. With well over 30,000 examples youre bound to nd something to suit your tastes.

Paranoid Android 3

Version 3 of Paranoid Android, one of the most popular and innovative custom ROMs, has been made available for the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. The ROMs key feature is its so-called Hybrid Engine. This enables users to switch between Androids phone, tablet and phablet UIs either globally or on an app-by-app basis. Its the perfect ROM for anyone that wants to customise their device and make

Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) gave us the ability to take screenshots of our devices, but according to reports as many as half of Android devices are still running versions lower than 4.0. The good news is that if youre part of this 50% you can still take screenshots of your device using the Android SDK and your computer. Download the Android SDK from http://bit.ly/Yoowqz and install it on your PC. Locate the SDK Manager (android>android-sdk>SDK Manager) and in the subsequent dialogue locate the Tools folder and ensure the Android SDK Platform Tools checkbox is ticked. Unless youre planning to develop apps you can uncheck everything else to speed up the process. Tap Install. Connect your device using the USB cable and locate the monitor.bat batch le in the android-sdks>tools folder. This will launch the Android Debug Monitor. Tap the Screen Capture button to take a snapshot of your screen. Tap Save to store the image, or Refresh to take a new one if you didnt quite get it right.

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.

Hacking the easy way

AppTyrant

Get great new features without getting your hands (too) dirty Nexus 7 Camera Starter Galaxy S3 Dandelion Go Locker

Radio

Free

From: Play store Need root? No Click on any app to perform a variety of tasks, including uninstalling, creating a backup and viewing permissions. Backup to Dropbox is available for Pro users.

Free

From: Play store Need root? No All you need to get snapping with your tablets front-facing, 1.2-MP VGA camera. The app enables you to record videos too.

Free

From: Play store Need root? No Got Galaxy envy? Download this snazzy theme and at least you can pretend you have an S3! It does require Go Launcher EX.

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.

Check our website daily for even more tips & tricks

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

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Flipboard Price: Free

Get all your news in one great app
With so many great news websites out there it can be difcult t to keep up to speed with breaking news as it happens. Flipboard makes following your favourite news websites a breeze. This fantastic app aggregates your favourite news feeds with a quick glance youll know the top headlines as they happen. Whether its local, federal or international news you want, Flipboard can do it all. Flipboard really shines on big screen smartphones like the Galaxy Note II. It presents your favourite news stories in a slick and beautiful magazine design its so gorgeous youll forget youre reading off your smartphone. We tested Flipboard on the Note II and it looks simply phenomenal the text is easy on the eyes and you can read even more headlines at once than on a traditional smartphone. Where does name the Flipboard come from? Its called Flipboard because you ip through your favourite news boards. Its a pleasure to keep track of your favourite news feeds each news category, such as business, sports and entertainment, has its own board. Flipboard isnt exclusive to major news outlets like BBC you can also follow your favourite blogs and social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter. Flipboard isnt just for news its great for checking out photos your mates are sharing. Flipboard is a must-have for anyone and everyone who uses their phone to keep up with the latest news. It also includes one of the bestlooking widgets on Android, adding a much-needed dash of eye candy to your home screens as well as a glimpse of the latest headlines.

Best wallpaper apps to decorate your HD home screen

Best Wallpapers HD
Price: Free
Tired of the same old boring home screen? Spruce it up with Best Wallpapers HD. Choose from over 17,000 high-quality backgrounds to brighten up your Android smartphone. HD isnt just a moniker choose from the best high denition backgrounds in over 30 eye-catching categories.

Flikie Wallpapers HD
Price: Free
Choose from over 17,000 high-quality wallpaper and backgrounds in 30 categories. Categories include people, holidays, movies and cute, cuddly animals. The apps 3D gallery makes selecting the perfect background easy. Update your wallpaper daily based on your mood or share with a friend.

Wallpapers HD
Price: Free
Wallpapers HD offers what youd expect tons of cool high-denition wallpapers to decorate your home screen. What sets this brilliant app apart is its unique Colors function, which enables you to sort wallpaper based on your favourite colour.

WordWeb Price: Free

The top free dictionary on Google Play
Looking to brush up on your spelling and grammar? WordWeb is a fantastic dictionary app. Weve been using WordWeb online for years and the app is every bit as powerful. It features over 285,000 words, phrases and derived forms. It comes in handy wherever you are it features English from US, Britain, Canada and Australia. There are over 70,000 usage examples, so youll always know youre using new words and phrases correctly. WordWeb comes into its own on high-res devices; you can clearly see full denitions on one screen without scrolling while the high pixel density makes the access of text extremely readable. WordWeb is great while youre travelling by aeroplane simply download it and use it, no internet access is required. The search function is also very handy, while spelling suggestions is a great way to nd the word youre looking for.

PicSpeed HD Wallpapers 500,000

Price: Free
PicSpeed HD Wallpapers boasts the biggest collection of top-quality wallpaper, images and pictures. Choose from over half a million high-quality backgrounds to beautify your home screen. Categories makes searching for the perfect background a breeze.

Pocket Informant Price: 6.35/$9.99

Put a planner in your pocket
Looking for a calendar app to manage your busy schedule? Look no further than Pocket Informant, your all-in-one calendar solution. Pocket Informant is a lot more than your average calendar app manage important tasks and contacts all in one handy app. While most calendar apps make you close them to view your Android contacts, not so with Pocket Informant. This fantastic app is your one-stop shop contact view even enables to you to view your contacts within the app. Cloud computing has really taken off in recent years and Pocket Informant is along for the ride. Seamlessly sync your data so you can access it anywhere, anytime from the cloud. This app truly shines in high resolution display your busy schedule on screen and never miss another appointment again with Pocket Informant.

Cool Wallpapers HD
Price: Free
With a price like free, its hard not to call this app cool. Quickly search through wallpapers by category or keywords. Share your favourite wallpaper with your mates via Facebook and Twitter. Search photos by their popularity or date added, so youll always have the coolest wallpaper.

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HD apps

Feature

Netflix Price: Free

(5.99/$10 monthly subscription fee)

Enjoy high denition how it was supposed to look

Lets face it, you didnt buy a big screen smartphone to browse the web or read the news the real reason was to enjoy crisp, clear high-denition videos. Netix is the perfect app for movie buffs that enjoy watching their favourite icks on the go. This app was made for a big screen phone it makes use of every single pixel so you can enjoy your favourite TV show or movie in high denition. Netix has the worlds largest paid library of TV shows and movies. Whether youre a Star Wars fan, a Mr Bean junkie or you want to catch the latest episode of Law & Order: UK, Netix has you covered. Netix has a great try before you buy business model you can try the service completely free for a month before paying the monthly fee of 5.99 ($10). If you havent tried Netix before its like an all-you-can-eat content buffet you can watch unlimited videos from your smartphone, tablet or PC. Watch your favourite movies or TV shows when you want and as often as you want. The video library is constantly expanding, so youll always have access to the latest TV shows and movies.

Google Play Music Price: Free

Enjoy your favourite tunes whenever you want
Looking to enjoy your favourite tunes on the go? Bring the powerful Google Play Music app with you and enjoy your favourite tunes any place, any time. Theres no need to worry about storage because your music collection is stored in the cloud. Purchase music and enjoy it just as easily on your smartphone or PC. With a fantastic scrolling album art view, Play Music makes maximum use of a touchscreen interface and looks good too. You can swipe and browse your way through your collection upload as many as 20,000 tracks for free to your own personal cloud storage and pick out your favourite tracks, as well as those youd forgotten you had. The Music section of the Play store also enables you to discover new music using an innovative ow-chart style graphic that invites you to endlessly search from one artist to the next.

Tweetings for Twitter Price: 1.30/$1.99

Never miss another important tweet again
Tweetings for Twitter is a must-have app for heavy social network users. It makes managing multiple Twitter accounts a breeze. The app really shines on big screen phones; it includes large screen support with panes, and youll never miss another tweet again with multi-view mode. Tweeting is made a lot easier and streaming tweets over Wi-Fi means youll receive tweets instantly as theyre posted no need to refresh. Twitter isnt just for text though. You can seamlessly upload your photos to pic.twitter.com, and other favourites like Img.ly, TwitPic and yFrog. The app has several powerful features to help you manage your tweets and accounts. Schedule Tweets enables you to write a tweet and set a time for later when it will be posted for the world to see. Twitter limits your tweets to 140 characters but Tweetings will automatically split long tweets into multiple shorter tweets if you nd youve got plenty to say.

SketchBook Mobile Price: 1.32/$1.99

Professional artwork on your Android device
SketchBook Mobile turns your larger screened smartphone into a virtual easel. Sketch works of art with relative ease thanks to the host of powerful sketching tools at your disposal. Canvas size is determined by screen resolution, so the bigger the screen, the bigger the work of art you can create. This app is great for beginners and professional artists its the closest thing youre going to get to Adobe Photoshop on your smartphone. With over 65 preset brushes to choose from, no two of your projects will look the same. The user interface is cleanly laid out, giving you easy access to all of the (surprisingly many) functions available to you, and if youre working with a phablet device, such as the pen-equipped Galaxy Note II, youll nd you have even greater control over the work that you produce. SketchBook Mobile is the perfect example of an app that would have once been only really viable on a tablet. But the growing size and resolution of smartphone displays is now enabling the devices to be used in ways that would previously have been unimaginable.

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Feature HD apps

Photoshop Express Price: Free

Touch up your photos in an instant
Most high-resolution phones come with stunning cameras, so you might as well take advantage of them. Photoshop Express brings key editing features from the ultra-powerful desktop software to your smartphone. The big screen of your Android smartphone is perfect for viewing and editing your photos. This great app includes everything you need to touch up your photos and turn them into something to be proud of. All your basic photo-editing features are here, including crop, rotate and adjust colour. You can even spice up your photos with various awesome artistic effects. Dont worry about using up your phones memory access your photos for free from your Photoshop account and share with your friends and family in an instant.

Pocket Price: Free

The top read-it-later app
With so many interesting websites, articles and stories out there, whats a smartphone user to do? Its hard to nd the time to read everything. Sure, you can use your browsers bookmark feature and save it for later, but how likely are you to go back and actually read it? We thought so. Pocket reinvents bookmarking on smartphones. The app is best described as a DVR for the web its our favourite read-it-later app because its so powerful, yet so easy to use. Saving a news story is a breeze. When you nd something you want to save for later, simply tap Add to Pocket and voil, its saved for later. Pocket works great on any Android device, but it looks especially stunning on a high-resolution phone. Youll be able to see so much more in its full high-resolution glory. Pocket isnt just for websites you can save your favourite blogs, videos and music. When the time is right you can view your saved content directly from your phone, or sync it up with your tablet or PC to enjoy it on an even bigger screen. And when youve read it on one device you wont see it again.

SoftMaker Office Price: from 5.99/$8.66

The closest thing to Ofce for your phone
The Play store is packed with full and impressive Ofce suites, but none can match SoftMaker Ofce for its range of features and ease of use. It maintains formatting from MS Ofce apps created on a desktop as well as any other app weve seen, and gives you tremendous levels of control over creating those documents on the device itself. The app is not the cheapest, and you need to buy the word processing, spreadsheet and presentation apps individually, which does make it an expensive outlay if you require all three, but its worth it for power users. The presentation support is particularly good, and it is possible to create and work with some very complex and powerful spreadsheets as well, making your HD phone feel more and more like a miniature personal computer in your pocket. Each of the three apps are available as a 30-day trial for you to try.

Camera ZOOM FX
Price: 1.79/$2.99

Snap professional photos instantly

Snap high-resolution photos in an instant with Camera ZOOM FX. Its the perfect companion app for Photoshop Express snap photos and touch them up with Adobes powerful app. The app offers a host of cool features, including multi-shooting modes and auto-focus. One-click uploading makes sharing photos with friends and family via Facebook, Flickr and Twitter easy. The app lives up to its name and more pinch to zoom up to six times to capture even the smallest of detail. View your photos instantly on your big screen phone. Apply effects and instantly see the results. The app is perfect for shooting at high-speed sporting events like football

you can capture up to ten shots per second and never miss a second of the action. The power of Zoom FX makes it a must for all budding photographers.

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Apps Umano
The Google Play store is awash with various news-reading apps, and with the likes of Flipboard and Pocket dominating this sector, any new apps looking to make an impact in this area need to do something truly different to have any chance of being successful. The Umano app is trying to do just that, and offers one of the better experiences on the Play store today. The basis of the app is a large news magazine that enables you to pick and seek out news stories that youre interested in. There are a wide range of categories to choose from and each of them is regularly updated with the latest content in that sector. Each category in

Playmarkers

15min wonder
Umano Want your money back? Youve got 15 mins to decide!
! 5 15 10 ! 5 15 10 ! 5 15 10

Scan these QR codes for direct links to the Google Play Store

0-5 minutes

Looking at the different categories we can search

5-10 minutes

Listening to a story about Raspberry Pi

10-15 minutes
keep

Creating a playlist of our favourite stories

An app that reads the latest news stories to you

question has their own various news sources, with Umano favouring more feature-based pieces instead of short news stories. Certain categories have a limited amount of sources, but the app is continually looking to bring more onboard. Theres a distinct lack of short news stories, which probably dont lend themselves well to the audio format, and the longer feature-based news pieces arent as hard-hitting as they could be. With this in mind, youll probably want to use Umano alongside a more news-orientated app, such as the BBC or Sky News apps. After discovering a story that interests you, instead of reading it through the app, Umano instead uses a voice actor to read the story out to you. At rst its a slightly odd experience having the news read to you in this format, but for lengthy features its a great alternative. Voices are easy to understand, and stories are read at a steady pace. After listening to a story, you can add it to a playlist to save it for later, or even download it on to your device for ofine listening. Each story also

refund

EDITORS CHOICE

comes with a direct link to the website where it was published, if you want to read at the same time. Theres also an extremely social side to the Umano app, and if you nd a particular story you want to highlight to your friends theres a host of choices available to you. The normal Bluetooth sharing is available, but youll also nd Facebook and Twitter support, and the app even includes support for many third-party communication apps, such as WhatsApp and Viber. Due to the fact that each story is considerable in size, it can take a while for each story to send over, and we found Facebook integration to be hit and miss. Theres no denying that news apps can be extremely similar, but with Umano you get something entirely different. Having the news read to you directly can be a slightly odd experience at rst, but the sheer inventive nature of the application has to be applauded, and in the end, you get a top-quality app that looks to move the news app genre in a totally fresh direction.

Each story is read to you at a steady pace

like this? try this!

An elegant app that displays the latest headlines with great images and clean design.

Pulse News

specification Price Free

Designed for: Phone and tablet Requires Android: 2.2

verdict
Performance Design Value
A lazy way to enjoy the latest headlines every day
There are a range of news categories to look through in Umano

best free alternative

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TAPTU - DJ YOUR NEWS Get instant access to all your interests and favourite news sources in one place.

SleepyTime Plus

Trackash

Brian Blessed Alarm Clock

izik

SleepyTime Plus
Get that eight hours of sleep you crave
Although a bedtime calculator may seem like an app youll never nd any use for, SleepyTime Plus is actually an ingenious little app. It looks to give you the exact time you need to fall asleep and wake up to feel fresh and raring to go. By using the simple input system you can manually select the time in which you either need to get up, or the time you want to be asleep by, and itll evaluate the exact time you need to correctly go to bed, or wake up. As well as displaying the most suitable time for you to wake up and fall asleep, it also displays alternate wake up times, and even tells you the exact amount of sleep you can expect when choosing them. Once youve selected an appropriate time, you can create an alarm for it within the app. Its easy to set up and will deactivate any other alarm you currently have set up on your phone. The alarm tones tend to be on the quiet side, so make sure you have your phones volume turned up loud, or download a third-party volume manager from the Play store. Accompanying the app is a home screen widget which gives you quick access to some of the basic features of the app. The widget is customisable depending on how you want to use it, and by pressing on it, you can open up the app. The app uses the Holo theme throughout, making it look stylish and modern, and the minimalist design across
Choose an appropriate time using the intuitive input system

SleepyTime makes it run really quickly as well. Although there are several similar apps on the Google Play store that perform comparable

EDITORS CHOICE

functions to SleepyTime, its its ease of use and modern design that really set it apart from the competition. If you have trouble sleeping or waking up, then SleepyTime Plus is denitely the app for you.

Designed for: Phone and tablet Requires Android: 2.3

specification Price 0.62/$0.99 verdict

like this? try this!

Use voice commands to set and remove your alarm at night or in the morning.

WakeVoice

A great way to ensure you will never wake up feeling groggy again

Trackash
Expenses manager that likes to keep things simple
Expense management apps can be tricky affairs at times, offering overcomplicated systems for what is ultimately a simple task. Thankfully, Trackash aims to do things a little differently. The app uses a navigable interface that requires minimal input to enter all your expenses and income in one place. Every entry you create can be categorised and specied to represent your income or expenditure. After creating a backlog of entries while using the app, you can then begin searching for particular entries by their date, value and name. The search system is a bit too basic at times, and often entries are missed out, even if you directly search for them. Overall, if youre looking for a simple way to track your expenses and income without an array of daunting features to cover, look no further than the Trackash app.

Brian Blessed Alarm Clock

The ultimate wake-up call for Blessed fans
You cant help but have a soft spot for the Brian Blessed Alarm Clock app. First off youll nd a wide array of alarm tones, all featuring Blesseds voice, to help you wake up in the morning. Theres also a variety of colourful animations that appear when your alarm goes off, which can be altered to your tastes. Despite his booming voice, the alarm volume is a little on the quiet side, but this can be easily altered within the apps settings menu.

A search engine optimised for tablets

With izik you can get a fully tablet-optimised search engine that looks to rival the likes of Google and Yahoo. Instead of displaying text-based results based on your search, izik instead produces an image-rich page lled with a variety of content that makes good use of the extra screen. Theres a great gesture system implemented to make browsing even easier, and the option to share your search results on your Facebook and Twitter. Although izik is phonefriendly, it isnt optimised for smaller devices.

izik

like this? try this!

As well as tracking your daily spending, this app can also be used to help you budget.

Expense Manager

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.3

Price 0.69/$1.11 Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.1

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.3.3

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Apps
Hushed Anonymous Calls, SMS
Use Hushed to keep your phone calls private
Hushed enables you to buy a range of disposable phone numbers, which help keep your phone calls private. To begin you need to select the area in which you want your disposable number to be based theres a wide variety from all over the world, but if you want to make locals calls, make sure to choose a number from your current location. Once selected, you can then purchase a payment plan for the number that lets you use the number for either three, ten or 30 days. Prices are competitive, and youll save a decent amount if you plan on making international calls. With each number purchased you get free SMS and voicemail capabilities. Voicemail works like a charm, but receiving SMS responses is hit and miss. After youve used the number for your allotted time, itll then be deleted completely. Despite a few performance issues, Hushed is a quality service for those who want to keep their call history private.

Playmarkers

Scan these QR codes for direct links to the Google Play Store

Hushed

Gogobot

LINE Brush

Gogobot
Whether youre planning a romantic weekend or your next getaway, Gogobot is a thorough and comprehensive travel companion app for every occasion. Wherever youre planning to go, you can input the location in to Gogobot, and it then displays the best hotels, restaurants and landmarks in the area for you to visit. To then take things further,

Discover the best holiday destinations around the world

the app will display a range of user reviews for each restaurant and hotel for you to scrutinise and look through. All the user reviews sent to Gogobot are manually reviewed before being published, so youll only ever see a well put together piece. Some locations have a lot more detail and reviews attached to them than others, but in general youll nd a wealth of knowledge to enjoy. Gogobot also includes several social media elements that users can take advantage of. Theres a prole system where you can keep a log of your travels, and upload postcards of the places youve visited. This is by far one of the best features of Gogobot, and the interaction you can have with other users while using this feature is superb. You can also connect to Facebook, letting you notify your friends where you have travelled to recently, and then invite them to use Gogobot as well. Another feature worth checking out is the Featured tab, an interesting addition that takes inspiration from the likes of Instagram and other photo sharing

Read user reviews of different places

apps. In this part of the app you can upload pictures of your location in a postcard format, enabling others to leave comments and recommend the picture to their friends for them to look at. Its a great way to start chatting to other people and even get some insider tips about certain locations that you havent previously visited. Although the social elements are impressive, its important to note

Search for a specic location and discover the best hotels and restaurants

best free alternative

TRIPIT TRAVEL ORGANIZER NO-AD Create a virtual version of your travel log and ight details to stay organised.

LINE Brush
Sketch and draw on your smartphone
LINE Brush is a simple enough sketch and draw app that benets from a wide range of design features that will keep you coming back again and again. Upon opening the app, you have the choice to create an entirely new sketch from scratch, or use a previously taken photo to implement a few edits on. The choice of brushes, pencils and pens on offer for you to draw and edit images is impressive, and each is colourfully represented, enabling you to see what theyll look like on your drawing. You can also optimise the quality of the image to make it easier to send, but it makes little difference to the image itself. LINE Brush is a rather simplistic sketching app that boasts an impressive selection of features, but lacks the depth of more prominent design apps.

Choose an area code that you want to use for your number

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.1

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.3

best free alternative

KATALK SKETCH Link the Katalk Sketch app with KakaoTalk and send your drawings to your contacts.

70

BlueBox

like this? try this!

Use myBuddy to nd the best deals in locations all over the world.

myBuddy TravelPlanner

quickhits
top apps for...

USING TWITTER

that Gogobot can drain your battery when not in use, so its important to make sure you limit how often it can sync itself in your settings menu. At its core, Gogobot is a travel companion app with an encyclopedic knowledge of the worlds best locations, but it also spreads into several areas of social media which makes Gogobot a pleasure to go travelling with. The loading of high-quality images leads Gogobot to be a battery sapper, but with the correct management its a pleasure to use time and time again.

specification Price Free

Designed for: Phone and tablet Requires Android: 2.2

15min wonder
Want your money back? Youve got 15 mins to decide!
! 5 15 10 ! 5 15 10 ! 5 15 10

verdict
Performance Design Value
From Egypt to Ecuador, Gogobot will give you encyclopedic knowledge

A Twitter client that can be controlled by a range of simple gestures. Each area of the application is customisable to suit your preferences and needs from the social network.

Carbon for Twitter Free

0-5 minutes

Looking for some exotic places to visit

5-10 minutes

Echofon PRO for Twitter

EDITORS CHOICE
Manage your timeline in a variety of ways, while also creating alternative news feeds. The accompanying fully featured desktop widget is another plus.

2.99/$4.99

Reading some user reviews on Honolulu

10-15 minutes
keep

Uploading our very own postcard of Bournemouth!

refund

Falcon Pro (for Twitter)

Blistering loading speeds make Falcon Pro a pleasure to use. You cant fault the design here either it looks stunning throughout each and every menu.

BlueBox
Create beats with your own digits
BlueBox markets itself as a musical instrument, but ultimately its more of a music creation tool. The app consists of just over 160 dots, with each producing a different sound. As you begin to press several dots the sounds link up together, and gradually you create a recurring beat. On either side of your music board are an array of coloured dots which represent different scales and base tones you can implement. By pressing on one of these, you can drag it across your board to create a truly unique sound. The problem with BlueBox is that theres no tutorial of note, so getting started with what the app is, and how to use it, is a real problem. Unless youve been studying music, chances are you wont be able to distinguish between the various scales or base tones.

1.29/$1.96

TweetDeck works as a mobile browser to help stay connected to your Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare accounts. With so much information, load times can be a little slow.

TweetDeck Free

like this? try this!

Create music samples and blend them together to mix awesome sounds.

ReLoop Loop Sequencer

Price 0.50/$0.99 Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.1

As well as having a very slick design, Slice benets from some great incremental features that make using it a real pleasure. You can even bookmark your favourite accounts!

Slices for Twitter Free

Check our website daily for even more app reviews

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

71

Apps

Playmarkers

Scan these QR codes for direct links to the Google Play Store

Ditalix Live Wallpaper Suite

Pup-e-cards

Yeloworld

Ditalix Live Wallpaper Suite

Add some eye-catching style to your phone or tablet
The variety of live wallpapers included in this suite is staggering, and with each one having around ten to 12 different styles of customisations you can apply, being able to nd a wallpaper that will look good on your phone or tablet is no problem at all. As well as being able to alter the colour of each wallpaper, you can also add shapes, animations and a selection of glow effects to make it stand out. To make the most of these additions, the suite supports multi-touch for switching between home screens, which many other live wallpaper suites dont cater for. Theres little lag when using each of the wallpapers, but adding a wide variety of effects can slow it down on occasions. If youre in the market for a new live wallpaper, look no further than the Ditalix Live Wallpaper Suite.

Yeloworld: Cheap Calls Worldwide

Avoid that dreaded astronomical phone bill with the Yeloworld app for Android
There is already a plethora of apps helping you to make cheap international calls, but Yeloworld aims to make it that little bit easier. With the app you can make calls to any mobile or xed landline, and even better, the person receiving the call doesnt need the Yeloworld app installed. To make calls you need to buy some minutes within the app. Rates are ridiculously cheap and you can pay for your minutes through a variety of methods. It takes a little while for your new minutes to be added to your account, but this is only a small issue. Call quality is clear, and no matter where youre calling to and from, the app does a good job at trying to offer decent quality throughout. Every time you call a new number, its automatically added to your contacts list a helpful feature if you plan to call that number numerous times.

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.2

best free alternative

PHOTO FX LIVE WALLPAPER An intriguing wallpaper app that puts your gallery photos into a collage.

Pup-e-cards from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Get the tissues ready, cute puppies are approaching
Send free, personalised eCards to friends and spread the word about the work the Guide Dogs charity does to train up the next line of guide dogs for the blind. Each eCard can be tted with a picture of one of the Guide Dogs very own puppies, and a heartfelt message. The range of puppies to choose from is great, and the cuteness level is certainly at the maximum level. Once youve chosen a puppy, you can enter a small passage of text and then choose the type of frame you want. Apart from sending eCards, the app also lets you sync your calendar or add new event reminders. It keeps you up to date with Guide Dogs news, and theres also the option to sponsor a guide dog puppy or to text and donate so you can do your bit to help out.

Updated contacts list

Yelo keeps its own account of your contacts list above your keypad for you to use when you want to make a call to a recognised number. When you make a call to an unknown number, this is also saved in your list of contacts for future reference

Get to know the features of Yeloworld

Although simple on the surface, Yeloworld includes several features you should take advantage of

Add some minutes

Price Free Designed for Phone Requires Android 2.2

By opening up the Add Currency screen, you can buy minutes for your calls. Compared to normal call rates, a call through Yelo is just over 90% cheaper!

Change over numbers

People app link

Theres no need to create a new account if you get a new number. Simply go into the apps settings and input your new number in the Account section.

Each contact you call will have a listing of them stored in Yeloworld. By pressing the button on the right of a contact, youll be taken to their information in the People app.

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Sliding Messaging Pro

Sliding Messaging Pro

Slide out an intuitive messaging menu to make texting easier
Changing numbers
If you get a new number, you can switch over from your previous number you registered with Yelo to your new one

Manage call log

After making a series of calls in Yelo, your call log will soon start to expand. By pressing the button on the right-hand side of the keypad, you can fully manage your call log

Make the call

The keypad works the same as any standard keypad, but connecting calls can be a bit slower than normal. While using the app, make sure to include the area code of each number or Yelo wont recognise it

like this? try this!

Brilliant sound quality makes this cheap calls provider a true winner.

Rebtel: Free and Cheap Calls

Managing several text message conversations at the same time can be a tricky process and even worse if your device suffers from noticeable slowdown. The Sliding Messaging Pro app offers a new concept to users, and one that will save you time and effort. In short, the app works as a standard messaging app, enabling you to send, receive and manage all your text messages. What makes it different are the menus that surround the main messaging screen. Users can drag a menu from each side of the screen that perform different functions. Sliding from the left will produce a menu letting you switch to a different conversation, or simply switch between contacts, whereas sliding from the right lets you start a new conversation and access the apps settings menu. Each sliding menu is customisable to t your inbox and how you want to use the

like this? try this!

A simple pop-up system to help you message and still watch a movie.

POPUP 7

app, but options are fairly limited. Despite Sliding Messaging Pro being a ridiculously simple app, it provides a functional service that makes messaging on your phone a far simpler experience. Its just a pity it isnt available on any devices with Gingerbread, or earlier, running on it.

specification Price Free

Designed for: Phone and tablet Requires Android: 2.1

verdict
Performance Design Value
An easy way to keep track of your international calls

Designed for: Phone Requires Android: 4.0

specification Price 0.62/$0.99 verdict

best free alternative

Clever messaging companion makes balancing multiple tasks easy

VIBER : FREE CALLS & MESSAGES Make free calls and texts to contacts and send large media les in Viber.
Drag out the sliding menu to switch between your contacts

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head tohead to head

Which of these apps offers the best GPS navigation at no expense at all?

NAVFREE vs MAPDROYD
specification Price Free
Designed for: Phone and tablet Requires Android: 2.2

Following closely behind Google Maps are a wide range of full GPS navigation apps all vying for your love. Weve put two of the best of the rest options in head-to-head combat to see which you should use to help you nd your way around the world

specification Price Free

Designed for: Phone and tablet Requires Android: 2.2

Navfree
As standard, Navfree doesnt come with any maps packaged with it, and instead youll need to download a map for each individual country you visit. After enabling the GPS in your devices settings, Navfree automatically tracks your current location and gives you the option to save it for future reference. The maps displayed by Navfree are highly customisable and can be modied to suit how you want your direction and navigation tools to look. For the most part, Navfree does a tremendous job at nding particular places of interest or specic addresses when you search for them directly. The 3D view in Navfree is great for tracking your directions, and the accompanying voice-over works fairly well, even if its a little quiet.

MapDroyd

COVERAGE TRACKING CURRENT LOCATION

MapDroyd also comes without any maps preinstalled, and instead requires you to download them individually. The choice is very impressive. The app keeps a current track of your GPS location, and offers a choice of markers to help pinpoint specic locations you pass on your travels. There arent many options to chose from when it comes to alternate map views in MapDroyd. You can choose a black and white map mode, however. Searching for specic places is easy in MapDroyd, but the results can be a mixed bag and some places may contain details wrongly listed. As well as offering a voice-orientated GPS feature, the app also offers step-by-step directions which are really easy to follow.

ALTERNATE VIEWS FIND SPECIFIC PLACES GET DIRECTIONS

And the winner is...

NAVFREE

Navfree feels like a more complete app, and the level and detail the app shows off is impressive to say the least. Getting directions is easy theres a great choice of maps available, and best of all, its completely free for Android phones and tablets. 75

Games

Playmarkers

Scan these QR codes for direct links to the Google Play Store

Temple Run 2

Beat the Beast

Temple Run 2
Second installment is 2013s sure-re hit
The original Temple Run was a massive hit on the Google Play store, and after only a few weeks of release, the second installment had already hit 10 million downloads. Temple Run 2 sees you returning to the jungle as you navigate cliffs, mines and zip lines as you try and outrun the monster chasing you. In essence, the game has the same charm that made the original a joy to play. Its as fast-paced as ever, the same scoring system is present, and the need to be quick with your swipes is still vitally important. This time around, however, the developers have added a selection of new obstacles for you to bypass. Occasionally youll come across an old disused mining shaft, which with help from a coal cart, youll need to balance your way through while avoiding cliff edges and collecting coins along the way. There are also zip lines which youll need to time your jump correctly to latch on to, and even perilous cliff edges that are more infuriating than theyre worth when your phone doesnt tilt in the direction you want it to. The unlock system works in the same way as it did with its predecessor. As you collect gems and coins, which can be used as an extra life during a run, youll be able to choose to unlock new power-ups and characters. Theres an option to purchase more coins for unlocks, but with enough play time, you shouldnt need to spend a penny. Ultimately, Temple Run 2 offers very little in terms of new design and
The longer you survive the quicker your score increases

Tilt the cart left and right to balance yourself

gameplay, and although the new obstacles are a nice aesthetic touch, this feels more of a rehashed version of the original Temple Run. But when judged as a game in its own individual right, its superb in every area, offering a thrilling game experience and a rewarding unlock system to boot.

Collect coins to unlock new items

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.1

what weve been playing

Finger Army 1942
Get your reexes ready and start whacking the heads of these mutated thumbs. Collect points for bashing the heads of the enemy soldier thumbs.

Beat the Beast

Fairy tales with an attitude problem
Tower defence games are in abundance on the Google Play store, so for developers to try and nd a unique twist is a difcult job. Where Beat the Beast aims to be different is with its 3D graphics. The world you play in is presented entirely in 3D, enabling you to control how you play through a series of nger gestures, but they arent implemented very well. The game itself sees you protecting your kingdoms gates from waves of monsters. To help your effort further, you can build an assortment of weapons and magic
Youll encounter more enemies as levels progress

0.59/$0.99

Trying to complete all 100 mysteries of The Curse is hard, but trying to then nd all the hidden secrets is another game in its entirety. Brilliantly addictive, and a true brain teaser.

The Curse 1.27/$1.99

Recommend a game

76

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towers. The selection is pretty poor really, but the animation involved with each is remarkably good. There are two versions of the game available for download, and despite the paid version of the app being vastly superior, you still have the issue of intrusive ads throughout, which unfortunately has a negative impact on the gameplay.

Price 0.63/$0.99 Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.3.3

Ironfell

Call of Mini: Brawlers

Steampunk Racing 3D

Ironfell

EDITORS CHOICE

quickhits
Ikaruga 5.62/$9.00

Command, conquer and pillage to your hearts content

game, and how quick you are to get your troops up and running, youll have no trouble blitzing through the campaign. That isnt necessarily a bad thing, however, as the game is substantially long winded, and will keep you going for hours. Theres no multiplayer element included in Ironfell, which will be a disappointment to some, as this sort of strategy game lends itself perfectly to various multiplayer elements. It isnt the most visually appealing game on the Google Play store, but Ironfell brings with it an incredibly detailed and interesting game that youll want to take the time to conquer several times. We cant recommend it highly enough.

Ironfell is a real-time strategy game that aims to combine the elements of time travel and war in to a single game, and boy does it work. You start off as an explorer who must gather resources, build units and structures to defeat enemies. As you progress through the story, youll move on to bigger terrains, and need to conquer enemy troops and strongholds to gain the upper hand. The further you delve into the game, the more troops and structures youll unlock, and with 64 types of troops at your disposal, there are plenty of things to keep you interested for some time. Depending on the amount of sourcing you do at the start of the

When done correctly, top-down shooters are a joy, and Ikaruga is just that. Levels are varied, enemies are plentiful and theres a whole arsenal of weapons for you to collect along the way.

Conquer enemy strongholds to advance

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.2

Explore ancient alien mines on the planet Kratoss and save the human race. Collect different resources, solve puzzles and ght against the mines inhabitants to survive.

Gene Effect 2.00/$3.49

Slashing zombies one corpse at a time

When a radiation leak turns many of the local citizens into zombies, its up to you to take out your crazed compatriots. To do so, the game provides you with ve unlockable characters to combat the zombie hordes, and each has their own set of skills for you to exploit. There are no levels as such, and instead the game is constantly changing to provide new challenges. As you complete challenges youll receive coins, which can then be used to unlock new weapons and characters. As you go around and destroy your zombie foes, the 3D graphics come into a world of their own, and each character is beautifully animated. It can get quite bloody, with limbs ying all over the place, but Call of Mini: Brawlers is certainly worthy of a gory play through.

Call of Mini: Brawlers

Steampunk Racing 3D
The racing genre gets an industrial makeover
Steampunk Racing 3D has a very distinctive industrial feel to it. From the cars, tracks and menus, everything has been given a gritty look. Instead of being a normal racing game, Steampunk Racing 3D gives you a whole arsenal of weapons to dispose of your opponents. Weapons are activated by collecting steampiles along your route, and the more you collect, the more explosive the weapon. Each vehicle is different, and boasts many positive and negative elements. You can customise each vehicle to suit your style of racing, and even choose the array of weapons you want. Where the game falls down is with its awkward control system. Steering is near impossible for the faster cars, and trying to direct weapons in a certain direction is very tricky.

In whats a truly strange puzzle game, Rise of the Blobs requires you to destroy waves of incoming blobs and pop them in colour-matching chains. A denite pick-up-and-play title.

Rise of the Blobs Free

Kingdom Conquest II
Kingdom Conquest II blends the elements of card battling and real-time strategy to bring a new take on the action genre. Characters and missions are plentiful.

Free

NFL Matchups is an ofcially licensed game from the NFL, in which you need to collect cards to build the best virtual team possible. Play against your online friends to see who really is the best.

NFL Matchups Free

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.0.1

Price Free Designed for Phone and tablet Requires Android 2.1

Building off the success of its predecessor, Line Runner 2 is a never-ending side scroller in which you must jump, duck and avoid a whole host of obstacles and collect power-ups at the same time.

Line Runner 2 Free

Check our website for even more game reviews

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

77

Reviews

Group test
Four of the biggest names in Android tablets go head-to-head
78

ndroid tablets are nally becoming big business. Head out on the high street and youll nd an enormous range of devices at every size and every price point. From ultra-budget no-name brands to high-end models with every feature imaginable, there is something for every user. In this test weve collected together four of the best devices from the biggest brands in Android tablets. These tablets are

packed with extra functions and the kind of consumer-oriented touches that lift them beyond the normal Android experience. They include the stunning high-resolution screen with added keyboard of the Asus Transformer Innity, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, with its added stylus pen that turns the device into a comprehensive productivity tool, the Sony Tablet S, which sports a splash-proof design that makes it

feel at home in the kitchen, and the Acer Iconia A210, a ten-inch tablet that competes with the others in terms of specications but undercuts them all on price. Weve pushed each of the tablets to their limits, tested all their features (stand out and not) and compared their strengths and weaknesses to give you a worthy winner to splash the cash on. Where should your money go? Read on to nd out.

79

Reviews
Sony Xperia Tablet S
More information www.sony.co.uk

Screen size

information Price From 329

Operating system........Android 4.0 Processor...........................NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.3GHz Storage................................16GB Dimensions......................239.8 x 174.4 x 8.8mm Weight..................................570g Display..................................9.4-inch, 1,280 x 800 Connectivity....................Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS Camera ...............................8-MP back, 1-MP front

The 9.4-inch screen is a quirky mid-way between the more usual ten and seven-inch options. Some people might feel it is the best of both worlds

Not everyone will like the proprietary charge and data cable that is used by the Sony Xperia Tablet S, but at least the slot is covered to help the tablet be splash-proof

Proprietary charger

technical specs

Wedge shaped

The Sony Xperia Tablet S has a quirky wedge-shaped design which makes it feel booklike in the hand

head-to-head
Design
The wedge-like chassis design is unique and makes for an uneven weight distribution but a comfortable hold. Putting the proprietary mains/data cable under a removable cover might be overkill for some, but it helps with Sonys splash-proof claim.

General performance
The quad-core processor never seemed to be challenged during our testing, and the Sony Xperia Tablet S was responsive under the ngers. Battery life should be enough to get you through a weekend away from home too, which is always a pleasure.

Features
The 9.4-inch screen sits between the usual seven and ten-inch standard and could be the ideal compromise. It makes for smallish hardware yet a screen thats suitable for video watching or eReading the Sony Reader store is here for the latter.

Sony Xperia Tablet S

W
hen Sony rst launched its Tablet S it caused a fair few raised eyebrows. This was because of the wedge-shaped design that made it look very, very different from the competition. The shape (fatter along one long edge than the other) was not just about trying to look different, though. It also meant the Tablet S was different than the norm to hold. For some consumers, it was more booklike, for others it was just plain awkward. Sony has stuck with the design idea in the newer Xperia Tablet S, although there is now more metal in the design, which makes for a much more solid feel. The wedgy design means it is heavier at one horizontal end than the other, and when holding it in wide mode that feels a little odd at rst. The 9.4-inch screen is the smallest in our group test, and inevitably that means the hardware is the smallest too. In some respects the screen, with its 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution, is a good compromise

SD card support

An SD card slot makes it easy to bolster the internal memory, and you can use micro SD cards with the appropriate adaptor

Sony builds on the early successes of its wedge-shaped tablet with a worthy and portable successor
between the smaller seven inchers that arent great for media viewing and the larger 10-1-inchers that can sometimes be a bit of a pain to carry. It is certainly sharp enough, and viewing angles are good. The Tegra 3 quad-core processor is nippy enough, and stereo speakers along the bottom-edge deliver plenty of volume even if the sound is a bit on the tinny side. The fact that Sony has made the Xperia Tablet S splash-proof will no doubt appeal to some people too. Sony has added a variety of apps that bulk out Android 4, including a universal remote control, Evernote and something called Free Type Ofce Suite for document production. Various Sony stores for music, movies and eBooks are here too. The proprietary charger and data cable slot wont please everyone, and Sony has found room for an SD card slot so you can use this larger-sized card as well as micro SD with an adaptor, but theres no HDMI here, which is an infuriating omission.

Connectivity
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both here, but a proprietary data cable is irritating and theres no USB alternative. Nor is there HDMI which isnt great. The ability to use it as a TV remote might appeal, though.

Verdict Quirky design and proprietary

charge/data cable could be hit and miss. It does run fast, though, and is very portable

80

Group test
Metal chassis
The metal used in the chassis gives the Transformer Pad Innity a classy look and makes it tough to boot. The metal extends into the keyboard too The keyboard docks very securely to the tablet, and the keys themselves are well made and easy to work with. A shortcuts row above the numbers adds extra Android-specic functions

Keyboard

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

information Price 614

More information www.asus.com

Connectivity options

technical specs

With USB and SD on the keyboard, and HDMI and micro USB on the tablet, there are plenty of connectivity options here

Operating system........Android 4.0 Processor...........................NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.6GHz Storage................................64GB Dimensions......................263 x 180.8 x 8.5mm (with
Hidden in the keyboard is a second battery which can add vital hours to the Transformer Pad Innitys overall life away from mains power

Battery boost

dock 263 x 180.8 x 16.518.9mm) Weight..................................598g (with dock 1,135g) Display..................................10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 Connectivity ....................Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, HDMI, USB Camera ...............................8-MP back, 2-MP front

head-to-head
Design
A solid metal chassis gives the Transformer Pad Innity an air of class as well as toughness, while the keyboard is well built and comfortable to use. We especially like the very useful function keys that sit above the number row.

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

The Transformer Pad Innity has oodles of storage and a clip-on keyboard to boost its enticing set of features

General performance
The extra battery on the keyboard gives a real boost to longevity, enabling you to be mains-free for longer than any other tablet in this group, while the quad-core processor is super-fast and rattles through anything you throw at it.

Features
While other tablets in this group have a 10.1-inch screen, none can match the 1,920 x 1,200 pixels on offer here. None come even close. Video, text, pictures, and every other type of media you sift through it is sharp and clear.

ost manufacturers are content to allow third parties to produce keyboards for their tablets, but not Asus. The Transformer Pad Innity comes with a keyboard thats all its own work. This is part of the reason for the high price of this tablet, but not all of it. The specications are above average in most respects too. That keyboard locks to the screen very securely, so that it is easy to carry the pair about like a mini notebook, or undock and just carry the tablet if thats all you think youll need. The keyboard is really comfy to use a lot nicer than most of the ones made by third parties for tablets that we have tried. And a top row of function keys for stuff like media playback, volume control, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggling and even taking screenshots is really handy. Asus adds in some apps designed to help you make the most of the keyboard, including the popular Polaris Ofce for document, spreadsheet and

slideshow work. Polaris Ofce is compatible with Microsoft Ofce for seamless work life integration. Meanwhile, the screen ought to blow you away. Its 1,920 x 1,200 resolution is higher than any other in this group by a serious margin. Text and video look great, and working in laptop mode is very comfortable. Connectivity options are strong, but you do need both screen and keyboard to take advantage of them all. Theres a micro HDMI connector on the tablet as well as a micro SD card slot. However, with a whopping 64GB of internal storage you may well not need micro SD. The keyboard has a USB connector for memory sticks and so on, as well as an SD card slot. The keyboard has a hidden trick up its sleeve it houses a second battery. Asus says this will boost the tablets nine-and-a-half hour life by up to 14 hours. Of course, that depends on what you actually do with the Transformer Pad Innity, but however you slice it up, the battery boost is another big plus.

Connectivity
With USB and SD on the keyboard and HDMI on the main body, as well as micro SD physical connectivity, this is easily the best in our group. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS all sit on the tablet itself, too.

Verdict In terms of features, battery,

expansion and performance, this is stunning. But for the price you could get a laptop

81

Reviews
Acer Iconia A210
www.acer.co.uk

Camera

information Price 250

More information Operating system........Android 4.0 Processor...........................NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.2GHz Storage................................16GB Dimensions......................260 x 175 x 12.4mm Weight..................................710g Display..................................10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 Connectivity....................Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS Camera ...............................No rear, 2-MP front

Acer has chosen to provide just a single camera on the Iconia A210, and to make that a two-megapixel front-facing one. This isnt ideal for photography fans

USB

A full-sized USB slot can handle a mouse and keyboard as well as storage devices like a USB stick or hard drive. So its easy to side load large video les

technical specs

head-to-head
Design
Thick, heavy and with a slightly springy plastic back, Asus doesnt do the Iconia A210 any favours with its physical design and build quality. You will have to look underneath the hood to nd the good stuff.

Application picker

Acer has added a nifty app available from the navigation bar, which lets you jump to apps and bookmarks, adjust volume and even take a screen shot

General performance
The quad-core processor ensures things trip along nicely, and we cant complain about the screens responsiveness. Battery life left a bit to be desired though, and we wouldnt want to go too far without that power cable in our bag.

Features
The 10.1-inch screen offers an unsurprising 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution. It doesnt go especially bright, so using the tablet outdoors isnt great, but inside it is ne. If youre looking for a decent camera, look away now.

Acer Iconia A210

O
ne of the things Acer has had to compromise on to meet its Iconia A210 price is hardware design. This is a heavy tablet at just over 700g, and you will really notice that in your hands even after a short time. None of the other tablets in this group weigh more than 600g. Another compromise area is the general chassis design. Seen from the front the Iconia A210 looks standard enough. The rounded corners and black and silver colour scheme are both comfortingly familiar. But the tablet is more than 12mm thick, while none of the others in this group go over 9mm. This makes a big difference in that the Iconia Tab looks a lot less sleek than its three competitors. Meanwhile the backplate is obviously made from plastic and bows slightly if you press it. The stippled nish isnt the greatest looking either, but it does help make the Iconia A210 grippy. A glance at the backplate also reveals the lack of a rear camera. The

The chassis is surprisingly thick, measuring 12.4mm. It feels chubby in the hands because of this, and a weight that tips over 700g doesnt do the holdability quotient any favours at all

Thick and heavy

Acers tablet sports a fast processor considering its low price, and plenty of other plus points
two-megapixel front camera will have to sufce. We arent fans of the small round pin charging port either. If you can live with all this you do get a fair amount of punch for your money. That processor is a big deal. A quad-core engine room, albeit one thats slower than the very top-end of the quad-core brigade, works well. The standard micro USB is accompanied by a full-sized USB port that can accommodate a mouse or keyboard and read from a USB stick or hard drive. A large, and quite ugly, hinged cover protects a micro SD card slot and, unusually, a reset button. We like the rotation lock switch, and there are stereo speakers on the back that deliver good quality sound. On the software front, additions include a neat application picker you can call up at any time, which also includes a volume slider, screen grabber and shortcut to web bookmarks. There is also a video player that supports plenty of formats and a music player that makes the most of the big screen.

Connectivity
With micro USB built in youd think you could charge easily, but a proprietary round pin charger is required. We do like the full-sized USB this responded to our test mouse and keyboard perfectly.

Verdict Compromises have been

made to meet a price but thats countered by some surprisingly good features

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Group test
Pop-out player Stylus
The all-important stylus sits in a housing on the edge of the chassis where it is easily accessed when you need it. The t is secure, so it should be safe One of the tricks of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is a pop-out video player that can sit on top of other apps letting you keep an eye on what you need while doing something else A small number of apps can be set to run side-by-side. You could read a webpage while making notes on its contents, for example

Side-by-side

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

information Price 420

www.samsung.com/uk

More information

technical specs

Operating system........Android 4.0 Processor...........................Exynos quad-core 1.4GHz Storage................................16GB Dimensions......................257.8 x 175.3 x 8.9mm Weight..................................597g Display..................................10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 pixels Connectivity....................Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, GPS Camera ...............................5-MP back, 1.9-MP front

head-to-head
Design
Twin speakers are built into the front of the chassis so their sound is not mufed by anything

Speakers

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Samsungs Galaxy Note 10.1 is a compelling medley of a traditional tablet and pen-based device

The slick and thin chassis with its twin speakers facing towards the user make for a distinctive look that is appealing and ergonomic. The stylus ts neatly into its chassis too though only one way round so inserting it can be a ddle.

General performance
The quad-core processor is capable of handling what Samsung wants it to, with the pop-out video player running smoothly and twin apps running side-by-side easily. Battery life is perhaps on the short side, but its not dire by any stretch.

Features
While offering a pretty standard resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels the screen is very bright and video viewing is an absolute treat. Text generally looks crisp and sharp, and the screen is extremely nger (and stylus) responsive.

amsung has a very strong presence in the smartphone sector with its extremely popular Galaxy S III phone. In between this and the also popular 10.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab sits the Galaxy Note, often described as either a mini tablet or a giant phone, and armed with pen-based input. After the initial success of the Note, its pen-based characteristics have been brought to the big screen as the Galaxy Note 10.1. Looking remarkably similar to the Galaxy Tab this device might at rst seem unnecessary. But in fact it is extremely compelling. The basic design is every inch Samsung, with our white sample sporting a glossy backplate and silver strips down the short edges. These strips house twin speakers a great location as their sound cant be mufed by anything like a desk or clothing. The screen might be an average resolution, but it is sharp and bright. There is a micro SD card under a neat cover, and an infrared port so you can use the

Galaxy Note 10.1 as a remote control for your TV. It is nice to see Bluetooth 4.0 here, and GPS and Wi-Fi are also present. The stylus is all important, though. Extract it and a side bar pops out offering access to various apps. These include Photoshop Touch, S Note (for making notes), S Planner (a diary) and Polaris Ofce. You can download more from Google Play. You can congure a few apps to run side-by-side: S Note, Polaris Ofce, Gallery, email and the web browser. This makes it easy to use one app and make notes in another. The Galaxy Note 10.1 also has the pop-out player that Samsung uses on other devices you can watch video while running another app. And there are some mini apps too, which you can call up readily. These include a version of S Note for taking quick jottings. With a good processor supported by a generous 2GB of RAM and a capable quad-core processor, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is a whole new take on Android tablet computing.

Connectivity
It is nice to see Bluetooth 4 alongside Wi-Fi. The infrared is unusual but allows for remote control of TVs. And theres HDMI out too, though you need to buy an adaptor rather than using a native port.

The combo of stylus, some nice software twists and stylish design make this slab a very attractive proposition

Verdict

83

Reviews

The winner
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

GROUP TEST WINNER

his was a difcult group from which to pick a winner. With such a variety of devices we had to think carefully about how well each one met our expectations. An honourable mention has to go to the Asus Transformer Pad Innity for its superb screen and excellent keyboard design, and for the way the two elements impressively hold together as if they were a single device.

But in the end our winner was the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. This tablet quite simply raises the bar in terms of functionality, and it is up to the rest of the pack to try to catch up. Its innovative features include the ability to run two apps side-by-side, Samsungs super pop-out video player, its clever mini apps, and of course, the stylus. Between them these give this tablet potential above and beyond

what the competition currently offers. Implementing these features is not just gimmicky, either. Whats on offer here is as useful at work as the classroom. Samsung has not stinted on base specications either, with a very capable processor providing the power that keeps everything running smoothly. And, to cap it all off, the distinctive Samsung chassis design is attractive and sleek.

Sony Xperia Tablet S

Processor Storage Camera Platform Display resolution Weight Dimensions Connectivity Overall score
NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.3GHz 16GB 8-MP back, 1-MP front Android 4.0 9.4-inch, 1,280 x 800 570g 239.8 x 174.4 x 8.8mm Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.6GHz 64GB 8-MP back, 2-MP front Android 4.0 10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 598g (with dock 1,135g) 263 x 180.8 x 8.5mm (with dock 263 x 180.8 x 16.5-18.9mm) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, HDMI, USB

Acer Iconia A210

NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.2GHz 16GB No rear, 2-MP front Android 4.0 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 711g 260 x 175 x 12.4mm Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Exynos 1.4GHz 16GB 5-MP back, 1.9-MP front Android 4.0 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 583g 257.8 x 175.3 x 8.9mm Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, GPS

84

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Reviews
Monolithic
The device is large, at and square, like so many classic Sony designs. The sharp edges do make it feel large in the hand, but it slides into a pocket perfectly

The phone is an exercise in minimalist design

The power button is located halfway up the side of the device, directly under the thumb of your right hand or the forenger of your left

Power button

The phone comes in black, white and purple versions. We tend to favour the white over the black

Colour choices

Memory expansion

On the left edge is a slot for a micro SD card. You can add one up to 32GB to augment the 16GB of storage already onboard

Full HD

The Xperia Z sports a 1080p display that is stunning for watching videos and presents text with a clarity we havent seen outside of E-Ink displays. The viewing angles could be greater, though

Sony Xperia Z
86

With all the ports tightly sealed the Xperia Z can be dropped in water without fear that the innards will be fried

Waterproof

Sonys new agship phone features a huge 1080p display and is protected against the weather. But does it deliver enough to help Sony compete with the best of its rivals?

Power management

Sonys Power Management feature enables you to stretch the battery life as far as possible, and works very well

he Xperia Z sees Sony looking to build on its recent success as an Android handset manufacturer. Having jumped ahead of HTC in market share and with a greater focus on the high end, the Z is Sonys agship device for 2013. It brings with it a host of new features ranging from a full 1080p display, to waterproof housing. It is with this that the company will be looking to start chipping away at Samsungs vast lead. But does it have what it takes?

Design and build

With a ve-inch display squeezed in a body only marginally larger than the Galaxy S III, the Xperia Z stays just the right side of phablet territory, although it does push the limits of how large a smartphone can realistically be. As much as we like a larger screen on an Android device we wouldnt want them to go beyond this point for mainstream, general purpose products. The phone feels large, thanks to its design. It adopts Sonys trademark monolith style, but while that works ne for TVs and game consoles, feels far less appropriate in what is the most personal

piece of tech you own. All sharp angles and square edges, the Xperia Z does not sit as comfortably in the hand as most other devices of this size. Most manufacturers curve the edges of their devices to make them seem slimmer and smoother; here they dig into your palm as you hold it and youre always aware of just how large the handset is. The device is available in three different colours: black, white and purple. We tested both the black and white versions and found the white to be far more appealing, with the lighter shade being less cold and unfriendly than the black one. It doesnt show up the ngerprints so much, something that was startlingly evident on the black model. And it also enables the power button to blend in more this is perfectly placed about halfway up the right-hand side of the device, right under your right thumb, and, oddly, is the sole chrome-coloured object on the entire phone. Otherwise the phone is an exercise in minimalist design. Theres a volume rocker alongside the power button (but no camera shutter key), and on the left, slots for micro USB and micro SD card, both well sealed. The standard headphone port is

on the top, and the micro SIM slot on the right, also all sealed. There are no buttons on the front, and the back case is not removable, limiting you to the power available in the xed 2330 mAh battery. The sole other design feature of note is a subtly placed hole in the bottom corner where you can afx a lanyard (although you will need to supply your own). For a device built for real world use this could be a surprisingly useful feature. It almost goes without saying that the build quality of the Xperia Z is exceptional. It is solid, with a fairly weighty feel, and made from plastic and glass. The phone is semi-ruggedised, IP57 certied to protect it against dust and water. It can withstand being submerged in one metre of water for up to an hour. In practice it means youre more likely to be unworried about using the phone in the rain than you would with any other device. We tested it in a variety of damp scenarios and after the initial tentativeness (holding a phone in a bowl of water is not a normal activity, after all) we were never worried that something bad might happen. You do need to make sure that the covers for all the ports are properly closed, but they do seal very

Performance tests
The Xperia Zs spec sheets flags it up as one of the most powerful Android phones on the market and our benchmark tests suggest that is not an exaggeration. Three tests for processor, graphics and browser performance suggest it beats its nearest rivals the Nexus 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note II in all areas, something that was backed up in our real world experience of the devices too.

Processor & graphics

Antutu

GPU
GLBenchmark

Browser
Vellamo

Nexus 4

Nexus 4

Nexus 4

Xperia Z

Xperia Z

Xperia Z

19780

13619

17642

Galaxy Note II

Galaxy Note II

Galaxy Note II

3332

2722

1287

1287

1975

2172

87

Reviews
Camera on test
We always have high hopes for the cameras on Sony devices, and the 13-MP camera on the Xperia Z lived up to them. As expected it excels in daylight conditions, with excellent colours and good contrast and also in the macro mode. Quality falls off somewhat in lower light conditions, one of the inevitable consequences of cramming thirteen million pixels onto a tiny sensor. Unlike other Sony phones there isnt a dedicated camera button, so you need to tap on screen to take your shots, and there is also the ability to shoot video and take stills at the same time. Sonys camera software is easy to use for the most part, and functions by default in the impressive i-Auto mode, which detects the correct mode for the camera and adjusts the settings accordingly. There are limited manual settings as well, and we would have preferred the option for more control. tightly. They also seemed to have been designed sturdily enough to last for the lifetime of the phone, although only time will tell on that one, especially in the case of the micro USB and headphone ports which may well get daily use. tilting the screen exposes far from optimal viewing angles. As a result the screen seems a tad disappointing. When youre immersing yourself in a movie it wont matter at all, its just we had hoped to be blown away by it, and we werent.

Screen

The centrepiece of the Xperia Z is its 1080p display. This full HD equates to more than two million pixels crammed into the ve-inch screen, more than double what weve been enjoying on 720p displays. The pixel density of 441ppi is hugely impressive youll squint as far as you can to see if you can discern any individual pixels, but it is impossible. It is perfect for text, which is now probably as comfortable to read as on any device outside of those with E-ink displays, and if you load it up with HD videos you will nd there are few video experiences better than what this can offer. And yes, it is noticeably better than a 720p screen. Yet the screen is far from perfect. When we had previewed the Xperia Z before we were dazzled by the sheer number of pixels, and the smoothness of the text and images it produced as a result. But the blacks on the LCD screen are not even close to being as deep as those on OLED screens, or even the SuperLCD variants used by the likes of HTC. The colours, equally, have a tendency to appear washed out and lacking in the vibrancy we would expect to see. The contrast also needs to be more, well, contrasty. Cranking up the brightness does not help it underlines the problem if anything and

Performance and battery

The hardware specs are as impressive as you would expect from a agship device, although with most high-end phones standardising on a core set of specs it is becoming difcult to read much into the hardware as written on paper. The overall user experience is now where the real qualities of a phone lie, and also present each manufacturer with the opportunity to build real differentiation into their products. For the record the Xperia Z is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor with Adreno 320 graphics and 2GB RAM. And it absolutely ies. We encountered no stutter or jerkiness as we swiped and scrolled and theres almost a brusqueness about the way some screen transitions are completed. 1080p videos and graphically rich games ran without a hitch, in both cases only a lack of oomph from the speakers letting things down. There is the full complement of wireless connectivity options on display, including 4G. Onboard storage totals 16GB, of which just under 12GB is free out of the box. You can add an extra 32GB of your own with a micro SD card. Battery life is about on a par with the other devices in this price and spec range, by which we

Low light

You will nd there are few video experiences better than what this can offer

Daylight

Pixels on the Xperia Zs screen are not discernible to the human eye

Macro

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Review
Sony Xperia Z Pixel density
The 1080p display on the ve-inch Xperia Z has stunning resolution at a level we have not seen elsewhere. At 441 pixels per inch it is more than a third greater than the 720p display on the Samsung Galaxy S III. On its own the superior quality of the display may not be immediately apparent, but place them side by side and the once-great Galaxy S III screen starts to show that even it has limitations.
More information www.sonymobile.com Supplied by www.clove.co.uk

information Price 522

Battery life
Battery life is on a par with our expectations. Itll get you through the day, but not much further

Sony Xperia Z

Samsung Galaxy S III

mean it will get you through a day of average use but not much more, while heavy use may even fall short of that. To help you get the most out of the battery Sony has equipped the Xperia Z with a very comprehensive power management app. This has two main modes: Stamina mode and Low battery mode. Stamina mode sets the mobile data connection to be switched off whenever the screen is off, so that it doesnt use extra, unneeded power when the phone is sat unused in your pocket. Its more nuanced than other third-party solutions that can do a similar thing, as it also enables you to set up a whitelist of apps that can continue to function. So, your news and weather apps may not update when the screen is off, but your emails will still get through. Low battery mode takes more of a sledgehammer approach to power saving, turning off features and reducing the screen brightness when the battery hits 30%. With a useful Estimated Standby Time predictor the Power Management app enables you to take control over your power usage more than on any other device, and can extend battery by a noticeable amount. Truth is, though, wed rather not have to spend time setting up things like this, and would prefer manufacturers to simply take issues of battery life out of the equation entirely.

Nor does it match the added functionality of HTCs Sense UI, such as in its extremely powerful camera app. As a result it is difcult to understand exactly what Sony is getting at with its skin. There isnt an obvious theme connecting all the changes; many appear to exist just because they can. Very few of the interface changes represent a better way of doing things, just a different one. Camera and music shortcuts on the lockscreen are nice, for example, but not as well implemented as the lockscreen widgets in Android 4.2, and are not accessible when the device is locked. And the software extras mostly only serve to double up on what a Google-powered Android device already offers. So you get Wisepilot and Google Maps, Walkman and Google Music, Movies and Play Movies, Sony Select and the Play Store. The rest is built to help connect the phone to the rest of the Sony ecosystem, whether it be a remote control for your Sony TV, or using the PlayStation Mobile service for a dose of retro gaming. Theres nothing in the software thats bad, per se, but none of it represents a reason why you would choose this phone over any other. And if thats the case then wed take an unskinned Android every time.

technical specs

Operating system...............Android 4.2 Processor...................................Snapdragon 1.5GHz quad-core Memory.......................................2GB RAM, 16GB storage Dimensions..............................139 x 71 x 7.9mm Weight ..........................................146g Display size...............................Five-inch Display resolution...............1080 x 1920 pixels Expansion slot.......................micro SD

Sony Xperia Z
Sony Xperia T
issue 019

Samsung Galaxy S III

issue 013

better than

worse than

Superfast, excellent performance let down only slightly by the average battery life A distinctive, minimal style with rock-solid build that is protected against the elements All the basics are here but not a whole lot in the way of new ideas. Software adds little Priced in line with most flagship phones. Which is to say, very expensive

Performance Design

Verdict

Software

The Power Management feature is the best part of Sonys added software, which otherwise fails to match up to some of its counterparts. Sony has comprehensively reskinned the user interface, which sits atop Android 4.1.2. Its fairly light and easy to use, but only has a few hints at Androids Holo theme, so is not entirely consistent with the Google apps and an increasing number of third-party apps that also adopt that look. The software falls short of being as ambitious as that on Samsungs TouchWiz, which includes a whole suite of utilities aimed at reducing your direct interaction with the device, be it through speech, or eye tracking or other gestures.

The Xperia Z is Sonys best smartphone to date. It takes the ideas the company has been working on over the last few years, and throws them all together in a more rened and polished manner. It ticks all the right boxes, yet theres something missing. Maybe its the design its a beautiful, striking phone but it feels larger in the hand than other devices with a similar footprint. Maybe its the screen, which has stunning resolution but lacks the vibrancy that weve seen elsewhere. Or maybe it is the software, which adds little value. Or maybe were being too harsh. As a media device, a camera phone or a workhorse capable of nishing any task you throw at it we have no complaints. The bottom line is the Xperia Z is a great example of a high-end Android phone. It bears comparison with the best phones of the last year, like the Galaxy S III and the Nexus 4, but it does not stand in a class of its own.

Features

Value for money

Verdict Sonys best smartphone to

date. The Z has much going for it but it falls just short of a place at the very top table

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Reviews

Acer Iconia Tab A110

Acers Iconia Tab A110 has some strong points, but the screen lets the show down badly

A seven-inch tablet is arguably the ideal compromise between portability and usability

Convenient size

1,024 x 600 pixels feels too low for a modern tablet

Disappointing screen

Low resolution, poor viewing angles and lack of brightness are three unfortunate screen characteristics

W
Micro HDMI
It is great to see a micro HDMI slot on the Iconia Tab A110. Youll need to buy a cable to use it though as one is not provided

ith tablet sales still very much on a steep upward trend, every manufacturer wants a slice of the pie. Acer has a lot of different tablets in its line-up, in several ranges, with the A and B Android ranges complementing the W5 and W7 Windows-based ones. The A110 is a small format tablet, with a seven-inch screen. Selling for around 180 it is vying for the same market as the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7, along with plenty of others. We arent sure the Kindle Fire HD with its hybrid approach to Android presents much competition, but the Nexus 7, which is slightly less expensive, and somewhat more compelling, gives every tablet in the seven-inch space a difcult time, and Acers A110 is no exception.

good for...
90

Big screen viewing

The micro HDMI slot is a great feature that is absent on the all-conquering Nexus 7

Review
Android 4.1

Acer Iconia Tab A110

More information www.acer.co.uk

Android 4.1 gives the Iconia Tab A110 a top-end specication

information Price 180

Battery life
There are three power plans to help conserve the battery, which should get you through a few days

Theres just the one camera a front-facing 2-MP one that shoots 720p video

Camera

technical specs

The general design of the A110 is reasonably attractive. Rounded corners, a solid grey backplate and well-positioned slots and connectors are all a good start. The ability to expand on the internal 8GB of storage and the presence of a micro HDMI slot are also both welcome. If we had one major gripe about the Nexus 7 it was its very irritating lack of support for memory expansion. However, the A110 is a bit thick and a bit heavy. It measures 193mm long, 126.5mm tall and 11.4mm thick. The seven-inch screen sits in a fairly broad bezel, and while this means you can hold the A110 without fear of accidental screen taps, it does look a little oversized, as well as giving the tablet a somewhat dated look. Thats not our main issue though. Its the thickness that we felt to be too much, and we also think the 390g of weight is a bit on the heavy side. Compare it to the Nexus 7s 10.45mm of thickness and 347g of weight and you see what we mean. The A110 feels larger than it should be, and in this regard really falls down in the face of the best of the competition. Power is provided by a micro USB connector we do hate it when tablets use a proprietary charger. The processor is surprisingly accommodating. It is a 1.2GHz quad-core Tegra 3 and it is supported by 1GB of RAM. As you might expect from that specication the Iconia Tab A110 zips along well and serious gaming does not trouble it. Another plus is the presence of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. No tablet is really acceptable if it offers anything less than the latest major Android version. And further in Acers favour the OS is barely touched from its native look and feel. Theres no news on updates as yet, but wed expect this to

make them far easier for Acer to deliver, or for users to take the hacking route as a last resort. We cant complain too much about the absence of a back-facing camera either. Its a feature plenty of tablets trying to reach this kind of price are sacricing. And there is the ability to shoot photos and video via the front camera which manages still shots at two megapixels and 720p video. Youve got three performance proles available: balanced, power saver and high performance, to help give the battery a ghting chance of seeing through a day, and we reckon it can do that fairly easily if you are smart about how you use the tab. However, there is one very important negative about the Iconia Tab A110, and it is so very important that it means we couldnt really recommend the device. The screen is a let down in more than one respect. Its brightness is very disappointing. Leave it on automatic brightness setting and it is often way too low for comfortable viewing. Turn auto off and rack the brightness up to the maximum setting and things improve, but sadly not spectacularly. The resolution is also lacking. 1,024 x 600 pixels feels too low for a modern tablet. Another Nexus 7 comparison reveals that tablets 1,280 x 800 display to be superior. The resolution certainly shows itself as decient when text comes into the frame. Its perfectly readable, but not the smooth, enjoyable experience we would prefer. Viewing angles arent that good, either. Its not possible to judge the A110, or any other seven-inch tablet, without comparing it to the Nexus 7. A year ago wed have probably classed this as one of the better budget tablets. But the game has changed and we now have higher expectations of what we should get for our money. The A110 delivers some good things in certain areas, but ultimately falls down where it really counts.

Operating system...............Android 4.1 Processor...................................Quad-core 1.2GHz Memory.......................................8GB storage Dimensions..............................193 x 126.5 x 11.4mm Weight ..........................................390g Display size...............................Seven-inch Display resolution...............1,024 x 600 pixels Expansion slot.......................micro SD

Acer Iconia Tab A110

None Nexus 7
issue 015

better than Performance Design

worse than

Speedy quad-core processor is nice to have at this price. Screen is mediocre Somewhat blocky. Thicker and heavier than you would expect Android 4.1 is a real plus point, and largely untouched too Not too expensive but this is becoming a very crowded market segment

Features

Value for money

Verdict Its hard to look at anything

Music
Use the micro SD card to add your entire music collection to the device easily

3D gaming
The quad-core processor is very powerful and can handle the latest console-class games

Portability
In spite of the oversized bezel, the small size makes this tablet easy to carry

other than the Nexus 7 at this price, and the A110 does nothing to change that

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Reviews

Versus TouchTab 10.1DC

Thick
The TouchTab is thick at 11mm and rather heavy too. It feels like a previous generation model in this regard, and becomes difcult to hold for extended periods

The TouchTab has front and back cameras, but neither gives much to shout about. The front camera does the bare minimum for Skype calls, and the rear one is almost certainly worse than the one youve got on the phone in your pocket

Camera shortcomings

Stereo speakers

The back of the device houses stereo speakers for better audio output than you might expect on a device at this price point

No fewer than ve ports are crammed in down the right-hand side, including mini HDMI and micro SD. The device also takes a proprietary charger, which makes powering on the go harder than it should be

Ports galore

A ten-inch tablet with fast processor and plenty of storage, for a price that matches the Nexus 7. What more can you ask?
udget Android tablets have had a bit of a bad rep in the past, and deservedly so. But things are changing. The Versus TouchPad 10.1DC is priced at a similar level to the Nexus 7 but has a ten-inch display, and though the CPU isnt rated as highly as the Nexus, it is dual-core nonetheless, which should render the pesky performance problems so often associated with cheap tabs a thing of the past. The TouchTab is reasonably nicely styled. It has the look of an off-the-shelf Chinese tablet, so theres nothing unique or interesting in the design, but its inoffensive enough. The build quality, featuring an aluminium backplate, is solid, bar some minor creaking when holding it tightly and a strange bubble effect that appears on screen when you press it too hard, but only in specic spots. The tablet is weighed at 650g, with above average thickness at 11mm. Combined with the widescreen display the tablet becomes uncomfortable to use in portrait mode. Theres a good selection of ports down the right-hand side for expansion, including mini USB, mini HDMI and micro SD. Also, theres a port for the dreaded proprietary charger you cant just power this up using the same cable you use on your phone. Around the back is a two-megapixel camera that is very responsive but takes grainy shots (theres also a 0.3-MP camera on the front), plus stereo speakers. An added surprise in the box is what Versus describes as a high sensitive stylus pen. This offers none of the tricks you get with the pen on something like the Galaxy Note, and we didnt nd it especially sensitive either. The TouchTab runs Android 4.1.1, which makes it about as up to date as any non-Nexus tablet. It is virtually unskinned, with tweaks to the UI amounting to not much more than some HDMI settings and, strangely, an omnipresent screen capture icon. Versus has also added quite a lot of third-party software, and while we can see that some buyers will welcome the chance to launch straight into a game of Angry Birds, all of the apps are free and freely downloadable so add no actual value to the product. Some even go a step further and become a nuisance. The 1Mobile Market an alternative app store is really not needed because the Play store is onboard, and was also horrible to use due to the prevalence of low-res graphics it uses. Fortunately all the junk can be removed, although doing it through yet another third-party app, ApkInstaller, is hardly the most intuitive way to go about it. Given the amount of extra software here, its strange that only a small selection of the Google apps are among them. You get Gmail and Calendar, and Google Now is here too, but youll need to download Chrome or Maps yourself. Incidentally we had a bad time with Maps. The multi-touch capability was very unresponsive when zooming in and out of maps, a problem that we were unable to replicate elsewhere.

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Review
The screen is dim by anyones standards
For the most part performance was ne. We had issues with the Dolphin browser another pre-installed app where it would become unusably slow when scrolling in certain sites. It felt like a lack of RAM was the issue, except theres a perfectly sufcient 1GB available and we couldnt repeat the issue in other apps. The old stock Android browser is also here, along with Flash if you want it. The dual-core 1.6GHz processor was able to handle most tasks and ensure smooth scrolling through the UI. It never felt like an especially fast tablet, and our benchmark tests backed that up, but it didnt feel underpowered either. The screen, with 1,280 x 800 pixels stretched across the whole 10.1 inches, is on the lowresolution side. If youre a pixel density enthusiast youll certainly have no problem picking out the individual pixels on the screen, which isnt ideal. We didnt nd it too bad for eReading, though. Or to put it another way, the pixel density of 149ppi is better than the iPad 2, and only marginally worse than the new iPad mini. However, the screen is dim by anyones standards. Theres no ambient light sensor for auto-brightness, so we cranked it up to the max where it became just about right indoors. Dont expect to be able to see the screen at all outside in mid-summer, though. This may be an attempt by the team at Versus to prolong the battery life as far as possible. This is the one area where we were genuinely disappointed by the TouchTab. The 7000mAh battery should be good enough to live with the competition, but in our tests, four-and-a-half hours of screen time in normal use was about the best we could manage. The Versus tablet lacks the polish you get from some of the bigger name Android manufacturers, but is otherwise a perfectly serviceable addition to the Android tablet crowd. Despite a few quirks, some of which could be xed via a rmware update, its a ten-inch tablet for the entry-level market and marketed at a price that certainly wont leave you with instant buyers remorse.

Versus TouchTab 10.1DC

information Price 169.95

More information
www.versusuk.com

Battery life
We were disappointed. For heavy use youre looking at around four hours in one go

technical specs

Unskinned Android

Android 4.1.1 is almost fully up to date and is largely untouched apart from a few minor tweaks. Theres lots of extra software installed, which is either very welcome or an annoyance, depending on how experienced you are with Android

Operating system...............Android 4.1.1 Processor...................................1.6GHz dual-core ARM A9 Memory.......................................1GB RAM, 16GB storage Dimensions..............................259 x 174 x 11mm Weight ..........................................650g Display size...............................10.1-inch Display resolution...............1,280 x 800 pixels Expansion slot.......................micro SD

Versus TouchTab 10.1DC

Acer Iconia A110
issue 023

Nexus 7
issue 015

better than Performance Design

worse than

Battery life is poor but the tablet can handle most everyday tasks fairly well Classic black rectangle with rounded corners. Neither good nor bad, frankly

Speed test
In comparison to the similarly priced Nexus 7, the Versus TouchTab performed perhaps better than we might have expected given the difference in processor speeds between the devices. The TouchTab achieved better graphics scores, but was left behind in other areas.
6371 3981

Key

Versus TouchTab

Nexus 7

Solid selection of expansion ports, Jelly Bean and Flash. The cameras disappoint
12726 11115

Features

A relatively inexpensive way to get the full ten-inch tablet experience

Value for money

4703 1902 1721 3618 835 710

Verdict Its no Nexus 10, but if youre

I/O TOTAL

not a demanding user and want a larger screen this is a good value option

CPU

RAM

GPU

93

Accessories
EDITORS CHOICE

The high-quality sound that the M9 can achieve is hard to match

The accompanying subwoofer does a great job at managing the sound that emits from the soundbar. Its noticeably smaller than similar products, but it still weighs quite a bit

Super subwoofer

Control panel

The control panel located on the top of the M9 can be used to manage the volume and the devices its currently connected to. Theres also a power button located on the right-hand side

The glossy nish and mesh speaker plate are the only noticeable design features of the M9. Those looking for an extravagant soundbar wont nd what theyre looking for here

Minimalist design

Bluetooth connection
Once you have connected your phone to the M9, the connection stays strong. You can then stream your favourite music playlists across to it without the need for any wires

Powerful soundbar that boasts style and function

Orbitsound M9 Soundbar
he M series of soundbars are the follow-up to the highly acclaimed T series, which boasted great looks coupled with astonishing sound. Thankfully, the new M9 looks to keep that trend going. The rst thing you notice about the M9 is its diminutive size its noticeably smaller than many other soundbars that sit in its price range. Its easy to store away and lightweight enough to transport around. Its black gloss surface looks fantastic and apart from the control panel situated on the top of the unit and the speaker mesh on the front of it, theres no extravagant design features. Accompanying the M9 is a subwoofer which is still relatively small when compared to many other subwoofers. It doesnt use the same glossy nish as its smaller companion, but the minimalist design is pleasing on the eye. Bluetooth connectivity is a major selling point of the M9 and its the primary way to connect your phone or tablet directly to it. Creating a Bluetooth connection between the two is easy enough thanks to the control panel, and once connected youll nd the signal to be relatively strong. If Bluetooth isnt your thing, you can also hook up the M9 Soundbar via an optical cable or 3.5mm audio jack. Despite its size, the M9 produces a great sound experience. Without being on full volume, the M9 does a good job at lling a room with sound, and the subwoofer enhances this further. Youll be able to nd louder soundbars on the market, but the high-quality sound that the M9 can achieve is hard to match. Theres plenty to love about the M9 Soundbar and if youre looking for a powerful sound experience that delivers time and time again without giving away too much space, then the M9 is denitely for you.

specification
Price 299/$TBA
More information www.orbitsound.com

verdict
Performance Design Value
A fantastic soundbar and subwoofer combination

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Accessories

More accessory reviews online

www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

EDITORS CHOICE

Gesture-controlled headphones where sound quality is key

As well as expert noise-cancelling technology, the Parrot Zik headphones also include Bluetooth connectivity and some unique touch operation controls. All the touch controls are placed in the right cup and users can swipe in a variety of ways to pause, play and generally control the music theyre listening to. For the most part this feature works brilliantly, and is something we very quickly became accustomed to using. Sound quality is fantastic and the range of preset EQ modes is also

Parrot Zik headphones Razer Kraken Pro

Pioneering gaming headset for the ultimate multiplayer experience
impressive. The only downside is the large frame of the Parrot Ziks. Although the metallic feel of them emits a premium nish, the cups are heavy, which means they can feel a little loose at times. Despite this, the Parrot Ziks are one of the most intuitive and unique pair of headphones on the market. The Kraken Pro is a gaming headset that connects to your mobile device via the 3.5mm audio jack. Theyre very comfortable to wear, and the padded headband means youll have no problem wearing them for prolonged periods of time. Each side can be adjusted to t various head sizes, but they tend to be a bit stiff when moving them. Located at the bottom is a microphone you can use to talk to your fellow players which works fairly well, if not a little crackly at times. If youre playing the right types of games, sound quality is superb in the Kraken Pro and you denitely get an immersive gaming experience the more you use them.

Price 69.99/$79.99 More information

www.razerzone.com

www.parrot.com

Price 349.99/$399.99 More information

Vtec 12x Telephoto Lens for Samsung Galaxy S3

Take high-quality photos using this tripod and lens set

There are several elements to the Telephoto lens, and it requires a few minutes to piece together. All the items feel well-made and t together nicely, although the tripod is made of plastic and is quite ddly to get in a level position. The S III attaches to the back of the lens and by opening up the Camera app, youll be able to see a 12x zoom of the image youre taking a photo of. The Telephoto lens is perfect for taking photos of things in the distance and images are generally of reasonable quality when using the manual focus ring on top of the lens, albeit far from tack sharp. Wed also like the tripod to be a little sturdier you cant use the lens handheld so it is a crucial element and we found that prodding the on-screen camera shutter button would often introduce motion blur to our images. Still, its a fun accessory for any budding smartphone photographer to try.

Price 34.99/$TBA More information

www.vteceurope.webs.com

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Accessories
Roxy HTC One Case BeachBuoy Waterproof
EDITORS CHOICE

Price 14.95/$19.95 More information www.proporta.co.uk

If youre planning on going on a beach holiday, then make sure you invest in a BeachBuoy Waterproof case. Although aimed at HTC One X owners, it ts most smartphones and is sealed in by the waterproof lining that makes it possible to submerge your phone up to ve metres underwater. You can still use the device through the protective lm on the front of the case and the attached cord means you can wear it around your neck or wrap it around your arm.

Sealed in by the waterproof lining that makes it possible to submerge your phone

Tablet Case for 10 inch Tablets Envelope

Price 34.95/$47.95 More information www.proporta.co.uk

This ten-inch envelope case ts a wide range of larger Android tablets, but can also be used with the likes of the smaller Kindle Fire and Nook HD. Despite its chunky look, the case is surprisingly light and easy enough to carry around on your travels. The lining of the case is incredibly soft and does a good job at stopping your device from moving around while in it, and provides decent protection from scratches and knocks. Due to the tight t of placing ten-inch tablets within the case, it can be a bit of a struggle removing them, but thats only a small issue in what is otherwise a great protective case for your tablet.

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Accessories

Essential protection
Keep your phone or tablet safe with these vital pieces of kit

Galaxy S3 Case Impact Snap Case with Cover Specs

Price 9.95/$13.95 More information www.proporta.co.uk Price 29.99/$49.99 More information www.tech21.uk.com

Theres no denying that the Specs case is a great bit of fun, but it does the job of a phone case well. The case clips on to the Galaxy S III with ease, which also makes it easy to remove when needed. Ports are catered for fairly well, but the case could do with a slightly larger hole for the camera lens to poke through. Its also on the thin side which means itll be pretty useless if dropped from a distance, but the plastic does a good job of protecting from bumps and such. All in all, the Specs case is a great novelty item that doesnt compromise on the level of protection it provides either.

Youll nd several layers of protection on the Impact Snap Case, all of which work together to make a premium case for your Galaxy S III. The main innards of the case use impact technology to help protect your phone from big blows, as well as being lined in Polycarbonate to add a further level of protection. Having the additional ip cover is great for keeping the fascia free from scratches, but it hangs a little loose and theres no clip to hold it in place, which is a bit of a problem.

Thin Ice Liquid Rubber Case

Price 14.99/$19.99 More information www.gear4.com

If youre looking for a no-nonsense case for your S III then you might want to check out the Thin Ice case from Gear4. The case itself is made of hard plastic, but is lined with a liquid rubber nish to make it feel good while carrying it. Although the thinness might be a worry to some, it does a good job from preventing damage when dropped. All the necessary ports have been cut out and catered for, and each has a curved nish to avoid any sharp edges. The hard plastic does scuff, however, and if you choose to purchase the case in a dark colour youll nd all the scratches do show.

Roxy Sock
Price 9.95/$13.95 More information www.proporta.co.uk

Available in a wide range of colours, the Roxy Sock is a cool way of keeping your phone safe and looking decent at the same time. The sock caters for most phone sizes, and we managed to t a Sony Xperia Z in to its tiny frame. Theres no proper protection, as such, and instead the soft casing does a good job at keeping your entire device free from scuffs and scratches. It wont do much to help keep your device safe if its dropped from a great height, and if you have a smaller phone, theres nothing to stop the phone sliding out from the Roxy Sock.

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