I’m so sorry I cheated on you… Nexus

Yes, I’ve done the deed, I have cheated on my Nexus 4.  My lover is none other than my ex, the iphone.  Why, because I’m fickle and I like to play with new things, in this case, apps.  What I have noticed since using my Nexus or Android device is that most companies would first develop an app on the iphone.  Being the bleeding edge person that I am, I can’t help but try these apps, that way I know if it will be a hit before it becomes mainstream and is why my iphone is still getting constant usage.

I can understand why developers would prefer the iphone as a first choice and here’s my reasoning:

1.  Fragmentation  – IOS 7 installed rate have reached over 80% of all ios devices which supports it, as for Android, it is left  to the handset manufacture to decide, of course unless you have a Nexus device or Google play editions of phones.  For a developer, this may become frustrating as it will involve more than coding to cover all versions of Android and screen resolution.

2. Monetisation – I don’t know why but I much prefer to spend money via the Apple App store than using Google Play store, maybe because it’s habit since I started with itunes to buy music for the past 8 or so years therefore I’m so used to the process.  So as a developer, I will pick the platform which can make me the most money.

3. Security – Many might argue this but my point is that Apple have a tighter control over the App store, so as a consumer, I am more trusting to install an IOS app and knowing it will probably be safe. As a developer, this may have an opposite side since Apple have such a grip on the App store, there is a chance the app will get rejected.

So, my trusty iphone 4S is still getting plenty of love and with great new apps like “Paper” from Facebook, I don’t see it getting retired anytime soon.  If the new iphone 6 that is coming out this year sports a bigger screen, I will seriously consider switching back.

 

Dell Venue Pro 8

As my PC is on the brink of death, I’m hunting around for a replacement.  So what sets out to be a laptop replacement is becoming of a tablet upgrade.  During my search I came across a new breed of 8″ tablets that is running Windows.  Yes, you probably think I’m crazy as why would I want a windows machine and in a tablet form factor.  The thing is that these new window tablets are running FULL version of Windows 8.1 and not the crappy windows RT.  This means all the windows software that I own can be used on this 8″ Tablet!

Which also makes this thing my laptop replacement.  Well, since its still in transit, I’ve yet to try it out but based on all the YouTube post reviewing this device, I’m sold, also I got it cheap at the Microsoft store for a promo price of $220 (32gb) for the Dell Venue Pro 8.

You must think how can I use this tiny screen to do anything on it.  Well, I’ve discovered there’s these devices call USB host which can use the USB port on the tablet and convert into USB ports/LAN/video outputs.  So all I need to do is plug it to a monitor with keyboard/mouse and its a full desktop.

I can’t wait for this beauty to arrive as I always wanted to upgrade my 3 yrs old ipad.  Anyway, you can check out this tablet here.

New iphones are here!!

Every year around the September period, there is always some buzz in the air as Apple usually launches a new phone.  This time round they release 2 new phones, Iphone 5C (color) and Iphone 5S (it used to stand for Speed when the first ‘S’ appeared on the 3GS).  Anyhow, what can you expect from these 2 new phones?  Let me break it down in a few words:

Iphone 5C – Same as the iphone 5 (2012) but now comes in colors (5 to be exact), only thing new inside is that it now supports more LTE Bands.

Iphone 5S – Looks exactly the same as the iphone 5 but now with a faster processor (A7), new camera/flash, fingerprint reader, 64-bit processing and another new chip M7.  Oh, it also now comes in Gold (bling bling!!).

Apart from the new phones, the OS also saw a major upgrade to IOS7 which is a complete re-haul of the whole operating system.  I did manage to installed in on my iphone 4S just to see what the fuss is about.  Well, first impression is that it is very different visually.  It feels like a complete do-over, some good some bad.  If you are interested in the details there are many review out there to read about it, I can’t be bothered really.

Anyway, my initial impressions are positive, the new control center and notification is a good welcome, the color scheme, not so much.  Well, I’ve only got it for 2 days so still learning more about it.  Any do check it out here if you own a iphone 4 and above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sony Cybershot QX series

I really enjoy taking photos with my phone since I got the iphone 4.  It has changed the way I see the world really (mainly due to instagram).  But since I switch to my Nexus 4 phone, the main complaint I have is the sub-par photo quality of it’s camera.  To me, the best camera phone is still the iphone and with the new iphone 5S/C coming, I’m getting abit of itchy fingers again.

So here’s where Sony comes in, they have released a new camera product, not a traditional camera but only the lens.  So what you do is attached this Lens to your phone and turns it into a full features stand alone camera!! All the optical zoom and F-stops you ever wanted is now a dream come true on your phone.  I’ve yet to try it out but will definitely consider this toy.  Now problem solved, back to reading food blogs.  Check it out here.

Google Glass is here

Google Glass, the wearable internet is finally here.  The first batch of glass have been release to developers and so far they all seem very happy with the device.  For those who do not know, google glass is basically a pair of glasses where a display device is located just above the right eye where information like images, data, text can be shown.  Imagine a window where information is displayed on to it along with the outside world.

So how about the specs?  The display has a 640 x 360 resolution with a 5MB camera capable of recording at 720p.  There is 16GB of storage but 4GB is reserved for the OS.  Sound is transmitted via conduction through your bones!!  How cool is that, no need to wear headphones.  there is wifi and bluetooth for connectivity and when you pair the glass to an android phone, you can access it’s GPS and SMS too.  Charging is done via usb and should last about a day.

So far, all the info on the net are mainly people taking videos and pics from the device, sort of like a bird’s eye view of their world.  I am not sure if I want to broadcast my life this way, I am sure it may come in handy to capture special moments or events but this means I will need to wear this thing all the time.  I do see some benefits especially for navigation as what I normally do now is to check my location on google maps constantly when trying to find a place.  It would be great to have this information available all the time without me looking at my phone.

If you are the type that constantly keeps up with notifications, this would also be a great tool, not sure how distracting it may get tho, google have warn users to be careful while driving with glass on.  I can see potential in this device especially in the medical field or any work that requires information to be available in front of you but it could also be a distraction in many ways.  Anyway if you are interested please can check it out here.

Even bigger screen phones from Samsung, this is Mega!

Okay, here’s the deal, it seems that everyone loves big screen on their phone, why I know this?  Because Samsung has just announce the Galaxy Mega (as in freaking huge) that comes in 2 flavors  5.8 inch and 6.3 inch.  Okay, I don’t mind a big screen but don’t you think this is getting to the point of being a tat ridiculous?  I mean, that is why people have tablets so that they can have a larger screen, I don’t see the point of having such big phone, you might as well called the ipad a phone then.  Anyway, if you’re into this kinda of tech you can check it out here.

My Nexus 4

Yes folks, I am now an Android user (again), ever since the Nexus One back in 2010 I have been using the Apple iphone from the 3GS to the 4/4S and finally the iphone 5.  No, I’m not a rich bum it’s just that I get to choose a phone for work and when a new iphone comes round I would raise my hand.  So after spending 4 months with the iphone 5, I was bored with it and now really intrigued with the new line up of Nexus devices from Google.  That is when I caught my eye on the Nexus 4, this is the latest (well it’s now about 4 months old since it launch on mid November) Android device running on a smartphone from google.  Made by LG which I must say would not be a choice of company I would normally buy from.

So, why did I switch?  Simple, the screen size and keyboard, I always wanted a bigger screen for my phone as it just gives you so much more real estate and everything looks bigger!!  The new 4″ screen on the iphone 5 was a welcome relieve but after spending some time on it, it still pales when compares with any other smartphone.  Second, the keyboard, Apple does have a decent keyboard but Damn that autocorrect, it just doesn’t cut it for me anymore.  With Android, you get to choose from a hugh variety of keyboards, I have settle with the stock Android 4.2 keyboard with swipe-like gesture for typing.  You know what, I’m loving this swipe thingy, it really makes typing so much quicker and most importantly, it just so cool to use.  It feels like playing a game of Fruit ninja if you know what I’m talking about.

Well, it is now week 3 with the Nexus 4 and I’m now really getting into the hang of it, the Android may take abit of getting used to as now you can customised to your heart’s content.  So this is my quick run down on the pros and cons considering there are about a billion reviews of this phone out there.

PROS:

• Speed, this phone is fast, like iphone fast kind of fast, transition is like butter (punt intended) and apps opens quickly.  I’m amazed at how well the phone runs with so many apps opened in the background.
• Stocked Android OS, this means this phone gets the latest and greatest software updates as soon as Google releases it.  I love it.  With the latest 4.2 release, some of the camera features are really awesome like photo-sphere.
• Design, I must admit this phone is beautifully built, it has a great fit and finished and feels great in the hand.
• Customisation, out with the boring icons like pages in the iphone, all Android phones are made to be completely customisable.  Over time, I will try out some of the great Home screen customisation as found on http://www.mycolorscreen.com
• Google integration, this phone is one of the easiest phone to setup, all you need is your Gmail account and Boom, everything you ever did with Google apps like G+/Picasa/Reader/Gmail/Docs/Maps are all there and setupped once you go pass the login screen.  Well, this may not be a feature if you do not use Gmail or many of the other Google apps.
• Price, you cant beat an unlocked smartphone with all the tech trimmings at a great price of USD$299 (16GB version).

CONS:

• Battery life on this phone sucks, although it claims it has a 2100 mAh battery but with constant usage of the phone, you will probably only last 3/4 of the day til it runs flat.  Also, the battery cannot be replaced since the back is sealed.
• Glass back may become a problem as it can be scratched and break easily (similar to the iphone 4/4S)
• No memory expansion, if you are like me who likes to try out new apps all the time, you may find the phone filling up rather quickly.  With only 16GB on internal storage, it may become a problem if you have lots of videos or photos on your phone.
• Camera quality, one thing the iphone has and still beats every other phone is the camera, no other smartphone comes close to the quality of the iphone camera.  Sad to say, the Nexus 4 only have a passible camera, it does not take good low light photos and most of them comes out grainy.

One of my major concern about using an Android phone was the Apps that I have grown to lived without on the iphone, this is no longer a problem as I was able to find the same App or find a great replacement app in the Google Play store.  All in all, I’m very happy with the switch and so far the transition has been very seamless and smooth, looking forward to all the Android goodness in the coming future.  Checkout the Nexus 4 here.

Make an espresso in a microwave? That’s crazy talk!

What a great idea, will try and get my hands on one of these if they do make it happen.  Check it out here.

Crazy ceiling fans

Here are some crazy ceiling fans, where can I get them?  Check them out here.

Qlocktwo W Watch

Droooooooooooool…………  It tells the time by spelling it out, how cool is that!!   Check it out here.