Posts From Daniel Marchena

Daniel Marchena
78 posts

I've had a love for Android since 2009 but I also use iOS regularly. While I love rooting and customization, I tend to focus more on living with my devices. I also am just starting out writing in the PC space as I have always had a leaning towards this market. I am always all ears so PM, or Tweet me if you have any questions!

Guide: How to Get iPhone X-Like Gestures on Android, But with More Customization
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Guide: How to Get iPhone X-Like Gestures on Android, But with More Customization

February 5, 2018
The iPhone X is a polarizing smartphone, but one thing Apple did right was ditch the physical Home button and replace it with a series of software-based swipe gestures. While Android has had software navigation for years, most OEMs haven't capitalized on it in the way that Apple has with the iPhone X. If you're like...
How Samsung’s Continuous Improvements Reinforce Their Promising 2018 Prospects
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How Samsung’s Continuous Improvements Reinforce Their Promising 2018 Prospects

January 13, 2018
Samsung is likely going to have an excellent 2018 -- or so they say. That's a sentiment I've seen echoed across all corners of the Android community, and it's not an unjustified expectation. Some point to the fact that they outspend most other OEMs in advertising, that they are supported by their ever-improving chip and...
No, The Pixel Did Not “Outsell” the iPhone X this Holiday Weekend
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No, The Pixel Did Not “Outsell” the iPhone X this Holiday Weekend

December 28, 2017
If you have been following headlines these past few days you likely have seen a slew of articles with titles not just strongly indicating, but explicitly stating that the Pixel 2 "activated more devices" over the Christmas weekend than iPhones. Unfortunately, the truth runs counter to such claims, though the original report still shows promise...
The Huawei Mate 10 Duo is Held Back by Nonsensical Feature Disparities
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The Huawei Mate 10 Duo is Held Back by Nonsensical Feature Disparities

October 29, 2017
Just why does the Huawei Mate 10 Pro omit so many "pro" features? Early this year, while I was still reeling from the Note7 disaster, I was on the hunt for a large, powerhouse Android phone. Traditionally I have two phones I alternate between, a smaller and a larger one. Usually one of these is an...
Some Pixel 2 Models Are Failing To Flash Factory Images, OTA Updates Failing to Install as Well
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Some Pixel 2 Models Are Failing To Flash Factory Images, OTA Updates Failing to Install as Well

October 26, 2017
Seemingly out of the blue yesterday, Google announced the Android 8.1 Oreo preview program for Pixel and Nexus devices stretching back to the Nexus 5X. It took some time for Google to update their preview program sign-up site to support the newly released Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones, so many of us took...
Here is a Crazy Thought: Google Should Buy HTC’s Crumbling Mobile Division
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Here is a Crazy Thought: Google Should Buy HTC’s Crumbling Mobile Division

August 31, 2017
Almost exactly six years ago Google did something quite unexpected: they announced they were purchasing Motorola Mobility. At the time Google was not really building its own hardware for its Android division, nor were they branding any Android hardware as their own. They had the Nexus lineup but Nexus was always about partial ownership between...
Essential is Bleeding Consumer Trust Before its Products Even Reach Customer Hands
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Essential is Bleeding Consumer Trust Before its Products Even Reach Customer Hands

August 29, 2017
Whenever a new device is announced, manufacturers make statements and promises -- sometimes it almost feels as if the statements are meant to be forgotten, and the promises broken after everyone’s attention has withered. Blame can be put on both the manufacturer and the recipient (though only in part): the manufacturer for making a promise...
Source: Samsung Galaxy S9 Launching with Snapdragon 845, Android 8.0.0 Oreo
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Source: Samsung Galaxy S9 Launching with Snapdragon 845, Android 8.0.0 Oreo

August 29, 2017
Samsung is on a roll recently with the well-received Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ and the newly-introduced Note 8 breaking pre-order and sales numbers. While they had a rough end to 2016 they are quickly building pace and putting the past behind them. The Galaxy S9 is still 6 months or more away, but that...
Moto Z2 Force Mini Review: A Surprisingly Refreshing Experience that Requires an Expensive Commitment to Moto Mods
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Moto Z2 Force Mini Review: A Surprisingly Refreshing Experience that Requires an Expensive Commitment to Moto Mods

August 19, 2017
Lenovo has a lot on the line with its 2017 offerings, and the flagship Moto Z2 Force may be the most important of them all. It's not only their premium smartphone, but it also inherits the Moto Mods strategy that Motorola began last year, and all the constraints that come with it. Before we take a...
It Looks like the Moto Z2 Force also has “Jelly Scrolling”, Inverted Refresh Direction
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It Looks like the Moto Z2 Force also has “Jelly Scrolling”, Inverted Refresh Direction

August 12, 2017
Just over a month ago, the OnePlus 5 burst onto the scene with a storm of controversy. From the unexpected quality of the cameras, to the benchmark enhancing passing straight through the infamous and uncommon "jelly scrolling" issue, supposedly caused by the device's screen being mounted upside down. If our Moto Z2 Force unit is...
Motorola’s Moto Z2 Force uses Google’s A/B Partitioning for Seamless Updates
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Motorola’s Moto Z2 Force uses Google’s A/B Partitioning for Seamless Updates

August 11, 2017
When Google announced Android Nougat they also announced a new update system that would allow for seamless updates for end-users with no "Updating Android" screens delaying the initial boot. Even with multiple phones launching on Android Nougat this year, no other OEM has actually used this new A/B partition system despite its advantages. That appears...
Edge Sense Plus for HTC U11 Quick Look: Get More Out of Every Squeeze
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Edge Sense Plus for HTC U11 Quick Look: Get More Out of Every Squeeze

August 6, 2017
Manufacturers of Android devices have been adding features to phones as long as they have been able. Some of these features are useful, like the OnePlus Alert Slider, or Moto’s Active Display. Others fall into the camp of the not-so-helpful like LG’s “Friends”, the secondary camera on the HTC M8, and Samsung’s Bixby button. For us...