Android 5.0 Lollipop Feature Reviews

Top List of Free VPN Services - from gHacks.net

By Martin Brinkmann on August 5, 2014 in Internet - Last Update: August 8, 2014 19

Finding a reliable free VPN provider can be a a daunting task. We have tested numerous providers that offer free VPN services and added only the best to this page.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), regardless of whether they are free or paid, offer a selection of features that make them attractive for several use-cases.
They can be used to access sites that are blocked otherwise, for instance in a school network, at work or country-wide. This includes situations where you cannot access a site due to bad routing on part of your ISP.
They can furthermore be used to protect the connection against snooping attacks, which is especially helpful if you connect to a network that you have little control over (think hotel, free WiFi at the airport or Starbucks).
Last but not least, they improve your privacy online by blocking direct access to your IP address.
Requirements
All VPN Providers listed below meet the following requirements:

1. Free accounts need to be offered, and they cannot be time-limited (meaning expire after a period of time).
2. They need to have a privacy policy or terms of use, or both.

List of Providers

 

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is available as a free and paid service. A client needs to be downloaded to supported desktop systems to connect to the virtual private network.
An ad is displayed regularly to free users which is one of the limitations of the service. While you get unlimited volume and bandwidth, you are automatically disconnected from the service after 3 hours of usage.
Paid Accounts: Starting at $6.99 per month.
Privacy Policy: http://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_us/privacypolicy
Terms of Service:  http://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_us/terms

 

Hotspot Shield

 

Hotspot Shield is one of the most popular free services available, likely because of its generous 750 Megabyte per day traffic limit. It is also one of the few applications that does not force you to create an account prior to using it.
The free version of the program will display advertisement on the other hand when it is being used. It furthermore makes only available a location in the US for connections, and will block access to select sites via its paywall as well.
Paid Accounts: $29.95 per year, no speed limits
Privacy Policy: http://www.hotspotshield.com/privacy
Terms of Service:  http://www.hotspotshield.com/terms

 

OpenVPN

 

The OpenVPN client for Windows requires Java. The installer will download Java if it is not installed on the system to complete the installation. The problem is that it will install an old Java version instead of the latest one which makes the system vulnerable to attacks.
You need to create an account before you can sign in to the service and connect to one of the server locations. It is possible to sign-up from within the client.
Paid Accounts: Start at $12 for 50 Gigabyte (no monthly fees)
Privacy Policy: https://www.privatetunnel.com/index.php/privacy.html
Terms of Service: https://www.privatetunnel.com/index.php/tos.html

 

PacketiX

 

This free service is part of an academic experiment run by a Japanese university. It uses its own proprietary protocol called PacketiX which impacts compatibility as it can only be run on devices the client is offered for.
To get started, you need to create a virtual HUB first on the service website to download the client software afterwards to the system.
The client itself is not the easiest to use as well, especially if you compare it to other VPN clients that can be switched on or off with a single mouse click.
You need to create a new VPN connection first before you can connect to the service. It is however interested to note that it makes available quite a few extra configuration options such as enabling remote management access.
Paid Accounts: No
Privacy Policy: http://www.packetix.net/en/terms/vpn.aspx
Terms of Service: http://www.packetix.net/en/terms/privacy.aspx

 

ProXPN

 

You need to create a free account before you can sign in to the local client. Note that you are asked to enter your phone number and email address during account creation and need to verify the email address immediately.
The free client is restricted to connecting to a single server location in the US using the OpenVPN protocol. The volume is unlimited but the speed of the connection is limited to 300 Kbps/s automatically by the application.
The client itself is slim and does not display many options that you can configure. All that you can do is disable its autostart and auto-connection features. The connection info tab displays detailed information about the connection though which can be useful for advanced users.

 

Spotflux

 

Spotflux is offered as an ad-supported free service and paid premium services. What's interesting here is that you can download and use the desktop client without account registration so that you can test the service before you create an account.
The free version is limited to web connections though and it may also limit speed after the free three-day premium trial period.
Paid accounts:$5.99/y for mobile devices and $29.95 per year for up to five devices.
Privacy Policy: http://www.spotflux.com/policy.php
Terms of Service: http://www.spotflux.com/terms.php

 

Tunnelbear

 

TunnelBear is offered as a program that you need to install/run on your computer. It requires that you set up an account and confirm your email address before you can finalize the installation of the client by allowing it to install a new network adapter on the system.
The client itself uses a compact design that provides you with direct access to everything that is important. Here you can turn the VPN on or off, change the location you want to connect to, see your remaining bandwidth allocation for the month, and can open the options to configure it further.
You can turn on two interesting features in the options. Vigilant protects your connection until a connection to the Tunnelbear server has been established by blocking all http connections during that time.
TCP Override aims to improve the performance if the Internet connection is rather unreliable.
Paid accounts: unlimited traffic for $4.99 a month or $49.99 per year.
Privacy Policy: https://www.tunnelbear.com/privacy-policy/
Terms of Service: https://www.tunnelbear.com/terms-of-service/

 

USAIP

 

The service supports a wide variety of protocols, some of which allow you to create a new connection using the operating system's network manager so that you are not required to run a client on your system for that.
The free version of the service offers unlimited volume and traffic, but restricts the bandwidth to 200 Kbit/s automatically. Login and server information are provided on the company website.
Some users have reported that the service will disconnect free users automatically every 7 minutes.
Paid accounts: Start at $7.99 per month
Privacy Policy: http://www.usaip.eu/en/index.php
Terms of Service: http://www.usaip.eu/en/index.php

 

VPNBook

 

The free service is special. It has no volume limitations and provides you with login information on its website that you can use to set up a connection to one of the servers listed there without account creation.
The service is financed by advertising that is displayed on the company website and by selling paid dedicated VPN servers (virtual) to customers.
Setup requires either the download of the free OpenVPN client or to setup connections using PPTP on the operating system instead. Step by Step guides are available for popular operating systems that walk users through the process.
Passwords are changed regularly by the service which is why users need to visit the website frequently to get the new password and modify the connection settings.
Paid Accounts: Dedicated VPN Server for $7.95 per month
Privacy Policy: http://www.vpnbook.com/contact
Terms of Service: None

 

Your Freedom

 

Your Freedom is a VPN Provider that is supporting OpenVPN and PPTP connections. It limits free accounts to 2 hours of usage and 64 kbit/s automatically, but has no other restrictions in regards to bandwidth or allowed traffic.
To get started, you need to register an account on the official website and either download a client from it as well or configure the server manually using network tools that the operating system provides you with.
The limitation to 64 kbps/s makes it less than ideal for anything but basic web surfing.
Paid Accounts: Start at €4 per month.
Privacy Policy:
Terms of Service: http://www.your-freedom.net/index.php?id=aup

Short List of additional VPN Providers

Here is a list of additional providers which we have not had time to review in depth.

1. Security Kiss supports OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP. Free accounts are limited to 300 MB/day and servers in the US, UK, Germany and France.
2. VPN Reactor offers a free basic account that is speed and time limited (30 minutes, then wait 30 minutes before you can connect again). It offers access to a single server only for free users and blocks outbound email completely. The service does not keep logs.

Related Services

Some services provide access to features that are similar to what VPN offers. This is a short list of these alternatives:

1. JanusVM is powered by VMWare and uses technologies such as Tor, openVPN, Squid and Privoxy to improve a user's security and privacy while connected to the Internet. Has been updated in January 2010 the last time.
2. JonDoNym is a proxy client that is protecting your IP and encrypting your Internet traffic. It is available as a  client for Windows, Mac and Linux, and as a Live CD. The free service is limited to 30-50 kBit/s and files of up to 2 Megabyte in size.
3. Tor Project is a free and open source client that protects your privacy while you are on the Internet. Clients are available for Windows, Mac and Linux as well as Android.

Provider	Based	Restrictions	Locations	Mobile	Logging	Protocols
CyberGhost	Germany	no limit, disconnect after 3h	Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Uk, Ireland, Italy, Luxenbourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, US	Android, iOS	no	OpenVPN
Hotspot Shield	USA	750 MB/day	US	Android, iOS	unknown	unknown
OpenVPN	USA	100 MB / month	US, UK, Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands	Android, iOS	yes	OpenVPN
PacketiX	Japan	no limit	Japan	no	yes	PacketiX
ProXPN	Netherlands	no limit, 300 Kbit/s	US	no	yes	OpenVPN
Spotflux	USA		USA	Android, iOS	limited	unknown
Tunnelbear	Canada	500 MB / month	US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, France, Netherlands	Android, iOS	no	OpenVPN
USAIP	Seychelles	no limit, 200 Kbit/s	Germany, Netherlands, US, Hungary, China, Luxenbourg and HongKong	yes	yes, 48 hours	PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, SSTP
VPNBook	unknown	no limit	US, UK, Romania	all devices supporting protocols	IP and time	OpenVPN, PPTP
Your Freedom	Germany	no limit, 64 kbit/s, 2 hours connection time	UK, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, US, HongKong, Sweden, Panama	Android	unknown	OpenVPN, PPTP, Proxy

Conclusion

Quite a few services offer free VPN connections. While some finance their service through advertisement, others may limit free users in terms of connection period, bandwidth allocation or monthly traffic.
The majority of services are not usable for anything but light Internet surfing and maybe gaming. While there are some that are not as restricted, users who download a lot or watch media streams may want to consider signing up for a paid account to improve the overall experience.

Source: http://www.ghacks.net/2014/08/05/top-list-free-vpn-services/

Google Hangout Videos - How to Use

Android 5.0 Lollipop: What It Is And When You’ll Get It

  Daniel Price

On 8^th November, 2014

Android

Lollipop is the name given to Google’s latest Android operating system update. Also known as Android 5.0, it will become the sequel to Android KitKat, which ran from versions 4.4 to 4.4.4. The OS was announced along with three new Nexus devices via the company’s official blog on October 15th and will start to become available to compatible devices via an over-the-air update in the coming weeks.
Google’s Android updates tend to be impressive, feature-rich affairs. Given that Lollipop will also mark a complete break from Android 4.x JellyBean/KitKat, it is certain to be even more impressive than normal. So, what features does the new release have in store for its lucky users?

Battery Saving Mode

A smartphone with a battery saving mode is hardly revolutionary — Samsung and HTC have been offering such a feature on their devices for several years. Oddly, stock Android on Google’s Nexus range never had such a feature integrated. Instead, you had to use other tips and tricks to improve battery life.



Not only will the device switch to a power-saving mode when the available battery level drops below 15 percent (thus giving you an extra ninety minutes of usage), but developers can take advantage of Android Runtime (ART), which is what Google uses to convert developer code into a functioning app.
The benefits of ART over the old Dalvik Runtime are two fold; firstly, it allows devices to more effectively distinguish between important activity and everyday activity, telling the device not to wake for the latter (initial testing suggests that the Nexus 5 will last 36 percent longer with Lollipop installed). Secondly, developers will be able to better understand what is draining the battery in their apps and tweak it accordingly. It means we should see more power-efficient apps becoming available in 2015.

Screen Pinning

One of the biggest etiquette faux pas of mobile phone usage is browsing through other people’s photos, messages and apps without the owner’s permission. Everyone knows it shouldn’t be done, but sometimes the urge to start swiping after borrowing a friend’s phone to make a call is just too great.



Screen pinning finally puts an end to the problem. It enables you to pin a single app into the foreground of the phone’s screen, meaning whoever is borrowing your phone cannot get overly curious and start looking at your holiday snaps after using it to order a takeaway.
It works by removing the functionality of the home and recent apps buttons so the user can only interact with the app on the screen. To exit a pinned screen, you’ll need to press recent and back at the same time, then enter the PIN code.



This feature also has parental control benefits — for example, parents can give the phone to their kids to play a game without the worry that the child will call someone or delete something accidentally.

Multiple Accounts

There are numerous reasons why someone might want to use multiple accounts on a device. Perhaps the device is a shared family tablet, perhaps your kids keep stealing your phone, or maybe your employer uses Google Apps but you want to keep work and play entirely separate on your gadget.
Whatever the reason, it’s not been possible on phones until Lollipop. With the release of Android 5.0, however, you’ll not only be able to add multiple user accounts, but also guest and temporary accounts. Aside from practical benefits such as those listed above, it also has security benefits — no more worrying about configurations being changed, data being deleted, or personal emails being viewed.



There are three types of accounts that you’ll be able to set up on Lollipop. Firstly there is the standard user account, which has full access to settings and apps and is identical to how you use your Android 4.x device. Secondly, there is the guest account. A guest/temporary account uses sessions, and when the session ends no data is recorded or saved. Thirdly, there is the profile account. This account lets the main user determine how the device is used — for example, disabling certain apps or restricting phone calls.

Smart Lock

We’ve all done it and been frustrated by it — you’re in the middle of using your phone to write a text or surf the Internet when you get briefly distracted by something else. By the time your attention returns to your phone it has locked itself, meaning you need to re-enter your pin code to get back to what you were doing. When done once it’s okay, when done several times per day it gets annoying.



Lollipop addresses these annoyances with Smart Lock. Smart Lock will allow Bluetooth enabled devices to unlock your device when they are within signal. In practice, this means if you’re at home and your partner’s phone is nearby, your Android 5.0 device will not lock itself, saving your time and frustration. The feature will also work with Chromebooks or desktops that are running Chrome OS.

Notifications

The notification system is due to get a major overhaul in Lollipop, removing the need for third party notification managers like Floatify. The idea behind their redesign is to bring a user’s attention to a notification without interrupting their workflow or current project.
In practice, this means that instead of seeing an incoming call or text message take over your entire screen, you will instead see a small bar pop up at the top of the screen that gives you the choice of either ignoring or responding to the event.



Lock screen notifications have also been revamped. It is now possible to view, manage, and respond to individual notifications without fully waking the phone or actually opening the specific app. Of course, this can be disabled if you have privacy concerns. Say goodbye to all those lockscreen replacement apps.
Finally, there is a new “Interruptions” feature. It allows you to decide which apps you want to let interrupt you, and which you don’t care about. It means there will be no more games that continually pester you with spam notifications and thus helps ensure the important stuff doesn’t slip through unnoticed.

Multitasking

Multitasking has become more streamlined with the Chrome experience. It is now more akin to looking at all the open tabs when using Chrome on a mobile device rather than the traditional scrollable list of recent apps.



Not only does this mean you can switch apps faster, it also means you can see multiple tasks within individual apps. For instance, in Gmail, if you’re drafting a new email as well as checking your inbox, you will see two separate Gmail tabs displayed — one for each separate task.

When Will I Get It?

At this early stage it is impossible to precisely confirm when each of the devices will get the updates. For example, it was recently confirmed that the update for Nexus 5 was delayed due to a battery draining bug.
Here’s what we know so far:
Google
Nexus 4 — November 10th
Nexus 5– November 10th
Nexus 7 — November 10th
Nexus 10 — November 10th
Motorola
Moto E — confirmed, expected by end of 2014
Moto G — confirmed, expected by end of 2014
Moto G LTE edition — confirmed, expected by end of 2014
Moto X — confirmed, expected by end of 2014
HTC
HTC One — confirmed, within 90 days of receiving the Android Lollipop source code
HTC One M7 — confirmed, within 90 days of receiving the Android Lollipop source code
HTC One M8 — confirmed, within 90 days of receiving the Android Lollipop source code
Samsung
Samsung has not yet formally announced its release schedule, but leaks suggest the Galaxy S5 is expected to get Android 5.0 Lollipop in December and the Galaxy S4 will reportedly receive the update in early 2015. They also recently hinted in a tweet that Lollipop would be available on its new flagship Galaxy Note 4 phablet.
Sony
Sony has committed to offering Lollipop on its Xperia Z range and has already shown off an early development version of the new OS running on the Z1, Z2 and Z3. There are no official release dates in place.
LG
LG G3 — confirmed, late November or early December

Source: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/android-5-0-lollipop-youll-get/

14 Ways to Make Free Internet Phone Calls

Make Free Phone Calls With Free Internet Phone Services and Programs

By Stacy Fisher Freebies Expert, Updated November 2014

Yes, you really can make free phone calls using the Internet! Free internet phone programs let you make free phone calls, sometimes only to the US and Canada, using special software.
The free phone call applications I list below are available in four different forms:

• PC to phone programs are ones that can make a free call from your computer to a real telephone number so you don't even need a telephone yourself.
• App to phone software are ones that make free Internet calls from a mobile device to a real number. These services support making phone calls to any number, even landlines and mobile phones that aren't using the app.
• PC to PC Internet calling is when a computer makes a free phone call to another computer.
• App to app services run entirely on mobile devices and results in phone calls that can only work if the recipient has the same application installed. This method can not be used to call landlines or other mobile phones that don't have the proper software.

No matter how it works, it's a free call!
To make a free call using an Internet phone, you might have to download free phone call software or use a soft phone from an Internet phone provider website.
Important: A free Internet phone can not be used to make a 911 or similar emergency call. If you need to call 911, use a traditional land-line or mobile phone, or a VoIP telephone service that's approved for 911 use like Vonage.

Google Voice. © Google

1. Google Voice

Google Voice is the very best way to make free Internet phone calls. With Google Voice, you can make free calls to an actual phone number, PC to PC calls, and free PC to phone calls.
Google Voice is much more than a way to make free phone calls on the Internet. Google Voice is primarily a way to manage the phone numbers in your life and can be used to intelligently route incoming calls to your free phone number provided by Google Voice to any other phone you have. With Google Voice, you can also get free SMS, make a free conference call, and get free voice mail services.
Free calls you make with Google Voice must be to numbers in the United States or Canada.
Google Voice is available as a mobile app (as pictured here) that works with Android, BlackBerry, and iOS users, as well as a web app that works with other mobile devices.
Free phone calls with Google Voice are limited to three hours. However, you can continue to make a free call to the same number over and over again. More »

magicJack. © magicJack

2. magicJack

magicJack is an app to app and app to phone mobile application that offers a real phone number that can be used to make free Internet phone calls.
Not only can you call other magicJack users for free anywhere in the world, but you can also call any regular telephone number in the US and Canada, even if they don't use the magicJack app (like landlines).
The contacts that are already in your phone will display in the magicJack app, which makes calling existing contacts really easy.
magicJack users also get free voicemail.
iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users can use this app in addition to Android devices. There are no desktop programs available.
Note: Download links for magicJack may be difficult to find on their website, but you can grab direct links for Android and iOS devices here. More »

BlackBerry Messenger. © BlackBerry

3. BlackBerry Messenger (BBM)

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is a mobile application used primarily for sending and receiving text messages. It can also be used to make free Internet phone calls to other BBM users.
BBM is available for Android, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Windows Phone devices. BlackBerry users have BBM installed by default.
After installing the application, users are given a unique PIN that's used as a username. Contacts add each other to their BBM address list using this PIN.
Internet phone calls made with BBM are not restricted in length or by any other means, however they can not be made to landlines or non-BBM users. More »

Viber. © Viber Media Inc.

4. Viber

PC to PC and app to app free Internet phone calls are available with Viber.
Viber works with many different devices. The mobile application can be installed for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Bada, and Nokia users.
Software can also be installed to a desktop computer to make free Internet calls with other computers and mobile devices. This works with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
The app scours your contact list on your mobile device to find other Viber users, which makes it simple to know who you can call for free.
Messages and video can also be sent through Viber to any other device that has it installed, be it a mobile or desktop version. More »

Facebook Messenger. © Facebook

5. Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is the messaging service from Facebook. It can transmit text messages and make free Internet phone calls from PC to PC and from app to app. 
To make free Internet calls using Facebook Messenger, both recipients need to be "friends" on Facebook and have the correct application installed.
To use a computer to make calls over Facebook Messenger, a plugin needs to be installed. For Android, iOS, and Windows Phone users, the Facebook Messenger mobile application must be installed.
Facebook Messenger can also transmit text and video in addition to voice.
Facebook Messenger does not support calling real phone numbers like landlines. More »

Tango. © Tango

6. Tango

Tango is a free service that can make free Internet phone calls via app to app.
If you're running a Windows computer or have an iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Kindle, or Windows Phone, you can install Tango to call other users for free.
New Tango contacts can be added by searching through your existing address book. Anyone who has Tango installed will show up as a friend. You can also find Tango users that are currently positioned around you by their location.
Tango can make video calls and send free text messages to other users as well. More »

Skype. © Skype

7. Skype

Skype is a popular messaging service that can make free Internet phone calls between several different desktop and mobile platforms.
Skype can be installed on: Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Kindle Fire HD, PlayStation Vita, and Windows Phone. Desktop versions are also available for Linux, Mac, and Windows.
Because Skype works on both desktops and mobile devices, any variation of communication is allowed - PC to PC, app to PC, app to app, and PC to app.
To create contacts with Skype requires recipients to already have a Skype account. You can find a user in the public Skype directory by their email address or phone number. You can also add contacts directly if you know their username.
Skype supports not only Internet calling but also video calls and text messages to any other Skype users. More »

Yahoo! Messenger. © Yahoo! Inc.

8. Yahoo! Messenger

If you're a Yahoo! user, you can use the mobile or desktop application to make free Internet phone calls with other users.
Windows and Mac desktop users can install Yahoo! Messenger as well as iOS and Android devices.
Video calls, instant messages, and SMS texts can also be sent using Yahoo! Messenger.
Note: As would seem obvious with a Yahoo! product, the installer tries to change your default home page to Yahoo!, but it's not hard to disable this before setup completes. More »

ooVoo. © ooVoo LLC

9. ooVoo

Free app to app Internet phone calls are allowed with ooVoo.
It can be installed for Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Windows Phone mobile users as well as Windows and Mac desktop users.
Voice calls are only free if they're made with other ooVoo users. This applies whether the user is on a computer or using the mobile app.
In addition to voice calling, oooVoo supports instant messaging, video chat, and file transfers.
Note: If installing the desktop software, ooVoo tries to add a toolbar to your computer, but it's easy to deselect and avoid installing. More »

Vonage Mobile. © Vonage Ltd.

10. Vonage Mobile

Vonage Mobile uses your existing mobile phone number to connect with other users to make free Internet phone calls, text messages, and video calls.
The Vonage Mobile app uses the address book you've already built on your phone so you can easily call anyone that's an existing contact, given they're a Vonage user.
Your contacts that are already using Vonage Mobile will appear in a dedicated section of the app so it's easy to know who you can call for free.
Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users can download Vonage Mobile. More »

11. Pinger

Pinger is a free application that gives you your own phone number to make app to phone and app to app Internet calls. Calls made to real telephone numbers can only be made to US and Canada locations.
Pinger can be installed to a Windows and Mac computer, an Android device, and an iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The desktop software can only send texts - it can not call a phone.
Every Pinger user begins with 30 minutes of free calling. There are ways to get more free minutes like watching video advertisements and completing free offers.
If you fail to use your Pinger phone number for 30 days, it may be returned to the "pool" of numbers for new Pinger users, and thus become inactive. More »

GlobFone. © GlobFone.com

12. GlobFone

GlobFone lets you make free calls and text messages through a browser to create a PC to phone connection. There aren't any apps or software downloads available, but you can call from a browser to a mobile or landline phone.
There is a major limitation with GlobFone in that you can only call for a duration of just a few minutes before the connection drops. Also, there's a cap on the number of calls that can be made through one IP address within a 24 hour period. More »

netTALK. © netTALK

13. netTALK

netTALK offers a mobile app for iOS and Android users that allows free Internet calling to any phone that has the application installed. This means netTALK can not be used to call landlines.
There are options to buy credits if you wish to make phone calls without requiring the recipient to also have the app installed. More »

Whistle Phone. © WhistlePhone.com

14. Whistle Phone

Whistle Phone is a program that can make free phone calls over the Internet via app to app, PC to PC, and app to PC. Android and iOS users can install the app to make free calls and Windows and Mac users can use a desktop program.
Users can also text each other using the Whistle Phone mobile app.
New users are given a real phone number that can be randomly generated or chosen with a specific area code.
To make calls outside the application and to regular phone numbers is limited to 20 minutes. Text messaging is also restricted, allowing only 200. Both restrictions take effect after the first month of signing up with Whistle Phone. More »

Source: http://freebies.about.com/od/computerfreebies/tp/free-internet-phone-calls.htm

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Apple iPhone 6 Plus - 2 Reviews

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5 Review

Tablet Review: Amazon's Fire vs Google's Nexus 9

Tablet Review: Amazon's Fire vs Google's Nexus 9


Nov 3, 1:18 PM (ET), By ANICK JESDANUN

(AP) This combination made from photos provided by Amazon and Google shows the Amazon... Full Image

NEW YORK (AP) — New tablet computers from Amazon and Google both run on Google's Android operating system, but that doesn't mean they work the same. In the new Fire HDX 8.9, Amazon continues a practice of modifying Android extensively to drive you to Amazon services. Google Inc.'s new Nexus 9 offers as pure of an Android experience as you can get — which means driving you to Google services.

Two tablets. Good for different reasons. Customers will need to decide: What do they want a tablet to do?

---

AMAZON FIRE HDX 8.9 (Starts at $379)

What's New: Apps open slightly faster and sound is much better in this year's version of the tablet. There's less distortion using speakers. For headphone use, the new model supports Dolby's Atmos technology for three-dimensional sound, though Amazon's video service is only starting to make Atmos movies available. Amazon is also bringing the Firefly feature introduced in its Fire phone over the summer. Firefly uses the device's camera to pull out phone numbers, scan bar codes and even identify everyday products — which you can then buy through Amazon. You can use it to compare prices in retail stores, but its size makes it difficult to stay discreet.

Also new —Amazon now lets you share tablets with separate profiles for two adults and four kids. The kids' profiles offer time limits and other restrictions, such as playing games only after spending a half-hour on educational books. An upcoming update also will let you share Amazon content across multiple devices, similar to what Apple has done with its Family Sharing feature.

Even without a major change from last year, you're still getting one of the sharpest displays, at 339 pixels per inch. The Fire is also lighter than Apple's super-light iPad Air 2, though you're also getting a smaller screen at 8.9 inches, as measured diagonally, compared with the iPad's 9.7 inches.

Like the previous model, the Fire offers one-button access to live customer support. Amazon's Mayday advisers appear in a video box on your screen and can help you find apps, operate the camera or figure out why something isn't working properly. It's a great tool for the less technically inclined.

What's Unique: What distinguishes the Fire most is its tie-in to Amazon.com Inc.'s services. The home screen offers quick access to Amazon videos, songs, e-books and shopping. If you use a lot of Amazon services, the Fire is the tablet for you. If you want to stray from Amazon services, you might run into problems. Many leading apps are available, but it's not the full selection available with Android. For instance, I wasn't able to download Android apps to check my personal bank account or to track results for Sunday's New York City Marathon. I used Google's Nexus 9 for both.

---

GOOGLE NEXUS 9 (Starts at $399)

What's New: The Nexus offers you a taste of Lollipop, the latest version of Android. Lollipop lets you interact with email and other notifications right from the lock screen, and it lets you unlock the device using the presence of a trusted device, such as an Android smartwatch. Like other Lollipop devices, the Nexus supports multiple profiles — up to eight, with no restrictions on which are for adults. A swipe from the left gets you the Google Now virtual assistant, if you've turned that on.

Made by HTC, the Google-designed device is slimmer and lighter than the previous Nexus 10. The dimensions have changed to match the iPad's and are now better for viewing photos, Web pages and documents. The Nexus also comes with a near-field communication chip, enabling mobile payments through Google Wallet. Apple's iPads lack this chip and allow Apple Pay only for online purchases. That said, I promise to make fun of you if I catch you waving a giant tablet to pay for groceries.

By Comparison: The new dimensions have created a lot of wasted space when viewing video, unlike on the Fire and many other Android tablets. Audio wasn't as loud, video as bright or text as sharp as on the Fire at maximum settings. Google clearly tries to steer you to its services, with the default home page icons consisting entirely of Google apps such as YouTube and Gmail. But there's a vast selection of other apps you can install. Although many apps still come to Apple devices first or have more features for them, most Android apps work on the Nexus — but not necessarily the Fire.

---

SO, WHAT TO BUY?

Apple's iPad Air 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Tab S go further than the Fire HDX 8.9 and Nexus 9 in letting you unlock the devices with fingerprint IDs. The Galaxy's screen produces richer colors than most tablets, while the new Air is alone in having an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare. But both start at about $500.

The Fire and Nexus devices are more affordable and should meet many people's needs. The Fire is great for those newcomers, thanks to its Mayday help offering. Those newcomers — along with casual users and Amazon power users — also might not mind the reduced app selection. But if you need to do more at this price point, the Nexus 9 is likely for you.

Source: http://apnews.myway.com//article/20141103/us-tec-digital-life-review-android-tablets-73f020d4f6.html

Android 5.0 Lollipop - release date, features & update plans

Google has finally confirmed Android 5.0 'Lollipop', the biggest update to Android in years, will be arriving in the next few weeks. Announced earlier this week alongside the Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus 6 smartphone, both of which will ship with Lollipop out of the box, it's one of the most hotly anticipated Android updates ever and one that promises to give Google's mobile OS a major visual overhaul.
Lollipop, which was first announced back at June's Google I/O conference as Android L, will also introduce 64-bit processor support and make battery life a priority as it goes up against Apple's iOS 8.
Google has been drip-feeding new features and announcements over the past few months, but now that an official release is almost upon us, we've rounded up all the facts to let you know what to expect – and when you'll be getting it on your smartphone.

Android 5.0 Lollipop release date

Google made Lollipop official on the 15^th of October, confirming it would be available first on the Nexus 9. The 9in tablet can be pre-ordered now, with a launch date set for the 3^rd of November. The Nexus 6 smartphone will follow a few weeks later, with pre-orders starting in 'late October' ready for a 'mid November' release. The Nexus Player will follow at some point too, although there aren't any concrete details on the Mysterious Android TV set-top box.
Anyone with an older Nexus device such as the Nexus 5 smartphone, or Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets, will get over-the-air (OTA) updates 'in the coming weeks'. Google Play Edition handsets are also expected to get swift updates, and we're pleased to see the older Nexus 10 still getting some love from Google – even if it has now finally been discontinued.
According to AndroidPolice, the first OTA update will be released on the 3^rd of November, but only for the Wi-Fi versions of the 2012 and 2013 Nexus 7, and Nexus 10. The Nexus 5 and two-year-old Nexus 4 will have to wait, as Wi-Fi and cellular devices take a little longer to develop updates for. This is only a rumoured date, although the site is confident in its two (anonymous) sources.

Can't wait? Get the Lollipop developer preview now

Although there's now only a few weeks more to wait before the official OTA release of Lollipop, there's nothing stopping you getting it today - if you own a Nexus 5 or Nexus 7, and you're prepared to get your hands dirty. The Android 5.0 Lollipop developer preview is available to download right now, for free. With a bit of fiddling you can even install it on handsets from third party manufacturers; there's already a custom ROM for the HTC One (m7) and others are appearing every day on the XDA Developer forums. However, if you aren't already confident with firmware flashing and custom ROMs we'd recommend waiting, to avoid bricking your handset.

Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for other phones

Major Android releases are always eagerly anticipated, which makes being stuck on an outdated version because your phone manufacturer doesn't plan on releasing an update even more frustrating. We've listed every major manufacturer's official position on Lollipop below, and while it's good news for HTC, Motorola and Sony, it's grim reading for Samsung and LG.

THE VOCAL

HTC has pledged to update both the current HTC One (m8) and last year's One (m7) within 90 days of receiving the Lollipop source code from Google. Considering that code was made available on the 17^th of October, that means HTC customers should get an update by the 15^th of January at the latest – assuming mobile phone networks don't slow down the process. The HTC One Mini and One Mini 2 will eventually get Lollipop too, but likely at a later date.
Motorola's strong ties to Google means it will almost certainly be the first manufacturer to get Lollipop updates on to customers' phones. It has promised to upgrade the original and 2nd generation Moto X (2014), the original and second generation Moto G (2014), and the Moto E, as well as the older DROID Ultra, DROID Maxx and DROID Mini, although there's no exact date for release yet.

Sony has made big promises for Lollipop; it plans to bring the update to every phone in the Z series, going back as far as the original Xperia Z. The rollout will begin with the more recent Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 devices starting early 2015, then eventually filter down the Z1 range and older Z-series devices.

THE SILENT

There's been no official statement from Samsung regarding Lollipop, meaning the only confirmed phone due for an update the Google Play Edition version of last year's Galaxy S4. It should get it in the next few weeks. Despite the silence, it's safe to assume the current crop of available handsets, including the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 will get an update eventually: according to Sammobile, both will get Lollipop in November.
Likewise, LG hasn't said anything about its plans for Lollipop. It too has a Google Play Edition device, the G Pad 8.3, which will get an update alongside Google's own Nexus range, but there's no news on when G3 owners can expect an upgrade.

Android 5.0 Lollipop Material Design

Android 5.0 Lollipop has over 5,000 new APIs ticking away behind the scenes, but the most obvious changes will always be the visual ones. The new 'Material Design' scheme is set to appear on every Google platform, not just Android. Apparently Google drew inspiration from pens and inks, with every icon and user interface element casting an accurate shadow to give a sense of depth. Everything animates as you touch it, with objects flying into view and tapped icons rippling like puddle.

The home screen, lock screen, settings pull-down menu, main settings page and even the onscreen navigation buttons have received a makeover. Lollipop will also include new system widgets to match the design scheme. Finally, every Google app will be redesigned to match the new look, with some having already been upgraded in time for the developer preview release.
The notifications system has been completely overhauled for Lollipop as well. Currently, Android users have to unlock their device to check, respond to or dismiss notifications, but with Android L they will be able to do this from the lock screen. They will appear as a stack of Google Now-like cards, which can be scrolled through rather than flooding the screen. Each one has an in-line preview, giving context.

Android 5.0 Lollipop features

Lollipop isn't all about looks; it will also include lots of clever new features. Personalised unlocking is one of our favourites. Essentially it makes your smartphone or tablet search for familiar Bluetooth gadgets, Wi-Fi networks, locations and even voice imprints to deactivate any lockscreen protections, letting you jump straight into your phone when it knows you're nearby. If the device can't detect any of these metrics, anyone trying to use it will be presented with the standard lockscreen.
The recent apps page will become the recent content page, displaying all your content in one list of Google Now-styled cards. You'll be able to jump between apps and the web, with links in Google search results jumping straight from the browser into the relevant part of an app. Although not strictly built into Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google will also be giving its mobile webpages and search an overhaul in time for its release. The Material Design will be carried across, along with smooth animations and a slicker interface.

Google will be updating its stock Android keyboard for Android 5.0 Lollipop, adding more personalisation and scrapping the individual tiled keys - instead each letter will sit on a flat background, which should make it easier for those with larger fingers and thumbs to type quickly. Also set to arrive are a Do No Disturb mode, which automatically deactivates all notifications and audio during set times, support for Bluetooth 4.1 and a completely redesigned Audio backend with support for USB audio devices.

Android 5.0 Lollipop performance

The biggest back-end change is the move from the Dalvik runtime to ART. Part of the operating system at a basic level, the ART runtime supports ARM, x86 and MiPS instructions, and a mix of AOT, JIT and interpreted code. Essentially Android now speaks a lot more languages and will work on more CPUs than its predecessor. This alone could improve performance by as much as twofold over Dalvik, without developers making any code adjustments.
DirectX 11-level graphics will finally make their way to Android using the Android extension pack. This set of APIs support advanced effects such as tessellation, geometry shaders, texture compression and compute shaders, and have the potential to put mobile devices on par with games consoles and PC games.

Android 5.0 Lollipop battery life

Google has concentrated on improving battery life in Lollipop with Project Volta. Similar to how Jelly Bean's Project Butter was an effort to make animations feel smoother and more responsive, Project Volta includes a new battery historian to better visualise battery discharge. This will help users work out what a device was doing at any given point in a battery cycle to find out which apps are draining the most power.
A battery saver mode will be included in stock Android for the first time with Lollipop, after being a common tweak for third party manufacturers. It will activate automatically when your battery drops below a certain percentage, downclocking the CPU, disabling extra features like location reporting and dimming the display. Google says a Nexus 5 running Lollipop gets around 90 minutes of extra use over the course of a typical day, without actually changing how a customer uses their phone.

Source: http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/phones-tablets/1401595/android-50-lollipop-release-date-features-update-plans