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Showing posts from 2013

iPhone 5 or Goophone i5, which one would you buy?

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According to many web sites that follow phones, the company Goophone has cloned Apple's 5 phones by just looking at the leaked photos of Apple design. It appears they even patented the design in China even before Apple's release which will make it very difficult for Apple to get in.  It may be noted that the decline of Nokia in Asia was often quoted as being related to Chinese cheap know outs. On the plus side, the Chinese Goophone has impressive specifications even rivaling Apple's. I will not be surprised that you will soon find this cheap knock-out (I would not call it that as it deserves more respect vis-a-vis its specifications) coming into USA any time soon. Here is a comparison of specifications from the quoted site below the image.   http://kuwaitiful.com/tech-gadgets-ar/iphone-5-vs-fake-iphone-5/ Follow the story here, if you have missed, http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/iphone-5-vs-fake-iphone-5-goophone-i5.452664743/ Here is a video comparing t

World's cheapest tablet for $25

I am assuming $1 about 60 RS which changes daily. The subsidized tablet Akash 4 (Akash means sky) conceived in 2011 to put a tablet in every student's hand in India will go on sale on January 2014. It appears that Datawind of UK had the exclusive contract to make this device which now will be tendered and some 18 manufacturers have shown strong interest. It will eventually cost RS 1500. 4G enabled tablet will with approximate dimension of 7"comes with 4GB internal storage extendable to 32GB with a SD card. It will have a scratch resistant touch screen and will support Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G,and 4G connectivity. It should weigh about 500gm and sport a front camera. Battery time around 3 hours with video or 5 hours browsing the internet. Follow the complete story here: http://www.aegindia.org/2013/12/worlds-cheapest-tablet-just-got-cheaper-aakash-4-to-cost-only-rs-1500/2138743.html For the first pictures of Akash (more correctly Aakaash) http://www.ndtv.com/photos/gadgets/firs

Microsoft challenges Apple and Google with Cortana

Windows Phone 8.1 updates the present phone. According to rumor mill (not so unlikely rumor), Windows Phone 8.1 with Personal Digital Assistant Cortana should be available as early as April 2014. This may coincide with the build conference. Looks like Bing Search will be replaced by 'Cortana' for voice and text search, taking the battle a step nearer to Apple's 'Siri' and Google's NOW. MSFT has done lot of work with voice and I am not sure why they did not turn on this feature earlier. MSFT does not like to test water, unless a shark is swimming and a whale is shooting air. Anyway, good luck, it's never too late. Nokia appears to be working on the hardware side of the phone with mostly 007 related stuff like 'Goldfinger' a '3D touch' system(Industry first?) and 'Moneypenny' using onscreen keyboard. According to the same sources, looks like Microsoft also wants a second serious hardware manufacturer, the like of Samsung and it wo

APPS for windows Phone exceeded 200000Plus

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Looks like Windows Phone is making great strides but still a lot to go. It seems to have surpassed 200,000 apps that you can download from store. Is it the total number that matters? or is it the quality and usuability of apps that matter? or is it the popularity?. I suppose all the above should happen. Here is a screen shot from the Windows Store. Also read this article on PCWORLD, http://www.pcworld.com/article/2080804/windows-phone-store-passes-200-000-apps-so-lets-make-them-better-microsoft.html How does it measure up against competitors. Here is an answer copied from this site: http://www.pureoxygenmobile.com/how-many-apps-in-each-app-store/ There is a lot of catching up. I wonder whether there is a breakdown as to quality!

Nokia Lumia 1020 Camera details

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If you use it in sports, capturing events, quality videos, weddings, nature photography  and a dozen more of photographic activities you should seriously consider Nokia Lumia 1020. iPhone is history! Here is an exploded view of the camera lifted from Nokia Site. If you use it in sports, capturing events, quality videos, weddings, nature photography  and a dozen more of photographic activities you should seriously consider Nokia Lumia 1020. iPhone is history! Make sure you visit this site and check out the photos/videos. These details taken from Nokia site as well. Photography Main camera Main camera sensor: 41 MP, PureView  Main camera focus type: Auto focus  ZEISS optics: Yes  Sensor size: 1/1.5 inch  Main camera f-number/aperture: f/2.2  Camera focal length: 26 mm Camera minimum focus range: 15 cm Camera image formats: JPEG  Flash type: Xenon flash  Flash operating range: 4.0 m Flash modes: Off, Automatic, On Main camera features Main ca

Incredible Video using Nokia Lumia 1020 Windows Phone

This came in to my email box. This video is incredible.  I am sure the new Nokia Tablet will also have similar performance. With the breakthrough combination of a 41-megapixel sensor and Optical Image Stabilization, it allows you to capture details like no other smartphone camera in the world. _ I agree.

Four tablets to choose from, which one would you choose?

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Price range not much different although Amazon could be cheaper, depends on what you want to buy. Are a Gamer? Are you a Movie enthusiast? Are you averse to carrying a tablet heavier than 1,5 lb.". Are you going to do serious business with it? Is your hobby photography? You have to make the choice. Here is a line up of the choices. Surface Pro 2 Surface Pro 2 $899 (Surface 2 $349)   0.53" thick; 64GB,128GB,256GB,512GB 16:9 aspect ratio;1920x1080, System Memory:4GB and 8GB Windows 8.1 Pro, less than 2lbs, Hardware Buttons-Volume and Power, 10-point mulit-touch,4th Gen Intel i5 Processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0. Battery 7-15 days idle Charges in 2-4 hours 2yr Free  200GB SkyDrive storage, Free Skype voice calling 60 countries for 1 yr. Ports: USB 3.0, mini Display Port and microSD card reader Dual angle kick stand(tablet to laptop transformation) 10.81"x6.81"x0.53" External supported: monitor, Ethernet, speakers, full size keyboard, printers

iPhone 5s is available at an Apple store near you.

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Follow the review here: http://reviews.cnet.com/iphone-5s/ What are its features? It is the first smart phone with 64 bit architecture It has an outstanding camera It has finger print recognition system The above in addition to other standard features. Oh, Yes. It comes in 3 colors, Gold (very easy to seduce Indian and Chinese markets), Silver and grey . In fact, I heard that gold colored 5S is sold out in China.  The A7 chip is at the heart of this phone with the M7 chip providing much needed motion related data processing. Here are some of the details of the chips: A7 chip was designed by Samsung using its 28 nm Hi K Metal Gate process. It is twice as fast as A6 and it is the first time 64-bit architecture used on a smart phone. Even for computers 64-bit is a recent introduction.  The M7 Co-processor takes care of motion data from accelerometers, gyroscope, and compass.M7 lessens the load on the A7. M7 is from NXP Semiconductors (part number NXP LPC18A1) and i

Apple aligns with a new supplier of chips

Apple to severe its relationship with Samsung: http://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/04/10/apple-severs-more-ties-with-samsung-taps-new-partner-to-build-its-upcoming-a7-processors/ Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company(TSMC) to supply chips to Apple on a 3-year agreement. TSMC is listed on NYSE. Apple Chipset lineup according to a Digitime article: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20130624PD207.html A8  20-nanometer design rule-->2014 A9  16-nanometer design rule-->2015 A9X 10-nanometer desgin rule-->2015 The 20-nanometer node and its features appears on TSMC's site here: http://www.tsmc.com/english/dedicatedFoundry/technology/20nm.htm But (Hodentek wonders ?) getting from 20 to 16 and 10-NM will not be easy within a year. 

iPhone5C coming soon to an Apple Store near you

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Follow the breaking story here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57602236/apple-announces-new-iphone-5s-iphone-5c-ios-7-release-date/ The iPhone 5C will go on sale on Sept. 20, with pre-orders starting on Sept. 13. What are its features? iPhone 5C comes with 5 colors. This cheaper version of the smartphone starts at $99 for a 16GB model with a two- year contract. Home screen and Wall Paper matches with the color you choose. All plastic back cover with a structurally sound steel reinforced frame holds the innards as well as functioning as an antenna.  Finger print resistant oleophobic coating on front Graphic provided by the Apple Desigend A6 chip . Improved battery life: Power usage: Talk time: Up to 10 hours on 3G Standby time: Up to 250 hours Internet use: Up to 8 hours on 3G, up to 10 hours on LTE, up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi Video playback: Up to 10 hours Audio playback: Up to 40 hours iSight Camera: 8MP iSight camera (Æ’/2.2 aperture, Sapphire crystal l

Differences between Lenovo Yoga 11 and Yoga 11s

Lenovo Yoga 11 is history although one may be able to still buy it. This is replaced by Yoga 11s. The differences are in operating system and chip architecture. http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mobile/display/20130718235105_Lenovo_Discontinues_Windows_RT_Based_IdeaPad_Yoga_11.html Yoga 11  was Powered by NVIDIA Tegra 3 (only quad-core processor for Windows RT) that is capable of automatic power adjustment. http://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2012/10/09/nvidia-tegra-3-powers-lenovos-incredibly-versatile-yoga-11/ Yoga 11s with Windows 8 Pro OS, powered by advanced Intel Core “Ivy Bridge” microprocessors http://technewspedia.com/the-intel-core-third-generation-ivy-bridge/ Yoga 11 was not compatible with many Windows 8 developed programs. Probably Windows RT will be reworked to fix this. Price: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 11.6" LED 64GB Convertible Tablet - Wi-Fi - NVIDIA - Tegra 3 T30 1.30GHz - Gray  $799.00 IdeaPad Yoga 11s (Touch) - 59370508 - Silver Gray - 3rd Generation Intel Co

Jump start learning Windows 8 and Windows 8 Phone

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What is MVA? MVA is Microsoft Virtual Academy and you can learn building apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 free of cost. That is right, at no cost to you (Well, that is mighty generous). Of course you can learn a whole lot of others besides Windows 8 and Windows 8 Phone. Form factors is an important difference between these two platforms. Issues / concerns are described. Check it out here: http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/windows-8-and-windows-phone-8-app-development For example, this particular course has 4 modules: Comparing Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 Basics of View Models MVVM Sharing Code This paraticluar module (Comparing Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8) is neither about building apps for the two platforms nor it is going to show code that works for both platforms. Code reusability is explored between the two operating systems. Application Life cycle is explored: Each platform has its own XAML Controls UI reuse is not

This Samsung phone battery was a trash

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The contract with AT& T for phone usage was for 2 years. The battery died after 15 months. For a further one month it charged but did not hold any charge. Finally it fell from table to ground about 3' differential. I tried to put it back, but the back lid would not close. I noticed that the battery had a bulge in the center. It appears to have bloated. The Windows OS was OK and it performed well as expected, but the hardware was another thing. The location of the volume switch is not ideal on this phone. It frequently got into the lowest setting (normal handling fumbling for camera switch which is on the other side mower end) and quite a few calls were not picked up. I am not sure if the battery was made where it is supposed to have been made(!). It says Japan but how am I to make it sure. It appears that the battery markings need some editing besides its innards which requires overhaul. This battery is not carried by AT &T and not available at Radio Shack (this may