And yet, we want more battery. We can’t get enough, can we? In social media and tech chat rooms, one of the big discussion topics is always, “How to make battery last longer.”

As they age, older folks become more interested in how they can extend their lives through exercise and diet. Most of our customers aren’t there yet – they’re more focused on extending the life of their smartphone batteries.

There are several tricks of the trade that can help you get a better performance out of your phone, especially for the Samsung Galaxy S7 battery and the S7 Edge.

Here are some tips and tricks to make the battery last longer:

1. Disable Always-On Display. 

 One quick and easy way to save battery life is to disable the new Always-on Display. Always-On can be quite useful if you want to see simple and pertinent info like Time, Date, Battery Life…etc. But if you’re not using it, then why waste the battery life (drain is only half a percent per hour)? To disable the Always-on Display, navigate to your Settings and select Always-on Display. There, it can be toggled on or off.

 2. Delete Bloatware. 

 When you get a new phone, we suggest always deleting any “bloatware” or unwanted apps that came with it. This is a sure way to save space and improve battery life on your Samsung Galaxy device. You can easily delete multiple apps at a time by entering the App Drawer. At the top right corner, find and press “Edit,” then select which apps you would like to uninstall.

Exactly how many you have will depend on your carrier. DroidLife inform us, “The T-Mobile variants of the S7 and S7 Edge do not come with much, but expect the AT&T and Verizon versions to include upwards of 20 apps that you want no part of.”

Additionally, for constant awareness of the strain on your battery, we recommend becoming familiar with how much battery life is required to run each of your more regularly used apps.

 3. Make Sure “Fast Cable Charging” is Enabled. 

 This one will make your new Galaxy S7 device a bit warm. Regardless, the tradeoff is exceptionally fast charging. You can get 50% of the battery’s max charge in just 10 minutes. If disabled, head into Settings > Battery > turn on “Fast Cable”. It’s simple and really helps get you back in the game quickly from a dead battery.

 4. Enable Ultra Power Saving Mode. 

 Samsung has tossed in two modes for saving power plainly dubbed, “Power Saving mode” and “Ultra Power Saving mode.” These can be found in Settings under Battery. You can choose for either mode to kick in immediately or at different percentages of battery life (5%, 15%, 20% and 50%). Power saving will prevent apps from fetching new data. Note that Ultra Power Saving is a bit more restrictive—disabling colors and virtually all apps on the device. Only Phone, Messages and Internet will remain to help preserve battery life.

5. Adjust Automatic Brightness Feature

 Samsung devices allow you to control your display’s brightness, even when it’s on the auto setting. This feature happens to be one of the most power-sucking components of your Samsung device. Be more conservative with the brightness, and your battery will definitely thank you.

6. Turn Off Edge Screen Features. 

This is obviously less desirable for owners of the S7 Edge. Surely the Edge Screen was part of the allure. But again, if you’re not using the Edge features, then disabling them will help extend your battery life.

That about wraps it up. Did we miss anything? Have you stumbled upon any helpful tips or tricks to extend the battery life of your new Samsung Galaxy?

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The excitement is palpable as these are two stunning looking handsets, each sporting glass on the front and backs of the devices, which greatly adds to the elegant aesthetics. Collectively the duo have been praised for their speedy performance, prolonged battery life and gorgeous displays, reaching 5-inches on the S7 and 5.5-inches on the S7 Edge. Each unit ships with Android Marshmallow baked-in, Samsung’s new Always-On display tech and bold new game-friendly features for gamers—including video capture with the ability to upload captured gameplay to YouTube.

We’re only a short setup process away from enjoying all that and more. So let’s get right to it.

1.  First Boot & Data Transfer

First, let’s get that new SIM card installed. Then upon first bootup the user is greeted with an initial Setup Wizard screen where default language and accessibility options are found. GottabeMobile also notes, this is where users can take “…steps to get their phone connected to Wi-Fi, Google and Samsung accounts, and it helps the user transfer data from another phone or download it from an earlier backup.” Here Samsung has deployed a couple of options, which work whether your previous device was a Samsung handset, another Android device or even an iPhone. Simply use the included USB charging cable and connect it to the included dongle, which then connects to your Galaxy S7 device. Now plug the cable into your previous Android device. If transferring from an iPhone, then connect the iPhone to the USB end of the dongle using the iPhone Lightning cable. For this method users will need to use the included Smart Switch app and select “Backup and reset” to begin data transfer from an iPhone.

2.  Activating SIM

From there, the phone activation wizard will initialize as your carrier activates your device over your network of choice. The process takes about 5 minutes in total. The user is then made aware of location-based sharing with certain apps such as maps, shopping, weather and the like.

3.  Restore From Backup

Now that you’ve transferred over your old data, let’s take a look at backing it all up on your new Galaxy S7 device. There are a number of 3^rd party apps users can use to backup photos. OneDrive, DropBox, Google Photos, and Flickr are just a few, with companion mobile and desktop versions of their applications to use for backing up your photos.

Samsung has also tossed in their own backup functionality. Again, enter Smart Switch and tap “Back up and Reset.” Once in users can select “Back up my data,” found under “Samsung account.” You can choose “Auto back up” for a regular hourly back up of all your data. This will work automatically as long as the unit is connected to WiFi. You can also pick and choose which features you would like to back up. Options include Clock (includes alarms and clock options), Messages for Samsung message app, Phone and Phone settings.

4.  Updating Apps

With any Android update we recommend manually updating apps or grabbing a 3^rd party back up agent like App Backup & Restore to automatically backup, restore and transfer your favorite apps.

Now you can enjoy your new Samsung Galaxy S7/Edge. Remember, this is a general setup guide for both devices. The S7 Edge features the new Edge Screen and fingerprint scanner. Each requires a bit of setup and fine tuning. Yet overall this handy guide will get you set up for texting, talking, taking selfies and surfing the internet in no time.

Hit the comments below and tell us about life with your new Galaxy S7?

The post Everything You Need to Get Started with Your Samsung Galaxy Shawn Sanders appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

To hold you over until the phone is officially unveiled, here are four of the most interesting rumors and speculations regarding the manfacturer’s next flagship phone.

20.7 MP camera

If this first rumor holds true, then LG is aiming high. According to Techno Buffalo, a leaked report indicates, “LG’s new camera module features an increased correction angle of 0.7 for stabilizing shaky video and snapping quick photos—up from 0.5 on the G3. Meanwhile, that 20.7 MP camera is a pretty big step up from last year’s 13 MP shooter, which we actually thought did a pretty great job.” They also note that Sony uses a similar lens on its flagship phones, which are regarded as some of the best.

Note 4/5-worthy Stylus Embedded

Several rumors suggest that LG could return with new stylus technology superior to that used in the LG G3. Phandroid caught wind of a “G Pen” trademark listing. This could be a standalone product or it could be included with the LG G4 in an attempt to compete against the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and its S-Pen.

4K Resolution

With the LG G3, the company was one of the first to introduce a 1440p Quad HD resolution on a 5.5-inch phone display. AndroidPIT reports that resolution may be upped to a 4K display in the G4 to better compete with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6, which will reportedly also have a 4K display. AndroidPIT does note that such a high pixel density display doesn’t appeal to all users, especially when constrained to a smartphone-sized screen.

Eye/Retina Scanner

It is likely that the LG will include the fingerprint scanner already found on many of its latest handsets, including the LG G3. AndroidPIT feels the company could also expand on that technology with an eye/retina scanner. If included, LG would be the first to incorporate retina recognition in a smartphone.

Which of these rumors do you hope prove true in the new LG G4?

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AQUOS Mini

When comparing the two, TechnoBuffalo reports, “The AQUOS mini isn’t quite as compact as the Crystal, but the company’s still managed to offer some impressively thin bezels for the new device.” The mini is outfitted with a 4.5-inch display capable of 1080p resolution and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor. The mini will not be ready for Android Lollipop at launch and will instead ship with the KitKat 4.4 version of the operating system. The device features a 13 MP rear-facing camera and a 1.2 MP clicker on the front. The AQUOS mini is equipped with a 2120 mAh battery, which TechnoBuffalo reports should sustain a charge for two to three days. Sharp also outfitted the device with its IGZO water-resistant screen technology. The mini will be available in blue, white, pink and black.

AQUOS K

Sharp’s other big announcement is the AQUOS K, a flip phone with specs that suggest it is targeting the lower end of the market. The new device has a 3.4-inch LCD display and is powered by a quad-core processor that clocks in at 1.2GHz. GSMArena reports that the phone will also have LTE capabilities and a touch-sensitive trackpad. It may be small, but Sharp was able to fit a single 13 MB rear-facing camera on the handset. The AQUOS K will also have a smaller 1410 mAh battery and come in color variants of black, white and red.

AQUOS hasn’t announced pricing and availability details yet, but TechnoBuffalo suggests both phones may only be released in Japan.

What do you think of the new Sharp AQUOS handsets? Share with us below.

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The phone itself is a highly affordable, low-end handset. SamMobile reports, “the Z1 features a four-inch PLS TFT WVGA (800 by 480) display, a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 768 MB of RAM, a 3-megapixel fixed-focus rear camera, VGA front camera, 4 GB of expandable storage, and a 1,500mAh battery.” The unit will run Tizen 2.3, and it’s expected to retail in India for Rs. 5,700, or $91 USD.

Android App Emulation

The unit is expected to ship with several apps already installed, such as WhatsApp, even though the Tizen OS does not run Android apps natively. OpenMobile’s Application Compatibility Layer (ACL) offers a workaround by effectively emulating some, if not all, Android apps. SamMobile reports that users simply need to install the ACL from the Tizen app store, then they’ll be able to access the more than one thousand Android apps found in the store. Performance is said to be comparable to that found on native Android devices.

More With Tizen

The Samsung Z1 may be the company’s first smartphone to feature Tizen software, but the company has been implementing the OS on other devices, including the partially autonomous Gear S smartwatch. Samsung also announced that Tizen will power the company’s SUHD Smart TV at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month.

There is no word on when or if this device will launch in U.S. stores, so importing and routing a Samsung Z1 from India may be the only recourse for now.

Will you try to get your hands on Samsung’s new Z1?

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“Samsung is reportedly waiting to resolve its Android patent royalty issues with Microsoft before it moves to support the latter’s mobile operating system,” according to SamMobile. Samsung refused to pay owed patent royalties to Microsoft following the latter’s acquisition of Nokia. Microsoft filed suit against the Korean manufacturer in August 2014.

Now, Samsung is showing honest interest in the Windows OS for some of its future lower-end handsets. SamMobile mentions that a Samsung-branded Windows Phone could hit shelves by the third quarter of this year. The new Windows 10 or Windows Phone 10 OS should be out by that time, and will likely be available as an update from Windows 8.1.

Open-Source and Open to Other Platforms

According to SamMobile, Samsung believes that supporting the Windows OS will help reduce its dependency on Google’s Android OS. Samsung is also in the process of implementing the lighter Linux-based Tizen operating system on a number of its devices. The Tizen OS currently runs on the Gear S smartwatch and the recently unveiled SUHD Smart TV. It will also be used for the new Samsung Z1 smartphone, which is going to be released in India.

Would you consider purchasing a low-end Samsung Windows phone?

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The developers presented the new wearable at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. “LG and Audi’s smartwatch collaboration is the most desirable wearable of CES 2015, and while the carmaker says it’s just a prototype, the device offers a tantalizing glimpse of future LG wearables,” reports Android Central.

WebOS and Audi Features

In addition to the smartphone integration common in most wearables, Android Central reports that this device also has standalone functionality. Elements of LG’s smartphone UI—such as the dialer, messages app, music, e-mail, and Find My Phone—have all been incorporated.

Users can launch the Audi app to pair the smartwatch with their automobile via NFC, essentially making the watch a backup set of car keys. According to TechnoBuffalo, tapping the watch to the car door handle will lock and unlock the door, and the smartwatch can even start the car’s engine.

Speculating the Specs

Android Central reports that the Audi/LG webOS prototype’s stainless steel and sapphire crystal design is top-notch. With hefty lugs at the top and bottom, and minute markings on the watch face’s bezel, this device sports a traditional watch appearance. The smartwatch is water-resistant, and rumors suggest that it will house a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chip.

Exactly how many of these specs and design features make it to the final product remains to be seen, but it sure sounds like this is one device to watch. While neither LG nor Audi have hinted at a release date for their smartwatch device, TechnoBuffalo expects it to hit shelves soon.

What features do you think the Audi/LG webOS smartwatch should include?

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Specifications

SamMobile reports that the A7 is the most feature-packed of the A series, which includes the A3 and A5. The new Galaxy A7 will feature a few special enhancements geared toward photos and selfies. According to TechnoBuffalo,”It runs Android 4.4 KitKat and TouchWiz software with a focus on photography, including Ultra Wide Shot and Auto Selfie modes.” The device touts a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera and 5-megapixel front-facing clicker. The A7 also includes Samsung’s Private Mode for security. Multi Window view allows users to multitask by selecting and “dragging” two apps from the Multi Window sidebar to be used simultaneously on one screen. The device is outfitted with a 5.5-inch HD AMOLED display and is powered by an octa-core processor.

On-board storage capacity tops out at 16 GB, which can be expanded to 64 GB with its microSD card support. The Samsung Galaxy A7 will ship with 2 GB of system RAM. The battery is not the largest, at 2600mAh, though the company could include the battery-saving software found on the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4.

Variants

There are two variants for the Galaxy A7. “The single-SIM variant of the Galaxy A7 uses a 32-bit Exynos 5430 chipset with Ericsson M7450 modem, while the dual-SIM variant uses a 64-bit Snapdragon 615 processor (MSM8x39),” SamMobile reports. The new Galaxy A7 will ship in white, black, and gold.

Samsung hasn’t announced an official launch date for the Galaxy A7, but SamMobile expects the device to go on sale beginning in late Q1 2015, followed by an upgrade to Android Lollipop.

What do you think of the new Samsung Galaxy A7?

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Features and Specs

SamMobile reports that the Galaxy J1 is firmly targeting the budget-minded, entry-level consumers. The new device will ship with Android 4.4 KitKat instead of Lollipop. It is equipped with some features typically seen on Samsung flagships, including the company’s Ultra Power Saving Mode, which is included on premium handsets like the Galaxy S5.

Other features include a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.”The device should include a 4.3-inch WVGA display, a 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core Marvell PXA1908 processor, 1 GB RAM, 4 GB internal storage, microSD card slot, and an 1,850 mAh battery,” according to SamMobile. The device will be available in four different SIM connectivity variants: single-SIM LTE, dual-SIM LTE, single-SIM 3G, and dual-SIM 3G. The 3G variants will sport a VGA front-facing camera in place of the 2-megapixel version on the LTE variants of the Samsung Galaxy J1.

Availability

So when can eager customers interested in a quality, entry-level Samsung device expect to see the Galaxy J1 in stores? Reports suggest the device could be officially released sometime this week. However, Samsung has not indicated which country or region the smartphone will debut in, nor have they listed a price.

Samsung recently announced the Galaxy A7, which, while not an entry-level phone, is still a decidedly low-end device.

Would you be interesting in purchasing the Samsung Galaxy J1?

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How It Works

The new App Store category is segmented into three age brackets: ages 5 and under, ages 6–8, and ages 9–11. More in-depth and complex applications are are listed in the higher age categories. Some of the featured applications include Alice In Wordland, XSquare Kids, Look and Find Elmo on Sesame Street, and several more.

Breaking down the content by age bracket should make it simpler for parents and educators to locate age-appropriate apps for children. Apple is also using the section to help educate parents and guardians on best practices for finding apps. For example, TechnoBuffalo reports that the iBook Family Time with Apps is highlighted at the top of the “Games for Kids” section, and it is geared toward helping parents determine the best apps for their kids and how they can all use apps together.

Awareness of In-App Purchasing

While the Apple App Store has had a section dedicated to child-oriented apps since 2013, the section has been revamped with more attention on preventing in-app purchases. iDownloadBlog reports that “Games for Kids” now clearly lists which apps allow children to make in-app purchases directly under the app’s price. Once parents are aware of which apps support purchasing, they can visit Apple’s support page for further information on how to restrict in-app purchases if needed.

Do you plan on using the new “Game for Kids” section to find apps for your young ones?

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