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Why the Nexus 7 is still a good tablet in 2015

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Tablets are not the most popular pieces of tech recently, but the Nexus 7 has proven itself quite useful for many tablet users. People have generally started to gravitate towards larger smartphones and convertible devices like the Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3, even the Asus Transformer Book Chi line-up. Tablets have gone out of fashion so to speak, but I remain  firmly convinced that there is a purpose for tablets and the Nexus 7 is the perfect example. Regardless of the fact that the first and couple subsequent Android 5.0 Lollipop updates have ruined the Nexus 7 for many people, it can still be a great tablet after you get to the latest version of Android, which is Android 5.1.1.

Word of caution, though. The Nexus 7 is the most affected device by Android Lollipop problems. There are many people out there who are complaining about bricked devices. If you’re in the know and can fix these things, that’s your shot. Get the bricked devices for cheap on ebay and flash something new on them, if you know how. There’s a lot of potential in the Nexus 7 and it could be a good way for you to learn how to flash ROMs, how to wipe, how to reset and how to actually handle tech. If you don’t know what you could do with a bricked Nexus 7, the easiest thing would be to install a factory image from Google or XDA, but make sure to install a version that didn’t mess with your device. You could get a bricked Nexus 7 for less than $50 online and flash whatever and have yourself a fully functional tablet: in my mind, that’s a good deal and it involves learning about tech, hardware and software, all at the same time. Hopefully, a bricked Nexus 7 tablet scenario won’t apply to you.

The Nexus 7 is a tablet made by Asus and Google and one of its best features is stock Android. Although the Nexus 7 has been discontinued in the Google Play Store, you can still find it online on various e-commerce websites. And that is one of the main reasons why the Nexus 7 is still a good tablet in 2015: price. Since it’s discontinued and a wee bit outdated, you will be able to find great deals on it occasionally, if you find it in stock. Right now, the lowest Nexus 7 price that I’ve come across was $165 on Amazon, brand new. Naturally, that’s the Wi-Fi only, 16 GB model from 2013. If you want an even lower price, you can go for the 2012 Nexus 7 which goes for as little as $130 new or even $70 used.

Getting a tablet like the Nexus 7 for such a low price makes this situation perfect, for some. People who just need a bigger display to view messages and social media would be delighted by this, as the Nexus 7 is as simple as it gets. Little bloatware and all the social apps that a Google-fan would ever need. At the same time, the Nexus 7 is still a good tablet in 2015 because it’s a perfect starting point for techies. By techies I mean kids. Is you child screaming about wanting a new iPhone 6? Are you worried sick that the cost of the iPhone 6 and the data plan and the contract or prepaid card and the Apple Care will cost you too much? And your kid is 12 and doesn’t need a smartphone at that age? As they should be spending more time outside? If that’s you, then the Nexus 7 would be perfect for your kid. They will get all the games they need, all the Wi-Fi they can catch and all the social media that you want them to, without you having to get extra guarantees and insurance, because it’s not that expensive.

The Nexus 7 is perfect for youngsters, because it’s got a big screen, a lot of games and a simple interface. Moreover, the battery life is also acceptable and of course, Android Lollipop. But why would anybody else want the Nexus 7 in 2015? I can answer that by going back to my original point: tablets might be done for. The Nexus 7 could be that in-between device, especially if you get one with LTE, that will keep you up to date on everything you need for years to come, and can be the perfect back-up device in case your daily driver, convertible, laptop or smart watch leaves you hanging. It’s cheap and it has all the important features that one might need in case of an emergency.

To be fair, the Nexus 7 might not be the perfect device, but it’s definitely a good tablet that’s worthy of all the attention it got over the past few years. It’s easy to use, rather cheap and can handle most of the rudimentary things that an average user would throw at it. Say you’re on a train, going to work, and you find a neat video on Youtube, but you would like to watch it on a bigger screen (alone or show it someone): the Nexus 7 comes in. Of course, any other tablet could do that, but how many tablets offer stock Android at a good price?

Although when we look at specs, the Nexus 7 is definitely not the best tablet in 2015, but it’s not the worst, either. The cheaper, 2012 Nexus 7 gets a 7 inch display with a 800*1280 resolution, Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset, 1 GB RAM, 8/16/32 GB internal storage, a 1.2 MP camera and a beefy 4325 mAh battery. The newer Nexus 7 from 2013 comes in with the same 7 inch display but with a higher 1200*1920 resolution, a better Snapdragon S4Pro CPU, 2 GB RAM, 16/32 GB internal storage, a 5 MP main camera, a 1.2 MP secondary camera and a 3950 mAh battery. Clearly, that’s not a setup that you would put on a 2015 tablet. But that’s a setup that will run almost anything. Not Asphalt 8, but all the popular games on Google Play.

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With these things in mind, we can honestly say that the Nexus 7 is an iconic device and can still be called a good tablet in 2015. We could say that about the Nexus 5, the Nexus 10, the One M7, the Galaxy S4 and many other devices out there, but it seems like people tend to go for the newest thing on the market, even though they don’t really need it. That being said, before buying the new Nexus 9, consider this: would the Nexus 7 be enough for what you need a tablet for or do you really need all that processing power and front-facing BoomSound of the Nexus 9? If you do, swell, if you don’t, go for the Nexus 7. Your pocket and wallet will thank you for it in the long run.

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.

Mobile Devices

3 Video Games About Women’s Health

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Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.

Tampon Run – Menstrual health

Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.

In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.

PCOS Vitality – PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.

The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.

Bound by Blood – Period poverty

Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.

Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.

Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising

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Consoles

Despite popular belief, PS4 sales in the UK skyrocketed last year

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PS4 sales in the UK climbed by a shocking 633 percent year-over-year in 2023, so apparently the old system isn’t dead yet. The previous year’s very limited supply of the system is likely a major factor in this figure, since the console’s lifespan was drastically reduced because of chip shortages caused by the pandemic. Still, it’s proof that PlayStation’s original platform has unmet demand.

With the very low prices of PS4 software (both in-store and online at the PS Store), this strategy makes a lot of sense. Plus, it’s future-proof, so there’s no harm in stocking up on PS4s while new-gen pricing is still high, since if you decide to switch to a PS5 in the future, you can transfer all of your purchases across. Not to mention that the majority of new releases still come out on the PS4, with several offering free PS5 upgrades.

While the percentage rise may seem huge, real PS4 sales will probably be much lower. It’s a sign that the gadget, which is now a decade old, isn’t completely dead yet, and we expect it to keep receiving maintenance for a while longer. Of course, this is great news for Sony, because the company would rather have PS4 players playing on its last-gen gadget than none at all, even if it would love to have them upgrade to PS5.

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Consoles

New PS5 firmware is available for download!

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A PS5 firmware update on a cold winter morning is unmatched. The latest PS5 system software update is 23.02–08.40.00 from Sony. Does this one add useful features or just boost system performance?

Though closer to the latter, it’s more than Sony’s favorite patch note. It fixes security issues, improves messages and usability, and boosts system software performance. Official patch notes for this 1.185GB update:

  • We updated system software security
  • We improved system software stability and performance
  • Some screens now have better messages and usability

That’s it. PS5 gets another win to recover from its midweek slump. Do you share our enthusiasm for this firmware update? Comment below. To spice things up, make your comment rhyme.

 

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