It is often difficult to find the reviews of devices and accessories I have written about, so below is a quick way to find all the articles for the key reviews. Or use the top right search box to search for anything on my blog.
Audio Technica ATH-AD900x Headphone review
Olloclip 3 in 1 Lens review for iPhone 5
Despite Apple losing the crown for the world’s top phone manufacturer to Samsung, it still retains the undisputed crown for what really counts and that is mobile ad revenue.
The Next Web reported that Opera’s latest figures show that iOS devices generate almost half of all mobile ad revenue across its network, Android devices 28% , BlackBerry generates 5.4%, Symbian 1.6% and behind Symbian Windows Phone generates a 0.3% of revenues. The iPad is dominant in the mobile advertising, but when removed from the figures, the iPhone still generates 36.5% of all mobile ad revenues, which is more than Android’s total market share for both phones and tablets.
Impressive stats.
About a year and a half ago I had the pleasure of travelling away from rural Devon to London.
I was sat on a underground train in London and observed iPhone after iPhone after iPhone.
Move forward to today and once again I’m in the Big Smoke. Compared to Dartmoor, Devon , London is noisy, congested and filthy.
This time phone brands observed are different. Apple still features a lot, but very noticeable was a plethora of Samsung phones. BlackBerry seemed to feature in small numbers too . I seemed to be the only person, using a HTC One, or any HTC .
Samsung not only had a strong presence but it was the size of these phones. S3 and S4 but plenty of Samsung Galaxy Notes. Despite the size of the Note , whenever I observed one, it was a female owner.
Back to my HTC One, it clearly shows what an uphill battle HTC has to gain market penetration. The same for windows phone.
There is hope for windows phone though. I took my daughter into Carphone Warehouse. She currently has a £50 pay as you go Samsung android phone. It’s rubbish but actually for £50 it’s amazing. Does everything a £500 phone does but with dreadful performance and feature sets. Anyway, I asked my daughter to go and look at all the phones and pick one she liked the style of, ignoring price. I also reminded her I wasn’t buying anything! So this was just a pure selection on style. The winner was the Nokia Lumia 925.
And then we get on to tablets. People were using these in small numbers. I even witnessed photographs been taken with tablets!
So there we have it. Samsung have clearly moved into Apple’s space and big screens as a daily driver are even more usual.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Richard Piasentin, the embattled smartphone maker’s US managing director, has been fired and a large number of layoffs are being planned as well.
This doesn’t bode well, and I sincerely hope this is just part of the turnaround and not demise of Blackberry.
I have been known to change my phone several times a year, but they are all rumours if course. That means I get to use a wide variety of phones from different manufacturers and operating system. I really don’t favour any operating system, just prefer one over the other dependant on their current hardware.
So at one point in time I changed from a Samsung Galaxy S3 to an iPhone 5, even though on paper the S3 was more capable from a technical point of view. But compared to the feel and build of the iPhone 5 it didn’t stand a chance. And as a gamer, iOS still has the deeper catalogue of games, although android is rapidly catching up. Those that read my blog will know that I currently have the HTC One. I have had this nearly 3 months which is a record time for most of my phones. To recap my phone history, from 2012 to today’s date I have owned an iPhone 4S, then a Samsung Note, Samsung S3, iPhone 5, Note 2, Nokia Lumia 620, Samsung S4 and finally the HTC One. Tablet wise has been a lot simpler. From 2012 I have had the iPad 2, iPad Mini, several faulty Nexus 7’s and finally the Sony Xperia Z Tablet. I don’t keep my old phones, just sell them normally to my friends. In case anyone says, what about Blackberry well I have a mandatory blackberry phone supplied by work. Its crap apart from a decent battery life and able to survive multiple drops. I suppose that’s a good thing really. It also has amazing signal reception. I just don’t like it.
Using all the various devices, I start to compile a list of what would make the best phone that I could keep for a really long time. And just when I think I have mastered this list, along comes a few new must have features. So what makes the perfect smartphone for me?
1. Design – it must look good. I can’t bear the thought of holding something too bland and flimsy. The HTC One and iPhone 5 both score highly here.
2. Durability – being able to survive a drop, waterproof and dust proof. The Samsung S4 is probably better made to survive a fall, as its easier to replace the parts. In terms of being waterproof and dustproof this goes to Sony Xperia Z. Owning the Z Tablet has made me realise this is actually a really good feature. I use to have a thing about buying phone cases. Since owning the Z Tablet I now realise there is no point. I can take the tablet anywhere , take photos in the rain. The Z range is not compromised specs either.
3. Camera – the expression the best camera is the one in your pocket is so true. The HTC One camera does a lot of things brilliantly. Fast shutter speed, Zoe mode which means you edit after not choose the mode before. This makes for more shots capturing the moment. It also makes an instant 30 second video highlight of an event. The file sizes are small so are quick to share on any social network. Video in 1080p with image stabilisation. But for landscapes the 4mp camera doesn’t capture enough detail. So what I would want in my next phone is the same HTC concept but 3 times the quality.
4. Audio – after being spoilt by the boomsound speakers on the HTC One which sound loud and clear, I would want something similar. Also when I connect headphones into the phone or listen via Bluetooth I want very high quality sound. Bluetooth needs the apt-x support for high quality audio.
5. Memory – for android phones a minimum 32gb internal plus micro SD card support. Same for windows, and if iPhone 64gb minimum. Ideally 128gb but that doesn’t exist yet. This allows for all my apps and games to be installed with ease and then use the memory card for photos and music.
6. Removable battery – the phone battery will die over the years. Being able to swap the battery is the cheapest way to bring back then phone to new conditions. Also, if you are away from charging points have a spare battery in your wallet resolves this scenario. Also the phone needs a decent size battery to last at least 2 days.
7. Game controllers – built in support for game controllers. The Z tablet has support built in for the Sony PS3 dual shock controller for example.
8. Wireless charging or charging dock points – being able to charge without plugging a cable in is the way forward. No effort no fuss.
9. Infra Red – its gimmicky but I love it. On my Z Tablet the included software has an eject button for my DVD player. The standard remote for my DVD doesn’t include an eject button, and as the eject button no longer works on the DVD player, I can now continue to use it via the software on the Z tablet.
10. Notification led – have the option to have flashing LEDs to let you know there is something to check is great.
11. Capacitive buttons – less prone to failure than hardware buttons.
12. Comfort – no more than 150g and rounded sides. Rounded sides make holding the phone a joy. The Samsung S4 is a good example of comfort.
And that’s my list. So what would you add or remove ?
Blackberry users might have some news to rejoice about.
A recent leak of OS 10.2 revealed that messages are now actionable straight from the notification, similar to android 4.2.2.
Personally, whether your reply within the messaging app or notification, the time saved if at all, will be insignificant.
Mobile messaging app WhatsApp has hit a huge total of 250 million users, the company has told the Wall Street Journal. A couple of million users these days is no big deal, considering how big the smartphone audience has become, but 250 million users is significant. In fact, it’s par Twitter or LinkedIn, and nearly the size of Skype.
WhatsApp is also notable for charging a 99 cent premium cost right up front, without any other in-app purchases or hidden fees. With a simple-to-understand, easy-to-use, and one-time-pay messaging service, maybe it’s easy to see just why WhatsApp is so popular.
A great service, making money and with a clear pricing policy. I just wonder how long before it gets bought for a billion dollars.
Some surprising news.
The Blackberry Q10 in France is outselling the Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5, HTC One and Nokia Lumia 520.
I’m speechless.
Have you ever visited a website that has the word mac, or Apple, or android, or windows or Blackberry used in its title, or that promotes one operating system over another. It is rare to find a site that isn’t biased towards one system or one manufacturer.
Why does this happen? Fact of life. Advertising. Appealing to get more views and more advertising. PR companies send free phones to a lot of these websites, with NDA agreements and such like. If a manufacturer is spending thousands or more on advertising you are not going to slate their new phone.
That’s why Gavin’s Gadgets is so non biased. Look around. No advertising. And any devices reviewed have been bought from my pockets so far. I genuinely love tech and everything with a pulse. That is anything with a on / off button that does something techie. Even my vacuum cleaner is a gadget. It’s a Sebo. It has sensors that detect thickness of carpet or floor covering and raises or lowers the height from the floor. It flashes as it adjusts the height. Hoovering is so much more fun.
So what operating system do I use or prefer. Well believe it or not I currently have every operating system in the house and love them for what they are. I also am not afraid to move to something else if it is better. I want the best or the best compromise for a certain situation. I am also not afraid to mince my words if I don’t agree with something.
Currently my phone of daily choice is the HTC One. My backup phone for when my daily adventures may be more rough and tumble due to the outdoor weather environment of Dartmoor, is the Nokia Lumia 620. In fact I have a weak spot for this phone and the operating system. iPad Mini for tablet viewing and for work I have a Blackberry Curve.
My phone and tablet choices change quite a lot, but I have to say I don’t dislike any platform. I like to find the positive attributes of each platform, and apply them to a given situation.
My dream smartphone doesn’t exist yet but it is getting close. My key ingredients for this phone would be practically unbreakeable, water and dust resistant,a 5 inch 1080p screen, week long battery life with auto charging via light, stunning audio quality and speakers and pureview 808 camera quality or higher, all in a 9mm body with expandable memory and replaceable battery.
Problem is that if a company manufactured the perfect smartphone as described above, nobody would really need to buy another. And that is why you will never get to this stage as companies need you always to have and want an upgrade path.
Finally BBM is coming to iOS and android in the summer. This might be the turning point for the company. The official news release is as follows –
WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 14, 2013) – BlackBerry® (NASDAQ: BBRY)(TSX: BB) today announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™), available to iOS® and Android™ users this summer, with support planned for iOS6, and Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher, all subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. BBM sets the standard for mobile instant messaging with a fast, reliable, engaging experience that includes delivered and read statuses, and personalized profiles and avatars. Upon release, BBM customers would be able to broaden their connections to include friends, family and colleagues on other mobile platforms.
In the planned initial release, iOS and Android users would be able to experience the immediacy of BBM chats, including multi-person chats, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes, and engage in BBM Groups, which allows BBM customers to create groups of up to 30 people.
“For BlackBerry, messaging and collaboration are inseparable from the mobile experience, and the time is definitely right for BBM to become a multi-platform mobile service. BBM has always been one of the most engaging services for BlackBerry customers, enabling them to easily connect while maintaining a valued level of personal privacy. We’re excited to offer iOS and Android users the possibility to join the BBM community,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President, Software Product Management and Ecosystem, at BlackBerry.
BBM is loved by customers for its “D” and “R” statuses, which show up in chats to let people know with certainty that their message has been delivered and read. It provides customers with a high level of control and privacy over who they add to their contact list and how they engage with them, as invites are two-way opt-in. iOS and Android users would be able to add their contacts through PIN, email, SMS or QR code scan, regardless of platform. Android users would also be able to connect using a compatible NFC-capable device.
BBM has more than 60 million monthly active customers, with more than 51 million people using BBM an average of 90 minutes per day. BBM customers collectively send and receive more than 10 billion messages each day, nearly twice as many messages per user per day as compared to other mobile messaging apps. Almost half of BBM messages are read within 20 seconds of being received; indicating how truly engaged BBM customers are.
Today, BlackBerry also announced BBM Channels, a new social engagement platform within BBM that will allow customers to connect with the businesses, brands, celebrities and groups they are passionate about. BlackBerry plans to add support for BBM Channels as well as voice and video chatting for iOS and Android later this year, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play.
If approved by Apple and Google, the BBM app will be available as a free download in the Apple® App Store(SM) and Google Play store. Additional details about system requirements and availability will be announced closer to the launch.
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