Category: Android
I have an exciting task this week. I get to test out the next version of Android from Sony, and it is really nice. I’m using the software on a Z3 that Sony has very kindly provided me with for the time being. There are some significant differences …
I recently received a Plemo LG G4 heavy duty case from Avantek UK for review. So here is a run down of the case and my thoughts on it. The case comes in three parts, the first two of which are required and form the main case, the third …
Usually, if you want to try a new operating system or even upgrade your existing one, you’ll need to mess about with boot loaders and watch as your phone suddenly becomes unsupported. How about trying a whole new OS by just downloading an APK? You’ll need to accept …
I don’t get this. Sorry. I know it’s good and that, but if I’m writing for this particular website and want to come up with a word meaning “fantastic” but, different, I could just go to thesaurus.com and get words like “awesome”, “superb”, “unreal” or “marvelous”. However, if …
The most annoying thing about trying to get a phone from OnePlus has been their insistence on using an invite system in order to allow you to buy one of their phones. It seems like there is some good news on that front as for the next few …
Now, I’m a bit of a sucker for beta software. I like it when I find an issue, or see a new feature. It makes the new shiny feel that bit newer, so Google betaing (yes, it’s not a word, but you get the idea) a new version …
The rumour train has once again stopped by at Coolsmartphone Towers. It dropped off the usual detritus, however, whilst sifting through the rubbish we found this thread of info about the recently discussed Pixel C Android tablet. Dutch website tweakers.net are stating that Google plans to open the …
Have you been thinking to yourself, “It would nice to have a handset that didn’t require a backpack or a monolithic battery”? I had the thought occur to me the other day but then instantly dismissed it as nonsense and told my brain to behave itself. Of course bigger …
This is the ZTE Axon Elite. It’s a big phone, with a 5.5” inch screen, and it doesn’t feel small in the hand. It shouldn’t either – there’s a lot packed under the hood of this ‘Ion Gold’ coloured beast. I’ve never had serious hands-on time with a …
You may recall a little while ago I was raving about an Android PC Box that came from the Far East. China to be precise. Well, the time has come for the unboxing to happen and I’m of course talking about the Remix Mini. I have already had …
Today Samsung announced the details and specs of the 2016 Galaxy A series range of devices. They will be coming in three screen size options: 5.5-inch for the A7, 5.2-inch for the A5 and 4.7-inch for the A3. Equipped with an enhanced camera system for brighter and clearer …
I’ll be honest and say that this is a bit of a quick and dirty post. See, I had a read of our Nexus 6P review and I’ve had chance to borrow one. I’ve been using the phone to take some photos, including some of the ones used …
Looks like Samsung have released their Gear VR headset for sale on the online shop (Samsung Shop). Priced at £80 and currently in stock. Head on over if you interested in grabbing one. It’s compatible with Galaxy S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge. The headset straps onto your …
I get a LOT of emails about new apps. I mean, A LOT. This one actually looks quite interesting. It’ll let you send gifts to people, and all you need is their mobile phone number. No, we’re not talking about those “virtual presents”. You know, those ones where …
This is the review of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, an affordable 5.5” smartphone which hails from the largest smartphone vendor in China (third largest smartphone vendor… in the World…). The Redmi Note 2 was announced and released in August 2015, and as with all other Redmi branded …
Double checking the date to ensure its not April the 1st, today Ofcom warns Christmas Tree Lights can slow down your home WiFi and have released a smartphone App that allows you to check your connection. The app tests WiFi signals to ensure data flows uninterrupted between your …
Google’s latest handset has been garnering a lot of interest from the tech world over the last few weeks. In between all the reports of people not getting their orders delivered on time and Google delaying the launch, I managed to secure one for this review. With the …
It is no secret that HTC’s fortunes haven’t been too great of late. Despite positive reviews of their phones, the company seem to be finding it difficult to sell their handsets in large quantities. In an attempt to improve this situation HTC now wants your help. In particular, …
You might call it “that day when shops just reduce stuff that was far too expensive anyway”, you might call it “a great opportunity to get a bargain” or you may just call it “that day when people park like utter idiots everywhere and descend on the high …
OnePlus have opened up their shop to allow the purchase of both the OnePlus Two and the OnePlus X without the need for an invite. At the time of writing this post both the OnePlus Two 64Gb version is up for £289, and the OnePlus X will be …
You all know it the legend that states if you drop a piece of toast, it will land butter side down the vast majority of the time. It has even been scientifically proven by this guy. In a number of tests he ascertained that the majority of falls will …
Wow – where do we start? It feels like there’s at least one of everything on offer over at Mobile Fun for Black Friday… which isn’t surprising, seeing as they cover the whole gamut for your mobile needs. Lessee, we’ve got Names, like Ted Baker, Samsung, Tylt, Olixar, …
Honor are as you would expect haveing a bit of a thing for black Friday and are inviting people to claim vouchers through their vMall store to get some tidy discounts off the Honor 7. It seems like the sign-up bonus will discount the price of the Honor …
Those canny folk over at Big Red have stolen a march on Black Friday by coming up with Vodafone Red Thursday… to cut a longish story short, Vodafone Red Thursday – today – is offering some pretty neat deals. They’re starting today, but there are more to come …
Whilst a £30 saving might not sound like much, when you consider that this phone was only £129.49 in the first place, the new £99.99 price-tag is really rather good. The handset has 4G connectivity, a 13 megapixel rear camera and a quad core Snapdragon 410 CPU. There’s also …
Moto have kicked off their Black Friday offerings with deals running through until Monday. You can get cheap Moto handsets at a lot less than you’d normally pay. As an example, the Moto X Play has had a £60 reduction, knocking it down from £279 to £219. Meanwhile, …
It’s time for the Black Friday madness, so this weekend giffgaff have let us know about their offers and it’s a massive £100 off a selection of their best-selling phones. These deals go live at 8AM today. Here’s the run-down… – Samsung S6 – was £399 but during …
Do you love gaming, but are looking for some new games to pass the time? You can get started for free at Grizzly. In the meantime, have a look at 18 of the addictive little games I’ve tried that you may not have heard of. Monsters Ate My …
Yesterday Xiaomi officially unveiled the Redmi Note 3, but this wasn’t all the company had to announce. During the same event Xiaomi announced the Mi Pad 2 and the Mi Air Purifier 2. Lets start with the Xiaomi Mi Pad 2, which as the name suggests is the …
Last year there were two big tablets released with NVIDIA on board. One was the Google Nexus 9 which we reviewed here on site. The other slipped under our radar as it was being pitched more at gamers. This one was called the “NVIDIA Shield Tablet”. It was …
Today Xiaomi have announced the Redmi Note 3, a 5.5″ screened affordable handset which packs some serious specs for the price. The Redmi Note 3 is the third iteration of the popular and affordable Redmi Note series of devices. Coming hot on the heels of the Redmi Note …
Morning all. Well, it’s morning here in the UK at least. As you know, for the last 13 years (actually, more than that if you include the time before I bought this domain), coolsmartphone.com has reported on all the latest smartphone.. stuff. We’ve gone from Pocket PC, from …
Yesterday I was banging on about making international calls and ways to keep in touch with people that are far away. This is flyp, an app which give you a free US phone number on your smartphone. The app lets you call and text any other American number …
Welcome to Episode 159 of the CoolSmartPhone Podcast. Is this Episode Gary & Matteo join John for an early evening discussion and cover several exciting topics including: Matteo’s recent trip to the Big Android BBQ Gary’s opinion on the State on Sony following the release of the Xperia …
Samsung pay, which is the company’s mobile payment system, is reportedly coming to the United Kingdom, China and Spain in the first quarter of 2016. Currently only limited to a number of handsets, Samsung Pay, has not been as big as Apple Pay to date. However, one way …
A new Sky box (which will probably cost the customer a lot) has been announced which lets you watch and stream content on your TV or to several portable devices. As an example, you could watch I’m a celeb in the living room, pick up your tablet and …
Remember our hands-on with the new Xperia Z5 range? If you want the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, it’s now available to buy from Vodafone here. It’s powered by Android 5.1 with Marshmallow on the horizon. It has a Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 CPU – that’s quad-core 1.5 GHz …
I’ve been in bed for two days straight with a serious case of man flu. It’s a burden us men have to bear, but we plod on without moaning about it, despite the lack of sympathy. There I sat, in bed, trying to fight the dreaded man flu …
OK, that’s a massive click-bait title, granted. However, let’s be honest, for many years there has been rivalry between Samsung and Apple. Now that Samsung has now brought us the S6, the battle just got a little more heated. Both tech giants are at the top of their …
If you’re out buying Christmas gifts then why not get yourself something? The Nexus 9 has just had a whacking £149 lopped off the usual £299 price – it’s now only £149.99 at Argos. The offer appears to be just on the white 16GB version – the black …
