Cloudfone Excite 400d - Cheapest Jelly Bean Smartphone

Introducing the Cloudfone Excite 400d

I thought that Cherry Mobile was the only smartphone company that could dish out affordable yet highly functional Jelly Bean Smartphone devices and yet here I am proven wrong.  Early this year Cloudfone had been quite busy at creating a follow up to their former budget flagship phone called the Cloudfone Thrill 430x, and have now just released its successor the Cloudfone Excite 400d. 

This drop dead priced budget phone is priced at just under Php 4,500 and yet it packs a dual core processor(1Ghz), Stock Android Jelly Bean(version 4.1.2) and is at 4" with a front (.3MP) and back(5MP) camera. 

The Jelly Bean firmware coupled with the dual core processor is the backbone as to how smooth it is to navigate through the Cloudfone Excite 400d. Storage is expandable to 32GB and what I love about it is that you can pick either the microSD card as the primary storage or the internal memory. I am pretty sure you'll be using the external memory as the main storage area as the internal memory would only have about 500Mb left.

Camera-wise, the Cloudfone Excite 400d isn't something to be too excited about but it does the job with well lit situations but once you hit the dark room, even with it's flash be ready to get grainy low quality pictures. Same goes with the front facing camera which works well for skype calling and other video chat apps, but once you get to a dark place all they'll get to see is your silhouette. 

Sound quality is pretty good and is quite pleasant to listen to and you can download almost unlimited media files such as movies to watch on it's 4" TFT screen, which though low compared to the current ppi values being released in the market, is quite pleasant to watch from. 

Another plus factor is the fact that you have interchangeable back covers. You'll get the default black casing and one of three other colors with the packaging. The colors are quite similar to that of the Nokia Lumia series. 

The only down side to the Cloudfone Excite 400d is the battery which is at 1400mAh and would merit that you bring an extra power source of carry around your charger and plug in when you feel that you need the extra juice. 

Cloudfone Excite 400d Spec Sheet

• 1GHz Dual-core Processor, MediaTek MTK6577 chipset
• 512MB RAM
• 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
• 4.0-inch 800 x 480 resolution TFT capacitive touchscreen
• 5.0-megapixels rear-facing camera with autofocus and LED flash
• VGA front-facing camera
• WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi Hotspot, Bluetooth, 3G, GPS with A-GPS
• Back Cover Colors: Blue, Yellow, Pink and Black
• Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
• 1,400mAh Battery

Overall, the Cloudfone Excite 400d is quite a breakthrough at least in terms of the pricing scheme and could even rival those of the other more popular budget smartphone brands. The overall feel of the phone, the software and hardware, all make it quite an attractive package for just under the Php 4,500 marker. It is something to consider if you want to enjoy the full benefits of an Android Smartphone running on the latest firmware version called Jelly Bean. Its smooth and easy to use and light for anyone's budget. 

I can't wait to get to see what Cloudfone shall be dishing out next. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz

Is HTC ONE the One or is the Samsung Galaxy S4 for You?

With both the power house smartphone makers Samsung and HTC fighting for smartphone supremacy which for them equates to marketability and end user desirability it is undeniable that the flagship smartphones the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4 are to be talked about and pitted against each other in a seemingly unending battle of who's who in the world of smartphones.

To help with the choice of whom to go with will eventually weigh in on the consumer's overall preference and what once would consider vital or important to have versus that of course of cost. Here, we'll try to get things spread out for you to understand and hopefully help you make that choice.

Design

Upon first glance of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One you'll get to see the marked difference in terms of design and build. Once you pick it up you get to see how much more premium one feels compared to the other, considering that they are both flagship devices.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is somewhat still identical to its predecessor, with just a minor difference in bezel size with the Samsung Galaxy S4 sporting a much smaller bezel. It is also slightly thinner. The Samsung Galaxy S4 uses polycarbonate plastic, which has proven to be tough at protecting the phone from scratches but unfortunately feels a bit too plasticky in the hand. It also is a magnet for grease and dirt. One thing that is good to note about the Samsung Galaxy S4, is that due to its build quality it is light and wont weigh you down much once you put it in your pockets.

The HTC One has migrated far from the polycarbonate build and decided to go with a fully aluminium construction and just a tinge of polycarbonate accents. It has been compared to that of the iPhone 5 feel and look making it aesthetically pleasing to the general public. It is this reason that HTC One gives of a more premium feel as compared to that of the Samsung Galaxy S4. 

In terms of thickness the HTC One is slightly thicker and heavier at 9.33mm and 143g compared to the Samsung Galaxy S4 which is at 7.9mm in thickness and a weight of just about 130g. Upon handling, you will most likely not feel the difference between the two. 

Screen

The Samsung Galaxy S4 sports a 5in 1080x1920 Super AMOLED touchscreen. The HTC One has chosen to use a 4.7in 1080x1920 Super LCD3 display. Samsung's pixel density is at 441ppi and HTC's is at 469ppi. Between the two you will most likely not spot the difference in terms of pixel quality, but you will get to notice a difference in terms of brightness and deep black colors which is quite notable with that of the HTC One as compared to that of the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Performance

This is where the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One are quite at par with each other. Considering that the Samsung Galaxy S4 has a Quad Core (1.9Ghz) and and Octa Core (quad core 1.6Ghz and quad core 1.2Ghz) Version versus that of the Quad Core (1.7Ghz) Version of the HTC One. Quadrant scores between the Quad Core Versions HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 are pretty much at par but the Octa Core Version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 edges it a little over the 13000 marker.

Both the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One proved to be very quick, with apps opening instantly, video playback encountering no issues and multitasking working smoothly. 

Software

With both the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One running on Google's Android 4.2 Jelly Bean mobile operating system one would presume that using the two smartphones' software shouldn't be markedly different. 

The Samsung Galaxy S4's Touchwiz UI is similar to that of the older Samsung model's UI. Making a migration from lets say Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or a its predecessor Samsung Galaxy S3 wouldn't be tough as the interface is pretty much the same. Some people find it a little over complicated though, but with time shouldn't be too bad.

Samsung has included several new features to make the Galaxy S4 more attractive so to speak. These include the feature known as Eye Scroll, a feature that enables users to scroll down web pages and documents by simply using their eyes. This doesn't pan out well as much and from a user standpoint, I highly doubt that this would be used by the general public unless of course you're on a device like Google Glasses (wonder if this is just a teaser and Samsung is planning to compete with Google in this new technological arena). Another software feature is Air Gesture, which enables the user to swipe through pages and images by waving a hand in the air over the screen. I still dont see where this can be useable unless of course you'd be too obsessive compulsive about not leaving a finger print mark on your screen. I still prefer being able to physically touch the screen, though again I wonder if this is a teaser tech for something like that of the Google Glasses. 

The HTC One has revamped their UI  and aptly called it the Sense 5.0. They have stripped it down and is quite easier and elegant to use even compared to the old Sense versions.  HTC's Sense 5.0 user interface introduces Blinkfeed, which reminds me of Flipboard. This makes information on the go quite fun and easy to read. HTC hasn't bundled many apps onto the HTC One at least in terms of bloatware, thus leaving more space for the things that users would want in terms of applications. 

Camera

This is where things get a little tricky as the two smartphone giants have taken a completely different route in terms of technology. The Samsung Galaxy S4 features a 13MP rear-facing camera, while the HTC One features a 4MP 'Ultrapixel' camera on its back.

The Samsung Galaxy S4's camera is typically good. The 13MP excelled at taking photos in well-lit surroundings, producing images full of natural colours and detail. 

Samsung has configured the Galaxy S4 with some custom camera tools, including Eraser, Animated Video and Sound and Shot modes, expanding on the traditional Android camera interface.

The HTC One's 'Ultrapixel' camera was expected to be the "next big thing" at the handset's launch and with new features like the ZOE HTC is hoping to get to capture the market's interest. 

Both these units performed quite well in well lit situations but in low light, you'll get to see where the HTC One excels, just be careful though to keep a steady hand when taking low light shots. Picking out which to choose at this stand point is certainly a matter of preference. The flash of the Samsung Galaxy S4 does compensate at times when there is little to no light so night shots shouldn't be much of a problem and HTC One's performance is pretty much at par with the picture quality of that of the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Battery and storage

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is powered by a 2,600mAh battery, while the HTC One features a slightly smaller 2,300mAh battery.

The time with which Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One gets fully drained at least with general use, but with the Samsung Galaxy S4 having a removable battery, gives it a slight advantage over that of the HTC One. I personally can attest to this need as when my HTC One X's battery had to be replaced, I was advised to contact the HTC Service center to have it done versus just dropping by a store to buy new ones for my Samsung Galaxy Note 2. 

In terms of storage, the Samsung Galaxy S4 boasts either 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, and this can be expanded with an additional 64GB using a microSD card. The HTC One on the other hand comes with either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, with no capability to expand this further.

This is again where it gets a little tricky. Most people really want to have an external memory option, however with Jelly Bean, most buyers dont realize that you wont be able to migrate applications to an external microSD. This makes whatever internal memory you've got as the only space for installation of applications. Thus, the microSD is only used for media files and if you get the 16GB models of the Samsung Galaxy S4, you'd only have around 10+GB of useable memory for applications. I would veer away from the Samsung Galaxy S4 16GB options if you are the type that loves to gather as much application as you can, otherwise opt for the the 32GB and 64GB versions. HTC One however has had that issue in their foresight. Additional storage space though does help out a bit when you like to store lots of media files, making the choice of having an external card option as a matter of choice.

Both of these manufacturers have also included cloud storage services to compensate a bit more for memory space though the general market would still prefer a larger storage capacity or at least the option to extend it a bit more.

Overall

Making a choice between flagship devices is definitely not an easy choice. It'll be a battle of functionality, features, and aesthetics. which you'll choose is entirely a matter of preference and deciding on which you feel best suits your need and lifestyle.

Between the two though, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S4 for the following reasons:

1. The battery is easily replaceable, if anything does go wrong with this part of the phone I can easily drop by a gadget shop and buy a replacement. I don't need to call service or customer care to get an appointment and go out of my way to have my battery "fixed"

2. MicroSd Card option, let's say you're on a budget and yet wants a high end phone. Getting the 16GB model is definitely going to be the cheaper end of the spectrum for the flagship but with the microSD card slot you'd have places to store those pics, videos and other media files without having to eat up on your main memory. Though a little scrimping on the number of apps you can install is sacrificed but the overall fun you can have with the phone isn't.

3. Accessories are easy to find. Prior to the release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 to the general market, you'd find that there are already several accessories available once you do grab the phone. My experience unfortunately with HTC One series is that accessories are few if not hard to find and not many are able to accentuate the beauty of it's design making it look quite bland and bulky at times.

I guess you can say that I am pragmatic in terms of my choice. I personally like to grab a device that can work well with me long term with out too much of a hassle and still provide me with a great end user experience. Again, this reflects who and what I am. I'd be quite happy to hear what your thoughts are on these two and which shall be your choice?

Till Next Time...

-Metz

Unveil Your Style: SHARP SH530U

Sharp has become quite aggressive as of late in terms of marketing their latest smartphone entry. They however have focused on products that are of the mid-level markets with their latest addition the SHARP SH530U Dual Sim Phone. The SHARP SH530U isn't something that one can easily pass up though as it does carry some pretty amazing features that is sure to tempt even those that consider themselves as tech savvy.

Refined Design Meets Progressive Technology - Sharp has Meticulously crafted and engineered the SHARP SH530U. It was designed to meet the needs of those that want the latest in Android Technology with their beautiful hybrid 5" display which is simply stunning to look at creating a highly entertaining interactive experience.

Stunning Interactive Experience - With the SHARP SH530U, you'll do what you want, however you want to do it. With their FEEL UX on the SHARP SH530U, you'll be able to personalize the phone and organize the applications any way you "feel" like arranging them and even get notifications by just a simple swipe of your finger.

Sleekness in your Hands - The SHARP SH530U is so thin that it measures roughly about 9.9mm think and is made to fit perfectly in every hand, pocket or purse.

Standby for Dual Flexibility - it is quite easy to enjoy the convenience of having two sim cards in a single smartphone. Sharp's Dual Sim Technology provides the flexibility to manage both your personal and business life with ease.

Display- 5″ WXVGA 480×800 TFT Touch Screen, Multi-touch input	Network- SIM 1(Quad GSM, 3G 900Mhz & 2100Mhz), SIM 2(Quad GSM)	Dimensions- 146.5 x 81 x 9.9 mm/ 168.8g
Camera- 5 megapixel, 3264×2448 pixels, autofocus, Secondary front VGA camera	User Memory 16gb, 512 MB RAM DDR 2 card slot up to 32gb	Connectivity- HSPA(Download- 7.2Mbps, Upload-5.76Mbps), GPS, WiFi(b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0
Operating System- Android 4.0 with Feel UX user interface	Processor- Cortex Dual Core A9- 1Ghz (MediaTek MT6577, PowerVR SXG531T)	Battery- Standard battery, Li-Ion 1950 mAh (Talk time up to 9 hours, standby time up to 560 hours)

Overall, the SHARP SH530U is a pretty good phone for those looking for an alternative brand that carries dual sim capabilities without sacrificing on performance and style.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Ubuntu Mobile OS: A Promising New Smartphone Platform

It has just been revealed today that Canonical, the company that is behind the Linux Based Ubuntu OS has released its version of the OS for Smartphones and it is definitely looking really sweet. Though eventually it will be offering it's systems for TV and PCs as well but for now their main priority is to compete with the front running Smartphone providers such as Google Android, IOS, Windows and Blackberry. The Ubuntu system promises a better UI(User Interface) experience for its users. 

"We expect Ubuntu to be popular in the enterprise market, enabling customers to provision a single secure device for all PC, thin client and phone functions. Ubuntu is already the most widely used Linux enterprise desktop, with customers in a wide range of sectors focused on security, cost and manageability," said Jane Silber, CEO of Canonical. "We also see an opportunity in basic smartphones that are used for the phone, SMS, web and email, where Ubuntu outperforms thanks to its native core apps and stylish presentation."

Ubuntu has gotten the backings of both ARM and x86 processors which makes it an extremely viable contender for today's Android powered smartphones.

The Ubuntu Smartphone OS constitutes similar drivers kernel seen on Android. Canonical's chief Mark Shuttleworth showcased a Galaxy Nexus running the mobile version of Ubuntu featuring a swipe-based Menu. Other known features are voice command, a dedicated app store and personalised welcome screen.

The OS will have both web-based as well as native apps. Ubuntu is considered by many to be the best Linux distro out there, and it does enjoy a lot of developer/ community support. It is the latest in a series of smartphone operating systems from companies and associations not known for their smartphone lineup. This includes Open webOS, FirefoxOS, Jolla's Sailfish OS and Samsung-owned Tizen. 

While it’s a plus to have additional options in the smartphone marketplace, we have to wonder if there is enough room to support another mobile operating system. In the current mobile space, it appears to be a battle for third place between BlackBerry 10, Windows Phone 8 and now Ubuntu.

We have to note that native Ubuntu for smartphones is an entirely different platform and ecosystem than Ubuntu for Android. 

Spigen: The Best Accessories Shop For your SmartPhone/Tablet

If you are like many that really want to make sure that you're smartphone gadgets are well protected yet still remain stylish and yet still not be too costly finding that certain accessory brand that can do it all for your devices whether it be an Android Device like the HTC One X or your scratch prone iPhone 5, then I would strongly recommend to check out the company that has been taking care of my SmartPhone babies for quite awhile now and has been doing it quite well - Spigen.

Here is What one should Know about Spigen:

"Since its launch in 2004 in South Korea, SGP has earned recognition from publishers in the industry as a premier designer of mobile accessories. SGP's venture into the field of screen protection films was met with acclaim from consumers and publishers alike. This paved a way for SGP to expand its range of products which eventually led to a United States division in 2007. Now in 2012, SGP has solidified its reputation as a designer of innovative screen protectors, cases, and utility bags for a variety of phones, tablets, and laptops under its new name, SPIGEN SGP (SPIGEN, Inc).

Their design philosophy can be explained in three words: smart, simple, and sleek. We understand that consumers purchase their mobile device with careful consideration. As an accessory company, we want to create products that will protect and highlight the original design of the device without covering up the device with layers of material. It is our goal to create the perfect balance of form, functionality, and protection through innovative details in the design and material. This minimalistic and sleek style has led to SPIGEN being the chosen brand for gadgetlovers around the world."

Now with that out of the way let me show you some of the favorite accessories that I am personally using or what I would most likely recommend. Though it would be best to check out their website, which I shall be sharing with you later through a link. 

HTC One X

HTC One X Ultra Thin Air Series

This is one of my favorites because most of the cases I have seen in the past have not been designed to compliment the curves of the HTC One X's design. The HTC One X Ultra Thin Air Series is made of the same polycarbonate plastic used in the design concept of the HTC One X giving it a sleek and yet sturdy protection for the HTC One X. The three colors here also were picked to compliment the colors of any variant of the HTC One X. This is also compatible with the new HTC One X+ as the physical specs of the HTC One X+ is the same as the One X. Another thing that I loved about this particular product line is the fact that it cradles and protects the camera that normally is protruding with the HTC One X. 

Here are more:

SPIGEN SGP HTC One X [INTERNATIONAL] Ultra Thin Air Series

• UV Crystal coated
• Protects your mobile from scratches, damages, and dust
• Compatible with your device
• Slim fit and light weight
• Easy access to all controls and ports
• Designed by SPIGEN SGP in California, USA
• Ultra Oleophobic screen protector included (1 pc)
• Made in Korea

iPhone 5
Screen Protector Tempered Glass Series

This one is something you might really want to consider getting for that New iPhone 5 as this is something that not only protects your iPhone 5 from scratches but it also protects it from unwanted moisture and with a silicon adhesion technology ensures that it wont loose it's grip from the phone. Plus it's really made of durable tempered glass making it absolutely scratch proof. 

Here is more about the iPhone 5 Tempered Glass Screen Protector:

Steinheil GLAS.t is made to protect the LCD from damage and scratches with specially processed glass that has been reinforced to increase shock absorbency.The entire surface of the GLAS.t is transparent and the back side is covered with a strong silicon adhesive for easy installation. When installed, there are no gaps between the LCD and the GLAS.t which means the touch screen's sensitivity is unaffected. To prevent any excess force from coming in contact with the edges of the screen protector we highly recommend that a case is used with the GLAS.t.

• Whole Transparency : GLAS.t is 0.4mm thick and made with chemically treated, transparent tempered glass.
• Surface hardness : 8~9H : The surface of the GLAS.t has a hardness of 8-9H, three times stronger than regular PET film. Even shard objects such as knives and keys will not scratch the GLAS.t.
• Oleophobic Coating : The GLAS.t has an oleophobic coating that prevents fingerprints and other contaminants and makes the film easy to clean.
• Delicate Touch : The GLAS.t is coated on the back with a strong silicon adhesive that makes installation easy and attaches the film firmly so as to not affect the touch screen's sensitivity.
• Anti-Shatter Film : If broken, the GLAS.t breaks into small pieces that are not sharp, making it safer than other glass products.

CAUTION

* As this is a glass product, please note that the edges of the glass are the most vulnerable areas. We highly recommend that you use case along with your GLAS.t to avoid chipping or cracking the edges of your GLAS.t
* When removing for re-use, the adhesive properties might wear off to an extent where the screen protector will not adhere to the device. It is not recommended to reuse the GLAS.t once it's been applied. * Using excessive force when installing or removing the screen protector may damage the product.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Screen Protector Steinheil Series

Product Details

• Sized to specifically fit the mobile device
• Easy to install / remove
• Non-tacky adhesive : Removed easily without leaving residue
• Premium silicone adhesive : Bubble free application
• Easily wipes away marks and fingerprints.
• Anti-UV ray coated
• No interference with touch-screen responsiveness
• Base film made in Japan
• Finished in Korea
• Designed by SPIGEN SGP in California, USA.

Ultra Crystal : Ultimate Clarity
Ultra Crystal film is a high quality film with a hard surface. It protects the LCD screen from scratches and is crystal clear for absolutely no interference in display clarity.

• High grade clear hard coated film
• 25% thicker than previous model
• No rainbow effect

Ultra Fine : Anti-Fingerprint
Ultra Fine film is a high quality film with a slightly textured film with 30% increased light transmittance. The Ultra Fine is effective in preventing glare, smudges and fingerprints

• High grade anti-glare hard coated film
• Premium matte surface
• Good surface hardness : 3H ~ 4H
• No rainbow effect

Ultra Oleopobic : Oil Resistant
Ultra Oleopobic film features an oil-resistant coating  to prevent smudges resulting from oil, cosmetics, and other contaminants. Any marks and fingerprints can be wiped away easily.

• Oleophobic coating : Oil resistant coating
• No rainbow effect
• Good surface hardness : 3H ~ 4H

Ultra Optics : Anti-Fingerprint with Clarity
Ultra Optics film is premium grade screen protector that features a microlens array surface layer. The microlens array on the surface of this matte anti-fingerprint film dramatically increases the light transmittance while offering an excellent, smooth surface texture with smudge resistant property.

• Optical Microlense Array Matte film : Anti-fingerprint
• Light transmittance increased by 50% from previous model
• Premium matte surface
• Good surface hardness : 2H ~ 3H

Samsung Galaxy S3

This is practically the same as that which is offered by Spigen for the Tempered Glass Series of the iPhone 5.  But unlike the iPhone 5 the Samsung Spigen Tempered Glass has been specifically designed to follow the curvature of the Samsung Galaxy S3's screen giving it a better grip. 

Samusng Galaxy S3 Steinheil GLAS Screen Protector is made to protect the LCD from damage and scratches with a specially processed glass that has been reinforced to increase shock absorbency. The GLAS is transparent with a colored frame and the back side is covered with a strong silicone adhesive for easy installation. When installed, the touch screen's sensitivity is unaffected.

• Transparency with a colored frame in either white or blue
• Highly responsive with the touchscreen
• Surface hardness : 8~9H : The surface of the GLAS has a hardness of 8-9H, three times stronger than regular PET film. Even shard objects such as knives and keys will not scratch the GLAS.
• Oleophobic Coating : A.F (Anti-fingerprint) coated layer for resistance against smudges and fingerprints.
• Anti-Shatter Film : If broken, the GLAS breaks into small pieces that are not sharp, making it safer than other glass products.
• Double side adhesive tape
• Cut slightly smaller to work with all case types

CAUTION

Due to the curved screen of the Galaxy S3, we've made the edges of the GLAS thicker to prevent lifting. Please note that this makes installation for the GLAS different from our GLAS.t screen protectors for the iPhone or Galaxy Note. 

That's basically just a taste of what one can find with Spigen's accessories. Just as promised if you want to check out more of what they offer, which ranges from smartphones to tablets, simply point your browser to the following link:

SPIGEN

They accept orders on their websites which makes it quite convenient but for those that are in the Philippines you can check out some of their stuff in their retailer shop here under Digital Walker

Spigen also has a blog that is quite informative and fun to read as well. You can Check it out here: Spigen Blog

Happy Shopping...

Till the Next Time...

-Metz-

iPhone 5 Full Comparative Review: Should You Buy it or Buy Something Else?

It has been close to a month now since the release of the iPhone 5. It has been one of the most anticipated smartphones of the year and has had one of the most leaked photos and images of how its build and look would be like. By the time it did get released, the result was extremely mixed and to many was rather anti-climactic as it was exactly what the leaks were revealing. But with all the hype and hoopla about the iPhone 5, it still managed to break its own records in terms of sales compared to that of the iPhone 4s. The question that people are asking now is if it is still worth trading in their old iPhone 4s for or should they simply sit this one through.

I believe that in order for one to actually answer that question, there should be a couple of things that one has to consider. Basically, what does the iPhone 5 offer that is different from the iPhone 4s and what is the competition like in terms of costs versus features.

The iPhone 5 has come with one very obvious difference in comparison to that of its predecessor the iPhone 4s - It is longer by about half an inch. To be more specific the iPhone 5 has a 4 inch screen size in comparison to the iPhone 4s' 3.5 inch screen. Design is another factor that has been changed but only in the minimal sense. Looking at the iPhone 5 vs the iPhone 4s very little in terms of general layout has been changed. Camera position is the one thing to be noted as in the iPhone 5 it has been centered on top of the earpiece. Color and build is also different. The iPhone 4s is solid black or white and is enclosed in a glass casing, the iPhone 5 is now two toned with an aluminum back casing and has a shiny edge giving it a classy feel and design to it, which many have compared to jewelry. The lighting port is another major change which charges a lot faster than the old proprietary pin port used in all other Apple mobile devices. Speakers have been improved and so has the number of microphones making sound much better and voice communication quite pleasantly clear.

Click to Enlarge

With all those physical aspects covered, it is also important to take note of what has changed internally. the iPhone 5 has made quite a lot of changes starting with their own designed A6chip. The A6 chip is a dual core chip that Apple has developed to match their hardware and has fully optimized it in a way that regardless of it having simply two cores can still give the Samsung Galaxy Exynos Quad Core chip a run for their money(however the margin is only quite small and actual user feedback has no noticeable difference in performance). Software has also been marketed as quite different though the iPhone 4s can enjoy the same benefits of the iPhone 5 as they are both capable of running the new IOS 6. This includes over 200 new features and one of the most notable ones are the wallet functionalities and the new camera features such as panorama and image capture during video recording. The other notable new feature with the iPhone 5 is LTE.

Now back to the question of whether or not one should replace their old iPhone 4s with the iPhone 5? that is something one would find a bit tricky especially if you are someone that simply just has to have it. If you are a full avid Apple fan and simply wants to just be on top of everything Apple I would most likely recommend that you go out there and grab one for yourself. However, taking into consideration that the iPhone 4s can still carry the same functionalities that the iPhone 5 has to offer versus the somewhat minor upgrades that has been made, then it would be a much better and cheaper choice to stick with your iPhone 4s. In more ways than one you can now consider the iPhone 4s as Apple's middle range phone line as they are still intent of marketing it. They even brought back the iPhone 3Gs and is actively marketing this at an extremely low price but running on IOS 5.

There are also other things to consider before heading out to buy the iPhone 5. Out of the box, the complaints have been proving to be valid - From scratches out of the box, purple haze issues with the camera in certain angles of sunlight, poor IOS Maps, Application incompatibility with the 4inch screen, HD isn't really fully HD as the screen resolution is only 1136x640(though pixel density is at 326ppi), and touch responsiveness issues. All of these have to be taken into account and unfortunately Apple has no real solution for any of these. The iPhone 4s has proven to be of better build quality and this is because Apple has had better practice time with it. Will the issues be resolved? That is something Apple fans are expecting, but again the question being asked is when.

Click to Enlarge

Price is also something that is being openly debated by consumers. For the features that the iPhone 5 is offering is it worth the price tag? I can only vouch for this on a matter of personal preference. I have the HTC One X, The Samsung Galaxy Note, and with my hands on time with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy S3 not to mention all the other manufacturer's flagship models such as the Nokia Lumia 920 - I would have to say unfortunately it is not worth spending that much for it. I say this because all these other smartphones are feature rich as it is, delivers what they offer quite well, and a lot of the things that the iPhone 5 is being marketed to be good at is already found in any single one of these models. Taking into account that yes, the iPhone 5 does have better bench mark scores with some of these devices does give it somewhat of an edge but the margins are quite minimal and taking into the end user perspective, that is when you pick up any of these phones and run it through like any regular consumer would, there is no noticeable difference in performance. Aesthetically many of these devices provide a breath of fresh air far from the design form that the iPhone is sticking with both physically and software-wise.

To sum everything up, the iPhone 5 does present a lot of good things to those that would choose to buy it, but with all the issues, and the marginal difference it shares with its older brother the iPhone 4s, the pricing has to be adjusted to make it worth the purchase otherwise best to buy something that is a lot less heavy on the wallet but still offers a far more richer experience as a whole than spending a ton of dough on something that I have to say is just recently catching up with the rest of the smartphone pack.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Intuitively Made Tablet and SmartPhone - ASUS PadFone 2

I have to admit, carrying several gadgets in a bag does have it's downsides as it takes up quite a bit of real estate. I bet you have seen those people who rely on their gadgets quite a lot and you'll get to see them carrying not just one but two or more different devices. I myself am quite guilty of that as I often find myself carrying my HTC One X for my business calls, Samsung Galaxy Note as a notebook, and my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 for my gaming needs and go to unit when I need to make a quick conference call via skype or viber as it has a larger battery between the two. With that said I guess ASUS had people like me in mind when they created their latest gadget innovation called the PadFone 2.

The name itself may not sound as appealing to some and even the marketing campaigns seem a bit too vague with pictures of the unit is showing a 4.7 inch Smartphone on what looks like a speaker dock. I personally thought it was a speaker attachment that they were selling with the phone. But when I got to see for myself what it really was I realized why they named it such. The ASUS PadFone 2 is quite literally a Smartphone that can fit quite well with its 10.1 tablet partner. That's why it's called a PadFone. The original PadFone which ASUS made but didn't get to fully launch properly had a similar concept but wasn't well received. With the PadFone 2, they redesigned and re-conceptualized how a tablet would be unified with a partnered smartphone without sacrificing on how it looks and enable to enhance performance and functionality for both. Now you have a phone and tablet ecosystem that both ride on Android ICS and gets synchronized with each other quite well once connected. It even carries an amazing 13MP camera that rivals even that of the HTC One X and the iPhone 5. Given the fact that it provides a solution for the problem of having to carry two separate devices such as that which I had in the past, this is quite an interesting take on providing a solution. 

The phone section – processing part of the hybrid – is set to come with a large 4.7-inch 720p HD screen. It boasts a set of high end internal components like a quad core Qualcomm CPU, 2GB of RAM and a heavy 13MP rear camera. This phone part will be available separately in market. It is to come in three memory versions 16GB, 32GB and 64GB.

Check out the Source of this Pic at Padfone.net for more details about PadFone 2.

The rear camera can take video at 30fps 1080p video or 100 continuous still images at full resolution. The device has a 1.2MP front camera, which is good enough for Skype calls. For connectivity, Padfone 2 has LTE and it features NFC functionality and a 2,140mAh fixed battery. Asus has showed up a model of the device with 900/2100MHz WCDMA and 800/1800/2600MHz LTE frequencies at the Taipei event. 

 

Will this be something that could actually rival the other flagship phones and even tablets that are now currently in the market? That is still up for open debate, but ASUS is definitely banking on the success of their Nexus Tablet line and ASUS Transfomer editions. Will I be buying one myself, I would probably say not anytime soon as I am still quite happy with carrying around my devices, I just have to buy a bigger bag I guess :) 

Till Next Time...

-Metz- 

HTC 8X - The Windows Phone to Beat

I have been such an avid IOS and Android phone user for the past couple of years because of how much they had to offer and yet using it was quite seamless and natural. Now Microsoft wants a piece of that pie and has been releasing version after version of phones in partnership with brands such as Nokia, Samsung and HTC. Somehow it wasn't received well and not much hype was built around it to interest the common buyer and for tech heavy people the features and designs that they came with wasn't at par with that of the other smartphone competitors. That has begun to change at the start of this year with the introduction of the new smartphone lines now carrying Windows Live Tiles 7.5 and Windows 8 Metro Tiles OS. Here you'll get to see what HTC has been able to create in the HTC 8X.

I'll most likely discuss more about the new Windows 8 which features Live tiles in a future post but just to give you a gist of what it offers that is different, Microsoft has made applications, which are normally represented as icons or widgets in other OS platforms, that you want displayed on your main screen into tile formats that display information you choose. These tiles get updated with images, messages and so on and it can be adjusted in any size and in any position on the main screen and is quite smooth to operate. Generally the tiles are colored in very vibrant color schemes that is meant to appeal to people that want to stand out. The Windows 8 Platform does provide a lot of promise and it seems that Manufacturers like HTC has taken this into account and has answered the call to create something to match that need in particular with the HTC 8X.

HTC has been praised when it comes to the way they have been designing their phones since the start of this year with the launch of their HTC One X. They have now started to apply the same design concepts with the HTC 8X and was able to create an iconic design that might very well be the most iconic design for a Windows 8 SmartPhone. But with design they have also impressively matched with hardware as they have incorporated the same imaging technology that made their HTC One X such a big hit.

Here's a quick run through of what the HTC 8X has to offer:

HTC really took a lot into consideration with how the HTC 8X is designed and just to show case the process of how they did it, here is a behind the scenes look of  how they were able to conceptualized the HTC 8X.

In the battle of the Smartphone OS Titans, Microsoft is really showing a lot of promises in terms of what it is bringing to the table and if played right they could potentially become a big player in this fight for Smartphone OS supremacy. For now HTC 8X is seemingly a good contender to be that flagship but  is it enough to capture a big chunk of the pie, that is still something we would have to see.

Till the Next Time...

-Metz-

Impression of Samsung Galaxy S3 - Is It Still Worth Buying

It has been months now since the release of the best selling Samsung Smartphone Samsung Galaxy S3. It had been pitted head to head with many high end Smartphones from its first launch early this year to HTC One X, iPhone 4s, Nokia Lumia 900, Samsung Galaxy Note and now it has been compared to its newest brother Samsung Galaxy Note 2, then comes HTC One X+, Nokia Lumia 920 and IPhone's latest smartphone superstar the iPhone 5. The question now that consumers are asking is if it is still worth the buck. Here in today's article I shall be running through the features that made the Samsung Galaxy S3 a big favorite  and it'll be you who'll decide whether or not this is the phone for you to keep at least for the next year or so.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 was launched shortly after HTC announced its Quad Core device called the HTC One X. It may not have been the first to launch quad core technology, but Samsung had definitely banked upon a lot of it's competitor's short comings and because of it has placed Samsung's name on top of the Gadget to have of the Year 2012. It's fast, benchmark scores were off the scale and it featured the latest Android Software of the time Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4. It was a bit larger than that of the HTC One X measuring at 4.8inches and was feature rich. Not only did it have a bigger screen, but it is also quite feature rich with innovations such as Smart Stay, S Beam, Direct Call, Pop up Play, and many more. Samsung Galaxy S3's Camera was also at par with the most favored high end phones being marketed then and even now. It creates impressive shots that are at par even with that of the HTC One X's whose main selling point was Amazing Camera. Sound and Call quality has been noted by many reviewers to be quite excellent and due to its amazing benchmark results zipping through files, folders, applications and navigating around Samsung Galaxy S3 in general was smooth and seamless. Another major advantage that many had raved about in forums and reviews is that of all the gadgets of it's caliber in the market, it was the fact that it had an expandable micro SD card of upto 64GB that made it a deal breaker for them choosing to purchase the product.

Does it have any downside with all that is mentioned in comparison with that which is now currently out in the market? That's where many people have very little to write about. It is currently in schedule to receive the coveted Android Jelly Bean Update, which is now currently rolling out in Europe and Korea, making it an even better power house of a phone. The only thing that most people would quibble about is the actual feel of the device, how plasticky and cheap if felt when one was to hold it as compared to the solid polycarbonate design of the HTC One X and HTC One X+ as well as in comparison to the sleek elegance of the iPhone 4s and iPhone 5. But when it comes to performance as a smartphone and what it has promised to deliver it's consumers from the very beginning, Samsung Galaxy S3 has been quite good at keeping them.

In summary to everything that is mentioned and to answer the on-going debate of whether or not the Samsung Galaxy S3 is worth buying and if it won't be a phone that one would easily get tired off? Taking into consideration the powerful hardware, the Open Eco System that Android Provides and it's current offerings of a feature rich smartphone device and if you can live with that rather plastic feel which only but a few have ranted about but still bought the phone anyways, then the answer is most definitely YES. It is true that many new flagship phones have come out and that many are trying to prove that theirs is the best out their in the market, but with what it carries now internally it is sure that this will be a phone that'll last any normal user years at least until the next shopping bug gets to you.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

How To Edit Dictionary Words on HTC One X

I had seriously a hard time getting to figure out how to encode words into the dictionary of my HTC ONE X, at the same time I found that I have accidentally placed words into the dictionary unintentionally while typing really quickly as i responded to a friend or a business associate. If you are like me who sometimes gets to input the wrong words into the dictionary as you type and have no idea as to where to look to get those mis-spelled words out of your HTC One X or your new HTC ONE X+ simply follow the step by step guide detailed below. 

Entering words with predictive text

Predictive text input is enabled by default, and word suggestions are displayed as you type.

Tip: Tap  to switch between Multitap and XT9 predictive modes when using the Compact or Phone keyboard layout.

To enter a word in predictive mode, do any of the following:

• If the word you want is highlighted in green or orange in the suggestion list, just tap the space bar to insert the word into your text.
• If the word you want shows up in the suggestion list before you finish typing the entire word, tap the word to insert it into your text.
• If there's an arrow to the right of the suggestion list, tap the arrow to see more choices.

Setting a second language for predictive text

You can set the predictive text to be bilingual. As you type, you’ll get word suggestions in the languages that you’ve selected.

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input > Advanced settings.
3. Tap Bilingual prediction, and then choose the language you want.

Adding a word to the predictive text dictionary

While you're entering text using the Standard keyboard layout, any word you tap on the suggestion list is automatically added.

You can also add a word to the list manually.

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input.
3. Tap Personal dictionary > Edit personal dictionary > .
4. Enter the word you want to add, and then tap OK.

Editing or deleting a word in the predictive text dictionary

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input.
3. Tap Personal dictionary > Edit personal dictionary.
   • To edit a word, tap the word.
   • To delete words from the dictionary, tap  > Delete. Select the words you want to remove, and then tap Delete.

Backing up your personal dictionary to your phone storage

You can back up the new words you’ve added to the predictive text dictionary to HTC One X.

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input.
3. Tap Personal dictionary > Sync personal dictionary > Copy to phone storage.
4. When prompted, tap OK.

Importing your personal dictionary

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input.
3. Tap Personal dictionary > Sync personal dictionary > Restore from phone storage.
4. When prompted, tap OK.