Android 4.4: Asus Zenfone 4

Image: ibtimes.com

A couple of days ago, I read that Android 4.4 (KitKat) update was already available for Asus Zenfone 4 users in certain countries. I forgot what countries in particular, but Philippines wasn't part of the first batch. I also don't know why the update was only available for Zenfone 4, but maybe it's now available for Zenfone 5 and 6?

Anyway, yesterday afternoon, I finally received a notification alerting me that the update was already available for my phone, so if course, I immediately complied.

I waited for maybe around 30 minutes to download the update and another 10 to install it; it was quite heavy at around almost 600mb? I excitedly looked at my phone to see the difference...

... Which was almost none. Haha! Well, there were slight differences such as the color. For example, the color tones were cooler as opposed to the original warm tones. The status bar also became transparent. Or maybe I just didn't see any big difference because I was using a Go Launcher theme?

Aside from that, I also noticed new Asus apps installed in my phone such as Data-to-Data Transfer and PC Link. If I read the descriptions correctly, virtual connections can be made between machines, which can be really useful in presentations. Of course, new apps are also accessible from the Play Store such as the Google and Nexus cameras.

But the biggest, most important change the update brought to me is this: longer battery life! I swear I didn't even see that coming. I read in some forums some speculations about the improvement of Asus Zenfone 4's battery life (which can be ridiculously short), but those are just speculations. But I noticed that my battery life improved a LOT and I didn't even have to use my battery-saving app. For example, by 11PM, I usually am prepared to call it a night because my battery is already dying, but look at this screenshot:

And I didn't change a single thing in my usage. Amazing! Now it's already 12 midnight, and I still have 46% battery: a far cry from before. Just because of this reason alone, I'm already living Android Kitkat!

What about you? Have you updated to Android 4.4? What are your thoughts on it?

PS: I noticed pala one more cute change. The emojis are now colored! :D

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posted from Bloggeroid

Top 5 Apps I Can't Live Without

Okay, that's a hyperbole. Of course, I can live without these apps. Only I'm not sure if I would want to! My phone is a low-end Android phone (I just have to say low-end), but I enjoy it and make the most out of it. Here are my five most favorite and most used apps:

5. Quick Note

As an impulsive writer and list-taker, a note app is a must-have in my phone. Quick Note must be the nth notetaking app that I've downloaded but so far, it's the best. Surface-wise, it is clean and easy to navigate. The fontface is visually-pleasing and readable. It's also light and doesn't take up too much space in my low-tech Android phone.

What I like here is that I'm able to draft a post in my downtime, while Yuri is sleeping, or before I sleep.

PS: I'm typing out this entry on Quick Note, which I will just share to my Google mail account.

4. Pocket

One of the biggest eaters of my time is reading. Because I work online, I'm very open to temptations of interesting blog posts and articles.

But instead of wasting my time reading, I just click on the Save-to-Pocket plugin of my Chrome browser. It is automatically saved in the Pocket app of my phone. Then, I can read as much as I like before sleeping.

By doing this, I will not miss out on informative and interesting reads without sacrificing worktime. The articles saved inside my Pocket app are usually about the following topics: motherhood and parenting, recipes, budgeting, trivia, and home & living.

3. BPI Express Mobile

I'm a loyal BPI account holder. Even though I only have an ATM account, I like BPI because of the services they offer to make my life more convenient.

For example, I receive my monthly salary via BPI. I can easily check my account using the app. When I need to pay the internet bill, I just transfer the amount using the app. I can also transfer money to other BPI users, which make online shopping hassle-free. To this day, I only buy stuff from sellers who have BPI accounts! (I learned my lesson when I got scammed.)

2. MoBill Budget

Digital Reading Ba Kamo?

I read a post on Twitter a while back saying that if it weren't for Twitter, we would all be sleeping 4 hours earlier.

I beg to disagree. While I am an avid tweeter, it doesn't really take much of my time. Scroll down lang ng scroll down, retweet, reply, favorite. It doesn't take an hour. Now, what takes much of my time is digital reading. If it weren't for digital readers and apps, I would be sleeping, maybe, 6 hours earlier!

I have three main reading apps: Kindle, Zinio, and Pocket. Actually, the Zinio app is not compatible to my current phone (must.buy.iPad.), so I do the reading of the magazines on my laptop. Meanwhile, the other two apps are in my phone, which contributes to my lack of sleep for the past months. Whew!

(And that's beside Instagram ha.)

Here are some screenshots of the apps, which I took months ago. This means there are four times more content now. Sigh. I am hopeless. By the way, these are the screenshots of the computer counterparts of the apps because, well, they look better than the ones in my phone haha!

My Kindle Library

Priceless finds: Thanks to social media (I forgot which one specifically), I was able to score free books from Filipino writers. Months and months ago, I visited Dennis Sy's website and found out he's offering the Kindle version of his book, Rich for Life, for free! Of course, given my avid interest in all things personal finance and God's part in it, I immediately took advantage of the offer!

Months later, I think I found out from Twitter that Rose Fausto's book, Raising Pinoy Boys, for free! Also on Kindle! Gah, I was so elated because I know I need that book. Obviously, I went to Amazon right away to purchase. Trust me: it's one of the best books any Filipino mom should read.

PS: All of the books in my library are *whispers* freeeee.

My Zinio Reading List

I totally depend on Zinio for my magazine consumption. Not that I am addicted to magazines. I only read through magazines for additional information, so I don't really feel the need to subscribe to one. Nevertheless, occasionally, Zinio sends a $5 coupon (do you receive these coupons, too?) to my email, so who am I not to take advantage? Of course, Smart Parenting and Good Housekeeping are two of my top picks.

Priceless find: Smart Parenting Yaya Manual! I've been looking for one forever, and finding a digital copy at Zinio finally ended my search. Plus, since I used a coupon to purchase it, it's totally fuh-ree!

Aside from Kindle and Zinio, my regular reading app would be Pocket. No, you don't need to purchase any book or magazine on this one. Instead, this is where the blog posts and articles that I don't have time to read during the day go. When working, I would inevitably come across an interesting post that seems to long. Solution? Save to Pocket! Of course, I also have the Chrome extension to get this to work!

No priceless find here since everything naman is just downloaded for free. But looking at the screenshot above, now you know where I save the recipes I discover! :-)

How about you? What are your reading apps? What apps are you addicted to?

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