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3-D Phone Mapping

Just when we thought smartphones couldn’t become any more intelligent, Google, and its Advanced Technology and Projects Department (ATAP) is launching its latest initiative. Project Tango is an innovative take on 3D-sensing technology, allowing a smartphone to interpret an area from a three-dimensional perspective. ATAP’s technical program lead, Johnny Lee, says, "The goal of Project Tango is to give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion."

The current model being used by developers is a 5-inch powerhouse, and highly resembles many white smartphones currently on the market. What sets the Android-powered Project Tango phone apart is its remarkable ability to render more than 250,000 measurements per second. Google anticipates that these features will have many applications including, gaming and indoor navigation being the notable among them.

Despite the broad vision that Google has for its latest project, Tango is still in the early stages of development. Prototypes will be distributed to developers in universities, and tech hubs around mid-March, all of whom Google has specifically hand picked.

The intention of giving it to developers is to have software focused on making full use of Project Tango’s capabilities. 3D gaming, navigation, mapping, and data processing are areas in which we can expect software to be developed.

Critics of Project Tango say that the technology being employed is nothing noteworthy, and that there have been similar uses of 3D sensing technology before. Lance Ulanoff of Mashable tells of his experience with Microsoft, where he was shown a device called the “Beamatron.” The mechanism was able to map the topography of the space in which it was contained, then project objects into the environment. Ulanoff was even allowed to control a virtual car via an Xbox 360 controller. Though the car was an illusion, it responded to objects as if it were physically present. At a certain point, the car drove up the side of a box, rolled sideway down an incline, and ran into a wall.

It’s no surprise that critics like Ulanoff and others, are opposed to Google’s efforts to “confine” such technology onto a “tiny” 4.5-inch screen, when they have had such hands-on experiences with the innovative, 3D mapping technology. Some argue that features such as these are only effectively represented through mediums such as the Xbox One’s Kinect, which appears to users via an HDTV screen.

Regardless, Google seems to be on the verge of rolling out a smartphone that is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Project Tango’s release date has not been set, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated with all of the latest news.

A Preview of New Technology to be Released in 2014

As we transition into the New Year, the question on all of our minds is: “What new technology is on the way?” Manufacturers are constantly producing more impressive gadgets,and we are all looking forward to what 2014 has to offer in terms of new technology. But before we explore the new frontiers of smartphones, tablets and the like, let’s briefly review some of the technology that stood out in 2013.

Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung’s Galaxy line has always made for a quality product, and this past year was no exception. The S4 impressed us with its user-friendly interface, and classic design. For these reasons, among others, it makes perfect sense that the Galaxy S4 was 2013’s best selling smartphone.

Apple iPhone 5s/5c

Apple consistently delivers superior quality with its iPhone product line. Since the release of the initial model, in 2007, Apple has only continued to impress us with their bold and innovative take on the smartphone, as we know it. The 5s came outfitted with three metallic-themed finishes, while the 5c opted for a vibrant, colorful feel, without sacrificing the Apple precision-of-use that users have grown accustomed to. Highly responsive technological features, and a gorgeous, slender finish cement the iPhone 5s and 5c in the list of phones to be recognized in 2013. Continue reading →

On September 10th, Apple unveiled its two newest iPhone models to the public: the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5S is geared toward the higher end of the market, while the iPhone 5C is the less expensive version of the two and is designed to serve customers with a smaller tech budget. Both phones are an upgrade from the current models available, the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S. Apple will continue to offer the iPhone 4S as a free alternative while the iPhone 5 is being discontinued. Continue reading →

Best Skins Ever has had our niche in the world of invisible Skins for hand-held electronic device protection that has worked very well for us, but we have wanted to expand that offering beyond Skin protection.  So we searched, we reviewed, we searched some more and finally found a unique and artistic line of cases to add to our product offering.

We are very pleased to announce the addition of da Vinci Case, which is anything but ordinary. Select between the iPhone 4 BUMPER and TOUGH da Vinci Cases in a variety of designs.  We also offer a selection of designs for the iPhone 5 TOUGH case. Continue reading →

According to Microsoft, the Surface is a revolutionary new device that is so different, it’s defying categorization. It’s a tablet that runs Office apps. Click in the keyboard and it’s a laptop, too. With ports galore, it’s the one device that does what you need and want to do.

Best Skins Ever offers Skin unique protection for the Microsoft Surface Pro.  We offer both the glossy and matte options for this device and many of our other product offerings. Continue reading →

The BlackBerry Q10 cell phone has now been released in the UK, Canada and with various carriers in the US. The Q10 along with the Z10 (released earlier this year) use the BB10 operating system.

Best Skins Ever offers Skin protection for the Blackberry Q10 and the BlackBerry Z10 at our everyday affordable prices.  We offer both glossy and matte options for our newer Skins. Continue reading →

Mini keyboards are a useful tablet accessory, especially if you will spend significant time typing with your tablet. Below are some of the best mini keyboards available in 2013. Although these keyboards are designed for use with the iPad, you can usually pair them with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as the Kindle.

The FabricSkin Folio is one of the best creations from Logitech to date. Not only does this keyboard allow you to reach new levels of convenience when using your tablet, but it also provides protection for the tablet during transport. The folio is made from plastic and durable fabric, which encloses the tablet completely. The fabric has a rubber-like quality, which allows for a more secure grip when the tablet is being held.

To connect the keyboard to the folio, simply open the folio and use the magnets above the keyboard. The keys on this mini keyboard are molded into the folio's cover portion. However, unlike similar keyboards that include only touch keys, the Logitech uses actual keys. These keys provide better tactile feedback for more effective typing.

The Logitech Fabricskin Folio is available for approximately $149.99 if purchased from Logitech. Various cover materials and colors are available.

Using magnetic strips, Belkin's new mini keyboard and case offers three different viewing configurations for the iPad. Simply place the iPad in contact with one of the strips, and the Bluetooth connection automatically powers the keyboard on. The keyboard powers down as soon as you break the magnetic connection.

A black version and a silver version of this case are currently available. The white version is composed of aluminum on the bottom and top of the case, while the black version is not, making the white version a more lightweight choice. This case is available for approximately $100 if purchased directly from Belkin.

The ClamCase Pro is designed to approximate the look and feel of a standard laptop as closely as possible. However, this mini keyboard is also the most expensive one of the bunch.

To use the ClamCase Pro, insert your tablet into the ClamCase's lid. With that done, the configuration resembles a laptop with no trackpad. Magnets turn the machine on and off as the case is opened and closed.

You can also return the tablet to its original form without removing it from the case by folding the screen under the keyboard. However, the keys are exposed when holding the unit in this way. The keys won't be active, but it feels a bit strange.

Of all the mini keyboards mentioned here, the ClamCase Pro offers the best typing experience. It is available for $169 when purchased directly from ClamCase.

Every mini keyboard offers advantages and disadvantages. To make the best choice for your tablet, consider the features that are most important to you. It also helps to try different mini keyboards before purchasing to find the one that feels most natural.

Facebook Home is one of the newest innovations to hit the smartphone market. Using Android's open-door policy, this new application replaces the existing user interface on Android phones with a new interface that focuses on social networks, as opposed to applications. Because the new app is compatible only with Android products, iPhone users aren't able to utilize it. However, some iPhone users still proclaim their devices to be superior. To help consumers form an opinion, a detailed comparison of Android phones equipped with Facebook's new app to the well-respected iPhone 5 is included below.

Comparable Devices

Although Facebook Home utilizes the Android operating system, it is not compatible with all Android products. Currently, the only devices that can tolerate this new app are a select few from HTC and Samsung. One such phone is the HTC First, which is the first to come preloaded with the software. For the purposes of comparison, consider the HTC First as the original "Facebook Phone". See what other phones are compatible with Facebook Home here.

Hardware

When compared to the iPhone, the HTC First's hardware is lacking. The storage is more limited, the camera isn't as strong, and the speed of the phone is slower. The core operating system of the HTC First is more likely to experience delays, and some lag is also present within individual apps. That being said, Facebook Home seems to function very well in conjunction with this hardware.

User Interface

The user interface on the Facebook phone is very different from the user interface on the iPhone. Although Facebook Home isn't actually a different operating system, it will feel like one for most users. After turning the device on for the first time, users log on with their Google and Facebook credentials. On every subsequent start-up, images pulled from the user's Facebook friends will rotate constantly across the screen. Users can also view recent status updates on this screen.

Users can scroll through all of these initial images and messages without even unlocking the phone, and users can "like" these displays by simply double-tapping the screen. Comments can also be posted directly from the home page.

As for the iPhone's user interface, it is much more similar to the original Android OS. The interface is centered on applications, many of which can be accessed directly from the home screen. To view Facebook, users must install and click on the Facebook application, or they must visit Facebook via the phone's internet browser.

Summing Up

These two phones are very different, but neither is overtly superior to the other. When choosing the ideal phone, users must consider the features that are most important to them. Users who are heavily engaged with social media and are constantly logging on to Facebook during the day may prefer the Facebook phone, whereas users who aren't as addicted to social media may prefer the more classic, application-based approach of the iPhone.

The powers that be at Android and Facebook have teamed up in an effort to topple the almighty iPhone in the hearts and minds of social media lovers everywhere. What is the creation this meeting of the minds came up with? It’s called Facebook Home; and if you haven’t heard of it yet, you probably will – very soon.

Facebook Fans Rejoice

Who doesn’t have a Facebook obsession these days? Whether it’s crazy cat videos, silly little postcard witticisms, or the ability to keep in touch with friends and family in one convenient location – and without the necessary round of ten thousand phone calls and text messages to share big news with everyone in your social circles – Facebook is becoming a larger part of society every day.

What Are the Benefits of Facebook Home?

For people who spend a lot of time navigating in and out of Facebook apps on their mobile phones, the benefits are immeasurable. For one thing, updates, new posts, and Facebook notifications go directly to your Facebook phone screen. Chat heads allows you to send and receive Facebook messages and texts in a single location. You can even continue chatting while using other mobile apps. The bottom line is that this is the definitive Facebook tool for anyone who takes their social networking seriously.

Who Can Get the App?

Currently, the Facebook Home app is only available on certain phones that have been named an official Facebook phone. They include:

• HTC One X
• HTC One X+
• Samsung Galaxy Note II
• Samsung Galaxy S III

While you are able to download the Home app from the Google Play Store for any of the above phones, the phone that’s getting the most attention as the definitive Facebook Phone is the HTC First. In addition to being available on phones, the Home app should be available for tablets this summer.

What’s the Big Deal?

People are living their lives on the go more and more. This means more people are looking for ways to stay connected without being tied to their laptops or tablet devices.

Facebook Home puts that information in the palms of people's hands and makes it easier than ever for young and old alike to carry on long Facebook conversations, check out videos, and even vote on their best friends cute kid contest entries. Whether they’re watching their kids practice soccer, standing in line at the bank, or waiting on movies to start at local cinemas, people can connect with their friends at any point. You can even fill your phone screen with friends and family and their posts to your Facebook news feed so that you’re always up-to-date with what's going on with your family tree.

If you love Facebook and use it regularly, you really can’t go wrong with a phone that includes Facebook’s new app as a major feature. Download the app today if you already have a compatible phone and let us know what you think.

Whether you’re using an HTC One or Samsung Galaxy to use Facebook’s new app, be sure that your phone is protected with the best skin ever.

The smartphone industry is extremely competitive, and the top manufacturers are always trying to outdo one another. The most recent evidence of this phenomenon lies in the release of the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4, which both hit the market within the last few months. While choosing one phone over the other is often a matter of preference, you can get a better idea of which phone might be best for you by comparing the primary characteristics and specifications of these two products.

The Apple iPhone 5 and Galaxy S4 possess several similar specifications. Both phones come with:

• Option of 16, 32 or 64 GB of storage • Rear and front facing video cameras • Equipped with GPS • Same version of Bluetooth

Some of the major differences you will see include:

Operating System The newest Apple iPhone uses the iOS 6.1.2, while the Samsung Galaxy S4 uses the latest version of the Android operating system, known as "Jelly Bean." Both of these operating systems represent the best in the market. However, Apple's operating system is easier to learn and understand than the Jelly Bean, especially for users who are new to smartphones.

Applications Applications for the Apple iPhone 5 are available from the Apple App Store, while applications for the Galaxy S4 come from the Google Play Store. The Apple App Store is still the best in terms of the number of applications available for purchase, but the Google Play Store is rapidly gaining ground. Soon, the two stores will offer a similar number and variety of applications for smartphone users.

Screen Size and Weight Screen size is one of the features for which the Galaxy S4 has the advantage. The Galaxy S4's screen is much larger than that of the Apple iPhone 5, with screen sizes of 5 and 4 inches respectively. However, at 4.59 oz, the Galaxy S4 also weighs more than the Apple iPhone, which weighs only 4 oz.

Resolution The screen resolution of the Galaxy S4 is expected to be superior to that of the iPhone 5. The S4's resolution is impressive at 1920 by 1080 pixels, while the iPhone's resolution is 1136 by 640.

Camera Both phones include front and rear facing cameras with decent resolution. However, while the iPhone's front and rear facing cameras feature resolutions of 8 and 1.2 megapixels respectively, the Galaxy S4's front and rear facing cameras have superior resolutions of 13 and 2 megapixels.

In addition, the Galaxy S4 is unveiling several new features, including Sound and Shot, which allows users to capture sound and still images simultaneously, and Dual Camera, which allows users to combine shots captured from both the front and rear cameras.

Processor Speed The final point of comparison between these two phones involves the speed of the processor. While the Apple iPhone's processor offers a respectable speed of 1 GHz, the Samsung Galaxy S4 nearly doubles this speed at a whopping 1.9 GHz.

For most of the diehard Apple fans, choosing between these two phones is a no-brainer. The Apple App Store is better established, and the smaller, lighter phone is easier to hold and carry than the S4. However, when you compare the specifications, there are also several characteristics that could make the Samsung Galaxy S4 a better choice for many other smartphone users. The screen is much larger, allowing for better gameplay and easier visibility. The Galaxy S4's screen and camera resolutions are also better than the resolutions available on the iPhone, thus offering a richer viewing experience, better pictures and superior videos. Finally, the Galaxy S4's processor speed is clearly better than that of the iPhone, which provides users with faster, more efficient operations.

Whichever one you decide to purchase, don’t forget to protect your investment with Best Skins Ever screen skins. We have skins for the front, back or full body skins!