HoFo Blog

Now Windows Phone has been around for about 2 years now but in that time it hasn’t done very well. One of reasons why it hasn’t been successful is because Microsoft’s hardware specifications don’t allow for entry level phones.

Recently, Microsoft made some changes to Windows Phone code named Tango and relaxed their specifications. Now we have the Nokia 610.

The first thing that struck me about the 610 is that it’s kind of thick and heavy. In my hand it’s a pretty solid phone. ...

While Android tablets have been around for 2 years now, none has really been able to capture consumer’s interest. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 gets a lot of media coverage but it’s usually for the wrong reasons. The Asus Transformer Prime was an anticipated device but it was priced too high to generate much interest outside of early adopters. Really, while people are buying Android tablets, it often feels like the platform has no momentum. It feels like the only reason a regular person would buy an Android tablet is because it’s cheaper than an iPad.

It’s quite different from the phone side where Samsung’s Galaxy line has become a poster child for Android’s success.

What Android really needs is tablet to help it stand out. Android needs a hero device that’s cheap, and has wide appeal, to help give the Android tablet ecosystem a much needed, kick-in-the-pants.

The most interesting thing about the Nexus 7 is that the 8GB model is $199 (the 16GB model is $259 CAN) which includes a $25 credit to the Google Play store. While $199 tablets are nothing new (Blackberry Playbook, Kindle Fire, etc) what makes the Nexus 7 special is its hardware. It’s a substantial step-up. Not only does it ship with a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, but it also has a higher resolution 7” 1280x800 IPS display, 1GB of RAM, 4325mAh battery and either 8 or 16GB of storage. Aside from the lack of a rear facing camera, missing microSDHC slot, and maybe an IR blaster, on paper, the Nexus 7 doesn’t make any hardware compromises. ...

Just got word that a new LTE Playbook is launching on July 31st for $549.99 on Bell (no discount on a 3yr).

It has 1.5Ghz dual core processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB of storage and a 7" 1024x600 display.

Here are the specs:

• 1.5Ghz dual core processor
• 1GB RAM
• LTE, HSPA+
• 32GB storage
• 5MP rear camera, 3MP front
• 7" 1024x600 display
• Bluetooth 2.1
• WiFi 802.11abgn
• 130x193x9.7mm
• 425g
• 4800mAh
• micro HDMI

Size-wise the LTE Playbook has the same dimensions and weight as the original Playbook but the battery is slightly smaller (4800mAh vs 5400).

Anyone thinking of getting one? The specs look good but I'd like to see a 1280x800 display like the Nexus 7 has.

Thanks Tipster! ...

HoFo user awwong just dropped me a note that the OTA Jellybean update for the Nexus S was just pushed out.

Did you get yours yet?

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Ouch! Seems a British judge has just ordered Apple to run ads on their website saying that Samsung did not copy the iPad for at least six months.

Seems the judge just got them by the Apples.
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Just got back from BestBuy with my new Nexus 7. I got there about 5 minutes after the store opened. They said they had 20 when they opened and there were 11 left when I was done. I actually work up earlier today, ordered it online for in-store pickup. ...

Just got a Sony Xperia ION so I'll be updating this post. The Sony ION is now available from Rogers for $49.99 on a 3 year. It's got a really bright 500nit 4.6" 1280x720 LCD display, dual core 1.5Ghz processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB built-in storage which can be expanded with MicroSD cards and a 1900mAh non-removable battery.



The main body of the phone is a metal unibody which feels much more solid than Galaxy S III and One X's plastic bodies. In-person it also looks a lot nicer than the S III's sometimes vulgar looking metal finish. It also comes with 6 months of Sony Entertainment Network. ...

The newest update to My Xbox LIVE app for iOS is improved functionality for your iPad.
I don't have an iPad so I ...