Category Archives: RIM

The Smartphone Lust List

Android, Apple, Jan 2013, RIM, Tech News

I have an iPhone 5. Now before you all accuse me of being an Apple user, I’m not. My last devices prior to the iPhone 5 were the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Samsung Galaxy Note. Both amazing phones. My first iPhone was the 4 and then the 4S. Before the iPhone I had a mix of android and windows 6.5 phones. At one point I had a UIQ 3 phone.

So here we are at the end of the first month of 2013, and the rumours or confirmed phones are pouring off the conveyor belt like no tomorrow.

So on my lust list is the Sony Xperia Z. It’s on my list because from all the marketing material, videos and specs it looks gorgeous, extremely functional with its dust and water resistance and has has android jelly bean. And a brilliant camera!

I had the first Samsung Galaxy Note, and I loved it, but the camera and audio quality were compromised. The Note 2 addressed the audio quality but kept the same camera, but enhanced the Wacom stylus and software. So, the Note 3 is of major excitement for me. It’s will probably have a larger screen again, but I hope without being that much bigger. The Note 3 will be excellent for media and so much more. Having the ability to connect USB drives without any fancy accessories is a feature I would require too. It should also have an improved camera and more.

Next on my hot list in the next iPhone but also what iOS 7 will add to the equation. I really hope the new iPhone is something a little more than just a camera and processor bump. A better camera is not to be sniffed out though. However, what will make the iPhone more interesting is the software and iOS 7. An iPhone offers the simplest in use experience. It just syncs and does what you want without any fuss. Except, that used to be the case, but with Apple having to make the phone do so much more,I feel as if its not as stable as it used to be. Also the battery life is horrid. Moving to the Xperia Z or Note 3, both of which claim great battery life is a strong selling point. The iPhone is linked to the best Eco system and has the best after sale values. So a likely contender.

Then there is the rumoured Samsung Galaxy S4. I love the S3. It was brilliant. And technically better spec than the iPhone 5 and more comfortable. But it felt cheap and looked cheap. Not that it was. So the S4 will be practically the same size as the original Note. If the S4 moves to a capacitive home button and some other magical tweaks, this could be a winner.

The Blackberry 10 handsets. I will keep a close eye on these and their offerings. At the moment I’m not convinced of the longevity or app offerings. But not one to dismiss.

The new Nokia with its pure view camera tech. Sounds very interesting but windows does not rock my boat yet. The App Store and Eco system is not there. I can use android or apple without too much difference.

And lastly there is the rumoured Google X phone that is meant to blow everything out of the water. As they say, seeing is believing. But I’m keeping an eye out.

At the moment it is a close call between all the above. What is on your lust list?

Will Data Speeds Deteriorate as Demand Keeps Rising?

Android, Apple, Jan 2013, RIM, Tech News, Windows

As phones get more sophisticated, people use them more and more to access the internet. There are rumours that operators will be unable to keep up with smartphone users’ growing demand for data on the move, a report warns.

On average, iPhone, Android or Windows Mobile handset owners consumed 35 times more data traffic than a typical phone user. Source the annual Deloitte report. If this was to carry on, mobile Internet use could explode in a few years time.

The bandwidth demand would not mean users failing to connect at all, the report added, but mobile networks would suffer “rush hours” just like roads do. During these times, it might take two or three attempts to connect, there would be three or four times as many dropped calls, web pages may freeze and browsing speeds would be much reduced, the report said.

This is a real problem. I live in a rural spot but its not uncommon to get faster speeds than the nearest city of Exeter or even Plymouth. Even the customer service staff joked with me that everyone should live in the middle of the Moors then.

I don’t think there is a proper solution either. The government is opening up and selling more of the wireless spectrum but eventually this will get used up. And there is a mad rush to sell this spectrum without much consideration to the interference or loss or TV that some people will suffer.

It could be quite ironic that we buy the latest smartphone because it can manage a super high speed connection, except there isn’t one available.

More BB10 info

Jan 2013, RIM, Tech News

As we get nearer to the official BB10 launch event, leaks are appearing everywhere. Below is a screenshot from the sales literature of Rogers. The new BB10 looks promising and claims to have over 70,000 apps at launch and a class leading web browser.

Other specs include a Snapdragon S4 processor, a 1,800mAh battery and a 356 pixel density along with a 4.2-inch 720p screen.

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Why Do You Upgrade?

Android, Apple, Jan 2013, RIM, Tech News, Windows

This year there are going to be some really hot phones released. Starting with the Sony Xperia Z, Samsung S4 & Note 3, iPhones, and other Chinese manufacturers.

Now, hold your current phone in your hand, and ask yourself, what can it not do that a newer phone can? Of course, if your current phone is slightly busted or has a broken screen I can understand why you might a newer one.

Fundamentally the new phones coming up this year will be in 2 segments. 4 core and 8 core chips, 13mp cameras and then 16mp cameras and higher, thin and large, and then Apple does what it wants regardless of anything else. A newer phone might feature a larger screen size but again with larger screen sizes you lose one handed use but gain better media and Internet experiences. The newer phones might have features like NFC that you haven’t got on your old phone. Well NFC is not really that essential yet. Newer phones might feature the latest software but there are ways of making your old handset still run newer software, eg HTC HD2 is running a multiple of different software from android to windows 8. But do we need 8 cores to send a message, make a phone call and browse the Internet. No we don’t.

If I look at my iPhone 5 it does so much so amazingly well, even better than the S3, which IMO is an incredible device. With the iPhone 5 I can take stunning photos that even at my local camera club surprised them. Especially macro using the olloclip which is reviewed tomorrow. But why do I want to upgrade? Gadget lust is my illness.

So why do you want to upgrade?

Blackberry BB10 Apps

Jan 2013, RIM, Tech News

With Blackberry BB10 about to explode on to the mobile scene one question in most people’s mind would be about the apps. Will BB10 be able to compete with other operating systems and their respective app stores.

Well the good news is that Blackberry held an event offering cash and hardware incentives to developers. This translated in to 15,000 apps being submitted over a period of 37 hours !

That’s a good start.

Blackberry launch – info

Jan 2013, RIM, Tech News

RIM Chief Marketing Officer Frank Boulben commented at CES that RIM will be leaving no stone unturned when it comes to pricing offering low, mid and premium price points.

The BlackBerry Z10, a touchscreen handset, and BlackBerry X10, which features a qwerty keyboard will be launched in a few weeks. A further 4 handsets are planned.

Is it to late for RIM. Lets hope not. Competition is healthy.

Blackberry 10 – Missing in Action – The Home Button

Jan 2013, RIM, Tech News

In a few weeks time, the first Blackberry 10 handsets will be released. One interesting aspect of the new operating system, is the omission of the home button.

Blackberry believe their new flow process is far more intuitive and that having a home button is so yesterday.

I suppose they are trying to differentiate from the iPhone concept. Real use of the phone will naturally determine whether this was genius of disaster. And I wonder if this is patented, otherwise the whole world will copy.

Marketing Budgets

Android, Apple, RIM, Tech News, Windows

Peter Chou of HTC made a point recently that they didn’t have nor spend as vast amounts on Marketing as Samsung or Apple.

So lets look at the amounts. Lets take Coca Cola. Last year it spent $3bn. That’s huge but we all know what Coca Cola is. How about Apple? Apple spent $1bn which still seems huge. But these amounts are nothing compared to Samsung who spent $11bn. That’s nearly 4 times the marketing spend of Coca Cola.

I cannot see how any company, even HTC compete against such a strong marketing budget and campaign.

Ofcom looking to stop Mobile Operators Ripping Off People

Android, Apple, RIM, Tech News, Windows

At the moment when you sign up for a fixed term mobile contact, you would have thought the price quoted was fixed too. It’s not though. All the mobile operators have slipped small increases into their monthly prices even when you thought you monthly cost is fixed for the lengthy of the contract. If the increase is deemed reasonable you cannot cancel your contract without being charged a fortune.

Well Ofcom looks like they are finally acting to stop these rip off practices that make the phone companies an additional £100m. New guidelines are due to come into play this autumn. Of course the phone companies are not happy. A suspect a battle will commence. Lets hope Ofcom win.