Monthly Archives: May 2014

Review of Samsung Galaxy S5 Phone – 2014

Samsung, the Korean Electronics company, had released their latest, most anticipated phone product, Samsung Galaxy S5, for the world to see on April 11, 2014. They’ve placed a precise emphasis on an improved quality on the body, dust and water resistance and a more sophisticated user experience. There’s also new security features such as a fingerprint reader with a private mode, a heart rate monitor, and if that wasn’t enough, they updated the camera plus features.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 uses a higher quality soft plastic and is said to improve your hand grip. It is certified for dust resistance and with water resistance in up to 3.3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The S5 screen display size is a 5.1 inch – which is slightly larger than the S4. It allows for automatic brightness and gamut adjustments. The S5’s micro-USB 3.0 port also now uses a removable cover.

Now for those of you who love taking pictures on your phone, you will love the Samsung S5 Camera and their features. It includes a 16 megapixel rear-facing camera, offering a 4K of video recording, and a 0.3 second phase detection autofocus. There’s a real time HDR photo and video and an impressive image sensor with Samsung‘s “Isocell technology which isolates the individual pixels inside the sensor to improve its ability to capture light.” On the rear of the S5 device is the heart rate sensor, located right next to the camera’s flash.

The Download Booster tool allows large downloads to be split across LTE and WiFi to improve speed. Also a neat feature on the S5 phone is this Private Mode which allows users to sustain hidden apps and file folders that cannot gain access to without additional verification.

With its software containing an Ultra Power Saving mode to supplement an extended battery life when enabled, all non-essential processes are limited and the screen switches to only rendering in white on black. Samsung claims that with Ultra Power Saving on, the S5 phone with 10% charge remaining can last for an additional 24 hours in standby mode.

The Samsung has gotten mixed reviews about the S5 mobile, saying that it’s not an accurate advancement of the previous model neither does it contain adequate or substantial changes for current Galaxy S4 owners. However the S5 received mostly positive reviews for “improvements on the image quality provided by its Isocell image sensor.”
World Liberty TV had the pleasure of reviewing the Samsung Galaxy S5 Phone. They liked it so much that they made it the official phone for WLTV.

QEDC’s Q Taste 2014, at Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel

Offering top-notch entrées, appetizers, beverages and desserts, exactly 49 vendors served samples of their products to more than 700 attendees in a festive atmosphere during Queens Taste 2014 at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel on April 29.

Hosted by the Queens Economic Development Corporation, the twelfth annual extravaganza included performances by a Big Apple Circus clown, two tables full of World’s Fair memorabilia from the Queens Historical Society and The Port Authority of NY & NJ, and special Mets ticket offers.

There was also a taste competition as judged by a team of local foodies and media types. Zenon Taverna, which serves Greek and Cypriot food in Astoria, took Best Entrée honors with a Mediterranean octopus dish, lamb meatballs and taramosalata. Sunnyside’s Murphy’s Seafood Grill, which gave out oysters on a half shell, won Best Appetizer, while DF Mavens, which makes a wide variety of dairy-free ice cream flavors, prevailed as Best Dessert.

“A great time was had by all,” stated QEDC Executive Director Seth Bornstein. “The food, the beverages, the networking, and the upbeat atmosphere were simply fantastic. I’m already looking forward to next year, and I am extremely grateful to our lead sponsor Fairway Market.”

Participants included Amerivents, Bill’s Balls, Brooklyn Brewery, Chee Bonnet Cheesecake Balls, Christos Steak House, Desserts that Matter, DF Mavens, Dog & Duck Gastropub, Drink More Good, Dutch Kills Centraal, e-Desserts, F. Ottomanelli Burgers & Belgian Fries, Fairway Market, Jam Jar Bakery, Granola Bar None, La Adelita, La Fusta, Little Bird Chocolates, Magna Ristorante, Mama’s of Corona, Manhattan Beer Co., McClure’s Pickles, Murphy’s Lobster Grill, O Lavrador, Pa-Nash Restaurant, Pine Restaurant, Ponciana Tree, Punzoné Vodka, Queens Brewery, Rose House, Rudy’s Bakery & Café, Sheraton Catering Company, Shiro of Japan, Smoke Kimchee, Soul Snacks Cookie Company, The Turkish Cultural Center, Take a Break and I’ll Bake, Tropisec Uncle Peter’s Restaurant, Yardie Treats, Yoli and Zenon Taverna.

Interview with Jim Silver President of Time to Play Magazine-2014

Jim Silver is recognized as one of the preeminent experts in toys and play.

 Silver is CEO/editor-in-chief of TTPM, the #1 source for all things play where consumers can research and find the best playthings. TTPM is the only site that combines expert reviews (video and written) with live price comparison, one-click purchasing, and product availability at major retailers including Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, Toys”R”Us, Babies”R”Us, buybuy BABY, GameStop, Best Buy, Sports Authority and Modell’s Sporting Goods.

 More than 30 years working in toys and play has enabled Silver to forge relationships with industry leaders and influencers. These relationships provide Silver with the inside track for industry trends, news, and analysis.

Silver appears in a wide variety of television, print, and online interviews each year.

TTPM Spring Showcase For Toys Top Movie Toys outdoor playthings and much more-2014

TTPM, a consumer website publishing reviews, videos, and live price updates for toys, baby gear, kids electronics, sporting goods and pet toys, today announced the toy trends for summer 2014 and predicted an improved outlook for summer toy sales over 2013 during an industry press conference.

“Summer 2014 is promising for the toy industry. Blockbuster movies drive significant consumer interest, and we expect this year’s strong summer movie lineup will grow sales $500 million compared to the same time period in 2013,” said Jim Silver, CEO/editor-in-chief of TTPM. “After lackluster spring sales in 2013, the combination of popular movies and favorable weather is key for manufacturers and retailers to increase revenue during spring and summer.”

Held during the annual TTPM Spring Showcase, a one-day media event highlighting the season’s best in play, the press conference addressed the current state of the toy industry and revealed the 2014 TTPM Summer Play List, a round-up of the top toys chosen by TTPM editors to be the most fun and engaging items for children and their families this season.

“Over the past several seasons, we’ve seen a boom in classic toys—particularly in summer. When kids aren’t studying, they are outdoors and more able to engage in self-directed play, they naturally gravitate to time-tested classics like bubbles, chalk, ride-ons, water blasters and much more,” said Chris Byrne, content director aka The Toy Guy®. “Savvy toymakers have continued to innovate in these basic categories, provide diverse and imagination-rich products for kids and outstanding value for families.”

Recognized as a leading resource by consumers, the TTPM editorial team identified three key summer 2014 toy trends:

    A BIGGER BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE LINE-UP

    Compared with last year, the big screen will make a big impact this summer. The four key movie properties expected to increase sales in the toy aisle this season, as predicted by TTPM, are Transformers: Age of Extinction, Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue, Godzilla, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

    INNOVATIVE OUTDOOR TOYS

    As the weather warms up, families reach for summer staples including bubbles, water blasters, chalk, scooters, and more. Manufacturers will introduce a variety of updated summer classics to encourage outdoor play for kids and are expected to be popular choices for parents looking to get their children outside and active.

    BREAKOUT HITS

    Several recently released toy lines are expected to heat up in the summer months. Even more popular than when they launched in 2013, TTPM named Disney’s Frozen and Minecraft the hottest two entertainment properties, stating both toy lines have been selling out at retail. The Lego Movie, an early surprise hit, also remains a ‘must have’ for the season. Consumers have been anticipating the release of Paw Patrol toys, based on the breakout animated series and expected to be hugely popular when they hit store shelves in June. The team also included The Happy’s, an introduction from Cepia, the makers of Zhu Zhu pets, to the list, advising parents and retailers to keep an eye on the new collection.

Informed by the season’s trends and selected by the TTPM editorial team, the 2014 TTPM Summer Play List is curated annually to help parents and gift givers discover the best new toys and children’s products hitting store shelves.

At the press conference, Silver also announced that the Shop for Kids by TTPM app is now optimized for iPad through a universal update. The app simplifies the experience of searching for and buying children’s products and provides access to the extensive TTPM database of thousands of in-depth expert reviews on the latest toys, baby gear, pet toys, sporting goods, children’s books, video games, and apps.