More
    Home Blog Page 1255

    Review: Samsung Galaxy Nexus

    Gadgets Team
    -
    2
    Review: Samsung Galaxy Nexus

    When Google decides to push out a new revision to their Android operating system, they’ve always made it a point that there’d be a “hero” device that went with it to demonstrate the capabilities of the new version. That’s how it went for Android 2.1 with the Nexus One and Android 2.3 with the Nexus S. With the release of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, comes the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. One of the first things you’ll notice with the Galaxy Nexus is its sheer size. With dimensions of 135.5 x 67.9 x 8.9mm, its overall size is pretty substantial, and almost the same size as the HTC Sensation XL we reviewed earlier this month. The device sports a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED screen that’s capable of 720 x 1280 resolution, which is quite higher compared to other devices we’ve reviewed in the past.

    There’s a 5-megapixel camera located at the back, with a lower resolution front facing camera for video calls.

    Despite the Galaxy Nexus’ size, it’s pretty easy to hold and sits in the palm of our hands nicely. The Galaxy Nexus screen curves slightly inward, which makes it more comfortable to use when calling. As is with Samsung’s previous offerings, the device is primarily made out of plastic. That doesn’t mean that it feels cheap, actually it’s quite the opposite – the device feels solid, with no flex or creaks anywhere on the body. One major departure from the typical Android devices is the absence of the four Android keys (capacitive or otherwise) on the bottom of the device. These have been removed and replaced by the three main keys that we’ll tackle in more detail in a bit.

    The Galaxy Nexus is powered by a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor with 1GB of RAM. It’s also equipped with NFC right off the bat, so it’s pretty much future proofed for Google Wallet and other cash-less payment system that pops up later on.

    We’ve seen quite a few Super AMOLED equipped smartphones in the past, but to be honest, we never get tired reviewing them. That’s because Super AMOLED panels are simply beautiful – colors just pop, black levels are truly black and everything is just mind bogglingly gorgeous. Even if you put up a picture of a toothless hobo on the screen, you’ll still be mesmerized at the color, quality and clarity of the picture, right before you realize you’re staring at a picture of a toothless hobo on the screen.

    Of course, the real star of the show here is Android 4.0, or Ice Cream Sandwich. There’s quite a lot to take in so we’re only going to talk about the most important ones. First off is the color scheme. Google’s gotten rid of the default green on black color scheme and replaced it with a light blue on black motif instead. Android 4.0 also uses Google’s brand new Roboto font liberally across the device, which is great, as the typeface feels way better than what the firm used before. Users will notice that there are only three capacitive buttons on the bottom instead of three – back, home and recent apps. The first two are pretty self-explanatory, while the third is a bit of a departure.

    Basically, recent apps display all the apps you’ve used recently with a little thumbnail of the app. You can switch to the app directly by pressing on the thumbnail, or flick it to the right if you want it closed. For legacy apps, a small menu button will appear on the far right (represented by three stacked dots).

    Once you go into the app tray, you’re greeted by a slightly tweaked interface. The app tray no longer scrolls vertically, and doesn’t stop once you reach the end of your apps – It’ll simply switch to the widgets page.

    Another nice feature of ICS is the integrated data monitoring app – basically, you’ll be able to monitor the amount of data you use, and set upper limits as to how much data your device is allowed to consume. Once those limits are reached, your data connection automatically shuts off.

    Performance-wise, we were expecting the Samsung Galaxy Nexus to perform at least as well as the Samsung Galaxy S II as they have roughly the same processor in them. Unfortunately, our standard benchmarking tool AnTuTu isn’t optimized for ICS, and as a result it was showing lower than expected scores for the Galaxy Nexus which to be honest, did not match our experience with the device. Our time with the Galaxy Nexus is, simply put, the best we’ve ever experienced on an Android device, period.

    Battery life is pretty good, and with moderate to heavy use, the Galaxy Nexus managed to go about a day and a half on a single charge. The Galaxy Nexus is able to do this because of its power efficient Super AMOLED display, a trait that it shares with its older brother, the Galaxy S II. Calls were also pretty clear across the board, with the Galaxy Nexus consistently getting excellent reception.

    Possibly the only thing that we would have changed with the Galaxy Nexus is the camera. In a world where high-end smartphones have 8 megapixel cameras at a minimum, it was odd to see a 5-megapixel deal on the Galaxy Nexus.

    Should you get one? Short answer is yes. The sheer beauty of the 4.65-inch Super AMOLED screen alone is well worth the price of admission, and when you combine that with the improvements Google has done with ICS, then the Galaxy Nexus becomes one of the best smartphones to become available this year. If you do decide to get one however, you’ll have to go through Smart to get it, as they’re currently the exclusive carrier for the Galaxy Nexus here in the Philippines.

     

    What’s Hot:

    Super AMOLED 4.65-inch screen

    Fast, responsive, boots up web pages quickly

    Excellent battery life

     

    What’s Not:

    Camera is a bit underwhelming

    No microSD card slot

     

    Bottomline:

    The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is one of the best phones we’ve tested this year. Grab one if you can.

     

    Buymeter: 4.5

     

    Tech Specs

    • Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
    • CPU: Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9
    • Screen size: 4.65-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen,
    • Physical Dimensions: 135.5 x 67.9 x 8.9 mm
    • Weight: 135g
    • Band: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
    • Internal memory: 16/32 GB

    Pentax officially announces K-01

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    Pentax officially announces K-01

     

    What was first just a rumor has now been officially announced. Pentax confirms the upcoming release of their newest model, the K-01, which is a K-mount mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and the first of its kind in the industry. The K-01 comes standard with a new ultra-thin DA XS 40mm F2.8 kit lens, which reduces the camera’s size to close to that of a point-and-shoot while delivering the same image quality of a high-end DSLR thanks to its new Prime M engine. Boasting ultimate flexibility, the unit natively supports the entire SLR lens lineup, all current DSLR Pentax lenses, legacy and manual lenses, as well as third party ones. Users will enjoy full HD and 720p video recording up to 60fps with its 16.28 Megapixel CMOS sensor. In addition to this, we also have not yet seen an 81-point contrast-detect autofocus system as the primary autofocus mechanism on a K-mount camera.


    Although it will probably not replace your DSLR just yet, the release of this new Pentax camera on March 15th (not sure when it’s released in the Philippines) is a good start and truly something to be excited for. The K-01 will be available in black, white, and yellow at a price of USD$749 (approximately Php 31,500) for the body only and USD$899 (approximately Php 37,800) with the 40mm kit lens included.

    Sony shakes up top leadership – Kazuo Hirai will become President and CEO

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    Sony shakes up top leadership – Kazuo Hirai will become President and CEO

    Seems there’s been some major changes at Sony – the Japanese firm has just confirmed that Kazuo Hirai has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer once April 1, 2012. Hirai’s predecessor, Sir Howard Stringer, will become Chairman of Sony’s Board of Directors. The change comes as Sony faces massive challenges in the consumer electronics space, with the company recently posting a Q3 loss of 159 billion yen (about 2 billion USD). For his part, Hirai acknowledged that the company faces challenging times, saying that “were it not for the strong leadership of Sir Howard Stringer these past seven years, we would have been in a much more difficult position.” He adds, “I am grateful to Sir Howard and to the Board for their confidence in me, and I look forward to working with everyone at Sony more closely than ever before to build a strong future for our customers, shareholders, partners and employees. The path we must take is clear: to drive the growth of our core electronics businesses – primarily digital imaging, smart mobile and game; to turn around the television business; and to accelerate the innovation that enables us to create new business domains.”

    Source: Sony

    BlackBerry OS 7 devices get certified for US and Canadian gov’t use

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    BlackBerry OS 7 devices get certified for US and Canadian gov’t use

    RIM is a happy camper today – the US and Canada has recently announced that BlackBerry 7 and BlackBerry 7.1 devices have have been awarded FIPS 140-2 certification by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC), which means that the devices running on the OS can now be used by their respective government agencies. FIPS 140-2 certification means that the devices are capable of a certain level of cryptographic security – we don’t want people knowing about the aliens in Area 51, do we now? This means you can expect the “man” to start sporting BlackBerry Bold 9900’s, Torch 9810’s, and all the other BlackBerry 7 OS powered devices.

    SmartNet gets an update, goes on other Android devices, iOS

    Gadgets Team
    -
    2
    SmartNet gets an update, goes on other Android devices, iOS

    Arguably one of the best things about Smart’s NetPhone 701 and Galaxy Y was their groundbreaking suite of applications, SmartNet. SmartNet allowed people to check their Facebook and Twitter for free, without incurring data charges and added a whole range of functionality that things like giving load and other services easy and convenient for subscribers. Now Smart has announced that a new version of SmartNet will be rolling out, with a new look and a number of key improvements to give users the best internet experience possible on their mobile devices.

    One of the main improvements Smart made for SmartNet is a cleaner home screen, which allows for easier navigation. Aside from overhauling the look of SmartNet, the telco also improved the performance of SmartNet related apps in the new version. Smart Broadband Internet and Data Services Head Gio Bacareza says that the improved apps, “launch more quickly and uses less battery power, thanks to the modifications we made on the software.” Gio says that the improvements significantly increased the response time for chat, which he says now has a delivery time of .8 seconds to your friends.

    Smart also took the opportunity to update us in the performance of SmartNet and their NetPhone devices. The telco proudly says that they’ve sold more or less 100,000 NetPhone devices, with an overwhelming number of those being sold to postpaid subscribers. This is substantial, because an overwhelming amount of Smart’s customer base are pre-paid customers.

    So it’s not surprising that Smart is looking to infuse SmartNet into a large swath of internet capable mobile devices. During the press briefing earlier today, the telco showed us a couple of other devices running SmartNet, which included several high-end phones including the HTC EVO, and an iPhone 4S. Yes folks, Smart has a working SmartNet app for iOS, and though Smart says that the iOS version of the app is still being tweaked, the functionality of SmartNet on the iPhone present during the event was substantial. Will we see a NetPhone branded iOS device? Probably not, but once the app successfully navigates the labyrinthian maze that is Apple’s app approval process, you can turn your own iOS device into a SmartNet compliant gadget.

     

    Could OnLive on an Android device be the future of video games?

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    Could OnLive on an Android device be the future of video games?

    For those who are not familiar, OnLive is a gaming service that has been around for about a year that allows its users to play high resolution games over the internet. Of course, you must first have a computer or Android/iOS device that is powerful enough to run the particular games you want to play and a fast enough internet connection to stream them. What makes the app different from the rest is that it can bring games that are usually exclusive to consoles (such as the Xbox and PlayStation) and PCs to your smart device, turning your device into a portable gaming console. Games such as NBA 2K12, L.A Noire, Assassin’s Creed, Fallout and Street Fighter IV have already been converted for OnLive play. Although every game has been redesigned so that the controls translate well on a touch screen, some games do still require a real controller and there are many controllers out there that can be purchased to attach to your smart device. OnLive also offers the OnLive Game System, which includes the OnLive MicroConsole TV adapter, a wireless controller, and the needed cables and accessories, allowing users to play using their TV.

     

    Although hard-core gamers may currently still prefer consoles and PCs, the fast-developing smart device industry keeps making faster and more powerful devices that could perhaps one day equal the specs on your game console and PC. Perhaps by that time, the OnLive style of gaming could take over the industry and transform it.

    How to pimp your ride Gadgets-style

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    How to pimp your ride Gadgets-style

    We here at Gadgets may be an authority when it comes to the latest tech and lifestyle offerings, but we still find it amazing to see all of that tech know-how and sheer geeky love for technology still put to practical (albeit exaggerated) use by our fellow Gadgets readers. So for today’s post, I’d like to share my best friend’s (and former contributor for Gadgets Magazine) ride and how he “pimped it out” to resemble, what he calls, his own version of “the Bat Mobile.”

    Nino Avenido, Bruce Wayne/Batman aspirer once shared, “I don’t like to throw any of my old gadgets away. I believe each one still has a particular purpose. Even if they’re obsolete.”

    If you like his car, you should see what he did to his condo… it looks straight out of a ship in The Matrix.

     

    Perhaps you can send us a picture of how you “geekified” (sorry, I’m making words up) your space.

    First Impressions: Samsung Galaxy S Advance

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    First Impressions: Samsung Galaxy S Advance

    A few days ago, we gave you a sneak peek at the specs of the Galaxy S Advance. Here it is, at a glance.

    Continue

    Humble Bundle gives gamers Android games for cheap

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    Humble Bundle gives gamers Android games for cheap

    We’ve talked about Humble Bundle before but if you need a refresher, let us indulge you: it’s a website which basically packages a number of indie games together and lets you set the price you think is fair for them. After a number of successful Humble Bundle offers, the crew is at it again, but this time they’re giving Android users some low-priced indy love. The Humble Bundle for Android allows gamers to legally buy three indie games for Android (four if you beat the minimum price) with the proceeds going to charity. This time ’round, there are four games up for grabs – Anomaly, Osmos, EDGE and if you beat the minimum, World of Goo. Aside from getting these great games for your Android device, you’ll also be able to get the PC versions of these games with your purchase across all OSes (Windows, Linux and OSX). Isn’t that just awesome? (Yes. Yes it is.) Go grab these games now – remember, a fair amount of money from this sale will be going to charity. You can grab the Android Humble Bundle here.

    Aronamin Gold multivitamins endorsed by James and Phil Younghusband

    Gadgets Team
    -
    2
    Aronamin Gold multivitamins endorsed by James and Phil Younghusband

    Aronamin Gold held a press conference today to highlight James and Phil Younghusband’s endorsement of the multivitamin product. The brothers arrived at the event to discuss with media the benefit that Aronamin multivitamins have provided them given that they lead very active lifestyles. In fact, they have been active since childhood whether on or off football season due to training and practice, while the days leading up to a game are when they do a lot of running and intense fitness work.

    Interestingly, Aronamin Gold differs from other multivitamins in that it contains fat soluble components of vitamin B1 and B2, which are beneficial for energy production, the nervous system, brain function, and cardiovascular function. Being that Aronamin Gold provides these components in a fat soluble form as opposed to a water soluble one, they stay longer in the body and are not easily excreted during physical exertion.

    The Philippine football stars give regocnition to Aronamin Gold for helping them perform at their best every day by maintaining the high energy levels needed to suit their lifestyle. The endorsers have been taking the product for more than a year and have seen fast-acting and noticeable results for daily physical and mental stress. As expressed by the two brothers, balance is essential in upholding a healthy and active lifestyle. This involves getting the right amount of exercise, sleep, and a balanced diet.

    Also featured at today’s press conference was the new video advertisement for the product, which showcased James and Phil performing numerous football tricks on an all-white backdrop with the Aronamin Gold logo at the bottom right of the screen.

    Aronamin Gold can be purchased at selected South Star and Metro Manila Mercury branches at a suggested retail price of P13 per tablet.

    Kaspersky Lab awarded Product of the Year at the AV-Comparatives’ Annual Awards

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    Kaspersky Lab awarded Product of the Year at the AV-Comparatives’ Annual Awards

    AV Comparative Product of the Year with Eugene Kaspersky

     

    Kaspersky Lab saw in the New Year in positive mood after a series of wins with top marks in several comparative tests conducted by different respected independent testing organizations in December of last year.

    Topping off this run of successes, Kaspersky Lab was also awarded Product of the Year at the AV-Comparatives’ Annual Awards – awards based on multiple comparative tests conducted throughout the whole year – based on its being the only security solution provider to get top marks in all the year’s key tests.

    This prestigious award given to the year’s industry beater was based on the results in nine different key comparative tests of consumer anti-virus solutions conducted in 2011, which in Kaspersky Lab’s case meant two products – Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Kaspersky Internet Security. Significantly, Kaspersky Lab was the only solution provider awarded the highest grade – Advanced+ – in all nine tests.

    Nikolay Grebennikov, Chief Technology Officer of Kaspersky Lab, commented: “The importance of these independent test results for our wide range of consumer and corporate security products cannot be underestimated. If we were to compare them to a sports contest, they would be like winning gold medals in all the disciplines of the Olympic Games. Achieving excellent detection rates is one of our main goals, because in a world seeing tens of thousands of new malware samples each day no one can afford to miss just one serious threat. We are very happy to see the world’s most reputable independent research institutions praising the effectiveness of our products, while at the same time we refuse to rest on our laurels and will strive to improve our products even further into the future.”

    Sony announces new glass reinforced CyberShot camera

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    Sony announces new glass reinforced CyberShot camera

     

    Sony has announced 3 new CyberShot cameras to its Ultra-Thin T-Series line, one of which is the DSC-TX200V digital camera. This new release features a 3.3″ Xtra Fine Tru-Black OLED touch screen on the back and a reinforced glass design on the front, similar to that of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s smartphones.

     

    Equipped with an 18.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, which is currently the highest-resolution sensor on a point-and-shoot camera, this new CyberShot is also waterproof up to 5 meters, dust proof, and freeze proof. Included in the gadget’s features are 9 total Picture Effects, Extra High Sensitivity Technology for low-light shooting, 10x virtual zoom via Clear Zoom Technology, full HD movie shooting capability,  and Dual Record able to capture 12 megapixel still images while taking video. The Sony DSC-TX200V camera will be available in silver, red, and violet for an estimated retail price of $500 USD (approximately Php 21,500). In the same month, Sony will also be releasing two other lesser-priced CyberShot cameras, the DSC-WX70 and the DSC-WX50.

    Panasonic’s new Lumix cameras are ready for the great outdoors

    Gadgets Team
    -
    0
    Panasonic’s new Lumix cameras are ready for the great outdoors

    Panasonic is starting the year off strong, with 4 new compact systems to introduce their 2012 lineup. But that’s not all, for they’ve also introduced 2 new systems built specifically for rugged situations.

    Continue

    Panasonic kicks off their 2012 Lumix lineup

    Gadgets Team
    -
    1
    Panasonic kicks off their 2012 Lumix lineup

    If you’re a Lumix fan, you’ll be pleased to know that Panasonic has announced 6 new cameras, kicking off their 2012 lineup. Here are four of them, at a glance.

    Continue
    1...1,2541,2551,256...1,355Page 1,255 of 1,355
    LOG-IN

    © 2020 - Great Minds Media Inc.