Month: January 2019

If you’re on the lookout for a new phone right now, you’re probably considering two popular models: the Apple iPhone XR and the Google Pixel 3.

And it wouldn’t be surprising if you were in a dilemma about which of the two is better because these phones have a lot in common.

Both come in vibrant colors, have great quality cameras, and contain exciting new features. And the best part? These two are relatively affordable compared to the thousand-dollar models out in the market!

Before heading to stores and retailers that sell cell phones, read on about the major comparison points between these two options. This article can help you ultimately decide which brand to go for.

 

Authentication technology

Like the previous Pixel versions, Pixel 3 features a fingerprint sensor on the back of the device. Meanwhile, Apple uses the Face ID to authenticate the user.

If you prefer one to the other, consider this distinction. Some users prefer the reliability of the fingerprint sensor compared to the facial recognition software.

 

Camera features

The two devices have nearly identical hardware used on the rear cameras—both use a single, 12-megapixel camera that can take excellent shots.

While the hardware is pretty much similar, the difference lies in the software. For Google Pixel 3, there are added features that may edge out the iPhone in this category.

For instance, the Pixel 3 has “Night Sight,” an option for when you are taking pictures in sparse lighting. This results in brighter and clearer shots.  

There’s also a Photobooth mode that takes automatic shots when the device senses a smile or a funny look on your face.

Pixel 3 also improved their Portrait mode in order to do what the XR can and more. Both phones can edit the background depth in each shot. However, Pixel 3 does it one step further with options for background color editing and changing a shot’s focal subject.

Looking at the front camera, both iPhone XR and Pixel 3 sport quality cameras. The iPhone XR has a True Depth feature that uses portrait lighting and adds animoji and memoji for extra personality. Meanwhile, the Pixel 3’s selfie mode uses a wide-angle lens that can fit more people or background in the photo.

 

Operating System

The two devices have the newest smartphone OS, with the Pixel 3 running on Android 9 Pie and the iPhone XR on the latest Apple iOS 12.

 

Other Specs

In terms of storage, iPhone XR has a maximum capacity of 256 GB, higher than Pixel 3’s 128 GB limit. Apple’s XR also has a bigger display, with its 6.1-inch liquid retina screen topping Google’s 5.5-inch OLED display. However, Pixel 3 s smaller frame also makes it a tad lighter than iPhone XR.

 

Price

As with their other features, the two phones’ retail prices only has $50-difference. Pixel 3 is only slightly more expensive than the iPhone XR, with a starting price of $799 compared to XR’s $749.

 

The year isn’t even over, but it has already been an incredible one for tablet users all around the globe. A lot of companies debuted promising new hardware over the past few months, including budget-friendly Android tablets and stunning Chrome OS convertibles. Some of them might not exactly be affordable. However, if you’re patient enough, you might score great deals during the holidays.

On the other hand, you don’t have to wait that long to replace your old tablet. If you need new tech for something basic like playing tablet games or streaming on Netflix, consider getting an Amazon Fire 7. Not only is it a great piece of hardware, but it’s also budget-friendly.

 

Price

The Fire 7 is currently on sale for $39.99. Amazon knocked $10 off its street price to offer techies one of the best deals, if not the best, for this tablet. The sale applies to all color variants of the Fire 7 tablet—Black, Canary Yellow, Punch Red, and Marine Blue.

That’s not the only deal Amazon is offering today, either. They also lowered the price of the Fire 7 tablet’s Kids Edition. Now, anyone can get the device for $79.99, which is down from $99.99. Remember that these are limited-time offers. If you don’t want to miss out, place an order before the prices revert to normal.

 

Specs

Amazon’s Fire 7 tablet comes with a 7-inch IPS display. It’s thinner compared to its predecessor. The 2017 model is 9.6 mm while the 2015 edition measures 10.6 mm. That also makes it thinner than the Fire HD 8 and thicker than the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy tablet by 0.9 mm.

The Fire 7 is equipped with a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, and it has 8 GB of storage space. That may not sound like much, but you can always expand its storage capacity with a micro SD card. A 32 GB SanDisk won’t even cost $10.

In a single charge, the Fire 7 can last up to eight hours.

 

Features

The Fire 7 comes with Alexa support. Using your tablet, you can talk to Amazon’s virtual assistant and ask her questions. She can assist with your digital needs. With a single command, she can play your favorite song. She can check the weather or remind you of an upcoming meeting. The device offers its users access to the Amazon app store.

From there, you can download all your favorite apps. You can access video streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Hulu. You may also download social media apps such as Facebook and Instagram.

 

Again, the Amazon Fire 7 deal is available for a limited time only, so place an order while you can. However, you don’t have to worry too much as there will be plenty of opportunities next month. The season of giving is right around the corner, which means companies are going to drop excellent deals in the next few weeks. Maybe it’s time to sell tablet units for an upgrade.

Smartwatches are all the rage nowadays. And LG is keeping up with this trend by announcing its latest smartwatch – the Watch W7.

The Watch W7 is a hybrid mechanical accessory that features mechanical hands set over a Wear OS-powered digital display. Its hybrid tech means the user can turn off the smartwatch aspect without interfering with the timekeeping functionality – even after the battery dies.

LG has worked with the Swiss watch manufacturer Soprod SA in incorporating the mechanical movements of the W7, which, apart from keeping accurate time, includes an altimeter, a barometer, a stopwatch, and a compass.

Retailers that sell cell-phone and tablet units are looking to offer this elegant accessory starting this October. The smartwatch is priced at $450.

Let’s take a look at the distinct features of the Watch W7:

 

Specifications

Measuring 44.5 x 45.4 x 12.9mm, this watch is relatively big compared to other brands out there. The 1.2-inch touchscreen display may not provide the biggest display area for a smartwatch, but it’s placed atop the watch hands to give it a unique interface that non-hybrid smartwatches do not have.

This model uses Qualcomm’s Wear 2100 chipset, which has 768MB of RAM. If used as a smartwatch, the W7 can last up to two days. But as a mechanical timepiece, it can last for up to 100 days, at least according to LG.

 

Appearance

LG wonderfully combines classic and modern in this device.

It’s fashioned out of a sleek burnished steel case, with two buttons on either side of the crown. All three can be used to access the watch’s smart features.

It uses 22mm watchbands, which can easily be changed depending on whether you want a more formal or rugged look. But as it is, the palette and overall construction make this watch versatile enough to be worn almost anywhere.

The hands-and-display face may take some getting used to, though, because the hands tend to get in the way of the screen. You can address this issue by just holding the top right button to slide the content higher and move the hands to the 3 and 9 o’clock marks.

 

Applications

Compared to the Apple Watch or the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the W7 decidedly took the no-frills route. There is no heart rate sensor, no built-in GPS or LTE option, and it does not support NFC and Google Pay.

LG’s concept may be to focus on the traditional watch form and enhance its features, but for an accessory that costs $450, one would expect that there are a number of smartwatch features incorporated into the device. Otherwise, what’s the point?

The Verdict so Far

Based on the specs and features, the Watch W7 is all about blending the traditional timepiece aesthetic with the enhanced functionality of a smartwatch. You’ll appreciate the quality and overall look of this smartwatch. But the bare-bones smart features may not be enough for many to consider this watch over what’s currently being offered by more established brands.