TechTalk - Unboxing Nexus 4

Here it is.  

The unboxing of the Google Nexus 4.

There was suppose to be an accompanying video - but thanks to my iPhone (which I used to record the video - it cutoff midstream)

So here you are - pictures of the Nexus 4.

Will give updates regarding the phone battle - iPhone 4 vs. Nexus 4

If you have any questions - or want to see more - let me know!  =]

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TechTalk - iPhone 4 vs. Nexus 4.

Aloha everyone,

After sleeping for 11 hours, I thought I should do some writing... 

Another New Year's Resolution that I have is to NOT buy a MOBILE (cell phone) device - 

For those of you that know me well, I probably buy and switch phones every 2-3 months.

This year will be quite different.  I will spend the next month with both an iPhone 4 and Nexus 4 and whichever one I decide to keep - will be my phone for 2013 - no upgrade, no switching, no nada.

Alright, for the Apple Fanboys - the reason I chose the iPhone 4, is because I have the phone and I just got it replaced, so its brand new.  iPhone 4 running iOS 6.0.1, 32GB, factory unlocked.

The Nexus 4 has been sold out for months, but I have one in my hands - in the U.S it runs for $349 (for the 16GB) and 349€ in the E.U.

You guys might think its unfair that I am comparing a phone that is 2 year old and a phone that has just been released - but to be honest - they're the same price (roughly).  An iPhone 5 is $649 which would not be fair to compare to a $349 phone.

For me it will be the OS (Operating system), applications and the size of the phone on a daily use that will decide which mobile phone I will keep.

This is not my first iPhone (I've owned every single iteration of iPhone - with the exception of iPhone 4S and iPhone 5).  This is not my first Android phone (I've owned everything from LG Optimus, Galaxy, but this will be the first Google stock OS phone that I will be using).

I've been a long time Apple OSX user.  However, I find that I have been integrated more into the Google ecosystem.  For example, my .mac email which switched to .me has hardly been used since my gmail activation.  My iWeb page is no longer in use since I switched to Blogger.  Even my calendar, contacts, etc. is now hosted by google (so yes - that's probably why my Google password is 16-20 characters long) lol

Unboxing photos of Nexus 4 coming soon - as well as comparative photos between iPhone 4 and Nexus 4.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TechTalk - 2 reasons why I HATE Windows Phone

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Operating system, the live updating tiles, the integration between the various social networks.  Actually, I've had two Windows Phones the past year - a Dell Venue Pro and a HTC HD7.  I would completely recommend Windows Phone to anyone as long as they understand the Two  Reasons I Hate Windows Phone.  Yes, its a love/hate relationship.  We're currently in the broken up stages.  I currently have an Android phone.

Reason #1 - Hard Reset

A "hard reset" is basically erasing everything off your phone as if it were brand new.  While this may not appear to be a big deal, there isn't a way to re-download all of your apps automatically.  Apple iPhone have the iTunes ecosystem where all apps are stored locally, so theoretically, you can just "sync" your phone.  While Windows Phone uses Zune (and its great at wireless syncing) if you have need to perform a hard reset, you will be forced to manually download all of your apps via your phone or (online Windows Marketplace).

Why do I need to perform a hard reset?

Your Windows phone is tied to a Windows LIVE email (you don't have to use a .LIVE or .HOTMAIL), but once you set up your email as a Windows Live email, that is set on your mobile device.  Recently, my Xbox live account was hacked and after contacting Xbox support, they changed the Windows LIVE associated with my account for "safety reasons" with a new random email.  This basically renders your Marketplace useless, if you try to assess application or update your phone - your phone will AUTOMATICALLY provide your current Windows LIVE email, with another Gamertag.

If you aren't a gamer, this probably isn't a big deal, but many Windows Phone users love to play games and probably currently have an Xbox as well and achievement points are just topping on the cake, needless to say changing emails and gamertags is a frustrating experience.  There is a workaround, but it will involve you (not xbox) creating another email, associating your current (unused) gamertag to that email and finally associating your email with your original gamertag.  Needless to say, I no longer a windows phone after this experience.

Reason #2 - Applications

While the number of applications is just a number to me in regards to marketplaces, there are applications that doesn't exist in the Windows ecosystem that I like to use on nearly a daily basis.

Applications such as Yelp (the Windows version doesn't have a check in method), RunKeeper (an application which tracks your workouts - cycling, running, etc.), Instagram (my current favorite picture sharing application).  Check out http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/marketplace before you decide on a Windows phone - chances are you've invested in an Apple or Android ecosystem and your favorite applications may not be available on this ecosystem.

Microsoft, I love your operating system and I wish you the best with the release of Windows 8, but being an early Windows phone adopter and not having access to the latest and greatest after 2 iterations of the operating system is quite a bit much to bear.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

TechTalk - Best Tablet Browser

Over the course of the past 2 years, I've had my share of tablets, from iPad, Dell Streak 7, HTC Evo View 4G, HTC Flyer and Blackberry Playbook.  Each running different OS systems, iOS, Android 2.2 (Froyo), Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) and BB OS.

So... who has the best browser?!?

My favorite browser on a tablet the one that can be found on Blackberry Playbook.

Why!?

Well, I know the apps are limited (very limited) but the browser more than makes up for it.  Example, it is true that iOS and Android has applications to stream television from NBC, ABC, FOX, etc. but you won't need those apps for the PlayBook.  All you have to do is go to the website like you would on your computer, stream and watch the show.  This is great for sites that don't have "apps" that still run their website on flash... examples... CW, Logo, Cnet and Yahoo (and countless more)

You'll be able to watch embedded views on these sites!

Streaming Project Runway All Stars on Lifetime

Yes, while other tablets have other capabilities and tons of other applications, for $199 you can get the best internet experience on a tablet...

called the Blackberry Playbook.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.