SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 5 AND S6 EDGE+: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

After weeks and weeks of rumors and leaks, we have the official unveiling of Samsung's newest phablet devices. That's right, early today Samsung took to the stage in New York City to announce not one but two large-and-in-charge smartphones. The CEO of Samsung Mobile JK Shin reminds us that Samsung is single-handedly responsible for creating the phablet category stating that the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+ are the next step forward of their popular flagships. Here's what we will get with the Note 5:

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

• 5.7” Quad HD Super AMOLED display
• Octa-core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad), 64 bit process
• 4GB RAM (LPDDR4) , 32/64GB (UFS 2.0)
• Rear : 16MP with Optic Image Stabilization , Front : 5MP
• 3,000mAh Battery, Fast Charging both wired and wireless
• Near Field Communication for payments
• Fingerprint scanner for added security and authorization
• Android 5.1 Lollipop

The S pen which is the included stylus pen of the Galaxy Note 5 has received some new improvements as well. Our favorite has to be the ability to jot down notes even when the display isn't on. This is performed when the phone is idel and the display isn't illuminated. Simply, unsheathe the S pen from the phone and write onto the black screen of the idle phone. This new feature is perfect for any user needing to quickly write something down. What's just as interesting but may be more important to some are the features that are missing from the phone. Here is a list of what we won't receive with the Galaxy Note 5:

• No micro SD card slot
• No USB Type C
• No infrared blaster
• No removable battery

Along the side of an improved Note 5 was the unveiling of the Galaxy S6 Edge+. This is the simply a larger version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge that was released earlier this year. That being said, this version isn't without some perks. The S6 Edge+ sports a larger battery than it's predecessor and it also has improved optical image stabilization for even smoother video recording. The edge display software has received improvement as well with "Apps Edge.” This acts as an area of shortcuts to quickly launch some of your favorite applications.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+

• 5.7" Quad HD Super AMOLED display with curved edges
• Exynos 7420 (64bit, 14nm) Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad)
• 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM
• 32GB or 64GB  storage, non-expandable
• 16.0MP OIS rear camera, 5.0MP front camera
• 3,000mAh battery with fast charging and fast wireless charging
• NFC for payments, fingerprint scanner for authorization
• Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ will be available for pre-order starting today and will be officially on sale August 21st. Although, if you want to get your hands on the phone before launch, the phone should be on display at more than 7,000 stores around the US tomorrow, August 14th. Simply ask your local sales representative to take a peak at these new devices.  Now is the perfect time to upgrade. If you are not a fan of these new phones, remember that their previous models will be going be getting a price drop.

GOOGLE+ PHOTOS SHUTTING DOWN

The new Google Photos application has been available for nearly two months now. It appears that the time has come for the original Google+ Photos to be discarded to the trash can. Today Google announced that on August 1 of this year, the photo section that was integrated into the Google+ will be shut down in favor of the new stand-alone Google Photos application. This just in from Google:

 "In an effort to ensure everyone has the best photos experience we can deliver, on August 1st we'll start to shut down Google+ Photos — initially on Android, and soon thereafter on the Web and iOS." 

 This means that if you are not already ahead of the game, to be sure to make the switch to the new Google Photos app ahead of August 1. All of your photos and videos will transition to the new application, so you don't have to worry about losing any of your content. All you are actually doing is breaking the original functionality from Google+ and continuing with Google Photos.

If you are unfamiliar with the Google Photos app our lead product reviewer has provided a video review regarding this recently released cloud storage application.

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SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 VIDEO REVIEW

Samsung's Galaxy S6 flagship phone was released early April of this year. Is this device still worth your hard earned money? Cody Lopez finds out in our latest video review.



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STICKER BEHIND SAMSUNG BATTERY NOT SPY CHIP!

That little sticker behind your Samsung Battery is not a spy chip! This is a public service announcement, "Samsung is not using a sticker hidden behind your battery to obtain your content or for government surveillance."

It is easy to fear the unknown. In fact, this is happening right now on Facebook thanks to a few videos going viral of a couple of men pealing back the sticker of a Samsung battery claiming a "disturbing discovery."

This is usually the sort of thing that we would sit back and chuckle about. However, as the videos became more frequent, we decided to inform users instead of just watching them remove unique features from their devices and shouting conspiracy from the internet roof tops.

The sticker behind the Samsung battery is without a doubt a chip but not what some people have come to think. It is called a NFC chip or near field communication. This technology enables devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching the devices together or bringing them with a close proximity. The most popular example of this is Apple Pay or Google Wallet. Many retailers already have contactless terminals that are NFC-based in place, making the transition to mobile payments easy. Other common functions of NFC is called Android Beam which uses this technology to exchange information between two Android phones. We are sure you've seen those Samsung commercials, placing two phones back-to-back and exchanging an item.

It should be known that usually NFC chips are sealed within the plastic backs of most devices. Although, Samsung made the business decision to place this chip behind the battery sticker because they want the user to purchase their specific model for battery replacement.

This is one of the technical things that most people are simply unaware of because it hasn't been made universal among all devices. Unfortunately, when misunderstanding and slight paranoia combine, madness is soon to follow. So please do not attempt to remove the NFC sticker from your batteries. The chip is not acquiring your information in any way no matter what Facebook tells you. Instead try something new and make a mobile payment or two. Who knows, you may find it more convenient than carrying around your purse or wallet. 

ANDROID AUTO FOR ALL. AUTOMATE APP REVIEW.

Interested in Android Auto? Do you want to use it without buying a new car or in-dash head unit? AutoMate is an app capable of providing any Android user an incredible Android Auto like experience. Watch our video review for all the details.

AutoMate is still in beta right now and the only way to download this application is by joining their Google+ community.

Afterwards you will be granted access into the beta and be given the ability to download the AutoMate app on any Android phone or tablet.

When downloaded, the AutoMate application will walk you through a small tutorial and inform you to enable the notification access. Turn this on and continue to the main home screen. Make your way to the settings of the app for personal adjustments and you are ready to go. You will notice the simplicity of the application right away. 

Enjoy an early look of Android Auto through this app. I know we are.