Nexus Media Importer (5.2) – Paidware Android App Review

Nexus Media Importer (5.2)

Tested On: Asus Nexus 7 (Model: ME37OT) with Android JellyBean (V4.2.2) Installed.

Cost Of App: $2.98 CAD (Google Play App Store)

Cost Of 100% (Necessary) USB OTG Cable: Which can run you anywhere from $1.99 CAD/USD to $20.00 CAD/USD. It all depends on which type of plating you go for. You can get a basic model with just a non-coated steel metal connector. And by the way that is basic steel for both ends the min-USB (AKA. Male End of the connector) and the Max-y USB (AKA. Female End of the connector). Or you can go all the way to the gold or platinum plated connectors. Now just because you go all expensive on your USB OTG cable. Does not guarantee the best fit for your device.

Now, I say this as I have bought 4 of these very handy USB OTG cables and have had very mixed results. The platinum or very high end connector actually fit my device on the very low end of the 4 I bought.

Now, I have to point out. I went very OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) here. I wanted the best fit regardless of the price tag. So, I went to my local computer store and asked for the top of the line USB OTG cable they had in stock. That would work with my Nexus 7. So after paying close to $20 CAD. I came back home and tested it out and it was a poor fit. The best fit was the the gold plated one from Amazon.ca. That cost me $6.99 CAD with free shipping. The second best fit was an eBay buy for $3.99 USD also with free shipping. Oddly, enough it did not mention a lot about the type of metal the connectors were plated with. But, if I were to guess with the price point and and magnet test. I ran. (Please don’t run any magnet tests on anything electronic or tech related. You may in fact damage or alter your device. You may even render said device or devices unusable) It is just very common steel alloy mixture or perhaps pure steel. It was not a perfect fit. But better then the so called top end platinum USB OTG cable. At least in my experience. Some cables will be more still and other a little looser. Just don’t force it, nor should you leave the connector on while you are not using your tablet.

App Description: (See Below)

Nexus Media Importer allows you to stream and transfer music, video, photos and documents from a USB flash drive or card reader connected to your Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Galaxy Nexus, Xoom or other Android 4.0+ devices with USB Host support. See technical notes for a list of supported file types and file systems. This is the only non-root solution for devices that do not provide native support for external storage.Requires the following hardware:1. An Android 4.0+ device. Known compatible devices include the Google Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7 & 10 and the Motorola Xoom. Please try the free “Nexus Photo Viewer” first if you do not have one of these devices. Due to hardware limitations, the Nexus 4 is not supported.2. An USB OTG (On-The-Go) cable. Costs range from $1-10 USD, see screen shots for examples.

3. An USB Flash Drive or USB Card Reader with a flash memory card inserted, see screen shots for examples. Please see the FAQ on our website if you are trying to connect an external hard drive or other device.

To use:

-If you are using an card reader, put the flash memory card in the reader first.

-Attach your USB device to the OTG cable.

-Attach the OTG cable to the Nexus or other device.

-The application should launch automatically.

-Photos can be browsed by selecting from the list then swiping back and forth.

-Videos can be streamed with the Play icon.

-The Advanced tab can be used to manage and transfer files.

-Use the Connect screen to determine the viewed device and the destination device for the Copy/Move operations.

Are there in App ads ?: No

A. Ease Of Use: 4.5/5 – Very easy to use once you get use to it.

B. Security: There is the possibility of importing viruses and or other software and or other files that may in fact damage your device. So causation is advised when trying to important unknown files and or file types to your Nexus device.

C. Usefulness: 4.5/5 – Very useful. It is an ever expanding application as each new update hits. You can now upgrade your previously non-upgrade-able “Nexus 7 32 Gig Wi-fi version.” I still find that running TV shows and or movies off of a USB flash stick or a USB external hard drive. It does tend to skip and buffer like crazy. But if you decide to transfer it to your Nexus 7 and run it off of that. then you are way more likely to have a buffer free experience.

D. Tablet Slowdown: No slow down, that I noticed.

E. Type Of User I Would Recommend To Use This App: Anyone who wants to drastically increase the usefulness of their Nexus 7 device. Will find this app not only useful but needed.

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Remy “Se7en”

Cheat-Database (1.6.8) – Android App Review

Cheat-Database (1.6.8)

Cost Of App: Free (Google Play App Store)

Is there a paid upgrade option ?: No

App Description: (See Below)

Find cheats, tricks, hints, or walkthroughs super fast on the go for your favorite video- or PC games with this handy application. Cheat-Database contains over 130’000 cheats and tricks – growing daily!

Earn rewards using Cheat-Database with Pocket Change!

Whenever you check out cheats with Cheat-Database you will be rewarded with Pocket Change points. You can use these points to get awesome gifts from books to tablets to fashion accessories. If you want to collect even more Pocket Change points submit your own cheats to us using the submission form. For each submitted cheat you will be rewarded with extra Pocket Change points.

Cheat-Database currently offers cheats for following systems:

Android, C64, Dream Cast, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Game Gear, GameCube, iPhone, Jaguar, Lynx, Macintosh, Master System, Mega Drive / Sega Genesis, Neo Geo, Neo Geo Pocket, NES, N-Gage, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Sega Saturn, SNES, Virtual Boy, Wii, Wii U, Wonderswan, Xbox, Xbox 360

Are there in App ads ?: Yes and they are very intrusive as well. they will take you out of your flow with great ease. You can easily tell how this app is free and how it will remain that way. Just don’t get sucked into in app purchase or exchanging coins for needless garbage.

A. Ease Of Use: 5/5 – Very easy to use pick console or hand held and enter name of game into search box press SEARCH. If there are cheats for that game they will show up. Even thou I found this app to be very hit and miss. But I was very impressed by both how current gen the database is and how retro the databases is as well.

B. Security: No effect on tablet security. Not tested on a Android Smart Phone.

C. Usefulness: 2.5/5 – Very hit and miss and the formatting of the results are a horrible mess.  Even on a large tablet. The white text on black back ground hurt my eyes and often found it hard to decipher when a code started and when one ended.

D. Smart Phone Slowdown: Not Tested On An Android Smart Phone.

E. Tablet Slowdown: No slow down, that I noticed.

F. Type Of User I Would Recommend To Use This App: Anyone who wants a moderately passable Android app version of a all around cheat guide. Without having to open up Google or go to main stream video game website like IGN may want to this app a go.

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Remy “Se7en”

Web Perspectives – Survey Site Review (May 2013)

Name: Web Perspectives

Link: http://www.webperspectives.ca/

Who Is Eligible To Participate: Canadian Residence Only

Type of Award Or Payment: Points / Sweepstakes Entries / E- Gift Cards / Physical Gift Cards / Air Miles / Charity

Points or Cash Normally Earned Per Survey: 0 – 1,000 Points

(You need 1,000 points to claim a $10 value prize or reward)

Sign-Up Time: Pretty Long

How Many Survey Invitations Should You Expect Per Week: 1 – 30

How Long Does It Take To Collect A Reward Or Cash Out: Often less then 1 month for $10 CAD. But as of late it seems a lot longer. As many users are finding it is taking up to 2 full months to get their 1,000 points ($10 CAD) point redemption. I know I am finding it very frustrating. Having all the points listed there. But not being able to use them to redeem for any of the many rewards. Is a just plain lame and overall unfair to the survey taker.

Do They Spam You: No

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – This survey site once again takes a hit with regards to the “Time frame it takes to received promised points from past completed surveys.” I’m also getting way less surveys then I use to. Which at one point was very close to 35-50. But regardless I still generally will make the needed 1,000 points to cash out. The only catch is epic wait time for my points to actually be awarded to me (ie. usable) to cash out.

So I can often redeem my points for a Chapters/Indigo  e- gift cards (Basically a code you can enter and redeem your $10 CAD voucher via the Chapters/Indigo online store.) The main reason I choose that reward is because I don’t have to wait long. In fact you will generally get the e-gift card serial number and pin code with in something like 5 – 15 minutes max. So you are off to the races. Instead of having to wait for an item that has to be shipped to you.

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Remy “Se7en”

Ghostery (2.9.4) – Mozilla FireFox Add-on Review

Ghostery (2.9.4)

A. Ease Of Use: 3.5/5 – Fairly easy to setup (But fairly difficult to understand what this add-on actually does). Just select what you want blocked. By checking off the box or boxes you want and your good to go.

B. Security: 4.5/5 - Ideally this add-on can pretty much cover all the Internet browsing protection you will need. (If setup correctly and paired with NoScript)

C. Usefulness: 5/5 – Ghostery sees the “invisible” web, detecting trackers, web bugs, pixels, and beacons placed on web pages by Facebook, Google Analytics, and over 600 other ad networks, behavioral data providers, web publishers – all companies interested in your activity.

D. FireFox Slowdown: Depends on the web page. But generally there is some mild to heavy lag (But will vary based on computer and Internet connection)

E. Computer Slow Down: No lag that I noticed. But FireFox does seem to use more memory faster. When Ghostery is active and in use.

F. Type Of User I Would Recommend To Use This Add-on: A more advanced Firefox user would find this add-on way more useful. Then a novice no doubt about that.

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Download Link: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/?src=ss

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Kirbe

SMS Counter (1.4.0) – Android App Review

SMS Counter (1.4.0)

Cost Of App: Free (Google Play App Store)

Is there a paid upgrade option ?: No

App Description: (See Below)

Do you know how many SMS you have sent this month? Threaded message dialogs don’t make counting easy. This app will help you tracking how many SMS you have sent and received. It even provides counting for the past months. No more busting your sms quota! With the latest version 1.4.0 it is possible to set your carriers billing cycle and count SMS for your current cycle!

Are there in App ads ?: Yes

A. Ease Of Use: 5/5 – Super simple. I would be hard pressed to say this app would take any real time to learn and apply to your own smart phone uses.

B. Security: No effect on Smart Phone security.

C. Usefulness: 4/5 – Again only really useful if you intend to use it. If not it is just taking up space on your phone.

D. Smart Phone Slowdown: A slight hiccup when it is calculating your total amount of SMS sent and or received.

E. Type Of User I Would Recommend To Use This App: Anyone who wants to keep track of their smart phone SMS usage for any giving month. Then this is a no brainier. Unless of course you already have Call & SMS Stats app. That I previously reviewed.

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Remy “Se7en”

Survey Lion – Survey Site Review (May 2013)

Name: Survey Lion

Link: http://www.surveylion.com/index.php

Who Is Eligible To Participate:  Canadian Or US Residence Only

Type of Award Or Payment: Cash / Instant Prize / Sweepstakes /

Points or Cash Normally Earned Per Survey: $ 0.00 -$ 10.00

Sign-Up Time: Medium Length

How Many Survey Invitations Should You Expect Per Week: 0 – 5

How Long Does It Take To Collect A Reward Or Cash Out: Way longer then the bulk of people will want to wait.

Do They Spam You: No

Overall Rating: 0.5 out of 5 – Just a heads up, since my last review in (Feb 2013). I have only received 5 survey invites. So personally there are so many better survey sites out there. So why should you settle for this lame duck.

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Remy “Se7en”

WOT -Web Of Trust- (20130402) – Mozilla FireFox Add-on Review

WOT -Web Of Trust- (20130402)

A. Ease Of Use: 3/5 – Very easy to use. But very deceptive reporting practices overall.

B. Security: 3/5 - You will be more secure no doubt. But at what cost.

In the end it comes down to TRUST. Do you trust WOT (Web Of Trust) reporting of websites ? Or would you rather use one of the dozens of other link scanners out there.

C. Usefulness: 3/5 – The usefulness of WOT will depend on what you want to get out of it. I would highly recommend this to parents with younger kids. It is a very easy teaching tool to use with your kids (our even yourself). To try to figure out the basics of what sites to click on and what to more or less avoid.

For me as an advanced Internet user. I find it more annoying then anything. I also know some sites I go to. Don’t get the scores they deserve or don’t get approved at all.

D. FireFox Slowdown: There is still some lag (But will vary based on computer and Internet connection)

E. Computer Slow Down: No lag that I noticed. But FireFox does seem to use up more memory faster. When WOT is active and in use.

F. Type Of User I Would Recommend To Use This Add-on: Parents with kids or people new to the Internet.

As I suggested above. WOT is helpful at first. But after awhile people tend to get annoyed with it and turn it off. Also important to note is that more advanced users are more likely not to need this add-on at all. As they are well aware of what sites safe and what sites to avoid.

Firefox does a pretty good job at putting up (gateways and or portals) to sites that have been reported to Firefox as potentially dangerous. But often by the time that comes up it is to late for the end user.

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Download Link: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/wot-safe-browsing-tool/

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Erin

Skype (6.3.0.105) – Freeware Review

AA. Cost: Free (But, there is a paid version as well)

1. Ease Of Use – Extremely easy to use. Once setup has been completed (AKA registration (Sign-up), mic, headset and or webcam have all been setup and adjusted. To you liking, it may take a little tweaking to get it just right. But once it has been setup. You can just leave it be from that point on.)

1A. Interface - Very simple, clean and straight forward

2. Quality Of Program – Skype has improved yet again. HD Audio quality has been improved, HD webcam support has been improved. There is even better screen sharing options and setup for more then 1 (HD or Non-HD) video calls. File sharing has also dramatically improved.

3. Speed of Sign-in – A lot faster then past versions. And a lot less jerky then past versions.

4. Can you run other programs while running Skype ? Yes

5. Can you leave Skype running without issue ? Yes

6. Is there adware or spyware bundled with it ? Yes, there is a Toolbar you can opt out of and a click to call. That you can also opt out of.  There are also some ads now that pop-up. I don’t really have any big issues with them (But they are rather large). But it can be bothersome to some user. Who are not use to thous types of ads.

7. Is Skype Stable ? Yes, there is no question Skype is a very stable program. But it does depend a lot on the stability and quality of your Internet connection.

I give Skype an overall score of 4 out of 5 – I truly believe once you go Skype you don’t go back. Skype is truly better then it’s competition. It annihilates it’s competition such as Team Speak or Ventrillo.

On A Side Note: The only major flaw of Skype is it lack of ability to host between 6-25. Such as playing MMOs like WOW or other such games. Skype is more of a personal experience. But since I don’t and I also don’t par-take in Facebook. I don’t feel I need anything other then Skype.

***I have had some reports of Skype being choppy and audio quality being very poor. When connecting to someone with an out of date version of Skype. In fact I had such a bad issues with my audio quality. I had to e-mail or phone my mates and ask them to upgrade to this version. Thankfully after they upgrade we no longer had any more audio or video quality issues.

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If you wish to download Skype please use the following link: http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/

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Kirbe

Skype – free IM & video calls (3.2.0.6673) – Android App Review

Skype – free IM & video calls (3.2.0.6673)

Cost Of App: Free (Google Play App Store)

Is there a paid upgrade option ?: No

App Description: (See Below)

Free voice and video calls to anyone else on Skype, whether they’re on an Android, iPhone, Mac or PC, as well as IMs to your friends and family, no matter where they are.

Features:
- Skype to Skype IMs, video and voice calls are free* over 3G or WiFi.
- Make low-cost calls and SMS to mobiles or landlines from your Android smartphone or tablet.
- Send pictures, videos and files to any of your contacts.
- Enjoy high-quality sound when you call anyone else on Skype.
- Talk face to face or show what you’re seeing with front and rear-facing cameras.
- Talk to your Windows Live Messenger friends on Skype. Sign into Skype with your Microsoft account and have your Messenger, Hotmail and Outlook contacts in one place.

For more information, visit the Skype for Android FAQ page: http://goo.gl/8OpEo.

Due to Android restrictions, devices running Android 2.2 will only be able to use the rear-facing camera. Devices with Android 2.3 or higher will be able to use both front and rear-facing cameras.

* Operator data charges may apply. We recommend using an unlimited data plan or WiFi connection.

Are there in App ads ?: Not that I noticed

A. Ease Of Use: 5/5 – Very straight forward. If you have ever used Skype before this is not gonna be a shock to your system. If you have not used Skype before ! Where have you been ?

B. Security: The only real big issues I can see. Is that you decide to use an unsecured Wi-Fi connection or if you accept a file transfer or click on a rouge link. But other then that enjoy the mostly free voice and video chat. (The latter would be based on your device you are running Skype on.

C. Usefulness: 5/5 – Only really useful if you intend to use it. If not it is just taking up space on your phone or tablet. But if you do decide to use it you won’t be sorry. Unless of course your planning on doing some risk-key video chats.

D. Smart phone Slowdown: There is a little lag on older Android devices.

E. Tablet Slowdown: No lag, that I noticed.

f. Type Of User I Would Recommend To Use This App: Anyone who wants to keep in touch with family and friends. Or if your work for a company that uses Skype as a method to bring your team together for meetings. Then this app is a no brainier.

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Remy “Se7en”

Angus Reid Forum – Survey Site Review (May 2013)

Name: Angus Reid Forum

Link: https://www.angusreidforum.com/Portal/p.aspx

Who Is Eligible To Participate: Canadian Residents Only

Type of Award Or Payment: Cash or Sweepstakes entries

Points or Cash Normally Earned Per Survey: $0.00  – $50.00  CAD

Sign-Up Time: Fairly Short

How Many Survey Invitations Should You Expect Per Week: 0 – 15

Do They Spam You: No

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – I am mainly impressed with the incredibly fair time to reward ratio this site has. I had an 8 minute survey that payed out more then $3.00 CAD. That is way better then any other survey site. I have ever come across. To bad, for the $50 minimal cash out level thou.

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Remy “Se7en”