• Commentary and Analysis

    by Published on 09-05-2012 10:17 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. Devices,
    3. News,
    4. Commentary and Analysis
    Article Preview

    Stephen Elop is coming to the stage

    18 months ago, Nokia unveiled their new strategy. They realized it's gone from a war of devices to a war of ecosystems.

    In 6 months Nokia brought the Lumia 800 and 710. Reminds us that the 800 is the first 'real' Windows Phones.

    They helped Microsoft expand to lower points and into new markets. Apparently China is the biggest Windows Phone market.

    Here in the 'States they brought the 900 and 710 to AT&T and T-Mo respectively.

    over 100,000 apps in the marketplace. now growing 3x faster than before Nokia joined.

    Now talking about Asha, trying to use those to connect another 1B users to the mobile phone market.

    Mentions that Nokia has stabilized their phone business in the last quarter.

    Now talking about the 3rd part of their business - their future disruptions. Maps, optics, etc.

    Nokia maps will be embedded into Windows Phone.

    Jo Harlow, Executive Pres of Nokia is now up.

    They're now showing a pretty epic video of a new Lumia device. Couldn't help noticing it has a Snapdragon processor.



    The new Lumia is called The Nokia Lumia 920.

    Includes Pureview camera

    Nokia City Lens

    Nokia Pure motion HD Plus

    Built in wireless charging

    "This is Nokia, and it's time to switch"

    Now talking about PureView. 2012 will be the year the number of pictures taken with mobile phones will surpass those taken with regular cameras.

    Talking about how slow shutter speeds result in blurry pictures. The Pureview camera captures 5x to 10x the amount of light that competitors does. The camera has 'floating lens' technology to help reduce blur (I'm guessing she's talking about image stabilization).

    Yes, it's IS. It's used in videos too.

    Now talking about navigation. It's supposed to be one of the reasons why people choose a Lumia. They're bringing their navigation products together into an integrated Location suite. Mentioning offline maps - not just cached maps. Daily commute feature will tell you how long it will take to get to work. It will tell you what time you have to leave. Nokia Transit includes how much time it takes to get to the next stop and how much time you have to spend at statioin



    Nokia city lens is an augmented reality apps. Nokia maps will also get augmented reality.

    This is cool, set a route in Nokia maps and use the augmented reality feature to see where you have to go. No more having to figure out which direction to go.

    Nokia Pure Motion HD Plus is the name of the display. 4.5" curved glass display with 'better than HD resolution'.

    The colour tone (and brightness) adjust automatically in bright sunlight.

    2000mAh battery, Qualcomm S4 Snapdragon processor. Up to 30% more efficient that 'quad core alternatives'.

    Wireless charger. One accessory is the 'fatboy wireless charging pillow'. It's based on the Qi wireless charger standard (woohoo, standards)

    Virgin Atantic will place charging plates at their lounge in Heathrow. Coffee Bean will also place charging plates in their stores.

    Joe Belfiore is now on stage talking about Windows Phone 8.

    You can now take screenshots with Windows Phone 8 (finally)

    The camera apps supports lenses from WITHIN the camera. Basically, instead of using a separate app that controls your camera you can select the app from within the camera app.

    There's tap to share via NFC.

    Kevin Shields

    920 introduces new colours: Yellow, Red, Grey in addition on Black and White.

    920 is stronger than the 900. Strong body and glass. Polycarbonate body is good for RF. Nothing to block RF.

    Strip on the back where the camera is doesn't scratch easily now.

    It looks like a giant Lumia 800 (that's a good thing).

    It's a LCD display. They say it's the fastest LCD display available (fastest pixel transition) and brightest.

    WXGA resolution (1280x768).

    The display has super sensitive technology. You can use it with gloves (good for the winter). It has 2 modes, bare skin and with gloves on.

    Nokia Music is coming to the 'States. Try downloading it now.

    Cool NFC/wireless charging accessory from JBL (I'll upload a video of it later).

    Now talking about exclusive apps that come with the Lumia. Out of the box location apps.

    New Rovio game called Angry Birds Roost coming to Lumia.

    Now talking about the camera 'lenses' again. Cool! say you're at a gallery and want to take a picture of someone. Your subject stands in the center of the frame while random people are walking around. You can use this lens to REMOVE the other people. < applause > Very, very cool

    Nokia Lumia 820 just announced. Polycarbonate unibody, Carl Zeiss lens, 4.3" clearback display, NFC.

    the back shell pops off, 1650mAh battery. (how is it a unibody?)

    Yellow, red, blue, purple, grey, white and black shells

    Also have wireless charging shells (optional).

    Steve Balmer is on stage now.

    I'll have a hand-on and some demos later. ...
    by Published on 08-07-2012 10:11 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. Commentary and Analysis,
    3. Reviews and Hands-on
    Article Preview


    Here’s the Huawei Ascend P1 (U9200). Hua-what you say? Look at the logo. No, WordIRC, it’s not an NBC phone. Cue the NBC chime “Hu-wa-wei”.



    If you’ve never heard of Huawei they’re actually a huge player on the network infrastructure side. However, on the handset side they’re mostly known for making cheap entry level phones. Given Huawei’s size and ambition it’s only natural that they're ready to move up the ladder starting with the $400 Huawei Ascend P1.

    Huawei is splitting their offerings into 4 different lines. Diamond, Platinum, Gold (let’s hope they don’t sponsor the Olympics) and Youth. The P1 represents their platinum line so it’s aimed at the upper end of the market but not the very top. I’m thinking phones like the HTC One S, Motorola RAZR and Sony Xperia S.
    ...
    by Published on 07-19-2012 11:40 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. Devices,
    3. Commentary and Analysis,
    4. Reviews and Hands-on
    Article Preview


    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. ...
    by Published on 06-21-2012 02:17 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Commentary and Analysis

    There’s a saying: past performance is no guarantee of future results. While it’s normally used to describe financial performance there are many other situations where it’s true: Weekend at Bernies II, Rocky 5, Dumb and Dumberer, Batman and Robin, etc.

    Windows on PC’s has been a runaway success for many years now. As popular as it has been, its big problem is that its success has been largely limited to the desktop and laptop market. The idea that there should be a computer on every desk is suddenly a very limiting concept. (anyone remember how 640kb should be enough for everyone?).
    ...
    by Published on 06-20-2012 12:07 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Commentary and Analysis,
    3. Reviews and Hands-on
    Article Preview

    Sabesh just finished up his review of the Otterbox Defender for the HTC One X:



    OtterBox Defenders are 3-piece extreme-protective cases designed to withstand moderate drops and spills. By general consensus, they are considered to be the best at what they do. There’s no mistaking that it’s a classic OtterBox Defender: 2 snap-on polycarbonate shells to enclose the HTC One X and a silicone outer layer enclosing the polycarbonate shells for secure protection. It comes in minimalist packaging with pictorial instructions printed inside the box. OtterBox packaging now has a holographic/3D sticker, perhaps to prevent copies/fakes.
    ...
    by Published on 06-11-2012 12:01 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Commentary and Analysis,
    3. Reviews and Hands-on
    Article Preview

    While the HTC One X is a durable phone it has a very delicate finish which scratches and scuffs quite easily. If you own one it's probably worth your while to protect it with a case. Here's our OtterBox Commuter case for the HTC One X review written by our very own Sabesh.




    OtterBox Commuters are 2-piece protective cases designed to withstand casual drops and spills. This case is designed to provide protection, yet be stylish. Hence, I was happy when Howard got me this to review. There’s no mistaking that it’s a classic OtterBox Commuter: A silicone inner core encompassed by a tough, polycarbonate shell. It comes in stylish packaging with pictorial instructions printed inside the box. OtterBox packaging now has a holographic/3D sticker, perhaps to prevent copies/fakes like BeaverBoxes and WeaselCartons. ...
    by Published on 06-07-2012 09:44 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. Commentary and Analysis,
    3. Exclusives



    Check out our interview with the President of Nokia USA. We discuss what's wrong with Windows Phone, the Lumia 900 data problem, Android, Windows 8, Microsoft, the future of s60, Navteq. ...
    by Published on 05-14-2012 11:16 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. Commentary and Analysis

    Just noticed this over at TheStar. When you pre-pay for airtime cards on prepaid there's always an expiry date. Smaller ...
    by Published on 05-14-2012 10:49 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. Commentary and Analysis

    Are there any apps you've used on other platforms you wish you had on Android?

    I want Logos Quiz. There is a version of Logo Quiz for Android but it's not nearly as fun as the one on iOS.

    Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using HowardForums ...
    by Published on 03-30-2012 09:59 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. HowardForums,
    3. From The Forums,
    4. Commentary and Analysis,
    5. Rumors
    Article Preview



    RIM has called out Apple for trying to fix an upcoming vote in the ETSI for the new Nano Sim format.
    ...
    Page 2 of 8 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LastLast