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Comparisons

LG G4 vs LG G3: the surprising vs the icon aka what to expect

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Design LG G3 vs LG G4

The first thing to do when comparing a flagship smartphone to an upcoming successor is looking at the design. The first thing we see when we check a smartphone out is its appearance, so that’s the first thing we’ll try and pinpoint. LG’s G3 was one of the most beautiful smartphones released in 2014, and we expect nothing less of the LG G4. Even though the G3 had a plastic chassis, the company resolved it in such a way that the brushed metal finish on the rear and the bottom of the front looked surprisingly good. The slim bezels surrounding the QHD display only added to the high-end feel of the phone, all the while keeping the LG G3 lightweight and easy to use. Screen to body ratio with the G3 is admirable, and even though the phone has a 5.5 inch massive display, one-handed use is actually possible, although not really comfortable.

The curved back panel on the LG G3 fits your hands pretty nicely, and the shine the chassis has to it makes it look as premium as it can with a plastic chassis. There are many out there who would rather have a soft-touch back panel than a glossy one, but the LG G3 manages to bypass the divide among those fans thanks to the great overall design of the smartphone. The button placement on the back is stylish and the buttons blend in with the chassis like crazy, making them easy to use and non-obtrusive as they were on the LG G3. The rounded edges of the phone have it sitting in your palms without poking at your skin and the overall maneuverability of the phone is great, unless you have small hands. The phone is rather large, measuring 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm, but a lot of that space is taken up by the display, ending up with a 75.3 % screen to body ratio.

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The LG G3 has faux metal on the back, will the LG G4 have the real deal?

With the LG G4, as the company said the phone would be radically different than what they have released so far. we can only guess what design the company will employ. Rumors have it that the LG G4 will include a lot of metal in the new design, which would mean the company following the recent trend of premium metal phones, seen in the Galaxy S6, HTC One M9 and the new iPhone 6. A metal design would sit better with users as the material used in smartphones has become associated with the premium feel everybody is striving to obtain in their pockets. There are advocates for plastic chassis on the LG G4, saying that they would rather have a soft-touch panel on the rear and maybe a metal frame to make the phone sturdier, but adding the extra cost of aluminum design does not sit well with many.

Regardless, the most recent LG G4 leak from the aforementioned Korean Times website suggest a metal design for the new flagship, although the reporters don’t go into details about how much metal the phone will actually use. As LG is known to try to keep the cost of their smartphones down so that it can target a wider audience, our best guess would be a metal frame with a chrome finish. The addition of a metal frame would make the device more durable and resistant to drops, but it would not protect the device from harm much better than a plastic casing would. Still, it would look stylish and fashionable, and it would definitely cater to the recent trend about premium designs. The button placement is a mystery, but since Juno emphasized the “radically different” part about the LG G4, we suspect the buttons from the back will be either different in shape and position, depending on the size of the device, or will be moved to the edges of the phone.

The button placement on the back of the LG G3 has received a lot of praise because it makes the buttons easily reachable by users, even with small hands who find the display too big to use one-handed. One significant rumor that sounds like the real deal involves the buttons being replaced by a touchpad, allowing users to interact with applications without touching the display. That feature would definitely make using the LG G4 one-handed a lot easier, as you would be able to scroll between apps, zoom in and out when using the camera. The touchpad would also embed the volume rocker, which could be controlled by tapping on the touchpad’s upper or lower portion. In my opinion, replacing the physical buttons on the back of the LG G4 with a trackpad would be an excellent addition to the phone, if it were as big as the LG G3 is now.

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LG G4 concept with a touchpad/trackpad replacing the buttons

When it comes to the size of the phone, rumors say the company would employ a smaller display in the LG G4. The LG G3 comes with a 5.5 inch panel. Speculations suggest that the LG G4 display would measure only 5.3 inches in size, which would sit right in the middle of the display spectrum, on the border of phablet. Even though it seems that tech enthusiasts are gravitating towards phablets, the disadvantage of a larger smartphone is the fact that one-handed use is severely impacted in all cases. Even and individual with large hands and long fingers would find it difficult to navigate a 5.5 inch or 6 inch display, as seen with the iPhone 6 Plus and Nexus 6, launched in the Fall of 2014. In consequence, if LG shrunk the LG G4 display to 5.3 inches, and kept the great screen to body ratio, improved by the trackpad on the rear of the phone, one-handed use would be a breeze.

We could say that if the company put a trackpad on the rear of the LG G4. the display size could be kept at 5.5 inches without impacting usability, because navigating with the trackpad would improve the user experience. As long as the trackpad is placed in a good position, close to the middle of the phone, everybody could easily access the functions it offers, without having to fiddle with the display too much. It all depends on what the company chooses to do and how it chooses to design the phone. For all we know, we could be completely wrong in our assumptions and have the LG G4 launch with buttons on the side, a 5 inch display and a smooth back with only the camera and flash decorating it. Read on to find out more about the LG G4 display, hardware, features, battery and price.

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As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Comparisons

4 Most Interesting Crossovers in Gaming

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Gaming crossovers are a great way to bring in new people and drive up interest in a title. With that being said, crossovers aren’t as rare as they once were. More and more gaming companies are now embracing crossovers, to the point that some may say that it has lost its appeal. And while this is true to some degree, there are still crossovers that are really effective when it comes to adding a whole new dimension to a game. To prove our point, we’ve put together a list of five of the most interesting crossovers.

Forza Horizon 4: Halo

Forza Horizon 4 is the eleventh installment in the Forza series. The Forza series is known for its ability to emulate realistic racing conditions and offer accurate representations of real-world cars. And while they’ve partnered with car manufacturers before, Forza Horizon 4 features one of the most interesting collaborations in the entire series.

For a series that prides itself on realistic racing, Forza also knows when to cut loose and have a little fun. Nothing exemplifies this more than the Halo crossover that features Master Chief and the iconic Warthog.

Fortnite: Travis Scott


Fortnite is no stranger to crossovers. But if we had to pick one as the most interesting it would have to be the Travis Scott concert. Not only did this crossover include custom skins and emotes but it also paved the way for one of the most unique digital experiences of 2020.

The Verge’s article on the Travis Scott crossover details that the crossover included an interactive digital concert that turned the Fortnite island into a music stage. What’s great about this crossover is that it hints towards a future wherein music and video games will be working hand in hand to deliver immersive musical experiences to millions of people from all over the world.

Merge Dragons: Rick and Morty



When you think of the popular TV show Rick and Morty, a fantasy puzzle game isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. This is what makes this Rick and Morty crossover so interesting. The sheer absurdity of this crossover shows what gaming collaborations can achieve when one thinks outside the box. The game features original dialogue spoken by the characters that matches their characteristics from the show. It is a fun addition to the puzzle game.

However, this crossover shouldn’t be too surprising as Rick and Morty have appeared in other games, demonstrating how they have become pop culture icons. The comic nature of the duo makes them perfect for every type of genre, including slot games. Foxy Bingo’s pop cultured-themed slots include an official Rick and Morty game that features the iconic imagery and characters from the show. The show has also produced its own game in the form of the Pokémon-clone Pocket Mortys. One thing that all of these games have in common is that they maintain the show’s penchant for fun and wacky adventures. This is seen in Merge Dragons with the exclusive cow-dragon hybrid featured in the crossover event.

Mortal Kombat 11: Rambo


While crossovers in fighting games aren’t exactly new, Mortal Kombat has always had a knack for creating interesting crossovers for their iconic fighting game. One way that they’ve done this is with the inclusion of popular film characters. The franchise has had everyone from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Jason of the Friday the 13th franchise appear in their games.

However, the latest iteration of the game may have topped all of the previous crossovers. This is because Mortal Kombat 11 features John Rambo of the legendary Rambo franchise as one of its available fighters. To add to this, CNet’s article on Mortal Kombat 11 details that Sylvester Stallone voiced the digital John Rambo. This is certainly a treat for fans of the popular action film franchise, as they can finally play as one of the most influential action heroes of all time.

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Comparisons

Loot Crate vs. The Curiosity Box: A Beginner’s Guide to Subscription Mystery Boxes

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With all the loot box shenanigans we’ve witnessed this year, you might have, while searching for more information, accidentally stumbled across something by the name of Loot Crate. Unlike the reviled loot boxes, Loot Crate isn’t a digital gambling scam. Instead, Loot Crate is a physical, subscription-based mystery box you receive in the mail that contains a bevy of geek-related material. Moreover, Loot Crate isn’t the only available service. Alongside the vanilla Loot Crate Classic, the Loot Crate company supplies geeks with anime-themed items with Loot Anime, gaming swag with Loot Gaming (Loot Crate also sells HaloMinecraftFalloutCall of Duty, and Destiny 2 themed boxes), and film/TV merchandise with Harry PotterFireflyMarvel, and Star Trek themed boxes. Loot Crate also has a rival in the form of Geek Fuel, which is more expensive than Loot Crate Classic but contains more (and more expensive) merchandise. While I don’t have a Geek Fuel box to compare to a Loot Crate, I received a different subscription box for Christmas, The Curiosity Box. This mystery box is a joint venture between the company behind Geek Fuel and the YouTube Channel VSauce, which is admittedly cool. So, without further ado, let’s get into what sets apart a Loot Crate from a Curiosity Box and determine which is right for you.

WHAT’S THE SAME

On the surface, Loot Crate and The Curiosity Box seem similar. They arrive in big cardboard boxes and contain random items. Well, not precisely random; each box focuses on a different theme, and the items provided center around that theme. While a lot of geeks subscribe to these boxes for various bits of swag, perhaps the biggest draw is the exclusives. The companies behind these subscription services make deals with other firms to create unique pieces of merchandise that are literally impossible to find anywhere else, aftermarket/marked up eBay sales notwithstanding. Some of these exclusives are just color variants of readily available products, such as a glow in the dark Funko POP Groot figure and orange Quantum Mechanix Tribble.

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Most exclusives, however, aren’t available elsewhere in any other form and include items like the The Walking Dead art print, the Yeti temporary tattoo, the tower of magnetic rings, and “collectible” pins.

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Furthermore, while most exclusives are decorative, some are practical items, such as a pen shaped like the Sledge Saw from Dead Rising 3 and light-up beverage coasters with periodic symbols.

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Finally, these subscription boxes have some of the most awesome, exclusive, geeky shirts this side of ThinkGeek or Hot Topic.

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The exclusive items tend to be the best pieces of merchandise in each box and are usually worth the price of the subscription alone. Usually.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT

Let’s get this out of the way: the most obvious differences are the prices and subscription models. Loot Crate Classic is about $20 per box and comes once a month, while The Curiosity Box is well over $50 and arrives once every three months. More importantly, these boxes are designed for two completely different audiences. The Loot Crate (and likely by extension Geek Fuel) is aimed primarily at adults or older teenagers and provides geek-related decorations and practical items, such as the Dead Rising 3 pen, Star Wars and Deadpool fridge magnets, and a Mega Man car air freshener.

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Also, Loot Crate tends to include non-exclusive products that are part of a series. Case in point, during my brief stint with Loot Crate, I received (among other things) a Kidrobot Glow in the Dark Ooze Action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle vinyl figure and a Funko ReAction Alien figure. I got Donatello and the titular Alien, respectively, but I easily could have found Leonardo or Ripley in my Loot Crate subscriptions instead. However, since The Curiosity Box is almost exclusively made up of exclusive items, there is no element of randomness and everyone receives the same merchandise.

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While Loot Crate caters to the video game, movies, comics, television, and everything pop-culture side of geekdom, The Curiosity Box is more science oriented and is designed for the family. For example, parents who bought the Summer 2017 Curiosity Box got to enjoy a t-shirt, a set of periodic table beverage coasters, a magnetic ring tower, a t-shirt, and a Nikola Tesla (as a sloth) enamel pin, while children will have fun with a temporary tattoo, a unique embroidered sticker patch, a solar system wall decal and poster set, a mobile microscope, and a castle cross-sections book. Finally, the Summer 2017 Curiosity Box came with the Universe Sandbox 2 Steam game, which is fun for all ages.

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Since each Loot Crate and Curiosity Box contains new themes and items, you might find the contents of one particular box more to your liking than another. For example, one Curiosity Box contained a “grow your own glow in the dark crystals” kit, while another included a plush of The Curiosity Box’s mascot, the orange octopus Inq. Meanwhile, past Loot Crates have contained a Batman mug, a Doom Marine Funko POP figure, and the One-Punch Man manga.

While I only have personal experience with Loot Crate and The Curiosity Box, they are not your only options for subscription boxes. Geek Fuel is another decent mystery box, and it has come with its fair share of good products, including a South Park: The Fractured But Whole shirt, a Loony Toons Kidrobot blind box vinyl figure, and an exclusive Legend of Zelda pixel sword power bank. While I cannot recommend the Loot Crate, Curiosity Box, or Geek Fuel (or other) subscription boxes enough, you should research each to know what you should expect from these services. Sure, you technically can’t know what to expect since each box is supposed to be a mystery, but look into each specific subscription and figure out which one is right for you. Which do you think tends to have the best exclusives? Which box caters to your interests? These questions are important and will severely impact your enjoyment. Of course, luck also plays a big role, but that’s also part of the fun.

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Android

Google Drive will Shut Down in 2018

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It seems like yesterday when Google introduced Google Drive 5 years ago. Back then, people didn’t have a good grasp about what Cloud Storage did. Nowadays, there are many Cloud Storage services that it’s only a matter of preference to choose one for your file keeping needs. However, what struck me as an oddity was how Google Drive will pull their Google Drive service come 2018.

That’s right, Google Drive will completely shut down on March 12, 2018. With the software no longer being supported on December 11, 2017. People will have several warnings about this, for now, so they will have plenty of chance to switch to the new version of Drive, Backup and Sync.

This new program is basically a combination of the features between Google Drive and Photos. It’s readily available now for Windows and OSX systems and will be the new host for the Cloud storage. Alternatively, users can get a hold of Drive File Stream, which will become available on September 26, 2017.

The core differences between DFS and BaS come when you compare how they help customers. As shown in the image below:

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A day without Google Drive.

It seems like users will have their first experience without Drive today though. Because as of this morning, the service was down for many users who constantly used the GSuit app. According to the independent site Downdetector, more than 7,000 users are experiencing issues with the service. This has been going on since 10:04 AM EDT, but the number of reports has been lowering afterward. You can check the stats here.

Thousands of users reported Google Drive issues

It’s a shame to see Google Drive go. To be frank, it was my preferred Cloud Storage option besides MEGA. However, it’s not a huge inconvenience considering they are not shutting down a Cloud Storage service altogether. So we at least have that.

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