60

APP
+ SAMSUNG HTC NEXUS SONY LG ASUS
REVIEWS 100% unofficial www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

App reviews Tips & advice

Hardware tested Hacking
FASTER! SMARTER! BETTER! TABLET

HOTTEST
HOTTEST
OT ST
REVEALED FACE-OFF
SAMSUNG Whats the best
GALAXY S IV Android tablet?
& NOTE 8

PHONES
NES
2013
3
The incredible new range
of devices from HTC,
Samsung, Sony & LG
SPRING CLEAN YOUR PHONE
Essential ways to keep your device running like new
HD APPS
The best apps for your new
Discover what your 1080p phone revealed
Android can really do!

AMAZING
ISSUE 23

HACKING PROJECTS
Get Android on your laptop Run Ubuntu on Nexus 7 Android games console
Sony reinvents
the phone -Tom Bailey, Tech Editor, ShortList

Xperia Z exudes class

-Engadget, Jan 7th 2013

...this is our new favourite smartphone

-Stuff magazine, March 2013

chock-full with impressive Sony features

-Mobile Choice

The new Xperia Z smartphone from Sony

sonymobile.com
experience the
best of Sony in
a smartphone
The new Xperia Z

Discover more
Introducing the new Xperia Z smartphone from Sony.
Since its announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
in January, the new Xperia Z smartphone has been hugely well received.
Available in black or white, its impressive blend of design, technology and
innovation make it the best of Sony in a smartphone.

razor sharp
beauty Feel like youre part of the action with the worlds
sharpest 5" smartphone display*. The Xperia Zs
1080 x 1920 Full HD Reality Display is powered
by Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, which automatically
optimises pictures and videos for superior
brightness, contrast, sharpness and colour.

durable and water

resistant The Xperia Z has tempered glass with
anti-shatter film. Its also water resistant
to a depth of one metre the highest level
of water resistance in a smartphone.* *
So whatever life throws at it, from a spilt
drink to a sudden downpour, Xperia Z
takes it all in its stride.

Discover more
perfect
shots, any
light Always get the perfect shot with the 13MP fast capture
camera and Exmor RS sensor its the worlds first image
sensor with HDR video for smartphones*. Shoot sharp pictures
and HDR video in any light condition, from bright sunlight
on the beach to dark candlelit restaurants. With Superior
Auto Mode, settings are automatically optimised to make
amazing shots even easier. And with the Full HD front camera,
you can video chat and take self-portraits even in low light.

full of life
and lightning
fast Theres no need to worry about running out of power
Xperia Z has battery STAMINA mode, which gives you
at least 4 times longer standby time. And when its in
action, Xperia Z delivers super fast performance, via
its Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core 1.5GHz processor.

sonymobile.com
In compliance with IP55 and IP57, Xperia Z is protected against the ingress of dust and is water resistant. Provided that all ports and covers are firmly closed, the phone is (i) protected against low pressure jets of water from all practicable directions
in compliance with IP55; and/or (ii) can be kept under 1 metre of freshwater for up to 30 minutes in compliance with IP57. Icons are for illustrative purposes only. Sony and make.believe are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.
Google Chrome and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. 2013 Sony Mobile Communications AB. *Verified by Strategy Analytics as of 4th of February 2013, for more
information on Strategy Analytics results go to: www.sonymobile.com/testresults. **As of 4th of February 2013, outside of Japan there are no smartphones with a waterproof rating higher than the Sony Xperia Z.
Welcome

To issue 23

Welcome
Samsungs dominance of Android is great for
Samsung, but probably less so for the long-term HOW TO
health of the Android ecosystem USE THE
QR CODES
MY HOME SCREEN
A
fter a tricky couple of years
HTC is looking to get right Zero-click access to the best
On (and off) Andys apps in the Google Play store
back in the game with its new
phone this month A QR code is a 2D barcode that can act
flagship device, the HTC One. My first
as a shortcut for delivering information,
impressions are that its the best
such as weblinks. Youll notice them
device the company has ever made, throughout the mag scan them on
with some fantastic work on the your phone and you can download apps
7x7 Aurasma design side, and some innovation and send us messages instantly.
and interesting decisions on the ShopSavvy Free
software. In particular is its focus on better photography, Download this free barcode scanner
APPS

APPS
OUT

to use our QR codes. Handily, you can

IN

with a smaller-than-normal pixel count giving better results scan normal barcodes with it too, to
in low light, as well as plenty of tricks to help you catch help you find bargains on all your
Audioboo ssLauncher
favourite purchases!
that perfect shot. Well put all this to the test next month
This month when we give the device a thorough going over. The One
Ive tested: was undoubtedly the highlight of the recent parade of new
HTC One
Its no exaggeration devices, which have also given us an insight into the new
to say that this is trends for the months ahead. Among them, seven-inch
Lightning one of the best Vector
Browser devices Ive ever tablets that can be used to make phone calls may not be
seen
the most sought after idea, but phablets are. Most
manufacturers now have a larger-than-average device in
their line-up, and Sony is expected to join in too. And then

1 Get scanning
there is the small matter of the Samsung Galaxy S IV.
Publishing schedules being what they are we didnt have Open ShopSavvy, hit the Scan a
the full details of the new phone when we went to press, Barcode button and then hold your
phone over a QR code so that it appears
but its safe to say that it will once again be the device that
GET IN TOUCH everyone else has to beat. It would be nice if HTC or Sony
in the window.

Let us know what youd could mount a fight back with their new flagships.
like to see in next issue Samsungs dominance of Android is great for Samsung,

facebook/littlegreenrobot
but probably less so for the long-term health of the
Android ecosystem. The more big players there are
competing on equal terms the better.
Like us on Facebook to send us

email
your comments

qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Drop us an email and let us know what

2 Launch the link

twitter
youd like to see in the mag

When it has read, the phone will

beep and vibrate, then launch the link.
@lgrobot You may need to choose an app to
Follow us on Twitter and send us
your thoughts Andy Betts Editor launch it with.

4
SMARTPHONES.TABLETS.ACCESSORIES Celebrating 20 years of business
COMPETITIVE PRICES . RAPID WORLDWIDE DELIVERY

SONY XPERIA Z
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HTC One
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4G, WiFi, NFC, DLNA

510

01202 552936 WWW.CLOVE.CO.UK

All prices include VAT, but exclude delivery. Prices are correct at time of going to press. Website price always applies. Errors and omissions should be excepted.
Contents

CONTENTS
Inside issue 23 www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk

27 Special offer for USA readers 62 Exclusive subscription offer

LauncherPreviews,
news and HOTTEST
PHONES
speculation
from the
Android world

2013
08 Android hacking
goes mainstream
Are you ready to start hacking
your phone?

12 10 things you need

to know about widgets
Get to grips with the best of 20 The incredible
Androids widgets
new range of devices
14 Million Sellers
We chat to Cellfish Studios from HTC, Samsung,
about its bestselling portfolio
Sony and LG

15 Make money from

your phone
How much can you earn by
recycling your old phone?

16 Tegra 4 on test
Early benchmarks for the new
Tegra 4 processor 28 Spring
18 Messages
clean your
Sound off about anything and phone
everything to do with Android Essential ways to 48 Amazing hacking projects
keep your device The most powerful hacks you can
running like new perform on your device
6
 Contents
Hacker 48 Amazing hacking projects
50 Run Ubuntu on the Nexus 7
Inside issue 23

Zne
52 Cook your own Jelly Bean ROM

Apps
54 Make your own Android games
console
56 Make use of your old phone
58 Run Android on your laptop
Explore the limits of 60 Hacking tips and tricks
your Android phone Essential tips for getting the most out of
your Android device
Your complete
guide to
90
Acer Iconia
Reviews Tutorials
Cutting-edge tablets and Essential guides to getting more
Google Play
64 The best apps for your
HD phone
Tab A110 smartphones on test from your phone or tablet We reveal a selection of apps
that look great in high-def
78 Tablet face-off 28 Spring clean your phone
Can this budget Four high-spec ten-inch tablets Keep your phone running as smooth as 75 Free GPS apps
tab top the go head-to-head when you first turned it on We test out two high-powered
Nexus 7? 86 Reviews 32 Tutorials
alternatives to Google Maps

86 Sony Xperia Z 32 Use text expansion and other 76 Game reviews

90 Acer Iconia Tab A110 tricks for faster typing The latest games for phones
92 Versus TouchTab 35 Work with more than one calendar and tablets reviewed
10.1DC 36 Sync Android with iTunes 11

94 Accessories
38 Use Chromes cloud features
40 Remotely control and wipe your
App review index
Power up your phone or tablet lost device 76 Beat the Beast
with this collection of goodies 71 BlueBox
69 Brian Blessed Alarm Clock
77 Call of Mini: Brawlers
86 Sony 71 Carbon for Twitter
Xperia Z 72
71
Ditalix Live Wallpaper Suite
Echofon PRO for Twitter
Full in-depth review 71 Falcon Pro (for Twitter)
of the first 1080p 70 Gogobot
smartphone 70 Hushed Anonymous Calls,
SMS
42 Droid Support 77 Ikaruga
Readers questions answered, plus
troubleshooting tips and tricks 77 Ironfell
69 izik
46 Android challenge 70 LINE Brush
Train for a marathon: Can you use your
phone to get fit enough to run a full 26 77 Line Runner 2
mile marathon? We find out 77 NFL Matchups
72 Pup-e-cards from Guide
Dogs for the Blind
78 Tablet face-off Association
Whats the best Android tablet? 77 Rise of the Blobs
69 SleepyTime Plus
71 Slices for Twitter
73 Sliding Messaging Pro
36 77
76
Steampunk Racing 3D
Temple Run 2
Sync Android 69 Trackash
with iTunes 11 71 TweetDeck
Get your music and 68 Umano
other content onto 72 Yelo: Cheap Calls
your phone straight Worldwide
from iTunes
Check our website daily
for even more news www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk 7
 All the latest from the world of Android devices
Android hacking
goes mainstream
With millions of users now falshing custom ROMs onto their phones and tablets, Android
hacking is no longer just for geeks. We take a look at the phenomenon
T
he Android OS prides itself on being as open and
diverse as possible, and the biggest beneficiaries
of this are the hackers who are constantly looking
for new ways to alter, improve and modify their phone
or tablet. But the pre-conceived ideas of hacking being
a niche and somewhat risky way of improving their
devices are slowly diminishing, and instead hacking is
opening itself up to a new wave of wannabe hackers.
The younger generation of people who are moving
into Android handsets are more daring in being able to
experiment with their device, and the overall number of
these people is always increasing, says Ramgopal
Vidyanand, vice president of corporate and business
development at Celltick. Android users want their
mobile device to be a reflection of their identity, and by
hacking their phone, they can achieve this.
8
The rise in popularity of sites such as XDA
Developers has led more people to really explore their
Android device further, with more than just cosmetic
changes being available. The sheer number of ROMs
and tools now available to users can help them improve
how the device functions and works overall.
Paul OBrien, owner of popular Android enthusiast
site modaco.com, believes that there are a wide range
of reasons that the average user has taken to hacking
their device. Sometimes people want to hack their
devices to put back features that have been removed
by an operator, such as tethering. The two biggest
reasons we see however are to remove pre-installed
bloat on the device (annoying apps that theyll never
use) or to apply an update from a source other than
their operator out of frustration at an extended wait.
Our view
I was first sold on the
benefits of Android hacking
when HTC dragged its heels
over updating the Desire to
Gingerbread. I went the CyanogenMod
route first, followed shortly after with a
cobbled-together but mostly functional
ICS ROM, long after the device was
officially abandoned. I now routinely root
every device I get. As a Galaxy S III user
currently the ability to debloat the phone
has been essential.
Andy Betts, Editor
 Stay up to date
Catch up with the latest
Android news and gossip
Installing your first ROM
Looking to get started in the world of Android hacking? Make sure these are the first places you check out
XDA Forums
1 The XDA Forums are the central hub for
all things to do with hacking Android devices.
Theres a wealth of knowledge and custom-
made ROMs to explore.
The lack of updates for devices supplied by
operators is a major flaw in the Android ecosystem,
and its not uncommon to see a device just a year
old be forgotten by its manufacturers. Dr Andrew
Bilach, security researcher at Bluebox, believes that
one of the main reasons why were seeing so many
average users take to hacking their phones, is
because of this very reason. For some, the only
relief from existing security problems, or the desire
to have an updated operating system, is to hack
their device and install a custom ROM on it. The
hacking community is essentially providing support,
for free, that the companies a user has paid for are
not. Ultimately, the software update cycle for
Android is broken.
Theres no denying that the positive aspects of
hacking your device can lead to a wide range of
benefits for your device. For the average user, being
able to tinker their device can help keep their phone
or tablet in tip-top condition, without ever needing to
spend big money on upgrading their device.
Manufacturers have cottoned on to this, and
although there isnt official support for hacking
phones from the likes of Samsung, HTC and the
rest, the process of rooting has been made
generally easier.
With more and more device owners becoming
hacking savvy, the openness of a device to use in
this way is increasingly having an effect on a buyers
choice of purchase, something manufacturers are
becoming aware of, says OBrien. Some
The openness of
a device to use in
this way is
increasingly having
an effect on a
buyers choice of
purchase
Paul OBrien, owner of modaco.com
twitter
@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for
the latest updates
MoDaCo CyanogenMod
2 As well as offering a great forum to 3 The king of all ROMs, the official
discuss ROMs, theres also a news section to CyanogenMod site has a blog which you can
keep you up to date with the latest big news follow to find out when the latest updates will
in the world of Android hacking. be released, complete with bug fixes.
Most people do To hack or not to hack?
not understand Should you download a third-party
this entire set of ROM to update your smartphone?
risks in their Or patiently wait for your network to
send it out?
eagerness towards Is rooting your Android
rooting their devices the right move for
device you, and what issues do
you need to be aware of if
Ramgopal Vidyanand, VP of corporate and business you do it? Dr Andrew
Bilach, security researcher
development at Celltick at Bluebox and previously
at Samsung and
manufacturers make the process very easy (eg Qualcomm, discusses the
Samsung), some manufacturers make it possible pros and cons of hacking
but a bit more difficult (eg HTC) and some, often your phone to get the latest updates, or
waiting for the official one to be delivered by
driven by operators, make it virtually impossible (eg your phones manufacturer or network.
Orange San Diego).
But despite the rise in popularity for hacking Choosing a third-party ROM:
Android devices leading to a whole new wave of
sophisticated tools, brand-new apps and extra Full control of your device and its
features to install on rooted devices, theres also a features
wide range of problems and security flaws that the Timely software and security updates
wannabe hacker may not be aware of. As Vidyanand Free support provided by the hacking
explains, for people new to hacking, there are things community
you should watch out for: There are a number of Software updates available for ageing
tutorials available on the web and a lot of things devices
written around this which makes people think that Breaks device warranty
what they are doing is a trivial task without
understanding the implications. Possibility of adding malicious ROMs
to device
The application that they download can do a
variety of things erase all data, log keystrokes on Waiting for an official update:
their device and transmit it, download random
Approved software update
applications on to your device, make calls of its own
running up your phone bill and the list goes on, he Easier device management with less
warns. Most people do not understand this entire ROM variants
set of risks in their eagerness towards rooting Device warranty still intact
their device. Safe downloads and protection from
Despite the problems many budding and malicious software
seasoned hackers face, theres no questioning that Minimal coverage for older devices
with the resources so readily available, now is the
perfect time for anyone looking to root their device
Long waits for major software
improvements
to start to get involved.
9
 www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Visit us daily for news and more

WHATS HOT
Developments to watch in
the Androshpere

Android taking a giant leap

for mankind
The STRaND-1 satellite has launched into space
carrying a Google Nexus One onboard. The aim of the
mission is to see whether an ordinary smartphone
can be used to drive a satellite in orbit. STRaND-1 will You can get many popular Android apps
on a BlackBerry with mixed results
look to complete a wide range of tasks, including
taking pictures of earth using the phones camera.

BlackBerry 10: the new

platform for Android apps?
BlackBerry 10 can run thousands of Android apps. Is
it really a viable alternative to your Nexus or Galaxy?

Firefox OS: the new kid in town
Mozilla Firefox has confirmed that by mid-2013 they
will have launched its first mobile OS. Firefox OS
looks to be a direct competitor to the Android and
iOS duopoly, with the intent of providing a feature-
packed OS for the masses. Early indications show
that Mozilla is currently looking to implement the OS
on LG and ZTE smartphones.
O
ne of the major features to be found in Pros
the new BlackBerry 10 OS is that it
supports a wide range of Android apps.
Despite increased pressure by BlackBerry to get
more developers onboard, the current crop of
BlackBerry apps is still pretty poor and far behind
both Android and iOS offerings. However, the
new crop of BB10 devices are able to run any
Android app that is converted from the .apk
format to BlackBerrys .bar, in what is a relatively
simple process.
However, the emulator in BlackBerry 10 is
based on Gingerbread, and its performance is a
curious mixed bag of part-BlackBerry, part-
Android that is barely satisfactory on either
count. BlackBerry is keen to implement Android
4.1 in the future, but we cant see this as
anything more than a stopgap to hide some of
the gaping holes in the BlackBerry ecosystem.
There are a wide range of apps
supported and it certainly fills the
gaps left in the BlackBerry World store
Many apps are better priced than
their Google Play counterparts
Cloud storage apps can be linked
with the BlackBerry Playbook
Cons
Applications constantly stutter and
often crash
Some of the apps dont appear in
their native resolution, often leaving it
a pixelated mess
The current crop of BB10 smartphones
cant cope with some of the more power-
hungry apps

Typing being made easy with
SwiftKey 4
With SwiftKey Flow taking keyboard developers in a
new direction entirely, SwiftKey 4 looks to bring
together the best of manual and touch typing into
one package. As youd expect, its hugely
customisable and typing is as flawless as ever.
Why Android and BlackBerry dont mix
It is great to see Android apps on a
different platform, but this first
crossover simply doesnt work very well.
Apps tend to be on the slow side and
even trying to play the most basic of
games is a laborious task. With
BlackBerry keen on porting over Android
4.1 apps, hopefully the next crop will be
more of a success. For the time being,
its hard to recommend any of the
current BlackBerry phones over an Oliver Hill,
Android alternative. staff writer

10
Scream if you want to go

Who decided speed was just for the jetsetters? At Three,

we think everyone should feel the rush of wind between
their thumbs. So were revving up our entire network,
adding some extra g-force, without charging a
hefty premium. Thats ultrafast,
without the ultra pricey.

Our Ultrafast network speeds & coverage vary.

Youll need an Ultrafast ready device. See three.co.uk/network
 www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Visit us daily for news and more

2External app
functionality
Despite adding functions to
some of the Play stores
basic apps, youll also find
a wide range of
customisable widgets that
3Find the
best apps
There are hundreds of
widget packs on the
Play store you can
download to expand
your library of

1Widgets on the big screen

link to many non-Android widgets. One of the
websites and services. For best is HD Widgets, a
Although the selection of apps for Android
example, the Spark 360 comprehensive pack
tablets isnt great, the amount of tablet-
widget gives you full access of simple, but
orientated widgets is impressive. You can
to your Xbox Live profile beautiful widgets that offers a variety of
now find dedicated tablet widget packs
perfect for gaming fans. clocks, weather icons and extended controls.
which offer a great assortment of features.

4 Extra
app
features
Many new
widgets that
accompany apps
tend to offer
functions that cant be

10Customise
Theres no denying that
widgets are a colourful addition
found in the app itself.
Evernote is a great example
of this, by utilising a wide
to any home screen, and they range of quick editing
are a great way of personalising features that make it one of
devices. In Android 4.1, the the most interactive apps to
choice is greater than ever. use on your device.

things you need to

9Google TV know about... 5Important
Widgets
If youre looking for a bigger functions
way of seeing your widgets Aside from their aesthetic
brought to life, then you need qualities, many home screen
to invest in Google TV. Add widgets offer quick shortcuts
widgets to your home screens to some of your devices most
that double up as shortcuts. important functions.

8 Social media 7Use

The official
Facebook and Twitter
your
home screens
Most Android devices
6Create your
own widget
Looking for a particular
apps leave a lot to be come with several home type of widget but cant find
desired. Luckily, screens for you to take one on the Play store? No
theres a handful of advantage of, and each worries, with Meta Widget
decent widgets you can can be filled with you can create and
use to monitor them. several apps. Just customise your own
Falcon Pro for Twitter remember to add your personalised widget. The
is a great example, most important widgets app works by transforming
giving you full access to your central home websites in to widgets,
to your Twitter account screen so you have before giving you the tools
from a widget. quick access to them. to get customising.

12
 Stay up to date
Catch up with the latest
twitter@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for
Android news and gossip the latest updates

Millionsellers
The inside story on Androids most popular apps
VITAL STATS
THE AVENGERS
LIVE WALLPAPER
Price: Free
Launched: June 2012

Cellfish Studios
Installs: 1-5 million
Q&A Perry Landesberg Play Store rating:

Cellfish Studios

portfolio Why do you feel people choose one of the many Cellfish Studio
live wallpapers over other wallpaper-based apps?
Cellfish Studios has pioneered home screen entertainment by

U
sers are always looking for new ways to customise their devices, so its no
wonder that The Avengers Live Wallpaper, part of the Cellfish Studios portfolio,
has rocketed past a million downloads. The wallpaper uses a 3D effect to really
bring the wallpaper alive, and each character from this superhero team is wonderfully
recreated. Live wallpapers are notorious for draining battery life and producing the
same boring effects on a recurring basis, but Cellfish Studios has put together a
winning formula to make people download its wallpapers time and time again.
offering an innovative catalogue of applications that allows fans
to interact, personalise and connect with their favourite sports
and entertainment brands without ever leaving their home
screen. For example, in our Adidas Euro 2012 app, as soon as
Spain won the championship over Italy, we updated the
application in real-time so users home screens displayed Spains
logo and exploding confetti. Fans immediately reacted, leaving
positive feedback on Google Play.

What makes The Avengers Live Wallpaper a hit?
Brought to life
Each character has its own set animation
which helps them really stand out on your
screen. The level of animation is
customisable in the settings menu
Its very rare to see an app on the Google Play store exceed a
million downloads. Why do you think Cellfish has been
successful at doing this numerous times?
We start by listening to customer feedback on ways to improve
our products and always try to innovate on the Android platform.
We identify trends in the market and partner with iconic brands
to quickly create products around those brands that make sense
for the medium. When a user downloads one of our products,
they are downloading a completely immersive experience and
not just a static wallpaper. Our suite of products for each brand
includes keyboard skins, digital clocks and soundboards.

What are your plans in terms of future projects at Cellfish

Added Studios? What should we be looking out for?
extras
To make this live We plan on updating and evolving our existing suite of products
wallpaper stand out with new and exciting features that take full advantage of the
even further, Cellfish Android platform. Our goal is to keep fans entertained and we
Studios has also
developed an continually look for fun and interesting ways to provide a unique
accompanying clock user experience. We also plan on expanding our portfolio of
and ringtone that you
can use alongside it
licenses as well as creating original content concepts in 2013.
This will include new film products from Marvel such as Iron Man
3 and other movie studios.

If you could choose just one, which one of your wallpapers

would you keep on your phone all the time?
Multiple screens Cracking I keep NBA 3D on my home screen because its fun and
Newer Android devices benefit your screen
from having an array of home One of the coolest features
interactive, letting me shoot free throws all day long! It also
screens, and The Avengers Live of this wallpaper is being includes live scores, news, weather, messaging animations and
Wallpaper makes great use of able to set an animation
them. Scroll through them to team personalisation. One of my favourite features is the
that cracks your screen
uncover different sections of every time you get a new in-arena billboards that we program remotely, which keeps me
the wallpaper SMS or email. Give it a try! up to date with the latest news related to big games.

A brief history of
HTC Sense was the first software
customisation for Android devices that 2009 2010
blurred the lines between a skin and a
whole new platform. Over its five
HTC Hero HTC Legend,

HTC versions, starting in 2009, it has

developed from a simple UI designed to
HTC Sense debuted on
the Hero, running
Desire & Wildfire
The With HTC Sense

Sense
make Android more user friendly, to a Cupcake. It was a branding on the back of
massive suite of apps and tweaks that welcome move, polishing the Sense 2 devices
slowed HTCs ability to issue OS up the rough edges of the showed how important
updates, to the more refined but no still fledgling Android 1.5 the skin was becoming to
less rich Sense 5 in the new HTC One. user interface. HTC phones.

14
 CROWD
SOURCE
Opinion from the
Twittersphere

Make money from your phone @lgrobot

Anyone purchasing a HTC
Recycle your phone, earn some money One? Or are you waiting for
and do your bit for the environment the Galaxy S4
announcement?
#decisionsdecisions

I
f you have no use for your old phone then you #android
may lean to just chucking it away, but by
recycling it, not only can you help extend the life @gavinlew
of many of its useful components, you can also waiting for the s4 announcement,
make some extra money on the side. Nowadays I have a contract due for renewal
there are a wide range of sites and adverts so its all coming at the right time
enticing people to part with their devices for cash,
so finding the best price can be difficult. @JamesEleyUK
In this case, sites like CompareMyMobile are a HTC One looks insane, but the
great resource. By comparing 40 plus stores, on battery worries me + not sure if I
can break my Galaxy S love affair
average, consumers can gain 43 per cent extra
(Ive had every one of them!)
cash for recycling their old devices says Ashley
Turner from CompareMyMobile. With budget
@hungry121
devices becoming more prominent, various PAYG gunna wait for S4 release and
options available and short-term contract deals a then try and find the best
more viable option, the average lifespan of a contract deal between them
phone is only 18 months. Mobile recycling firms both.
are now doing more business than ever before.
@jdpjamesp
How much is your phone worth? If I had the money Id be on the
#HTCOne immediately, but as it is
The top brands being traded in are: I shall have to envy everyone
Key else!
Apple 51.8%
@asinrope
Most valuable BlackBerry 19.1% a wise man would wait ;D
traded in
Android phone

Galaxy
Samsung 11.0%
Nokia 7.5%
HTC 5.0%
90%
Of all gadgets
@trucksandco
S4 is going to be the best device
ever, EVER!!
Sony Ericsson 2.4% that are
Note 2 Sony 0.7% traded in are @lgrobot

286
Google 0.6%
Other 6.3% Phones Whats everyone expecting
from the Galaxy S4? Best
phone of the year, or
biggest flop?
@jowlymonster
I guess 1080p screen, pokier
The fluctuating value of the The fluctuating value of the cpu... More interested in KLP
Samsung Galaxy S III HTC One X and the Nexus 5, but not sure I
can wait till Oct to replace my
GNex!

@thejackal1981
best phone of the year. No doubt

Source: comparemymobile.com
@The_Techspert
like all Galaxy phones it will blow
anything else on the market out
2011 2012 2013 of the water. HTC, Sony, LG &
Apple just cant compete!
HTC Sensation HTC One X, S & V HTC One
By Sense 3 the skin Sense 4 stripped things The focus in Sense 5 is on

twitter
was becoming a mass back, and even allowed functionality. A new
of bloat, with you to place apps on Flipboard-style home screen
over-the-top 3D the dock for the first panel and Zoe software for
animations obscuring time. Whether it was shooting and sharing stills Follow us @lgrobot to join
the more refined
Gingerbread styling.
needed on ICS was
questionable, though.
and video. Itll come to older
One devices in time, too. in the conversation

15
 Stay up to date
Catch up with the latest
twitter
@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for
Android news and gossip the latest updates

Tegra 4 How
does it
compare?
busts the How does Tegra 4
benchmark against the
current crop of phones?

benchmarks
36849
Nvidia Tegra 4

16091
HTC One X+

13976

Antutu
Samsung Galaxy S III

Blisteringly fast benchmarks for speediest mobile processor yet 22678

HTC One

T
he next generation of mobile processors wont be and streamlined performance. With Tegra 4, Nvidia is 13300
available for a few months yet, but that hasnt looking to go one step further, by offering a near faultless iPhone 5
stopped the first jaw-dropping benchmarks being user experience for the next wave of high-end Android 9828
made readily available for the most anticipated of them devices. Nvidias first release of the Tegra 4 chip might Nokia Lumia 920
all: Nvidias Tegra 4. Past iterations of the Tegra chip be in its very own portable gaming console, Project
have been included in some of the best tablets on the Shield, a high-end device looking to port AAA games to 2777
Nvidia Tegra 4
market, mainly the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity and the the small screen with the aim of being the best portable
Sony Xperia Tablet S, both of which offered great usability games console on the market. 2121
HTC One X+

Browsermark
1735
Samsung Galaxy S III

2262
HTC One

1890
iPhone 5

1970
Nokia Lumia 920

4148
Nvidia Tegra 4

1541
HTC One X+
Geekbench

1873
Samsung Galaxy S III

3691
Nvidias Project Shield HTC One
is powered by the
Tegra 4 processor 1640
iPhone 5

1611
Nokia Lumia 920

59.86
Nvidia Tegra 4
Stats collated from RightWare, GSMArena and PassMark

15.46
HTC One X+

29.60
Samsung Galaxy S III
Taiji

42.21
HTC One

31.71
iPhone 5

32.45
Nokia Lumia 920

16
Get in touch!
Send us your thoughts
email
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
facebook
/littlegreenrobot
twitter@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for
on all things Android Got questions or comments? Drop
us an email and let us know
Like us on Facebook to
send your comments all the latest gossip

Galaxy S IV set to TRY

cement Samsungs
Android domination
Visit our website for the full details on the Galaxy S IV
S
amsungs domination of the Android market is set
to continue with the launch of the Galaxy S IV. The
device is the most hotly anticipated Android
device to date, and its announcement follows less than
a year after its predecessor went on sale. To date the
Galaxy S III has sold more than 40 million units, and the
entire Galaxy S range over 100 million. Samsung
devices currently make up a staggering 40 per cent of
all Android device sales.
Samsung was set to unveil the biggest of all at a bash
in New York on 14th March. Publishing deadlines being
what they are we didnt have the full details as we went
to press, but the Galaxy S IV was expected to feature a
five-inch LCD screen with 1080p resolution (441ppi), a
13-megapixel camera, octa-core processor clocked at
THIS!
Three cool ways to get
console games on your
1.8GHz, 2GB of RAM and up to 64GB of internal storage.
Head to our website www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk for full Android smartphone
coverage of the device, including specs, hands-on
reports and head-to-head comparisons with other
leading smartphone models.
The launch comes at a time when rumours persist
about Googles concern that Samsungs runaway
success is giving the company too much power over
Android. HTC is one rival manufacturer that has suffered
as a result, and its fantastic new device, the HTC One,
was set to go on sale the day after Samsungs
announcement. Google is expected to launch a new
flagship device through its own Motorola brand in the Stream blockbuster titles
summer, possibly outside the Nexus range, in order to With services like OnLive you can
set out its vision of what an Android 5 device should be. stream AAA gaming titles to your
device. The touch controls are highly

Expansion of the Galaxy customisable and as long as you have

decent Wi-Fi you wont incur any lag.

Galaxy S Galaxy S II Galaxy S III

Launch: Launch: Launch:
June 2010 February 2011 May 2012
Sales: Sales: Sales:
25 million 40 million 40 million
Other variants: Other variants: Other variants:
S Plus S II Plus S III Mini
S Advance S II LTE S III LTE

Discover the best digital mags Blast from the past

There are some amazing emulators on
the Google Play store that cover retro
Get Android Magazine and other titles consoles. Some of the best include
FPse, SuperGNES and MegaN64. All
on your device work with most downloadable ROMs.

N
o matter what Android device you own, there are
plenty of ways for you to get your hands on some of
the best magazines around. Our digital magazines
super-site www.greatdigitalmags.com, gives you access to
20 amazing magazine titles, including our very own Android
Magazine, as well as countless more eBooks and
bookazines covering photography, gaming and technology.
If youre missing a particular back issue of your favourite
magazine, then no worries, as the site provides a back
catalogue of issues for you to purchase. The site also
provides links to the Google Play store, which offers a
When in doubt, hack
great way of picking up digital editions of your
By rooting your device you can use it as
favourite magazines and storing them directly on a dedicated games console. You can
your device. Once purchased, you can then sync the pair it with a console controller, create
magazine between your various devices, meaning a live stream and even turn your phone
youll never be without it again. into a portable gaming server.

17
 Messages
Inside Android Magazines virtual mailbag

Letter of the month

Why Samsung?
Ive been following the growth of Android over the
last couple of years, especially the incredible
dominance of Samsung in recent times, and I have
to admit I still havent got my head around it: Why
Samsung?
To my eye HTC has always made the best looking
devices. Theyre the most distinctive, the most well
built, and HTC is clearly one of the few Android
manufacturers that puts design as a priority as
much as anything else.
And if you want pure speed, surely you would go
for one of the Nexus devices. Without the bloated
skins they represent what Android is supposed to
be, and you get regular updates as well.
And then if you want a good camera youd go for
Sony, which is one of the best imaging companies in
the world and is getting better all the time.
To me Samsungs success is mystifying. Their
devices are plasticky and blandly designed. The
software is way overcooked, adding countless
functions that we dont want and dont need. Add in
the fact that the company seems to be so very
easily influenced by other players in the mobile
market it is really hard to see exactly where the
appeal is. I am missing something special, or is their
success simply down to the fact that they flood the
market with so many devices?
Shaun Ayling
We say: Samsung is something of a juggernaut,
and has been ruthlessly efficient at capitalising on
its success in the Android market. Lots of devices
at every price point is one factor in its success, as
is heavy marketing its no coincidence that the
two biggest players in the industry, Samsung and
Apple, also market their products the most heavily.
Then theres the missed opportunities by other
manufacturers. HTC was in a strong position until a
pretty disastrous 2011 cost it all of its momentum.
The HTC One is a fantastic comeback, but it wont
change things around overnight. And finally, dont
ignore the fact that devices like the S III and Note II
are, whatever flaws you think they have, among the
best mobile devices ever produced. What is the secret to Samsungs success?

SD card vs cloud
I would be lost without an SD card
unless manufacturers provided a
minimum of 32GB, preferably 64GB
at reasonable cost.
I have a 16GB tablet and am
constantly being told its full. I have
transferred everything I can to SD
card and cant delete any more. The
cloud is no good as a) I havent got a
contract and b) I need the data with
me. I am using a lot of memory-heavy
apps to do with mapping and
podcasting so the cloud is useless.
We dont all spend our time
uploading and downloading songs
and photos.
Mitch Wright
We say: We do get the feeling that
the obsession with the cloud is a
little ahead of its time. Until we have
nationwide 4G or Wi-Fi coverage at a
cost that is affordable to everyone
then it will never be a truly viable
alternative to storing all your data on
your device.
Upgrading to
CyanogenMod
After reading 21 issues of your
excellent magazine extolling the
virtues of customisation (sorry I
missed issue one), I decided to take
the plunge after reading your latest
article, Upgrade to Android 4.2 with
CyanogenMod ROM - Issue 22 on
page 54.
I downloaded Titanium Backup but
I couldnt back up because I was not
rooted. There was no information
about whether buying the paid
version would work on an unrooted
phone. I downloaded the version of
CyanogenMod onto my SD card. I
then booted into recovery and there
was no option for backup and
restore. This was where I stopped
and wondered if this was as easy as
indicated. Am I missing something
obvious? I would be grateful for a
pointer in the right direction.
Many thanks for your informative
magazine.
Paul Tiffin
We say: Titanium Backup wont work
on a device that hasnt been rooted,
and you cannot flash ROMs on an
unrooted device either. The rooting
process for your phone will also
involve installing a custom recovery,
which is where youll find the backup
and restore option. The stock
recovery, which you currently have
has no such option. Check out some
of our previous issues for beginners
guides to hacking Android devices.
Galaxy Note II wow!
Many thanks for your excellent and
informative magazine which I look
forward to every month. I recently
switched to a Samsung Galaxy Note
II phone. And wow! The Note II is
simply superb in so many ways. In
particular, as a long time user of WM
phones from the early days, it is
fantastic to have the return of a
proper stylus. There are several
areas which I am struggling with and
hope you can help:
1. How can I add or remove apps
from the split/multi-screen side tab?
Or does the system do that
automatically? Are there any settings
which I can change apart from
manually moving the tab around
the screen?
2. You recommended two backup
programs in a recent magazine:
Carbon and My Backup Pro. Which
one is the best? And will it really
backup/restore everything perfectly
including everything on the SD card?
3. The auto-rotate screen option is

18
Get in touch!
Send us your thoughts
on all things Android
checked in Settings>Display. In spite
of this, my seven home screens are
not rotating into Landscape mode.
Can this be done without rooting
the phone?
4. I installed a micro SD card and
then synced my seven playlists (a
total of 3,350 songs) to it through the
Windows Media Player sync option
using a USB lead. Is this the best way
to sync my playlists/keep them
updated or do you have a better
suggestion? I am using Poweramp as
the music player on my phone.
5. How can I materially boost the
music and ringtone volume of my
TRENDING
Let us know your thoughts
on these hot topics
Which do you prefer:
the HTC One or Galaxy
S IV?
Do you use a phablet,
and do you like its
size?
Which is your favourite
Android device
manufacturer?
Get in touch!
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
email
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Got questions or comments? Drop
us an email and let us know
A Ferarri and a Ford Focus.
But which is which?
Unskinned
vanilla Android
is fast
phone? The maximum volume is
not bad; it is just that I would like
the option to increase it further. I
tried the two apps you previously
recommended Volume+ and
Smart Volume Control+ but
disappointingly could not hear
much, if any, difference.
Your assistance would be much
appreciated.
Charlie Schlesinger
We say: Thanks for your questions
Charlie. Here are some answers:
1. Tap the Edit button to change
apps, but third party apps need to
be explicitly supported for them to
be able to work here.
2. Well take a look at them both
in greater detail in future, but we
recommend Carbon for all round
functionality.
3. The home screen doesnt
rotate by default. You can try a
separate launcher such as Apex
or Nova from the Play store to add
this, both of which work without
rooting the device.
4. The Google Music cloud
service will keep your collection
facebook/littlegreenrobot
Like us on Facebook to
send your comments
up to date, otherwise, your
current method is just fine.
5. Volume boosting apps
perform differently from one
device to the next. Theyre more
likely to work on a rooted device,
although thats not a prerequisite.
Re: Nearly went back
to the iPhone
I have to echo the sentiment of
Ryan Clee (issue 21) for I too have
recently purchased the Nexus 4,
having previously had a iPhone 4S
and Galaxy S3. I must say that the
Nexus 4 is a Ferarri compared to
the Galaxy S3, which is supposed
to be a Ferarri but in reality is more
Ford Focus.
I wouldnt trade my Nexus 4 for
anything on the market. Its fast,
lag free and a total delight to use
on a day-to-day basis.
Julian Herbert
We say: We can just imagine the
hordes of S3 users reaction to
you calling it a Ford Focus! But you
do certainly have a point. The
unskinned vanilla Android on the
Nexus 4 is supremely fast, and its
a refreshing change to the bloated
software we see from the other
manufacturers. Not that it affects
their sales of course, so dont
expect things to change any
time soon
Imagine Publishing Ltd
Richmond House, 33 Richmond Hill
Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6EZ
+44 (0) 1202 586200
Web: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk
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www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Magazine team
Editor Andy Betts
andy.betts@imagine-publishing.co.uk
01202 586254
Staff Writer Oliver Hill
oliver.hill@imagine-publishing.co.uk
01202 586285
Sub Editor Philip Morris
Photographer James Sheppard
Editor in Chief Nick Jones
Head of Publishing Aaron Asadi
Head of Design Ross Andrews
Contributors
Christian Cawley, Sean Cooper, David Crookes,
Duncan Evans, Steve Jenkins, Shaun McGill,
Will Shum, Jessica Thornsby, Sandra Vogel
Advertising
Digital or printed media packs are available on request.
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International
Android Magazine is available for licensing.
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subscriptions@imagine-publishing.co.uk
For all subscriptions enquiries
0844 245 6963 (UK)
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Email: android@servicehelpline.co.uk
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Circulation
Head of Circulation Darren Pearce
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Founders
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Printing & Distribution
Printed by William Gibbons, 26 Planetary Road,
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Distributed in the UK & Eire by Seymour Distribution, 2 East
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Distributed in the Rest of the World by Marketforce, Blue Fin
Building, 110 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SU
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Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material
lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of
Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced
in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher.
All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose
of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endeavoured
to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and
availability may change. This magazine is fully independent and
not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.
Imagine Publishing Ltd 2013
ISSN 2047-1580
19
Feature
Hottest Phones 2013

HOT
HOTTEST
O TEST
OT
PHONES
2013
3
Find your next device
with our guide to the
incredible next-
generation of Android
phones and tablets

A
ndroid never stops moving. The
progress of the OS and the
hardware running it is astonishing,
astonishing
and the devices that well be buying over
the next year are no different. From
flagship smartphones packing screens of
incredible clarity to compact tablets
competing with the likes of the mega-
selling Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire, to the
increasingly popular trend for phablets,
those oversized phone and tablet hybrids,
hybrids
the sheer breadth of hardware on offer is
remarkable. Over the next few pages well
guide you through the latest gear, and
also explain some of the things you need
to know when upgrading. The search for
your next device ends here.

20

W
hen buying an Android
tablet or smartphone you
will need to carefully
consider your potential
needs and what you will
use the device for. With so many different
devices available in a variety of forms and
sizes, it can be confusing working out
which is best for you. Once you settle on a
particular type, you then need to consider
the price, manufacturer and long-term
benefits a device may offer.
There are some choices you can make
to reduce the chances of regretting a
purchase and opting for a well-known
manufacturer and higher-end model will
usually help in the long run. Chances are
that you will receive better performance
every day and be able to use it in many
more situations without having to worry
about screen glare, battery life and so on.
Also, the higher-end the device, the more
likely it is to receive software updates
quickly and over a longer period of time, so
it could be a useful tool for twice as long as
a budget model.
You should carefully consider the screen
on any device and check how well it
performs in bright sunlight and also the
battery life. These two aspects are rarely at
the top of a specifications sheet, but make
a massive difference to how practical a
phone or tablet is in a variety of situations.
Speed will also be a consideration if you
are expecting to multi-task often, and dont
forget call quality, a feature which is often
Buying the best you can will offer the
biggest long-term benefits
Phones of the year Which devices can you expect, and when?
Sony HTC
Xperia Z One
Now
Motorola Asus
RAZR HD Fonepad
overlooked in a time where apps dominate
the thoughts of many mobile users.
On the subject of apps, consider the
extra software features some hardware
manufacturers bundle with their devices
and your access to media. Samsung, HTC
and others are trying hard to compete with
the Apple ecosystem by offering channels
for renting and buying movies and music,
but if your device can access Google Play
you will have automatic access to a wealth
of entertainment automatically.
Some tablets do not come with access
to Google Play and the Kindle Fires are a
good example. They point directly to
Amazon and this may limit your choice of
apps and media on occasions. Many
budget tablets on the market do not have
direct access to Google Play and instead
offer a very limited app store which can
seriously limit your enjoyment of the
product, but if you do your research and
check this out first you should be able to
download everything you need.
With regards to pricing, it is almost
always beneficial to research more than
one option. Buying a smartphone on
contract may seem obvious, but for some
people it can prove cheaper to buy the
phone outright and pay a much lower
SIM-free subscription. Indeed, some
mobile stores will even bundle a tablet with
a smartphone on contract and this can
prove valuable if you are in the market for
both, but do not want to spend a lot of
money up front.
Samsung Samsung
Galaxy S Galaxy
IV Note 8
April May
Sony Android 5
Tablet Z
Feature
Hottest Phones 2013
Cutting-edge Android
Four ways Android is leading
the mobile tech revolution
1080p screens
Full HD on a five-inch or smaller screen
results in a spectacular pixel density, making
videos crisper than ever before, and text as
smooth, readable and easy on the eyes as
an E Ink eReader.
Wireless charging
Banish the wires from your desk. Instead
simply rest your phone on a wireless charging
dock and the battery will become
replenished, as if by magic. The Nexus 4 is
blazing a trail in this area.
NFC
Near Field Communication is a wireless
technology that has been around for a while
but has yet to come of age. This will change
soon, whether it be for connecting devices or
facilitating mobile payments.
The cloud
Combined with 4G, giving you data speeds of
around 100Mbps, the cloud is starting to
take off as a key factor in the Android world.
Having all your data on tap across all your
devices will change things forever.
No matter what device you are
considering and what you need it to do, a
little research will offer many benefits in
the long run. We will stick with the advice
that buying the best you can will offer the
biggest long-term benefits in terms of
enjoyment of the product, reliability and
overall longevity, and with so much choice
out there, you really can be specific in your
requirements to ensure that you end up
with the perfect tool to help you get
through each day. You can then start to
enjoy all of the benefits that Android can
bring to your life and there are many.
Huawei Samsung New
Ascend Galaxy Note Nexus
P2 III tablets
Summer Autumn
LG New Nexus
Optimus G smartphone
Pro
21
Feature
Hottest Phones 2013

ENTRY-LEVEL PHONES
Infobox
Price Data Core spec Must have
<250/$400 SIM-free | 500MB-1GB Dual-core processor | 750MB RAM | micro SD card slot |
<20 per month | <$30 per up to 4.3-inch screen | 480 x 800 1600 mAh battery |
month | Pay as you go pixel resolution 5-MP camera

Samsung Galaxy Express

S
amsung is pushing the Galaxy brand
into pretty much every part of the
market theres isnt a single price
point where you cannot find a variation on
the best-selling Galaxy S III. The Galaxy
Express is one of the more interesting of
those variations. It straddles the entry-level
to mid-sectors and makes an ideal device
for anyone looking for a first smartphone
and doesnt want to compromise too far on
functionality. So you get a large 4.5-inch
display, but with a resolution of 480 x 800
pixels, a pixel density of a fairly low 207ppi,
along with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor
SONY XPERIA U
1GHz dual-core, 512MB RAM, 8GB
SPECS storage, 1320mAh battery
SCREEN 3.5-inch, 480p resolution, 280ppi
Upgradeable to Android 4.0, but Sony
UPDATES tends to be slow updating its phones
VALUE 120/$300 SIM-free
and 1GB RAM, as well as a 5-MP camera.
Nothing too exciting there, you might think,
but you also get 4G support and Android
4.1.2 (with the TouchWiz interface) installed
from the off. Both are things you would
normally expect to have to move up a price
grade to get your hands on and will give the
Express lasting appeal. Samsung is
presenting the Express as an S III for the
more price conscious user, and in that Samsung Galaxy
sense it certainly looks as though it Express
works. The phone will be available in Price range
Entry-mid
the UK from some time in the first half
Best for
of the year. Fast connectivity at
lower cost
GALAXY EXPRESS VERDICT Consider if
1.5GHz dual-core, 1GB RAM, 8GB Plenty of power and RAM to keep you Camera is not a priority
storage, 2000mAh battery going on the Galaxy Express
You want 4G
The smaller 3.5-inch display on the You like the S III, but not
4.5-inch, 480p resolution, 207ppi
Xperia U displays colours a lot better
the price
Ships with Android 4.1 and one of the More timely updates with Samsung, a Upgrade from
first devices to get 4G compatibility clear winner against Sony
HTC One V | HTC Desire |
The Express is more expensive but you LG Optimus Black | Sony
250/$400 SIM-free est. get a lot more for your money compared
Xperia Ray
to the Xperia U

Acer Liquid Z2 LG Optimus L5

Acers Liquid Z2 looks to be a simplified The L5 is a stylish smartphone boasting
phone for people taking their first steps in simple design tweaks to help it stand out
the world of Android. It comes with a unique from the crowd. Considering the phone
feature called quick mode, which is an contains metal edging, large battery and a
alternate launcher with an easier app drawer four-inch screen, its surprisingly lightweight
to navigate. Theres not a lot to write home and again another plus point for the L5 in
about in terms of specifications, as Z2 terms of design and function. Theres an
includes the usual budget necessities. Youll expandable micro SD slot, a worthy
find a 3.5-inch display, 3-MP camera and all five-megapixel camera and a single 800MHz
powered by a single 1GHz processor. It will be processor under the hood. A snip at under
shipping with Android 4.1, however. 200, the L5 is certainly a device worth
Best for: People who are looking for their first considering this year.
foray into the Android ecosystem Best for: Great battery life, stylish and
Consider if: Youre looking for a simple and lightweight design
easy-to-use smartphone Consider if: You want a four-inch screen

Alcatel One Touch Star Sony Xperia E LG Optimus F5

With a dual-core 1GHz processor, A no-nonsense smartphone that Boasting a 2150mAh battery and
4.66-inch display and running comes with full Sony Walkman 1.2GHz dual-core processor, the
Android 4.1, the One Touch Star compatibility and includes Optimus F5 includes dedicated
blends budget price with professional audio technology to apps for improved multimedia file
mid-range specifications nicely. make phone calls clearer. storage and usage.
Best for: Budget big screen Best for: People wanting a simple Best for: Accessing media files
Consider if: You want mobile smartphone to use Consider if: Great battery life is top
browsing on the cheap Consider if: Music is a must of your priority list

22
 Feature
Hottest Phones 2013

TABLETS OF 2013
T
he number of Android tablets
available now is bewildering,
and at times confusing for
consumers. From the high-end
devices from the likes of Samsung to
the very cheap budget models from
companies you have never heard of,
a purchasing decision can be full of
potential pitfalls. It would be easy to
advise against budget tablets from
no-name brands, but they can also
offer uses that still make them value
for money. For example, if you have a
child who wants a tablet to help
them with basic tasks such as web
browsing, watching movies and
playing games, the cheapest tablets
may suffice for their needs. If they
are unaware of speed issues and the
occasional glitch, a small outlay can
offer plenty of use for the right
individual. The pitfalls tend to come
in reduced performance, often very
poor battery life and screens that are
difficult to read in bright conditions
or difficult to tap due to a lack of
sensitivity. Overall build quality can
also be compromised, especially on
the very cheap models under 100,
so you should try to use one first
before buying if that is possible.
Ultimately, if you want a tablet for
yourself and intend to use it for a
variety of tasks indoors and
outdoors, you would be better paying
the extra for a higher-end tablet. You
will get better quality components
throughout, a better screen and
battery performance which does not
get in the way of daily usage. Your
Dont presume that cheap
always means poor performance
potential usage will determine how
much you should spend, but there
are very good quality tablets
available at budget prices (Galaxy
Note 8, Nexus 7 etc) so dont
presume that cheap or small
always means poor performance.
There are some real bargains
available in the Android tablet world
at the moment.

Asus Fonepad Sony Xperia Tablet Z Samsung Galaxy Note 8 HP Slate 7

The Fonepad not to be confused
with Asus other brand, Padfone is
essentially a tweaked version of the
Asus-built Nexus 7. With similar size
and screen res it has upgraded build
quality, the rare sighting of an Intel
processor and, like the Note 8, it can
also be used to make calls.
At just 6.9mm thick a whole 2.5
slimmer than the iPad Sonys Tablet
Z can stake a claim to being the most
desirable tablet around. Its among
the most powerful too, with a ten-inch
screen with 1,920 x 1,200 pixels,
1.5GHz processor and 2GB of RAM.
And, like the phone, is fully waterproof.
Filling in the gap between the Note II
phablet and the full-sized Note 10.1 is
the 8. It comes with the trademark
stylus, but also has a new feature for
eight-inch tabs: you can use it to make
phone calls. Ideally youd do this using
a Bluetooth headset, but you can hold
it to your ear if you really wish to.
Veteran PC-maker HP has delved into
the world of Android tablets with a
device that wants to go head-to-head
with the Nexus 7. Itll be priced slightly
lower around 129 or $169 and
couples decent build quality, Beats
Audio and reasonable specs with the
inevitable compromises.

Best combinations Which phone and tablet go together best?

Budget Media Workhorse
Nexus 4 + Nexus 7 Sony Xperia Z + Nexus 10 Samsung Galaxy Note II +
The dual Nexus setup gives For media use, resolution Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
you almost unrivalled is the key. The 1080p If power is your priority then
power and extreme display on the Xperia Z the best-selling phablet, the
portability in a package and the better-than- stylus-equipped Galaxy Note
that is also mind-blowingly 1080p display on the II, and the high-end hybrid
cheap. Buy from the Play Nexus 10 tab will provide from Asus will give you a
store and you can pick you with the best phone, smartphone,
them both up for the price on-the-go movie sketchpad, tablet and laptop
of a single flagship phone. experience you can get. in just two devices.

23
Feature
Hottest Phones 2013

MID-RANGE PHONES
Infobox
Price Data Core spec Must have
250-400/$400-$600 1GB Dual-core processor | 1GB 1800mAh battery (removable)
SIM-free | <30 per month | RAM | 4.5-inch screen | | micro SD slot | Regular OS
<$40 per month 720p resolution updates | 8-MP camera

Motorola RAZR HD
M
id-range devices consist of
features that would have been
considered cutting edge just a
year earlier, and theyre becoming more and
more appealing. The RAZR HD is Motorolas
flagship handset, yet it sits closer to the
mid-range than the kind of behemoths that
are competing at the very top end of the
market. And thats no bad thing, for this is
not a phone that is left wanting. If its 1.5GHz
dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM are
so-so, the presence of a 720p AMOLED
display, a 2530mAh battery and 4G
connectivity are certainly not. The phone
MOTOROLA RAZR HD
1.5GHz dual-core, 1GB RAM, 16GB
SPECS storage, 2530mAh
SCREEN 4.7-inch, 720p resolution, 312ppi
Motorola tends to be timely with its OS Ships with Android 4.1. No word on 4.2
UPDATES updates; RAZR HD contains Android 4.1
VALUE 300/$500 SIM-free
also represents a success in the design
department, borrowing some of the design
cues from the RAZR i, our favourite
mid-range device from last year, with its not
quite edge-to-edge screen enabling the
4.7-inch display to fit inside a chassis nearly
5mm shorter and nearly 3mm narrower
than the Galaxy S III and which, at 8.4mm
thick, claims to be the worlds most
compact smartphone. We also love Motorola
Motorolas skin, which is about as light as RAZR HD
can be without being full-on Vanilla Android. Price range
The tweaks and enhancements it brings are Upper mid-range
Best for
genuinely useful and fully consistent.
Fast browsing, long
battery life
Consider if
SAMSUNG GALAXY S 3 MINI VERDICT You dont need
1GHz dual-core, 1GB RAM, 8-16GB Fast processor and beefy battery life quad-core
storage, 1500mAh make the RAZR HD a winner here
Battery life is a priority
The larger screen on the RAZR HD looks You need something
Four-inch, 480p resolution, 233ppi
crisp and clear whenever you use it
tough and sturdy
Both companies are quick with their Upgrade from
update as of yet updates, so this is a draw
Samsung Galaxy S II | HTC
The S III Mini can be found generally Desire HD | Samsung
280/$350 SIM-free cheaper than the RAZR HD. Contract
Galaxy Nexus
prices also tend to be much cheaper

LG Optimus F7 Acer Liquid E1

The Optimus F7 sports a very similar spec to Not the first brand youd think of when
Motorolas RAZR HD, with a 4.7-inch 720p picking out your next smartphone, but Acers
display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor and E1 has some decent specs for a device
eight-megapixel camera, although it doubles parked at the lower end of the mid-range
up the memory to 2GB. But while the RAZR sector, with a SIM-free price of around 190
has great design and build quality, the F7 is ($288). Theres the obligatory dual-core
noticeably cheaper in this respect, with a processor and 1GB RAM, 4.5 4.5-inch screen
style more akin to the Galaxy S II from a with 960 x 540 resolution and five-megapixel
couple of years ago. Still, a good spec camera, all powered by Android 4.1. Most
camera
including 4G in a well-priced handset gives interesting is that the device will be available
it plenty of appeal to consumers. in single and dual-SIM configurations.
Best for: 4G on a budget Best for: Work and business use
Consider if: You want a large screen and a Consider if: You want a dual-SIM option to
lightweight handset balance work and home life

Huawei Ascend G510 Alcatel One Touch Vertu Ti

The large 4.5-inch IPS display does Idol Ultra The British-made Vertu Ti includes
a great job at bringing out the full With a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, mid-range specs for a mind-
Android 4.1 experience. Huaweis 16GB of storage and full AMOLED bogglingly high-end price of
Emotion UI isnt too bad either. display, the One Touch Ultra is a 7,000/$10,000. Its titanium-lined
Best for: Enjoying your favourite device to keep your eye on. case certainly has the style and
apps on a big screen Best for: Shooting video in 720p protection factor, however.
Consider if: You want a close Consider if: You want to try an Best for: Showing off
resemblance to Vanilla Android emerging mobile brand Consider if: Money is no object

24

THE RISE OF
THE PHABLET
P
hablets have surprised many people
because they are selling in huge
numbers to people who want
something more from their mobile
experience. The idea of a smartphone has
changed and in some ways reverted to the
larger screened PDAs which preceded the
growth of mobile phones and always on
connections. People are no longer overly
concerned with the size of their devices,
but rather are focused on getting things
Capable of much more than
standard-sized smartphones
done, and as the tasks they want to do
become more complex, so the need for a
larger space to work in becomes more of a
necessity than ever.
The Galaxy Note and Note 2 from
Samsung include technology that works
with a stylus in a way we have not seen
before. Handwriting is as easy as with a
pen on paper and you can even hold the
stylus over the screen without touching it
to check emails etc. Besides the software
touches that Samsung and others are
Phablets sized up
The revolution in size is pushing mobile
ownership to new heights
6.1 Huawei Ascend Mate
A surprisingly capable device which
will suit those who want decent
specifications at an affordable price. It
does most of what the competition can,
but the design may not suit everyone.
5.7 ZTE Grand Memo
At just 8.5mm thick this is a
remarkably thin (and light) example of
the phablet phenomenon in action.
But it doesnt come at the expense of
power, with a 1.7GHz quad-core CPU
and 3200mAh battery.
5.5 Samsung Galaxy Note II
The phablet which is the most well-
known offers a lot of benefits and
innovative uses for the owner with a great
screen and a design which makes it feel
smaller than it is.
including, there are other obvious
advantages batteries are larger and last
for much longer per charge, movies can be
viewed in a more comfortable and natural
environment and faster processors can be
employed to keep everything moving
quicker than you can blink.
Some phablets feel like mini computers
rather than phones and are thus capable
of much more than standard-sized
smartphones. The downside is, of course,
the size which can make phablets difficult
to carry in a pocket or to use one-handed
at times. As humans we can usually adjust
quite quickly to whatever device we carry
with us, but your needs will have to be
balanced against the practicalities of
ownership of a phablet.
If you make very few voice calls and
tend to spend most days typing and
staring at the screen, a phablet will work
well. For more traditional phone usage, a
smaller device may still work best for you.
Feature
Hottest Phones 2013
Do you need 4G?
4G is costly and enjoys sporadic coverage, but its
only a matter of time before it becomes the norm
4G is the next big thing in mobile telecoms and is looking to build upon
the huge popularity of mobile data which is driving the entire industry
forward. Initially, 3G took some time to attract users because there were
no obvious usage cases for it. The operators touted video calling as the
perfect use, but the masses decided against that and so over time usage
grew as devices became smarter and users found a need for the faster
speeds. 4G now finds itself in the same position; offering very fast mobile
data rates, but with no obvious advantages for those who already use 3G
every day. Of course the speed of 4G will enable you to stream videos
without buffering, play multiplayer games without lag and do so much
more, just like you can with a fast home Broadband connection, but there
is a price to be paid for this extra speed.
The technology is new and coverage is sporadic so if you decide that
4G will be beneficial, you will need to weigh up the benefits against the
extra subscription costs. Network providers also tend to limit the amount
of data you can use each month and these limits will become much more
noticeable with 4G because its so easy to use hundreds of megabytes in
a couple of hours when streaming content. If you have access to Wi-Fi
often and find 3G works well for you, it may be worth waiting until the
technology has bedded in and prices come down. Until then, it is likely that
only those who use mobile data throughout each day for media will gain
value from the technology. Also, you should be aware that battery time
can be reduced significantly when 4G is enabled, which can impact on the
practical usage of your phone.
Where can you use your 4G phone?
4G can be used in many countries, but different bands and frequencies
are used in each, and then by each operator within a country. There is no
guarantee that a 4G phone will work on every 4G operator within a
country, unlike 3G which has become more standard.
UK EUROPE USA AUSTRALIA
band 2, 3, 4, 12, 13,
band 3, 7, 8, 20, 38 band 3, 40
band 3 17, 25
(frequency 800, (frequency 1800,
(frequency 1800) (frequency 700,
900, 1800, 2600) 2300)
1700, 1900, 2100)
5.5 LG Optimus G Pro
The specifications are incredible,
even by todays standards, and the
design is great to look at and hold.
This could potentially be the perfect
phablet in the right hands.
5 Sony Xperia Z
Not technically a phablet, but on
the absolute limit of how large a
smartphone should be. Its impossible
to stretch your fingers from one end of
the screen to another, but wont get
you funny looks when making calls.
25
Feature
Hottest Phones 2013

HIGH-END PHONES
Infobox
Price Data Core spec Must have
400+/$600+ SIM- 2GB to Quad-core processor | 2GB 2300mAh battery or
free | 30+ per month | unlimited RAM | 4.7-inch display | 1080p greater | 4G | HDMI-out |
$40+ per month resolution | 16GB+ storage Good OS update support

HTC One
H
TC might have been having a hard
time of things over the last couple of
years, but if theres any justice in the
mobile world, the HTC One will put them
right back in the game. It is, without
question, the most beautiful device weve
seen from any Android manufacturer, totally
rivalling Apple and Nokia when theyre
working at the peak of their powers. The
phones externals are solely aluminium and
glass, giving the device a really solid feel
and attractive look. The attention to detail,
such as incorporating dual-stereo speakers
HTC ONE
1.7GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM, 1.5GHz quad-core. 2GB RAM,
SPECS 32GB storage, 2300mAh battery 8-16GB storage, 2100mAh battery
SCREEN 4.7-inch, 1080p resolution, 468ppi
Unlocked, rooted, should be plenty
HACKABILITY of ROMs
VALUE Around 500/$750 SIM-free
as a design feature or incorporating an
infrared port (for controlling your TV etc) into
the power button, is something to marvel
at. But the One is more than just looks. The
processor is fast, the RAM plentiful and the
battery larger than HTC has equipped its
devices with in the past. HTC has also been
brave with its camera. Instead of following
the 13-megapixel trend, the Ones camera
is just four megapixels but each pixel is
considerably larger than on other phones HTC One
and so will produce higher quality images in Price range
low-light conditions. HTCs best in years. Top bracket
Best for
Media, photography
NEXUS 4 VERDICT Consider if
The HTC One out-specs the Google You dont want to wait
phone in almost every respect. A true for the Galaxy S IV
cutting-edge device for 2013 Youre not concerned
The screen on the HTC One is stunning, about the lack of
4.7-inch, 720p resolution, 318ppi arguably the best weve seen on any megapixels
smartphone from any manufacturer You want the best
The Nexus 4 is the hackers phone of screen going
Unlocked, rooted, lots of ROMs
and tweaks
choice, but HTC flagships always prove Upgrade from
popular. A tie!
HTC One X | HTC
Nothing can challenge the Nexus 4 on
Sensation | Samsung
From 239/$299 SIM-free price, although the One will remain on
Galaxy S III | Nexus 4
the bleeding-edge for some time

Samsung Galaxy S IV Asus Padfone Infinity

Looking set to become the biggest phone of the year, the Galaxy S IV builds on The Padfone has had mixed success so far,
the immense popularity of the a range that has already shipped in excess of but with the Infinity it might just come of age
100 million units. The usual combination of boundary-pushing specs and in 2013. The Padfone concept consists of a
software innovations combine to produce what is the most hyped phone in high-end smartphone 1.7GHz quad-core
Android history. The question is, is the brand now strong enough to be a CPU, 2GB RAM, five-inch 1080p display with
runaway success regardless of the what the phone delivers (much like weve an accompanying dock that turns the device
seen with the recent underwhelming but still immensely popular iPhones)? Can into a ten-inch tablet. Its a fantastic product,
the newly invigorated HTC and Sony, along with all the up and coming Chinese albeit something of a niche one for now,
manufacturers be able to reign in the mighty Korean giant, or are they all simply complete with a hefty price tag of 999
battling it out for second place in a market where first place is all that counts? (799, or $1,300) that is guaranteed to raise
The coming weeks and months will reveal all. a few eyebrows among consumers.
Best for: Raw speed and software innovations Best for: Portability, convenience
Consider if: You want to invest in Androids most popular brand Consider if: Money is not an issue

Huawei Ascend P2 Sony Xperia Z ZTE Grand S

The P2 supports Cat4 LTE, Sonys best Android phone to date The Grand S has a five-inch, 1080p screen,
which bumps 4G speeds by has superfast performance, a lots of RAM and a processor clocked as
50%. In reality your actual great screen and stylish design. fast as any other device. Incredibly, this is
speeds depend on what your The camera performance and squeezed into a 6.9mm thin shell we
network can deliver. video playback make it the perfect await battery results!
Best for: Speedy downloads choice for multimedia fans. Best for: Speed
Consider if: Youve a Best for: Video and stills Consider if: Youre OK
compatible 4G network Consider if: Comfortable with size with regular charges

26
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Tutorials
masterclass
Spring clean
your phone
Expert tips to help remove the clutter on your phone or
tablet and make it run like new again

I
f you are starting to notice some Top tips to make your battery
significant slowdown on your last until the end of the day
device, it might be time to give it a 1. Background apps
thorough spring clean. With a wide
Even when you exit an app, it
selection of tool and utility-based apps
doesnt necessarily mean the app
on the Google Play store, youll have
Ask your own has been properly closed. Without
no trouble sourcing apps aimed at question online at
littlegreenrobot.co.uk double checking, the app can run
making your device run that little bit
There are so in the background on your device
quicker. In this masterclass, we have
many apps and drain battery levels without
covered some of the fundamental
things you should do to make sure that can help you knowing.
improve my 2. Invest in a replacement
your Android device is running at its
phone, but do Many phones have replacement
optimum, and listed the apps you you have any
need to use to achieve this. batteries you can purchase to help
advice for
In our first tutorial well guide you avoiding the give you longer battery life. These
through the process of wiping hidden ones filled with batteries tend to be slightly larger
cached files on your device, and spyware? than the originals, so they come
identify the apps that use up the most Unfortunately, tool and with a new backplate for you to
utility apps are
data. Our next two tutorials will show commonplace for use with your device.
you two different ways of malicious apps to call 3. Syncing problems
home. The best advice
streamlining the content thats stored we can give you is to Apps like Facebook and Twitter
on your Android, with the second of make sure you read are notoriously bad for draining
these tutorials using the essential ES the user reviews and battery life. These sort of apps need to
only download trusted,
File Explorer management app. reliable apps from constantly sync to your device to keep
And, if you need a way to optimise brands you recognise. themselves updated, but this can drain
your devices RAM and take its power your battery life an awful lot quicker 5. Keep track of Bluetooth
to new levels of awesome, then youll than normal. Bluetooth is another popular battery
definitely want to read our fourth 4. Manage your screen killer, so when not in use, make sure
step-by-step. In our final tutorial well By far the biggest user of your devices its turned off. A great app to monitor
guide you through the best apps for battery life is the screen. Having it on a this is Power Controls, which
helping to give your battery life the bright setting is a bad idea, so make automatically disables it after youve
ultimate spring clean. sure you change it accordingly. finished using the service.

Essential tune-up apps Use this software to keep your phone feeling fresh

RAMbo - Memory Optimizer FREE Advanced Mobile Care JuiceDefender Ultimate

Faster phone Task killer Better battery
Use RAMbo to free up some of your current memory usage and Despite Advanced Mobile Care having a wide range of different features JuiceDefender Ultimate is the app to use if youre looking for ways to
ultimately make your phone a whole lot faster. Youll be surprised with to explore, its best use is to be a task killer that can help stop improve your devices battery life. The app scans your phone to where
just how much of your memory is being used without you knowing. applications from draining your battery life. battery usage is at its highest and looks to minimise its impact for you.

28
 Sp And
mring croid
as lea dev
ter n ic
cla yo e
ss ur
Works with All versions of Android Difficulty Easy

Clear the cache to 2

Defragging your
phone will let you
perform the most basic
min of tasks a whole lot
guide
recover memory Speed up
faster than before

Get more internal storage by removing app-

created cached files with App Cache Cleaner access to
W
henever you download and use an app, small secondary files are also created
alongside them packed full of data. These cached files may start off small in size, but
can soon take up a considerable amount of your internal storage if left unmanaged, and
your files
subsequently slow down your Android device. Caches can contain anything websites youve
visited, Tweets youve read all intended to speed up your phone, but sometimes having the
opposite effect. There are a wide range of cache cleaners on the market, but the most efficient is
App Cache Cleaner. This app will locate the hidden cache files created by your apps, perform a
full scan of every app on your device and then remove them in just a few seconds. Its a free
download from Google Play, so lets get cracking.

Download and open Total Defrag HD

1 Free from the Google Play store. Once
youve done that, press on the Defrag option
listed at the top of the app.

1 Analyse your apps

Download and install App Cache Cleaner
from Google Play. When you open the app for the
first time, it will perform a full scan of the apps
installed on your device. Depending on how many
apps you have stored on your device, this could
take up to a few minutes to complete.
2 Check your cache
All your apps will now be listed with the
biggest cache files shown at the top. Most of the
default Google apps create large cache files, so
expect to see them positioned at the top. At the
top bar youll also find a total cache number that
displays what can be cleared.

The app will now analyse your device to

2 pinpoint the files that can be
permanently removed. This process can take
a few minutes to complete.

3 Wipe individual cache

If youd prefer not to entirely wipe your
cache, you can choose to remove them
individually. Press on one of the apps listed and
wait for the menu to calculate the total amount of
cache that can be removed. Press the Clear
button to remove it.
4 Scratch the lot
To remove your entire cache, simply press
the Clear All button at the bottom of the apps
listing page. Depending on how much it needs to A yellow bar will now appear indicating
delete, the wipe can take a few minutes to 3 the progress of the defragging process.
complete. Youll receive a notification telling you Once completed, itll show you how many
how much was wiped. temporary files were removed.

29
Tutorials
Works with Android 1.6 and up Difficulty Intermediate

Find out whats using up

the space on your SD card
Explore your SD
O
ne of the most useful apps you can download
from the Google Play store is a file
card and find management app. Not only can these
where your applications give you full access to your smartphone
and SD cards files, it can also be a great place to
storage space is delete large, hidden files in just a few steps.
being used One of the premier file manager apps available is ES
File Explorer File Manager, a one-stop shop for file
management that also includes a wealth of
interesting features for you to use.
The feature that youll want to check out if youre
keen to spring clean your device is the SD card
scanner. Using this feature will let you see where your
internal storage is being used, and which files in
particular should be removed to clear up some space.
Once youve completed a scan, youll then be able to
delete those hefty files from your device. In this
tutorial, well take you through the process of
scanning your SD card and identify the type of files
you should remove immediately.

1 Open the app

Open ES File Explorer and follow the built-in
tutorial to help get you started. Along the top of
the app are a series of controls that house
different features. For the purpose of this tutorial,
long press on the fifth icon across titled TaskMgr.
SD Card Analyst mode
2 There are a wide range of features you can
take advantage of in this menu, including a
Security Manager, Task Manager and App Manager
option. We want to select the SD Card Analyst
mode located near the bottom of the menu.

3 Perform a scan
Youll now be taken to an identical screen
as before, but youll now see DiskMgr listed at the
top of the app. Press on DiskMgr to commence a
scan of your SD card. Typically, the scan will take
around three minutes to complete.
4 Check your storage
After the scan youll be able to see a variety
of things. At the bottom of the screen is a general
overview of your storage, and by swiping left you
can see a widget that displays file types and the
storage they take up.
Delete hefty folders
5 Thanks to the scan youll be able to see
which files are taking up the most room. Scroll
through your folders and find a large file you want
to remove. Long press on the specified folder and
choose the Delete option to finalise it.

30
 facebook twitter

mring roid
Sp And
Message us!

as clea dev
Get in touch via Facebook /littlegreenrobot @lgrobot

te n ice
Get help from our Follow us to send your
and Twitter

rc yo
Facebook community questions and thoughts

la u
ss r
Works with Android 2.1 and up Difficulty Easy

Disable battery I
t isnt just your internal storage that can be affected
if you dont give your device the occasional spring
clean. Many apps include features that dramatically
lower your battery life, and without paying attention to
it, your devices charge will soon run out. The most

killing features
reliable way of making sure your battery life is in tip-top
shape is by downloading the Battery Booster app.
This app works in the background of your device and
disables some of the most common ways in which
battery life is drained. For example, the app will disable

Give your battery life a detox Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you arent using it, and disable
the pesky auto-sync option in Facebook, which is a true
with Battery Booster battery life killer.

1 Running in the background

After downloading the app from the Play
store, open it up and read the instructions
provided. The app will explain how it works, and
how much battery life you can save while using its
features. Once read, press on the See Battery
Usage Stats button.
2 Why the drain?
The application will now take you to a
complete rundown of all the elements that are
draining your battery. As you scroll through the list
you might be surprised with how much spring
cleaning you need to do. Press on one of the
options that consumes a lot of battery.
3 Start to disable features
Youll now see an even more detailed
breakdown of how much battery life that particular
feature or app drains. You can choose to
permanently disable the feature, force stop it or
you can edit the features settings to tone back on
its battery usage.

2min Optimise your devices memory

guide Get your device back up to speed by giving the RAM a thorough tune-up

Download and open the
1 Memory Booster - RAM
Optimizer app from the Google Play
store. Once opened youll be able to
see an all-encompassing breakdown
of your current memory usage, and
the amount of memory thats
available to you.
Select the Task Killer option
2 from the toolbar at the top of
the app to see an individual
breakdown of each app and service
on your device, and the memory
theyre using up. Typically, any social
networking apps will be using most
of your memory.
Select the Show User Only
3 option in the bottom-right of
this screen to see just the apps you
have installed on your device. Select
the apps you want to stop for the
time being and press the Kill
Selected Apps button to free up
some memory.
Navigate back to the home
4 page and select the Quick
Boost option at the bottom of the
app. This will quickly search your
phone for memory it can instantly
free up for you to use. After its
finished itll display a breakdown on
the memory it freed for you.

31
Tutorials
Works with Android 4.2 and up Difficulty Intermediate
Auto capitalisation
Every time you finish a sentence, the
first letter of the next word will
automatically be turned into a capital
with the subsequent letters being
lower case. It saves you having to tap
to shift the key into upper case
yourself. Untick to turn it off

Use text
expansion to
type faster Enable gesture
typing
The slightly strange concept of
gesture typing is activated here.
What it means is that you tap and
hold on a letter then slide across to
Theres a lot more to using text and the next one in the sequence
without lifting your finger. This
dictionaries in Jelly Bean than you think creates a trail of connected letters

I
t may come as a surprise, but theres a lot
of different ways and features when it
comes to getting your thoughts into your
Jelly Bean Android device. It isnt just
auto-word correction, theres predictive word
suggestions, gesture typing and next word
suggestions. You can add dictionaries for
other languages and install a graphics pack
of Emojis these are the Japanese version of
emoticons. If you install these then they
become one of the suggested words in the
prediction bar when typing.
If all that wasnt enough and you werent
already typing at the speed of sound, you can
use the sound-text function as well. Simply
tap on the microphone symbol on the virtual Dynamic floating Next word
keyboard and your Android device will preview suggestions
By having this option active, as you Not content with guessing what you
convert speech to text. create a word through the gesture are trying to type, activate this
In this tutorial were going to explore how process, the suggested word in the function and when you have
predictions bar is also repeated, finished one word, the system will
to use these various features, starting with hovering above where your finger is suggest the next word you might
the predictive text that offers whole word on the keyboard. It makes it easier want to use. Tap on it to agree or
suggestions in the predictions bar above the to see because your finger start typing something else and it
obscures the tablet will disappear
keyboard, as you type.

1 Find the dictionary

On your Android 4.2 device go to
Settings>Language & input and select Personal
dictionary. Here you can add and remove your own
words to the devices global dictionary, as well as
setting up the text expansion shortcuts. Its a
great place to get started.
2 Add your word
Tap on the Add button in the top-right hand
corner to begin creating your word shortcut. You
can at this point add a new word and press the
back button for it to be automatically saved, but
you can also create a longer string and assign a
shortcut to it if you wish.
Assign a shortcut
3 Add a word or phrase in the main box where
it says Phrase. In our example were adding our
email address, consisting of 25 characters. Now
under Shortcut add a different string of characters
(but not a commonly used word). Were using eee.
Press the back button to save.

32
 quick Take control of the various languages on offer
1 Letter to America? 2 Disable or remove 3 Different keyboard layouts 4 Change the volume 5 Add your own words

tips
To use the American English Its better to only have American or Different languages can use The default volume for key press Add words to the dictionary. Go to
dictionary go to Add-on dictionaries English active at once, so use the different virtual keyboards. You can sounds is 30. You can make this Settings>Language & input>
in Settings and install it. Disable function on one. change the default keyboard to suit. louder or quieter in the Settings. Personal Dictionary. Tap on Add.

Ask your own

question online at
littlegreenrobot.co.uk

How do I use
speech to text
translation?
A much quicker method of text
input is to use the speech-text
translator. On the bottom row
of the virtual keyboard is a
microphone icon. Tap on this to
4 Test the shortcut
Now start typing in a document, email etc.
5 More suggestions please
If a choice of three suggested words isnt
activate the built-in Google
Voice app. When prompted to
Enter your shortcut string and the phrase you enough when typing, tap and hold on any of the speak, start talking. Do it slowly
assigned it to will show as one of the suggested words in the predictions bar. A pop-up box will for more accuracy and so that
words. In our case we type the three-letter string appear showing an even greater choice of you dont get completely ahead
eee, and have the option to substitute our email suggested words that sound vaguely similar. It of the system. Tap on the
address a total saving of 21 screen taps! works for corrections and suggestions. keyboard icon to return to
normal keyboard control.

Why does the voice

translator only
work when
connected to the
internet?
The simple reason is that it
uses external servers to
process the voice recognition. If
you find that this is a useful
function to have wherever you
are then you can download
6 Correcting words
One of the other features to note in the
7 Support other languages
To add additional languages go to Settings,
offline speech recognition to
enable it to work even if there
keyboard is that if you have spelt a word tap on Language & input, then on the Settings icon isnt an internet connection. Go
incorrectly, tapping space at the end of it will for the Android keyboard English (UK). Under the into Settings>Language & input
trigger the auto-correct. This also applies for heading for Text Correction, tap on Add-on and tap on the Settings icon for
Google Voice typing.
adding apostrophes where needed. You dont have dictionaries to see those available. To add German
to tap the correct word in the predictions bar. for example, tap on Deutsch and then on Install.

Need help?
Got a problem with your
Android phone or tablet?
Get in touch with us...
facebook/littlegreenrobot
Get help from our
Facebook community

8 Getting graphic
If you want to sprinkle your text with Emoji
9 Add some fun
When writing emails in particular, its
twitter @lgrobot
Follow us to send your
questions and thoughts
those crazy Japanese versions of emoticons difficult to convey emotion, sarcasm or whether
then go to the same language dictionary area
again and select Emoji for English Words. Now
when you type, characters for these will be
you are being warm-hearted or mean. In the
bottom-right corner of the keyboard is a set of
emoticons. Tap and hold to display them all, then
email
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Send your questions for our team of
suggested in the predictions bar. move to select. experts to tackle

33
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Works with All versions of Android Difficulty Easy

Manage more
than one calendar
Do you use
H
aving a mobile digital calendar is one of the Google accounts or
great advantages of owning a smartphone. In you have a work
multiple Google Android you can enter and check calendar that you need
calendars or appointments, set reminders and classify yourself as to access from your
busy or free but sometimes this isnt enough. Android phone, there is an
need to check a From time to time you might find that information excellent built-in tool that enables you
corporate one? has gone missing. Invites might have been sent to a to merge appointments from multiple

Heres the simple different email account to the one you use with your
Android, resulting in you being late or even missing
way to use them appointments. Whether you are running multiple
calendars into one for easy checking. Better still, the
process is remarkably quick and painless. Put simply,
youll never be late for an important date again!

1 Adding a new account

Your Android phone will have one calendar
set up by default, whether you have used it or not.
A new account can be added by opening the
Calendar, selecting the menu and choosing
Settings, then Add Account. You get a choice of
Google or Corporate.
2 Syncing second calendar
While you might find you need assistance
from your IT department if you choose Corporate,
the Google option requires just a username and
password, although a new account can be
created. Once signed in youll be able to sync your
browser, contacts and your calendar.
3 Display both calendars
With the new calendar synced, open the
main Calendar view to check if the appointments
are displayed. Dont forget to check Month/Week
views if nothing shows at first. Open the Calendars
to be displayed option in the menu to check which
calendars are active.

4 Toggle calendars
Viewing a busy calendar might be easier on
your small mobile screen if you can remove
additional data from view. This can be done by
toggling the Calendars to be displayed option, but
you can also open Settings and toggle whether
the calendar is synced.
5 Adding new appointments
If you need to add a new appointment to
the calendar, you will need to select which of your
accounts it is going to be added to. All you need to
do is go to the Calendar menu and select New
event. Here the account name is listed; tap to
display the alternatives.
6 Search multiple calendars
You can even search all of the calendars
you have added for particular appointments. The
Search option will automatically look for the
phrase you enter, displaying the results regardless
of the calendar. If necessary, use the calendar
toggle options to reduce the number of results.

35
Tutorials
Works with Android 2.1 and up Difficulty Intermediate

Sync iTunes 11 with your

Android phone or tablet
Use iSyncr to get
W
hether you prefer to use iTunes as your
default music purchasing service or
iTunes syncing previously used iOS devices and
seamlessly with consequently built up a library of music with it,
theres no doubt that getting iTunes to sync music
your Android to your Android device is very handy. However, it
wont do it alone, it needs some help in the form of
third-party apps that install a host server program on
your computer, and an app on the Android device.
The idea is that the host program gets the music and
playlists from iTunes and sends them to the Android
app. In turn, some apps can harvest photos and
videos created with your Android device and sync
them back to a location of your choice on the host
computer. There are a few packages that do this, but
one of the most popular is iSyncr by JRT Studio. The
host software for your PC or Mac is free, but the
Android app is an inexpensive purchase. In this
tutorial were going to sync iTunes music from a
Windows PC to a Nexus 7 using iSyncr.

1 Host software
Syncing your Android requires both an app
and a host program on your computer. Go to www.
jrtstudio.com and download the PC version.
Theres also a link for the Mac version. Run the
installation and unblock it from Windows Firewall.
Download the app
2 Now go to Google Play and type in iSyncr.
There are separate versions for a PC or Mac host.
This costs 2.46. Sign in to your Google account
and hit Buy. Select the device to send to and click
on Continue. Review the purchase and buy.

3 Confi gure iSyncr server

Double-click on the iSyncr server in the
Windows system tray and click on the WiFi
Settings tab. The Password isnt the same as the
Wi-Fi router password on your network, its just for
this connection so it doesnt need to be changed.
4 Add photos and video
To get any photos and videos from your
Android to sync to your iTunes you need to change
the Photo and Video paths to where you store that
media. Add Android to the folder name to keep
them separate. Then click on Save.
5 Checking the app
Although the system works over USB and
Wi-Fi its best to run it first over USB. Go to your
device and tap on iSyncr. On launching iSyncr
theres a tutorial that you can run which explains
the steps. Plug your device into the computer.

36
 Get in touch
Were on Facebook and Twitter, or
facebook
/littlegreenrobot
twitter @lgrobot
email
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Like us on Facebook and Follow us to send your Need help? Got a question? Drop us
just drop us an email join our community comments and pics an email and let us know

Ask your own

question online at
littlegreenrobot.co.uk

How do I sync with

Windows Media
Player?
Simply plug your phone into
your computer and it will be
detected and youll have the
option to sync automatically. No
additional software is needed.

6 Gathering iTunes info

Right-click on iSyncr in the System Tray and
click on your device name. This gathers
information from iTunes and also launches the
program. Ignore that and click on the dialogue box
that iSyncr produces to see various tabs.
7 Selecting music artist
Each tab contains a listing of all the things
presently in iTunes. Simply go through each one
and tick to select for syncing to your Android
device. An additional option is to remove music
from your device that isnt in the iTunes library.

8 Other sync options

Click on Options. One of the benefits of
syncing iTunes music is getting the album art as
well. Ensure this is ticked. Everything will be placed
in a folder called Syncr. Click on that and change it
to something more memorable like iTunes Music.
Start syncing music
9 Click on Done and then on Sync to start
syncing the music across. This copies everything
over song by song with a percentage complete
notice. If theres a lot to do it will take a fair
amount of time. Click on Exit to finish here.
10 Play your music
Go to your device and tap on the Music
app. The synced music will now appear along with
any other music you have stored and can be
played as you want. Now exit this and go back to
iSyncr. Tap on Tools.

11 Confi gure upload options

Tap on Settings. Tap on Remove USB Tab to
select as it doesnt actually do anything. Tap on
WiFi Reverse Sync. Put ticks into the boxes so new
photos, videos and Amazon MP3s can be sent
back to your computer.
12 Syncing by Wi-Fi
Go back out of Settings and tap on WiFi.
Your iTunes library computer should appear here.
Tap to select it. This lists all the playlists, music,
videos, books, TV programmes and film
categories. Tap on one and then on View to select.
13 Adding a playlist
The playlist for 90s songs has been
selected to View. The purple sign means its
waiting to be synced. This applies to all media you
view. Tap on Sync Now to sync this playlist, or
music or other media, to your device, by Wi-Fi.

37
Tutorials
Works with Varies with device Difficulty Easy

Use Chromes
cloud features
Heading out and
W
eve all been there sat at a computer Once an account
engrossed in a long web browsing session is set up, syncing can
want to continue when suddenly you have to go out. Its occur between desktop
reading that always a wrench to finally tear yourself away, wishing and mobile devices,
that you really didnt have to. enabling you to carry on with
webpage? All you Its quite silly, of course, because in most cases the your browsing session wherever you
need is a Google same content will still be there later on. While that are. This system also manages the syncing of

Chrome account knowledge doesnt do much to quell the urgency,

thanks to Google Chrome for desktop and Android
bookmarks between desktop and mobile browsers,
so youll never be caught without access to your
and your phone devices, this no longer needs to be a problem. favourite websites again.

1 Signed in
For the synchronisation process to work,
you will need to be signed into your usual Google
account on both your desktop and your mobile
Chrome browsers. From the menu, click Settings
and tap Sign in to Chrome, where you will need to
add your username and password.
2 Confi gure services
Once signed in, you will need to instruct
Chrome what information to share between your
desktop and your mobile. Under Services, ensure
that Sync is set to On, and select Chrome to
Mobile, which will send your recent webpages from
your desktop to Android.
Open synced bookmarks
3 Along with syncing your recent pages in
Chrome, your favourite bookmarks will also be
available in Android. These can be accessed by
opening the menu and selecting Bookmarks. Your
favourite webpages can be browsed in folders and
tapped to load them up instantly.

4 Find bookmarks
Depending on how your bookmarks are
arranged in the desktop version of Chrome, youll
see different results when you tap the Favourites
button (a dark grey star). Folders will be named as
per your desktop browser, so check this to find
what youre looking for.
5 Sync recent webpages
You can check what has been recently
viewed on your desktop computer using your
Android phone. The Other devices option in the
menu displays a list of websites based on your
desktop Chrome tabs, as well as indicating when
the sync took place.
Reading on Android
6 Note that there may be some difference
between the webpage as viewed on your phone
and on your PC. To overcome this, use the Chrome
apps Request desktop site option, which will
present the page as viewed on a desktop rather
than the mobile version.

38
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The headphones are also entirely free from wires, enabling
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Designed specifically for use with smartphones, Parrot Ziks
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39
Tutorials
Works with Android 2.2 and up Difficulty Intermediate

Remotely control and

recover your lost device
Take control of
T
here is the very real possibility of misplacing user signs in and is remotely connected to any device
or losing a device, which, at the very least is that the Android Lost app is installed on.
a misplaced, irritating. The chances of a device being stolen If you have simply misplaced the device, the alarm
lost or stolen are less likely but you need to be ready in case any of option is a great choice for finding it. Hit Send and a
these scenarios do happen. full volume alarm will go off. If you cannot hear the
device to help Android Lost is a free app that enables users to device there is a GPS feature which will locate the
find out exactly remotely control a device through a Google account. device within 60 seconds. Not only does the app

where it is After installing the app users can remotely control a

device using a host of features. Remote control of a
enable users to help find a device but it also lets users
control elements of a device. You can search through
device is done through the Android Lost website. The contacts, reboot the phone and even take a picture.

1 Android Lost app

Head to the Google Play store and search
for Android Lost, download and install. Now open
the application and select the administration
rights option. This will activate the app on the
device, but to use the app tap Exit and head to
www.androidlost.com.
Access permission
2 Select the Sign In link in the top-right corner
of the page this will redirect to Google accounts.
Add login details and log in. The Android Lost app
will then request permission to access a Google
account. Select the Google account to use and
press Allow to continue.

3 Control basics
Switch to Controls and reveal a selection of
options under the default Basics banner. The first
option is Alarm, which will set off a siren at a
predetermined volume. This is ideal for trying to
find a lost phone or device. Select how long the
alarm will last and tap Alarm to set if off.
4 Device location
The GPS option, under Basics, displays the
current location of a device. Select Send location
and wait for the Google server to display a pop-up
showing the location. If the GPS is disabled or not
available, the network location is displayed. Again,
ideal for finding a device.
Status
5 The current status of the phone or device,
ie battery level, can be sent directly to the server.
Alongside Phone Status there is the option to
disable sound to make a device silent.
Alternatively, it can be switched on. There are the
same choices for Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi.

40
 quick Root and boot get a better understanding of Android Lost
1 Rooted options 2 Boot message 3 Logs 4 Scan code 5 Settings

tips
The premium features Reboot and A boot message appears when a Switch to Logs to view recent To get the Android Lost app the The Settings icon sits under the
Shutdown phone will only work on device is booted. To disable, simply activity. Click an attachment to view quick and easy way, go to Get username in the top-right. Click to
phones that have been rooted. send an empty message. more details or delete a log entry. Started and scan the QR code. view details or add new ones.

2 Losts premium
min features explained
guide The basic version of the Android Lost app has plenty to offer,
but you can try out the Premium features free for a week

6 Message and text

There are a selection of options for sending
messages. The first option is the Message popup
one which simply sends a message to the device
that the Android Lost application is correctly
installed on. Type in a message and select Send.
Alternatively, send a text.

1 Personal Notes
When the Android Lost app is installed
2 Contact search
Tap the Premium link to view the
on a device, users will see a Personal Notes associated features. Contact Search is a simple
icon appear on the home screen or in Apps. Tap feature that enables users to remotely search
to open and view two options, Exit to close the contacts on a device. Add a name and hit
app or tap Try premium features. Search to get related contact details.
7 Hide package
Switch to Security to view the Package
display option. By default the Android Lost app,
known as Personal Notes, will be added to Apps. If
a device gets stolen, the Personal Notes icon can
be hidden by selecting Hide Package. To show,
click Display Package.

8 Text to speech
If a phone is lost or misplaced the Text to
speech option under Mobile enables a spoken
message to be remotely activated. Simply type in
a message, or use the default, and press Speak.
Seconds later the message will be played on the
selected device.
3 App launcher
Remotely control third-party apps via App
Launcher. To remotely launch an app, the
package name is needed. This can be found via
the Google Play URL of the app, for example,
com.sticksports.stickcricket. Add the package
name and hit Send to activate.
4 Reboot
The final two premium options enable
users to reboot or shut down a phone. To
initialise these features users simply need to
click the Reboot or Shutdown button. However,
these options only work on rooted smartphones
with premium features enabled.

41
DroidSupport
troubleshooting advice hints and tips
emailGotan expert

Google Maps
an Android-
related problem that
you need solving?
Let us know!
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Share your tips & tricks

leaving me lost
Join us on Facebook and Twitter
to share and receive some
great tips and advice

facebook
/littlegreenrobot
Like us on Facebook and join
in our Android community

twitter
@lgrobot On my Nexus 10, every time I go into Google Maps
it cant find my location. The GPS is on but I am still
Follow us on Twitter to send
your thoughts and questions

having no joy. Any suggestions? I hope you can help

me. Gavin Pennington
If the GPS is turned off,
A then your precise
location cannot be
found but since you have this

Did you know? turned on and Google Maps is

You can turn notifications off on any
Android device by going to Apps in
Settings and selecting the app that you
do not want to receive notices from.
Simply uncheck the box which says
Show notifications and it will prevent it
from annoying you in the future.
still struggling, it suggests you
have a problem that goes a
little deeper. It shouldnt take us
too long to get to the bottom of
the issue, though. Most likely,
this is because Location Access
has not been set up correctly. Go
to Settings>Personal>Location
access and allow the Nexus 10 to
access your location by
flicking the switch to On.
Now you need to check
the boxes for either GPS
satellites or Wi-Fi & mobile
network location. The former
works like a vehicle GPS and
uses satellites, while the second
lets your location be found
without GPS. Why not check
both boxes?
Next go to Settings>Accounts>
Google>Location settings and
ensure the switch is in the On
position. Google apps need to be
able to access your location
information and this is the
one-step setting which enables
you to do so. If it is turned off,
then Google apps such as Maps
cannot access your location data. If your Nexus is not allowing access to your location, ensure you have GPS satellites enabled

42
 Ask your questions facebook email

DroidSupport
Got a problem with your Android phone or tablet? /littlegreenrobot qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Get help from our Send your questions for our team of
Send it to us and well find the solution Facebook community experts to tackle

How can I print without

using the cloud?
I would like to know whether there is a way to print documents
from my Nexus 7 without having to use any cloud services. I carry
out surveys and use Quickoffice Pro for this. I travel up and down the
country, mostly to remote parts where there is no mobile phone
signal at all. Matt Griffiths
We see that you would will pair up and you will be able
A prefer not to use Wi-Fi
or a phone network to
to print without the need for
Wi-Fi or a phone network.
print. Thankfully, there is a PhotoShare will also enable
solution for you and it is possible you to select a nearby USB
to print via Bluetooth using printer. The options are available
PrinterShare Premium Key to you when you go to print one
which costs 7.95 via Google Play. of your documents. You can print a wealth of documents You will be asked to select a printer
In order for it to work, you need Although you do not want it, using the PrinterShare app including Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi options
to make sure you have Bluetooth the easiest way to print from
activated on your Android device your Nexus 7 is via Cloud Print Samsung, HP, Epson, Kodak, browser. The instructions for this
and then ensure it is paired with which works using Wi-Fi. You Canon or Brother) to make this are contained on the Cloud Print
your printer. The app will ask for will need an ePrint printer or process simple. page: www.google.com/
your permission to download a one which is Wi-Fi enabled and If you dont have a cloud- cloudprint/learn. You can also
driver for your Bluetooth printer, there are apps available from connected printer, then you will email documents to compatible
which you need to accept, but Google Play from various printer need to route it through your printers so this may well be an
once you have done this, the two manufacturers (such as computer using the Chrome option for you.

hints&tips Get more from your Android phone with our handy hints
1 2 3
Check your kids activity Customise your keyboard Request an app refund
If you want to use your Android device to If you miss the row of punctuation at the top We know you can get a refund within 15
control the apps installed on your childrens of the keyboard when hitting space, you can minutes, but what if the app is so large it
device, go to Google Play on your device, select go to Settings>Language & input>Android takes more than 15 minutes to install? Go to
Accounts and Add another. Ensure this account keyboard settings>Advanced settings. Scroll down your account, click Report a problem under
is the one linked to your kids device. and uncheck Next word suggestions. Options. Select Id like to request a refund.

43
DroidSupport
Did you know?
Your home screen can become very cluttered but there is a
quick and easy way to remove unwanted shortcuts in Jelly
Bean. Simply long-press an icon and flick it up. Then go to
Settings>Apps, select the app and Uninstall.

A
It is possible to go some
way to rectifying this by Guarding my cloud-aware app too, so your
personal data is always
using the app Llama.
This works by setting up a series
of events with actions and
privacy
I find that Im regularly handing my
protected remotely. Sounds quite
sneaky, but it does work.

conditions. So, for example, you

could set Llama to detect when a
Bluetooth device is connected.
You could then have it toggle
Bluetooth on and turn the device
into car mode.
It can, however, be a little
buggy. Indeed, Llama admits this
and gives you a warning that
your home button may stop
working until you re-enable the
keyguard. It says it may also
make your SIM card lock act
strangely. You could also use an
phone to other people to use, or just
look at, for one reason or another.
Given the amount of personal
information Ive got on there this
does make me a little nervous at
times. Is there any way to lock
access to certain data?
David Marnow
Theres no way to do that
A on a phone, David. On an
Android 4.2 tablet the
best solution would be to use the
multi-user account feature to
Better apps
for S-Pens
I use a paper diary because I find it
quicker to access and use. Now I
have the Galaxy Note 2 I wonder if
there is a diary app which makes use
of the S-Pen? Chris Williams
A
As Chris pointed out in
his extended email to us,
the S-Pen which is a
stylus that lets you make great

Its good to app called Tasker but this is not

a free app. Of course, you could
create a blank account you could
boot to whenever anyone else is
use of your Galaxy Note 2 and is
perfect for gestures and

talk in the decide not to set your Android

screen to lock before you start
using the device. There are apps
that can help protect your
handwritten notes will work
with the S Calendar app that

car
I need to use my phone while Im
driving so I have bought a Parrot
Minikit Smart Bluetooth hands-free
device for my car. But when I set my
Android screen to lock, I cannot
receive dialled calls. Simon Booth
driving, in which case you would
get around the problem. We
would always advise, too, that
you never touch your Android
device while driving and to pull
over when it is safe to do so in
order to change anything on
your handset.
privacy. One good one is called
Loky. This creates a secure area
on your device into which you
can save the data you want to
keep private, and you can even
set it up to intercept text
messages and the like from
specific contacts. Its a fully
comes with the device. But you
can only annotate or draw on
important dates when you are in
the month mode and Chris wants
a diary app which goes further.
We like Jotter. It has been
produced to take advantage of
the S-Pen and it has some neat

My Nexus 4 wont upgrade

Ive
Ive bought two Nexus 4s for members of the family. One of them gets regularly updated
with system updates, but the other seems to get little, if any. Theyre both SIM-free so I
dont think its a network-related issue. How can I go about updating the second
handset? Simon Walker
This is not an uncommon problem this point, it is worth restarting your
A and fixing it may require a little bit
of force (although the roll out dates
device and then attempting to retry the
update. Go back into Settings>System
for updates tends to differ for different Update>Update Samsung Software. Click
customers, so patience can work). Dont on Check Now. Your navigation links may
worry you wont break your Nexus with this be slightly different to this but not so that
method but it should do the trick even if you it would cause you any problems. You
have to try it a few times. may find the update is now under
Some people have reported having to About and System Update.
perform this more than six times or more Whether or not you will have the
before the upgrade process will begin same issue when Google releases
successfully so dont give up. If at first you further updates to the Android
dont succeed, you know the drill. operating system were not
To get things moving, go to Settings and sure, but this method should
navigate to Apps>All>Google Services hopefully resolve those
Framework. Tap Force Close and the Clear future issues too. Good
Data and Clear Cache options. Accept the luck, and let us know how
Google Services prompt if it asks for one. At you get on!

44
 Share your tips
Got a great tip, or found a cool
shortcut? Let us know!
features such as disabling the
back button so you dont
inadvertently mess up your
note-taking with a misplaced
tap. You can use the app to
produce notebooks for tasks,
diary, art or general note-taking.
But you may also want to try Fit
Tight Planner which has a day
and month view and works with
the S Pen on the Note 2. Every
day has its own canvas on to
which you can hand write notes
using the stylus and the same
goes for the monthly view as
well. Best of all, you can pick it
up on Google Play for just 1.23.
Make use of that 15-minute trial!
Spotify loses
my cached
tracks
Im a big fan of Spotify, but Im having
a few problems with the Android app.
First, it randomly loses playlists that
Ive downloaded for offline use,
which means the app goes online
again to download them when I try to
play them. Its not ideal when Im on
a 3G connection as its eating into my
allowance. Second, I cant find any
way to search for playlists or the like.
At the moment I need to subscribe to
them on my desktop in order to be
able to access them on my phone. Is
there a solution to this, or is it just
one of the limitations of the app?
Andy Cox
Were also big fans of
A Spotify, Andy, and we
can relate to your
problems. Regarding the loss of
cached tracks and playlists, we
have encountered this before but
not so much since the most
recent updates, so hopefully it
has been fixed. To prevent the
app eating into your allowance,
go into Settings and make sure
Download over 2G/3G is set to
Off. As for finding playlists, this
is a limitation of the app but
there are third-party apps that
can fill in the gaps. Weve had
some joy with ShareMyPlaylists,
which enables you to search
shared playlists and subscribe
and download within the Spotify
application itself.
facebook twitter email
DroidSupport
/littlegreenrobot @lgrobot qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to Discovered anything good about your
join our online community send us your tips & tricks Android phone? Let us know!
How dangerous are some
apps to your device?
I have the tSpyChecker app by Tao Software which checks
dangerous apps installed. It states that some apps require access to Update
certain features on my phone. Can you please advise if these are 60% Complete
safe and good apps?
M S Malik
You go on to say that
A the features which your
apps are trying to
access include IMEI numbers, update update
your contacts list, SMS We bring you the news and
messages and the ability to rumours on the latest Android
make phone calls. The updates, and the phones that can
run them
tSpyChecker app alerts you to
T
potential problems and helps he OS update has gone
you make sense of what the app quiet for the time being,
is doing and why. Whether or not
an app which wants to access
as we wait for news on
whether devices will get 4.2
this information is good or not
differs from program to program.
App expert Ian Naylor, who
or whether, as weve
predicted, most
manufacturers will give it a
runs the developer App Institute, miss and skip straight to
tells us that many apps which Android 5 in Q3. But Google
The tSpyChecker app is free and lets you
ask for such permission dont assess the level of permissions you grant has been busy on the
actually need access. The software side, pushing a new
developer, in a lot of cases, has phone status to check a network Google Settings feature to
simply turned on all permission signal. There will, of course, be devices via a Google Play
requests but not made use of some apps that will attempt to Services update that happens
them in their apps. do bad things with the data it in the background. This green
In general, your apps will not accesses. Always read app icon, which you may have
be spying on you. Asking for reviews and try and find out already noticed on your
access to your contacts could be what an app wants to do with phone or tablet, is a handy
to help auto-complete names your data by performing a quick mechanism for managing all
within an app. It may want your Google search before agreeing. your Google accounts and
apps from a single location. A
1 View the icons
Once youve got your hands on the app,
useful feature, in fact, and
one that possibly hints at
tSpyChecker shows each app that you have things we can expect to see
installed on your phone together with a series of
icons. Each of these denote the type of
when Android 5 hits in May.
Were expecting a greater
permission you have granted and they include focus on and tighter
access to your contacts or ability to make calls. integration for the various
Google apps and services, so
2 Check an app
Select an application that looks suspicious
making them configurable
from a single location
or that is accessing something that you now feel it certainly makes sense,
should not be doing. This will go into much greater especially if they are going to
detail about the permissions set up on your start sharing information
device. Check, however, the creator of the app with each other more than
before taking action. they currently do. In addition,
an excellent new update to
3 Uninstall an app
tSpyChecker lets you uninstall an app you
the Chrome browser has been
launched, one that
do not want by simply tapping Uninstall. If you do significantly improved on
not want an app to appear in the Application scrolling smoothness and
Management List because you deem it okay, just speed. Theres still some way
tap Exclude and then OK. Youll now be able to to go before it is perfect, but it
keep an eye on new apps that you install. is getting there.
45
Challenge
Can you
train for a
marathon
using apps?
Dont break a sweat, use these
apps to train for a marathon

R
unning for 26.2 miles is a
near-impossible task for the
average person, but with
the correct level of training and
dedication it can be achieved. To
make the leap from fitness-phobic
to marathon pro, we put the vast
library of apps on the Play store to
the ultimate endurance test

Physical and mental

fitness
Before even considering running a
marathon, you need to be in suitable
shape to so. We first downloaded the
Calorific Diet Tracker app to help guide
us through a rigorous dieting period. The
app is highly customisable to suit your
needs and with the helpful monitoring
system, we were able to get to a decent
weight to start from. Another common
problem when starting an exhaustive
fitness routine is the potential damage
that can incur to your body. As a
preventive measure we installed the
Stretch Guru: Run app, which turned out
to be a fantastic guide through a whole
series of stretches we could use to keep
our muscles and joints in tip-top shape.
Another app that came highly
recommended to us was Running Tips, a
simple enough app that helps perfect
your running technique.
our heart
Tools of the trade
One of the most closely contested areas
was feeling
on the Play store is the Health & Fitness
the benefits
46
 Set us a challenge!
RunKeeper gives you plenty of extra useful data
[tip] Make sure the GPS
on your device is turned
on so that apps like
RunKeeper and
Endomondo can track
your location and the
distance you run.
Test us out through
facebook /littlegreenrobot
twitter @lgrobot
Like us on Facebook to Follow us on Twitter and
Facebook and Twitter share your thoughts send your comments
App checklist
Marathon Timer
Price: Free
Developer: Standalone Soft
RunKeeper - GPS
Track Run Walk
Price: Free
Developer: FitnessKeeper,
Inc.
Runners Calculator
Price: Free
Developer: RacerX
Heart Rate Zones
Price: Free
Developer: PS
Stretch Guru: Run
Price: 0.63/$0.99
Developer: Lori Bryan Living
Zombies, Run! 5k
Training
Price: 1.49/$1.99
Developer: Six to Start
See your daily calorie intake in Calorific Endomondo Sports
Tracker PRO
Price: 3.99/$4.99
Developer: Endomondo
section. Making sure we picked the best
[tip] There are
also apps to
apps to help track our progress was Calorific Diet Tracker
important, so we ended up downloading Price: Free
help you Developer Noom Inc.
two of the biggest apps on the Play store
prepare for
in Endomondo Sports Tracker and Cardio Pro
smaller ten and
five kilometre RunKeeper. Both are superb for keeping a Price: Free
training log of your daily workouts, as well Developer: phil917
races.
as monitoring the distance and type of
terrain you covered on your run. You can
Running Tips
Price: Free
then share your running experience with Developer: Achilleas Kalkatzakos
each individual apps social feed. After a
few weeks of working on our running
distance, we needed some extra help on
our cardiovascular fitness. Cardio Pro helps
Success
rating Verdict:
90
track how your overall cardiovascular
performance has improved or worsened,
Monitor your and Heart Rate Zones was essential in
heart rate
making sure we were on the right path,
and our heart was feeling the benefits.
Practice makes perfect
The only thing left for us to do was to
%
more. After
practice, practice and practice more
several more weeks we were easing past
ten kilometres in distance, and after a
Complete
With one of the most densely
further month we were comfortable with
running a half marathon distance. To break
populated areas of the Play
things up we downloaded the Zombies, store behind you, finding the
Run! 5k Training app which offers a unique right tools to help you train for
audiobook story as you try to survive a a marathon is easy. The only
zombie outbreak. To get us ready for the downfall is that they cant do
marathon, we downloaded the Marathon
Timer and Runners Calculator apps to help
the hard work and run the
us monitor our timing mid-race. marathon for you instead!
47
 Explore the limits of your Android device

Hacker Zne
AMAZING
ANDROID
HACKING
PROJECTS
Discover the most powerful hacks for your
phone and tablet
D
o you root your Android devices as soon
as you first take them out of the box?
Do you chop and change ROMs on a
weekly basis, just because you can? Then
chances are youre ready for a project a bit
more ambitious. Over the next ten pages well
guide you through some of the ways you can
put your enthusiasm for all things hacking to
productive use from running Android apps
on your laptop to setting your tablet up as a
fully functioning computer. Well even show
you some of the things you can do with that
old Android phone going sat unused in your
drawer. You dont need to be an expert, of
course. While some of the projects here do
require you to at least be familiar with the ins
and outs of flashing ROMs and using a
custom Recovery see our guide in issue 16
for a comprehensive introduction and also
to have a device that is already rooted (and
with an unlocked bootloader if needed too),
weve also thrown in a few ideas that you can
do without any real knowledge of the more
technical side of the Android world. Hopefully
the projects here will also give you inspiration
to go even further with your hacks and
tweaks, and truly unlock the potential of your
Android device.

Learn how to:

Run Ubuntu on a Nexus 7
Cook your own Jelly Bean ROM
Make an Android games console
Make use of your old phone
Use Android on your laptop
48
Amazing Hacking Projects

49
 Amazing Hacking Projects

Dual-boot the
Nexus 7 with
Android and Ubuntu Turn your tablet into a full computer with this dual-booting solution

T
heres a lot of talk in tech circles these
days about how were entering a post PC
phase. Its the idea that computers as we
know them powerful, technical, frequently
inaccessible machines are becoming a thing of
the past, replaced more and more by tablets and
other devices that can be used for the same
purpose, but keep the actual computing parts
well hidden from the user. Its a move towards
the computer as an appliance. Yet for many of alongside the standard Android installation. Its
us it is still too early to ditch the desktop in an interesting experiment, pushing the
favour of a tablet 100 per cent of the time. In boundaries of what the Nexus hardware is
fact for some, the holy grail would be to run a capable of. Ubuntu is on the slow side, so you
full desktop OS on a tablet, combining the best wont want to adopt it for normal use, but it
of both worlds. works, as do many of the platforms apps.
And now that is possible. Using the MultiROM And with Ubuntu slowly moving towards
solution, from developer Vojtch Boek, you can Android and a more mobile future, it is an
install an Ubuntu ROM on a Nexus 7 and run it experiment definitely worth investigating.

50
 Amazing Hacking Projects
Time taken: 45 minutes 1 Get ready
Before you get going
What you need make sure your Nexus 7

Nexus 7 is prepared. It needs to

Android SDK from http://bit.ly/Yoowqz be rooted, and you
should perform a

Patched kernel from http://bit.ly/11DZcUZ Nandroid backup. Also

MultiROM zip from http://bit.ly/11DZcUZ install the Android SDK,

Modified TWRP recovery from http://bit.ly/11DZcUZ and copy the
downloaded kernel,

Ubuntu ROM from http://bit.ly/VQZVQ6 MultiROM zip and

USB on-the-go cable and USB drive (optional) Ubuntu ROM (see what
you need box) onto the
Nexus internal storage.

2 Flash the
new kernel 3 Flash
MultiROM 4 Flash a new
Recovery
Boot into Recovery by Next up repeat the Now you need to flash the new Recovery via
holding down the procedure but this fastboot using the Android SDK. Boot your device to
volume down and power time flash the fastboot (power and volume down) and connect it
buttons simultaneously MultiROM zip file. This to your
and selecting Recovery. will also only take a few computer.
Navigate to Install zip seconds to complete. Launch a
from sdcard and locate If you were to reboot terminal
first of all the patched your device now you window
kernel file you would see a boot and
downloaded and copied menu appear before change
to your tablet. Flash this Android started. This is the directory to the platform-tools folder in the SDK.
file it will take just a what gives you your Now type fastboot flash recovery [recovery
few seconds. dual-booting capability. filename.img] to flash the new recovery.

5 Boot to
Recovery 6 Choose your
Ubuntu ROM 7 Flash
ROM
the
and location
That should take a In MultiROM tap Add Youre now ready to start
couple of seconds, and ROM, then choose the flashing Ubuntu. Ensure
youll see the progress type of ROM you want to your Nexus is well
in the Terminal window. install (Ubuntu, in this charged, or plugged into
Now boot to Recovery instance) and a location the mains. Swipe the
once again. Youll see you can flash the ROM Swipe to confirm slider
that youre now running to an external USB drive and the flashing process
TWRP (Team Win if you have one installed. will commence. The
Recovery Project). Tap Tap on Next and then process takes a while, at
on Advanced, then locate the Ubuntu ROM least ten minutes, and
MultiROM to add your you copied onto your somewhat more if using
second ROM. devices storage. a USB drive.

8 Reboot
device
the 9 Select
Ubuntu 10 Get set up
When the flashing You can change the Youre now ready to set up the Ubuntu OS. Leave
process is complete, names of the two the device to prepare itself, even if you see a few
reboot your Nexus 7. ROMs, to make it easier dodgy screens. Eventually you will be greeted with
Instead of launching to identify them in the Ubuntu
straight into the OS an future. Tap Misc for setup
extra MultiROM screen some extra options. screen.
will first appear enabling When done select the Follow the
you to choose which of Ubuntu ROM to boot steps on
your two OSs you want into that. Again it may screen, and
to boot. In this case, take a few minutes then you will
Internal means Android, while the first boot be launched
and Ubuntu is signified completes, but should into the full
by the ROMs filename. be faster in future. Ubuntu OS.

51
 Amazing Hacking Projects

Cook your
own Jelly
Bean ROM
Want to get Jelly Bean on your phone but cant
find the right ROM? Our guide will show you
how to make your own

H
ead over to one of the internets many Android hacking communities
and youll find literally hundreds of custom ROMs designed for pretty
much any phone or tablet you can think of. Each one gives you a
different experience, whether it be faster, or leaner, or stripped back or
packed with extra functionality. And while you can normally find something
to suit your requirements you dont need to limit yourself to what is already
out there you can make your own.
Android is an open source operating system, and the open source ethos
runs firmly throughout the Android hacking community. You can pick a ROM
that you like, and further tweak and tailor it so that it meets your needs. It
is complicated, though, and starting from scratch requires you to be either
a developer or keen to learn. The best place to get started is using
Kitchen apps that enable you to take a ROM and repackage it with your
own personal tweaks.
For this project were using dsixdas Android Kitchen, which runs on
Windows, Linux and Mac, and can be used to modify existing shipped
ROMs, custom ROMs or your own Nandroid backups. You can add or
remove apps from the ROM and make assorted other tweaks, including
using your own scripts if you are a developer.

Pick
Pick a ROM that you like, and
further tweak and tailor it so
that it meets your needs
needs

52
 Amazing Hacking Projects
Time taken: 30 minutes 1 Prepare the tools
To begin you will need to
download and install dsixdas
What you need Android Kitchen. Depending on
whether youre using Windows,

A compatible device (see http://bit.ly/Xvsj7H for list) Mac or Linux you may need to
download a few other things as

A compatible source ROM or Nandroid backup well in order for it to work. Follow

dsixdas Android Kitchen from http://bit.ly/Xvsj7H the FAQ at http://bit.ly/Xks0xs
for the full details.

2 Pick your source ROM

You will need a ROM to use as your source.
Compatible ROMs differ based on what device you
are working with. Some can use CyanogenMod or
AOSP ROMs, or you can create a Nandroid backup
from your phone and use that. Were using a stock
Galaxy S III ROM.
3 Run the Kitchen app
To launch the Kitchen, unzip it and open up
a Terminal or command line prompt. The required
commands differ depending on which OS youre
using. First change to the Kitchen directory using
the command cd followed by the path to the
kitchen folder. Then type ./menu to launch.
4 Import the base ROM
Locate your source ROM, or Nandroid
backup that you have copied from your phone. You
can use this to, for example, add or remove apps.
To import it into the Kitchen, drag and drop the
ROM (do not unzip it if it is in the .zip format) to the
original_update folder in the Kitchen directory.

5 Add the ROM image

Now look at the Terminal window. Youll see
a menu of options, listed largely in the order youll
need to use them. Hit 1 and press Enter to add
your ROM to the working directory for editing. You
will get a few options such as backup, plus a
choice of ROM images. Choose the right one.
6 Rename the ROM
The simplest bit of personalisation you can
do with your ROM is to give it a new name. In the
Kitchen press 7 and Enter. You will now see the
original name press y and then type in your new
name and hit Enter. This will show in
Settings>About when you boot the ROM.
7 Add and remove apps
ROMs often feature apps you dont need,
and lack those that you do. When in the Kitchen
you can add or remove apps by adding or deleting
the .apk file in the system/app folder in the
WORKING_myrom directory. This is an easy way to
customise the features of your ROM.

8 ZipAlign the APKs

After adding any new apps you will need to
zip align them. This optimises the apps for when
installed with a ROM, and will greatly improve their
performance. In the Kitchen menu press 5 and
Enter, and then press y. Once this is done use
option 23 to check for any errors.
9 Rebuild the ROM
Its worth starting with minimal changes to
see how Kitchen works, and you can experiment
later on. When done, build your ROM by pressing 0
in the menu, then 99. Select y when asked
whether to sign the ROM. The ROM image will be
saved in the Output_zip folder.
10 Flash your own ROM
Once the file has completed compiling, and
it may take a while depending on its size, copy it to
your SD card then flash it as you would do any
other ROM. If it fails, simply restore your Nandroid
backup to get your phone fully working again, and
then go back to make some more tweaks.

53
 Amazing Hacking Projects
Create your
own Android
console
Play your favourite mobile games on the big screen
The gaming capabilities of Android devices has gaming experience. Hardcore gamers will also
increased tenfold in the past year, offering unique bemoan the lack of choice regarding gaming
and diverse games for the masses of Android accessories exclusively built for the Android
enthusiasts regardless of which device they own. platform, and will instead have to make use of
Despite the number of high-quality games now regular earphones that offer nowhere near the
available for users and the increase in Android
game consoles in development, the hardware
same immersive feeling.
Despite the limitations, Android gaming is on Time taken: 30 minutes
currently has its limitations. Even if youve got your the rise, and by undertaking this project youll be
hands on a Galaxy Note II, the small screen size is able to turn your rooted Android phone into a
What you need
often a hindrance, leading to clumsy touchscreen brilliant portable games console to rival some of
Rooted Android device running 2.3 or later
controls and graphical issues which plague your the dedicated devices on their way.
HDMI-compatible TV

Micro HDMI cable
Games youll want to download
Full HDMI cable

USB cable
Dead Trigger
The Bards Tale

Elgato Game Capture device
Mass Effect Infiltrator
Rayman Jungle Run
PlayStation 3 wireless controller
Assassins Creed
Final Fantasy Dimensions
Sixaxis Controller app


ChuChu Rocket!
Chaos Rings

Laptop or desktop computer

Professional gaming headset (optional)

Total War Battles

Stream your gameplay to the world

Create a live stream of your mobile gameplay using the Ustream app

1 Connect external
microphone
Before you can begin streaming your
live gameplay, youll first need to
connect an external microphone to
your device to add commentary.
2 Download the
Ustream app
Download the free Ustream app
directly from the Google Play store.
Open up the app and create an
account using your email.
3 Connect
HDMI TV
to
Connect your phone directly to your
HDMI TV or desktop computer and
navigate to the correct settings on
it. Open a game and begin playing.
4 Start
streaming
Your stream will be taken from your
mobile, but having connected it to
your HDMI source will mean you can
play along on a bigger screen.

54
 Amazing Hacking Projects
Get the ultimate gaming experience Audio
functions
Use the very-best accessories and apps to get Android gaming bliss The 3.5mm audio jack
on your phone is great
for connecting a wide
variety of gaming
headsets. Once
connected, youll be
able to use the
Test microphone to speak
to your teammates
streams
Try a couple of test
streams out at first
when using the
Ustream app to make
sure its working
Streaming
Although the stream
properly. It wont work from your phone to
with many older television or desktop
devices that dont run might not look as
Android 2.3 or later good as a full gaming
console would, it
certainly beats playing
it on a smaller screen

Prefer Xbox?
Try TwitchTV If you prefer playing
with an Xbox
If youre feeling really
confident in your controller, you can do,
gaming ability, open but the process of
up a TwitchTV account connecting it to your
on your laptop and phone is a much,
start streaming live to much harder process
the world and interact to complete without
with your audience disassembling it first

Six steps to an authentic gaming experience

Use everything you have at your disposal to transform your device

1 Connect phone to HD TV 2 Select HDMI Format 3 Choose a controller

Use a micro HDMI cable to connect your With your phone connected, navigate to your Theres a wide variety of controllers to
phone to your HD TV or computer. If you have phones settings and select HDMI Format screen. choose from, so pick one that works for you. Most
problems getting the picture to show, make sure Choose the resolution of which you want the game Android-compatible controllers work via Bluetooth
your TV is currently on the correct channel. to be displayed at. or micro USB. Connect to your device through USB.

4 Established connection
After establishing the connection between
the two via micro USB, youll then have complete
control of what appears on your output TV. At first
you may experience a small amount of lag.
5 Bluetooth controller
Unplug the phone from the controller and
enable Bluetooth on your device. Press on the
Bluetooth function on the controller and phone and
begin playing wirelessly.
6 Attach headset
Attach a headset with a 3.5mm audio jack to
your headphone port on your smartphone. You now
have everything you need to get a true Android
gaming experience.

55
 Amazing Hacking Projects
Great hacks for
your old phone
Modify your ageing device
to perform a completely
new function

W
hen its time to upgrade to a new
phone, your old device is often
soon forgotten about. Although
it may have an inferior OS update, average
power and mediocre features, theres still
a wide range of things you can do with it.
The hackable nature of the Android
operating system means that the devices
that run it can be heavily customised and
modified to perform a variety of different
tasks and functions.
Their Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities
can also be tinkered with to perform
different functions, and youll be surprised
with what can be achieved if you no longer
want to use your ageing phone as an
actual phone anymore.
In this project well be exploring some of
the more interesting and useful ways you
can implement new functions into your old
Android devices, and best of all, they can
all be performed with minimal spend.

Use your phone as a VoIP webcam

By using your devices camera you can modify it to become a fully functional VoIP webcam
With apps like Skype, Viper and Tango all being great ways webcam. By following this simple tutorial youll be able to
of saving money on calls and texts, why not take it one connect your computer to your smartphone via Wi-Fi and
step further and use your phone as a traditional VoIP begin video chats in no time at all.

Download DroidCam
1 Download 2 Input IP address 3 Connect the devices 4 Use VoIP client
DroidCam on your Youll now need to enter the Once connected, open up the Use Skype to start a video
devices. Open on the computer and matching IP address of your phone DroidCam desktop software and call. Head to its settings and select
choose to connect via Wi-Fi. directly to the desktop software. select Stream video and audio. DroidCam as the primary source.

56
 Amazing Hacking Projects
Create your own independent email server
Put together your An old Android phone tends to be small and
generally low powered, so a great use for it is
your hand. The servers can be started and stopped
whenever you arent using them, and even better,
own email server turning it into a portable email server. By using the your old phone doesnt need to be rooted for it to
and take it wherever Servers Ultimate app you can create a personal work properly. If email servers arent your thing, you
you go email account server, and manage it in the palm of can even create a DLNA server within the app.

Download the Servers Ultimate app from
1 the Google Play store and select the Email
Server option from the list of choices. Now
enter the server name, and add the necessary
port details when required. Press Confirm once
this is completed.
Select the Domains option from the top
2 toolbar and add all information as and when
needed. If you get stuck here, use the apps
help function. Scroll across once more to the
Users category and add your own email details
when instructed.
Your smartphone will now run as an
3 independent email server, and acts as a
gateway from where emails can be sent
and received. If you have problems with the
various ports, this forum thread over at XDA
Forums is helpful (http://bit.ly/PxmvFI).

Create an AirPlay streamer

By connecting to your iTunes account
over AirPlay, youll be able to stream your
iOS music collection through your phone

Open up iTunes and navigate to your music.
1 Download the AirBubble app from the Play
store and install it on your device. Once
enabled, the app automatically connects to your
iTunes account if in close proximity.
Begin playing music through iTunes, but
2 choose your listed phone as the audio
receiver (usually listed on the menu on the
left of the software). If done correctly the music
will now begin playing through your device.

Turn your phone into a portable hard drive

Transfer and store the various documents and media files stored on your device without spending anything
If youve got a device with an expandable memory slot, you them on your device. By using the USB Tethering function
can simply swap and change your micro SD card when you on your phone, you can then instantly connect it to your
wish, enabling you to store a multitude of files, and access desktop computer and move the various files around.

1 Insert SD card 2 Connect to desktop 3 Find

Insert a brand new SD card in
to the expandable memory slot on
your device. Find a media file on your
phone, and choose to transfer it to
your SD card. After a few seconds
itll be ready to transfer across.
Connect a micro USB cable to
both your phone and desktop
computer. From the menu that
appears on your device, select the
Mass Storage option, and then
enable USB storage.
drive
the E:
Your phone will be listed as the E:
drive on your computer, usually
named SD card, or the type of
device youre using. Double-click on
the E: drive icon to access it.
4 Start
transferring
Youre now free to transfer files to
and from your phone and computer
at will. Do this to transfer files
between home and work, or simply
use it to access your cloud storage.

57
 Amazing Hacking Projects
Run Android
on a laptop
Download, install and employ your favourite
Android apps on a Windows or Mac machine
The Google Play store is awash with some
top quality apps that enhance and extend
the Android experience. BlueStacks is an
app that brings the Android app experience
to the owners of Windows and Mac
machines. The BlueStacks App Player can be
downloaded from www.bluestacks.com.
www.bluestacks.com Its
is currently in beta and free of charge. The
App Player comes with a selection of
pre-installed apps and the opportunity to
download even more. Google Play is the key
player when it comes to downloads, but the
app also offers alternatives including the
Amazon App Store. The App Player is neatly
arranged into app sections for quick
searching and My Apps for downloaded
apps. The installed apps open in a window
with the option to go full screen.
To take full advantage of the BlueStacks
experience, the BlueStacks Cloud
Connect app needs to be called Time taken: 25 minutes
into action. Simply install the
Cloud Connect app and What you need
you can sync your
mobile apps
Laptop (Windows or Mac)
from a phone.
BlueStacks software via www.bluestacks.com

1 Download and install 2 App Player 3 Add an app

Head to www.bluestacks.com and
download the Windows, or Mac version, of the
BlueStacks App Player. When complete, run the app
and install to the desktop. With the app installed,
run the App Player to open the apps main window.
The App Player is split into two parts, a
selection of app categories at the top, and available
apps below. Click an app section title to view the
currently available apps. Alternatively, use the
search option to find associated app stores.
Once an app that you want has been found
it is simply a matter of clicking the app and waiting
for it to be installed. To play the app, select as
normal. To delete an app go to Settings, select
Manage Applications and hit Delete.

4 Cloud Connect
Click the Settings icon, bottom-left in the
BlueStacks App Player and select Cloud Connect to
start the sync process. Add an email address and
phone number and continue. This will provide a PIN
number. Make note and close down the window.
5 Connect app
A set of instructions will be sent to the email
address and phone used in the previous step. Head
to the Play store and download and install the
BlueStack Cloud Connect app. Open and enter the
PIN number provided and hit Login to connect.
6 Start syncing
Once logged in, a list of all the apps on the
phone or device will be listed. Click the empty box
in the top-right corner to select all apps or choose
individually. When all apps are selected, tap Sync to
start the process.

58
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 Explore the limits of your Android device

Hacking Tips
status update
Which devices are best for
Hints for the Android hacker
the hacking scene? actually be placed on your
smartphones lockscreen. Its still
Sony Xperia Z early days for this handy widget, so
Rooted? Yes
Active Development: you currently cannot download it
Low from the Play store. Youll need to
Minimal ROMs or mods
for the Z so far, but
grab the .apk file and install it
bloat-free ROMs are manually from http://forum.
available. Remember xda-developers.com/showthread.
you will need to unlock
the bootloader first php?t=2100219 but its well worth
as well. the additional effort. This app is easy
to set up and works out-of-the-box
Sony Xperia T with Android 4.2, but if youre running
Rooted? Yes an earlier version of Android youll
Active Development: need to download the WidgetLocker
Low
The James Bond Lockscreen app (1.99, Google Play)
Create your perfect ROM by deleting apps or adding .apk files
phone has been before you can place the widget on

Customise
rooted but there are
few ROMs or kernels to
your lockscreen.
play with. Jelly Bean is back up when youre done with it.
available, though.
your custom Remember to toggle the signature
verification option when flashing
HTC One X+
Rooted? Yes
Active Development:
ROM
If youre running one of the more
(since this is an unsigned ROM) and
your newly tweaked ROM should be
good to go!
Medium
A few options are popular devices youll have a wealth
available, but the
device is not nearly as
popular for ROMs as
of custom ROMs to choose from, but
if you cant find one thats quite right Get
its predecessor the
One X was.
its relatively easy to add and remove
apps before flashing your ROM. notifications
Nexus 4
Rooted? Yes
Download a custom ROM onto your
computer and unzip. Locate the app
folder, which in most cases is in the
at a glance
With Androids notification bar you
Active Development: System folder. This will bring up a list can see all your updates with a single
Yes
At such a low price the
of .apk files. If youre removing apps, swipe, but why stop there when you
Nexus 4 is set to check its safe to do so first (its can get all this information without
become one of the probably not a good idea to remove even unlocking your phone? Although
must-have devices for
developers. Great Browser.apk, for example!) and if there are already a few notification
news for the rest of us! youre adding apps they must have widgets on the Play store, the new Review all of your notifications without even
the .apk extension. Zip the folder Lock Screen Notifications widget can unlocking your device

quickhacks
Rooting with
SuperOneClick
SuperOneClick is a one-click
rooting solution thats ideal for
hacking newcomers. It supports a
wide range of devices, especially
among newer models. As always,
make sure youre fully backed up
before attempting to root your
Android device!
Download the app
1 Download
SuperOneClick from
http://shortfuse.org on your PC and
run the Setup file to install. Before
connecting your device, check that
its USB debugging option is enabled
in Settings>Apps>Development.
Begin rooting
2 Connect
your device using
USB. Launch the SuperOneClick app
on your hard drive and tap Root to
begin rooting. If SuperOneClick cant
detect your device, check you have
the correct drivers installed.
Test the root
3 Select
Yes when prompted
to test the root and Android will
send a su command to your
device. If the root has been
successful, youll see a new
SuperUser icon in the app drawer.

60
 Share your tips
Discovered a great hack or
tweak? Let us know!
Locate the .apk file and tap to install
Installing
apps from
.apk files
Google Play is a fantastic resource
for app-hungry Android users, but
what if the app youre hankering for
isnt in the Play store? Maybe its a
great idea thats still in beta testing,
or its developer has chosen to offer
the app exclusively through their
website. In this situation, the solution
is to download the apps .apk file and
install it on your device manually.
Download the .apk file on your
computer and connect your Android
device using the USB cable. Open
either the SD card or the devices
internal memory and copy the .apk
file over. Youll now need an app that
can install .apk files. There are plenty
available in the Play store, but we like
to use AppInstaller. Check your
Android device wont automatically
block all applications from unknown
sources by opening Settings>
Security and ensuring that the
Unknown Sources checkbox is
ticked. Launch the AppInstaller app
and browse through the different
folders until you locate the .apk file.
Tap to install.
Hacking the easy way
AppTyrant
Free
From: Play store
Need root? No
Click on any app to
perform a variety of
tasks, including
uninstalling, creating a
backup and viewing
permissions. Backup
to Dropbox is available
for Pro users.
facebook
/littlegreenrobot
Like us on Facebook and
send us your comments
With over 30,000 home screens youre
guaranteed to find something you like
30,000
wallpapers
Want to freshen up your device but
dont know where to start? A quick
browse around the myColorScreen
website is a great way to get inspired.
myColorScreen is a giant repository
of customised home screens that
have been created by the Android
community. With well over 30,000
examples youre bound to find
something to suit your tastes.
Paranoid
Android 3
Version 3 of Paranoid Android, one of
the most popular and innovative
custom ROMs, has been made
available for the Galaxy Nexus,
Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. The
ROMs key feature is its so-called
Hybrid Engine. This enables users to
switch between Androids phone,
tablet and phablet UIs either globally
or on an app-by-app basis. Its the
perfect ROM for anyone that wants
to customise their device and make
Get great new features without getting your hands (too) dirty
Nexus 7
Camera
Starter
Free
From: Play store
Need root? No
All you need to get
snapping with your
tablets front-facing,
1.2-MP VGA camera.
The app enables you to
record videos too.
Check our website daily
for even more tips & tricks
email
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Is there anything youd like to see us
cover in the mag? Drop us a line!
it more usable. For instance, if you
find the notification shade is out of
the reach of your thumb located at
the top of your big-screen phone, you
can set notifications to work in
tablet mode, in which case they
move to the bottom of the screen.
Likewise on mid-sized devices such
as the Nexus 7 you can choose to
run certain apps in tablet mode, and
make better use of some option
screens by displaying the settings in
a split-screen display. For more
information, and to download the
ROM, visit www.paranoid-rom.com.
Android SDK
treats
Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) gave us
the ability to take screenshots of our
devices, but according to reports as
many as half of Android devices are
still running versions lower than 4.0.
The good news is that if youre part of
this 50% you can still take
screenshots of your device using the
Android SDK and your computer.
Download the Android SDK from
http://bit.ly/Yoowqz and install it on
your PC. Locate the SDK Manager
(android>android-sdk>SDK Manager)
and in the subsequent dialogue
locate the Tools folder and ensure
the Android SDK Platform Tools
checkbox is ticked. Unless youre
planning to develop apps you can
uncheck everything else to speed up
the process. Tap Install. Connect
your device using the USB cable and
locate the monitor.bat batch file in
the android-sdks>tools folder. This
will launch the Android Debug
Monitor. Tap the Screen Capture
button to take a snapshot of your
screen. Tap Save to store the image,
or Refresh to take a new one if you
didnt quite get it right.
Galaxy S3
Dandelion Go
Locker
Free
From: Play store
Need root? No
Got Galaxy envy?
Download this snazzy
theme and at least you
can pretend you have
an S3! It does require
Go Launcher EX.
www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Jargon
Hacker Zne
Buster
Get up to speed on all the
terms you need to know
when hacking your phone
OS
Short for operating system. Often the
Android ROM will be referred to as the
OS this just means the system files
on the Android device that make up
your user experience, similar to
Windows, Mac OS X or Ubuntu on a
desktop computer.
ROM
Stands for read-only memory. In the
context of Android, the ROM refers to
the files that make up the operating
system installed on your device.
Gaining root privileges allows for
replacement of the standard ROM
with a custom one.
Root
Rooting your phone gives apps access
to parts of the OS that are normally
hidden from consumers. This enables
you to run more powerful software and
install custom ROMs on your phone.
ROM Manager
An app available from the Android
Market that enables you to install
a whole new version of your OS with
a single click. It requires a rooted
phone to use and is ideal for those
new on the scene.
Titanium Backup
This app from the Market enables you
to back up everything on your phone
apps, data, settings and all. It means
that you can restore your phone to how
it was, even after youve updated or
changed the ROM.
Unrevoked
Available from www.unrevoked.com,
this is a one-click tool that can be
used for rooting many popular
HTC smartphones.
ADB
Stands for Android Debug Bridge. ADB
is mainly used for software
development, but it also has some
uses for hacking your phone. It can be
used to push files onto the system
folder, for instance.
Nandroid
You might come across the phrase
perform a Nandroid backup. This
means using a custom recovery tool
to make a back-up image of everything
currently on your phone: OS, apps,
data, etc. Its very useful should you
wish to restore your phone to its
previous state later.
Radio
Radio refers to the software on your
Android device that deals with making
phone calls and data connections.
Updating your radio version can bring
better battery life and signal strength
to your device. Some ROMs require the
latest radio.
Flash
The storage in your device comprises
flash memory, a type of solid-state
storage. The terms flash or flashing
mean installing new software onto your
devices storage.
61
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 THE BEST
APPS FOR
HD PHONES
From image editing to eReading, we take a look at the apps
that look amazing in high definition
64
 Feature
HD apps

Flipboard Price: Free Best wallpaper apps

to decorate your HD
Get all your news in one great app home screen
With so many great news websites out there it can be difficult t
to keep up to speed with breaking news as it happens.
Flipboard makes following your favourite news websites a
Best Wallpapers HD
Price: Free
breeze. This fantastic app aggregates your favourite
Tired of the same old
news feeds with a quick glance youll know the top
boring home screen?
headlines as they happen. Whether its local, federal or Spruce it up with Best
international news you want, Flipboard can do it all. Wallpapers HD. Choose
Flipboard really shines on big screen smartphones like the from over 17,000 high-quality
Galaxy Note II. It presents your favourite news stories in a backgrounds to brighten up your
Android smartphone. HD isnt just a
slick and beautiful magazine design its so gorgeous youll moniker choose from the best high
forget youre reading off your smartphone. We tested definition backgrounds in over 30
Flipboard on the Note II and it looks simply phenomenal eye-catching categories.
the text is easy on the eyes and you can read even more
headlines at once than on a traditional smartphone. Flikie Wallpapers HD
Where does name the Flipboard come from? Its called Price: Free
Flipboard because you flip through your favourite news boards. Choose from over 17,000
Its a pleasure to keep track of your favourite news feeds high-quality wallpaper and
each news category, such as business, sports and backgrounds in 30
entertainment, has its own board. categories. Categories
include people, holidays, movies and
Flipboard isnt exclusive to major news outlets like BBC you cute, cuddly animals. The apps 3D
can also follow your favourite blogs and social networking gallery makes selecting the perfect
websites like Facebook and Twitter. Flipboard isnt just for news background easy. Update your
its great for checking out photos your mates are sharing. wallpaper daily based on your mood
Flipboard is a must-have for anyone and everyone who uses their or share with a friend.
phone to keep up with the latest news. It also includes one of the best-
looking widgets on Android, adding a much-needed dash of eye candy to your Wallpapers HD
home screens as well as a glimpse of the latest headlines. Price: Free
Wallpapers HD offers

WordWeb Price: Free

The top free dictionary on Google Play
Looking to brush up on your spelling and
grammar? WordWeb is a fantastic
dictionary app. Weve been using
WordWeb online for years and the app is
every bit as powerful. It features over
285,000 words, phrases and derived
forms. It comes in handy wherever you are
it features English from US, Britain,
Canada and Australia. There are over
70,000 usage examples, so youll always
know youre using new words and phrases
correctly. WordWeb comes into its own on
high-res devices; you can clearly see full
definitions on one screen without scrolling
while the high pixel density makes the
access of text extremely readable.
WordWeb is great while youre travelling by
aeroplane simply download it and use it,
no internet access is required. The search
function is also very handy, while spelling
suggestions is a great way to find the word
youre looking for.
what youd expect tons
of cool high-definition
wallpapers to decorate
your home screen. What sets this
brilliant app apart is its unique
Colors function, which enables you
to sort wallpaper based on your
favourite colour.
PicSpeed HD
Wallpapers 500,000
Price: Free
PicSpeed HD Wallpapers
boasts the biggest
collection of top-quality
wallpaper, images and
pictures. Choose from over half a
million high-quality backgrounds to
beautify your home screen.

Pocket Informant Price: 6.35/$9.99

Categories makes searching for the
perfect background a breeze.

Put a planner in your pocket Cool Wallpapers HD

Looking for a calendar app to manage your
busy schedule? Look no further than
Pocket Informant, your all-in-one calendar
solution. Pocket Informant is a lot more
than your average calendar app manage
important tasks and contacts all in one
handy app. While most calendar apps
make you close them to view your Android
contacts, not so with Pocket Informant.
This fantastic app is your one-stop shop
contact view even enables to you to view Price: Free
your contacts within the app. With a price like free, its
Cloud computing has really taken off in hard not to call this app
recent years and Pocket Informant is along cool. Quickly search
through wallpapers by
for the ride. Seamlessly sync your data so category or keywords. Share your
you can access it anywhere, anytime from favourite wallpaper with your mates
the cloud. This app truly shines in high via Facebook and Twitter. Search
resolution display your busy schedule on photos by their popularity or date
added, so youll always have the
screen and never miss another coolest wallpaper.
appointment again with Pocket Informant.

65
Feature
HD apps

Netflix Price: Free (5.99/$10 monthly subscription fee)

Enjoy high definition how it was supposed to look
Lets face it, you didnt buy a big screen
smartphone to browse the web or read
the news the real reason was to
enjoy crisp, clear high-definition videos.
Netflix is the perfect app for movie
buffs that enjoy watching their
favourite flicks on the go. This app was
made for a big screen phone it
makes use of every single pixel so you
can enjoy your favourite TV show or
movie in high definition.
Netflix has the worlds largest paid
library of TV shows and movies.
Google Play Music Price: Free
Whether youre a Star Wars fan, a Mr Enjoy your favourite tunes whenever you want
Bean junkie or you want to catch the Looking to enjoy your favourite tunes on the go? Bring the powerful Google Play
latest episode of Law & Order: UK, Music app with you and enjoy your favourite tunes any place, any time. Theres
Netflix has you covered. Netflix has a no need to worry about storage because your music collection is stored in the
great try before you buy business cloud. Purchase music and enjoy it just as easily on your smartphone or PC.
model you can try the service With a fantastic scrolling album art view, Play Music makes maximum use of
completely free for a month before a touchscreen interface and looks good too. You can swipe and browse your
paying the monthly fee of 5.99 ($10). If you havent tried Netflix before its way through your collection upload as many as 20,000 tracks for free to your
like an all-you-can-eat content buffet you can watch unlimited videos from own personal cloud storage and pick out your favourite tracks, as well as
your smartphone, tablet or PC. Watch your favourite movies or TV shows those youd forgotten you had. The Music section of the Play store also enables
when you want and as often as you want. The video library is constantly you to discover new music using an innovative flow-chart style graphic that
expanding, so youll always have access to the latest TV shows and movies. invites you to endlessly search from one artist to the next.

Tweetings for Twitter Price: 1.30/$1.99 SketchBook Mobile Price: 1.32/$1.99

Never miss another important tweet again
Tweetings for Twitter is a must-have
app for heavy social network users. It
makes managing multiple Twitter
accounts a breeze. The app really
shines on big screen phones; it
includes large screen support with
panes, and youll never miss another
tweet again with multi-view mode.
Tweeting is made a lot easier and
streaming tweets over Wi-Fi means
youll receive tweets instantly as
theyre posted no need to refresh.
Twitter isnt just for text though. You
can seamlessly upload your photos
to pic.twitter.com, and other
favourites like Img.ly, TwitPic and yFrog.
The app has several powerful
features to help you manage your
tweets and accounts. Schedule Tweets
enables you to write a tweet and set a
time for later when it will be posted for
the world to see. Twitter limits your
tweets to 140 characters but
Tweetings will automatically split long
tweets into multiple shorter tweets if
you find youve got plenty to say.
Professional artwork on your Android device
SketchBook Mobile turns your larger
screened smartphone into a virtual
easel. Sketch works of art with relative
ease thanks to the host of powerful
sketching tools at your disposal.
Canvas size is determined by screen
resolution, so the bigger the screen,
the bigger the work of art you can
create. This app is great for beginners
and professional artists its the
closest thing youre going to get to
Adobe Photoshop on your smartphone.
With over 65 preset brushes to choose
from, no two of your projects will look
the same. The user interface is cleanly
laid out, giving you easy access to all of
the (surprisingly many) functions
available to you, and if youre working
with a phablet device, such as the
pen-equipped Galaxy Note II, youll find
you have even greater control over the
work that you produce. SketchBook
Mobile is the perfect example of an app that would have once been only
really viable on a tablet. But the growing size and resolution of smartphone
displays is now enabling the devices to be used in ways that would
previously have been unimaginable.

66
 Feature
HD apps

Photoshop Express Price: Free Pocket Price: Free

Touch up your photos in an instant The top read-it-later app
Most high-resolution phones come With so many interesting websites, articles
with stunning cameras, so you might and stories out there, whats a smartphone
as well take advantage of them. user to do? Its hard to find the time to read
Photoshop Express brings key editing everything. Sure, you can use your browsers
features from the ultra-powerful bookmark feature and save it for later, but
desktop software to your how likely are you to go back and actually
smartphone. The big screen of your read it? We thought so. Pocket reinvents
Android smartphone is perfect for bookmarking on smartphones. The app is
viewing and editing your photos. This best described as a DVR for the web its
great app includes everything you our favourite read-it-later app because its
need to touch up your photos and so powerful, yet so easy to use.
turn them into something to be Saving a news story is a breeze. When you
proud of. All your basic photo-editing find something you want to save for later,
features are here, including crop, simply tap Add to Pocket and voil, its saved
rotate and adjust colour. You can for later. Pocket works great on any Android
even spice up your photos with device, but it looks especially stunning on a
various awesome artistic effects. high-resolution phone. Youll be able to see
Dont worry about using up your so much more in its full high-resolution glory.
phones memory access your Pocket isnt just for websites you can save
photos for free from your Photoshop your favourite blogs, videos and music.
account and share with your friends When the time is right you can view your
and family in an instant. saved content directly from your phone, or
sync it up with your tablet or PC to enjoy it on

SoftMaker Office Price: from 5.99/$8.66 an even bigger screen. And when youve
read it on one device you wont see it again.

The closest thing to Office for your phone

The Play store is packed with full and
impressive Office suites, but none can
match SoftMaker Office for its range of
features and ease of use. It maintains
formatting from MS Office apps
created on a desktop as well as any
other app weve seen, and gives you
tremendous levels of control over
creating those documents on the
device itself. The app is not the
cheapest, and you need to buy the
word processing, spreadsheet and
presentation apps individually, which
does make it an expensive outlay if you
require all three, but its worth it for
power users. The presentation support
is particularly good, and it is possible
to create and work with some very
complex and powerful spreadsheets
as well, making your HD phone feel
more and more like a miniature
personal computer in your pocket.
Each of the three apps are available as
a 30-day trial for you to try.

Camera ZOOM FX
Price: 1.79/$2.99
Snap professional photos instantly
Snap high-resolution photos in an instant with Camera
ZOOM FX. Its the perfect companion app for Photoshop
Express snap photos and touch them up with Adobes
powerful app. The app offers a host of cool features,
including multi-shooting modes and auto-focus.
One-click uploading makes sharing photos with friends
and family via Facebook, Flickr and Twitter easy. The
app lives up to its name and more pinch to zoom up to
six times to capture even the smallest of detail. View
your photos instantly on your big screen phone. Apply you can capture up to ten shots per second and
effects and instantly see the results. The app is perfect never miss a second of the action. The power of Zoom
for shooting at high-speed sporting events like football FX makes it a must for all budding photographers.

67
Apps
Umano
An app that reads the latest news stories to you
The Google Play store is
awash with various
news-reading apps, and
with the likes of
Flipboard and Pocket dominating
this sector, any new apps looking to
make an impact in this area need to
do something truly different to have
any chance of being successful. The
Umano app is trying to do just that,
and offers one of the better
experiences on the Play store today.
The basis of the app is a large
news magazine that enables you to
pick and seek out news stories that
youre interested in. There are a wide
range of categories to choose from
and each of them is regularly
updated with the latest content in
that sector. Each category in
68
Playmarkers
Scan these QR codes for direct
links to the Google Play Store
question has their own various news
sources, with Umano favouring more
feature-based pieces instead of
short news stories. Certain
categories have a limited amount of
sources, but the app is continually
looking to bring more onboard.
Theres a distinct lack of short news
stories, which probably dont lend
themselves well to the audio format,
and the longer feature-based news
pieces arent as hard-hitting as they
could be. With this in mind, youll
probably want to use Umano
alongside a more news-orientated
app, such as the BBC or Sky News
apps. After discovering a story that
interests you, instead of reading it
through the app, Umano instead
uses a voice actor to read the story
EDITORS
CHOICE
Umano
out to you. At first its a slightly odd
experience having the news read to
you in this format, but for lengthy
features its a great alternative.
Voices are easy to understand, and
stories are read at a steady pace.
After listening to a story, you can add
it to a playlist to save it for later, or
even download it on to your device
for offline listening. Each story also
Each story is read to you at a steady pace
There are a range of news categories to
look through in Umano
best free
alternative
TAPTU - DJ YOUR NEWS Get instant access to all your interests
and favourite news sources in one place.
15min wonder
Want your money back?
Youve got 15 mins to decide!
! 5
15 10
0-5 minutes
Looking at the different
categories we can search
! 5 5-10 minutes
Listening to a story about
15 10
Raspberry Pi
! 5 10-15 minutes
Creating a playlist of our
15 10
favourite stories
keep refund
comes with a direct link to the
website where it was published, if
you want to read at the same time.
Theres also an extremely social
side to the Umano app, and if you
find a particular story you want to
highlight to your friends theres a
host of choices available to you. The
normal Bluetooth sharing is available,
but youll also find Facebook and
Twitter support, and the app even
includes support for many third-party
communication apps, such as
WhatsApp and Viber. Due to the fact
that each story is considerable in
size, it can take a while for each story
to send over, and we found Facebook
integration to be hit and miss.
Theres no denying that news apps
can be extremely similar, but with
Umano you get something entirely
different. Having the news read to
you directly can be a slightly odd
experience at first, but the sheer
inventive nature of the application
has to be applauded, and in the end,
you get a top-quality app that looks
to move the news app genre in a
totally fresh direction.
like this? try this!
Pulse News
An elegant app that displays the latest
headlines with great images and clean design.
specification
Price Free
Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 2.2
verdict
Performance
Design
Value
A lazy way to enjoy the latest
headlines every day
 Brian
SleepyTime Blessed
Plus Trackash Alarm Clock izik

SleepyTime Plus
Get that eight hours of sleep you crave
Although a bedtime
calculator may seem
like an app youll never
find any use for,
SleepyTime Plus is actually an
ingenious little app. It looks to give
you the exact time you need to fall
asleep and wake up to feel fresh and
raring to go. By using the simple input
system you can manually select the
time in which you either need to get
up, or the time you want to be asleep
by, and itll evaluate the exact time
you need to correctly go to bed, or
wake up. As well as displaying the
most suitable time for you to wake
up and fall asleep, it also displays
alternate wake up times, and even
like this? try this!
WakeVoice
Use voice commands to set and
remove your alarm at night or in the morning.
tells you the exact amount of sleep
you can expect when choosing them.
Once youve selected an
appropriate time, you can create an
alarm for it within the app. Its easy to
set up and will deactivate any other
alarm you currently have set up on
your phone. The alarm tones tend to
be on the quiet side, so make sure
you have your phones volume turned
up loud, or download a third-party
volume manager from the Play store.
Accompanying the app is a home
screen widget which gives you quick
access to some of the basic features
of the app. The widget is
customisable depending on how you
want to use it, and by pressing on it,
you can open up the app. The app
uses the Holo theme throughout,
making it look stylish and modern,
and the minimalist design across
Choose an appropriate time using the
intuitive input system
EDITORS
CHOICE
SleepyTime makes it run really
quickly as well. Although there are
several similar apps on the Google
Play store that perform comparable
functions to SleepyTime, its its ease
of use and modern design that really
set it apart from the competition. If
you have trouble sleeping or waking
up, then SleepyTime Plus is definitely
the app for you.
specification
Price 0.62/$0.99
Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 2.3
verdict
A great way to ensure you
will never wake up feeling
groggy again

Trackash Brian Blessed izik

Expenses manager that likes to keep things simple Alarm Clock
Expense management apps can be tricky affairs at times, offering The ultimate wake-up call
overcomplicated systems for what is ultimately a simple task. for Blessed fans
Thankfully, Trackash aims to do things a little differently. The app uses
a navigable interface that requires minimal input to enter all your expenses and You cant help but have a
income in one place. Every entry you create can be categorised and specified soft spot for the Brian
to represent your income or expenditure. After creating a backlog of entries Blessed Alarm Clock app.
while using the app, you can then begin searching for particular entries by their First off youll find a wide array of
date, value and name. The search alarm tones, all featuring Blesseds
system is a bit too basic at times, and voice, to help you wake up in the
often entries are missed out, even if you morning. Theres also a variety of
directly search for them. Overall, if youre colourful animations that appear
looking for a simple way to track your when your alarm goes off, which can
expenses and income without an array of be altered to your
daunting features to cover, look no tastes. Despite his
further than the Trackash app. booming voice, the
alarm volume is a
little on the quiet
like this? try this! side, but this can
Expense Manager be easily altered
As well as tracking your daily spending,
this app can also be used to help you budget.
within the apps
settings menu.
A search engine optimised
for tablets
With izik you can get a fully
tablet-optimised search
engine that looks to rival
the likes of Google and Yahoo.
Instead of displaying text-based
results based on your search, izik
instead produces an image-rich page
filled with a variety of content that
makes good use of the extra screen.
Theres a great gesture system
implemented to make browsing even
easier, and the option to share your
search results on your Facebook and
Twitter. Although izik is phone-
friendly, it
isnt
optimised
for
smaller
devices.

Price Free Price 0.69/$1.11 Price Free

Designed for Phone and tablet Designed for Phone and tablet Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 2.3 Requires Android 2.1 Requires Android 2.3.3

69
Apps
Hushed -
Anonymous
Calls, SMS
Use Hushed to keep your
phone calls private
Hushed enables you to buy
a range of disposable
phone numbers, which
help keep your phone calls private.
To begin you need to select the area
in which you want your disposable
number to be based theres a wide
variety from all over the world, but if
you want to make locals calls, make
sure to choose a number from your
current location. Once selected, you
can then purchase a payment plan
for the number that lets you use the
number for either three, ten or 30
days. Prices are competitive, and
youll save a decent amount if you
plan on making international calls.
With each number purchased you
get free SMS and voicemail
capabilities. Voicemail works like a
charm, but receiving SMS responses
is hit and miss. After youve used the
number for your allotted time, itll
then be deleted completely. Despite
a few performance issues, Hushed is
a quality service for those who want
to keep their call history private.
Choose an area code that you want to use
for your number
Price Free
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 2.3
70
Playmarkers
Scan these QR codes for direct
links to the Google Play Store
Gogobot
Discover the best holiday destinations around the world
Whether youre planning
a romantic weekend or
your next getaway,
Gogobot is a thorough and
comprehensive travel companion
app for every occasion. Wherever
youre planning to go, you can
input the location in to Gogobot,
and it then displays the best
hotels, restaurants and
landmarks in the area for you to
visit. To then take things further,
Search for a specific location and
discover the best hotels and restaurants
Hushed Gogobot LINE Brush
the app will display a range of user
reviews for each restaurant and
hotel for you to scrutinise and look
through. All the user reviews sent to
Gogobot are manually reviewed
before being published, so youll only
ever see a well put together piece.
Some locations have a lot more
detail and reviews attached to them
than others, but in general youll find
a wealth of knowledge to enjoy.
Gogobot also includes several
social media elements that users
can take advantage of. Theres a
profile system where you can keep a
log of your travels, and upload
postcards of the places youve
visited. This is by far one of the best
Read user reviews of different places
features of Gogobot, and the
interaction you can have with other apps. In this part of the app you can
users while using this feature is upload pictures of your location in a
superb. You can also connect to postcard format, enabling others to
Facebook, letting you notify your leave comments and recommend
friends where you have travelled to the picture to their friends for them
recently, and then invite them to use to look at. Its a great way to start
Gogobot as well. Another feature chatting to other people and even
worth checking out is the Featured get some insider tips about certain
tab, an interesting addition that locations that you havent previously
takes inspiration from the likes of visited. Although the social elements
Instagram and other photo sharing are impressive, its important to note
best free
alternative
TRIPIT TRAVEL ORGANIZER NO-AD Create a virtual version of
your travel log and flight details to stay organised.
LINE Brush
Sketch and draw on your smartphone
LINE Brush is a simple what theyll look like on your drawing.
enough sketch and draw You can also optimise the quality of
app that benefits from a the image to make it easier to send,
wide range of design features that but it makes little difference to the
will keep you coming back again and image itself. LINE Brush is a rather
again. Upon opening the app, you simplistic sketching app that boasts
have the choice to create an entirely an impressive selection of features,
new sketch from scratch, or use a but lacks the depth of more
previously taken photo to implement prominent design apps.
a few edits on. The choice of
brushes, pencils and pens on offer
Price Free
Designed for Phone and tablet
for you to draw and edit images is Requires Android 2.1
impressive, and each is colourfully
represented, enabling you to see
best free
alternative
KATALK SKETCH Link the Katalk Sketch app with KakaoTalk and
send your drawings to your contacts.
 BlueBox
like this? try this!
myBuddy TravelPlanner
Use myBuddy to find the best deals in
locations all over the world.
that Gogobot can drain your battery
when not in use, so its important to
make sure you limit how often it can
sync itself in your settings menu.
At its core, Gogobot is a travel
companion app with an encyclopedic
knowledge of the worlds best
locations, but it also spreads into
several areas of social media which
makes Gogobot a pleasure to go
travelling with. The loading of
high-quality images leads Gogobot to
be a battery sapper, but with the
correct management its a pleasure
to use time and time again.
specification
Price Free
Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 2.2
verdict
Performance
Design
Value
From Egypt to Ecuador,
Gogobot will give you
encyclopedic knowledge
15min wonder
Want your money back?
Youve got 15 mins to decide!
! 5 0-5 minutes
Looking for some exotic
15 10
places to visit
! 5 5-10 minutes
15 10
Reading some user reviews
on Honolulu
! 5 10-15 minutes
15 10
Uploading our very own
postcard of Bournemouth!
keep refund
BlueBox
Create beats with your own digits
BlueBox markets itself as a
musical instrument, but
ultimately its more of a
music creation tool. The app
consists of just over 160 dots, with
each producing a different sound. As
you begin to press several dots the
sounds link up together, and
gradually you create a recurring beat.
On either side of your music board
are an array of coloured dots which
represent different scales and base
tones you can implement. By
pressing on one of these, you can
drag it across your board to create a
truly unique sound. The problem with
BlueBox is that theres no tutorial of
Check our website daily
for even more app reviews
EDITORS
CHOICE
note, so getting started with what
the app is, and how to use it, is a real
problem. Unless youve been
studying music, chances are you
wont be able to distinguish between
the various scales or base tones.
like this? try this!
ReLoop Loop Sequencer
Create music samples and blend them
together to mix awesome sounds.
Price 0.50/$0.99
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 2.1
www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
quickhits
5 top apps for...
USING
TWITTER
Carbon for Twitter Free
A Twitter client that can be
controlled by a range of
simple gestures. Each area of
the application is
customisable to suit your preferences
and needs from the social network.
Echofon PRO for Twitter
2.99/$4.99
Manage your timeline in a
variety of ways, while also
creating alternative news
feeds. The accompanying fully featured
desktop widget is another plus.
Falcon Pro (for Twitter)
1.29/$1.96
Blistering loading speeds
make Falcon Pro a pleasure to
use. You cant fault the design
here either it looks stunning throughout
each and every menu.
TweetDeck Free
TweetDeck works as a mobile
browser to help stay
connected to your Twitter,
Facebook and Foursquare
accounts. With so much information,
load times can be a little slow.
Slices for Twitter Free
As well as having a very slick
design, Slice benefits from
some great incremental
features that make using it a
real pleasure. You can even bookmark
your favourite accounts!
71
Apps Playmarkers
Scan these QR codes for direct
links to the Google Play Store
Ditalix Live
Wallpaper
Suite Pup-e-cards Yeloworld

Ditalix Live Wallpaper Suite

Add some eye-catching style to your phone or tablet
Yeloworld:
Cheap Calls
The variety of live wallpapers included in this suite is staggering, and
with each one having around ten to 12 different styles of
customisations you can apply, being able to find a wallpaper that will
look good on your phone or tablet is no problem at all. As well as being able to
alter the colour of each wallpaper, you

Worldwide
can also add shapes, animations and a
selection of glow effects to make it stand
out. To make the most of these
additions, the suite supports multi-touch
for switching between home screens,
which many other live wallpaper suites
dont cater for.
Theres little lag when using each of
Avoid that dreaded astronomical phone
the wallpapers, but adding a wide variety bill with the Yeloworld app for Android
of effects can slow it down on occasions.
If youre in the market for a new live There is already a plethora of apps helping you to make cheap
wallpaper, look no further than the Ditalix international calls, but Yeloworld aims to make it that little bit
Live Wallpaper Suite. easier. With the app you can make calls to any mobile or fixed
landline, and even better, the person receiving the call doesnt need the
Price Free Yeloworld app installed. To make calls you need to buy some minutes within
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 2.2 the app. Rates are ridiculously cheap and you can pay for your minutes
through a variety of methods. It takes a little while for your new minutes to
be added to your account, but this is only a small issue. Call quality is clear,
and no matter where youre calling to and from, the app does a good job at
best free
alternative
PHOTO FX LIVE WALLPAPER An intriguing wallpaper app that
puts your gallery photos into a collage.
trying to offer decent quality throughout. Every time you call a new number,
its automatically added to your contacts list a helpful feature if you plan to
call that number numerous times.

Pup-e-cards Updated contacts list

from Guide Dogs for the Yelo keeps its own account of your contacts list above your keypad for you
to use when you want to make a call to a recognised number. When you
make a call to an unknown number, this is also saved in your list of

Blind Association
contacts for future reference

Get the tissues ready, cute puppies are approaching

Send free, personalised eCards to friends and spread the word Get to know the features of Yeloworld
about the work the Guide Dogs charity does to train up the next line Although simple on the surface, Yeloworld includes
of guide dogs for the blind. Each eCard can be fitted with a picture of several features you should take advantage of
one of the Guide Dogs very own puppies,
and a heartfelt message. The range of
puppies to choose from is great, and the
cuteness level is certainly at the
maximum level. Once youve chosen a
puppy, you can enter a small passage of
text and then choose the type of frame
you want. Apart from sending eCards, the
app also lets you sync your calendar or
add new event reminders. It keeps you
up to date with Guide Dogs news, and
theres also the option to sponsor a guide Add some Change over People app link
dog puppy or to text and donate so you minutes numbers Each contact you call will
By opening up the Add Theres no need to create have a listing of them
can do your bit to help out. Currency screen, you can a new account if you get a stored in Yeloworld. By
buy minutes for your calls. new number. Simply go pressing the button on the
Price Free Compared to normal call into the apps settings and right of a contact, youll be
Designed for Phone rates, a call through Yelo input your new number in taken to their information
Requires Android 2.2 is just over 90% cheaper! the Account section. in the People app.

72

Changing numbers
If you get a new number, you can switch
over from your previous number you
registered with Yelo to your new one
Manage call log
After making a series of calls in Yelo, your
call log will soon start to expand. By
pressing the button on the right-hand
side of the keypad, you can fully manage
your call log
Make the call
The keypad works the same as any
standard keypad, but connecting calls
can be a bit slower than normal. While
using the app, make sure to include the
area code of each number or Yelo wont
recognise it
like this? try this!
Rebtel: Free
and Cheap Calls
Brilliant sound quality makes this cheap calls
provider a true winner.
specification
Price Free
Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 2.1
verdict
Performance
Design
Value
An easy way to keep track of
your international calls
best free
alternative
VIBER : FREE CALLS & MESSAGES Make free calls and texts to
contacts and send large media files in Viber.
Sliding
Messaging
Pro
Sliding
Messaging Pro
Slide out an intuitive messaging menu to
make texting easier
Managing several text
message conversations like this? try this!
at the same time can POPUP 7
be a tricky process and A simple pop-up system to help you
message and still watch a movie.
even worse if your device suffers
from noticeable slowdown. The
Sliding Messaging Pro app offers a app, but options are fairly limited.
new concept to users, and one that Despite Sliding Messaging Pro being
will save you time and effort. In a ridiculously simple app, it provides
short, the app works as a standard a functional service that makes
messaging app, enabling you to messaging on your phone a far
send, receive and manage all your simpler experience. Its just a pity it
text messages. What makes it isnt available on any devices with
different are the menus that Gingerbread, or earlier, running on it.
surround the main messaging
screen. Users can drag a menu from
each side of the screen that perform
different functions. Sliding from the
left will produce a menu letting you
switch to a different conversation,
or simply switch between
contacts, whereas sliding from the
right lets you start a new
conversation and access the
apps settings menu. Each sliding
menu is customisable to fit your
inbox and how you want to use the
specification
Price 0.62/$0.99
Designed for: Phone
Requires Android: 4.0
verdict
Clever messaging
companion makes balancing
multiple tasks easy
Drag out the sliding menu to switch between
your contacts
73
 FOR THE GNU GENERATION
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 head tohead
to headWhich of these apps offers
specification
Price Free
Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 2.2
Navfree
As standard, Navfree doesnt
come with any maps
packaged with it, and instead
youll need to download a map
for each individual country
you visit.
After enabling the GPS in
your devices settings,
Navfree automatically tracks
your current location and
gives you the option to save
it for future reference.
The maps displayed by
Navfree are highly
customisable and can be
modified to suit how you
want your direction and
navigation tools to look.
For the most part, Navfree
does a tremendous job at
finding particular places of
interest or specific
addresses when you search
for them directly.
The 3D view in Navfree is
great for tracking your
directions, and the
accompanying voice-over
works fairly well, even if
its a little quiet.
And the
winner is...
NAVFREE
the best GPS navigation at no
expense at all?
NAVFREE
vs
MAPDROYD
Following closely behind Google Maps are a
wide range of full GPS navigation apps all
vying for your love. Weve put two of the
best of the rest options in head-to-head
combat to see
which you should specification
use to help you find Price Free
your way around Designed for: Phone and tablet
Requires Android: 2.2
the world
MapDroyd
MapDroyd also comes
without any maps pre-
installed, and instead
COVERAGE requires you to download
them individually. The
choice is very impressive.
The app keeps a current
track of your GPS location,
TRACKING and offers a choice of
CURRENT LOCATION markers to help pinpoint
specific locations you pass
on your travels.
There arent many options
to chose from when it
comes to alternate map
ALTERNATE VIEWS views in MapDroyd. You can
choose a black and white
map mode, however.
Searching for specific
places is easy in
FIND SPECIFIC MapDroyd, but the results
PLACES can be a mixed bag and
some places may contain
details wrongly listed.
As well as offering a
voice-orientated GPS
feature, the app also
GET DIRECTIONS offers step-by-step
directions which are
really easy to follow.
Navfree feels like a more complete app, and the level and detail the
app shows off is impressive to say the least. Getting directions is
easy theres a great choice of maps available, and best of all, its
completely free for Android phones and tablets.
75
Games
Temple
Run 2
Second installment is
2013s sure-fire hit
The original Temple Run
was a massive hit on
the Google Play store,
and after only a few
weeks of release, the second
installment had already hit 10 million
downloads. Temple Run 2 sees you
returning to the jungle as you
navigate cliffs, mines and zip lines as
you try and outrun the monster
chasing you.
In essence, the game has the
same charm that made the original a
joy to play. Its as fast-paced as ever,
the same scoring system is present,
and the need to be quick with your
swipes is still vitally important. This
time around, however, the
developers have added a selection
of new obstacles for you to bypass.
Occasionally youll come across an
old disused mining shaft, which with
help from a coal cart, youll need to
balance your way through while
avoiding cliff edges and collecting
coins along the way. There are also
what weve
been playing
Finger Army 1942
0.59/$0.99
Get your reflexes ready and
start whacking the heads of
these mutated thumbs.
Collect points for bashing the heads of
the enemy soldier thumbs.
The Curse 1.27/$1.99
Trying to complete all 100
mysteries of The Curse is
hard, but trying to then find all
the hidden secrets is another
game in its entirety. Brilliantly addictive,
and a true brain teaser.
twitter
Recommend a game
76 @lgrobot
Playmarkers
Scan these QR codes for direct
links to the Google Play Store
Temple Run
2
Beat the
Beast
zip lines which youll
need to time your
jump correctly to The longer you survive the quicker your
latch on to, and even score increases
perilous cliff edges
that are more
infuriating than
theyre worth when
your phone doesnt
tilt in the direction
you want it to.
The unlock
system works in the
same way as it did
with its predecessor.
As you collect gems
Tilt the cart left and right to balance yourself
and coins, which can
be used as an extra life during a run, gameplay, and although the new
youll be able to choose to unlock obstacles are a nice aesthetic touch,
new power-ups and characters. this feels more of a rehashed version
Theres an option to purchase more of the original Temple Run. Collect coins to unlock new items
coins for unlocks, but with enough But when judged as a game in its
play time, you shouldnt need to own individual right, its superb in
Price Free
Designed for Phone and tablet
spend a penny. every area, offering a thrilling game Requires Android 2.1
Ultimately, Temple Run 2 offers experience and a rewarding unlock
very little in terms of new design and system to boot.
Beat the Beast
Fairy tales with an attitude problem
Tower defence games are
in abundance on the
Youll
Google Play store, so for encounter
developers to try and find a unique more enemies
as levels
twist is a difficult job. Where Beat
progress
the Beast aims to be different is with
its 3D graphics. The world you play in towers. The selection is pretty poor
is presented entirely in 3D, enabling really, but the animation involved
you to control how you play through a with each is remarkably good.
series of finger gestures, but they There are two versions of the
arent implemented very well. game available for download, and
The game itself sees you despite the paid version of the app
protecting your kingdoms gates from being vastly superior, you still have
Price 0.63/$0.99
Designed for Phone and tablet
waves of monsters. To help your the issue of intrusive ads throughout, Requires Android 2.3.3
effort further, you can build an which unfortunately has a negative
assortment of weapons and magic impact on the gameplay.
 Call of Mini: Steampunk
Ironfell Brawlers Racing 3D

Ironfell
Command, conquer and pillage to your hearts content
Ironfell is a real-time
strategy game that aims
to combine the
elements of time travel and war in
to a single game, and boy does it
work. You start off as an explorer
who must gather resources, build
units and structures to defeat
enemies. As you progress through
the story, youll move on to bigger
terrains, and need to conquer
enemy troops and strongholds to
gain the upper hand. The further
you delve into the game, the more
troops and structures youll
unlock, and with 64 types of
troops at your disposal, there are
plenty of things to keep you
interested for some time.
Depending on the amount of
sourcing you do at the start of the
game, and how quick you are to
get your troops up and running,
youll have no trouble blitzing
through the campaign. That isnt
necessarily a bad thing, however,
as the game is substantially long
winded, and will keep you going for
hours. Theres no multiplayer
element included in Ironfell, which
will be a disappointment to some,
as this sort of strategy game lends
itself perfectly to various
multiplayer elements.
It isnt the most visually
appealing game on the Google
Play store, but Ironfell brings with it
an incredibly detailed and
interesting game that youll want
to take the time to conquer
several times. We cant
recommend it highly enough.
EDITORS
quickhits
CHOICE
Ikaruga 5.62/$9.00
When done correctly,
top-down shooters are a joy,
and Ikaruga is just that. Levels
are varied, enemies are
plentiful and theres a whole arsenal of
weapons for you to collect along the way.
Conquer enemy strongholds to advance
Price Free
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 2.2
Gene Effect 2.00/$3.49
Explore ancient alien mines
on the planet Kratoss and
save the human race. Collect
different resources, solve
puzzles and fight against the mines
inhabitants to survive.

Rise of the Blobs Free

In whats a truly strange
puzzle game, Rise of the
Blobs requires you to destroy
waves of incoming blobs and
pop them in colour-matching chains. A
definite pick-up-and-play title.

Call of Mini: Steampunk

Brawlers
Slashing zombies one corpse at a time
When a radiation leak turns many of the local
citizens into zombies, its up to you to take out
your crazed compatriots. To do so, the game
provides you with five unlockable characters to combat
the zombie hordes, and each has their own set of skills for
you to exploit. There are no levels as such, and instead the
game is constantly changing to provide new challenges.
As you complete challenges youll receive coins, which can
then be used to unlock new weapons and characters. As
you go around and destroy your zombie foes, the 3D
graphics come into a world of their own, and each
character is beautifully animated. It can get quite bloody,
with limbs flying all over the place, but Call of Mini:
Brawlers is certainly worthy of a gory play through.
Price Free
Designed for Phone and tablet
Requires Android 2.0.1
Racing 3D Kingdom Conquest II
Free
Kingdom Conquest II blends
The racing genre gets an industrial makeover the elements of card battling
and real-time strategy to bring
a new take on the action genre.
Steampunk Racing 3D has a very distinctive Characters and missions are plentiful.
industrial feel to it. From the cars, tracks and
menus, everything has been given a gritty look.
Instead of being a normal racing game, Steampunk Racing
3D gives you a whole arsenal of weapons to dispose of NFL Matchups Free
NFL Matchups is an officially
your opponents. Weapons are activated by collecting licensed game from the NFL,
steampiles along your route, and the more you collect, the in which you need to collect
more explosive the weapon. Each vehicle is different, and cards to build the best virtual
team possible. Play against your online
boasts many positive and negative elements. You can friends to see who really is the best.
customise each vehicle to suit your style of racing, and
even choose the array of weapons you want. Where the
game falls down is with its awkward control system.
Steering is near impossible for the faster cars, and trying Line Runner 2 Free
Building off the success of its
to direct weapons in a certain direction is very tricky. predecessor, Line Runner 2 is
a never-ending side scroller in
Price Free which you must jump, duck
Designed for Phone and tablet and avoid a whole host of obstacles and
Requires Android 2.1 collect power-ups at the same time.

Check our website for

even more game reviews www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk 77
Reviews

Group test

Four of the biggest names in Android tablets go head-to-head

78
A
ndroid tablets are finally becoming big
business. Head out on the high street and
youll find an enormous range of devices at
every size and every price point.
From ultra-budget no-name brands to high-end
models with every feature imaginable, there is
something for every user. In this test weve
collected together four of the best devices from the
biggest brands in Android tablets. These tablets are
packed with extra functions and the kind of
consumer-oriented touches that lift them beyond
the normal Android experience.
They include the stunning high-resolution screen
with added keyboard of the Asus Transformer
Infinity, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, with its
added stylus pen that turns the device into a
comprehensive productivity tool, the Sony Tablet S,
which sports a splash-proof design that makes it
feel at home in the kitchen, and the Acer Iconia
A210, a ten-inch tablet that competes with the
others in terms of specifications but undercuts
them all on price.
Weve pushed each of the tablets to their limits,
tested all their features (stand out and not) and
compared their strengths and weaknesses to give
you a worthy winner to splash the cash on. Where
should your money go? Read on to find out.
79
Reviews
Sony Xperia
Tablet S
information
Price From 329
More information
www.sony.co.uk
technical specs
Operating system........Android 4.0
Processor...........................NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.3GHz
Storage................................16GB
Dimensions......................239.8 x 174.4 x 8.8mm
Weight..................................570g
Display..................................9.4-inch, 1,280 x 800
Connectivity....................Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS
Camera ...............................8-MP back, 1-MP front
head-to-head
Design
The wedge-like chassis design is unique
and makes for an uneven weight
distribution but a comfortable hold. Putting
the proprietary mains/data cable under a
removable cover might be overkill for some,
but it helps with Sonys splash-proof claim.
General performance
The quad-core processor never seemed to
be challenged during our testing, and the
Sony Xperia Tablet S was responsive under
the fingers. Battery life should be enough
to get you through a weekend away from
home too, which is always a pleasure.
Features
The 9.4-inch screen sits between the
usual seven and ten-inch standard and
could be the ideal compromise. It makes
for smallish hardware yet a screen thats
suitable for video watching or eReading
the Sony Reader store is here for the latter.
Connectivity
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both here, but
a proprietary data cable is irritating and
theres no USB alternative. Nor is there
HDMI which isnt great. The ability to use it
as a TV remote might appeal, though.
Quirky
Verdict
design and proprietary
charge/data cable could be
hit and miss. It does run fast,
though, and is very portable
80
Screen size
The 9.4-inch screen is a quirky mid-way
between the more usual ten and
seven-inch options. Some people might
feel it is the best of both worlds
Wedge shaped
The Sony Xperia Tablet S
has a quirky wedge-shaped
design which makes it feel
booklike in the hand
Sony Xperia
Tablet S
Sony builds on the early successes of its wedge-shaped
tablet with a worthy and portable successor
W
hen Sony first launched its Tablet S it
caused a fair few raised eyebrows. This was
because of the wedge-shaped design that
made it look very, very different from the competition.
The shape (fatter along one long edge than the other)
was not just about trying to look different, though. It
also meant the Tablet S was different than the norm
to hold. For some consumers, it was more booklike, side. The fact that Sony has made the Xperia Tablet S
for others it was just plain awkward.
Sony has stuck with the design idea in the newer
Xperia Tablet S, although there is now more metal in
the design, which makes for a much more solid feel.
The wedgy design means it is heavier at one
horizontal end than the other, and when holding it in
wide mode that feels a little odd at first.
The 9.4-inch screen is the smallest in our group
test, and inevitably that means the hardware is the
smallest too. In some respects the screen, with its
1,280 x 800 pixel resolution, is a good compromise
Proprietary charger
Not everyone will like the proprietary charge
and data cable that is used by the Sony
Xperia Tablet S, but at least the slot is
covered to help the tablet be splash-proof
SD card support
An SD card slot makes it easy
to bolster the internal
memory, and you can use
micro SD cards with the
appropriate adaptor
between the smaller seven inchers that arent great
for media viewing and the larger 10-1-inchers that can
sometimes be a bit of a pain to carry. It is certainly
sharp enough, and viewing angles are good.
The Tegra 3 quad-core processor is nippy enough,
and stereo speakers along the bottom-edge deliver
plenty of volume even if the sound is a bit on the tinny
splash-proof will no doubt appeal to some people too.
Sony has added a variety of apps that bulk out Android
4, including a universal remote control, Evernote and
something called Free Type Office Suite for document
production. Various Sony stores for music, movies
and eBooks are here too.
The proprietary charger and data cable slot wont
please everyone, and Sony has found room for an SD
card slot so you can use this larger-sized card as well
as micro SD with an adaptor, but theres no HDMI
here, which is an infuriating omission.

Metal chassis
The metal used in the
chassis gives the
Transformer Pad Infinity
a classy look and makes
it tough to boot. The
metal extends into the
keyboard too
Connectivity
options
With USB and SD on the keyboard,
and HDMI and micro USB on the
tablet, there are plenty of
connectivity options here
Asus Transformer
Pad Infinity
The Transformer Pad Infinity has oodles of storage and a
clip-on keyboard to boost its enticing set of features
M
ost manufacturers are content to allow third
parties to produce keyboards for their
tablets, but not Asus. The Transformer Pad
Infinity comes with a keyboard thats all its own work.
This is part of the reason for the high price of this
tablet, but not all of it. The specifications are above
average in most respects too.
That keyboard locks to the screen very securely, so
that it is easy to carry the pair about like a mini
notebook, or undock and just carry the tablet if thats
all you think youll need. The keyboard is really comfy
to use a lot nicer than most of the ones made by
third parties for tablets that we have tried. And a top
row of function keys for stuff like media playback,
volume control, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggling and even
taking screenshots is really handy.
Asus adds in some apps designed to help you make
the most of the keyboard, including the popular
Polaris Office for document, spreadsheet and
Keyboard
The keyboard docks very securely to the tablet,
and the keys themselves are well made and
easy to work with. A shortcuts row above the
numbers adds extra Android-specific functions
Battery boost
Hidden in the keyboard is a
second battery which can add
vital hours to the Transformer
Pad Infinitys overall life away
from mains power
slideshow work. Polaris Office is compatible with
Microsoft Office for seamless work life integration.
Meanwhile, the screen ought to blow you away. Its
1,920 x 1,200 resolution is higher than any other in
this group by a serious margin. Text and video look
great, and working in laptop mode is very comfortable.
Connectivity options are strong, but you do need
both screen and keyboard to take advantage of them
all. Theres a micro HDMI connector on the tablet as
well as a micro SD card slot. However, with a
whopping 64GB of internal storage you may well not
need micro SD. The keyboard has a USB connector for
memory sticks and so on, as well as an SD card slot.
The keyboard has a hidden trick up its sleeve it
houses a second battery. Asus says this will boost the
tablets nine-and-a-half hour life by up to 14 hours. Of
course, that depends on what you actually do with the
Transformer Pad Infinity, but however you slice it up,
the battery boost is another big plus.
Group test
Asus Transformer
Pad Infinity
information
Price 614
More information
www.asus.com
technical specs
Operating system........Android 4.0
Processor...........................NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.6GHz
Storage................................64GB
Dimensions......................263 x 180.8 x 8.5mm (with
dock 263 x 180.8 x 16.5-
18.9mm)
Weight..................................598g (with dock 1,135g)
Display..................................10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200
Connectivity ....................Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS,
HDMI, USB
Camera ...............................8-MP back, 2-MP front
head-to-head
Design
A solid metal chassis gives the Transformer
Pad Infinity an air of class as well as
toughness, while the keyboard is well built
and comfortable to use. We especially like
the very useful function keys that sit above
the number row.
General performance
The extra battery on the keyboard gives
a real boost to longevity, enabling you to
be mains-free for longer than any other
tablet in this group, while the quad-core
processor is super-fast and rattles through
anything you throw at it.
Features
While other tablets in this group have
a 10.1-inch screen, none can match the
1,920 x 1,200 pixels on offer here. None
come even close. Video, text, pictures,
and every other type of media you sift
through it is sharp and clear.
Connectivity
With USB and SD on the keyboard and
HDMI on the main body, as well as micro
SD physical connectivity, this is easily the
best in our group. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS
all sit on the tablet itself, too.
In terms
Verdict
of features, battery,
expansion and performance,
this is stunning. But for the
price you could get a laptop
81
Reviews
Acer Iconia
A210 Camera USB
Acer has chosen to provide just a

information
single camera on the Iconia A210, A full-sized USB slot can
and to make that a two-megapixel handle a mouse and
front-facing one. This isnt ideal for keyboard as well as storage
photography fans devices like a USB stick or
Price 250 hard drive. So its easy to
More information side load large video files
www.acer.co.uk

technical specs
Operating system........Android 4.0
Processor...........................NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.2GHz
Storage................................16GB
Dimensions......................260 x 175 x 12.4mm
Weight..................................710g
Display..................................10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800
Connectivity....................Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Camera ...............................No rear, 2-MP front

Application
head-to-head picker
Design Acer has added a nifty app
available from the navigation
Thick, heavy and with a slightly springy bar, which lets you jump to
plastic back, Asus doesnt do the Iconia apps and bookmarks, adjust
volume and even take a
A210 any favours with its physical design screen shot
and build quality. You will have to look
underneath the hood to find the

Acer Iconia
good stuff.

General performance
The quad-core processor ensures things
trip along nicely, and we cant complain Thick and heavy
The chassis is surprisingly thick,

A210
about the screens responsiveness. measuring 12.4mm. It feels chubby
Battery life left a bit to be desired though, in the hands because of this, and a
weight that tips over 700g doesnt
and we wouldnt want to go too far without do the holdability quotient any
that power cable in our bag. favours at all

Features
The 10.1-inch screen offers an Acers tablet sports a fast processor considering its low
unsurprising 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution.
It doesnt go especially bright, so using the price, and plenty of other plus points
tablet outdoors isnt great, but inside it is

fine. If youre looking for a decent camera,
look away now.
Connectivity
With micro USB built in youd think you
could charge easily, but a proprietary
round pin charger is required. We do like
the full-sized USB this responded to our
test mouse and keyboard perfectly.
O
ne of the things Acer has had to compromise
on to meet its Iconia A210 price is hardware
design. This is a heavy tablet at just over 700g,
and you will really notice that in your hands even after
a short time. None of the other tablets in this group
weigh more than 600g.
Another compromise area is the general chassis
design. Seen from the front the Iconia A210 looks
standard enough. The rounded corners and black and
silver colour scheme are both comfortingly familiar.
two-megapixel front camera will have to suffice. We
arent fans of the small round pin charging port either.
If you can live with all this you do get a fair amount
of punch for your money. That processor is a big deal.
A quad-core engine room, albeit one thats slower
than the very top-end of the quad-core brigade, works
well. The standard micro USB is accompanied by a
full-sized USB port that can accommodate a mouse or
keyboard and read from a USB stick or hard drive. A
large, and quite ugly, hinged cover protects a micro SD

Compromises
Verdict
have been
But the tablet is more than 12mm thick, while none of
the others in this group go over 9mm. This makes a
big difference in that the Iconia Tab looks a lot less
card slot and, unusually, a reset button. We like the
rotation lock switch, and there are stereo speakers on
the back that deliver good quality sound.
sleek than its three competitors. On the software front, additions include a neat
made to meet a price but application picker you can call up at any time, which
Meanwhile the backplate is obviously made from
thats countered by some plastic and bows slightly if you press it. The stippled also includes a volume slider, screen grabber and
surprisingly good features finish isnt the greatest looking either, but it does help shortcut to web bookmarks. There is also a video
make the Iconia A210 grippy. A glance at the player that supports plenty of formats and a music
backplate also reveals the lack of a rear camera. The player that makes the most of the big screen.

82

Pop-out player
One of the tricks of the Samsung
Stylus
Galaxy Note 10.1 is a pop-out
The all-important stylus video player that can sit on top of
sits in a housing on the other apps letting you keep an
edge of the chassis eye on what you need while
where it is easily doing something else
accessed when you
need it. The fit is secure,
so it should be safe
Samsung Galaxy
Note 10.1
Samsungs Galaxy Note 10.1 is a compelling medley
of a traditional tablet and pen-based device
S
amsung has a very strong presence in the
smartphone sector with its extremely popular
Galaxy S III phone. In between this and the also
popular 10.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab sits the Galaxy
Note, often described as either a mini tablet or a giant
phone, and armed with pen-based input.
After the initial success of the Note, its pen-based
characteristics have been brought to the big screen
as the Galaxy Note 10.1. Looking remarkably similar to
the Galaxy Tab this device might at first seem
unnecessary. But in fact it is extremely compelling.
The basic design is every inch Samsung, with our
white sample sporting a glossy backplate and silver
strips down the short edges. These strips house twin
speakers a great location as their sound cant be
muffled by anything like a desk or clothing.
The screen might be an average resolution, but it is
sharp and bright. There is a micro SD card under a
neat cover, and an infrared port so you can use the
Side-by-side
A small number of apps can be set to
run side-by-side. You could read a
webpage while making notes on its
contents, for example
Speakers
Twin speakers are
built into the front of
the chassis so their
sound is not muffled
by anything
While offering a pretty standard resolution
Galaxy Note 10.1 as a remote control for your TV. It is
nice to see Bluetooth 4.0 here, and GPS and Wi-Fi are
also present. The stylus is all important, though.
Extract it and a side bar pops out offering access to
various apps. These include Photoshop Touch, S Note
(for making notes), S Planner (a diary) and Polaris
Office. You can download more from Google Play.
You can configure a few apps to run side-by-side: S
Note, Polaris Office, Gallery, email and the web
browser. This makes it easy to use one app and make
notes in another. The Galaxy Note 10.1 also has the
pop-out player that Samsung uses on other devices
you can watch video while running another app. And
there are some mini apps too, which you can call up
readily. These include a version of S Note for taking
quick jottings. With a good processor supported by a
generous 2GB of RAM and a capable quad-core
processor, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is a whole new take
on Android tablet computing.
Group test
Samsung Galaxy
Note 10.1
information
Price 420
More information
www.samsung.com/uk
technical specs
Operating system........Android 4.0
Processor...........................Exynos quad-core 1.4GHz
Storage................................16GB
Dimensions......................257.8 x 175.3 x 8.9mm
Weight..................................597g
Display..................................10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 pixels
Connectivity....................Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, GPS
Camera ...............................5-MP back, 1.9-MP front
head-to-head
Design
The slick and thin chassis with its twin
speakers facing towards the user make
for a distinctive look that is appealing and
ergonomic. The stylus fits neatly into its
chassis too though only one way round
so inserting it can be a fiddle.
General performance
The quad-core processor is capable of
handling what Samsung wants it to, with
the pop-out video player running smoothly
and twin apps running side-by-side easily.
Battery life is perhaps on the short side,
but its not dire by any stretch.
Features
of 1,280 x 800 pixels the screen is very
bright and video viewing is an absolute
treat. Text generally looks crisp and sharp,
and the screen is extremely finger (and
stylus) responsive.
Connectivity
It is nice to see Bluetooth 4 alongside
Wi-Fi. The infrared is unusual but allows
for remote control of TVs. And theres
HDMI out too, though you need to buy an
adaptor rather than using a native port.
Verdict
The combo of stylus, some
nice software twists and
stylish design make this slab a
very attractive proposition
83
Reviews

The winner GROUP

TEST WINNER

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

T
his was a difficult group from which to pick a
winner. With such a variety of devices we had
to think carefully about how well each one met
our expectations. An honourable mention has to go
to the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity for its superb
screen and excellent keyboard design, and for the
way the two elements impressively hold together as
if they were a single device.
But in the end our winner was the Samsung
Galaxy Note 10.1. This tablet quite simply raises the
bar in terms of functionality, and it is up to the rest
of the pack to try to catch up. Its innovative features
include the ability to run two apps side-by-side,
Samsungs super pop-out video player, its clever
mini apps, and of course, the stylus. Between them
these give this tablet potential above and beyond
what the competition currently offers. Implementing
these features is not just gimmicky, either. Whats
on offer here is as useful at work as the classroom.
Samsung has not stinted on base specifications
either, with a very capable processor providing the
power that keeps everything running smoothly. And,
to cap it all off, the distinctive Samsung chassis
design is attractive and sleek.

Sony Xperia Asus Transformer Acer Iconia A210 Samsung Galaxy

Tablet S Pad Infinity Note 10.1
Processor NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.6GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.2GHz Exynos 1.4GHz

Storage 16GB 64GB 16GB 16GB

Camera 8-MP back, 1-MP front 8-MP back, 2-MP front No rear, 2-MP front 5-MP back, 1.9-MP front

Platform Android 4.0 Android 4.0 Android 4.0 Android 4.0

Display
9.4-inch, 1,280 x 800 10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800
resolution
Weight 570g 598g (with dock 1,135g) 711g 583g
263 x 180.8 x 8.5mm
Dimensions 239.8 x 174.4 x 8.8mm
(with dock 263 x 180.8 x 16.5-18.9mm)
260 x 175 x 12.4mm 257.8 x 175.3 x 8.9mm

Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, HDMI, USB Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, GPS

Overall score

84
 We dont keep
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Reviews
Monolithic The phone is an exercise
The device is large, flat and square, like so
many classic Sony designs. The sharp
edges do make it feel large in the hand, but
in minimalist design
it slides into a pocket perfectly

Power button
The power button is located halfway
up the side of the device, directly
under the thumb of your right hand or
the forefinger of your left

Colour
choices
The phone comes in
black, white and
purple versions. We
tend to favour the
white over the black

Memory
expansion
On the left edge is a
slot for a micro SD card.
You can add one up to
32GB to augment the
16GB of storage already
onboard

Full HD
The Xperia Z sports a 1080p display
that is stunning for watching videos and
presents text with a clarity we havent
seen outside of E-Ink displays. The
viewing angles could be greater, though

Waterproof
With all the ports tightly sealed

Sony
the Xperia Z can be dropped in
water without fear that the
innards will be fried

Xperia Z
Sonys new flagship phone features a huge
1080p display and is protected against the
weather. But does it deliver enough to help
Sony compete with the best of its rivals?

86

T
he Xperia Z sees Sony looking to build on its
recent success as an Android handset
manufacturer. Having jumped ahead of HTC in
market share and with a greater focus on the high
end, the Z is Sonys flagship device for 2013. It
brings with it a host of new features ranging from a
full 1080p display, to waterproof housing. It is with
this that the company will be looking to start
chipping away at Samsungs vast lead. But does it
have what it takes?
Design and build
With a five-inch display squeezed in a body only
marginally larger than the Galaxy S III, the Xperia Z
stays just the right side of phablet territory,
although it does push the limits of how large a
smartphone can realistically be. As much as we
like a larger screen on an Android device we
wouldnt want them to go beyond this point for
mainstream, general purpose products.
The phone feels large, thanks to its design. It
adopts Sonys trademark monolith style, but while
that works fine for TVs and game consoles, feels
far less appropriate in what is the most personal
Performance Processor & graphics
tests
The Xperia Zs spec sheets flags
it up as one of the most powerful
Android phones on the market and our
benchmark tests suggest that is not an
Nexus 4
17642
exaggeration. Three tests for processor,
graphics and browser performance
suggest it beats its nearest rivals the
Nexus 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note II in
all areas, something that was backed
up in our real world experience of the
devices too.
piece of tech you own. All sharp angles and square
edges, the Xperia Z does not sit as comfortably in
the hand as most other devices of this size. Most
manufacturers curve the edges of their devices to
make them seem slimmer and smoother; here
they dig into your palm as you hold it and youre
always aware of just how large the handset is.
The device is available in three different colours:
black, white and purple. We tested both the black
and white versions and found the white to be far
more appealing, with the lighter shade being less
cold and unfriendly than the black one. It doesnt
show up the fingerprints so much, something that
was startlingly evident on the black model. And it
also enables the power button to blend in more
this is perfectly placed about halfway up the
right-hand side of the device, right under your right
thumb, and, oddly, is the sole chrome-coloured
object on the entire phone.
Otherwise the phone is an exercise in minimalist
design. Theres a volume rocker alongside the
power button (but no camera shutter key), and on
the left, slots for micro USB and micro SD card,
both well sealed. The standard headphone port is
Antutu
GPU
GLBenchmark
Nexus 4
Xperia Z
Xperia Z
19780
13619
Galaxy
Galaxy
3332
Note II
Note II
2722
1975
Power management
Sonys Power Management feature
enables you to stretch the battery
life as far as possible, and works
very well
on the top, and the micro SIM slot on the right, also
all sealed. There are no buttons on the front, and
the back case is not removable, limiting you to the
power available in the fixed 2330 mAh battery.
The sole other design feature of note is a subtly
placed hole in the bottom corner where you can
affix a lanyard (although you will need to supply
your own). For a device built for real world use this
could be a surprisingly useful feature.
It almost goes without saying that the build
quality of the Xperia Z is exceptional. It is solid, with
a fairly weighty feel, and made from plastic and
glass. The phone is semi-ruggedised, IP57 certified
to protect it against dust and water. It can
withstand being submerged in one metre of water
for up to an hour. In practice it means youre more
likely to be unworried about using the phone in the
rain than you would with any other device. We
tested it in a variety of damp scenarios and after
the initial tentativeness (holding a phone in a bowl
of water is not a normal activity, after all) we were
never worried that something bad might happen.
You do need to make sure that the covers for all
the ports are properly closed, but they do seal very
Browser
Vellamo
Nexus 4
Xperia Z
Galaxy
Note II
1287
1287
2172
87
Reviews
Camera on test
We always have high hopes for the cameras on
Sony devices, and the 13-MP camera on the
Xperia Z lived up to them. As expected it excels
in daylight conditions, with excellent colours and
good contrast and also in the macro mode.
Quality falls off somewhat in lower light
conditions, one of the inevitable consequences
of cramming thirteen million pixels onto a tiny
sensor. Unlike other Sony phones there isnt a
dedicated camera button, so you need to tap on
screen to take your shots, and there is also the
ability to shoot video and take stills at the same
time. Sonys camera software is easy to use for
the most part, and functions by default in the
impressive i-Auto mode, which detects the
correct mode for the camera and adjusts the
settings accordingly. There are limited manual
settings as well, and we would have preferred
the option for more control.
Low light
Daylight
Macro
88
tightly. They also seemed to have been designed
sturdily enough to last for the lifetime of the phone,
although only time will tell on that one, especially in
the case of the micro USB and headphone ports
which may well get daily use.
Screen
The centrepiece of the Xperia Z is its 1080p
display. This full HD equates to more than two
million pixels crammed into the five-inch screen,
more than double what weve been enjoying on
720p displays. The pixel density of 441ppi is hugely
impressive youll squint as far as you can to see if
you can discern any individual pixels, but it is
impossible. It is perfect for text, which is now
probably as comfortable to read as on any device
outside of those with E-ink displays, and if you load
it up with HD videos you will find there are few
video experiences better than what this can offer.
And yes, it is noticeably better than a 720p screen.
Yet the screen is far from perfect. When we had
previewed the Xperia Z before we were dazzled by
the sheer number of pixels, and the smoothness of
the text and images it produced as a result. But the
blacks on the LCD screen are not even close to
being as deep as those on OLED screens, or even
the SuperLCD variants used by the likes of HTC.
The colours, equally, have a tendency to appear
washed out and lacking in the vibrancy we would
expect to see.
The contrast also needs to be more, well,
contrasty. Cranking up the brightness does not
help it underlines the problem if anything and
You will find there are few video experiences
better than what this can offer
Pixels on the Xperia Zs
screen are not discernible
to the human eye
tilting the screen exposes far from optimal viewing
angles. As a result the screen seems a tad
disappointing. When youre immersing yourself in a
movie it wont matter at all, its just we had hoped
to be blown away by it, and we werent.
Performance and battery
The hardware specs are as impressive as you
would expect from a flagship device, although with
most high-end phones standardising on a core set
of specs it is becoming difficult to read much into
the hardware as written on paper. The overall user
experience is now where the real qualities of a
phone lie, and also present each manufacturer
with the opportunity to build real differentiation
into their products.
For the record the Xperia Z is powered by a
1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor with
Adreno 320 graphics and 2GB RAM. And it
absolutely flies. We encountered no stutter or
jerkiness as we swiped and scrolled and theres
almost a brusqueness about the way some screen
transitions are completed. 1080p videos and
graphically rich games ran without a hitch, in both
cases only a lack of oomph from the speakers
letting things down.
There is the full complement of wireless
connectivity options on display, including 4G.
Onboard storage totals 16GB, of which just under
12GB is free out of the box. You can add an extra
32GB of your own with a micro SD card.
Battery life is about on a par with the other
devices in this price and spec range, by which we

Pixel density
The 1080p display on the five-inch
Xperia Z has stunning resolution at a
level we have not seen elsewhere.
At 441 pixels per inch it is more than
a third greater than the 720p display
on the Samsung Galaxy S III. On its
own the superior quality of the
display may not be immediately
apparent, but place them side by
side and the once-great Galaxy S III
screen starts to show that even it
has limitations. Sony Xperia Z
mean it will get you through a day of average use
but not much more, while heavy use may even fall
short of that. To help you get the most out of the
battery Sony has equipped the Xperia Z with a very
comprehensive power management app. This has
two main modes: Stamina mode and Low battery
mode. Stamina mode sets the mobile data
connection to be switched off whenever the
screen is off, so that it doesnt use extra,
unneeded power when the phone is sat unused in
your pocket. Its more nuanced than other
third-party solutions that can do a similar thing, as
it also enables you to set up a whitelist of apps
that can continue to function. So, your news and
weather apps may not update when the screen is
off, but your emails will still get through.
Low battery mode takes more of a
sledgehammer approach to power saving, turning
off features and reducing the screen brightness
when the battery hits 30%. With a useful
Estimated Standby Time predictor the Power
Management app enables you to take control over
your power usage more than on any other device,
and can extend battery by a noticeable amount.
Truth is, though, wed rather not have to spend
time setting up things like this, and would prefer
manufacturers to simply take issues of battery life
out of the equation entirely.
Software
The Power Management feature is the best part of
Sonys added software, which otherwise fails to
match up to some of its counterparts.
Sony has comprehensively reskinned the user
interface, which sits atop Android 4.1.2. Its
fairly light and easy to use, but only has a
few hints at Androids Holo theme, so is not
entirely consistent with the Google apps
and an increasing number of third-party
apps that also adopt that look.
The software falls short of being as
ambitious as that on Samsungs
TouchWiz, which includes a whole
suite of utilities aimed at reducing
your direct interaction with the
device, be it through speech, or
eye tracking or other gestures.
Review
Sony Xperia Z
information
Price 522
More information
www.sonymobile.com
Supplied by
www.clove.co.uk
Battery life
Battery life is on a
par with our
expectations. Itll get
you through the day,
but not much further
Samsung Galaxy S III
Nor does it match the added functionality of HTCs
technical specs
Sense UI, such as in its extremely powerful camera
Operating system...............Android 4.2
app. As a result it is difficult to understand exactly
Processor...................................Snapdragon 1.5GHz quad-core
what Sony is getting at with its skin. There isnt an
Memory.......................................2GB RAM, 16GB storage
obvious theme connecting all the changes; many
Dimensions..............................139 x 71 x 7.9mm
appear to exist just because they can.
Weight ..........................................146g
Very few of the interface changes represent a
Display size...............................Five-inch
better way of doing things, just a different one.
Display resolution...............1080 x 1920 pixels
Camera and music shortcuts on the lockscreen are
Expansion slot.......................micro SD
nice, for example, but not as well implemented as
the lockscreen widgets in Android 4.2, and are not
accessible when the device is locked.
And the software extras mostly only serve to Sony Xperia Z
double up on what a Google-powered Android
Sony Xperia T Samsung
device already offers. So you get Wisepilot and Galaxy S III
Google Maps, Walkman and Google Music, Movies
issue 019 issue 013
and Play Movies, Sony Select and the Play Store.
The rest is built to help connect the phone to the
rest of the Sony ecosystem, whether it be a remote better than worse than
control for your Sony TV, or using the PlayStation
Mobile service for a dose of retro gaming.
Theres nothing in the software thats bad, per
se, but none of it represents a reason why you
would choose this phone over any other. And if
Performance
Superfast, excellent performance let down
thats the case then wed take an unskinned
only slightly by the average battery life
Android every time.
Design
Verdict A distinctive, minimal style with rock-solid
The Xperia Z is Sonys best smartphone to date. It build that is protected against the elements
takes the ideas the company has been working on
Features
over the last few years, and throws them all
together in a more refined and polished manner. It All the basics are here but not a whole lot in
ticks all the right boxes, yet theres something
the way of new ideas. Software adds little
missing. Maybe its the design its a beautiful, Value for money
striking phone but it feels larger in the hand than Priced in line with most flagship phones.
other devices with a similar footprint. Maybe its Which is to say, very expensive
the screen, which has stunning resolution but
lacks the vibrancy that weve seen elsewhere. Or
maybe it is the software, which adds little value. Or
maybe were being too harsh. As a media device, a
Sonys
Verdict
best smartphone to
camera phone or a workhorse capable of finishing
any task you throw at it we have no complaints.
date. The Z has much going
The bottom line is the Xperia Z is a great for it but it falls just short of a
example of a high-end Android phone. It bears place at the very top table
comparison with the best phones of the last year,
like the Galaxy S III and the Nexus 4, but it does not
stand in a class of its own.
89
Reviews
Acer Iconia
Tab A110 Acers Iconia Tab A110 has some
strong points, but the screen lets
the show down badly

Convenient size
A seven-inch tablet is arguably
the ideal compromise between
portability and usability

1,024 x 600 pixels

feels too low for a
modern tablet

Disappointing screen
Low resolution, poor viewing angles
and lack of brightness are three
unfortunate screen characteristics

W
ith tablet sales still very much on a steep
upward trend, every manufacturer wants
a slice of the pie. Acer has a lot of
different tablets in its line-up, in several ranges,
with the A and B Android ranges complementing
the W5 and W7 Windows-based ones.
The A110 is a small format tablet, with a
Micro seven-inch screen. Selling for around 180 it is
HDMI vying for the same market as the Kindle Fire HD
It is great to see
a micro HDMI and Nexus 7, along with plenty of others. We arent
slot on the Iconia sure the Kindle Fire HD with its hybrid approach to
Tab A110. Youll
need to buy a
Android presents much competition, but the Nexus
cable to use it 7, which is slightly less expensive, and somewhat
though as one is more compelling, gives every tablet in the
not provided
seven-inch space a difficult time, and Acers A110
is no exception.

good Big screen viewing

for... The micro HDMI slot is a great feature that is
absent on the all-conquering Nexus 7

90

Android 4.1
Android 4.1 gives the Iconia
Tab A110 a top-end
specification
The general design of the A110 is reasonably
attractive. Rounded corners, a solid grey backplate
and well-positioned slots and connectors are all a
good start. The ability to expand on the internal
8GB of storage and the presence of a micro HDMI
slot are also both welcome. If we had one major
gripe about the Nexus 7 it was its very irritating lack
of support for memory expansion.
However, the A110 is a bit thick and a bit heavy.
It measures 193mm long, 126.5mm tall and
11.4mm thick. The seven-inch screen sits in a fairly
broad bezel, and while this means you can hold the
A110 without fear of accidental screen taps, it
does look a little oversized, as well as giving the
tablet a somewhat dated look.
Thats not our main issue though. Its the
thickness that we felt to be too much, and we also
think the 390g of weight is a bit on the heavy side.
Compare it to the Nexus 7s 10.45mm of thickness
and 347g of weight and you see what we mean.
The A110 feels larger than it should be, and in this
regard really falls down in the face of the best of
the competition.
Power is provided by a micro USB connector we
do hate it when tablets use a proprietary charger.
The processor is surprisingly accommodating. It is
a 1.2GHz quad-core Tegra 3 and it is supported by
1GB of RAM. As you might expect from that
specification the Iconia Tab A110 zips along well
and serious gaming does not trouble it.
Another plus is the presence of Android 4.1
Jelly Bean. No tablet is really acceptable if it offers
anything less than the latest major Android version.
And further in Acers favour the OS is barely
touched from its native look and feel. Theres no
news on updates as yet, but wed expect this to
Music 3D gaming
Use the micro SD card to add your entire The quad-core processor is very powerful and
music collection to the device easily can handle the latest console-class games
Review
Acer Iconia Tab
A110
information
Price 180
More information
www.acer.co.uk
Battery life
There are three
power plans to help
conserve the
battery, which
Camera should get you
through a few days
Theres just the one camera
a front-facing 2-MP one
that shoots 720p video technical specs
Operating system...............Android 4.1
make them far easier for Acer to deliver, or for
Processor...................................Quad-core 1.2GHz
users to take the hacking route as a last resort.
Memory.......................................8GB storage
Dimensions..............................193 x 126.5 x 11.4mm
We cant complain too much about the absence
Weight ..........................................390g
of a back-facing camera either. Its a feature plenty
Display size...............................Seven-inch
of tablets trying to reach this kind of price are Display resolution...............1,024 x 600 pixels
sacrificing. And there is the ability to shoot photos Expansion slot.......................micro SD
and video via the front camera which manages still
shots at two megapixels and 720p video.
Youve got three performance profiles available:
balanced, power saver and high performance, to
help give the battery a fighting chance of seeing
through a day, and we reckon it can do that fairly Acer Iconia Tab A110
easily if you are smart about how you use the tab. None Nexus 7
However, there is one very important negative
about the Iconia Tab A110, and it is so very
issue 015
important that it means we couldnt really
recommend the device. The screen is a let down in
more than one respect. Its brightness is very
better than worse than
disappointing. Leave it on automatic brightness
setting and it is often way too low for comfortable
viewing. Turn auto off and rack the brightness up to
Performance
Speedy quad-core processor is nice to
the maximum setting and things improve, but sadly
have at this price. Screen is mediocre
not spectacularly.
The resolution is also lacking. 1,024 x 600 pixels Design
feels too low for a modern tablet. Another Nexus 7 Somewhat blocky. Thicker and heavier
comparison reveals that tablets 1,280 x 800 than you would expect
display to be superior. The resolution certainly
shows itself as deficient when text comes into the Features
frame. Its perfectly readable, but not the smooth, Android 4.1 is a real plus point, and
enjoyable experience we would prefer. Viewing
largely untouched too
angles arent that good, either. Value for money
Its not possible to judge the A110, or any other Not too expensive but this is becoming
seven-inch tablet, without comparing it to the a very crowded market segment
Nexus 7. A year ago wed have probably classed this
as one of the better budget tablets. But the game
has changed and we now have higher expectations
of what we should get for our money. The A110
ItsVerdict
hard to look at anything
delivers some good things in certain areas, but
ultimately falls down where it really counts.
other than the Nexus 7 at
this price, and the A110 does
Portability
nothing to change that
In spite of the oversized bezel, the small size
makes this tablet easy to carry
91
Reviews
Versus TouchTab
10.1DC
Thick
The TouchTab is thick at 11mm
and rather heavy too. It feels
like a previous generation
model in this regard, and
becomes difficult to hold for
extended periods
Stereo speakers
The back of the device houses stereo speakers for better audio
output than you might expect on a device at this price point
A ten-inch tablet with fast processor and plenty of storage, for a price that matches
the Nexus 7. What more can you ask?
B
udget Android tablets have had a bit of a bad
rep in the past, and deservedly so. But things
are changing. The Versus TouchPad 10.1DC is
priced at a similar level to the Nexus 7 but has a
ten-inch display, and though the CPU isnt rated as
highly as the Nexus, it is dual-core nonetheless,
which should render the pesky performance
problems so often associated with cheap tabs a
thing of the past.
The TouchTab is reasonably nicely styled. It has
the look of an off-the-shelf Chinese tablet, so
theres nothing unique or interesting in the design,
but its inoffensive enough. The build quality,
featuring an aluminium backplate, is solid, bar
some minor creaking when holding it tightly and a
strange bubble effect that appears on screen
when you press it too hard, but only in specific
spots. The tablet is weighed at 650g, with above
average thickness at 11mm. Combined with the
widescreen display the tablet becomes
uncomfortable to use in portrait mode.
92
Theres a good selection of ports down the
right-hand side for expansion, including mini USB,
mini HDMI and micro SD. Also, theres a port for the
dreaded proprietary charger you cant just power
this up using the same cable you use on your
phone. Around the back is a two-megapixel
camera that is very responsive but takes grainy
shots (theres also a 0.3-MP camera on the front),
plus stereo speakers.
An added surprise in the box is what Versus
describes as a high sensitive stylus pen. This
offers none of the tricks you get with the pen on
something like the Galaxy Note, and we didnt find
it especially sensitive either.
The TouchTab runs Android 4.1.1, which makes it
about as up to date as any non-Nexus tablet. It is
virtually unskinned, with tweaks to the UI
amounting to not much more than some HDMI
settings and, strangely, an omnipresent screen
capture icon. Versus has also added quite a lot of
third-party software, and while we can see that
Camera shortcomings
The TouchTab has front and back cameras, but
neither gives much to shout about. The front
camera does the bare minimum for Skype calls,
and the rear one is almost certainly worse than the
one youve got on the phone in your pocket
Ports galore
No fewer than five ports are crammed in
down the right-hand side, including mini
HDMI and micro SD. The device also takes a
proprietary charger, which makes powering
on the go harder than it should be
some buyers will welcome the chance to launch
straight into a game of Angry Birds, all of the apps
are free and freely downloadable so add no actual
value to the product.
Some even go a step further and become a
nuisance. The 1Mobile Market an alternative app
store is really not needed because the Play store
is onboard, and was also horrible to use due to the
prevalence of low-res graphics it uses. Fortunately
all the junk can be removed, although doing it
through yet another third-party app, ApkInstaller, is
hardly the most intuitive way to go about it.
Given the amount of extra software here, its
strange that only a small selection of the Google
apps are among them. You get Gmail and Calendar,
and Google Now is here too, but youll need to
download Chrome or Maps yourself. Incidentally
we had a bad time with Maps. The multi-touch
capability was very unresponsive when zooming in
and out of maps, a problem that we were unable to
replicate elsewhere.

The screen is dim by anyones standards
For the most part performance was fine. We had
issues with the Dolphin browser another
pre-installed app where it would become
unusably slow when scrolling in certain sites. It felt
like a lack of RAM was the issue, except theres a
perfectly sufficient 1GB available and we couldnt
repeat the issue in other apps. The old stock
Android browser is also here, along with Flash if you
want it. The dual-core 1.6GHz processor was able
to handle most tasks and ensure smooth scrolling
through the UI. It never felt like an especially fast
tablet, and our benchmark tests backed that up,
but it didnt feel underpowered either.
The screen, with 1,280 x 800 pixels stretched
across the whole 10.1 inches, is on the low-
resolution side. If youre a pixel density enthusiast
youll certainly have no problem picking out the
individual pixels on the screen, which isnt ideal.
We didnt find it too bad for eReading, though. Or to
put it another way, the pixel density of 149ppi is
better than the iPad 2, and only marginally worse
than the new iPad mini.
Unskinned Android
Android 4.1.1 is almost fully up to date and is largely untouched
apart from a few minor tweaks. Theres lots of extra software
installed, which is either very welcome or an annoyance, depending
on how experienced you are with Android
Review
Versus TouchTab
However, the screen is dim by anyones
10.1DC
standards. Theres no ambient light sensor for
auto-brightness, so we cranked it up to the max
where it became just about right indoors. Dont
expect to be able to see the screen at all outside in
information
Price 169.95
mid-summer, though. More information
www.versusuk.com
This may be an attempt by the team at Versus to
prolong the battery life as far as possible. This is
the one area where we were genuinely
disappointed by the TouchTab. The 7000mAh Battery life
battery should be good enough to live with the We were
competition, but in our tests, four-and-a-half hours disappointed.
For heavy use
of screen time in normal use was about the best youre looking at
we could manage. around four
The Versus tablet lacks the polish you get from hours in one go
some of the bigger name Android manufacturers,
but is otherwise a perfectly serviceable addition to
technical specs
the Android tablet crowd. Despite a few quirks,
Operating system...............Android 4.1.1
some of which could be fixed via a firmware
Processor...................................1.6GHz dual-core ARM A9
update, its a ten-inch tablet for the entry-level
Memory.......................................1GB RAM, 16GB storage
Dimensions..............................259 x 174 x 11mm
market and marketed at a price that certainly wont
Weight ..........................................650g
leave you with instant buyers remorse.
Display size...............................10.1-inch
Display resolution...............1,280 x 800 pixels
Expansion slot.......................micro SD

Versus TouchTab 10.1DC

Acer Iconia Nexus 7

A110

issue 023 issue 015

better than worse than

Performance
Battery life is poor but the tablet can
handle most everyday tasks fairly well
Design
Classic black rectangle with rounded
corners. Neither good nor bad, frankly
Features
Speed test Key Versus TouchTab Nexus 7
Solid selection of expansion ports, Jelly
Bean and Flash. The cameras disappoint
In comparison to the 12726 Value for money
similarly priced Nexus A relatively inexpensive way to get the
7, the Versus TouchTab 11115
full ten-inch tablet experience
performed perhaps
better than we might
have expected given
the difference in
6371

4703
ItsVerdict
no Nexus 10, but if youre
processor speeds
between the devices.
3981
3618 not a demanding user and
1902
The TouchTab achieved 1721
want a larger screen this is a
better graphics 835 good value option
scores, but was left 710
behind in other areas. CPU RAM GPU I/O TOTAL

93
Accessories
EDITORS
CHOICE
Bluetooth connection
Once you have connected your phone
to the M9, the connection stays
strong. You can then stream your
favourite music playlists across to it
without the need for any wires
Orbitsound M9 Soundbar
Powerful soundbar that boasts style and function
T
he M series of soundbars are
the follow-up to the highly
acclaimed T series, which
boasted great looks coupled with
astonishing sound. Thankfully, the
new M9 looks to keep that trend
going. The first thing you notice about
the M9 is its diminutive size its
noticeably smaller than many other
soundbars that sit in its price range.
Its easy to store away and lightweight
enough to transport around. Its black
gloss surface looks fantastic and
apart from the control panel situated
on the top of the unit and the speaker
mesh on the front of it, theres no
extravagant design features.
94
Control panel
The control panel located on the
top of the M9 can be used to
manage the volume and the
devices its currently connected to.
Theres also a power button located
on the right-hand side
Accompanying the M9 is a subwoofer
which is still relatively small when
compared to many other subwoofers.
It doesnt use the same glossy finish
as its smaller companion, but the
minimalist design is pleasing on
the eye.
Bluetooth connectivity is a major
selling point of the M9 and its the
primary way to connect your phone or
tablet directly to it. Creating a
Bluetooth connection between the
two is easy enough thanks to the
control panel, and once connected
youll find the signal to be relatively
strong. If Bluetooth isnt your thing,
you can also hook up the M9
The high-quality
sound that the M9
can achieve is
hard to match
Super subwoofer
The accompanying subwoofer does a
great job at managing the sound that
emits from the soundbar. Its
noticeably smaller than similar
products, but it still weighs quite a bit
Minimalist design
The glossy finish and mesh speaker
plate are the only noticeable design
features of the M9. Those looking for
an extravagant soundbar wont find
what theyre looking for here
Soundbar via an optical cable or
3.5mm audio jack. specification
Despite its size, the M9 produces a Price 299/$TBA
great sound experience. Without More information
being on full volume, the M9 does a www.orbitsound.com
good job at filling a room with sound,
and the subwoofer enhances this
further. Youll be able to find louder
verdict
soundbars on the market, but the Performance
high-quality sound that the M9 can
Design
achieve is hard to match.
Theres plenty to love about the M9 Value
Soundbar and if youre looking for a A fantastic soundbar and
powerful sound experience that subwoofer combination
delivers time and time again without
giving away too much space, then the
M9 is definitely for you.
 Accessories
www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
More accessory reviews online

EDITORS
CHOICE

Parrot Zik headphones Razer Kraken Pro

Gesture-controlled headphones
where sound quality is key
As well as expert noise-cancelling
technology, the Parrot Zik
headphones also include Bluetooth
connectivity and some unique touch
operation controls. All the touch
controls are placed in the right cup
and users can swipe in a variety of
ways to pause, play and generally
control the music theyre listening to.
For the most part this feature works
brilliantly, and is something we very
quickly became accustomed to
using. Sound quality is fantastic and
the range of preset EQ modes is also
impressive. The only downside is the
large frame of the Parrot Ziks.
Although the metallic feel of them
emits a premium finish, the cups are
heavy, which means they can feel a
little loose at times. Despite this, the
Parrot Ziks are one of the most
intuitive and unique pair of
headphones on the market.
Price 349.99/$399.99
More information
www.parrot.com
Pioneering gaming headset for the
ultimate multiplayer experience
The Kraken Pro is a gaming headset
that connects to your mobile device
via the 3.5mm audio jack. Theyre
very comfortable to wear, and the
padded headband means youll have
no problem wearing them for
prolonged periods of time. Each side
can be adjusted to fit various head
sizes, but they tend to be a bit stiff
when moving them. Located at the
bottom is a microphone you can use
to talk to your fellow players which
works fairly well, if not a little crackly
at times. If youre playing the right
types of games, sound quality is
superb in the Kraken Pro and you
definitely get an immersive gaming
experience the more you
use them.
Price 69.99/$79.99
More information
www.razerzone.com

Vtec 12x Telephoto

Lens for Samsung
Galaxy S3
Take high-quality photos using this tripod and lens set
There are several elements to the Telephoto lens, and it requires a few minutes to piece
together. All the items feel well-made and fit together nicely, although the tripod is made of
plastic and is quite fiddly to get in a level position. The S III attaches to the back of the lens
and by opening up the Camera app, youll be able to see a 12x zoom of the image youre
taking a photo of. The Telephoto lens is perfect for taking photos of things in the distance and
images are generally of reasonable quality when using the manual focus ring on top of the
lens, albeit far from tack sharp. Wed also like the tripod to be a little sturdier you cant use
the lens handheld so it is a crucial element and we found that prodding the on-screen
camera shutter button would often introduce motion blur to our images. Still, its a fun
accessory for any budding smartphone photographer to try.

Price 34.99/$TBA
More information
www.vteceurope.webs.com

95
Accessories
EDITORS
CHOICE
Roxy HTC One Case
BeachBuoy Waterproof
Price 14.95/$19.95
More information www.proporta.co.uk
If youre planning on going on a beach holiday, then make sure
you invest in a BeachBuoy Waterproof case. Although aimed at
HTC One X owners, it fits most smartphones and is sealed in by
the waterproof lining that makes it possible to submerge your
phone up to five metres underwater. You can still use the
device through the protective film on the front of the case and
the attached cord means you can wear it around your neck or
wrap it around your arm.

Sealed in by the
waterproof lining that
makes it possible to
submerge your phone

Tablet Case for 10 inch

Tablets Envelope
Price 34.95/$47.95
More information www.proporta.co.uk
This ten-inch envelope case fits a wide range of larger
Android tablets, but can also be used with the likes of the
smaller Kindle Fire and Nook HD. Despite its chunky look,
the case is surprisingly light and easy enough to carry
around on your travels. The lining of the case is incredibly
soft and does a good job at stopping your device from
moving around while in it, and provides decent protection
from scratches and knocks. Due to the tight fit of placing
ten-inch tablets within the case, it can be a bit of a
struggle removing them, but thats only a small issue in
what is otherwise a great protective case for your tablet.

96

Essential protection
Keep your phone or tablet safe with these vital pieces of kit
Galaxy S3 Case Impact Snap Case with Cover
Specs
Price 9.95/$13.95
More information www.proporta.co.uk
Theres no denying that the Specs case is a
great bit of fun, but it does the job of a
phone case well. The case clips on to the
Galaxy S III with ease, which also makes it
easy to remove when needed. Ports are
catered for fairly well, but the case could do
with a slightly larger hole for the camera lens
to poke through. Its also on the thin side
which means itll be pretty useless if
dropped from a distance, but the plastic
does a good job of protecting from bumps
and such. All in all, the Specs case is a great
novelty item that doesnt compromise on
the level of protection it provides either.
Accessories
Price 29.99/$49.99
More information www.tech21.uk.com
Youll find several layers of protection on the Impact Snap Case, all of which work together to make a premium
case for your Galaxy S III. The main innards of the case use impact technology to help protect your phone from
big blows, as well as being lined in Polycarbonate to add a further level of protection. Having the additional flip
cover is great for keeping the fascia free from scratches, but it hangs a little loose and theres no clip to hold it in
place, which is a bit of a problem.
Thin Ice Liquid Rubber Case
Price 14.99/$19.99
More information www.gear4.com
If youre looking for a no-nonsense case for your S III then you might want to check out the Thin Ice
case from Gear4. The case itself is made of hard plastic, but is lined with a liquid rubber finish to
make it feel good while carrying it. Although the thinness might be a worry to some, it does a good
job from preventing damage when dropped. All the necessary ports have been cut out and catered
for, and each has a curved finish to avoid any sharp edges. The hard plastic does scuff, however, and
if you choose to purchase the case in a dark colour youll find all the scratches do show.
Roxy Sock
Price 9.95/$13.95
More information www.proporta.co.uk
Available in a wide range
of colours, the Roxy Sock
is a cool way of keeping
your phone safe and
looking decent at the
same time. The sock
caters for most phone
sizes, and we managed to
fit a Sony Xperia Z in to its
tiny frame. Theres no
proper protection, as
such, and instead the soft
casing does a good job at
keeping your entire device
free from scuffs and
scratches. It wont do
much to help keep your
device safe if its dropped
from a great height, and if
you have a smaller phone,
theres nothing to stop
the phone sliding out from
the Roxy Sock.
97
 NEXT
MONTH
SAMSUNG
GALAXY S IV
IS HERE!
The full lowdown on the
biggest phone of the year

HTC ONE
Can HTC strike back against
the mighty Samsung? Find
From Elliot Keen
Used HTC Sensation XL
out in our in-depth test

Hot Shots
Your amazing Android snaps
Taken a great shot with your Android
phone or camera? Send it to us at:

qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
email

From Jason Shuttleworth From Nick Bunton

Used Nexus 4 Used Samsung Galaxy S III

From Byron Ohene-Adu HACK-FREE HACKS

Used Samsung Galaxy S III Cool hacks you can do
without breaking your phone

ANDROID 5
What can you expect from
Key Lime Pie?

Issue 24
goes on sale:
18 April
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