Microsoft is a big editor on Android: diary, e-mail client ... and a launcher . It's called Arrow and it's recently been upgraded to 3.0, with many new features. It's time to go around one of the most popular launchers on Android.
This version 3.0 is a major version: the Microsoft team in charge of the project has largely revised the code of the launcher , which has significantly reduced the resources required. Behind this project, the Garage team working on several "small developments". This launcher has still been downloaded between 5 and 10 million times. Between Nova, Apex, and Aviate, Arrow comes to the end with some interesting features.
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From the first start, Arrow takes you by the hand: just select at least eight applications that you use regularly, shortcuts will be automatically installed on the first page of the launcher. These are the frequent applications. At first glance, Arrow looks like Pixel Launcher, with its app drawer, but it's packed with little practical options. On the left, for example, Google Now point: this page named "Utility" is customizable, it seems to display the famous maps that were found on Windows 10 Mobile. You will be able to display shortcuts, frequent contacts, most used applications, and so on.
Arrow 3.0 settings provide access to many options. Movements, for example, make it possible to activate three functions: to display a dock (first image of the article, where one sees quick accesses), a function also linked to the downward scanning, but also a function for lock your smartphone by touching the screen twice. You can also save your Arrow configurations, or restore backups.
Another important addition is the ability to choose between vertical or horizontal scrolling of application pages. There are several customization options available as well, including notification badges, which allows you to see the number of unread notifications on the app's icon. Then there is the possibility of using custom icon packs.
Arrow is free, and it is a launcher that we recommend: customizable, it is not less easy and convenient to use. By cons, the free has a price: Microsoft takes the opportunity to highlight its various services and products, such as Office 365, but also Wunderlist. If you are a Microsoft user, this is an alternative to consider for your Android.
This year, Sony reiterates its presence in the mid-market smartphone market by offering two models with different features and screen sizes. The Xperia XA2 Ultra is, as its name suggests, the largest and best equipped. In an increasingly competitive segment, how does Sony intend to stand out and push the consumer to its devices? What should the customer expect from this device? For answers to these questions and more, just go below.
On paper, the XA2 Ultra appears as a good balance between the different components, avoiding compromises on important components like the battery and avoiding overbidding points that impact the user experience less. Thus, there is a 1080p screen and 4 GB of RAM, which is perfectly sufficient for a device in this segment in 2018.
Almost everything is said in the title. This phone will not be distinguished from the other devices of the brand by its appearance and the question of the relevance of the same design for several diagonals arises. Even more when one of the major codes of the design is the presence of marked angles. The round button of ignition and the button dedicated to the photographs are always present. The angles and broad horizontal borders also.
Let's talk about this photo button. If it is practical for all that relates to the capture in landscape mode, the rest of the time it is more in our way than anything else. Too many times, I happened to press this button simply want to take the XA2 out of my pocket.
A hatch to introduce his nanoSIM and microSD card and easily removable to the nail is good news. But you can not change the memory card without removing the SIM card at the same time and the phone turns off. And if you are stunned, the nanoSIM card can easily fall when you remove the hatch. There is no doubt that most users will pay little attention, but for others, it looks like a step back.
In another register, the quality of manufacture is close to the copy. The blue color is rather sober and the plastic of excellent invoice prevents fingerprints. The upper and lower edges are metal circled with a chamfer that makes all the difference.
Massive smartphone enthusiasts will be delighted by the strong presence of the phone in the palm. With its 9.5 mm thick, the XA2 does not do in the half measure. Users with small hands will have to take the smartphone with both hands, while others will have to learn some hand gymnastic movements to reach the entire screen surface.
The rear camera is not totally eccentric, which avoids problems like putting your finger over it carelessly. But the two front cameras with the front flash really distinguish this phone from all its competitors. It only remains to mention the speaker grille placed at the bottom of the smartphone and you will have a rather accurate image of the device.
Unfortunately, after one week of use, a setback appeared. A trend that will reappear across categories.
So, after a week of standard use, I was very surprised to see the top chamfer compromised by scratches, whose appearance remains a mystery. It is not so much the presence of stripes that makes me perplexed, but the speed at which they appeared. But any user more careful than me should be able to prevent this phenomenon.
Under our probe, the screen of the Xperia XA2 Ultra turns out to be really good. It exceeds the sRGB color space except on blue and offers a very satisfying contrast of 1588: 1. Calibration of colors favors a pleasant rather than realistic rendering. This explains the color temperature between 8500 and 9000 K for a cold rendering that works quite well with the interface. Our probe recorded a brightness of 640 cd / m², a score that automatically positions it at a comfortable place.
Regardless of the results, the day-to-day experience is more than satisfactory, despite an automatic brightness that adapts badly enough to lighting situations. The colors do not seem desaturated and definitely not saturated. And with 6 inches in 16: 9, bingering his series at every time out of everyday life is really nice.
As with the vast majority of modern IPS screens, viewing angles are excellent and, with such a diagonal, it is conceivable to watch a multi-content without getting bothered. Especially that 1080p can enjoy the majority of content with a certain detail.
But in 2018, is a 16: 9 screen still relevant? If the question has not even touched your mind, you are forgiven, because there is still no real benefit to an 18: 9 screen compared to a 16: 9 screen, with equivalent borders. Moreover, the XA2's side edges are so non-existent that the phone almost sports an 18: 9 phone profile.
We will remember the XA2 Ultra a screen that fills his office daily but lacks little to be remarkable because of a brightness underexploited.