Gadgets
Zopo Speed 7 review – Possibly a bit too pricey for what it offers
The increasingly saturated Chinese smartphone market has a new player called Zopo. Not to be confused with Oppo, Zopo are trying to make a name for themselves by producing nicely designed phones equipped with powerful hardware. Recently, the company launched two brand new models called Zopo Speed 7 and Zopo Speed 7 Plus. The two models are almost identical, with the notable exception that the 7 Plus is a bit larger and features a bigger battery. As for the regular version, we’ve recently managed to get our hands on one and have been testing it for the last few days. What do we think about the Zopo Speed 7? Read on to find out.
First off, given that we were not very familiar with the company’s products, our expectations were understandably not very high. At first glance, the Zopo Speed 7 looks pretty good, with its rounded edges and shiny back cover. The design is nothing to write home about, but at least the phone is lightweight, slim, and feels good in the hand, which is always a plus. On the other hand, the shiny back cover makes the device a bit slippery so take care not to drop it.
The Zopo Speed 7 comes equipped with a 5-inch IPS Full-HD display @ 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution capable of offering realistic and sharp colors. The display doesn’t have any kind of protection, but if you’re planning to buy a new unit rest assured because the package includes a screen protector that you can stick on top of the panel. There should also be a view cover in there so make sure you use both the cover and the protector as having as much protection as possible on your smartphone is always a good thing.
When it comes to performance, the Zopo Speed 7 definitely delivers and it’s all thanks to the good hardware. Though you won’t find anything revolutionary under the hood, the 64-bit MTK6753 octa-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz coupled with 3 GB of RAM is more than enough to handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. You’ll probably find that the phone overheats a bit when playing very demanding games, but then again, most phones do that. If you’re not much of a mobile gamer and only want to know if the Zopo Speed 7 can handle regular apps, then the answer is a big yes.
As for the battery, you’ll be looking at a 2,500 mAh unit that should last you an entire day of regular use without any problems. A bigger 3,000 mAh battery like on the Zopo Speed 7 Plus would have made the regular model a bit more special and more appealing, however, at 2,500 mAh the battery is pretty standard so I can’t really complain about that. What’s also pretty standard is the 16 GB internal storage memory that you can expand up to 64 GB via microSD card.
It terms of cameras, the Zopo Speed 7 is doing better than many of its Chinese siblings thanks to the 13.2 MP primary shooter with autofocus, multi-shot and various other features. While the front-facing camera is arguably one of the strongest selling points of the Zopo Speed 7, the secondary snapper is pretty decent in its own right as well. The 5 MP back camera does its job well and features Face Beauty 4.0, which is very useful for all your selfie needs. Overall, we’ve found that both cameras are capable for taking good and clear pictures, though I can’t really recommend either of them during the night.
The Zopo Speed 7 runs on the Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system right off the bat with Zopo’s Z-UI on top. Most of the changes made by the company to the stock version of Android are purely cosmetical. Namely, you will find that some of the app icons look different, albeit not by much. Zopo also added a few apps that may or may not be considered bloatware depending on the user. I would have preferred not to have APUS or Opera for example, but other apps like Clean Master can actually come in handy. As for the user experience, it was overall pretty smooth and bug-free during testing.
Zopo Speed 7 Specs:
- 5-inch display
- 1920 x 1080 resolution
- MTK6753 Octa Core processor @ 1.5 Ghz
- 3GB RAM + 16GB ROM
- 13.2 MP Back Camera + 5 MP Front Camera
- 2,500 mAh battery
- Android 5.1 Operating System
Finally, we need to talk a bit about the price because at $200 it’s pretty expensive. The Zopo Speed 7 seems like a great bargain at first, however, there are a number of other Chinese smartphones that offer similar specs for less money. Even though the device doesn’t have too many cons, it doesn’t have all that many obvious pros either, save maybe for the back camera and user experience, which is definitely good. All in all, the Zopo Speed 7 is a solid smartphone that’s about $50 too expensive. I suggest waiting until the price drops a bit if you’re thinking about getting this smartphone.
Using the coupon code ZOPO at Coolicool can get you a $40 discount on the Zopo Speed 7.
Gadgets
Amazon DJI Store in Germany hacked? DJI NEO Fly More Combo reveals it
We wanted to check all DJI Stores across the world on Amazon and found out an interesting probable hack on there store in Germany.
See below Screenshot
Some might even buy the Fly More package without regards to the Title –
KuyuqudGVg 6 x 12 Inch Summer Sushi Printed License Plate Frame for Car, Car Tag, Car Tag –What?????
So when you buy it and than realize you receive a pack of Car Tags instead of DJI NEO Fly More Combo and want to ask a refund will Amazon Germany give it back to you or will the buyers remain with a minus 293 Euro in there account.
What are you thougts about this?
Gadgets
Spotify is providing refunds for Car Thing as it confronts a lawsuit regarding the malfunctioning of the streaming device
Spotify is receiving ongoing criticism for its choice to terminate support for Car Thing, its in-car streaming device, which was announced in May. According to the company, the device will become inoperable after December 9, 2024. Gen Z users on TikTok are sharing videos to express their dissatisfaction with Spotify’s decision and its suggested measures, such as transitioning to Android Auto or CarPlay. The users point out that they often lacked access to integrated infotainment systems in their cars, which makes them a prime target market for a specialized player like Car Thing.
The streaming service’s in-car device hadn’t been on the market long enough to become outdated. The product was introduced in February 2022 but was subsequently discontinued within the same year. However, the company assured customers who had already purchased units that it would continue to provide support and maintenance. Prior to its release, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek indicated that there was a significant consumer interest in this product. During an earnings call with investors, Ek reported that over 2 million users had registered on the Car Thing waitlist in anticipation of its launch.
While Spotify did not disclose official figures, it is probable that Car Thing did not meet expectations or did not justify further investment in the current challenging economic climate. Spotify, on the other hand, terminated approximately 1,500 employees towards the end of last year. This followed previous rounds of layoffs earlier in the year that impacted hundreds of employees.
Car Thing users, on the other hand, are not concerned with the company’s financial issues; their primary concern is the functionality of the device or, at the very least, receiving a refund for the $90 cost.
As a result, some individuals have attempted to lodge their complaints directly with Spotify by sending direct messages on the X platform using the handle @SpotifyCares or by utilizing different email addresses associated with Spotify that have been shared on Reddit. As a result, certain users have reported that Spotify provided them with multiple months of a premium subscription as compensation for their inconvenience, whereas others have stated that they inquired with customer service and were informed that no reimbursements were being offered.
According to Spotify, they have recently implemented a refund procedure for Car Thing. However, the user must present evidence of purchase in order to be eligible for the refund.
Car Thing users were officially informed about the availability of customer support through a second email sent on Friday of last week, in response to the increasing criticism and dissatisfaction caused by the discontinuation of Car Thing. Within the message, Spotify provides users with the appropriate customer support link to contact the company. The email does not guarantee any reimbursements but states that users can contact us for inquiries.
Although a refund might appease a certain segment of the user population who are dissatisfied with Car Thing, numerous individuals are earnestly imploring the company through TikTok videos and comments on Spotify’s TikTok posts to refrain from rendering their device inoperable. (Indeed, grievances regarding the Car Thing have become so prevalent on Spotify’s videos that the algorithmically generated search recommendation on certain videos is “what is the spotify car thing.”)
“Spotify, I kindly request that you refrain from subjecting me to any further distress.” “I have a strong affection for my automobile,” expressed Carla, a TikTok user known as @carlititica on the platform.
“Depressed,” expressed another user, @nikkilovestech. “They seem to encourage people to use their phone, which is a source of distraction,” she stated in the video description while demonstrating a Car Thing mounted on her dashboard. In her video, she also addressed the issue of electronic waste resulting from the discontinuation of a fully functional product.
Spotify is still facing challenges regarding the discontinuation of Car Thing, despite the introduction of a refund process that has not been widely publicized. According to Billboard, Spotify is currently dealing with a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Spotify deceived customers by selling them a product that would soon become outdated, and then failing to provide refunds. The lawsuit was initiated on May 28th.
While Spotify is unable to provide a comment regarding the lawsuit, a representative did share the following statement regarding Car Thing:
The objective of our Car Thing investigation in the United States was to gain further insights into individuals’ auditory habits while driving. In July 2022, we made a public statement declaring our decision to cease any future manufacturing activities, and now we must bid farewell to the devices altogether. The deactivation of all Car Thing devices will occur on December 9, 2024, giving users until that date to continue using them. To gain further knowledge about the various methods available for listening to Spotify in your car, please refer to the For The Record section. Car Thing users can contact Customer Support for any inquiries by visiting: https://support.spotify.com/us/contact-spotify-support/
While the issues surrounding Car Thing may not impact all of Spotify’s user base, this development coincides with a period when users are already dissatisfied with being required to pay additional fees for features they consider essential to a music service, such as access to lyrics, a feature that Spotify recently made available only to paying subscribers. Furthermore, users are expressing dissatisfaction with Car Thing and are issuing ultimatums to discontinue their subscription to Spotify due to the introduction of paid access to lyrics.
Furthermore, Spotify raised its subscription fees last year, and Bloomberg has reported that another price hike is imminent in 2024.
Mobile Devices
3 Video Games About Women’s Health
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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