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.

Form Vs. Functionality – The Battle on Using a Cellphone Case

A new trend is emerging among cellphone owners: people wanting to show off their devices and forgo using cases. Phone manufacturers have been spending as much time making their phones look cool, as they have making sure that they work well. It’s becoming more and more important in this market to have your phone look “cool,” and design plays a major role in selling devices, as evidenced by the new iPhone 5s, which is available in 3 new colors. Some phones offer a slick, glossy design theme, while others boast a frosted chrome finish. Whatever device suits your preference, the question of the case comes into play in all instances. Continue reading →

Big thanks to Zollotech for their great review of the iPad Air screen protector from Best Skins Ever! We really appreciate your continued use and reviews of our products. Definitely looking forward to 2014 and creating new skins as new devices are released.

Be sure to check out Zollotech’s review of Best Skins Ever iPad Air cover and their website below!

http://www.zollotech.com/2013/12/02/2013122best-skins-ever-for-ipad-air-review/

Check Out Some of the Best Fitness Apps Available

As we enter a new month, it’s time for updates on your resolutions! Many of us vowed to do, or refrain, from many things. From cutting out bad habits, to developing good ones, our resolutions probably run the gamut of behaviors we want to develop.

A popular resolution that many of us make is to begin following a consistent workout or dietary regiment. Regardless if you’re pumping iron, or running laps, a surefire way to keep track of your progress is by making use of a smartphone app, many devices even come with some applications pre-installed. But with so many fitness apps available to users on their phones and tablets, how do we determine which ones are best suited to our needs? We’re here to help you sort through the many fitness apps on the market and bring you closer to making a decision when downloading.

Calorie Counter by MyFitnessPal, Inc.

This calorie counting app for Android boasts the largest food database of any Android calorie counter. Over 3-million foods are listed in the database, and the MyFitnessPal Calorie Counter offers a syncing feature so that data is always available and updatable. Additionally, you may add friends in order to easily track and support each other’s progress. You may set goals, record nutritional information, and much more, making it clear why this calorie counter app is one you’ll want to consider. Continue reading →

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 →

When thinking about protective skins created to guard a tech gadget, your attention naturally turns to cell phones. However, skins are also available to protect a variety of other tech products. Over the years, Best Skins Ever has built a reputation for creating the highest quality protective skins and screen protectors for iPhones, Galaxy phones, and cell phones. We also carry high-quality skins for your MP3 players, tablets and laptops.

Best Skins Ever offers scratch resistant covers for virtually every type of cell phone, tablet, portable gaming system, laptop or media player. Continue reading →

While Best Skins Ever is located in Colorado, many of our loyal customers reside outside of the United States of America. We felt it was important to update our friends living in Canada with some new cell phone rules for 2014!

In June 2013, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced a host of new cell phone rules for Canadian residents that will apply to all new cell phone sales and contracts originated on or after December 2, 2013. These rules, which were designed to protect Canadian consumers, will also apply to existing contracts as of June 3, 2015.

Some of the most notable changes to Canada's cell phone contract regulations include: Continue reading →

You're probably itching to protect all those Christmas gadgets and now is the perfect time with our Cover More, Save More, sale.

This means that each discount is taken sequentially. When you purchase one skin, we take 20% off of the total. If you purchase a 2nd skin, we take 20% off, then 10% off that which calculates to a 28% discount.  The 3rd skin ordered works the same way. 20% off, then 10% off that, then 10% off that which calculates to a 35.2% total discount.  Math is fun!

The sale ends on December 31st at midnight MST so don't wait.

Every year, the latest-and-greatest gadgets tempt buyers into new purchases or upgrades. Find out which items are the most popular this year! Best Skins Ever has skins for all of the top items this year!

While tablet computers are available in all shapes and sizes, Google Nexus 7 is one of the fastest and most efficient tablets available. It runs smoothly on Android's latest operating system, and it comes with a 7-inch display, front and rear cameras, and an extensive battery life. The tablet's screen is clear and colorful, and users can view it from virtually any angle without losing the quality of the image. The Google Nexus 7 weighs only 10.2 ounces and is available for purchase at a starting price of $229. Continue reading →

When choosing one of our screen protectors for your personal electronics it's best to understand the benefits and trade-offs of our original glossy film and our recently added matte film.  Both are a great options but this brief pictorial guide will help you decide which is the best selection for your situation.

Glossy:  This was the film that made us famous.  The original glossy film is crystal clear and highly smudge resistant in it's own right.  If unobstructed screen clarity is your highest objective when choosing screen protection the original glossy film is your best choice.

Matte:  Pronounced "mat", Dictionary.com describes the term as "having a dull or lusterless surface".  This low shine alternative has a unique look and nearly eliminates smudges and screen glare.  The trade off, however, is a reduction of the sharpness of the screen.  While some users find this to be a worth-while sacrifice and may barely notice the loss of clarity, others find the effect to be too distracting.  This effect also seems to be more dramatic on devices where the physical distance between the glass and the screen pixels is greater.

Below are some excellent side by side examples of the matte and glossy film on the screen of an iPhone 5S.  The photos haven't been doctored and we feel fairly represent the look of both film options on most devices.  On the close up shots, you will notice that you can clearly see the pixels under the glossy film but they look somewhat fuzzy under the matte film.

Glossy vs matte, screen on.

Glossy vs matte, screen off

Glossy vs matte, close up on iPhone 5S calendar screen.

Glossy vs matte, close up on iPhone 5S stock app screen.

Glossy vs matte, close up on iPhone 5S maps app screen.

Glossy vs matte, close up on iPhone 5S lock screen.

Matte Skin on Macbook Air, 13"