Now we know that flip phones are trending again, are we also expecting Android sliding phones to make a comeback? Touch screen phones have only graced us in the last decade or so. In between that transition from keypad phones to touchpad mobile devices, we have slider phones. We can consider slider phones as the transition feature between these two different technologies. Or, maybe, the “missing link” connecting the past and futures of mobile devices.
[Read more…]iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3
Whenever a new mobile phone has just come out, it’s customary to compare it with the current leader of the pack to see how it measures up. The hottest, latest smartphone right now is Apple’s iPhone 5, while the reigning champ is Samsung’s Galaxy S3. Which one of these is better? Let’s find out how each one stacks up.
Design and construction
At first glance, this category seemed like a no-brainer: the iPhone 5’s stunning industrial design and craftsmanship has certainly no equal. However, the Galaxy S3’s slightly curved rear end feels better to the touch, compared to the iPhone’s stark corners. However, the case for the S3 goes downhill when you pore over its cheap-looking plastic body, versus the iPhone 5’s aluminum construction. [Read more…]
Google Nexus One vs Google Nexus Prime
When Google released its flagship smartphone product the Nexus One, it received rave reviews and has continued to be a player on the portable device market. Now two models removed from the original, we see how the Nexus One stacks up against the yet to be released Nexus Prime.
Dimensions and Form
• Google Nexus One – 119 x 59.8 x 11.5mm, 130g
• Google Nexus Prime – Unreleased
The minimalist shape and chrome build of the Nexus One has been a popular aesthetic with many critics. The screen uses up the majority of space, and this always improves the look of portable devices. The touch-sensitive buttons and fluid track ball juxtapose nicely with the overall countenance. It’s patently obvious that Google is fond of the design, as the Nexus Prime shows little alteration in this regard.
Winner: Draw
Display Screen
• Google Nexus One – 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 480×800 pixel resolution
• Google Nexus Prime – 4.7 inch, 1280 x 720 pixel resolution with Samsung PenTile Matrix Technology
While the builds are similar, the Nexus Prime’s significantly larger screen sets it apart from the Nexus One. Despite the quality of the Nexus One’s 252 pixel per inch AMOLED screen, it is hard pressed to compete with what is rumored to be the first 720p smartphone. Other features likely to be included are multi-touch and an accelerometer sensor.
Winner: Google Nexus Prime
Processing Power and Memory
• Google Nexus One – 1GHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor with Adreno 200 GPU, 512MB RAM
• Google Nexus Prime – 1.5GHz dual core TI OMAP4460 CPU and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU, 1GB RAM
The Nexus One was potent for its time, backing its 1GHz Scorpion processor with an Adreno 200 GPU and 512MB of RAM. Yet as we begin to see dual core processors become standard in tablets, it isn’t surprising that the architecture would eventually find its way to smartphones. The Nexus Prime is said to boast a brawny 1.5GHz dual core TI OMAP4460 processor supplemented by a PowerVR SGX540 GPU and 1GB RAM, revolutionary for a device that fits in the palm of your hand.
Operating System
• Google Nexus One – Android 2.4 Gingerbread
• Google Nexus Prime – Android Ice Cream Sandwich
The Nexus Prime once more is the beneficiary of a next generation upgrade, as the smartphone will roll out with the much anticipated Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Currently, the Nexus One runs Android 2.4 Gingerbread, yet it too will reportedly be upgrading to the next generation software.
Designed for both tablets and smartphones, Google has stated that Ice Cream should end the fragmentation that has occurred with its various iterations such as Gingerbread and Honeycomb. Ice Cream combines the best of these operating systems in a more efficient, app and multi-tasking friendly experience, including enhanced Javascript and Open GL graphics acceleration. Browsing promises to be much smoother than on the clunkier Gingerbread, and Google has also indicated Ice Cream will have voice and facial detection software included.
Winner: Draw
Camera
• Google Nexus One – 5 MP primary camera
• Google Nexus Prime – 5 MP primary camera with 2560 x 1920 pixel resolution, 2 MP secondary camera
The Nexus Prime is reported to have a 5 megapixel primary camera that is capable of full 1080p HD video capture. In addition, the camera should come equipped with the usual features, such as auto-focus, digital zoom, and a secondary camera for video calling, but the video capture is DVD quality.
Winner: Google Nexus Prime
Conclusion
As the newer model, the Google Nexus Prime is naturally the more advanced device. Yet the difference between the two models is staggering, considering the dual core processor, the 720p display, and the 1080p video capture in the Nexus Prime. For Nexus One owners, truly this is a case where the cost of an upgrade is justified.
Article written by Sarah Richards from MobileBroadband.net. Sarah writes on a wide range of broadband topics including 3 broadband reviews.
Onkyo to Release Remote Control App
Onkyo is a company that has built a well respected brand based on high quality, high fidelity audio equipment. It’s considered as one of the top brands to consider if you’re looking to build an audio setup. Onkyo has introduced some innovations in the audio equipment a number of times but their newest innovation comes left of center – a new remote. [Read more…]
New Android-based Media Player Released
Let’s face it. With digital files populating the internet, it is so easy to get video or audio content from wherever you’re sitting right now. It is now so convenient to be watch the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows because it is usually available “in the wild” an hour or so after it airs. Because of the growing proliferation of digital files, people are now looking towards freeing this content from the confines of their computers. [Read more…]
Indian Company Releases Own Tablet Product
Steve Jobs said a very scathing remark during the presentation he made introducing the iPad 2. He said that 2011 could probably be the year of the copycats as many companies are attempting to ride on the amazing market niche the iPad practically made on its own – the tablet market. It may sound arrogant of Jobs but he does have a point – every single electronics company out there is making their own tablets and enter an increasingly crowded market that is still being dominated by Apple despite strong opposition from Samsung, HP and the Android operating system. [Read more…]
iRiver To Release Two Smartphones
When I was shopping around for my first portable media player I was only considering two brands. The obvious one was Apple because the iPod brought status symbol coolness with its device (and who wouldn’t want to get a status symbol in these image-conscious times?). The other choice was an iRiver media player because of the great reviews it was getting regarding its far superior audio quality compared to the iPod. I eventually settled for an iPod because iRivers were quite hard to find at that time but the iRiver quality is something I’ve never forgotten to this day. [Read more…]
Shoot POV footage with Looxcie II
Don’t you just love those POV camera shots that’s often used in reality shows, especially those reality competition series like The Amazing Race? It really puts you right in on the action and you get to see what the competitor is seeing as well, which makes the action more engaging and immersive. [Read more…]
i’mWatch: The First Smartwatch in the World
Smart phones have been the rave for a long time now, and practically everyone has one. But did you ever think about having another device that has a similar function to a smart phone and yet is much smaller and fits on your wrist?
Yup, one of those futuristic wristwatches have been developed, and they look very promising. Dubbed i’mWatch, the device is Android-based and offers a host of features that is enough to make any gadget enthusiast very excited. No one can deny that Android is a powerful platform, and this is perhaps the first time that it has been installed on a device such as a watch.
Having Android installed on i’mWatch opens up so many doors. Think apps, apps, and more apps. The watch comes with a bundled set of apps, so you really don’t have to use another gadget if you don’t want to. The watch has a tiny screen – a mere 1.54-inch TFT display, but it should serve its purpose when you are on the go or you just need to do a quick check. Call, send and receive text messages, check e-mail, go on Facebook, go on Twitter, and so on.
Oh, and it has Bluetooth connectivity so that your enabled devices can communicated with each other. Tiny as this watch may be, it does have decent specs for its size and purpose: Freescale ARM9 IMX233 CPU, 64 MB of RAM, and 4 GB of storage. It will definitely not be your main device, but for some who does not wear a watch, I would gladly change my habits for this baby!
There are two varieties of the i’mWatch: the i’m Color and the i’m Jewel. The former offers several cool colors – red, blue, green, black, white, orange, and pink. The latter is for those who want something classier – yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and diamonds, titanium, black gold, and special.
The watches are already catching on, in spite of the fact that they are not available as of yet. You can preorder from the i’mWatch web site, for 249 euros for the i’m Color watches. After June 30, though, the preorder prices for i’m Color watches go up to 299 euros, so I suggest sending in your preorder NOW! For the i’m Jewel watches, prices range from 599 euros to 11,999 euros.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread Is Coming to Town
There is no doubt about Android-based devices becoming more and more popular. And amongst the Android-based devices out there, Samsung does seem to have an edge over its competitors. The Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Galaxy S are perhaps two of the most sought after gadgets in their respective categories (maybe next to the ubiquitous and more expensive Apple products).
With the rising popularity of these devices, it is but expected to have users on the constant lookout for improvements and updates. And speaking of updates, it looks like Samsung Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S (as well as other gadgets in the Galaxy line) users are in for a treat in the very near future. That is, the Android 2.3 Gingerbread upgrade will be made available to the range of Galaxy devices.
In a press release published today, Samsung outlines the following: ((Mobile Syrup))
- Faster Performance – Multimedia content now has a lower CPU consumption rate, while support for more powerful 3D Graphics enables an enhanced mobile gaming experience.
- Upgraded Usability – The user interface has been improved, enabling faster access and control and a more intuitive user experience. Users will also benefit from improved copy-and-paste functionality.
I repeat: this upgrade is going to be available for all the Galaxy devices, even the cheaper ones like the Galaxy Mini! This piece of news is enough to make users clap their hands with glee, yes?
The thing is that the upgrade will not be available everywhere at the same time. In the same press release, Samsung mentions that the UK and Nordic countries will receive the Android 2.3 upgrade for the Galaxy S starting the middle of this month (that’s right about now?). The rest of Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the rest of the world will have to wait for the update, which will be gradually rolled out.