Android Phone Fans |
- Hands-on: Samsung galaxy S5 [VIDEO]
- Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit [VIDEO]
- Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5
- Samsung Gear Fit brings fitness-focused smart watch
- Samsung officially announces the Galaxy S5
- HTC Desire 610 and Desire 816 announced for mid-range shoppers
- Hands-on: Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet and speaker dock [VIDEO]
- Samsung Z uncovered: Tizen phone getting official tonight?
- Hands-on: LG G2 Mini [VIDEO]
- Sony reveals mid-range Xperia M2 and colorful SmartWear activity bands
- Nokia pees in their pants
- Hands-on: LG G Pro 2 [VIDEO]
- Hands-on: Sony Xperia Z2 [4K VIDEO]
- Sony officially unveils Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet
- Hands-on: Nokia X and XL [VIDEO]
| Hands-on: Samsung galaxy S5 [VIDEO] Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:40 PM PST The Samsung Galaxy S5 was hands-down the most anticipated device at Mobile World Congress 2014. The Galaxy S series brings the most popular Android smartphone every single year, so a device of this magnitude simply cannot go unnoticed. We are here in Barcelona and we got some sweet hands-on time with the next device of the year – the Samsung Galaxy S5. Does it disappoint? Is it all we expected it to be? Let’s check it out and see! Is the Samsung Galaxy S5 a winner?Samsung’s 2014 flagship device will definitely not win the specs war this time. At least not on paper, but this does not mean the Samsung Galaxy S5 is not a powerhouse. Samsung Galaxy S5 specs Though the specs can be matched and surpassed by multiple current and upcoming smartphones, Samsung has a plan in mind. The Samsung Galaxy S5 will give you the performance you need, paired with great new features many of you will take advantage of. It’s all about the “glam”Samsung made it very clear that this year’s devices had a huge focus in aesthetics. With it’s new dotted design multiple colors (as well as designer and special editions), the device is meant to look good as well as working like a champ. But it’s also a strong phone!Furthermore, it’s not just meant to be a good-looking smartphone – it is also a very strong one! The device has a rating of IP-67, making it both water and dust-resistant. This is a big step for Samsung, who’s devices are not known for being the strongest. Crazy Galaxy S5 sensors!Another big focus at Unpacked 5 was the health topic. This device can actually read your heart beat. There is a heart beat sensor located on the back of the device, right below the camera. Another sensor that makes the device very interesting is the fingerprint reader. This puts the Galaxy S5 right against Apple (once again). You can use this fingerprint reader to protect your device and information, as well as making PayPal payments. I must say fingerprint reader integration into mobile payments is quite awesome. It is a quick and simple way to authenticate yourself. Passwords are complicated and easy to forget. We are moving into a password-less future and fingerprint readers could be the first step in that direction. ConclusionOf course, whether a phone is good or not always comes to personal preferences. I happen to prefer other devices in the market, but I must say the Galaxy S5 is not a bad smartphone at all. It’s specs may be lower than anticipated, but it didn’t hiccup once during our tests. The UI is much cleaner and the new features can prove to be very helpful to many of you. The colorful designs are also fun and the rubberized. The display is also a champ, measuring 5.1 inches diagonally and featuring 1080p resolution, along with the amazing colors we have grown to love from Super AMOLED displays. It’s camera performs like a champ, as well. Live HDR and 4K video recording are only a couple of the features it has. As camera enthusiasts, we can’t complain about this phone’s photo/video performance. We will have to keep our mind open until we get to test it in more depth, but for now we say the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a winner! For more details, you can always take a look at our Samsung Galaxy S5 announcement post or our Samsung Galaxy S5 vs. Galaxy S4 comparison. What do you guys say – is this your next smartphone? |
| Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit [VIDEO] Posted: 24 Feb 2014 04:46 PM PST We are at the Samsung Unpacked 5 event in Barcelona and we have to say one of the most interesting wearables we have seen is the Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit. This smartwatch focuses on health, while keeping you connected with notifications for messages, email and other communication services. It is not as functional as other smartwatches, but it offers basic smartwatch functionality and all the health benefits in a smaller, better-looking package. We have gone hands-on with the device and can’t deny we love it! It is small, sleek, very aesthetically pleasing and brings you some of the favorite features we have in full-featured smart watches. We can also assume it will be at least a bit cheaper! Check out the video above and our announcement post to learn more about it! And don’t forget to let us know what you think! Do you like this little guy as much as we do?     |
| Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5 Posted: 24 Feb 2014 02:55 PM PST The Samsung Galaxy S5 is real, alive and kicking, and now that we’ve gotten the official deets from Samsung it’s time to see how it stacks up next to last year’s offering. There are still some people out there who’ll seriously consider the Galaxy S4 over the Galaxy S5 — especially because a lot of companies will be dropping the price on it to ridiculously low levels — so let’s take a look and see if the new kid on the block has enough to convince smartphone buyers to drop another few hundred dollars on a new phone this year. Build and DesignSamsung’s long taken lashings about their love for plastic. That act didn’t change with the Samsung Galaxy S4, and we’re still at that crossroads with the Galaxy S5. Their latest flagship device does indicate they took care to make a device that looks and feels premium, though, and it looks like they’ve finally hit that balance here. Some might contend that the Galaxy S5 till doesn’t even look as good as the Galaxy Note 3, though, and think Samsung should still look into using some form of metal or going with an overall new design language for their next go-round. One thing’s for sure, though — it looks like a Galaxy, and it will definitely feel like a Galaxy.     We thought Samsung would be able to pull the same thing they did with the Galaxy Note 3 by increasing the screen size without increasing the overall size of the device, but the Galaxy S5 is a tad larger than the Galaxy S4. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s a bit of a disappointment considering the feat they pulled on the phablet side. Oh, and we’re definitely digging the waterproof and dustproof specification on this thing. DisplayThere’s not much to surprise us with here — the display on the Galaxy S5 is about .1-inch larger than the Galaxy S4. Everything else is pretty much the same, with the resolution and display technology not moving an inch compared to the older Galaxy S4. Processor, Performance and BatteryThe Snapdragon 600 processor inside the Galaxy S4 wasn’t too shabby, but Samsung obviously felt the need to bump that up considerably with the Galaxy S5′s launch. The new Snapdragon 801 inside the Galaxy S5 improves on the Snapdragon 800 by about .2GHz, but that’s about the only major difference between the two chipsets. Despite that, it’s still currently heralded as one of the best processors out there. We’re a bit surprised Samsung decided to stick 2GB of RAM inside the Galaxy S5 compared to the 3GB inside the Galaxy Note 3. Alas, 2GB it is, and it feels like we’re a bit stuck in time. Thankfully they did bring the USB 3.0 port over to the Galaxy S5, a change which should bring faster transfers and improved charging times. Much to the dismay of many, Samsung stuck with 16GB of storage for their base Galaxy S5 model. The company did opt to bring back the microSD card slot we all know and love, though, which now supports up to 128GB microSD cards over the Galaxy S4′s 64GB. Finally, it’s worth noting the Samsung Galaxy S5 has a 2,800mAh battery, which is about 200mAh more than the Galaxy S4. We’re not sure how that’s going to perform in real world testing, but we can’t say we’re disappointed about the increase (no matter how minuscule it may seem). Software and FeaturesThe Galaxy S4 is starting to get Android 4.4 KitKat right now, and the Galaxy S5 is confirmed to be launching with it. With that, though, Samsung introduced some new features on the Galaxy S5′s version of KitKat that we’re sure many would love to have. TouchWiz looks a bit nicer, though changes aren’t quite as drastic as original rumors first suggested. You’ll find the most significant changes in the quick settings toggles, as well as to the far left of the home-screen where Samsung’s Magazine UI now resides. Samsung’s S Health applications have also been upgraded with great new features for use with the latest Gear smart watches and activity trackers. History tells us that there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing a lot of this come to older phones by way of future software upgrades, but for now you won’t find a smartphone experience quite like the one the Galaxy S5 provides. One thing you also won’t be getting on many other phones is the fingerprint scanner, which will give you secure access to your smartphone with the simple swipe of a finger. It’s also integrated with PayPal, so you can facilitate all your electronic payments with added security and without added frustration. CameraMegapixels aren’t everything, but the Samsung Galaxy S5′s main shooter does get a slight bump to 16 megapixels compared to the 13 megapixels on the previous iteration. What we’re most interested in, though, is its ability to record 4K resolution video. 4K might not be the standard right now — in fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a display to take full advantage of it without paying hundreds of dollars — but future-proofing has never been a bad thing. Knowing the importance of a smartphone in capturing memories (it’s often the first thing people grab to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments with no warning), Samsung’s also heavily improved focusing speeds thanks to phase detection autofocus. That’s a technique usually only found in DSLRs, and it’s great to see Samsung putting it to use in a smartphone. It takes about 3-tenths of a second to focus now, which is quite ridiculous for a smartphone with such a small sensor. We’re not sure how well it performs in less ideal lighting conditions just yet, but there isn’t much room to complain about that. Other new camera features include real-time HDR, selective focus, new automatic shooting modes, and a “studio” mode for editing photos and videos right there on the device. What’s your take?And there it is, all laid out for you. The Galaxy S5 isn’t the mind-blowingly amazing device we thought it’d be, but it definitely is worthy of being called a Samsung flagship. Its tale of the tape reads like something that should be released in 2014, though we’re a bit surprised Samsung didn’t bring some of the most exciting improvements from the Note 3 — such as increased RAM — over to their main flagship for the year. We’re also a bit saddened to learn that Samsung didn’t go with the ultra-sharp 2560 x 1600 screen resolution that we thought they would, though a 1080p display is still quite sharp at this small of a size. How about you? Is it a love-hate thing? Is it worthy of an upgrade? Are you going to buy one? Use the poll below to give us your thoughts, and head to the comments section to expand on those thoughts if you’re feeling up to the task. Stay tuned for our hands-on time with the Samsung Galaxy S5. |
| Samsung Gear Fit brings fitness-focused smart watch Posted: 24 Feb 2014 12:25 PM PST Samsung already revealed the latest Gear smart watches over the weekend, and the Galaxy S5 was just put out into the world for all to see, but the company seems to have forgotten one wrist-dwelling device. It’s the Samsung Gear Fit, a 1.85-inch curved AMOLED device with interchangeable bands. Its claim to fame will be all the activity and fitness-centric sensors onboard, including a sleep tracker, a heart rate monitor and a built-in pedometer, all of which can be synced up to your S Health app on the latest Galaxy devices. Beyond that, you’ll also get the usual notifications for phone, email and text messages, S Planner and more, as well as stopwatch and timer functions. Samsung’s 210mAh battery inside is said to be able to deliver 3-4 days of battery life, which is a better rate than the 2-3 days that the Gear 2′s 300mAh kit provides.    The Gear Fit is clearly not meant to offer up the same experience as the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, but it could end up being a nice little life companion for anyone who wants to be more conscious about their health (and it does look a lot more sleek and stylish than any other activity tracker we’ve seen on the market). Have a look at it in some of the images above, and expect it to be on sale alongside the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Samsung Galaxy S5 at some point this Spring. |
| Samsung officially announces the Galaxy S5 Posted: 24 Feb 2014 11:04 AM PST It’s official, folks — Samsung has finally taken the wraps off the latest in the Galaxy S series. It’s unsurprisingly named the Samsung Galaxy S5, and improves on the previous iteration in every way. So is this truly the next big thing? All the details below should help paint a better picture. Samsung Galaxy S5 specsFor starters, Samsung’s new pride and joy features a 5.1-inch full HD Super AMOLED display, a 16 megapixel camera, a fingerprint scanner and more. Here’s the full gamut in case you’re wondering;
Whew. It definitely reads like a champ on paper, though we’ve come to expect nothing less from Samsung’s flagship smartphone which is part of a line that has helped them dominate the charts for years now. The fingerprint scanner is especially interesting, and while it doesn’t do much beyond giving you a secure way to unlock your device and facilitate Paypal payments, it’s still something we’re glad to see. Samsung Galaxy S5 Features   Most of the new things Samsung’s touting with the Galaxy S5 are in the camera department — after all, you don’t get a 16 megapixel sensor with 4K video recording capabilities without shouting from the mountaintops about it. Samsung has a lot to get excited about here:
Samsung’s also introducing new goods to S Health, with meal tracking and more nutritional information for you dieters out there, and an exercise log and mapped runs for those who like to keep track of where and how far they’ve run. Samsung Galaxy S5 AvailabilityAs you’d expect, all major US carriers are expected to get the device (including MetroPCS and US Cellular), and you can bet it’ll also be stopping by every other corner of the world. Unfortunately we still don’t have a price or date to look forward to, but Samsung says we should be seeing it launch at some point this Spring. You’ll be able to grab one in Charcoal Black and Shimmery White, with S View flip cases and wireless charging pads accompanying it on store shelves. |
| HTC Desire 610 and Desire 816 announced for mid-range shoppers Posted: 24 Feb 2014 09:58 AM PST HTC has announced a pair of new handsets for those not interested in breaking the bank for a new mobile communication device. It’s the Desire 816 and 610, two smartphones that won’t hold a candle to what HTC’s about to announce next month, but should do a pretty decent job of handling any sensible mobile task. The Desire 610 is positioned closer to the low-end than anything, though it still makes a fair impression. It jumps into the ring with a 4.7-inch qHD display, a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, an 8 megapixel rear camera, a 1.3 megapixel front camera, a 2,040mAh battery and more. There are 8GB of storage sitting inside, though users will be happy to learn they can expand that using a microSD card up to 64GB. Also of note are the stereo speakers on the front. Jumping up to the Desire 816, users get a sizable bump to 5.5 inches and 720p resolution, as well as some very solid internals. Said internals include a 1.7GHZ quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage with microSD up to 128GB, 2,600mAh battery and a 13 megapixel camera on the back. The front camera comes in at 5 megapixels, so selfies and video calls shouldn’t be too much of an issue. There’s no word which version of Android these are running just yet, but we imagine HTC will want to launch with at least Jelly Bean on-board. When will you be able to pick it up? April for the Desire 816, though those wanting the cheaper 610 will have to wait until May (and we imagine they won’t be too easy to find outside of Europe and Asia, though HTC has yet to fully detail rollout plans for either one). Stay tuned for hands-on with these two later on! |
| Hands-on: Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet and speaker dock [VIDEO] Posted: 24 Feb 2014 08:31 AM PST We already gave you our hands-on of the newly announced Sony Xperia Z2, and now it’s time to check out its bigger brother, the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet. As the name suggests, the Xperia Z2 Tablet is simply the tablet version of Sony’s latest flagship smartphone, the Z2. Both devices share many of the same specs, such as their full HD Triluminos displays, 3GB of RAM, and Snapdragon 801 processor. Both devices also follow Sony’s now trademark design, outfitted with slim aluminum frames and waterproof design. Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet specs
Merely calling the Xperia Z2 Tablet thin would be an understatement. Believe it or not, the Z2 Tab is actually thinner than its smartphone cousin by a full 1.8mm — measuring at 6.4mm vs the Z2′s 8.2mm. A testament to Sony’s engineering, Sony is calling the Z2 Tablet the world’s lightest and slimmest waterproof tablet (6.4mm/439g), pitting the Z2 Tablet against the likes of more premium tablets like the Apple iPad Air (7.5mm/478g) and Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro (7.3mm/469g). Although Sony was mum on pricing, we’re expecting the Z2 Tablet to be priced similarly. In our quick hands-on, we go over some of the tablet’s main specs, showing off the tablet as well as Sony’s new NFC-equipped speaker dock. For such a little thing, it can make a lotta noise. For those curious, you can check out both in our video below.          |
| Samsung Z uncovered: Tizen phone getting official tonight? Posted: 24 Feb 2014 07:50 AM PST It’s the first day of Mobile World Congress 2014 and already we’ve got more than our fair share of awesome. Already we’ve seen Nokia pee in their pants by announcing their Nokia X phones, played with Sony’s new Z2 phone and tablet, and gotten hands-on the all-new LG G Pro 2. But in a few hours the most anticipated attraction of the event occurs: the Samsung Press Conference. Samsung has already outed their Galaxy Gear 2 and Galaxy Gear Neo smartwatches and their “to the 5th power” promo campaign all but ensures the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S5. But if a recent USPTO filing has any teeth, we could also see the announcement of the Samsung Z. What could the Samsung Z be? The trademark description places it firmly in the mobile phone category, but we find it incredibly odd that the name doesn’t adorn the “Galaxy” branding. One would either expect the trademark to either include “Galaxy Z” or merely “Z”, leaving Samsung the option of squeezing the Z before it. Trademarking it as the “Samsung Z” suggests that it’s not a Galaxy device at all, but if it’s a Samsung mobile phone and isn’t a Galaxy, what is it? The end of the description tacks on a few other possibilities including tablets, TVs, audio equipment, surround sound, set top boxes, DVD players, light displays, monitors, eye glasses, computers, printers, and semi-conductors. Still we can’t help but think the Samsung Z is mobile oriented, or at the very least, an extension of their line of laptops and possibly even a new line of Chromebooks. One possible answer? The Z could be Samsung’s long awaited Tizen phone, launching along their now Tizen-based Galaxy Gear smartwatch. We’re not sure what the Samusng Z is or if Samsung will announce it at Mobile World Congress 2014, but we’ve only got a few hours until we find out. Phandroid will be reporting live from Samsung’s Press Conference, so stay tuned for more. Let us know what you think the Samsung Z is – or what you hope it is – in the comments! |
| Posted: 24 Feb 2014 07:49 AM PST I have to say I wasn’t too excited about the LG G2 Mini. The device carried the name of one of the best devices around, but featured lackluster specs. Does this mid-end device deserve to bear such name? I have to say I am still not too happy with it, but after using it at MWC 2014 I liked it a bit more. The device does not sport the best specs or give you the best quality, but it is a reasonable device for those looking to get an affordable smartphone with modern features. LG G2 Mini specs
Where the LG G2 Mini shinesSurprisinlgy, the device was pretty smooth and worked pretty well. We don’t know the price yet, but if it comes with the right price tag it should be a great option for the affordable-conscious. Like I mention in the video, this is pretty much like a Moto G (except a tiny bit lower end). It works well, but it’s not blazing fast. Now, it does come with the new features, which includes Knock Code. The display looks very good, but you can easily notice the qHD resolution, which is very low compared to any modern smartphone (720p and up). There may be no point in the LG G2 Mini even existing
Let’s take a look at the situation. LG’s G2 branding represents its premium devices, right? The best of the best. I was hoping the G2 Mini would be a powerful device in a smaller body, but it’s not. Instead, the LG G2 Mini makes for a device with high expectations, sad specifications and that isn’t even that “mini”! Do you think 4.7 inches is really considered a mini? Regardless, that is not really the point. This device is simply an LG L90 that looks like a G2. You can see the specs in our LG L90 announcement post. They are nearly identical, and in some ways the L90 is slightly better. Will the LG G2 Mini cost less, or the same, compared to an L90? I doubt it – it will probably cost more. Meanwhile, LG’s mid-end “L Series” enjoys from the same cool features all LG devices have. ConclusionSo let’s end this rant and get back on topic. The LG G2 Mini is a pretty neat smartphone if priced right. It matches the looks of the LG G2, which is great if you like LG’s new design cues. It all depends on the price, for all the reasons I mentioned above. I believe it will be a great alternative for those who want an affordable smartphone like the Moto G, but witht he look and features of a high-end smartphone. |
| Sony reveals mid-range Xperia M2 and colorful SmartWear activity bands Posted: 24 Feb 2014 07:39 AM PST While the Sony Xperia Z2 and Z2 Tablet were Sony’s most impressive devices on display at Mobile World Congress, the Japanese company had a couple of other neat surprises hiding in the box. For starters, we’re getting our first look at the Sony Xperia M2, a mid-range Xperia handset that tries its best to outdo everyone in its range.     The device sports a 4.8-inch display with 960 x 540 resolution, a 1.2GHz Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon processor with Adreno 305 graphics, 1GB of RAM, an 8 megapixel camera, 8GB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 32GB, and more. You’ll even get Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC, some options you don’t even see on every high-end phone these days. On board will be Android 4.3 Jelly Beam, though we imagine Sony will want to make quick work to bring KitKat to the masses at some point after its launch. Following that up, Sony also saw fit to announce their new SmartWear fitness bands. These things snap around your wrist and help enhance your life in more ways than one. Whether it’s counting your steps and suggesting more ways to get active, monitoring your sleep cycles and helping to wake you up at optimal times, or telling you there’s a notification on your phone and allowing you to jump between music tracks, you can keep a pulse on your life without much effort.     This waterproof band communicates with Sony’s Lifelog app to help facilitate all of those things, using NFC to pair and Bluetooth for the low-powered connection. The band will also vibrate whenever you walk 10 meters away from your phone, so you’ll never have to worry about losing one of the most important devices in your life. The Sony Xperia M2 is expected to launch this April, while you can get your hands on the SmartBand at some point next month. |
| Posted: 24 Feb 2014 07:03 AM PST Seven years ago, Nokia was the world’s most popular smartphone brand, hoarding nearly 50% of global marketshare. Today, a defeated Nokia reluctantly showcases new products at MWC 2014, barely claiming 3% of the global pie. How the tides change. The inevitable downfall can be traced back to one quote by then Nokia exec Anssi Vanjoki,
Nokia finally peed their pants today, announcing the Nokia X+, Nokia X+, and Nokia XL (read the announcement, watch hands-on video). There is good reason to believe the warmth of these Nokia Android Phones won’t last long: the Nokia brand will soon fall under the Microsoft banner, where they’ll relegate the software to Windows Phones, further dooming any chance of a Nokia revival. Elop’s “peeing in your pants” quote can’t be made responsible for dooming Nokia, but the company culture and direction rooted in that statement can. The comment is slathered in corporate arrogance; you can almost sense that Elop would rather the company go down in flames than have to swallow their pride and march to another industry leader’s drum. And that’s exactly what happened. In 2007, when Google announced Android, supporting the yet-to-exist platform wasn’t exactly cool. Industry analysts poked fun, tech publications mostly raised doubts, and only a small contingency correctly predicted its eventual dominance. But Nokia brass didn’t make those statements in 2007, they made them in 2010, when Android had already become a proven winner. You can read that frustration in the quote, sensing the captain of a sinking ship, defiantly staying on board as a matter of principle. Had Nokia made this decision earlier, the state of the company (and Android) might be very different. Nokia Global Smartphone Marketshare
Android has gone through some interesting periods with every new hardware iteration. The original T-Mobile G1 is almost laughably adorable these days and it wasn’t until the Motorola Droid launched in 2009 that Android posed a serious threat to iOS. It sparked an “iPhone vs. Droid” showdown whose nomenclature confused the participants of any technology discussion or debate – from soccer moms to industry analysts – and sometimes still does. “Droid the phone? Or Droid the platform? You know Droid and Android aren’t the same thing, right?” Motorola seemed to own the Android spotlight for quite sometime, eventually passing the baton between a few hopeful heirs including HTC. Many more temporarily powered the hype machine such as ASUS and the Transformer Prime and Sony when the first Xperia was rumored, but none had the staying power that Samsung brought with their Galaxy series. The Samsung Galaxy series is undoubtedly Android’s most dominant and successful brand and it’s here to stay. But might the story be different if Nokia embraced Android early on? Could Nokia have regained their stronghold by leveraging their global presence to put affordable Android’s into the hands of the masses? We may never know. Whether or not you’re in the market for a new phone, you may want to consider buying the Nokia X, X+, or XL… as a collector’s item. It’s quite likely that these will be the last Android devices that Nokia ever makes. Back in September 2013, Microsoft acquired Nokia for $7.2 Billion. The deal still needs to earn regulatory approval and jump through legal hoops, but nobody is expecting any holdups, with finalization likely coming in March. Once that transition is complete, Microsoft will likely axe any Nokia Android initiatives, instead preferring to exclusively push their Windows Phone brand. Or maybe not. With Nokia’s white flag waving and Ballmer gone from Microsoft, the fate of each company lies in very different hands, and in fact embracing Android is one thing that current Microsoft bigwigs are considering. In fact, Microsoft is considering bringing Android Apps to Windows, something we think would spell the death for Windows Phone altogether. Android could save Nokia and Microsoft needs Nokia to save Windows Phone, but is there room for a love triangle? What should Microsoft do?Microsoft is in dire straits. There is no debate that computing is moving mobile and Microsoft desperately needs a horse in that race. Right now, their horse is Windows Phone. Right now, Nokia is the only manufacturer actively focusing on Windows Phone. Lose that edge and the Nokia brand will crumble altogether. If that happens, Microsoft and their Windows Phone dream are in trouble. So why not continue making Android Phones? Doing so would diversify their risk. If Nokia’s Android phones enjoy success, it creates two huge wins:
In the end, Microsoft has to consider the fact that Windows Phone might either die or be faced to take a drastically different route. If they can’t realize that right now, then they’re staring down an alley that looks awfully similar to the one Stephen Elop described. So listen up, Microsoft. After all of that talk about peeing in their pants, Nokia finally manned up and got potty-trained with Android. It wasn’t a fun decision to make, but they swallowed their pride, and they did it. Now that you’re in charge, does it make sense to set Nokia back another 5 years by once again refusing to use Android? Do you realize you’ll inevitably come to the same conclusion? I hope the Nokia X is not the last Nokia Android phone we see. As odd as it sounds, I want Microsoft to be successful with a viable 3rd mobile OS alternative, and selling a lot of Nokia Android Phones might be the only of ensuring that happens. “Innovate or die,” they say. But when “innovate” isn’t working, you’ve at least got to adopt and adapt. |
| Posted: 24 Feb 2014 06:40 AM PST LG is stepping up its game with the LG G Pro 2, a device that takes one of the best smartphones around (the LG G2) and transforms it into an unstoppable beast. This device was one of the first in my MWC list of devices to check out. Those of you who follow Phandroid probably know how much I love LG’s latest devices. These devices come with top-of-the-line specs, great new features and awesome design. In these terms, the LG G Pro 2 was far from being a disappointment. LG G Pro 2 specs
Problems with the LG G Pro 2In short, the LG G Pro 2 is one hell of a smartphone, but I can’t guarantee it’s for everyone. The device is unusually big with a 5.9-inch display. This can make it a bit harder to manage with one hand, and even with both if you have small hands. It sounds big, it looks big and it feels big. There is no way around that. Furthermore, the design with the buttons on the back has proved to be a bit odd for some tastes. Some people also dislike LG’s UI, and the Korean manufacturer definitely hasn’t backed off on its customizations. What makes the LG G Pro 2 awesome?Once you get past these few issues (which is a subjective matter) you will find nothing but awesomeness in this phone. The Snapdragon 800 and 3 GB of RAM make the G Pro 2 run smooth and fast. The IPS display also brings you the same image quality the G2 offers, and the device’s new camera improvements are stunning. This bad boy can record in full 4K video, which you can see being demonstrated in the video above. Another feature we absolutely fell in love with was LG’s new “Natural Flash” technology. Using LED flashes on smartphone usually means the image will come out unnaturally white and bright. Photos are well-lit, but simply don’t look natural. With LG’s “Natural Flash” technology, images come out with a warmer tone and more details. Here is a sample displaying the differences. Impressive, right?! I also love LG’s new Knock Code feature, which takes Knock-On (double-tap display to wake) and adds a layer of security to it. You can now tap a sequence, and if the same sequence is not used the phone will stay locked. You can also see a demonstration of this in the video above. ConclusionAs an LG G2 user, I was hoping to see the G Pro 2 exceed my expectations. I definitely walked out pleased, even if the screen is overwhelmingly big. The device feels well-built, looks good and works like any super phone should. LG took an already awesome device and made it better. That is an equation you can’t beat! |
| Hands-on: Sony Xperia Z2 [4K VIDEO] Posted: 24 Feb 2014 06:31 AM PST After numerous leaks and countless rumors over the past few weeks, we were more than excited to get our hands on the now official Sony Xperia Z2. Announced during Sony’s Mobile World Congress 2014 press event, the phone features just about every (practical) high-end spec you can throw on a phone these days — and we like that. We covered many of the device’s specs in the announcement post, but as a quick refresher, the Z2 features a 5.2-inch Triluminos 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, 20.7MP camera, micro SD card slot, Android 4.4.2 KitKat and to top it all off — the dang thing is waterproof. It’s not too big of an improvement than its predecessor, but given this phone is releasing barely 5 months after the original Z1, there’s still enough here to please die-hard spec junkies. Sony Xperia Z – Camera and 4K video Of course a phone is defined by much more than raw specs, the reason why Sony is also relying so heavily on their software customizations to wow prospective buyers. A wise man once said, one man’s bloat is another man’s treasure (or something close to that) and for the Xperia Z2, Sony is pulling out all the stops. In our hands-on, we decided to put the the Z2′s new camera — including 4K video capabilities — to the test. With 4K video, Sony claims it will “future proof memories” for its users. Clever wording given the Z2 can’t actually display 4K videos in their full resolution (of course Sony recommends outputting to one of their expensive new 4K televisions). To see the Xperia’s 4K video in action, we’ve embedded the raw file taken from the phone below. We were pleased with the 4K video’s output for the most part, but it was the performance of the Sony Xperia Z2′s camera that really impressed us. Focusing was smooth and quick, delivering an aut0focus experience on par with Sony’s mirrorless cameras. This is unheard of when dealing with smartphones that constantly hunt around for focus whenever shaken. Speaking of shaking, the device’s image stabilization helped a ton while filming, keeping movement surprisingly smooth. Sony Xperia Z2 – build quality Where many have dogged HTC or Samsung for keeping their phone designs largely similar the past few generations, Sony’s flagship line — even when placed side-by-side — are largely indistinguishable from one another. The premium quality of the Sony Xperia flagships is well known on Android circles, and the Z2 doesn’t stray from this tradition with its aluminum frame and glass covered face and back plates. A glowing multicolor LED bar could also be seen fading in and out, tucked away neatly inside the device Z2′s earpiece. Sony Xperia Z2 – UI Although the Xperia Z2 runs the lightest version of Android yet (Android 4.4.2. KitKat) powered by a Snapdragon 801 processor, we were surprised to find the UI wasn’t always as snappy and responsive as we’d expect. We know that the device on the showroom floor is still preliminary, but the UI was about as sluggish as the that 12-minute walkthrough leaked last week. Of course, we’ll reserve our final judgement until we get our hands on the actual retail version of the device. So far, it looks like Sony has entered into the smartphone wars of 2014 with their guns blazing. Stay tuned to Phandroid for additional Mobile World Congress coverage!     |
| Sony officially unveils Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:31 AM PST Discuss the Xperia Z2 and Z2 Tablet at AndroidForums.com! Sony brought some big guns to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, and they’re finally ready to show them off. The company has announced the Sony Xperia Z2 and the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet, a pair of devices for the first half of 2014 that should excite any Sony fan. Sony’s really pulled out all the stops with these two. Sony Xperia Z2The Xperia Z2 has some serious kick, with the 5.2-inch 1080p device pushing what’s possible to the limit in nearly every category. Whether it’s the camera, RAM, battery life or more, the Xperia Z2 doesn’t disappoint. Here’s what to expect on the specs front:
You can also expect Sony’s usual design language of a slim profile and tight, waterproof design, with IP55 and IP58 specification meaning dust and water shouldn’t worry you in your day-to-day life. Sony’s focus on entertainment will shine through with Walkman and PlayStation apps, natch, and you can expect quick and easy access to Sony’s Music and Video Unlimited services.     Sony is also making a big deal about the phone’s camera features, with things like Timeshift video giving you smooth 120 frames per second slow-motion playback, new creative effects, a new software-based technique for altering depth-of-field, augmented reality effects, and Vine integration. You’ll also be able to compile your memories into a clip using the editor. Sony Xperia Z2 TabletAnd then there’s this beast of a thing, which Sony is proud to tout as the world’s lightest and slimmest waterproof tablet. The 10.1-inch Xperia Z2 Tablet features the same Snapdragon 801 chipset as its pocket-bound smaller brother, and also has a 6,000mAh battery that provides up to 10 hours of continuous use and 100 hours of use for standby mode or while listening to music.     Here’s what everything you’ll find under the hood:
Quite the doozie, isn’t it? Sony’s also making noise about some compatible accessories, including a stylish Bluetooth Keyboard and a nice desktop stand. AvailabilitySony is expected to launch the Xperia Z2 “globally” this March, though we’re sure there will be some caveats for those of us in here in America. The Xperia Z2 Tablet is also due to launch on the same scale starting next month. Need to see how hard these two party in person? We’re going to get our hands-on it just a bit later, so stay tuned! |
| Hands-on: Nokia X and XL [VIDEO] Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:30 AM PST We have seen all the details on the Nokia X, X+ and XL, but what is it like to actually hold these devices and use them? We are live from MWC 2014, in Barcelona – the very heart of Catalonia. We had the chance to play around with some of these devices and have to say they are not as horrible as they seem. We can assume the Nokia X family will not be the right set of devices for most of you. Us Android fans love our powerful specs and great performance, but what we love most is being backed by the Android operating system.
Completely different from any other Android deviceThe Nokia Lumia X, X+ and XL are nothing like your regular Android devices. I believe it is the most heavily customized Android-based software. It is based off Android AOSP, but the interface looks more like Nokia’s Asha devices. In addition, these are not the Nokia Android devices we have all been dreaming off. Aside from not having Google support and a familiar Android feel, they are far lower-specced than most of us are used to. What is the advantage, then? Aside from having the colorful and beautiful design we have fallen in love with Nokia for, these devices are priced amazingly low! Prices range from €89 to €109.         ConclusionAfter using these for a while, I have come to the conclusion that I am not the biggest fan of these phones. Their UI is a little confusing, there is no Google Play Store and the specs don’t help the cause. I am also sure it is the right device for some people out there, though. I happen to love the look of Nokia’s designs, so I would probably like one of these if I was more of a casual user. Or if I wasn’t an Android fan. We must also consider the price. Right off the bat, you can tell Nokia had an idea of the market they were targeting. And for that market, it is a pretty neat phone! Check out our hands-on and let us know what you think of it! |
“Nokia using Android would be like Finnish boys who pee in their pants for warmth during the cold winter.”
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