Posts From Daniel Marchena

Daniel Marchena
73 posts

Co-Host of the XDA/Android Podcast & Android Enthusiast - a.k.a Altimax98 - I am a husband/father of 2 and a video director/producer as a 9-5. I've had a love for Android since 2009 but will still use an occasional iOS device. While I love rooting and customization, I tend to focus more on living with my devices. I am always all ears so PM, or Tweet me if you have any questions!

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...
Expect OEMs to Keep Omitting the Headphone Jack as Their Newest Phones are Selling Better and Better
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Expect OEMs to Keep Omitting the Headphone Jack as Their Newest Phones are Selling Better and Better

July 28, 2017
A little over a year ago I wrote about the killing of the 3.5mm headphone jack. At the time, the Moto Z was newly announced, making it the first mainstream and major manufacturer to forgo the decades old and widely adopted technology. Fast forward to today and we are now looking at the very real possibility...
Essential Phone Delays are Pushing it Dangerously Close to 2017’s Fiercest Competition
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Essential Phone Delays are Pushing it Dangerously Close to 2017’s Fiercest Competition

July 22, 2017
Anyone who knows the smartphone market knows that there are two essential release cycles, with one lesser cycle during the course of the year. The first cycle is typically late February until May with the second falling in place in late August through October. Samsung, LG, and HTC typically launch their first flagships in that initial window...
Ads, Smaller Batteries, Jello Displays — How 2017 OEMs Keep Delivering What You Never Asked For
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Ads, Smaller Batteries, Jello Displays — How 2017 OEMs Keep Delivering What You Never Asked For

July 20, 2017
Last year it seemed that all the bad mojo in our industry was focused on one brand: Samsung. The Galaxy Note7 will likely go down as one of the worst blunders in our industry despite its revival as the Fan Edition nearly one year later. While a lot could be written about how Samsung handled the...
HTC Updates Bootloader-Unlock Warranty Messages on Device Pages
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HTC Updates Bootloader-Unlock Warranty Messages on Device Pages

July 11, 2017
Since 2011 HTC has permitted bootloader unlocking on some of its models, allowing developers and enthusiasts to tinker to our heart's delight. HTC stood alone among other OEMs in providing both unlocked and developer edition devices, with the developer edition devices retaining much of their warranty despite unlocking. That changed with the HTC 10 which dropped the Developer...
Future HTC U11 Updates Look to Make it a More Compelling Package (sRGB, 1080p60 and More)
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Future HTC U11 Updates Look to Make it a More Compelling Package (sRGB, 1080p60 and More)

July 8, 2017
I mentioned in my last article that the HTC U11 was shaping up to be a pretty solid phone but a few things were holding it back that were directly tied to its software. While my customization article is still in the works, it does look like HTC is taking heed to some of the...