All Posts by Andrew Martonik | Android Central

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All Posts by Andrew Martonik

Starbucks app brings tipping to Canada, seamless eGift purchase and redemption

10 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 21 Apr 2015 9:20 pm
Starbucks app
Starbucks is bringing its new mobile tipping feature to Canada today with a simple app update. After starting initially with iOS users and then rolling to Android users in the U.S., our neighbors up north can now add a tip to their beverage purchase. You'll just need the latest version of the Starbucks Android app, now available in the Play Store — once you make a purchase, you'll receive a...

Latest Google Play Services update enables Android Auto on the Galaxy S6

22 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 21 Apr 2015 6:50 pm
Samsung Galaxy S6 and Android Auto
One of the most popular current phones out there now plays nice with Google's in-car Android product. Just a couple of days after we sent word that the Galaxy S6 — and a few other popular phones haven't been working properly with Android Auto, a fix has arrived. It's not a huge shock that the latest version of Google Play Services (which manages a variety of Google apps on your phone) rolling...

Samsung Galaxy S6 vs. HTC One M9: Camera shootout!

132 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 21 Apr 2015 1:00 pm
Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9
Smartphones are increasingly rated on their camera prowess, and these two flagships bring the best quality they can. Both Samsung and HTC have tried a variety of camera strategies over the years, and in 2015 have settled on something that is likely the best complete package each has produced in some time. The Galaxy S6 has cut back on unnecessary software features and simply puts together high...

How to change the home screen app grid size on the Galaxy S6

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Posted by Andrew Martonik on 20 Apr 2015 5:20 pm
Galaxy S6 screen grid size
A big reason for choosing a new launcher is to increase the density of the app grid — now the Galaxy S6 lets you do it, too. Samsung added the ability to move from a standard 4x4 app grid to a larger 4x5 or even 5x5 within its stock launcher, and it's super easy to do as well. While you'll still have to go to another launcher if you want something more advanced, if you just need to get a...

Still don't have a Chromecast? Pick one up on Groupon for $20

49 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 17 Apr 2015 5:28 pm
Chromecast
You can save over 40 percent on one of the most capable streaming sticks today. At $35 retail it's hard to think why you wouldn't have a Chromecast already, but if you don't yet you can pick up a refurbished one (or up to five, actually) on Groupon today for just $20.

Samsung Galaxy S6 camera tips and tricks

33 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 17 Apr 2015 1:57 pm
Galaxy S6 camera
The Galaxy S6 has an amazing camera from the moment you first launch it, but there's always room to improve. Just like every other camera, the Galaxy S6 has a learning curve — and while it's easy to pull out the phone and capture great shots with little effort, if you take the time to learn a few of its finer points you can really make the most of it. Whether it's switching over to the Pro...

Should I upgrade from the Galaxy Note 4 to the Galaxy S6?

280 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 16 Apr 2015 2:22 pm
Galaxy S6 and Note 4
Considering the timing and differences between the phone, it's a tough upgrade decision to ponder. Samsung runs two distinct flagship lines, the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note, each offering different qualities to appeal to different kinds of users. The Galaxy S series is the phone for a broader base of users, with a more average-sized screen, a few leading features and a neat design, while the...

How to turn off Briefing on the Samsung Galaxy S6

31 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 14 Apr 2015 11:31 am
Briefing on the Galaxy S6
Samsung has changed a lot of the software on the Galaxy S6, but it kept the "Briefing" screen — but you can turn it off. Whether you know it as My Magazine or the newer name Briefing, this Flipboard-powered news reader is again turned on by default as the left-of-main home screen on your Galaxy S6. While it may be a decent replacement for opening a dedicated news reading app for some, chances...

Should I upgrade from the Galaxy S5 to the Galaxy S6?

209 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 13 Apr 2015 11:55 am
Galaxy S6 and S5
A year removed from the Galaxy S5's launch, more than a few people are asking about the upgrade to the GS6. The Samsung Galaxy S6 is absolutely the hot new phone out right now. And while plenty of people are considering upgrading from whatever phone they have, the folks with a Galaxy S5 in their pocket are particularly intrigued. The GS6 isn't just an incremental update from the GS5, boasting...

The Galaxy S6 is now on sale — catch up with all of our coverage!

56 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 10 Apr 2015 5:53 pm
Galaxy S6
When the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge were announced it felt like April 10 was a long way off — now everyone can go buy one. One of the biggest devices of the year is now available for sale in most places around the world, and whether you've already put down cash in a pre-order or are trying your luck at a nearby store (or three) there's a lot to learn about the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. We've been...

The first 5 things to do with your new Galaxy S6 or S6 edge

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Posted by Andrew Martonik on 10 Apr 2015 11:54 am
Galaxy S6 and S6 edge boxes
A beautiful, shiny new Galaxy S6 is now in your hands — here are the first five things to do with it. While this probably isn't your first time setting up a brand new phone, something about taking the plastic off of an anticipated device never gets old. This may be extra true when it's the Galaxy S6 we're talking about, and that may cloud your vision a bit when it comes to the first basic...

Here are the Android 5.1 factory images for Nexus devices, and a guide to using them

138 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 8 Apr 2015 5:29 pm
Nexus 7 (2012)
Google has released the first batch of factory images for the newly-announced Android 5.1 Lollipop for most capable Nexus devices. Currently there are factory images available for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 2012 (Wifi and 3G), Nexus 7 2013 (Wifi and LTE), Nexus 10 and even Nexus Player — but we're still waiting on the Nexus 9, sadly.

Android Central Photo Contest: Cold

8 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 8 Apr 2015 4:24 pm
Android Central Photo Contest: Cold
We're back again with a new photo contest this week, and you may notice that we've changed the title of this post from the standard "Weekly Photo Contest" — that's because we're moving to photo contests that last two weeks, starting today. We're keeping the same format and contest rules, simply running for two weeks. That gives everyone twice as long to take and submit a single photo for the...

Announcing the 'Weekly Photo Contest: Fruit' winners!

4 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 8 Apr 2015 3:41 pm
Weekly Photo Contest: Fruit
Another weekly photo contest has come to a close, giving us plenty of pretty pictures to look at involving the prompt "fruit." Through the pages in the forums we narrowed it down to two winners, who you can see after the break — read along with us.

Samsung Galaxy S6 versus iPhone 6: Camera shootout!

150 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 8 Apr 2015 1:44 pm
Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6
Few things are more important in a smartphone today than the camera — and both Samsung and Apple know how to do imaging well. Advancements in smartphone photography prowess have turned everyone into a photographer, and while taking a great photo isn't just about the device you use it certainly doesn't hurt to have the best technology available. Both the Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6 represent the top...

10 things you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S6

163 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 7 Apr 2015 3:36 pm
Samsung Galaxy S6
The latest Galaxy S is an altogether new device — two of them, actually — and there's a lot to take in. With an all-new hardware design, fresh take on software and an interesting change of direction in terms of features, the Galaxy S6 (and curved S6 edge) diverges quite a bit from its predecessors. This phone is still instantly recognizable as a Samsung device, but it doesn't feel or work...

How to set up the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge

62 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 4 Apr 2015 4:30 pm
Samsung Galaxy S6
The Galaxy S6 has a pretty extensive setup process, but it accomplishes a lot the first time you turn your phone on. While it sure would be nice for every phone to have the same exact setup process when you first turn it on, that just isn't the case. Even within manufacturers, new versions of software usually bring a new setup process, and while they may be familiar they aren't always the same...

A look at the new Samsung Qi Wireless Charging Pad

110 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 3 Apr 2015 1:33 pm
Samsung Qi charger
Samsung needed a new wireless charger to pair up with the Galaxy S6, and it's a pretty nice piece of gear. Even though it didn't actually offer a phone with Qi charging built-in, Samsung has previously sold a basic Qi charger for those who added it after the fact to their phone. Now that the Galaxy S6 has wireless charging from the start, it was as good a time as any for Samsung to refresh its...

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge review

450 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 2 Apr 2015 3:46 pm
Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge
Samsung outdid itself with the hardware and camera on the Galaxy S6, but there are a few compromises in other areas. The quick take The Galaxy S6 finally offers the hardware that we've long desired, and it's included a wonderful camera. But not everything is perfect — the software experience and battery life just aren't up to speed.

Weekly Photo Contest: Fruit

3 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 1 Apr 2015 8:18 pm
Weekly Photo Contest: Fruit
Fruits are an important part of any healthy eating habit, but whether you're choosing to consume them at the recommended rate or not they certainly are worthy of photographing as well. When you think of fruit pictures you'll always see bright colors, interesting shapes and some odd combinations as well — we want to see what fruit pictures you can come up with this week. As is often the case we...

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