With IFA Berlin 2014 occurring in September a number of manufacturers are likely to hold press conferences prior to the official conference opening of IFA. Apart from Samsung, Sony is also holding a press conference on the 3rd September and judging by the invite it looks certain we will see new smartphones, tablets and the new Sony QX30 Hub lens.
After a week of emails and a few conversations I have finally received an email back from Google Play support. The email gave me a 24 hour time sensitive offer to accept a free replacement LG G Watch. I wouldn’t need to pay for postage to return old phone and also I would receive the new watch before sending back the corroded one.
Sounds fair? Not really as the question I asked was whether there was any change in design or anything else that would stop this from happening with a replacement. This question was completely ignored.
So another call to Google support and with a response time of 24-48 hours indicated.
To be continued.
Update. The watch just received a firmware update to 4.4w. Build kmv78y. This is meant to be an update that stops the pins corroding somehow. Yet Google new nothing of this update and this was a specialist support person.
LG is on a roll. The LG G3 is proving its most popular handset for a while and rightly so. LG have released in the USA, the LG G3 Beat which is a budget version of the G3. But there is another handset in the pipeline to take on the Samsung Note 3 Neo called the LG G3 Stylus.
LG did comment it was going to release 60 new phones this year and clearly it is wasting no time.
Source – engadget.com via Jah
I’ve previously reviewed the Moga Pro Ace (iOS) game controller. I am expecting soon the Moga Pro Power (android) game controller and will review this with the original Moga Pro. I will also add the review to this page, which can also be found under the Menu, Reviews, Accessories.
Moga Pro Ace – iOS – Game Controller Review Links
Part 1 – https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/review-coming-soon/ – with photos
Part 2 – https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/moga-ace-power-game-controller-for-ios-review/
Part 3 – https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/moga-ace-power-ios-game-controller-review-update-plus-list-of-games/ – list of games included
Moga Pro and Moga Pro Power (android) Game Controller Review
In this review I am going to compare the android Moga Pro and Moga Pro Power Game Controllers.
They both come in a bright box, which includes the necessary usb leads, and tablet stand.
The main difference between the Pro and Pro Power is that the Power has a 2200maH battery which can be used to charge your phone whilst gaming. This is a good idea and will enable you to game for longer.
You will notice that the Pro Power has an extra port for the usb to micro usb cable to connect so you can charge your phone whilst playing. The Pro Power has orange accents in places over the Pro model.
Both controllers provide console style comfort and vibrations whilst playing.
Both have a full set of console-style controls to ensure great gaming, dual clickable analog sticks, L1/R1 shoulder buttons, L2/R2 shoulder triggers and a D-pad.
The Moga can hold phones up to 82mm in width with its arm or as it connects via bluetooth you can place a tablet or phablet on the supplied stand and use it that way.
Both controllers work with android 2.3 plus devices. The takeaway from using these controllers are the comfort and positioning of having your phone locked in front of you in landscape. The connection via bluetooth is done using a special mode Moga A or in Moga B Bluetooth HID. This means many games work really well with this using one of the 2 connection options. Also, your phone does not need to be rooted. So for example I have been playing Shadowgun, Need for Speed Most Wanted and game emulators. Super Mario World never looked so good in widescreen on my LG G3.
These controllers are really comfy to use for extended periods and without a doubt I would recommend the Pro Power. I would describe the controller especially the Pro Power as a close feel and look to the Xbox game controller but with play station dual shock triggers. Being able to charge and play is brilliant. There are many variables as to the duration the Pro Power lasts and the time that it can charge another phone. In my time with the Pro Power I am getting about 2.5 hours of time charging my phone. When the Pro Power battery is at 25% it won’t charge your phone anymore. Also the Pro Power is about 60 grams heavier than the Pro at 260 grams. This is actually a blessing since now when a large phone is attached in the arm at an angle, it does not tip backwards when placed on a flat surface. Also the Pro Power arm opens out just a fraction longer than the Pro, providing a secure fitting for devices like the G3 or Note 3.
One last point is there are many moga compatible games. Moga maintain a shop detailing games they have tried. But there are many more on the Google Play Store. In Moga A mode, I found I had to disconnect my LG G Watch but in Moga B mode this had no conflict with the watch.
Out of all Moga’s offerings on android and iOS the Pro Power is the best game controller they manufacture. It transforms game play to a different level and is a must if you play games. From my research Game UK online store have the Pro Power at £33 and the Pro around £24. These seem to be the lowest pricing in the UK at the moment.
Finally, below are two photos with the Pro Power and the LG G3 in the QuickCircle case. One photo with Air Attack HD and the other SuperGnes game emulator playing Super Mario World.
I have already reviewed the official LG Premium Hard case in Tan https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/lg-g3-premium-hard-case-in-tan-review/ for the LG G3, but now lets have a look at the QuickCircle case.
First be careful when you order this case. There are different versions. First make sure you get the version for the G3 D855 and not the G3 F400. The F400 is the Korean model which has different positioning for the Qi charging pins and a cutout for the TV antenna.
The version I am reviewing actually replaces the back cover and has the Qi charging pins. This is the better version as it offers the slimmest design as the G3 back cover is removed before fitting this case.
First up this case fits like a glove, is slightly larger than without a case, but is also super cool. With a range of clocks which look smashing through the circular cutout, you also get access to the notifications icons. Sliding across the clock reveals the apps chosen to be displayed. So you can take a photo which is full screen unlike the Note 3. The “circle” is activated by either pressing the rear power button or double tapping in the “circle” area. You can double tap to turn off too.
All the clock faces look classy.
The rear of the case looks nearly identical to the original back cover.
The only difference is on the top and bottom edges.
In terms of operation, it is very easy to use and offers a cool factor too. You can take a call with the cover closed and you can still see the notification led. This case works fine with the LG Qi Wireless charger. There is even a game for the QuickCircle window and other apps are arriving all the time.
So far this in my favourite case for the LG G3. I still have the Slim Guard case to review.
Apple and Samsung have decided to drop all patent litigation in courts outside of the U.S. The decision ends cases that are open in Australia, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Netherlands, the U.K., France, and Italy.
Disputes over intellectual property related to the iPhone and Samsung phones will continue stateside, and neither party has agreed to a licensing arrangement of any kind.
“Apple and Samsung have agreed to drop all litigation between the two companies outside the United States,” the two companies said in a joint statement. “This agreement does not involve any licensing arrangements, and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts.”
This is a huge development and hopefully will lead to better innovation. Ironically, it is now Samsung who is being sued by Microsoft for non payment of patent royalties.
I’ve previously reviewed the Moga Pro Ace (iOS) game controller. I am expecting soon the Moga Pro Power (android) game controller and will review this with the original Moga Pro. I will also add the review to this page, which can also be found under the Menu, Reviews, Accessories.
Moga Pro Ace – iOS – Game Controller Review Links
Part 1 – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2013/11/23/review-coming-soon/ – with photos
Part 2 – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2013/11/26/moga-ace-power-game-controller-for-ios-review/
Moga Pro and Moga Pro Power (android) Game Controller Review – coming soon. If you have any questions on these please ask.
Samsung has sent out invites for its unpacked event for IFA UNPACKED event next month in Berlin. The UNPACKED event will take place on September 3, and Samsung will take the stage at 2 PM to announce its fourth-generation phablet flagship.
The Note 4 is expected to feature a 5.7-inch QHD (2560×1440) display, an Exynos 5433/Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 16-megapixel with a Sony IMX240 sensor and optical image stabilisation and an ultraviolet sensor.
In other news leaked images of the metal Samsung have got leaked. Full photos covering all angles at http://www.sammobile.com/2014/08/04/leaked-photos-show-samsung-galaxy-alpha-in-white/ . The alpha is not meant to be a flagship beating phone as its screen will only be 720p and storage will be fixed at 32gb.
Another quick update on the upcoming reviews.
The LG G3 review is nearly completed with just a few more parts to complete. The LG QuickCircle and Slim Guard cases are still to be reviewed, with the Quick Circle review landing this week, and next week or sooner for the Slim Guard case. The case reviews have got delayed due to matters outside of my control.
AKG K845 Bluetooth headphones review is in draft. This should be live soon.
Moga Game controllers as mentioned in the previous post.
The LG Health app on the LG G3 can only be accessed by swiping to the right on the home screen. Above is the screen shot. If you have smart tips enabled then the health app takes up only half of the page with smart tips on the lower half of the screen. Tap on the LG Health button top left and you are taken into the app for further options.
Here you can see your activity so far. Note this doesn’t record automatically. You have to on the recording tracks option as shown below.
Here you can select a number of exercise options. For the purpose of this review I chose walking.
You also have options to view your activity over a day, week, month and year. So yesterday I did a walk with my dogs over Dartmoor. I was also taking a number of photographs so I did stop periodically as well. After the walk you can view details of the walk as follows.
The LG Health app is not as comprehensive as that found on the Samsung Galaxy S5. The S5 health app is phenomenal. But what you do get is a decent app with enough information to help you with your fitness.
In the 2 hours walk, the G3 battery dropped 9%. This also included taken 75 photos.
Tomorrow, I will look at some more features of the LG G3. Once again, any questions please ask.
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 