Here is my only complaint about the OnePlus X!

My smartphone is a OnePlus X, which I purchased this Christmas. I love it. Not only was it cheap, but it also offered all the features I wanted. It's fast, stylish and easy-to-use, but there is one very annoying bug. 90 percent of the time, when I start a YouTube video the video stutters, then freezes completely, while the audio is still going. The problem is not with the YouTube app, the problem also appears in Twitter's built-in video player. The source of the problem can't be hardware either, because my Nexus 7 from 2013 doesn't have this problem.

While this is the only issue I encountered, with the OnePlus X so far, it's a very annoying one. It's not a hardware issue, so it can be solved with an over-the-air update. OnePlus, please fix this. This bug makes an otherwise perfect phone a frustrating experience.

The Return of the microSD!

Is it back?

Mobile World Congress just kicked off in Barcelona and a number of flagships from world-class manufacturers have already been revealed. Last year Samsung removed, the microSD slot from it's Galaxy S6, which caused heavy criticism towards Samsung, because microSD was considered one of the main selling point of Android devices. Other manufacturers started doing the same, which led many to believe, that it's over for microSD. But LG didn't think so. It kept the microSD slot in it's most important devices, setting itself apart from other Android manufacturers. Last year in October OnePlus also reintroduced the microSD slot with it's OnePlus X budget phone.

Flash forward to this Sunday. Samsung revealed it's new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge flagships, both with microSD. Samsung being the biggest Android manufacturer has a huge influence on the industry, but Google, the owner of Android, has an even bigger influence. If Google brings back microSD with the newest Nexus phones it's safe to say, that microSD is officially back and it's still one of the key features of Android handsets over the iPhone. Even if Google doesn't bring it back it will probably stick around for a while, but either way it's not gonna be the future.

What's next?

There are a few ways we can use microSD cards, but we mainly use them to extend our smartphone's storage. It's an easy solution to a complex problem. You can extend your storage when you need it and don't have to sentence yourself to an insufficient amount of storage when you buy a phone. But it's FAR from being the best solution. It may be the simplest, but it has a lot of disadvantages. MicroSDs can be easily damaged, causing irreversible data loss. It's also an easy way for malware and viruses to infect your phone and read and write speeds also leave a lot of room for improvement.

Overall microSD is not a good solution, but what could be a better one?

The obvious answer would be phones with higher storage capacities, but that would also be just a temporary solution. We will constantly need more storage and phones will not be able to keep up.

Cloud storage however is a much better option. Not only can you access your data from any internet connected device, but it also doesn't take up any physical space in your phone, freeing up some room for much needed battery. There are many companies like Google and Microsoft (with Google Drive and OneDrive), but also companies like NextBit (with it's Robin phone, that can offload data from your phone to the cloud automatically), that are pioneering cloud storage.

With cloud storage you can have virtually unlimited storage and data is also better protected from both physical and digital risks. While it may not improve on read and write speeds it certainly solves many of the current drawbacks of extendable storage and all you need is just a stable internet connection. And that is the problem!

I'm lucky enough to live in a city with 4G LTE and gigabit fiber-optic internet, but most of the world doesn't have this privilege. Even in the US the average internet speed is just 33.9 Mbps and many countries are much, much worse. Thankfully more and more cities are getting gigabit internet, but we still have a long way to go.

Cloud solutions will replace microSDs, but only after the majority of the world has fast and stable internet access.

Everything You Need To Know About USB Type-C!

Everyone knows what USB is. We use it to connect portable drives, printers, thumb drives, keyboards, mice and a lot more. But USB is OLD! It was first released in December of 1994. Almost 22 years ago. The goal of USB was to create a standard connector, that can be found in any computer.

Even though the USB standard was constantly being improved it was time for a bigger upgrade. Unlike the computer industry, USB hasn't changed a lot since 1994. There were a couple of problems, that were becoming more and more evident. The connector wasn't reversible. It couldn't deliver enough power. The connector was too big for smartphones and other portable devices. A lot of variants were developed which were trying to solve the problem, but it just made things worse.

USB started to become more and more counterproductive. The original dream of having just one type of port for every device disappeared. Just take a look at this:

The industry decided to create a new standard: USB Type-C. It solved all of the problems. It's thin.  It's reversible. It can deliver enough power to be able to charge a laptop. And there is only one type of plug. This:
 
The standard was finalized in August of 2014 and it's being adopted at amazing speeds. Most flagship Android smartphones from 2015 and 2016 already use Type-C instead of microUSB. It is also being adopted for laptops especially in the business sphere. Even APPLE decided to include it in it's new MacBook:

Intel's new Thunderbolt 3 standard uses the Type-C port as well. Dell even made monitors, that use Type-C instead of HDMI.

It's fair to say, that USB Type-C is the plug of the future. It will replace the old USB, microUSB, HDMI, charging cables, Thunderbolt 2 and many others. It will replace everything, And that's good. We would finally have to use only ONE type of cable for everything, making our day-to-day lives easier.

5 Cheap Ways to Improve Your Setup

5. Get a Soundbar

A good soundbar can replace even a 5.1 audio setup. They're immersive, easy to use and they can be easily mounted on a wall. Some even function as a Bluetooth speaker for your smartphone.

4. Install LED stripes

While it's not very practical an LED stripe is a great way to give your setup some swag. It's also a great way to direct some light on your keyboard if you have trouble typing in the dark.

3. Get a USB hub

My tower is behind my desk. I put it there to save space, but plugging in a USB drive is a pain in the ass. That's why I got a USB hub, which I installed next to my monitors. This way I have an easier time handling thumb drives.

2. Buy a wireless charger

If your smartphone has wireless charging, this is a no brainer. Wireless chargers aren't only much cooler, than their wired counterparts, but they are also elegant and simple.

1. Improve your cable management

This definitely is the cheapest way to improve your setup, but it's not the simplest. Designing a good cable management is not easy, but it's worth the effort.

3 Quality Android Games!

Android games aren't really famous for their quality. They are usually full of ads, they are slow, buggy and you can easily get bored with them. Now to be clear we're not talking about hit games like Flappy Bird or Color Switch, but about average games, that you'll play when you have nothing else to do.

3. Crossy Road

Why did the chicken corss the road? So, that you have a game to play. In Crossy Road you have to survive crossing the road as an animal, but be fast, so that you don't run out of time.

Download here.

2. Does Not Commute

Does Not Commute is a "strategy driving game" from the creators of Smash Hit. You have to get from A to B as fast as you can.

Download here.

1. Leo's Fortune

While it's not free, Leo's Fortune is totally worth 5 bucks. This adventure game brings stunning visuals and amazing levels to mobile gamers.

Download here.

7 Games Every PC Owner Should Have

1. Counter Strike: Global Offensive

CS:GO is one of the simplest fps games. It's one of the best-selling games in the world and it's a must have for every gamer.

2. Gang Beasts

Gang Beasts is a local multiplayer game, so you need to get your friends over to play this game. Everyone is controlling one silly human-like character and you have to kill each other, by pushing your friends off the building or throwing them in front of a train.

3. Grand Theft Auto 5

GTA 5 is the ultimate sandbox game. There is nothing you cannot do in GTA. There are missions as well as free roam. GTA Online, the multiplayer version of the game still has some issues, but multiplayer heists is a nice new game mod which adds a new spin to the game. Thanks to the modding community you'll never get bored with the game.

4. Rocket League

Rocket League is also most enjoyable, when you play it with friends, but this soccer-with-cars game is totally worth it.

5. Scrap Mechanic

Scrap Mechanic is basically virtual Lego. It's a sandbox game where you can build the vehicle of your dreams.

6. Portal 2

Portal 2 is a classic. While it may get boring after a while, it's definitely worth checking out.

7. Garry's Mod

Garry's Mod allowes users to create game mods. One of the most famous is Prop Hunt, which is a Hide & Seek, where you have to disguise yourself as an object.

7 Things To Know About The New Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge!

Samsung just unveiled it's new Galaxy S7 in Barcelona. This new flagship from Samsung is going head-to-head with the LG G5 which was also unveiled just today.

1. It's water resistant!!

The first waterproof flagship from Samsung was the Galaxy S5, but Samsung removed the feature from the S6 for no apparent reason. Now you can take pictures under water up to 1.5 m deep and if you hold your breath long enough you can do it for 30 minutes. Can't wait for those underwater timelapses.

2. MicroSD makes a return!

Samsung was often criticized for removing the microSD card slot. Now they decided to put it back in. You just can't hate them for that. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is constantly running out of smartphone storage. This is also a feature, that made a comeback after not being included in the S6!

3. A better camera...

The S7 has an amazing f/1.7 aperture (the smaller the better) and the pixels are 30 percent larger, than the iPhone's. The S7 is also supposed to focus a lot faster, than the iPhone. We'll see...

4. A larger battery. YES!

The S7 has a 3000 mAh battery, while the S7 Edge has a 3600 mAh one. According to Sasmsung that's enough to watch a whole season of Game of Thrones on one juice. Wow.

5. Liquid Cooling

This isn't really a gimmick, but it's nothing huge either. Basically there is a tube in the phone, which can drive the heat away from the CPU. Should improve performance a bit.

6. Always-on display

Just like LG, Samsung also put an Always-on display into it's flagship. They can show you the time and notifications, but on the S7 you can put even more stuff on it.

7. The S7 Edge has a larger 5.5" display...

Samsung increased the size of the display on the S7 Edge, which really pays off on curved screens.

4 Features You'll Love About The Brand New LG G5!

LG just revealed it's newest phone the G5. It looks like this:

The questionable design aside here are the features, that you'll definitely love:

1. Friends - or as normal people call it "Accessories"

This is the feature, that's supposed to make the G5 unique. If you remove the bottom bit of the phone, you not only get access to the battery, but you can also add so called "Friends". For example the LG Cam Plus, which gives you physical controls for the camera. It looks like this:

2. MicroSD

While microSD might seem like a thing of the past, it's actually really useful. Most manufacturers decided not to include them or to get rid of them, but LG decided to stick with it for a while. As someone whose storage is always full I really cannot hate them for that.

3. USB Type-C

Unlike microSD USB Type-C is the future. As the newest USB standard it is making it's way into more and more phones, tablets and laptops. This tiny cable can not only transfer data, but also charge your gadgets. EVEN LAPTOPS! It's so useful even Apple adopted it:

4. This adorable robot

While this also belongs to the LG G5's "Friends" it's a little bit different. It connects to your phone via Wi-Fi, it has an 8 megapixel camera and also a laser-pointer to annoy your cat. It's called the Rolling Bot:

3 Ways to UP Your Internet Speeds!!

1. Don't use Wi-Fi!

Wi-Fi is great for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and even your laptop, but it's slow. Wired connection is a lot faster and more stable, because there is much less interference. So make sure, that your gaming PC is connected to your router, directly via an Ethernet cable.

2. Reduce the number of routers the signal has to go through.

Especially in larger apartments people tend to use several internet routers, which are chained in a row. Make sure your gaming rig is connected to the first router in the chain, so that the signal can reach your pc without going through various routers.

3. Change your DNS server.

By default your pc uses the DNS server provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). These servers tend to be really slow, so changing them might dramatically improve your internet speed.

For further information on this method check out ScatterVolt's video!


These tips won't increase your internet bandwidth (10 Mbps, 50 Mbps, etc.), they are mainly focused on lowering your ping, thus improving your online gaming experience and your normal browsing experience as well.

So what does ping mean. Your ping is basically the time it takes for a signal from your computer to reach a server and then your pc again. While this is not really important your average browsing experience, it is crucial for online gaming.

Which is better? AMD FX-8350 or Intel i5-4460?

For many mid-range gaming rigs choosing the processor comes down to the AMD FX-8350 and the Intel i5-4460. These two processors have similar prices and similar performance in games. The difference are in the specs:

CPU	FX-8350	i5-4460
Cores	8	4
Base clock	4.0 GHz	3.2 GHz
Overclock/Boost	Unlocked	3.4 GHz
Manufacturing process	32 nm	22 nm

The FX-8350 has way better specs. Twice as many cores, 800 MHz faster base clock and it's unlocked so you can overclock it as much as you want. (considering you have a powerful cooler)

But there are some reasons why the i5-4460 is way better:

First of all while the i5-4460 is just a year old, the FX-8350 was released almost three years ago. Since then CPU technology has evolved a lot resulting in some serious improvements. The i5-4460 is made with a 22 nm manufacturing process (the smaller the better) making it a lot more power efficient and also cooler. Because of this the i5-4460 uses a third of the power that the FX-8350 consumes.

The most important thing to consider when buying a gaming a CPU is the performance. You might say "I don't care how much power does the CPU consume or how much heat it does it release I am interested in the performance." Well to be honest the FX-8350 is better in some cases. One of those is if you want to edit and render video. Rendering video is one of the tasks where unlimited cores can be used, thus making the FX-8350 the better choice.
So what about gaming? PC games rarely use more than four cores. They don't need so many. And also even with fewer cores Intel processors usually perform better in most games since few games are optimized to use 8 cores.

So what is the conclusion? The two processors have similar performance and a similar price. The FX-8350 might be better for video editing, but that doesn't mean the i5-4460 doesn't perform well. For gaming the i5-4460 is better and it might also save a few dollars from your power bill.