Android

News, reviews and articles that are related to the topic of Android devices, operating system or applications.

Julie’s Gadget Diary – Qi inductive wireless charging, more trouble than it’s worth?

qi charging 6

My first experience with inductive charging was way back in 2004 when I reviewed one of Microsoft’s SPOT watches. The watches themselves were kind of clunky, but I thought it was so cool that they could be charged just by being placing on a cradle. The fact that no  cables had to be plugged directly into […]

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Built Smartphone Envelope is a smart go-to-lunch wallet

built smartphone envelope

We’ve reviewed a few of Built’s protective neoprene cases on The Gadgeteer.  I’ve tried several of their products, and their Neoprene Tote Bag for 13” Apple MacBook Pro is still my favorite laptop bag.  This is the first time I’ve seen their phone wallets, and they look very interesting.  They have the Smartphone Envelope for bigger

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Julie’s Gadget Diary – Is the Samsung Galaxy Note II too big?

samsung galaxy n2 2

How big is too big when it comes to the size of a smartphone? That’s the question I’ve been trying to answer for myself lately. I’ve been using a Samsung Galaxy S III for the past 6 months, but only recently I decided to try a Verizon Wireless Samsung Galaxy Note II. The Note II

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Which comes first – the accessory or the phone?

samsung galaxy s4 accessories

Remember waiting for weeks for accessories to be available for your new phone?   Being extra careful not to scratch your new gadget until some company had time to get the new device, finalize their case design, produce it, and get it ready to ship it?  Apparently those days are gone, and accessories are available

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Google releases a new app – Keep

Google Keep

The latest buzz from Google is a new app called Keep.  It is a note-taking application that mimics features from popular products such as Evernote and Springpad and lets you “keep” text notes, images, check lists, and voice notes.  It’s available on the Google Play store for Android devices at the above link.  I’ve installed it on

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Use the iUSBportCAMERA and your mobile device or computer to control your DSLR

iusbportcamera

Earlier this year, we told you about an accessory that allows you to use your iOS device as a trigger/timer/intervalometer for your DSLR camera.  The iUSBportCAMERA accessory from HyperShop is a similar product with more features.  First of all, you can use this device with iOS and Android mobile devices or your Mac or Windows computer.

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Stop being a power vampire with the Stone GreenZero mobile device charger and save money, too

bracketron stone greenzone charger

In honor of Earth Month, Bracketron is helping you to be green while saving serious green!  They are offering the Stone GreenZero mobile device charger at a 25% savings from March 20 through April 30, 2013.  The Stone GreenZero charger uses Bracketron’s exclusive GreenZero Technology, which they say is “the most eco-friendly way to charge mobile

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Manipulate your Gmail from the Android notification bar

Gmailnotifybar

Got the latest Gmail client for your Android 4.1.x (Jellybean) device yet? The new version allows you to choose if you want to archive or reply to a new email directly from your notification bar without having to open the client. Handy for short emails but not quite so good for longer ones 🙂 I’ve

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i18-USB iPowerStation Smartphone/Tablet Charger review

i18 USB 01

I’ve always wanted a small docking station either for my iPhone or Nexus 7/Kindle Touch tablet.  I then got my hands on the i18-USB PowerStation  from i18 Technology.  The USB PowerStation is a microUSB smartphone and tablet wall charger and dock.  It’s made of plastic (color choices are in white, black, or pink) and has a small green

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Replace Google Reader with Zite for mobile devices

zite google reader feeds 1

A lot of people were upset by yesterday’s surprise announcement of Google Reader’s imminent demise.  In response, Zite spent a few hours making some changes to incorporate your Google Reader feeds into their apps – that doesn’t rely on Google’s infrastructure.  Zite is an app available for mobile devices – Android, iPhone/iPad, and WP7.  It

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Netatmo announces nationwide retail availability of their Urban Weather Station with Brookstone

netatmo urban weather station

We told you about the Personal Urban Weather Station from Netatmo last year.  This weather station comes with indoor and outdoor sensors that monitor temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, sound levels, and indoor CO2 levels.  The collected data is sent to your mobile device, so you can monitor current conditions where you live – not the

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Monitor your car’s health, your driving, and even where you parked with the Automatic Link

automatic link car monitor

The Gadgeteer has reviewed various devices over the years that can diagnose your car’s problems, track your car’s location, monitor your driving practices, and even remember where you parked your car. The Automatic Link from Automatic Labs can do all of the above, and it transmits its data automatically to your iPhone 4/4S or 5.

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Is it hot in here? Thermodo says “maybe so”

Robocat Thermodo 1

Have you ever wanted to know the temperature where you were, inside or outside? Thermodo by Robocat, a passive temperature sensor for your mobile devices, can tell you how hot or cold it is. The device works by plugging an external sensor into the headphone jack of your mobile device. Along with the temperature sensor,

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MobileFun Ultimate Nexus 7 Accessory Pack review

mobilefun nexus accessory pack 1

With the exception of my cellphone, no other gadget spends more time in my hand than my Nexus 7. I use it for gaming, email, web surfing, social media engagement, music, videos, RSS reader, Skyping, and as a bedtime alarm clock. I am always looking for accessories for it.  Kinda like those people who are

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Next Issue magazine app now available for Windows 8

next issue for windows

We’ve told you about Next Issue a couple of times now.  I’ve been using it since it was made available for iOS devices, and it’s saved me a ton of money on the magazines my family reads monthly.  Next Issue has just announced that they now have an app for Windows 8 machines.  For only

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Photography with a phablet is made easier with the iStabilizer Mount XL

istabilizer

If you own a phablet (supersized smartphone that approaches tablet size) like the Samsung Galaxy Note II and enjoy using it for photography or video, the iStabilizer Mount XL is a handy accessory to keep in your gear bag. It offers a universal tripod thread, allowing it to mount to any tripod or equipment made

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Dick Tracy’s watch is on the way from Neptune

hp deal 2013 3 41

There are a few smart watches on the market, and the promise of more to come, but they mostly seem to be accessories for a smart phone.  The Neptune Pine from Neptune doesn’t need a smart phone to pair with.  Just insert a microSIM card and it is a smartphone.  Neptune says with the Pine,

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