Tag: Android

In the world of Google TV’s, why do you still need the Chromecast function?

In 2020, Google introduced the fourth generation of its Chromecast, dubbed as Chromecast with Google TV (CCwGTV), which was the first time it came with Google TV (a modified Android TV user interface) and a remote. So, in the world of Google TV’s (and Android TV’s in general), is there still a need for the Google Cast function?

Here are the reasons why we still need the Google Cast around:

Queue up YouTube Videos

The one thing I love about the Chromecast is the ability to queue up videos you want to watch from your YouTube mobile app. Oftentimes, when I want to YouTube and chill, I open a video on my YouTube mobile app, cast that thing to my TV with a Chromecast, browse more of the homepage of the YouTube app, then add as many more videos as I like to watch next to the queue.

Although you can queue up videos as well in the web version of YouTube, the same is not true on Android TV’s. I just find it so inefficient to have to quit the video you’re currently watching, browse though the homepage, and select the single video you want to watch next. Continue reading

More Spam Text Messages as Election Day Nears

Expect to receive a lot of these type of text messages as election day draws near. Some messages could even get nastier as we approach that day.

Fortunately, I’m using Android Messages app, for my SMS/Text messages. I can report this as spam, and this belongs to my spam folder, never ever to see again the light of day.

Key takeaways: use Android Messages app, report this as spam, together we can stop the spread the stupidity in this country!

I ditched Samsung for OnePlus because of Exynos

Don’t get me wrong, I had the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, running on octa-core Samsung Exynos 8895, for the last 3 years, and loved it. The One UI still runs smooth, the camera is still superb. The battery could use a good replacement, but really, if it were just me, that phone could see at least 2 more years of good use.

Truth be told, I was a Samsung fan. But it’s now 2020, and yet Samsung only offers the Exynos chip in this part of the world where I’m at, especially for its top-of-the-line smartphone lineup. It has been fairly documented how Exynos is a lot inferior against its comparable Snapdragon chip, from processing speed to temperature to battery life.

Apparently, if you have the Exynos version of the same Samsung model phone, you’re getting the shorter end of the stick. You’ve been shortchanged by Samsung. Continue reading

Where to buy SnapDragon Samsung phones in the Philippines?

Saw this price list on Facebook, which includes the following Samsung phones running in SnapDragon chips towards the end of the list:

Updated list as of March 1, 2021:

* ALL SNAPDRAGON HK VARIANTS *
.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-9980)
16gb/512gb = P63,500
12gb/256gb = P59,000
Color: Black / Silver
.
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (SM-9960)
8gb/256gb = P49,500
Color: Black / Silver / Violet
.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (SM-9810)
8gb/256gb = P41,000
Color: Grey / Blue / Green
.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
8gb / 128gb = P29,000
.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2
12gb / 256gb = P85,000
12gb / 512gb = P100,000
.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N9860)
12gb / 256gb = P49,000
12gb / 512gb = P58,000
.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N9810)
8gb / 256gb = P42,000
.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (SM-T870)
128gb = P33,000
256gb = P37,000
256gb LTE = P42,000 (SM-T875)

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OnePlus 8 Pro vs. iPhone 12 Pro

This comparison is close to my heart for I’m about to renew my phone this year.

In 2017, I passed up on the iPhone 8/8 Plus/X and went for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 instead, primarily because of the price. Never regretted it. The Android of recent years is leaps ahead of its predecessors of the early 2010’s. Gone are the days of overheating Samsung Galaxy S2.

Anyway, the guy in the video above drew the following conclusion: Continue reading

Can I use the GOMO Sim in a Pocket Wifi?

GOMO is so far the only cellular service that offer 25GB for ₱299 and that don’t expire. But is the sim only usable in a smartphone? Can I also stick it into a pocket wifi or a prepaid home wifi, to enjoy the unexpiring data?

I was looking for the answer around the web, but couldn’t find any. So I hit them up on Twitter, and here’s what I got:

So yes, you can use the GOMO Sim in a pocket wifi, Globe at Home Prepaid Wifi, or any unlocked/open-line wifi router device, only that you have to activate the sim first in a mobile phone (Android or iOS/iPhone) app.

Instapay now available in Security Bank mobile app

We have our salaries paid through our Security Bank accounts. Since I keep funds in my accounts with other banks, I need to do fund transfers now and then. And Instapay for Security Bank would have really helped.

Today I discovered that Fund Transfer to Other banks via Instapay functionality is already added to the Security Bank mobile apps.

 

Security Bank transfer to other banks

Security Bank transfer to other banks via Instapay.

Apparently, this functionality is available only on Android and iOS apps, but not in the web using your favorite internet browser. Nevertheless, this is a welcome development, especially now that GCash disabled cash-in via bank cards starting July 6, 2020.

Currently, as the whole nation is still technically on lockdown, all fees for Instapay transfers for all banks, including Security Bank, are waived. When things go back to normal, this fee schedule indicates that fees range from ₱10 to ₱50 among the different Philippine banks. Security Bank in particular will charge ₱15 per transaction, which is I would say is not too steep. I would argue that would be a cost worth paying for the convenience of not waiting some 30 minutes should you need to visit a branch of your bank.

Update: Read: Security Bank InstaPay Temporarily Unavailable

The Search for the Android Todo App with Persistent Notification

In an effort to stay organized and productive, you whip out a pen and a piece of paper and jot down the list of your impending todos. As you move along your day, you tick off those tasks that you have completed, leaving the unmarked ones for tomorrow, hopefully.

A couple of days later, that piece of paper is now buried in various pages of office printouts and drafts, leaving the rest of your todos ignored, and thus, undone.

Therefrom, you installed a todo app on your smartphone. That way, you can schedule important tasks that need to be done on a particular time. Your phone will remind you when that task is due. Efficient and effective, you thought. Until the day you were in a meeting for a while and left your phone on your desk gathering notifications after notifications.

Overwhelmed by these notifications, you decided to clear them all. And thus, you missed your tasks again– ignored, undone! Continue reading