What Is the OnePlus One Phone?
It’s not an iPhone. It’s not a Samsung Galaxy. It’s not a Google Nexus. Meet a newcomer called OnePlus One, an Android phone with the “flagship killer” moniker because the company believes its specs are as good or better as the high-end brands except for the cost. OnePlus hopes to knock ‘em out with its lower price tag.
OnePlus One isn’t your typical Android phone. Rather than running Android 5.0 Lollipop, it uses Cyanogen 11S based on the Android 4.4. This variation offers all the features Android users expect plus extras such as Quiet Hours, voice wake and search, configurable Quick Settings Panel and an enhanced home screen.
The customizable operating system uses Privacy Guard to help users manage access to their information and device capabilities. It also encrypts text messages. In other words, Cyanogen takes the best of Android and adds its own twist.
What is OnePlus?
Founded in 2013 with headquarters in China, co-founder Pete Lau says that OnePlus produces smartphones in China with the goal of building the dream smartphone. The phone would match the quality of high-end devices from competitors without the high price to match.
OnePlus takes an unusual approach in selling the phone. It sells by invitation-only to create exclusivity, keep the price down and track orders. Co-founder Carl Pei has stated that OnePlus plans to focus on improving operations and customer service this year. The company doesn’t expect to see a profit in the first two years.
The OnePlus One is the company’s only product with another in the works. The successor is expected to have an improved screen size and Pei promises surprises. Word is that the OnePlus Two will be available later this year.
How do I get the OnePlus One phone?
How do you get a phone if it’s invite-only? Currently, there’s a 24-hour open sale once a week. You can learn more on the OnePlus website.
Another option is to get the phone from third-party vendors like Amazon. The catch? These prices tend to be higher, which defeats the purpose of getting a phone with high-end features for a low-end price.
What’s so great about the OnePlus One?
Sporting a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with Adreno 330 graphics and 3GB of RAM, the OnePlus One matches or outperforms the Google Nexus 5, Samsung Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z2 and HTC One. The 4k resolution video comes with stereo recording and slow motion recording with 720p at 120fps. Selfies using the front facing camera are snapped in 5 mp.
The OnePlus One battery — not user removable — is a high-capacity 3100mAh that only the Sony Xperia Z2 can top with its 3200mAh. OnePlus also features a larger 5.5-inch HD 1080p touchscreen and a 13 mp Sony Exmor IMX214 camera with dual-LED flash and six physical lenses.
The base unit contains 16GB of storage. For $50 more, you can get the 64GB model. Built with polycarbonate, the OnePlus One feels light at 160g despite its impressive size.
The open source CyanogenMod is popular with modders (people who modify software to add features and functionality). The highly configurable operating system allows owners to customize their phone to adapt it to fit their preferences.
Many themes, fonts, sound packs, wallpapers and animations are available from the modding community. If there’s an Android phone with an interface that you like, chances are there will be a similar theme you can port into the OnePlus One.
OnePlus One software
OnePlus One comes with Google Play, Gmail, Maps and voice recorder. It also includes CyanogenMod File Manager for basic file and folder management, which users say is tedious to use. Google Play has plenty of file management apps, so there’s one out there that’s bound to meet your needs.
The Screencast app lets you record videos and add comments. You can export videos into your gallery to upload them to YouTube or for later viewing. Need a light? The included Torch app turns the dual LED into a flashlight. The LED stays on even when the phone is locked, a feature not common in most phones.
For contacts and calendar, OnePlus One uses the stock Android People app and Google Calendar. Should you prefer to keep your private information out of the cloud, you can forego Google Calendar sync for other options.
Sync OnePlus One with Outlook to be more productive
One of those choices is to sync your contacts directly between your Windows PC and phone by using Outlook sync software for Windows PC like Akruto. All your Outlook calendar items will transfer to the OnePlus One’s built-in calendar and vice versa. AkrutoSync also seamlessly moves data between the People app on the phone and Outlook Contacts.
When you opt to sync OnePlus One with Outlook, you won’t have to re-enter any appointments or contacts into the phone. Akruto does it automatically and wirelessly.
More benefits of AkrutoSync:
- Sync Outlook Calendar wirelessly with OnePlus One Calendar app.
- Transfer Outlook Contacts to OnePlus One People app automatically.
- Set it and forget it sync. No cables and no pushing a button.
- Have *all* of your data everywhere with you. Nothing cut-off or missing.
- Keep private information out of the cloud with cloudless sync.
Sync Outlook with OnePlus One compatibility
Akruto Outlook sync software works with the following.
- Android phones and tablets.
- IOS phones and tablets including iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
- Windows Phones.
- Windows Surface tablets.
- Windows PC.
- Microsoft Outlook 2002.
- Microsoft Outlook 2003.
- Microsoft Outlook 2007.
- Microsoft Outlook 2010.
- Microsoft Outlook 2013.
Akruto can sync Outlook Tasks with Android and Outlook Notes with Android.
How do I sync OnePlus One with Microsoft Outlook?
You can try Akruto free for seven days. Download it, double-click the downloaded file and follow Akruto’s on-screen instructions. Here’s the Outlook sync software user guide to help along. We provide free 24/7 support. If you’d rather our tech support team do the complete install, you can request the Akruto Gold service. Our team will install it for you and ensure it works.
As soon as you complete the install, you can add all your compatible devices that you want to sync with Microsoft Outlook. There’s no extra charge for adding mobile devices. When you’re done, just go about your day knowing all your data is updated on all your devices.
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