GeekwithEnvy

Android

3DMark Wants to Benchmark Everything

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3dmark logo3DMark, the go-to benchmarking software, is not only improving it’s Windows based tests but it’s also moving onto other types of hardware besides the PC. Apple iOS, Android, and Windows RT are all fair game when it comes to being benchmarked by 3DMark.

I must admit that I never really thought about benchmarking my smartphone, it’s kind of interesting idea. We read the specs on our tablets and smartphones and we know how much memory we have  and what our screen resolution is but do we really know just how much power we have to work with ?

When it comes to performance in multitasking, surfing the web, or gaming we really don’t think of measuring it all, at least not as often as we should. For the most part we download our apps and they run, but can they run better? How far can we push the hardware, what are the limitations, and how does it stand up against the competition?  These are all great questions that can be answered by a trusted benchmark tool that provides a standard to go by.

The new benchmarks are visually, much improved and a leap ahead from previous iterations. There are three benchmarks, FireStrike for Windows gaming PC’s, CloudGate for Windows Notebooks and home PC’s, and Ice Storm for Android, iOS and Windows mobile. This is great for enthusiasts who really want to get a clearer picture of what’s going on under the hood of their favorite non-PC devices.

To make things even better, the basic version is free and can be found at 3DMark along with complete details on the benchmarking software.

Plants vs. Zombies 2 is on It’s Way (Video)

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 plantsvszombies2Lgo

Yes, it’s actually going be be here. Thanks to this funny video poking fun at how long it has taken for PopCap to create the sequel to the original, we now have a time frame for the release date.

It looks like Plants vs Zombies 2 will be available sometime in July and the official title will be, Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time.  The video doesn’t provide us with much else besides a bit of humor, we will just need to hang in there a bit longer for some gameplay footage or screenshots.

The World’s Most Portable Gaming System Reveals UI

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The world’s most portable gaming system, GameStick, is now showing off it’s UI in a developer kit video that has recently been released. GameStick has been pushed into a reality thanks to it’s successful Kickstarter campaign and it’s really nice to see how things are coming together. Now, it’s time to get these devices into the hands of developers so they can start cranking out some great content for the new device.

GameStickSide
GameStick Console

The console itself is quite amazing as it’s basically a controller and a USB stick. The console is Android based and really quite unique and actually has quite a bit of power behind it. GameStick plugs straight into your TV’s HDMI slot and connects to the controller via Bluetooth 4.0. It even supports additional memory through the use of a microSD slot.

GameStick-Dock
GameStick Controller and Wireless Charging Dock

GameStick’s simplicity is what makes it stand out in a gaming world that still seems to be stuck on big clunky hardware. It may not be the next-gen PS4 or Xbox but it’s a pretty awesome way to bring the world of Android and gaming to your big screen TV in 1080p.

Here are the System Specs:

  • Processor – Amlogic 8726-MXS
  • Memory – 1GB DDR3 / 8GB FLASH
  • Content Download Manager w/ cloud storage for games.
  • WiFi – 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth – 4.0
  • O/S – Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • Controller – Bluetooth 3.0
  • Full 1080p HD video decoding
  • Upgrade memory via microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
  • Support for iOS and Android mobile devices to be used as controllers
  • Support for XBMC.

Featured App: Lemon Wallet

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I came across this app and thought why would this be good? Having all your information that can be stolen so easily all in one place? Looking further into it, I realized that this is a great idea! Here’s why:

Lemon Wallet allows you to store a digital copy of all of your cards—ID, insurance, loyalty and payment cards—so you always have a backup in case your wallet is misplaced, lost or stolen. Lemon Wallet digitizes your cards in a smarter way with interactive balance updates, personalized offers and a simple way to communicate with brands and merchants.

1.Take a picture of your cards

Getting started is as easy as snapping a photo of every card in your wallet. Lemon Wallet captures the important information and stores your cards in your phone and on our servers.

2. Safer than your wallet

All your data is safely stored and encrypted, and a PIN is required to access your cards. If you lose your phone, you can remotely unlink it from your Lemon account.

3. Access anywhere, anytime

Have you ever forgotten your wallet? With Lemon Wallet, you can access your information when you need it. Plus you can always have a backup in the cloud in case your wallet is lost or stolen.

4. Store your receipts

You can also store all your receipts in case you need to make a return, for tax purposes or to track your spending. Just take a picture of your receipt, and we will digitize key information.

 

These are just a few features of this app. So far it seems safe to use and very convenient. Imagine if you go to the store and you forgot the credit card you wanted to use at home? This app makes it so you can pull that card right up on your phone and still be able to use it right in the store, without having to go back home and get it! To get more info about Lemon Wallet go here

 

 

Available for iPhone  Android and Windows Phone 

Product Review: Retractable Car Charger for iPhone

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With all of our smart phones and devices made to be our everything, we can’t have them dying on the road. Most people use car chargers nowadays, and recently my last one broke so I was in the market for a new one. The last one I owned had a long cord and when I wasn’t using it just got in the way or tangled up when trying to put it away.

I thought this retractable car charger was a great idea so I had to get it. With it’s neat retractable cord there’s no wires hanging all over the car and in the way, and prevents tangles. Another nice feature about this device is that there’s an extra USB port, which can be used to hook up many other usb powered devices or to charge two devices at once. There’s also plenty of cord to go around at a total length of 90cm.

The bottom line is it’s a great charger, especially for the price and I haven’t found anything about it I don’t like. If you are looking for a great iPhone charger at a good price, I recommend this one.

For more details on this charger and to purchase, go to MobileFun.com or if you’re looking for other iPhone 5 chargers.

 

Retractable CarCharger

Features:

High performance circuit prevents over charging

Elegant stylish design with compact size

Retractable cable to avoid mess and tangles

Input 12V-24V for any vehicle

Extra USB charges two devices at once

90cm the length of the wire

Blue LED indicator when working