LG thinks the LG G5 is better than the Samsung Galaxy S7, but do you?

No company is going to say their smartphone isn’t the best thing to hit the planet since it was discovered bacon was edible, so it comes as no surprise that LG is sending out material to show why their phone — the LG G5 (hands-on) — is better than the Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge (both of which were announced this past Sunday).

The graphic you see above goes over some of the features the LG G5 has and compares them to the Samsung Galaxy S7 (check out our hands-on look). Anyone taking a quick look at the photo will immediately peg LG the winner, but we should always look to our own judgment to decide which phone is best.

Just for funsies, let’s run down the list and see if there’s merit to any of it:
Modular Design: Fair point. The LG G5 can do some very cool stuff. Modular accessories like the camera grip and hi-fidelity audio do add additional important features. Win.
Removable Battery: Another fair point, though this will be up to the user to decide whether it’s important. For yours truly, it isn’t.
16MP rear camera: This is where things get iffy. Megapixels alone don’t count. Yes, the LG G5’s 16 megapixels are more than Samsung, but there are many other important factors to camera quality.
Always-on display: Both devices have them, and LG wasn’t afraid to point it out. Good on them.
5.3-inch display: LG gave themselves the win on this one, but some people (again, yours truly) actually prefer small displays. Toss-up.
Daylight mode: A fancy way to say “auto-brightness.” LG’s display can go a fair bit brighter than most others’, though, so we’ll let them slide with this one.
IP68 and Water Resistance: LG had to throw Samsung a freebie to give off the illusion that they’re being fair.
MicroSD slot: Again, can’t knock Samsung for the lack of expandable storage this year.

Of course, LG left many other things out like wireless charging, Samsung Pay and a heart-rate sensor, all things which they can’t hold a candle to. They did also leave out the fact that the LG G5 has USB Type-C while the Galaxy S7 is still stuck on microUSB 2.0, so we’ll give them that.

At the end of the day, the “best” smartphone is whichever smartphone works best for you. We could make as many comparisons, lists and reviews as we want, but if there’s one aspect of an otherwise “perfect” phone breaking the experience for you, you should try to find the one that fits you best regardless of what anyone thinks. That in mind, would you agree with LG or do you think they’re stretching a bit here? Sound off in the comments below!

Android N could completely change how the Settings menu looks

With Google IO 2016 just a few months away, rumors about the next version of Android have been flying around like crazy. A couple of the rumors have indicated major changes to core Android features, such as the removal of the app drawer. The next big change could be found in the Settings menu.

Google may have accidentally shared screenshots of the Settings in Android N. Yesterday, the Android Developer Blog posted about the Android Support Library 23.2. Unless you’re a developer, this is not a terribly exciting post. However, the screenshots towards the bottom of the page show a hamburger menu icon in the Settings. Presumably, tapping the hamburger icon will open a slide-out drawer with the different Settings sections.

Currently, the Settings menu is organized into sections on a single page. It can be a little cumbersome to scroll through the long page looking for a specific setting. A hamburger menu would make it much easier to navigate, and it would match the UI that a lot of Android apps already use. We would be able to quickly jump into the desired section of the Settings.

How do you feel about this new menu in the Settings? It seems that Google is rethinking how certain parts of Android work. We’re not sure how we feel about the app drawer going away, but taking a look at things that have been the same for a long time is a good practice.

[via Android Police]

Watch the Galaxy S7 destroy the iPhone 6S in a low light camera shoot out [VIDEO]

While some could argue that there isn’t a huge difference between the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S7 and its older sibling — last year’s Galaxy S6 — it’s hard to argue that the latest iteration in Samsung’s Galaxy S lineup didn’t receive a significant upgrade in the camera department. Tackling the 2 biggest challenges modern smartphone cameras face, Samsung was able to build a camera that, not only takes a better photo in low light, but can focus faster in these normally challenging situations as well.


They did this by using a larger f1.7 aperture lens and something they’re calling a “Dual Pixel” system. With a new Sony IMX260 camera sensor that captures more light by using larger 1.4μm pixels (at the cost of less megapixels), Samsung says the Galaxy S7 is capable of capturing 95% more light than the IMX240 sensor found in the Galaxy S6. The Galaxy S7 camera also uses all of the 12 million pixels to act as focus pixels, a feature you typically only find in full-sized DSLRs (phase detection auto focus). The end result is faster, more accurate auto-focus — 3 times faster than on the Galaxy S6 — and exceptional low light picture quality.

Still don’t believe the hype? Located in Samsung’s huge MWC 2016 booth, the Korean manufacturer showcased the new low light capabilities of the Galaxy S7 by allowing us to see it for ourselves. They did this in a dark room that was so dimly lit, we had trouble seeing anything in there with our own eyes. See what happens when the Samsung Galaxy S7 goes up against last year’s Galaxy S6, and the Apple iPhone 6S in a lighting situation you’d have to be crazy to even attempt to shoot with a smartphone. We think the results speak for themselves.

(VIDEO) Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge official Spec and First Look

The   Samsung Galaxy S7 is official, and you’re probably wondering about the raw specs under the hood. Here’s a full look at what makes the new 2016 smartphone from Samsung tick.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Specs

• Software: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
• Dimensions: 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm, 152g
• Processor: Quad-core 2.15GHz + 1.6GHz processor
• Memory: 4GB RAM (LPDDR4), 32GB internal storage, External microSD card (up to 200GB) support (sold separately)
• Display: 5.1” Quad HD Super AMOLED 2560×1440 (577ppi)
• Camera: Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP with OIS (F1.7); Front: 5MP (F1.7)
• Battery: 3,000mAh, Fast Charging, Fast Wireless Charging (wireless charging pad sold separately)
• Connectivity: NFC, MST, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), MU-MIMO, Bluetooth® v4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location
• Other Features: Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM, IP68
• Colors: Black Onyx, Gold Platinum

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge graduates from the 2015 option of being a normal-sized phone to a new phablet option for those who want something bigger. Beyond that, it’s the same phone as the Samsung Galaxy S7 under-the-hood and enjoys all the same specs and features. Here’s a full rundown of everything that was put inside.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Specs

• Software: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
• Dimensions: 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm, 157g
• Processor: Quad-core 2.15GHz + 1.6GHz processor
• Memory: 4GB RAM (LPDDR4), 32GB internal storage, External microSD card (up to 200GB) support (sold separately)
• Display: 5.5” Quad HD Super AMOLED 2560×1440 (534ppi)
• Camera: Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP with OIS (F1.7); Front: 5MP (F1.7)
• Battery: 3,600mAh, Fast Charging, Fast Wireless Charging (wireless charging pad sold separately)
• Connectivity: NFC, MST, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), MU-MIMO, Bluetooth® v4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location
• Other Features: Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM, IP68
• Colors: Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium

LG G5 is official (VIDEO)

We already knew that LG would announce the LG G5, and they just did, showing an incredibly cool modular device allows for a removable battery on a unibody design. But that’s just where it starts.

Some of what LG announced include:
LG CAM Plus
LG Hi-Fi Plus
LG 360 VR
LG 360 Cam
LG Rolling Bot

And it didn’t even end there. Catch it all in the press release below while we get hands-on photos and videos to bring you very soon!

Press release:

BARCELONA, Feb. 21, 2016 ― LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its highly anticipated LG G5 smartphone, a brand new design with not only a sleek, metal uni-body featuring a Slide-outBattery and a Modular Type design that gives a greater smartphone experience. Complete with LG Friends, a collection of companion devices, the G5 can be transformed into a digital camera, Hi-Fi player and more.

Encased in a sleek metal aluminum body and Slide-out Battery to easily swap out a depleted battery for a fully charged one in seconds, the LG G5 surpasses the visual experience of its predecessor, the LG G4.

First, the G5’s 135-degree wide angle lens lets you choose between standard or wide angle lens to get more in the shot. Second, the Always-on Display makes notifications just a glance away with the time, date and more available anytime without waking the G5. Third, the 3D Arc Glass featured in the smartphone’s 5.3-inch display creates a gentle curve and a smooth colorful metal surfacethrough an advanced microdizing process which takes anodized aluminum to a whole new level.

Furthermore, the insulative antenna is invisibly integrated into the body without disrupting the seamless look of the metal uni-body. LG designers took the metal body concept one step further by adding a Shiny Cut edge for added contrast and a more comfortable grip.

LG’s First Modular Type Smartphone

LG’s innovative Modular Type design gives the LG G5 the ability to transform into a digital camera, Hi-Fi player and more all while keeping its traditional removable battery in a full metal uni-body design for the first time ever.

LG CAM Plus

The LG CAM Plus is a versatile camera module that can be attached through the battery slot to deliver a comfortable grip and convenient control of a standalone camera. The LG CAM Plus provides physical buttons for power, shutter, record, zoom, LED indicator and comfortable grip. It also offers intuitive auto focus and exposure lock, features usually found on standalone digital cameras. When attached to the LG G5, it provides an additional battery capacity of 1,200mAh to allow for longer shooting times for more fun and enjoyment.

LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY

The LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY is an innovative portable Hi-Fi DAC audio player developedin collaboration with B&O PLAY to meet the needs of those who seek to enjoy top-notch sounds that have traditionally only been available through high-end audio devices. LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY stands out for its simple yet elegant Scandinavian design as well as premium sound technology. In addition to the 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC upsampling technology first introduced on the LGV10, LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY also supports 32-bit 384KHz high-definition audio playback.LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY can be used either as a module with the LG G5 or as a separate Hi-Fi DAC by connecting to any smartphone or PC.

Extreme Wide Angle Lens and Advanced UX

Reflecting LG’s longstanding reputation as a leader in smartphone cameras, the LG G5 has two cameras on the rear: one with a standard 78-degree lens and another with a 135-degree wide anglelens, the widest available in any smartphone. The 135-degree lens on the LG G5 offers a viewingangle that is approximately 1.7 times wider than those of existing smartphone cameras and 15degrees wider than the human eye’s field of view. The wide angle lens makes it easier for users to capture more landscape, taller buildings or larger groups without having to position oneself further from the subject.

The LG G5 features a collection of powerful photo effects including Pop-out Picture, Film Effect and Auto Shot. Pop-out Picture combines images taken by the standard and wide angle lens to create a picture-in-a-frame effect. Film Effect can apply nine different film emulators to an imagewhile Auto Shot is an enhanced camera UX which automatically captures the perfect selfie shotwhen a face is recognized.

Always-on Display for Enhanced Convenience

The 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum display on the LG G5 offers an Always-on feature, the first on a main smartphone display. The concept of the Always-on Display was first introduced in theLG V10 as the Second Screen and now that feature has evolved on to the main display to show thetime and date continuously even when the G5 is in sleep mode. This means that you can always see the time at a glance, even during important meetings or when your hands are full.

To minimize power consumption, LG redesigned the display driver IC memory and powermanagement function so that the display’s backlight only illuminates one small part of the overall display. Thanks to this technology, the Always-on Display requires only 0.8 percent of the battery’s full capacity per hour to operate. With consumers turning on their smartphones up to 150 times a day mostly to just check the time, the G5’s Always-on Display will make a notable difference in the life of the battery over the course of the day.

Another advanced display feature in the LG G5 is Daylight Mode, which gives the G5 exceptional outdoor visibility beyond that of current auto brightness technology. Daylight Mode detects surrounding light conditions and instantaneously increases or decreses the brightness of the display, up to 850 nits. Even before your eyes have adjusted to the different lighting conditions, the G5 will be ready.

Diverse Range of Companion Devices

With the G5, LG is introducing a paradigm-shifting smartphone ecosystem ― the LG Playground. With this, LG aims to strengthen the ties with its partners and introduce various devices andsupporting programs to fully maximize the LG Playground.

As part of the ecosystem, LG is introducing a wide range of companion devices, aptly called LG Friends, to deliver fun while providing a new mobile experience far beyond traditional smartphone boundaries.

LG 360 VR

The LG 360 VR is a VR goggle that can be connected with the G5 via a dedicated cable and works exclusively with the G5 to simulate a 130-inch TV viewed from two meters away. It has a stylish design that is foldable so that users can easily carry and watch VR content anytime, anywhere.Unlike other VR devices that require a smartphones to be inserted in the device, the LG 360 VR weighs only 118g (4.16 ounces) and is just one-third as heavy as competing VR goggles while delivering a resolution of 639 ppi. The device is compatible with 360-degree images and videos captured with LG 360 CAM as well as all Google Cardboard content.

LG 360 CAM

The LG 360 CAM is a compact 360-degree angle camera equipped with two 13MP 200-degreewide angle cameras, 1,200mAh battery and 4GB internal memory, which can be supplemented by a microSD card. The LG 360 CAM can be easily connected to the LG G5 allowing users to create 360-degree content. The LG 360 CAM provides 2K video and 5.1 surround channel recording on three microphones to help users effortlessly create high-quality 360-degree contents. Thanks to the partnership with Google, images taken with the 360 CAM can be uploaded to Google Street View and YouTube360, adding the fun of sharing creative contents with others. The images will also be available to view on the LG 360 VR or other smartphones or devices that are capable of 360-degree content.

LG Rolling Bot

The LG Rolling Bot is a companion device that rolls like a ball while capturing images and videos with its embedded 8MP camera. Not just a toy, the LG Rolling Bot can be used as a monitoring system for the home, pet care companion as well as a remote controller for compatible home appliances. With an IP camera connectable via Wi-Fi, users can remotely monitor the interior oftheir homes with the LG G5 via live streaming.

LG Tone PlatinumTM

The LG TONE PlatinumTM (model HBS-1100), the latest in the LG TONE Series, is a Bluetooth headset that has earned the Harman Kardon? Platinum grade for its superior sound quality. With aBalanced Armature design for minimum distortion, LG Tone PlatinumTM delivers exceptionally sharp and clean sound. What’s more, it is the world’s first Bluetooth headset equipped with aptX™HDcodec, delivering lossless 24-bit audio for sound that is unrivaled in a wireless device.

H3 by B&O PLAY

H3 by B&O PLAY is a set of high-end earphones that is compatible with the high-quality sound of the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY. Designed for audiophiles as well as anyone who considersaudio performance a top-priority in a smartphone, H3 by B&O PLAY works with all Androidsmartphones.

LG Smart Controller

The LG Smart Controller allows users to easily control certain drones. With the LG Smart Controller, users can check the video stream from the drone through the LG G5 in real time andcontrol the unmanned aircraft with the LG Smart Controller joystick.

LG Friends Manager

Only available in the LG G5, Friends Manager is the hub application that allows the G5 to connect with LG Friends with minimal fuss and effort. LG Friends Manager automatically detects nearbyLG Friends and connects quickly and easily in three simple steps, eliminating much of the hassle of pairing devices.

More Performance, More Efficiency

The LG G5 offers many other innovations designed to revolutionize today’s mobile lifestyle, such as:

Qualcomm? Snapdragon™ 820 Processor

The LG G5 is equipped with the powerful yet energy-efficient Snapdragon 820 processor whichoffers advanced features such as 64-bit performance, Adreno 530 graphics and lower-power Qualcomm? HexagonTM DSP as well as Qualcomm Spectra™ 14-bit dual image signal processors (ISPs) designed to deliver high resolution DSLR-quality images and additional power savings. The Snapdragon 820 processor also has an integrated X12 LTE modem that supports Category 12 download speeds of up to 600 Mbps and LTE Category 13 uplink speeds of up to 150 Mbps.

Compared to the previous generation Snapdragon processor, Qualcomm Technologies’ most advanced CPU architecture offers double the speed and power savings. Adreno 530 graphics demonstrate up to 40 percent faster graphics performance and up to 40 percent more power efficiency compared to the previous generation. The Snapdragon 820 processor also supports 4K capture and playback at four times more than the resolution of 1080p, enabling users to watch and capture their daily moments in stunning detail and clarity. The processor is also optimized for VR, generating quality pixels and life-like colors to deliver the ultimate VR experience to G5 users.

aptX™ HD: 24-bit Hi-Fi Wireless Audio

The LG G5 is equipped with aptX HD, an enhanced codec that supports 24-bit sound over Bluetooth, delivering rich and clear sound over wireless connections without any loss. When paired with the LG TONE Platinum, users can experience superb quality Hi-Fi audio that sounds amazingly close to the original source.

Qualcomm? Quick Charge™ 3.0

The LG G5 offers Quick Charge 3.0 for incredibly fast charging. By employing an intelligent algorithm, Quick Charge 3.0 is 27 percent faster and 45 percent more efficient than the previous generation.

Low Power Location Estimation (LPLE) Technology

The LG G5 has excellent battery life, thanks to the Low Power Location Estimation technology. This solution enhances the battery efficiency by as much as 41.9 percent by improving the power consumption related to location-based apps.

“The new LG G5 will encourage owners to rediscover the true joy of a mobile life,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The G5 and LG Friends are the result of many experts inside LG asking themselves if it was still possible to be innovativeand unique in the smartphone space. I think once customers spend a little time with the LG G5, their answer will be a resounding yes.”

Key Specifications:*

• Chipset: Qualcomm?Snapdragon™ 820 Processor
• Display: 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 554ppi)
• Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM / 32GB UFS ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)
• Camera: Rear: Standard 16MP, Wide 8MP / Front: 8MP
• Battery: 2,800mAh (removable)
• OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• Size: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm
• Weight: 159g
• Network: LTE / 3G / 2G
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / USB Type-C / NFC / Bluetooth 4.2
• Colors: Silver / Titan / Gold / Pink

Watch Samsung’s Galaxy S7 event in 360-degrees using their new Unpacked 360 View app

When Samsung announced the date for their big Galaxy Unpacked 2016 event, we had a good feeling they’d be doing something with virtual reality (their teaser video had someone “unpacking” the event with a Gear VR strapped to his head). Today, the company is finally making their plans known,announcing that, not only will they be streaming their event live for all to see, but they’ll be doing so in 360-degrees. Called it.


But it’s not only for Samsung Gear VR owners. Samsung will be allowing anyone watching the live stream from their computers to switch between 4 different camera views. If you’d rather watch it on your phone, Samsung has launched a free Unpacked 360 View app on Google Play and the Apple App Store that also features 4 different camera angles in 360-degrees. Of course, Samsung Gear VR owners can get in on the fun using the Unpacked 360 View app in the Oculus Store.

This is a lot like what OnePlus did with the OnePlus 2 launch last year, only on a much larger scale. Samsung isn’t the first and something tells us they definitely wont be the last. The Galaxy Unpacked event is set to begin streaming on February 21st at 7PM (CET). Of course we’ll be on hand for the event, bringing you the latest as it happens.

Download on Google Play: Unpacked 360 View

Samsung forces a llama to unbox the Galaxy S7 and paint what it saw [VIDEO]

Samsung’s ad campaigns are forces to be reckoned with and like every year, we can no doubt expect they’ll be spending big bucks to make sure the world knows all about their latest flagship smartphone: this year’s Samsung Galaxy S7.

Hyped on social media using the #TheNextGalaxy, they wont tell us exactly what it is, but we’ve seen enough from leaks and rumors that we’re pretty damn sure they’ll be unveiling 2 devices come Sunday, February 21st: a regular, smaller-sized Galaxy S7, and a larger-sized Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Again, if leaks and rumors have shown us anything, it’s that both of these devices will look largely similar to last year’s model, albeit with a few small changes.

To get the hype train rolling, Samsung Sweden is introducing a new ad campaign dubbed “Seven Days of Unboxing.” Kicking things off was their first video — which was uploaded yesterday — showing a child drawing an image of what he unboxed after spending a few seconds with the device.
Check it out below.

In their next video (Day #2), we get to see a common household llama unboxing #TheNextGalaxy, only to later paint a picture of what it thinks it saw. The resulting image was little more than a jumbled mess of colors and whatnot. Then again, llama’s don’t know much about smartphones, so whether it attempted draw a portrait of an ex-lover or spell out the words “f*ck you,” we’ll never know. It’s a fun video and you can check it out below. Hopefully for Day #3 we can get someone more capable to throw us a bone.

[Samsung Sweden]

Leaked Galaxy S7 promo video teases water resistance; classified site has it up for sale for $1,100 [VIDEO]

[Update]: Samsung’s description for the video notes that the water scene was just a dramatization and that the device being shown isn’t water resistant, which makes it odd that they’d show it being used in those conditions as if nothing can happen.
There could be a few possibilities here:
The device in the teaser is a Galaxy S6 Edge, and is only being used for visuals to tease the upcoming sequel.
That’s a Galaxy S7 Edge and it isn’t water resistant.
That’s a Galaxy S7 Edge and it is water resistant, Samsung just doesn’t want you to know it.
Maybe this isn’t even a Galaxy S7 teaser despite it being for “The Next Galaxy.”
The world is flat.

That’s pretty much where we’re at with it, folks. Make no mistake about one thing, though: Samsung is preparing a global blitz of marketing for this thing and they’re loading up the barrels for a big bang come February 21st.

It’s no longer a leaking faucet, folks. Not even a free-flowing one. This is a dam bursting wide open. The latest Samsung Galaxy S7 leak doesn’t come from Twitter stars and Indian import databases — this one comes straight from Samsung.

The Indonesian arm of the company posted an unlisted video to YouTube, and sure enough someone was crafty enough to find the link. The video shows what appears to be the upcoming Galaxy S7 Edge — it could totally be a Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, as well, with how similar they look — being wirelessly charged and used in the rain.

That last point seems to confirm rumors that the device is water resistant (though they were still cautious enough to say the scene was just a dramatization).

Samsung wasn’t overly informative in this video, with its main purpose being to parade local archery champion Dellie Threesyadinda for promotion. Still, it’s nice to get an inkling of what to expect before their big announcement taking place February 21st.

In related news, someone in Dubai seems to have already gotten their hands on a production unit of the Edge variant. It’s said to come straight from the US, and they’re selling it on a local classified website for around $1,100.


The box it appears in looks quite uninspiring, to be honest, but it does appear to be a Galaxy S7 Edge. The other contents of the box — charging and adapter equipment — aren’t quite as exciting.

We’d probably pass on the opportunity to score a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge early. Not only is it going to be a lot more expensive, but you’d be risking making a purchase for something that might not even be legit. The device is said to be launching nearly 3 weeks after its announcement, too, so the wait wouldn’t even be too long. If you have the cash, the means and the desire anyway, you can find the listing right here.

Someone could get access to your LG V10 using their own fingerprint (and here’s how to prevent it) [VIDEO]

Well, here’s a very interesting way to bypass phone security. One YouTuber — going by Matt OnYourScreen — who happens to own an LG V10 has found a way to get into a fingerprint-protected LG V10 using their own fingerprint.

The video below explains the workaround in detail, but in case you can’t watch it involves using custom launchers like Nova Launcher to place an activity widget to LG’s fingerprint enrollment app on the home screen. Doing this will prompt a user to add a fingerprint to the device for future authentication.

Nothing immediately sounds fishy there, except the fact that the system would usually ask for your PIN or fingerprint authentication to add a new fingerprint — this method doesn’t ask you for anything. If you go through with adding a fingerprint, you’ll find that you can unlock the device with that fingerprint at a later date despite the fact that the original owner’s fingerprints are also on the device.

We should note that this method does require someone to already have access to the phone beyond the lock screen. That’s a bit more comforting, but that does nothing for someone who may be lending their phone to someone who needs to make a phone call or look something up

There are a couple of different obvious ways you can prevent this right now:
Don’t let anyone use your phone.
Don’t use a custom launcher.

Of course, those may not be desirable options for you. Thankfully we do know that the LG V10 allows a maximum of 4 fingerprints, so the best way to prevent this is to make sure you register all 4 slots to ensure none can be added (as the trick shown in the aforementioned video would then fail).

For what it’s worth, we tried this method on a couple of other Android phones with fingerprint scanners, and their fingerprint enrollment activities failed to launch when we tried it, so it’s likely to be something that LG overlooked in their own firmware.

It’s something we’re sure LG will be looking to fix in the very near future. It’s a very serious vulnerability that only needs a tiny bit of social engineering to pull off, and those often prove to be the most devastating kind. Be sure to prevent this from happening to you while we wait for word from LG.

UC Berkeley’s latest Android app can detect earthquakes [VIDEO]

The scientists at UC Berkeley have developed an interesting new Android app that could help a lot of people. The app’s purpose is to be able to detect an earthquake while a phone is sitting on a flat surface. There’ll be minor bumps that could affect the sensors in the phone the app will read from, sure, but the app will be able to tell the difference between those.

The app runs in super low power mode and only reads the accelerometer, and if the app determines an earthquake is occurring it’ll automatically send GPS coordinates and the reading information over to Berkeley’s Seismological lab.

The app can’t replace actual scientific tools for detecting, measuring and analyzing earthquakes, of course, but it’ll help bring to light the existence of an earthquake faster and can allow seismologists to send earthquake warnings faster. To learn more about how it works you can read Berkeley’s release on it right here, and if you want to help contribute to their efforts you can grab the app from the Google Play Store and get going.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 6 might have 6GB of RAM, but will it even need that much?

Well, how’s this for a rumor. A leakster from Weibo is suggesting Samsung is planning to toss 6GB of RAM inside the Samsung Galaxy Note 6. It’s such an absurd number that we won’t blame you for completely disregarding the rumor (Samsung did tease the possibility of 6GB DRAM modules for mobile devices in a recent breakthrough, for what it’s worth).

But let’s talk it out real quick: does a phone even need that much? Well, that depends. Most phones don’t, but let’s be real — this is Samsung. This is the same company whose 3GB of RAM phones from 201 were having issues because their software is incredibly bloated and they couldn’t settle an ongoing memory management issue.

Granted, that issue seems to have been addressed as of their Android 6.0 Marshmallow firmware, but the point remains: Samsung phones are memory hungry. That said, they shouldn’t be so hungry that anything more than 4GB of RAM is necessary. The only exception we’d make is if Samsung is planning to do something radically different with their software for the Note lineup, but considering most actual computers don’t need more than 8GB of RAM for heavy-lifting we can’t begin to imagine what Samsung could want to do to need that much.

Here are some other details (which are a lot more believable) from the leakster:
5.8-inch 2560 x Super AMOLED display
12MP Super OIS camera
S-Pen
64GB / 128GB of storage

We wouldn’t put it past Samsung to try and stretch the bar everywhere they can for the Note 6 as it’s something they’ve historically done, but we aren’t so ready to believe they’ll go as crazy as putting 6GB of RAM inside the thing just yet. Let’s wait to see how this story unfolds as the year goes on.

And now the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge gets pictured in the wild, looks… curvy [LEAK]

Following that big leak is yet another, this time of the device’s bigger, more curvy sibling: the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. The phone was photographed, showing off its AnTuTu benchmark score (a whopping 134704 points) on its beautiful curved AMOLED display.

Leaked photos like this rarely paint smartphones in a positive light, so if you’re thinking it looks pretty terrible now, we urge you to hold off judgement until the official renders and press photos go out. Really, it looks pretty damn close to last year’s Galaxy S line, so by now you should already know exactly what to expect.

Current rumors point to Samsung launching 2 models of the Galaxy S7 off the bat — a smaller “standard” model and a larger curved display variant. This should help Samsung compete directly with the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, without having to wait later in the year for the Samsung Galaxy Note 6 to launch. On the hardware front, the S7 Edge will likely feature a 5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED curveddisplay, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 32/64GB storage with micro SD card slot, 4GB RAM, 12MP camera, and a 3,600mAh battery.

If size isn’t a factor, it’s looking like the larger S7 Edge could be the way to go, especially if battery life is a huge concern for you.

Hands-on with the rugged Casio Smart Outdoor Watch [VIDEO]

Back at CES, we had the chance to play with the new Casio Smart Outdoor Watch. The Android Wear ecosystem is getting pretty robust, but there haven’t been any devices for the rugged outdoorsy types. The Casio watch fills that void. This is a smartwatch that can take a beating and keep on ticking.

The Casio Outdoor watch is MILK-STD-810 certified. This means it has been tested to be used by all departments of the US military. In other words, it’s as tough as a $2 steak. The Outdoor Watch is the first smartwatch with a built-in microphone to have water resistance up to 50 meters (164 ft). It can withstand shocks from drops, vibrations, and any other type of rugged use.

Casio has thrown in a few tricks with the display. It’s a dual-layer structure featuring a monochrome LCD and a typical color LCD. The monochrome LCD can be used to drastically extend battery life, but it will only show the time and date. Great battery life is critically important for a device that will be used in outdoor situations.

Speaking of the outdoors, the Casio has a number of sensors for tracking conditions. These sensors relay information to what Casio calls “tools.” The list of tools includes a compass, altitude measurement, air pressure, sunrise/sunset times, tide graphs, and activity graphs. On the right side of the device is a dedicated button for launching tools. Activity is another thing that can be tracked. Trekking, cycling, and even things like fishing can be recorded.

The Casio Outdoor Watch will be available in green, orange, black, and red. The design isn’t the most attractive we’ve seen, but it’s fine for a rugged device. It will be available sometime in April for $500. That makes it one of the more expensive Android Wear watches available, but it’s built to last. What do you think of this rugged watch? Do you plan on picking one up this Spring?

Samsung Galaxy S7 battery could offer 2 days of regular usage

Hearing that the Samsung Galaxy S7 was somehow managed to stay alive 17 straight hours while playing video at full brightness was as bit hard to believe, but the latest report from Eldar Murtazin (who delivered the aforementioned expectations) brings things back in line with reality.

According to him, the Samsung Galaxy S7 — which has a 3,000mAh battery — is able to go a full 2 days with regular usage at 75% of brightness. It appears his screen-on time during the usage was about 4 and a half hours, which may or may not be in line with your idea of “regular.”

Still, it should be a nice improvement over the Samsung Galaxy S6 thanks to its increased battery and optimized hardware. And if Samsung has correctly implemented Android 6.0 Marshmallow’s doze mode, it’ll be even better.

ZeroLemon’s insane 8,500mAh battery cases now available for Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Galaxy Note 5

It was back in July that accessory maker ZeroLemon — known for the extended battery cases for popular Android devices — released a 3,500mAh battery case for the Samsung Galaxy S6. It’s been a long time since then, but it seems the manufacturer is finally ready to bring their extremely hefty 8,500mAh model (the one that made the LG G4 look like a giant brick) to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Sure these phones have been out since last August, but better late than never.


They’re retailing for about $60 each and don’t look half bad considering they’ll more than triple the thickness of your device. We don’t imagine anyone would use something like these every day, but for those cases where you know you’ll be away from the charger all day (or weekend), these ZeroLemon cases could be a godsend. Links provided below.

It’s official: Android Wear now supports speakers

Well, that didn’t take long. Just hours after spotting a change to the Huawei Watch on the Google Store to show speaker support, Google today announced a new Android Wear update that brings said speaker support.

You’ll be able to make calls directly using the watch through Bluetooth, and you can also listen to voice and video messages from apps like Glide. It’s a pretty big step to making watches even more independent in their abilities than they already are.

As we guessed, both the Huawei Watch and the ASUS ZenWatch 2 are hooked up and ready to go, and you’ll be able to enjoy the speakers as soon as you pull the update down. Google also confirmedCasio’s forthcoming Android Wear watch and the ladies’ variant of the Huawei Watch will also sport speakers once they’re made available.

Here’s a quick look at the other changes coming in this update:
Navigate your watch with new gestures. Scrolling up and down your card stream is as simple as flicking your wrist. Starting today you can also expand a card, bring up your apps, or return home to your watch face with a push, lift or shake. You’ll be able to stay connected to what’s important, while keeping your phone (or other hand) in your pocket.
Send more messages with just your voice. With Android Wear, you’ve always been able to get answers to spoken questions. Now you can also use your voice to send messages from apps likeGoogle Hangouts, Nextplus, Telegram, Viber, WeChat, and WhatsApp. Running late for lunch? Just say “OK Google, Send a WhatsApp message to Nathan: I’ll be right there.”

The updates will roll out in stages over the next few weeks, so sit tight and hope that it won’t take too long to reach your wrist!

The Honor 5X is great… but will it bend? [VIDEO]

For $199, we wouldn’t be surprised if your expectations for build quality on the honor 5X weren’t very high, but Huawei did manage to put together a beautiful looking and feeling device for such a low price point. But can it handle anything more than delicate care?

That’s what these bend, scratch and burn tests are for. Jerry Rig is back with his standard torture test. The Honor 5X surprisingly does well in all 3 categories. The glass isn’t easily scratched except for using highly-sharp objects, though the aluminum nature of the device is naturally susceptible to light scratching from keys. The burn test didn’t seem to destroy any pixels on the display.


And as for the bending, while it can flex ever-so-slightly (and only under extreme pressure), it won’t snap in half like a toothpick like the Huawei Nexus 6P did.

All in all? A solid outing for a phone that only costs you $199. Bonus points for it being a pretty capable phone in terms of brawn, too. Check out the video below.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge reveal confirmed for February 21st [VIDEO]

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are on the way, and Samsung is just about ready to confirm plans to announce those 2 phones in Barcelona. The company has set a February 21st date for their Unpacked event in Barcelona.

They even had a nice teaser video to accompany the announcement. The video obviously doesn’t give us much, but we do see a man attempting to handle a box through the view of the Samsung Gear VR. We’re not sure if this was done for dramatic effect or if Samsung is hinting toward something more. Could Samsung be looking to announce a motion controller for the Gear VR alongside the main course? That would be sweet for sure.

But let’s not jump too far ahead — this event will be all about the Samsung Galaxy S7. We’ve seenrenders of the device in recent times, and more and more information continues to leak.

Still, Samsung is usually good at hiding the best parts of their phone until they make their announcement so we’re going to be tuned in for potential surprises. You can tune in with us as Samsung will be live streaming the event on their YouTube channel.

Can the Moto X Force survive a drop from 1,000 feet by a paraglider? [VIDEO]

The results are in the video below, but here’s the spoiler if you can’t watch it right now: it survived. The stuntman said he noticed not even a scratch on the display following the drop, or anywhere on the device for that matter. That’s impressive.

You might note that he dropped it into a dirt or grass field, which may soften the impact and doesn’t leave a lot of opportunity for scratches. But a 1,000-foot drop is a 1,000-foot drop, and the force (no pun intended) it hit the ground with still had to be pretty massive. That it came out unscathed is a true testament to its durability. Watch the video above. He also mentioned that the ground was pretty tough despite its looks:


Where we were flying this , there was no flat concrete floor , the surface was packed dirt, tight enough for a takeoff and not as soft as it seems and definitely not sand or mud! The falling speed of the thrown phone is somewhere between 280-360 kmph, and where the phone fell the ground was tough.

That enough to convince you? If not, then take a look at the video above and see how you feel about it yourself.

New Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge renders show us the phones’ backside

We’ve seen the front of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, and things are looking quite neat there. But what about the rear? Thanks to @evleaks, we have our answer. The first thing you’ll notice is that it looks like a Samsung device. We’d be worried if it didn’t, obviously.
But there are subtle changes over last year’s models. These photos make the rear appear to be more curved, though it’s hard to tell. Something else hard to tell is the camera module appears to protrude less than yesteryear’s devices. It might even be flush. It’s hard to tell from this angle, though, so we’ll have to wait to see if Samsung has found a way to shave that thing down.

We can also see the return of a heart rate sensor sitting beneath the flash. Finally, the device seems to be a bit more round at the corners than the Galaxy S6, a trait that Samsung can’t bring themselves to ditch. Between this render and the one we saw late last week, how are you feeling about this device’s looks? We should know all the details February 21st, so be sure to set your calendar if your interest is piqued.

Google is officially more valuable than Apple

Today is earnings day at Alphabet, the parent company for Google. The biggest news to come out so far will mean the most to diehard Android fans. Google has passed Apple as the most valuable company in the world.

This is actually not the first time Google has been more valuable than Apple. Back in early 2010, Google was more valuable. This was before the first iPad and when the iPhone 3GS was on the market. At that time, both companies were worth less than $200 billion. Table scraps compared to today’s numbers. Alphabet’s market cap is at a whopping $570 billion while Apple is at $535 billion.

This news is even more impressive when you consider that Google was behind Apple by over $400 billion just a few years ago. The iPhone took Apple on a historic skyrocket, but now it’s coming back to hurt them. Relying so heavily on one product is not great for the long term. Google, on the other hand, has its hands in everything from A-Z.