Category Archives: Operating Systems

Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

iPhone 5, why it isn’t that great

Apple, a company known for making beautiful looking and innovative products are equally known for entrapping customers in their ecosystem and releasing incremental upgrades that you “have” to buy.  The iPhone 5 is exactly that, an incremental upgrade that honestly is not that great.  Why?

Let’s start off by getting the facts out of the way.  Apple has the largest app collection on the planet, top-tier developer support, recurring users and devices that look like they should be walking down the runway.  On the other hand, with all of these facts that they can tout; they still do not have the highest global market-share like Google’s Android.  When Apple releases a product things are greater than “big”, they are gargantuan.  The press loses its mind, there is leak after leak and fan-boys worldwide almost pass out as the new device is unveiled.  However, things just were not the same with this release.  Apple not only released this update to the phone because the iPhone 4S had been out for a year, but because they had to play catch up with the market leader.  To prove a point, these are a few of the upgrades to the iPhone:

  • 4G
  • 4 inch screen
  • Faster Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
  • Battery improvements
  • Call screen options (such as: send a text to the caller letting them know you are in a meeting etc.)
  • Panoramic photos
  • Can captures pictures will recording video

Now, with these “upgrades” in line, let’s debunk them.  4G LTE is a technology that practically every high-end device released in the last year and a half has taken advantage of, the iPhone should have included it in the 4 or 4S, but it did not.  As usual, the company forced it’s customers to wait on a technology that, at the time, was already advanced enough to go into their phone.  The part that is even worse is that the buyers of the phone accepted it; which I will never understand.  The iPhone has had the same size screen since it’s “revolutionary” debut in 2007.  Why?  The screen size of 3.5 inches should’ve been discarded with the iPhone 4 iteration, imagine if they debuted their retina display on a 4″ or 4.5″ display — that would’ve been truly resolutionary.  Honestly.

The rest of the list of “upgrades” are things that older phones have had for a while.  On the other hand, when Apple releases these same features they are treated as if they are brand new and unbelievable. Whether you love the iPhone or not, it is hard to say that these additions weren’t a long time coming.

Bottom line:  I watched the keynote, not to climb on an anti-Apple perch; but, to honestly hope to see something great and new.   I saw something good, the iPhone 5 is a beautiful looking device, perhaps the best design on the market.  But when you pair a list of improvements that aren’t new with the same stale OS from 2007 – it just isn’t that great; but Tim Cook had the audacity to say, “It is the biggest thing to happen to the iPhone since the iPhone.”

Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

Samsung Vs Apple; Why?

Recently, Apple has been more cutthroat in it’s ongoing battle against the Android ecosystem.  Although Apple has never filed an injunction against Google itself, primarily because of the fact that it would lose, it constantly engages OEMs that use the Android operating system on its devices.

No matter who wins this pathetic lawsuit (if anyone wins) the true losers are clear: US.  The consumers will lose because there will be less choice on the marketplace, which is exactly what Apple wants.  Samsung has taken the smartphone market by storm and has really shown the Android world that Samsung is the way to go.  However, although Apple has substantially better margins on the products that it produces it still wants to go after a company who is creating a product that is in the same marketplace as their own.  True technologists believe in competition; it is a shame that Apple is playing the victim when they have dominated for so long.

This entire case centers around the thought that Samsung copied Apple.  Remember this is the same company that told you you were holding your iPhone 4 incorrectly when you lost signal.  This company cannot admit when they are wrong and defeated.  Documents tied to Apple reportedly have the company making the statement, “Apple has identified dozens of examples where Android is using or encouraging others to use Apple patented technology.”  However, Samsung and other key Android OEMs has went to great lengths to differentiate their products to ensure that they do not infringe on any of Apple’s useless patents.  For example, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was temporarily banned because of a silly patent injunction.  It truly seems that Apple wants to try any underhanded scheme they can to take competition out of the market.  Honestly, at this point Google should step in.

One word: Pathetic.

Bottom line:  For a “computer” company, you would think that they could make money in many ways; however, the savior of Apple is iOS.  Steve Jobs left a selfish attitude at the company; however, Tim Cook doesn’t view the company exactly as his predecessor did.  So, we will see how future trials, if any, turn out.

Mobile Operating Systems, Software, Technology

Nexus 7 first impressions

What an impressive device to say the least.  When it comes to speed this little 7 inch tablet almost cannot be beat.  In addition, after a few hours of use the battery is yet to waiver.  When you look at the reviews of this tablet online and you actually get a chance to use it for yourself — you begin to see why there is such a large uproar surrounding this device.  Google and ASUS have certainly drafted a winner here.  Despite the shipping issues, many preorders have gone to their respective homes and once opened it is a hard device to put down.

I stumbled upon a comment on a blog post where one Apple fan commented incorrectly that the Google Nexus 7 is running a phone operating system.  Ice Cream Sandwich and Jellybean alike are designed to be optimized for tablet or handset use, making one operating system great for all resolutions and screen sizes. 

Bottom line: This is an excellent media consumption device and it gets my full seal of approval.  Honestly, if you go Android there is no other way to go than Nexus.  Also, if you can read this then the Nexus 7 must be decent at handling blog posts. 

Mobile Operating Systems, Operating Systems, Technology

Where is my Nexus 7?

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The Google Nexus 7 has been the biggest tablet release of the year.  This product sports Android 4.1 JellyBean, a quad core processor, 12 graphics cores, scratch resistant glass all for $250 or less.  So, there is no wonder why all of those who pre-ordered cannot take the wait any longer.

The aspect of the pre-order that seems to anger those who participated are that eager buyers went directly into Sam’s Club and came out with a device the same day.  I actually ordered my device on the day it was announced during Google I/O (along with millions more) and yet I am still patiently waiting the arrival of my Nexus 7.

Bottom line:  Some are mad — however, there is nothing that we can do except wait for our beautiful game-changing 7 inch tablets to arrive at our doorstep.  In addition, calling the Play Store 1(855)836-3987 will lead you to a message informing that pre-orders are indeed shipping.  Realize that once you have this device in your hands, all of the turmoil will instantly leave.

Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

Hello, Google Nexus 7

Everything that you could have ever wanted in a 7 inch tablet is here.  What is that, you mat ask?

  • Nexus-branded
  • Android 4.1
  • Quad-core Tegra 3 1.5 GHz processor
  • 12 core GPU
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 1200×800 HD display (216 ppi) on scratch resistant corning glass
  • 4325 mAH battery
  • $199 starting price tag for 8 GB model ($249 for 16 GB model)

Some are calling this an Apple iPad killer, others are calling it an Amazon Kindle Fire killer, I am calling it a staple in the tablet market with an unmatched experience that is topped off by Google Play.  When Google first switched the Market to the Play Store confusion was in every corner of the Android world; however, with Play Books, Play Movies, and Play Music on Android devices we saw how it could be tied all together.  We all know that tablets are media consumption devices and what better way to consume media than Google Play.

The Nexus 7 is built by one of the leading tablet manufacturers for Google, Asus, so the hardware is not lacking in any area.  In addition, Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) really shines; taking Android to the next level.  This latest software iteration introduces Chrome as the default browser, new notification interactions and takes full advantage of Google’s Project Butter, which focuses on the operating systems responsiveness — as if Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich wasn’t fast enough, this next iteration is blazing fast.

Bottom line:  Getting the Nexus 7 really isn’t a choice if you are an Android purist and want a seamless device.  However, if you are in the tablet market for the first time this $200 (8 GB version) is well worth every penny and has the specs to keep up for a while!  In addition, for a limited time with purchase receive $25 of credit to spend in Google Play, other free content, and it includes a copy of Transformers: Dark of the Moon.  Buy the Nexus 7 [HERE]