Bluetooth speakers are ten a penny, if you need one you have an enormous selection to choose from. While this is quite a good position to be in (chances are you’ll be able to find exactly what you need) it can be a bit a bit of an issue sifting through them all to make sure you haven’t missed anything out. Of course not all of you are going to be like me in that I need to be satisfied I’ve gone through every option before buying something! Well today I am going to make that selection headache a little worse by introducing a really nice little Bluetooth speaker, the EasyAcc Energy Cube.
Design
Lets start with the obvious bit first shall we? It looks cool. Any of you play Minecraft? Yeah, that’s what I first thought too! It’s cube shape with TRON-like light tracks across it make it really stand out when you’ve got it powered up wherever you are. Over the past week my better half and I have had it sitting in the lounge while we clean the house, friends that come over have spotted it instantly and asked what it is.
Performance
This isn’t an expensive speaker, nor is it very big! So my expectations for the sound quality were quite low coming into this, I’ve spent enough time working in video production to understand the limitations of speakers. I was pleasantly surprised. While the audio isn’t perfect it is very clear and will get quite loud with minimal distortion. I can’t fault it at all, all things considered. It’s not room filling, full range, deep bass and crisp treble but it’s only a tiny Bluetooth speaker. Where it does fall down is in the quality and strength of its Bluetooth connection. EasyAcc quote 8-10m (not through walls) on their site, this holds true in the real world. I stepped out of the lounge with my phone and the connection quality dropped off sharply, that was at a distance of no more than 4-5m through a wall. My unique solution is just keeping my phone in the same room as the speaker and flip through music tracks with my Pebble watch, but not everyone is going to be able to do that! The sound goes loud enough for me to be able to hear the music in the next room so we could have a central speaker while we cleaned the house! Don’t have a Bluetooth device? The speaker has a standard 3.5mm jack and comes with a cable for connecting it up. On the rear faces there is also a button for answering a call and a small microphone hole to act as a full hands-free device. I am yet to test call quality with it.
Battery Life
EasyAcc say that it will take 2-3 hours to charge the devices battery and will last for 4-5 hours on a single charge. So far I haven’t actually charged it since it turned up but I also haven’t been keeping track of my hours, I just wanted to play with it till it needed it’s first charge but we haven’t got there yet…
Cost
Considering how happy I am with this speaker, the price seems like a steal. I’d happily spend close to £30 for a product like this. It’s sturdy, attractive to look at, sounds good and works seamlessly. Currently this speaker is available for £15.99 and at that price it comes with my recommendation.
EasyAcc have a wide range of products on their website, all available to purchase through Amazon. Got Prime? Get it all tomorrow. I would, it’s a safe purchase. I’d like to thank them for offering this item for us to review and bring to the attention of the readers!
Ever since Apple rolled out the iOS 8.3 update, a spate of new bugs have surfaced as if to keep date with history, wherein every iOS update released till date has brought its own share of problems including Wi-fi issues, Bluetooth connectivity problems and massive battery drain issues.
iOS 8.3 also seems to be harbouring similar inherent bugs found in the past iOS updates, including the persistent Bluetooth connectivity problems.
It has been ascertained that the Bluetooth issue has been spotted with various accessory devices such as Bluetooth-based car stereos, earphones and speakers that are connected to iOS devices running iOS 8.3.
With due credit to folks at Redmond Pie, we have listed out a few nifty tips and tricks to sort out the Bluetooth connectivity issues on your device:
Rebooting the iPhone or iPad
You should always try rebooting your device as one of the preliminary steps in troubleshooting such data connectivity problems.
You can try rebooting the device in two ways: by holding the Power button and then sliding thePower off on the device's display or by holding down both the Power and Home buttons together until the device shuts down and the Apple logo appears on boot screen.
Forget the Bluetooth device and try pairing again
Go to Settings > Bluetooth app and tap the 'i' button next to the device you are trying to connect to. Then hit the Forget This Device > Forget Device button. You can now try re-pairing your Bluetooth device.
Turn Bluetooth toggle On/Off
Just trying to turn the Bluetooth option off and on could often help resolve connectivity problems. This option is accessible via Settings > Bluetooth.
Reset Network Settings
Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap on Reset Network Settings and this should fix any inconsistencies in the configuration of your network. You will be required to enter the security PIN code to unlock the settings and perform this action.
Restore iOS 8.3 via iTunes
In some rare cases, a corrupt system file could be causing the Bluetooth connectivity issues and in such a scenario, you should try restoring the device back to stock iOS 8.3 settings via iTunes.
To restore iOS 8.3: Just connect your device to the PC or Mac, launch iTunes and then hit theRestore iPhone/iPad button.
Downgrade to iOS 8.2
If everything else fails, you can go ahead and downgrade iOS 8.3 back to iOS 8.2, using the step-by-step guide posted here.
Note: The steps for downgrading will be same from any version to any other version. But, you need to download the appropriate IPSW firmware files in order to be able to successfully downgrade your iOS device to a previous release. The direct download links for iOS 8.2 IPSW files can be found here.
When deciding upon which Android tablet to buy, there are a lot of things to consider: display quality, processing power, size, weight, battery life etc. As with any investment, it's important to do some research before you purchase to make the most informed decision possible. Here are what we consider to be the best Android tablets that you can buy in 2015.
Design, power and portability: these three deciding factors are the reasons why this Samsung jewel has landed at the top of our tablet food chain. It measures less than 8 mm thick, and is capable of running any game or app you throw at it. Crucially, it comes with an S Pen stylus (making it an ideal tablet for students or artists who are likely to be taking notes and/or sketching) and has a great "multi-window" feature, which lets you have up to four windows open at any time.
It's safe to say that the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 is the best the world of Android tablets has to offer at the moment. This, however, comes at a cost; the Galaxy Note 10.1 price currently sits at around 549 USD. But if you consider that most of today's mobile technology has been crammed into one singular device, you’d understand why Samsung charges such big bucks: its Note-specific functions (S Pen, Air Gesture, etc), connectivity, performance, and portability puts this tablet in direct competition with laptops.
Display
10.1-inches, 2,560 x 1600 (WQXGA) TFT, Super Clear LCD
The first place runner up is yet another large Samsung tablet. The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 comes with the same powerful performance, plus it has its own Bluetooth keyboard which can act as a cover.
The Note Pro 12.2 is an all-encompassing tablet – in addition to its many features, it has a huge visual impact thanks to its huge screen (multi-window mode is also available here). But there are some disadvantages, namely its 750 gram weight large size, which makes handling a bit more cumbersome than the 10.1-inch model.
Still, with the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 price set at around 550 USD, you can expect laptop-standard performance from this beauty.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is considered by many to be the finest tablet on Android.
This tablet deserves massive props because of its sleek design which combines slick plastic with luxurious and unique copper edges. The Galaxy Tab S, besides being the lightest 10-inch tablet produced by Samsung, has hardware which ensures top-class performance; you’ll be able to run resource-hungry applications with minimal delay.
But all of this is peanuts next to what really took our breath away: the Tab S is bestowed with a seriously incredible Super AMOLED screen, which according to DisplayMate, one of the most reliable sources when it comes to screen quality, is the best display on the market. (You can also find a similarly awesome 8.4-inch variation of the device with almost the same specs, only differing in the dimensions and pixels-per-inch.)
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 price is currently floating around the 350 USD mark, and this makes it one of the best tablet choices on Android.
4. Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Sony's waterproof Xperia Z2 Tablet is a slender, strong contender for the best Android tablet title. /
Sony cracks the otherwise Samsung-laden list with the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet. Immediately drawing attention with its high class OmniBalance design, this tablet is beautifully weighted and also incredible thin (just 6.4 mm). In addition, Sony is on the ball when it comes to making waterproof devices: the Tablet Z2 has IP58 certification which makes it resistant to dust and water, and its hardware specifications are hard to beat.
Despite the lower screen resolution and battery capacity compared to other tablets on the list, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z2 achieved this position thanks to its beautiful looks and water-friendliness, as well as great performance. The Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet price is set at 500 USD.
Xperia Z2 tablet review
Display
10.1-inch, IPS, 1920 x 1200 pixels
Dimensions and weight
212.8 x 125.6 x 6.6 mm, 294 g
Internal storage
16GB + microSD
Memory
3 GB RAM
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, Quad-Core, 2.3 GHz
Battery
6,000 mAh
Cameras
8.1 MP (rear); 2.1 MP (front)
Connectivity and networks
LTE, UMTS, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, MHL 3.0, USB 2.0, Wi-F
Operating system and UI
Android 4.4 KitKat with Xperia UI
Price
499.99 USD (16 GB, black), 329 GBP (16 GB, black)
5. Sony Z3 Tablet Compact
The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is a little, lightweight gem from Sony, but it is pricey.
The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is currently the world's "most powerful and lightest waterproof tablet". It houses an impressive Full-HD screen, making use of Sony's Triluminous and X-Reality technologies. In real terms, this means is that it looks more vibrant than it otherwise would, but it's more than just some marketing terminology, the screen is bright with great color depth.
The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will also be able to take advantage of Sony's PS4 remote play feature, turning your tablet into an alternative screen for all your PS4 games.
The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact won't last quite as long as the fantastic Z2 Tablet in terms of battery life, but if you're looking for something a little smaller, without a huge sacrifice in quality, this is a great option. Plus, it still retains some of the neat features of its big brother such as water-resistance, Snapdragon 801 processor, and expandable memory up to 128 GB.
The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact price is sitting at around 418 USD on Amazon right now.
Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact review
Display
8-inch, LCD, 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, 323 ppi
Dimensions and weight
213 x 123 x 6.4 mm, 280 g
Internal storage
16 GB + microSD up to 128 GB
Memory
3 GB RAM
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, quad-core, 2.5 GHz
Battery
4500 mAh
Cameras
8.1 MP (rear); 2.2 MP (front)
Connectivity and networks
HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0
Operating system and UI
Android 4.4.4 KitKat
Price
418 USD (16 GB, black), 299 GBP (16 GB, black)
6. Nvidia Shield
The NVIDIA Shield's graphical prowess means it's still yet to be really tested by Android games in the Play Store.
The Nvidia Shield is a tablet for those who want a high-performance gaming device - in this regard, it's currently the best Android has to offer. You'll never encounter the frustration of not being able to download your favorite game due to hardware restrictions, and games you do play wont stutter or a crash, the device runs smooth like butter even when playing the most demanding of titles.
If you consider the gaming performance, as well as the attractive Nvidia Shield price (299 USD for the base model), this is a solid tablet that won’t swoon when the going gets tough.
Display
8-inch, IPS 1,280 x 800 pixels, 283 ppi
Processor
Nvidia Tegra K1, 64 bit dual-core, 2.2 GHz
RAM/Interal Memory
2 GB / 16/32 GB + microSD up to 32 GB
Camera
5 MP / 5 MP
Connectivty
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, GPS
Another superb Samsung tablet stemming from the ‘’older’’ Tab series, this edition of tablets was released a few months before the new Tab S devices, and thus is much more attractive when it comes to price, which has fallen drastically since its release.
The Tab Pro exists in three versions boasting different screen sizes: 12.2, 10.1 and 8.4 inches. The 12.2-inch version comes with 1 GB of RAM more than its siblings, also with increased battery capacity, but otherwise the hardware is the same, and all offer excellent performance.
Though this tablet serious does come with a sharp LCD screen, it’s no match for the Super AMOLED Tab S display, which is why it has landed further down our list. The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 price ranges between 350 and 400 USD, so if you're interested in this one make sure you buy at the right time.
Display
12.2-inch, Super clear LCD capacitive touchscreen 2560 x 1600 pixels (~247 ppi)
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Infrared, Micro USB 3.0, GPS
Operating system and UI
Android 4.4 KitKat
Price
From 298 USD, or from 259.99 GBP
8. Google Nexus 9The Google Nexus 9, developed by HTC, is one of the best Android tablets in the world, even if it wasn't quite as good as we hoped it would be. /
The Nexus 9 finds itself at number eight on our list of best Android tablets, not because of its level of performance, but because of our slight disappointment that we felt after our initial review.
Sure, it was the first tablet in the world to show off Android 5.0 Lollipop, but its performance is not among the best. Nevertheless, it still has some great specs and features, with a brilliant 8.9-inch QXGA (2,048 x 1,536 pixels) LCD display, BoomSound stereo speakers, a killer 64-bit processor Nvidia Tegra K1, plus all of the new features offered by Android 5.0 Lollipop.
The Nexus 9 price is set at 399 USD, or 319 GBP and it still has a lot to offer Android fans, even if it wasn't quite up to our expectations.
Nexus 9 review
Display
8.9-inch LCD 2048 x 1536 pixels, 288 ppi
Processor
dual-core Nvidia Tegra K1, 2.3 GHz
RAM/Internal Memory
2 GB / 32/64 GB
Camera
8 MP (rear), 1.6 MP (front)
Connectivity
NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, HSPA, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0
Dimensions
153.68 x 228.25 x 7.95 mm
Weight
425 g, 436 g
Battery
6,700 mAh
Operating System
Android 5.0 Lollipop, stock Android
Price
399 USD (16 GB, black), 299 GBP (16 GB, black)
9. Dell Venue 8 7840The Dell Venue 8 7840 has a great display, even if its shape is a little odd.
The Dell Venue 8 7840 is an extremely capable tablet, new in 2015 and is new to our list. It’s ultra-thin (just 6 mm thick) and metal clad, with Intel Inside technology ensuring it runs silky smooth.
Though it doesn't have a beautiful name, the Venue 8 7840 does have a beautiful 8.4-inch screen with 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution, and 359 pixels-per-inch, making it one of the best looking tablets on Android.
The Dell Venue 8 has four cameras, one on the front and three on the back, which provide height and depth information in pictures. It’s a neat bit of technology, but it’s not the main reason to invest in the 7840; pick up this tablet if you want a sleek device with a quality display and fast processing. But be warned, it only houses around 8 GB of (usable) internal memory (though this is expandable via an external SD card).
This little tablet has snuck its way onto the list because it might be the best value tablet offering currently on Android. The Tesco Hudl 2 price is just 129 GBP, and for that you get a fast, 8.3-inch tablet, running on stock Android.
Rugged, with bright color options, it’s certainly family-friendly, but the Full-HD display and Dolby sound system ensures it delivers on the user-experience front too. As far as price/performance ratio is concerned, we’re convinced it’s one of the top choices on Android. Go and test one out in-store if you don’t believe us, or buy now from Tesco.com.
Tesco Hudl 2 review
Display
8.3-inch, LCD, 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, 273 ppi
Dimensions and weight
8.82 x 5.04 x 0.36 in, 14.46 oz
Internal storage
16 GB +microSD
Memory
2 GB RAM
Processor
Intel Atom, quad-core, 1.83 GHz
Battery
"up to eight hours)
Camera
5 MP (rear) 1.2 (front)
Connectivity and networks
USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
Operating system and UI
Android 4.4.2 Jelly Bean
Price
129 GBP (all colors, 16 GB)
What do you think is the best Android tablet? Let us know in the comments below.
