Android Phone Fans

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• Let’s talk about how terrible Comcast is (and how afraid Time Warner customers should be)
• Best new Android games from August 2014
• Best Android Phones [September 2014]
• Happy Labor Day!

Let’s talk about how terrible Comcast is (and how afraid Time Warner customers should be) Posted: 01 Sep 2014 10:00 AM PDT There’s no secret Comcast isn’t the world’s most favorite internet service provider. Heck, they probably don’t even have the` favor of a few innocent souls who don’t know the difference between dial-up and fiber. There’s no shortage of Comcast horror stories on the internet. We’re not sure why Comcast is so bad, but they are. And it’s about time we put a spotlight on some of the most troubling testimonials you’ll ever see. This young man was put on hold by a customer service rep. By the grace of some supernatural source he actually waited. On the phone. For 3 hours. No one came back after said time, so he ended up being on hold until their customer service line was closed. Granted, he most likely would have been able to get back through if he’d hung up and called back (could be a technical error), but it’s still remarkable. Power to those who can wait on hold for 3 full hours and not end up with your phone smashed to bit in the corner of a dark, cold room. Here’s an hour and change of horrible customer service goodness courtesy of this guy on Reddit. The guy was passed around by customer service reps like a cheese plate at an awkward social gathering: This fellow’s story in particular is interesting: not only is Comcast showing sings of environmental irresponsibility, but they’re overcharging for service that he didn’t even have. That they failed to rectify their own mistake months after the fact is enough for a grand ol’ face palm. And the list goes on and on. Granted, there are likely just as many folks who are perfectly fine with the service they’re receiving from Comcast, and you can find horror stories about any fairly large company if you look hard enough, but Comcast’s name is by far the most cursed in the industry. The saddest part is that despite all the outcries from customers, it appears Comcast hasn’t done a thing to help alleviate some of these complaints over the years. It’s even more startling when you think about the fact that some of these folks don’t even have better options — despite the issues, Comcast is still the best they can get. It’s a problem that has plagued the American wireline industry for quite some time. Companies like Comcast and Time Warner Cable have a pretty significant stranglehold on many key markets, and while regional providers and the might of AT&T have tried to test their stomping grounds they still can’t offer enough to put a significant dent into those companies’ market share. Speaking of Comcast and Time Warner Cable, the two are about to become a couple. A thing. A conglomerate that we all should be deathly afraid of. It’s a scary thought that absolutely should have you quivering in your boots. As a long-time Time Warner Cable customer for the past 14 years, I think I can speak with authority when I say they’re no different. Quality of service has consistently declined since the early days I’ve had them. Some days I wake up and wonder if I’ll even be able to sign onto Phandroid.com and pump out articles. Customer service has gotten a bit better, but they still don’t give you the attention and care that a homely regional provider seems to be able to. And let’s not even get started on prices increasing year after year without any considerable improvements in service. Sure, I could have gone with the only (and I do mean only) viable alternative in my area in AT&T Uverse, but their speeds don’t meet my professional needs, nor does DSL technology excite me quite like a traditional cable connections. Add to that fact that AT&T’s “half the cost of competition” price tag they like to advertise only lasts for the first 12 months of service (after which they become just as expensive as Time Warner) and there just hasn’t been anyone better. But don’t let Time Warner take that quote out of context in one of their cheesy ads — there’s no one better because there’s NO ONE ELSE PERIOD. I long for the day that the Milwaukee, WI area finally gets a stout competitor that can keep these cable companies on their heels, but until then this is the reality we have to live in. So yes, Comcast users, I do understand where you’re coming from. I understand the frustration. And as one bad company gets ready to merge with another I’m close to considering internet suicide. It sucks, and the only thing we can do is to continue to express our distaste unless you’re fortunate enough to live in a market where you can vote with your wallet. Here’s to hoping something like Verizon FiOS or Google Fiber journeys to the rest of the country before Comcast and Time Warner are able to get a devastating death grip on the internet business here in America.

Best new Android games from August 2014 Posted: 01 Sep 2014 08:00 AM PDT Games, games, games. So many games came out this last month. Some simple, others complex. We even had a game from the now infamous developer of Flappy Bird. What more could you ask for? In case you were too busy enjoying the summer weather, we have compiled a list of the best games from August. These are the ones you should check out and download. Enjoy! ALONE ALONE is a handcrafted, intense survival journey through space. Navigate caves, rip through rocky debris, dodge rocks and comets and test your endurance as you pursue ever higher scores in this ultra fast, procedural runner. This game has hours of action filled gameplay across three unlockable difficulty levels and two awesome bonus modes. It’s available for $1.99. Amazing Brick Do you like Flappy Bird? Let me rephrase that. Do you know about Flappy Bird? Of course you do. Amazing Brick is a similar style of game, but it doesn’t make you want to rip your hair out. All you do is tap to go up through obstacles. It’s very minimally designed, but a lot of fun. It’s available for free from the Play Store. Back to Bed Back to Bed is a 3D puzzle game set in a unique and artistic dream world, wherein you guide the sleepwalker Bob to the safety of his bed. To achieve this, you must take control of Bob's subconscious guardian named Subob. The pair travels through a surreal and painting-like dream world, filled with objects used to guide Bob towards the Bed, but also dangers that must be avoided. Grab this game for $4.00. Bik Bik is a retro-style adventure game that takes inspiration from classic point-and-click adventure games. The game follows a young boy who is abducted by aliens while on a camping trip. After joining forces with two friendly alien mercenaries, Bik escapes from his abductors and tries to find his way home. Tons of fun happens to Bik and his friends along the way. Download Bik for $1.99. Calculords Innovative collectible card gaming combined with number puzzles and turn-based tactical combat.  Earth has been destroyed by the evil Hate Bit and you are the Last Star Nerd. Clever use of numbers lets you deploy starships, soldiers, tanks, aliens, and devastating tactics. You’ll have to be several kinds of brilliant to save what’s left of space. Calulords is very unique and fun. It can be yours for $2.99. Crazy Taxi City Rush Drive crazy in SEGA's all-new Crazy Taxi. Race through the city to deliver your passengers on-time; the crazier you drive the higher your rewards. That’s right, the crazier you drive the more rewards you get. It is called Crazy Taxi after all. This new Crazi Taxi games also allows you to fully customize your cab. Are you craaaazy enough to download this game for free? Dragon Quest IV Dragon Quest IV, the first installment in the Zenithian Trilogy, is now out for Android. This epic adventure, unfolding over five unique chapters, each focusing on a different cast of characters, can now be enjoyed on your phone. Enter a fantasy world of sword, magic, and monsters with over 40 hours of gameplay. Buy it for $14.99 and never be asked for money again. Five Nights at Freddy’s Welcome to your new summer job at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, where kids and parents alike come for entertainment and food as far as the eye can see! The main attraction is Freddy Fazbear, of course; and his two friends. They are animatronic robots, programmed to please the crowds. As simple as this game is it’s very frightening. Download it for $2.99 if you dare. King of Dragon Pass Create your own epic saga of conflict, mythology and community! Rule your own clan, take important strategic decisions, win battles and expand the territory of your people. This game is a unique mix of RPG and strategy. Everything in King of Dragon Pass is about choice and control. Choose your counsel carefully, sign diplomatic agreements or declare war on nearby clans. All of this can be yours for $9.99. Madden NFL Mobile Many football gamers have likely already drain hours of their time into Madden NFL 15 for consoles as it launched this past Tuesday. But what if  you're away from home and need that football fix? EA Sports has a pretty decent gift for you: Madden NFL Mobile. We've had a few days to sink our teeth into it and determine whether this is the pigskin simulator that your phone or tablet deserves. Check out our review and then download it for free. MOUNTAIN Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you were a mountain? No? Well, in MOUNTAIN that  is exactly what you do. You are a mountain. That’s pretty much all there is to it. Nothing you do really matters. Sound like fun? For $1 it’s all yours. Skulls of the Shogun Crush your enemies and eat their skulls! Skulls of the Shogun is a fast-paced turn-based strategy game, supercharged with fighting-game flair and double-stuffed with a serious sense of humor. Enter the Samurai Afterlife and join forces with undead warriors, magical monks, and mighty mustachioed samurai generals! This awesome game can be yours for just $1.99. Surgeon Simulator Ever wanted to be a deadly surgeon that didn't know an artery from a bone? Fancy cutting into some poor schmuck who thinks he's about to get a quality operation only to die on the operating table? Me neither, but we can at least experience that harrowing, twisted situation in digital form. Surgeon Similar puts the buzz saw and scalpel into your hands. If you’re up to the task it will cost you $5.99. Swing Copter Swing Copters can be seen as a spiritual successor to Flappy Bird. Instead of trying to make your way through pipes and obstacles on a horizontal axis, you're now trying to do much of the same going vertical in a helicopter. It’s still very difficult, though the latest update made it much easier. Swing Copters is free if you dare to get addicted. Time Tangle Time Tangle is another great game based on the cartoon Adventure Time. In thi sgame you punch stuff, do infinite quests, rescue your friends, beat beastly bad guys, and enjoy awesome cutscenes with your favorite characters. Run, punch, rinse, repeat. If you’re in for an adventure you can grab this game for $2.99. WWE SuperCard WWE SuperCard puts the power of WWE Superstars, Legends, and Divas in your hands by bringing the hard-hitting, larger-than-life action of WWE to mobile in a brand new card battle game! Collect your favorite WWE Superstars, Divas, Legends and Managers. Take your five-man team online against other players to test your skills. Play for free if you’re ready!

Best Android Phones [September 2014] Posted: 01 Sep 2014 06:00 AM PDT As summer winds down we are once again ranking our favorite Android phones. Some familiar names made our list, but which handset came out on top? Will the fall's big announcements shake things up in the coming weeks? Read on to find out. Previously: August | July | June | May | April | March | February 5. Sony Xperia Z2 When a phone spends six weeks at the bottom of the ocean and somehow emerges with only cosmetic damage it makes it pretty hard to leave it off of our best phones list. Alright, we weren't planning on dropping the Z2 from the rankings, ocean floor adventures or not, but it is a testament to this phone's strong design. It looks great, it's waterproof, and it packs the hardware (HD display, quad-core processing, etc.) to match up with any other device on this list. 4. Nexus 5 If you want to own a smartphone that will be among the first to see the Android L update, the Nexus 5 remains the best option currently on the market. While we anticipate some new Nexus hardware from Google and its partners, the N5 remains a solid workhorse device, and you can't really complain about the $350 price tag, either. If you're savvy, this one has been going on sale plenty lately and could see a price drop in the coming months during the lead up to the rumored Nexus 6. 3. Samsung Galaxy S5 While the whole Ice Bucket Challenge thing might have been in poor taste, we won't hold it against the Galaxy S5. This handset remains perhaps the most popular Android smartphone in the court of public opinion and is a great buy for those looking for top-notch hardware in a universally supported device. It also boasts a few features other smartphones have slacked on, including a fingerprint scanner and hear rate sensor. 2. HTC One M8 The One M8 features great design and the hardware to compliment it, so much so that HTC decided to double-down and release a Windows Phone version of the device. We'll stick with the original, Android-infused version, though, with its sleek Sense software UltraPixel camera, and more. 1. LG G3 We love the LG G3, but don't take our word for it. The phone is on track to be LG's first ever handset to break the 10 million units sold mark. There's good reason for it, to. The G3's focus on simplicity brings its sheer power to the forefront and highlights features like a Quad HD display, laser autofocus, and much more. Honorable Mentions We don't have room for ever phone in our top five. Here are the devices that barely missed the cut. Xiaomi Mi4 — Xiaomi isn't a household name, but they have caught our attention with their latest Mi4, a powerful handset at a reasonable price. OnePlus One — OnePlus hasn't made the brightest marketing decisions, but there is a reason that folks are clamoring simply for the chance to receive an invite to buy this elusive smartphone. Oppo Find 7a — On par with the OnePlus One, the Find 7a is another option for folks seeking an affordable off-contract buy. Moto X — The X remains one of the world's only "customizable" smartphones with factory options like woodgrain and more, but the rumored X+1 threatens its spot on our list. HTC One Remix — This Verizon exclusive is a mini version of the HTC One M8, but it impresses almost as much as its big brother. Phones to Look Forward To Perhaps the phone you are looking for hasn't been released yet. In that case, here are a couple newly announced devices that have yet to make it to store shelves (but should soon). Sharp Aquos Crystal A Sprint exclusive announced a few weeks back, the Aquos Crystal makes up for mid-range specs with it's nearly bezel-free display and sub-$250 off-contract pricing. It won't compete head-to-head with the flagship devices from other manufacturers, but it looks pretty damn nice (just check out our hands-on) and could be a tempting option for Sprint subscribers. A release should be imminent, though an official date remains unknown. LG G Stylus If you didn't guess already based on the name, the LG G Stylus indeed comes with a stylus and on the surface looks like it is positioned as a Galaxy Note 4 competitor. That's only partially true, as the G Stylus dials back the specs quite a bit. What it lacks in power we expect it to make up for in pricing, however. Rumor Mill Several long-standing rumors will be satisfied in a mere matter of days, and we can't wait. Here are the upcoming but unannounced phones everyone has been buzzing about. Moto X+1 & DROID Turbo The long-rumored Moto X+1 should finally go official as part of an event Motorola has planned for September 4th, finally bringing us answers to all of our burning questions as they pertain to the handset. Will the phone feature 3D recognition and optical zoom? Will it feature even more customization options than its predecessor? We may also get answers in regards to the recently rumored Motorola DROID Turbo for Verizon, but we aren't holding our breath. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 IFA 2014 will host one of its biggest launches on September 3rd, when we expect to see the Galaxy Note 4 in all of its glory. Samsung has been steadily teasing this one for the past several weeks, and aside from the typical upgrades we are also expecting new and improved fingerprint scanning capabilities. Will this one have us forgetting about the Galaxy S5? Nexus 6 The Nexus 6 feels like the Android world's white whale, only in this case it's more of an orca. Yes, we've been talking for months about when we might catch a glimpse of this Nexus 5 followup, codenamed 'Shamu,' but we're still waiting. At least the leaks keep coming, including a full rundown of specs that claim this Motorola-made handset will feature a Snapdragon 805 SoC, 3GB RAM, and a 13MP camera. Amazon Best Sellers As always, we've perused Amazon's list of best selling smartphones for yet even more options. If the phone wasn't already on our list but has been selling like hot cakes on Amazon, you will find it listed below (often at insane price markdowns). Amazon Fire Phone LG G2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Samsung Galaxy S3 Samsung Galaxy S4 mini Samsung Galaxy S5 Active HTC One M7 Samsung Galaxy Mega Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Samsung Galaxy Note II What Say You? Do you have a bone to pick with our current phone rankings? While September's big announcements are sure to shake things up, let us know how you would rank things as they sit now. Sound off in the comments below!

Happy Labor Day! Posted: 01 Sep 2014 04:00 AM PDT It’s Labor Day for those of us in the United States. It’s the unofficial official closure to summer. Many students are already headed back to school. Barbecue pits will be HOT. To those celebrating this fine holiday with us, Happy Labor Day! We hope you enjoy your day and have as much fun as you can! To those outside of the United States, we’ll be taking a short break to recharge our batteries ahead of all the IFA goodness going down this week. Fret not, though, because we’ll be right here tomorrow bright and early to bring you all the latest in the world of Android. Have a good one folks!

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