Guess who has the best smartphone camera in 2014? Well, when it comes to video, it’ll be hard to beat the Galaxy Note 4! This awesome 16-megapixel camera shoots up to UHD quality video (3,840 x 2,160) with optical image stabilization. It’s probably some of the best footage I’ve ever seen from a smartphone and a fine example of how far mobile optics have come. Check out the above video for our Galaxy Note 4 cinematic camera test…

All of the footage in the above video was shot on a Galaxy Note 4 in UHD at 30 frames per second. It’s pretty amazing when you consider that it came from such a small camera sensor. The optical image stabilization on the Note 4 will drastically improve handheld video and photos. Low light performance is alright, but the Note 4’s camera really shines in appropriate lighting.

As mentioned, everything was shot right on a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and then edited within Adobe Premiere Pro. When compared to other current smartphone video tests, the Note 4’s camera comes out on top. Recently, we shot an iPhone 6/6 Plus cinematic camera test and you can watch that video here, but the Galaxy Note 4’s camera is in a class of its own.

What do you think about the footage above? Do you plan on upgrading to the Galaxy Note 4? You may want to check out our full review before making a decision. Also, be sure to take a look at this full comparison between the Galaxy Note 4 and iPhone 6 Plus.

LG G6

First off, let’s talk about what’s going on behind the lens. With the LG G6, we have dual 13-megapixel Sony sensors here and a dual-LED flash. One 71-degree lens with an f1.8 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization and a 125-degree lens sporting an f2.4 aperture. You can easily switch between the two in the camera app as well either by tapping the icons at the top or smoothing zooming in and out between them. Unfortunately, LG did away with laser auto focus on the camera this year, but the phase detection method performs pretty great here anyway. Also, around the front side you’ll find a 5-megapixel shooter with an f2.2 aperture and a nice wide angle lens.

There are several modes available on the G6 within the camera too, most of which are pretty useful. But to keep it simple, we won’t really touch on all of them, but a couple of my favorites. I’m pretty happy to see manual modes for photo and video available here, but that’s something we’ve grown to expect from LG. There’s also a new Square camera mode that works pretty well for instant shot reviews, or even creating a grid shot of multiple photos and videos. There are other modes like Popout for an artistic take on photos, a panoramic mode which is pretty typical, and even a Food mode for those basic Instagram shots. There’s also the ability to shoot 4K video up to 30 frames per second, with adjustable bitrate settings for quality. And we have the option to shoot 16 and 18 by 9 spect ratios for video, which will natively fit the G6’s display if you choose to use the latter.

iPhone 7 Plus

Moving along to the iPhone 7 Plus, we also have a dual-camera setup, but this one is a bit different. On the back you’ll find dual 12-megapixel Sony sensors with a dual-tone LED flash. The main camera sensor sports a 28mm lens with an f1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization, while the secondary camera has a 56mm lens and an f2.8 aperture. You can also swap between the two cameras within the software as well… Around the front we have a 7-megapixel sensor with an f2.2 aperture and a pretty standard 32mm lens.

The second lens provides 2 times optical zoom, which is nice, but also works great with Apple’s Portrait mode feature found in the Camera app.

This feature will provide a DSLR-like depth of field effect which looks pretty fantastic and you get two versions of the photo so you can see the before and after using this mode. The camera modes on the iPhone are pretty basic though and where it arguably falls behind the G6. There’s the standard photo mode and a video option that will shoot up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, and a square mode perfect for those on-point Instagram shots, and of course a Panoramic mode, but what the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus software lacks is customization. There are no manual modes here at all, which isn’t important to everyone, but they make a difference if you know what you’re doing.

Anyway enough talking about the two, let’s dive into some camera samples, check out the above video for samples!

So that about wraps it up for the iPhone 7 Plus and LG G6 camera shootout. Which camera do you think is the best? Personally, I prefer the additional camera modes and wide-angle lens on the G6, but that Portrait mode on the iPhone is straight fire. Drop a comment below and give me your thoughts and be sure to check back to catch my full review of the LG G6 in the near future.

Specs

Inside of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, we have Apple’s A10 Fusion chip inside which is stupid fast. It definitely walks all over any other smartphone to date. The 7 Plus features 3GB of RAM inside, which is a step up over the 2GB in the iPhone 7, but I don’t think you’ll really see a performance difference in day-to-day use between them, but in front of all of these specs we have the displays…

With the iPhone 7 there’s again a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1334 by 750 and the 7 Plus with a 5.5-inch display with a 1080 by 1920 display. Both feature Apple’s 3D Touch features, which is nice, but we’ve seen that on the last generation model. These are both crispy as hell with vivid colors, excellent brightness, and while I’d personally prefer something higher-res, it’s not necessary.

iOS 10 is also a great thing here, but you can easily get that on the last generation. It’s important for sure, but it really doesn’t make the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus better than other iPhones. Definitely a fan of iOS 10 and its expanding feature-set, but don’t let it be a reason to upgrade, if that’s what you want, get a 6s or 6s Plus and call it a day.

Design

One of the biggest disappointments that I’ve seen around the Internet has to be the lack of a major design refresh this yead=r, and the following represents the 7 and 7 Plus. A refresh was expected, but that was part our own fault and part the standard that Apple has set over the last 9 years or so.

Apple also removed the headphone jack this year, which has thrown everyone for a loop. It’s certainly been and will be an adjustment for everyone and while I don’t agree with it, there’s really nothing more we can do aside from pick a different smartphone or stay on the last generation. I hate this decision, but love it or leave it.

We’ve also seen changes with the home button this year. It still features the fingerprint sensor that works fantastic, but it’s now a flat solid-state surface instead of a button, that simulates a click with Apple’s new Taptic engine… and I actually prefer it. Its sensitivity can be adjusted within the settings, but Apple’s Taptic engine makes it a great experience, not only here, but in various aspects of iOS where subtle vibrations nudge your hand based on various actions. It’s by far the best haptic feedback system in a phone.

Along with that, we also get stereo speakers this year. The balance is a bit off to my ears as one is behind the earpiece and the other is on the bottom of the device, and while they are nice and loud, but I hope that we get true front-facing speakers next year.

Finally, in the design department, we have two new colors. There’s Black and Jet Black. Unfortunately, Jet Black is VERY prone to scratches. Apple warned us of this and it doesn’t really bother me, but it may bother you. I’ve been using the Jet Black iPhone and it’s a scratch magnet. So if you can’t put up with that, you should probably get the black version.

That or cover it up with a case like the Cloak series from GhostTek. It provides some pretty nice coverage of the phone, color accents which are nice, and even include a tempered glass screen protector. It’s a well-rounded case and you can pick it up for the 7 or 7 Plus for around $25 bucks. If cases aren’t your thing, dbrand has some pretty excellent skins that keep a slim profile while protecting against scratches and you can find both links below if you’re interested, but if you cover up the Jet Black iPhone it kind of defeats the purpose of having it.

Camera

Once again, the iPhone and its Plus-size brother have very big differences in the camera department. This year, we have optical image stabilization backing the iPhone 7’s 12-megapixel camera, which is a great addition. But on the 7 Plus, we have the introduction of dual-12-megapixel rear cameras. One is a 2x Zoom lens, which the other is the standard focal length. Combined, we have a great setup around back. What’s even more exciting, is Apple’s new upcoming Portrait Mode, which yields incredible DSLR-like results with burry backgrounds and it’s part of the reason I’d almost choose the 7 Plus over the 7. I’ve taken some pretty amazing photos with the iPhone 7 Plus lately and I’ll link a full gallery below, but hot damn is this feature fire.

These cameras are excellent or as some would say “best in class” I’ve even put together a pretty awesome 4K video camera test which you can find linked below, but there are definitely zero complaints on my end with camera performance on either device.

Battery life

In regards to battery life, the 1960 mAh battery inside of the iPhone 7 and the 2900 mAh battery in the 7 Plus, both last longer that their predecessors so you’ll win either way here. I’ve easily seen 6-7 hours of usage on the iPhone 7 and up to 9 on the 7 Plus. And it might be a stretch but these two smartphone could sport the best battery life of the year.

So after all of this, if you’re still on the fence about Apple’s new iPhones, don’t be. They’re great phones… some of the best released this year, it’s just a matter of whether or not its worth upgrading to from the last generation and that comes on an individual basis.

So what exactly are you getting for the $79 you’ll spend on this little dock. Well as far as build quality goes, the dock is weighted pretty nice, at least enough to where it won’t move when removing the Apple Watch. It’s off-white in color and seems to be made up from the same material as Apple’s smart covers with a smooth top side and microfiber cloth lining the bottom. Given the color and material, it may get dirty after a while, but only time will tell.

Check out our Apple Watch Dock review video:

One of the main features with Apple’s official docking solution is the fact that it supports Nightstand mode. The puck in the center surrounded by a metal ring is supported by a hing that will allow you to lay the Apple Watch flat on its back or stand it up for the ultimate mini alarm clock. It’s easily pushed up through the recessed cutout on the bottom and can be pushed back down with ease as well. There aren’t too many Apple Watch docks out there that have hardware features to support Nightstand mode so if that’s what you’re looking for, this may be a good solution. And thanks to the circular design, it’ll support all band types and prevent them from scratching the surface of a table top or nightstand.

To me, this doesn’t really look like an Apple product. It’s a very interested design nonetheless, and doesn’t feel cheap by any means. I wish it was available in other colors as I’d definitely prefer a dark gray or black version. Or simply something that worked better with Apple’s selection of cases available.

At the end of the day, it’s yet another quality high priced accessory from Apple, but I’m not quite sure it’s worth the money. If you’re the type who needs all Apple everything, it’s a no brainer, but I’d highly recommend checking out some of the other docking solutions available on the market and I’ll leave a link to this one and some other top Apple Watch docks below for you. On the other hand, if you consider the $29 price of a standalone 2m Lightning cable, the dock itself wouldn’t be horribly expensive if there was a version without it, but sadly that’s no an option.

There’s really not much else to say here though. It’s a simple dock, that pretty much just works, but only if you’re willing to pay the Apple Tax. But let me know what you think about Apple’s new Apple Watch magnetic charging dock in the comments section below.

Let’s look back on last years models and compare a few features:

1. Display

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models included a 4.7 and 5.5 inch display. It is no surprise, Apple decided to keep the same dimensions for the new iPhone 7. Though, the screen resolution is still 720p, the new color gamut brings a great new feel when comparing models side by side.

2. Camera

While the iPhone 6s Plus was the first, and only, iPhone to feature OIS, both iPhone 7 models feature Optical Image Stabilization(OIS) now. Along with OIS, the Plus model features a second, (telephoto) lens to capture high quality monochrome photos, which then, is processed by software to enhance the quality of the 12mp shooter. And in case you were curious, the new telephoto lens does not include OIS.

3. 3D Touch

Apple introduced 3D touch on both, 6s and 6s Plus models last year, however, they have taken 3D Touch to a new level with Haptic Feedback. By adding a Haptic Feedback engine to each of the new iPhone 7 models, the software experience becomes enhanced and feels amazing to the touch. Sure it may be a small feature, but one that I absolutely love!

4. Water Risistance

Following suite, Apple decided to include, IP 67 water-resistance to this years iPhone 7 models. This is a big inclusion, and one that is far too long in the making since Android phones have had this feature for a while now. You can now leave your phone in a bowl of water for up to 30 minutes, however, Apple has yet to include water damage to “Apple Care+“.

5. The Loss of 3.5mm Audio

In a bold decision, Apple has decided to take out the 3.5mm audio port. What this means is, unlike last years iPhone 6s, and 6s Plus model, the 3.5mm port has been replaced by a single Lightning connector. What this means is, you will now have to use the, included, lightning to 3.5mm adapter if you would like to use your old headphones.

So does it suck?

Given the features mentioned above, if you’re looking to upgrade from last year, I would highly recommend waiting. I say this because, a lot of the new features are, just a bit, unnecessary. Sure water resistance is great, but there are more features in iOS 10 than there are in iPhone 7 hardware when comparing the 6s to the 7. No, the new iPhone 7 does not suck, but it seems as if Apple is just following suite, rather than making bold moves. I mean, even Apple wasn’t the first to eliminate the audio port.

The VideoMic Me is primarily designed for iOS devices and features a directional microphone that is meant to be focused on the subject and less of the noise surrounding you. Because it’s directional, it’s a much better alternative over the omni-directional mic found in your smartphone. It even includes a universal mounting system to keep it compatible with multiple iOS devices with front and rear camera support.

It also features an all-metal body, which has held up pretty nice for me and even a headphone jack for audio playthrough. And for those windy days, there’s even a pretty sweet furry windshield included as well to keep the noise to a minimum. If you want to find out more about Rode’s VideoMic Me, you can pick it up for $59.

Logitech

Next up, we’re taking a look at a couple of things for the living room. Logitech’s K830 keyboard is the perfect media center companion. This is one of the best living room keyboards you can get right now. It features bright backlit keys that ensure visibility in any situation, dedicated brightness control, and even has built-in power control so the keys will light up as soon as you start typing. Along with that, it features media controls, and offers 10 day battery life with a quick 3 hour charge.

The K830 also features a built-in trackpad for easy navigation on either a PC or a compatible smart TV. Along with that, it packs Bluetooth for connectivity or you can use the unifying receiver that will power the connection and allow you to connect up to 6 Logitech devices to it, so no more wasted USB ports. It’s compatible with Windows 7 through 10, Android Lollipop or later, Chrome OS, select smart TVs, like my LG TV with WebOS, and even OS X and if you want to pick one up for yourself, it’s available for $75 right now.

VIZIO Soundbar

While we’re on the topic of living room tech, if you’re looking for a bang-for-your-buck sound bar, there’s no better place to start than Vizio’s new 38-inch sound bar. This thing is straight up impressive for the price. It doesn’t come along with a subwoofer, but it plenty loud and clean for most any situation.

It features RCA, auxiliary, digital, optical, and USB inputs on the back as well as a sub output in case you’d like to expand your system at a later date. It also features built-in Bluetooth connectivity and can be used as a giant speaker if that’s what you’re looking for and there’s even a remote to control everything with. It delivers up to 100 decibels of crispy audio and I highly recommend this thing. For just $98, this is an absolute monster of a deal.

LG Soundbard

But if you want so upgrade to something a little bit better, you can opt for LG’s 300W 2.1 channel system, that includes a wireless subwoofer that definitely packs some bass. The look of LG’s sound bar is slightly better as well with an open speaker design, which I happen to prefer. It also features Bluetoot h connectivity, which is great, but actually has less inputs than the Vizio sound bar with only optical and 3.5mm auxiliary available, but there’s an included remote as well.

I’m a big fan of the design with this sound bar and having a wireless subwoofer is pretty great for putting some rumble behind your couch, but there are some sacrifices over the less expensive Vizio model. At the end of the day though, for just $40 more you can get a wireless sub here, a cleaner design, and ultimately better sound and sound distribution.

Hue Go

Next up, we’re looking at a way to spice up the living room mood. This is Hue Go from Philips. It’s a connected smartphone-controllable light that works with your existing Philips Hue system. If you have Philips Hue already, this is a great addition. Mainly because Hue Go, doesn’t need to be powered by an outlet. It’s actually rechargeable and can be moved to any location in your house to set the mood regardless of what room you’re in.

It features millions of colors and a 300 lumen output, up to 3 hours of battery life and some special effects built-in for any of you mood settings noobs out there. It’s pretty simple to control within the Hue app and if you have the newer Philips Hue Bridge with Homekit support, you can even control it with Siri. With Android and iOS compatibility Hue Go is pretty epic at $98, but like I said you’ll need the Hue Starter Kit to get up and running as well.

Corsair Scimitar RGB Gaming Mouse

Finally, we’re checking out Corsair’s Scimitar RGB gaming mouse. I recently picked this up for my ultimate PC build Black Ice and if you want to check out that video, you can find it here.

This mouse is one of my favorites right now, with 12 optimized mechanical buttons that live on a sliding panel so you can adjust it back and forth for maximum comfort. It features a 12,000 DPI optical sensor for ultra precision and even four independent multi-color RGB lighting zones for near unlimited combinations.

It’s super comfortable for use over long periods of time. There’s a nice long braided cable as well and at the end of the day, it’s a mouse, but it’s one of the best out there. It’s compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10 and can be fully customized through Corsair’s software. For just $79, it’s a pretty good deal for what you’re getting here.

So that about wraps it up for Epic Tech Under $100. Links to everything are in the description, but let me know which is your favorite in the comments section below.

The Nexus 5X is the first budget Nexus we’ve seen in quite a while, the smallest as well, and as the name suggests, it’s the sequel to the Nexus 5. With that, you’ll find a very familiar plastic build with updated internals and a few extra surprises.

Specifications

Around the front, you’ll find a 5.2-inch IPS 1080p display that’s pretty crispy but the colors are obviously a little dull when compared to AMOLED displays. Inside, there’s a Snapdragon 808 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 2,700 mAh battery.

Software

As for software performance, this thing is on point. Of course, this is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and in its purest form at that. A Nexus device is the purest form of Android you’ll find and because of that you won’t deal with any bloatware, third-party customizations, or any other junk that may ruin the Android experience. There’s a nice Ambient Display mode that’s great for checking notifications on the fly.

One great new feature in the software department, isn’t really specific to Nexus devices, but with Marshmallow we have Now On Tap. It’s a pretty cool way to find relevant information based on what’s on your screen. It scans your screen for information like people, places, movies, locations, and even sometimes products, and will return instant results. It’s pretty damn helpful. There are some other new features baked in like user defined app permissions, which is super helpful, a dedicated spot at the top of the app drawer for your frequent apps, and a very special battery saving feature called Doze which we’ll get into in a little bit.

I hate to say it, but there’s not much else to say here in the software department. It’s super fluid and a joy to use. It’s pure Android, what else do you need?

Fingerprint Sensor

This year, each Nexus is equip with Google’s new fingerprint scanner setup called Nexus Imprint. The sensor is located on the backside of the device, placed right where your index finger would naturally rest, and works like a baws. The setup process is very short and sweet as well. As expected, everything is done in the Settings app. Nexus Imprint is not only for unlocking your device, but it’s also an important part of Android Pay and restricting access to specific apps and supported features. Fingerprint sensors are nothing new, but at least it was done right the first time with the new Nexus devices.

Camera

Around the backside, you’ll find a 12.2-megapixel camera that’s capable of shooting up to 4K videos, but you probably want to stay away from that resolution. Because there’s no optical image stabilization here, it’ll be really hard to shoot UHD video from the rear camera. The good news is, the camera on the Nexus 5X is pretty good. Not the best, but definitely passable for most anything. It’s also great that the Nexus 6P sports the same sensor, so you’re not losing out on image quality going with the budget option this year. Things start to slightly break up in low-light, but the HDR+ mode definitely comes in for the win. Overall, it’s a good camera though and certainly the best we’ve seen on a Nexus device.

Battery life

As for battery life, results have been pretty consistent. I can get about 3.5 to 4 hours of screen on time with the 5X, which is not fantastic, but certainly useable throughout the day. Android’s new Doze feature great improves standby time as well, which effectively decreases the amount of battery consumption while the phone is idle or in your pocket. It’s pretty awesome.

Verdict

I wanted to keep this review short and sweet. This is a great $379 smartphone and I’m sure a lot of people will buy it, but with that said you’re probably better off springing for the new Moto X for an additional $20. It’s pretty much a no-brainer unless you absolutely need to small form factor that comes along with the Nexus 5X. This is a great smartphone, but there are a few top competitors in its space, which ultimately makes it a tough sell for Google.

Believe it or not, you can snag some pretty awesome tech items for just $50. Sure, it may take a while to dig through the Internet to find them, but that’s what we’re here for. In the above video, we’ll take a look at five different tech-related/consumer electronics that won’t break the bank this holiday season.

Don’t worry, we’re not stopping here. There are plenty of other episodes coming up over the next couple of months that will feature different price points and gift ideas. Epic Tech is our (much cooler) version of a holiday gift guide, catered to the tech enthusiast.

Here’s a list of the item’s we’ve features in this episode:

• Chipolo Bluetooth Item Finder
• Amazon Fire Tablet
• Quarter Portable Battery
• Chromecast 2015
• Amazon Basics Bluetooth Speaker

Be sure to drop us a comment below and let us know what you’d like to see featured in the near future.

Each system is designed to work with its respective native mobile platform, but there are differences between the two that may appeal to different people. Today we’re comparing Apple’s CarPlay to Google’s Android Auto using the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. This car comes packed with both systems, so you won’t have to compromise either way, but there are some important differences between the two.

Check out the comparison video below for a close look at both systems:

Because of Android’s openness, many smartphone makers dilute Android with their own custom skins. This is mostly great for consumers as skins add features that help create the core concepts of devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy Note line, but there’s almost always a tradeoff. You’re sacrificing overall speed and fluidity thanks to the resources being consumed.

Google’s Nexus lineup is a series of devices without all of the added bulk. This is the cleanest Android experience you can find. While it may not be as feature-rich when compared to other devices and their skins, it might be the best Android experience you can get. Check out the full review in the above video to find out what makes this Nexus so great.

The Nexus 6 is running Google’s latest mobile OS Android 5.0 Lollipop and I think it’s the best software Google has ever released. It’s that good. Lollipop has completely transformed Android into something that puts it ahead of the competition in more ways than one. The user interface has been overhauled and Google’s Material Design language is an amazing work of art.

Lollipop has been optimized to run flawlessly and it’s definitely the change that Android needed. Even on older devices like the Nexus 5, Lollipop performs like boss, but to keep up with the times, Google’s Nexus 6 is packing some heat internally.

The Nexus 6 features a quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor clocked at 2.7GHz, an Adreno 420 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and a 3,220 mAh battery. The internal components are surrounded by a beautifully curved metal frame, plastic back, and a 5.96-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. This is the entire package as far as Android is concerned.

With the Nexus 6, Google has created a benchmark for future devices going forward and it gets me excited about what may be coming over the next year. There’s no doubt about it, the Nexus 6 is a fast device. Benchmarks scores will easily show the raw performance behind this device, but it’s more than just numbers at this point. Lollipop is the pretty little bow on this neat package and I’m loving every inch of it.

Should you buy it? Most of the information you need is in the video embedded above, but I’ll make it very simple for you. While the software features may be a bit lacking when compared to third-party Android skins, the Nexus 6 provides the smoothest experience you can find at this point. I’m a big fan of the build quality, dimensions, and technology inside of this smartphone. If you’re looking for the cleanest Android experience out there, the Nexus 6 is an insta-buy. It’s packing the latest specifications and will remain relevant from a software perspective much longer than its competition.

Since the Nexus 6 will be available through most major carriers, you’ll now have the ability to upgrade with your plan which makes the deal even better for some people. At its $649 entry price, I think the Nexus 6 is a great deal. This is one of the best, quite possibly the best, Android device you can buy this year.

Android tablets haven’t always offered the greatest experience when compared to smartphones, but there’s one word that perfectly describes the change this market needed: Lollipop. In my opinion, Android 5.0 is the best thing that has happened to the tablet space in a while, and the Nexus 9 is the first place you’ll get to see it in action. That being said, there are a lot of things that make the Nexus 9 a great device aside from its pure software experience.

Specifications

The Nexus 9 is powered by a 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 dual-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz, a 192-core Kepler GPU, 2GB of RAM, and a 6,700 mAh battery. It’s bordered by a smooth brushed metal frame and delivers an 8.9-inch display with a resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 that’s covered in Gorilla Glass 3. Overall, it’s a bright, crisp, and colorful IPS display.

Based on design alone, it would be easy to convince someone that the Nexus 9 is the love child created from a Nexus 5 and the NVIDIA Shield Tablet. It takes on most the design characteristics from both of these devices, but in a slightly different package. That’s not a bad thing in any way, but if you’ve held either of those devices you’d know that the construction isn’t supreme, but it definitely has a quality build.

Hardware & Design

On the back side we have a soft touch plastic material with Nexus and HTC branding and an 8-megapixel camera with an LED flash. I’m not a huge fan of the matte finish of the plastic on the black version because it tends to get a little grimy after a while, but it’s nothing a small cloth can’t fix with a few passes. Also, on the front side is a 1.6-megapixel camera, but like myself, you’ll probably only ever use it for the occasional Hangout or Skype call.

One edge of the Nexus 9 is home to its lock button, volume rocker and a small microphone. Because the buttons sit so close to the body, I did find it hard to locate them at times. It’s not a deal breaker, but there’s not enough protruding feel to them when compared to other tablets. On the top you’ll find a 3.5mm headphones jack, while the bottom makes room for the Micro USB charging port and a secondary microphone.

If you’re into consuming media, the Nexus 9’s front facing speakers will deliver the goods. They aren’t the best speakers in the world, but if anyone knows about front-facing speakers, it’s HTC. These Boom Sound speakers are a little warm overall, but definitely loud enough to cut through the crowd. There are limited number of tablets with dual-= front facing speakers and I’m glad the Nexus 9 is a part of that club.

Performance

There’s no doubt that the Nexus 9 is built to perform and because its running Android 5.0 Lollipop, it has every opportunity in the world to do so. Lollipop makes this tablet a dream to use. This isn’t going to be a Lollipop review, but I’m definitely certain that Google’s latest mobile OS is a life-changing experience for all Android devices. If you’d like to hear my full thoughts on Lollipop and its features in a full review, be sure to hit that thumbs up button.

Thanks to its processor and GPU setup, the Nexus 9 flies through tasks like a boss. Multitasking is smooth, animations are slick, and if you’re a fan of Android, you’ll fall in love with the software experience here. Material design is a big change for Android. Everything is animated and you get a real sense of direction when navigating through the user interface. There’s a nice flow to every transition and the tablet apps have seen a lot of optimization which is always a welcomed improvement.

Gaming on the Nexus 9 is a breeze. Though it’s not a difficult task for most high-end flagships these days, the Nexus 9 took on top Play Store titles with ease and stability. One thing I did notice is that the Nexus 9 gets warm to the touch during heavy use. About 1/4th of my unit began to warm up in the top corner by the camera when playing games. It wasn’t hot, but warm enough that I noticed it regularly.

Battery Life

With a 6,700 mAh battery inside of the Nexus 9, I definitely expected above average performance. Under my average to heavy tablet usage (watching a couple of movies, playing games, using Twitter, Facebook, listening to music, and browsing the web) I experienced around 5 to 5.5 hours of screen-on time. This seemed like a fair number considering my usage, but we’ve also received an OTA update during the review period that has improved this area. That being said, I think Google’s estimated 9.5 hours of Wi-Fi browsing isn’t too far off, but it’s likely that future software updates will extend the battery life even more.

Camera Quality

As for camera performance, the Nexus 9 is just alright. It’s an 8-megapixel sensor, but I was never too impressed. I’m sure there won’t be many out in the wild shooting pictures with a Nexus 9, so I classify the camera on this tablet as a free extra feature.

Check out some Nexus 9 camera samples below:

As you can see, it’s not great, but it’ll do okay if you’re in a pinch. Just make sure your shooting environment is perfectly lit and it’ll capture passable photos.

The Verdict    

So what’s the takeaway here? Well, at $399 for the 16GB model, the Nexus 9 is hard to pass up. It’s a sleek mid-sized tablet that’s perfect for those on-the-go and currently, it’s the only one shipping with Android 5.0 Lollipop. With the Nexus 9, you’re getting Google’s idea of the perfect tablet experience. It’s fast, thin, light, and optimized to run like a beast.

There may be a few hit or miss areas about the Nexus 9, but overall it’s a complete package for those looking for an unadulterated Android experience on what Google and HTC consider the latest and greatest in tablet technology. While it may not be perfect in every area, the Nexus 9 is definitely a solid tablet that Google can lead the pack with for the next year or so.

Apple recently released iOS 8.1 and with that added Apple Pay. This is a brand new payment platform that will allow you to make payments at supported retailers and online store apps using nothing but an iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. It’s nothing revolutionary, but Apple is striving to make it a payment standard and has over 500 banks on board with a growing list of retailers. If you’ve just updated to iOS 8.1 and would like to set up Apple Pay, we’ve put together a nice tutorial to help walk you through the process. Check out the video above for more information…

Apple Pay is very simple to set up and easy to use. Once your information has been configured, you can pay for items at retailers without even unlocking the device. Just place your phone over the NFC terminal at any support point-of-sale system and Apple Pay’s interface will appear on the lock screen. It’s one of the easiest ways to pay.

Will Apple Pay survive?

Unfortunately, it’ll be quite some time before this catches on at an international level. At the time of this article, Apple Pay is only supported in the United States, but will roll out to other countries in the (hopefully) near future. It may not be able to fully replace your wallet, but Apple Pay is already off to a strong start and I have no doubt that it’ll pass up any competitors due to Apple’s influence on the market.

We haven’t seen the full extent of Apple Pay just yet, but with new banks and retailers being added to the list each week, it’s only a matter of time before this becomes mainstream. One this is certain, Apple will not give up on this. They’ve put a lot of time an effort into marketing and research. Even if it totally sucked, Apple is too stubborn to admit that. Luckily, it’s a great service and I’m looking forward to its expansion in the future. What do you think of Apple Pay?

Looking for the best large screen smartphone? Well, Samsung and Apple have put together two of the most epic devices on the block, but which one is worth your hard earned dollars? Today we’re comparing Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 with Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus. Check out the video above for all of the information you need to know…

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Apple iPhone 6 Plus specifications

Starting out with specifications, the iPhone 6 Plus features a 5.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 (401 ppi), a dual-core Apple A8 chip clocked at 1.4GHz, a quad-core PowerVR GX6450 GPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 2,915 mAh battery.

As for the Note 4’s specifications, we have a 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 (515 ppi), a quad-core 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor (Exynos variant in some models), Adreno 420 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and a 3,220 mAh battery.

Which one is right for you?

This isn’t really a battle between iOS and Android, it’s a battle between what fits your needs the best. With the Galaxy Note 4, you’re getting a good amount of very specific software features along with S Pen functionality, but not everyone will take advantage of them. However, if you need a high quality device with a large 5.7-inch QHD display, it’ll be hard to find that combination at the moment.

If you’re looking for simplicity, the iPhone 6 Plus may be the route to go. Apple has a strong grip on its software and services and likes to keep them under a very manageable umbrella. This isn’t a bad thing in any way, and if you’re familiar with other iOS devices you won’t have any trouble figuring out the iPhone 6 Plus.

Find out more!

For a full rundown on each device’s features, be sure to check out the above video or head over to 9to5Google for a full written comparison. It’s very clear that these two devices are some of the best released in 2014, but it’ll be hard to directly compare iOS to Android because of the vast differences between each mobile OS.

At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to preference, but hopefully this comparison video has made if a bit easier for you. Which device do you prefer? Leave a comment below!

The industry’s most popular large screen smartphone is back again and better than ever, but will “better” be enough to call it your own? Today we’re getting into our full review of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 to find out if this phablet king can hold the throne. Check out the review video above for a closer look and be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts below…

Just prior to the Galaxy Note 4, we had the Galaxy Alpha. This was Samsung’s first attempt at a metal-framed smartphone and gave me an optimistic view on the future of its mobile devices. So as you can imagine, when the Galaxy Note 4 was announced, my optimism grew tenfold. Samsung is building things better, there’s no doubt about it. With that said, is the Note 4 still a worthy upgrade?

Galaxy Note 4 specifications:

The Galaxy Note 4 is shipping with top of the line specifications including a 5.7-inch QHD display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 (515 ppi), a quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor clocked at 2.7GHz (Exynos octa-core in some models), 3GB of RAM, an Adreno 420 GPU, and a 3,220 mAh battery.

Should you buy it?

There’s no denying that this is one of Samsung best smartphones to date. Of course, we expect innovation over iteration, but I believe that Samsung has hit the nail on the head with the Galaxy Note 4. Sure, there are little quirks and annoyances about it, but overall it’s a solid smartphone. The Galaxy Note 4 will provide you with most everything that was great about the Galaxy Note 3, but much needed improvements where it counts.

For a full comparison between the two, be sure to check out this “Ultimate Comparison” article. Nothing is perfect, but Samsung has done the right things in the right places with the Galaxy Note 4 and I think you’ll enjoy it. For a full written review, head over to 9to5Google.

If you’re in the market for an ultra-wide monitor, the LG 34UM95 may just be the option for you. Check out the review video above to find out!

The most frequent question I get is: “Will my computer power this monitor?” If you have a Mac with Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics or newer you will most definitely be able to power this monitor.  It only takes about 35 percent more power to push the 3440 horizontal pixels versus the 2560 standard.  One caveat to running a strictly integrated graphics setup is the refresh rate is limited to 50Hz through thunderbolt.  If you have a Mac with any type of dedicated graphics you will most definitely be able to power this monitor at a 60Hz refresh rate no problem.

In addition to that, the hub functionality performs extremely well.  You can expect impressive transfer results from the USB 3.0 port on this monitor.  The two USB 2.0 ports on the other hand, perform as expected producing not so hot results.

The two 7-watt down firing internal stereo speakers performed decent enough to be your only source of audio, although that is not recommended.  But for the minimalist, the speakers hold up extremely well.

LG provides you with a nifty little application you can install on Windows or Mac that allows you to distribute up the application windows in a wide array of different layouts.  It’s a really handy tool that helps you structure layouts that work in way that is most efficient to you.  This monitor is built for the creative amateur/professional. If you use applications that utilize timelines and effects panes, this monitor is for you.

Finally, the gaming experience is decent, but nothing anything to get too excited about.  It does the job, but that’s all dependent on the gaming source you’re using and the support in place for the 21:9 aspect ratio.  Although I need to let you know I don’t do much gaming on my PC.

Ultimately, would I recommend this monitor to you?  Yes I would, but only in the event you have $999 USD to spend.  This monitor is directly targeted at those of you considering bringing an Apple Thunderbolt display into your workspace; therefore, if you’re thinking about getting a Thunderbolt display, don’t – get this!  It is much more flexible to dynamic office setups and you will not regret doing work on it’s 3440 X 1440 canvas.

Having trouble choosing between the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 5s? They are all great devices, but having all of the details will make your decision ten times easier. In the above video, I compare Apple’s latest and great iPhone 6 and 6 Plus with the year old iPhone 5s. Which one is right for you? Check out the above video to find out!

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus specifications (from my full article on 9to5Mac):

Starting out with specifications, the iPhone 6 features a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1,334 x 750 (326 ppi), a dual-core Apple A8 processor clocked at 1.4GHz, 1GB of RAM, an 1,810 mAh battery, and up to 128GB of storage. As for the iPhone 6 Plus, most of the internal specifications (processor/RAM) are the same, but you’ll get a 5.5-inch display (1,920 x 1,080 resolution), optical image stabilization with the rear camera, and a 2,915 mAh battery.

In comparison, the iPhone 5s features a 4-inch display with a resolution of 1,136 x 640 (326 ppi), a dual-core Apple A7 processor clocked at 1.3GHz, 1GB of RAM, a 1,570 mAh battery, and up to 64GB of storage. Based on internal specifications alone, there’s a magical difference between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s. Also, because the 6 Plus only provides a few benefits, most of this comparison will be based on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s. If you’re not a fan of large smartphones, it’s likely that you won’t appreciate the size of the 6 Plus. It’s huge.

So what do you think? Is the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus worth the upgrade? Check out the full comparison video above or head over to 9to5Mac and read my full article. Leave your thoughts below!

Trying to figure out your new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus? Or maybe you’ve updated to iOS 8 and want to know what’s new. Well, I’ve put together a handful of tips that you need to know about iOS 8. These are the Top 20 new features found in iOS 8. Check out the video above for an in-depth look!

There are quite a few new features available with iOS 8. Apple has decided to open up its mobile operating system and we’re now seeing a bit more customization available within iOS. Keep in mind, iOS 8 is packed with more than just 20 new features, but these are some of the best. For more information on each feature, check out the links below for full articles on 9to5Mac.

Here are the top 20 features we’ve mentioned in the video above:

• Touch ID for apps
• App Extensions (Extensibility)
• Quick type
• Quick reply
• Handoff
• Group messages improvements
• Details tab in Messages app
• Interactive notifications
• Voice/video messages
• Quick send photos
• Request desktop site in Safari
• Battery usage by app
• Third-party keyboards
• Notification center “Today” Widgets
• iCloud Photo Library
• Shazam integration
• Flyover Tours
• Custom Share Sheet actions
• App Store bundles
• Time-Lapse video

What do you think about iOS 8? Have you updated yet?

Winners:

• Bankai Forty-four – https://www.youtube.com/user/Bankai44fx
• Mirza Ismail Baig – https://www.youtube.com/user/mirzabg86
• Sergio Gariboldi – https://www.youtube.com/user/sergiogariboldi
• RJ Roser – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZykoI_mzJ-ut4BdgAdZz5A
• Sahil Khiwani – https://www.youtube.com/user/skhiwani84
• Enduro Gav – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTA7-zvLR5S26POmgXGfJ-w
• Cristian Chieregati – https://www.youtube.com/user/pallino2402

Thanks for entering our massive Oppo Find 7 giveaway! Stay tuned for other contests and congrats to the winners!

Today we’re taking a look at the Oppo Find 7. This is the latest and greatest smartphone from Oppo featuring a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. It’s also packed with a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 3,000mAh battery.

Inside of the box you get a decent pair of earbuds with a selection of tips, a micro USB cable, and a special wall charge to take advantage of the Find 7’s Vooc charging technology. This technology will allow the Find 7 to be recharged from 0% to 75% in just 30 minutes.

For more info about the Find 7, read my full “first impressions” article over on 9to5Google and check out the unboxing video above. Feel free to let me know what you think about the Find 7. Stay tuned for my full review coming up in the near future.

Read the full written review over a 9to5Mac:

I was very impressed with the way Gravitas is packaged. It has a clean Apple-like unboxing experience and inside of the box you’ll find everything you need to get it setup. No need to bring your own cable. Gravitas comes with a 3ft USB cable, and four dock inserts to accommodate the iPhone 5/5s, iPhone 5c, iPad Air/iPad mini, and fourth generation iPad. Henge Docks also includes an insert for Gravitas that’s compatible with most slim cases as well.

Gravitas is available for $89 on Amazon or the company’s website. Is it worth the money? I think so. This is a very high quality product and will last for years thanks to Henge Docks’ “life after device” program. They promise to continue manufacturing inserts for future Apple devices. So you know that it won’t go out of style for quite some time.

OnePlus One specifications:

The OnePlus One features a 5.5-inch IPS 1080p display (401 ppi), 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and a non-removable 3,100mAh battery. If you look closely at those specifications, it’s almost a budget mirror image of every other smartphone released in 2014 so far. Also, there’s just a $50 difference between the 16GB and 64GB models making it a no-brainer to get the model with more storage. Trust me, with no Micro SD card expansion slot, you’ll probably regret getting the 16GB version.

Check out my written review and watch the video above for a closer look at this “flagship killer.” What do you think about the OnePlus One? Is this the smartphone you’ve been waiting for?

Winners –

• Wesley Tee – https://www.youtube.com/user/wesleytjq
• Jeramie Edwards – https://www.youtube.com/user/Appleman601
• Olu Akins – https://www.youtube.com/user/oakins2
• Jason Siervo – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1pol151-tXQXYsnY0uoYUg
• Carmelo Santana  – https://www.youtube.com/user/juanokiller

Thanks for entering our massive LG G3 giveaway! Stay tuned for other contests and congrats to the winners!

What features do you want/need on a smartwatch?

So what do you think about the 5.5-inch dummy’s size? Is this too large when compared to other devices? Leave a comment down below and don’t forget to subscribe for more videos like this in the future.

Download the Pangu jailbreak tool here and if you’re in need of more instruction through the process, I’ve put together a written tutorial over at 9to5Mac.

From my written review on 9to5Google:

When the LG G3 was first announced, I wasn’t exactly sure what to think about it. Sure, the G2 was nice and had a beautiful display with some quirky software features, but it wasn’t something I was ever interested in using on a daily basis. I considered it to be nothing more than a mediocre device in a big race. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely a step up for LG, but the G2′s late release put it up against some tough competition in 2013.

Fast forward to the LG G3. Even with its recent announcement and small-scale initial launch, the G3 has captured the attention of many. It’s nothing short of a 2014-standard as far as flagship specifications go, but will the LG G3 be the best smartphone this year? That remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, this is the best smartphone that LG has created thus far

Taking a look at specifications, the LG G3 packs a quad-core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM (32GB model) or 2GB of RAM (16GB model), a 3,000mAh battery, 16/32GB of internal storage, and a micro SD card slot that’s expandable up to 128GB. At its core, the G3 is a definite contender, but these specifications don’t make it much different from any other flagship devices we’ve seen this year.

For my full written review, check out the article here on 9to5Google. It’s a long read, but well worth it if you’re considering buying this beastly flagship smartphone. Overall, I’ve enjoyed my time with the LG G3, but 2014 still has quite a few more offerings. Check out the video review above and click here for the full written review.

From my article on 9to5Google:

As mentioned above, this device is loaded with specifications that put it in the same category as the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, and LG G3. Inside you’ll find a quad-core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and a vivid 5.5-inch 1080p display (401 PPI). The 64GB model is featured in Sandstone Black ($349), while the 16GB model comes in Silk White ($299). Not only is this device made from quality components, but the entire experience screams high-end. The OnePlus One is packaged very nicely and every inch of the unboxing experience feels very premium.

What do you think about the OnePlus One? I’m a fan so far, but stay tuned for my full review in the near future. Leave a comment below and give me your thoughts.

From my article on 9to5Google:

Inside of the LG G3 you’ll find a quad-core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 3,000mAh battery, 32GB of internal storage, and a micro SD card slot that’s expandable up to 128GB. The backside features a 13-megapixel camera with OIS+ (optical image stabilization), Laser Auto Focus and is capable of capturing UHD video. The G3 is thin, light, and comfortable to hold, but the curved faux-metalic rear cover does tend to be a bit slippery though not as much as the HTC One M8.

On the software side of things, this device is running Android 4.4.2 KitKat out of the box and LG has redesigned its interface skin to be simplistic and flat. We haven’t had a lot of time to explore everything that the G3 has to offer yet, but this device is definitely shaping up to be the flagship smartphone of the year. Stay tuned for more coverage and our full review in the near future.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the LG G3, including my full review coming up in the near future.