HoFo Blog

Here’s the recipe for an Android phone. Take a phone, add Android and then customize it. This formula has worked really well for Google. The bodies of WebOS, S60, Blackberry, Windows Mobile now litter the landscape since since Android and iOS joined the mobile phone war.

However, Google’s Nexus devices are slightly different beast. First off, while they’re from Google, they’re not made by Google. Instead they’re based off of existing devices and contain no customizations or extras from their respective manufacturers.

I think one of the reasons why Nexus devices are so popular is because many people have been using Windows PC’s for years. It’s very common for PC’s to come with all sorts of useless extras like trial subscriptions to 5 different ISPs, Anti-virus software that is constantly asking you to update your subscription, multiple toolbars, useless utilities and just a bunch of crap that no one wants. We’ve been conditioned to not trust manufacturers when it comes to what software they put on our devices.

Here’s the Nexus 4, the sister phone to the LG Optimus G. It shares many of the G’s specs plus it has a similar glass covered body. Unlike the G it’s running Android 4.2 and is a pure Google device.

The fact that it doesn’t contain anything extra is the appeal of Nexus devices. That plus the fact that the Nexus 4 with 8GB starts at $309CAN/299USD unlocked while the 16GB is $359CAN/349USD ...

*EDIT* you can also get them in store in the 'States now too.

Just got word that unlocked iPhone 5's are now available in-store at Apple stores in Canada.

Previously, you had to order them online and wait a few weeks.

Anyone going to get one?

Thanks Treatz! ...

While Tablets are now the norm, it’s hard to believe that the original iPad only came out about 2 and a half years ago. Tablets have been around for years but it wasn’t till the iPad came out, that they really took off.

Now 2 and half years later, iPads have sort of matured to the point that you don’t have to buy the fanciest one, to buy one that’s usable.

It’s the perfect time for Apple to release an entry level iPad because it doesn’t have to suck. Here’s the iPad Mini. It’s an iPad with a 7.9” display.
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So there’s been some buzz that the Nexus 4 actually has a LTE chip in it.



I figured I’d test it out with my some of my SIM cards. I’ve personally tried this on Rogers and have gotten speeds of over 60Mbps. Wow.
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One of the best phones for 2012 was the HTC One X. It was almost the total package. It was fast and had an amazing display. The camera was a blast to use. The only problem with it was that it only came with 16GB of storage. It’s like a sports car that can only seat one person. It’s a blast to use but it’s not very practical.

Thankfully, we now have the One X+. It’s similar to the One X but ups the storage to a much more useful 64GB of storage. You also get a quad-core processor, a slightly bigger battery, and Android 4.1. ...

One thing I admire about HTC is that their phones always have a very original design esthetic. Just like Nokia and Apple, you can spot a HTC phone immediately. While I admire their originality, I haven’t connected with many of their recent phones. Last year’s Amaze reminded me of a bathtub while the One X had to profile of a banana... That is, till I laid eyes on the HTC 8X.

To say that the 8X is beautiful would be giant understatement. Windows Phone is known for it’s distinctive design and the 8X is a wonderful interpretation of it. It’s like one of the Windows Phone live tiles grew up and became a phone. ...

*EDIT*, I added some more pictures of the phone displays along with pricing.

I'm at the Microsoft Store at Yorkdale right now.


There are a few Windows Phone displays. The people at the store can actually hook up the Windows Phones to the displays in on the side of the store. The phones sold at the store will be carrier locked.
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These days, movies cost a lot of money so it’s not uncommon for them to have some promotional product tie-ins. While this can make a movie seem like a commercial, there’s usually a line between what’s acceptable and what isn’t. For example, it would be a sham if Gandalf used a AT&T phone to call Frodo in the Lord of the Rings movie.

Then we have the Sony Xperia T. The phone of choice for James Bond in the new Skyfall flick. If I were to guess what kind of phone James Bond actually uses my guess is that it would be something waterproof, but then again, the T’s a slick device - I could see him using one.
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Verizon and HTC just announced the DROID DNA. The DNA has a 5" 1920x1080 display with a pixel density of 440 PPI. The retina display on the iPhone and other high definition phone displays hovers around 320PPI.

It will have Qualcomm's Quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with support for LTE. Other specs include a 8MP camera with a f/2.0 lens and a front-facing f/2.1 camera - better take down all your embarrassing posters! The headphone jack has a 2.55volt amplifier, I have no idea what kind of power other phones give you. It also comes with Android 4.1 Jellybean.

I'm extremely disappointed that the DNA appears to only have 16GB of NON EXPANDABLE storage. If this is the case the DNA will only have around 11GB of storage available. I'm also annoyed that it's only available with a 2020mAh battery. Quad-core + a 5" display with a 2020mAh battery is a recipe for disaster.

What is it with HTC and small amounts of non-expandable storage? Is it some scheme from carriers to put HTC out of business?

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