Prakash Advani's Blog

After having a very successful Galaxy S II, now samsung has come up with SIII. It is Samsung’s flag ship brand and they seem to make no compromise in the configurations. Here is what is cool.

• Quad-core 1.4 GHz
• 4.8 inch display Super AMOLED
• Resolution 720 x 1280  with 306 ppi pixel density, close to Apple’s retina display
• Gorilla Glass 2 for extra tough screen
• MicroSD Slot
• 16/32/64 MB in built memory
• 1 GB RAM
• WiFi and WiFi Hotspot
• 8 MP Camera
• 1.9 MP front facing camera
• Android 4.0.4

For those who got excited with the Zotac Nono, you can now buy it and build your media center/small PC. Ideal for loading Ubuntu/XBMC.

Config:

• AMD Fusion processor: Dual Core 1.6 GHz
• DDR3 Expandable memory (1 slot)
• WiFi
• Bluetooth 3.0
• 2.5″ hard rive bay (laptop hard drives)
• USB IR receiver  and remote control

Ports:

• Gigabit Ethernet
• 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0
• HDMI
• Display port
• eSATA
• IR for remote control

After the successful ASUS Transformer Prime which also comes with a full size keyboard dock, ASUS has launched a lower priced version of the Prime the ASUS Transformer Pad 300.

The prime has better display and Aluminum body, while the Pad had plastic body. Here is what is cool.

• 10.1″ Display
• Android 4.0
• Quad Core 1.2 GHz
• 1GB RAM
• Optional Keyboard Dock at $149
• Micro HDMI slot
• microSD Slot for expandable memory
• 16/32GB built in memory options
• Bluetooth 3.0

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is being priced to compete with Amazon Fire. The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with WiFi is priced at US$249, just $50 more than Kindle fire but offers a lot more features. Here is how they compare:

Features	Amazon Kindle Fire	Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Processor	Dual Core 1GHz	Dual Core 1GHz
Storage	8 GB	8/16/32
Expandable Memory	No	Yes
Size	7 inches	7 inches
Display	Capacitive Touch with IPS	PLS Capacitive Touch
3G	No	Yes (Optional)
Camera	No	Yes 3MP
Front Camera	No	Yes VGA
Bluetooth	No	3.0
IR Blaster	No	Yes, can be used as a IR Remote
GPS	No	AGPS
Weight	413g	344g
OS	Android  2.3(customised)	Android 4.0.4 ICS

If dual-core phones wasn’t enough for you, now you have quad-core phones. And many of them have got launched at the Mobile World Congress 2012. Let’s compare a few quad core phones which matters.

All of them will run Android 4.0

Three of these have got announced at MWC, so expect to see them in the summer. The Samsung Galaxy SIII is still not officially announced, hence some of the specs are not known.

Have some Quad fun now!

Samsung Galaxy S Plus is for those who can’t wait or afford the Samsung Galaxy S III .

Specifications

• 1.4 GHz Single Core
• 4″ Display with 480×800 resolution
• 5 Megapixel camera, Secondary VGA camera
• 16 GB inbuilt memory.
• MicroSD slot for expandable memory
• Android 2.3
• Bluetooth 3.0

HTC doesn’t want to be left behind in the Android race. They are coming up with the HTC One in 3 different models.

The top end: HTC One X

• Nvidia quad-core Tegra 3 processor 1.5 GHz
• 1 GB RAM
• 4.7″ Display with 1280×720 resolution
• 8 MP Camera: f2.0 lens and a back side illuminated sensor, excellent in low light conditions
• Android 4.0
• 32 GB storage
• Near field communications (NFC)
• LTE option in HTC One XL

Whats missing.

No expandable memory, but do you need one if the phone already has 32 GB ?

Interested? Read the review.

The midrange: HTC One S

• 1.5 GHz Dual Core
• 1 GB RAM
• 4.3″ Display with Gorilla Glass
• 8 Megapixel Camera
• 16 GB Built in memory

At the lower end: HTC One V

• 1 GHz Processor
• 512 MB RAM
• 3.7″ Screen
• 5 Megapixel Camera
• 4 GB Internal Memory
• Micro SD Memory slot.

The HTC One V is the only one with Memory card slot if that is important to you.

The hugely successful Samsung Galaxy family is having a new Galaxy S III. Hold your breath..

• 1.5GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor
• 4.8-inch “full HD” 1080p resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio display
• A 2-megapixel front-facing camera and an 8-megapixel rear camera
• Ceramic case
• 4G LTE
• Android 4.0

What more could you ask for ?

For those who have been waiting for Android 4.0, there is a good news and bad news. Good news for those who’s device will receive the update, bad news for those who won’t get the update! Here is the list.

1. Acer Iconia Tab A200 – mid-February
2. ASUS Eee Pad Transformer – no date set so far
3. HTC Sensation – March
4. HTC Sensation 4G – March
5. HTC Sensation XE – March
6. HTC Sensation XL – March
7. HTC Rezound – Later this year
8. HTC Vivid – Later this year
9. HTC Amaze 4G – Later this year
10. HTC EVO 3D – Later this year
11. HTC EVO Design 4G – Later this year
12. HTC Incredible S – Later this year
13. HTC Desire S – Later this year
14. HTC Desire HD – Later this year
15. LG Optimus LTE – Q2
16. Prada phone by LG 3.0 – Q2
17. LG Optimus 2X – Q2
18. LG Optimus Sol – Q2
19. LG my Touch Q – Q2
20. LG Eclipse – Q2
21. LG Optimus 3D – Q3
22. LG Optimus Black – Q3
23. LG Optimus Big – Q3
24. LG Optimus Q2 – Q3
25. LG Optimus EX – Q3
26. Motorola DROID RAZR – no date set so far
27. Motorola RAZR – no date set so far
28. Motorola XOOM – no date set so far
29. Motorola XOOM family edition – no date set so far
30. DROID BIONIC by Motorola – no date set so far
31. DROID Xyboard 10.1 by Motorola – Soon
32. DROID Xyboard 8.2 by Motorola – Soon
33. Samsung Nexus S – It needs source
34. Samsung Galaxy S II – 1 March
35. Samsung Galaxy Note – 1 March
36. Samsung Galaxy S II LTE – 1 March
37. Samsung Galaxy R – 1 March
38. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – Q1
39. Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 – Q1
40. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 – Q1
41. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus – Q1
42. Sony Xperia arc S – March-April
43. Sony Xperia neo V – March-April
44. Sony Xperia ray – March-April
45. Sony Xperia arc – April-May
46. Sony Xperia PLAY – April-May
47. Sony Xperia neo – April-May
48. Sony Xperia mini – April-May
49. Sony Xperia mini pro – April-May
50. Sony Xperia pro – April-May
51. Sony Xperia active – April-May
52. Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman – April-May

Is it worth the wait? Tell me your experience.

Ultrabooks are thin and light weight Notebooks which has similar look and feel to Apple MacBook Air. Many vendors have started offering these at competitive pricing.

These use standard Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, SSD and 12″ or 13″ Display.

Advantages:

• Standard ports:
• Many of them have USB 3.0 ports, which are much faster than USB 2.0
• HDMI and some may have Display ports as well.
• You can load your choice of OS such as Ubuntu.
• Light weight around 1 KG

Disadvantages:

No Optical Drive (The mac book air also doesn’t have one and who uses them anyways these days ? If you do you can get an external one.

Only Windows pre-load currently, we need choice of Ubuntu atleast! If you are still using Windows, time to give Ubuntu a try.

Zotac has come up with even smaller media center the ZOTAC ZBOX nano AD10.

Its a palm size full fledged computer which can be used for computing or can be tucked behind your TV and be a media center. It has limited expandability unlike a PC but still every possible port that you may need.

Here is the config:

• AMD Fusion processor: Dual Core 1.6 GHz
• DDR3 Expandable memory (1 slot)
• WiFi
• Bluetooth 3.0
• 2.5″ hard rive bay (laptop hard drives)
• USB IR receiver  and remote control

Ports:

• Gigabit Ethernet
• 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0
• HDMI
• Display port
• eSATA
• IR for remote control

Ships with USB IR receiver  and remote control to build your media center as well as WiFi Antenna and VESA mount so it can be mounted behind Monitors or TVs.  The Nano doesn’t ship with memory or hard drive, you need to add that on your own. If you don’t want the hassle of installing it yourself, go for the Nano Plus. It doesn’t come with an OS, you can install Ubuntu  + XBMC and build your media center.

Apple has released the iPhone 4S, here is whats cool.

• Supports both GSM and CDMA can be used across the world.
• Bluetooth 4
• 8 Megapixel camera
• Front camera
• HD Video recording.
• Faster A5 Processor, Better late then never, Android phones are already Dual Core.
• HSDPA support for downloads upto 14.4 Mpbs

The Amazon Kindle Fire has started price war. Since its priced at $199, other similar tablets have to drop prices to stay afloat. Blackberry playbook has already dropped pricing starting at $300. Now HTC flyer is down to $299 from $499, a $200 price drop on Bestbuy. Here is how they compare:

Overall the HTC Flyer looks like a better bet with GPS,  2 cameras, 16GB and expandable memory all fur just a $100 more.  Besides it also has full fledged Android rather than restricted customised Android in the Fire.

Note: Both don’t have 3G. If you need 3G connectivity, look elsewhere. 

Amazon has launched the Kindle Fire, their to be iPad killer. Is is really a killer ? Lets find out.

Here are the key specs:

• 7″ Screen
• Gorilla glass for extra protection
• WiFi
• 8 GB Internal Memory
• Dual Core 1 GHz processor

Whats missing:

• No expandable memory
• No 3G/4G
• No camera

Toshiba’s Portege R835-P56x is an in-expensive light-weight laptop. Here is what is cool.

• 13.3″  at 1366 x 768 and LED Backlite
• Dual layer DVD burner
• Intel i5 (who needs more performance ?)
• 640GB hard drive
• 4 GB RAM (enough for atleast us Linux users)
• Built in webcam and microphone
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 6-Cell battery
• Ample ports: USB 2.0, USB3.0, eSata and HDMI
• Can charge USB devices even when the laptop is on sleep mode.
• Magnesium allow casing
• Multi-touch pad

Whats missing

• No bluetooth
• No SSD

Final thoughts:

This is a good laptop at this price, the price is attractive because Toshiba is planning to launch the  Portege Z830 Ultrabook in November. The Z830 will be lighter and sleeker like the Apple Air but would not be having an DVD drive.

Asus has launched the X101 Netbook. This is low cost, light weight netbook. Good for browsing on the go.

This comes with Meego, however you should be able to install Ubuntu or other Linux. May not be able to run Windows.

Here are the specs:

• Intel Atom N435 (1.33GHz)
• 10.1″ LED Backlight WSVGA (1024×600) Screen
• 8GB SSD (2.5″SATA)
• 1GB DDR3 RAM
• 0.69-Inch Thin
• 0.3M Pixel Camera
• 2 USB 2.0 Ports
• WiFi
• Bluetooth 3.0
• MicroSD card reader
• Weight: 0.92kgs
• Colours: Black, Red, White, Brown
• Battery 3 Cell
• Battery life 4 hours (claimed)

Olympus has released 3 micro four-third cameras with interchangeable lens.

First lets see what is common in them.

• All follow the micro four-third standard which give you small lenses. Being a standard which means you can switch camera body and lens providers easily.
• All the cameras are 12.3 megapixel. Which is enough for most users.
• ISO 100-12,800 which is sufficient for low light conditions.
• Inbuilt image stabilisation.
• RAW photo support.
• 3″ LCD Screen.
• Live View.
• Electronic View Finder (Optional)
• All support shutter speeds up to 1/4000
• Full HD Video support 1920×1080.
• SD/SDHC/SDXC card support
• USB 2.0
• HDMI port
• Lithium ion Rechargeable battery

While the E-P3 and E-PM1 have fixed LCD, the E-PL3 can be tilted to give you some flexibility. It’s not as flexible as some of the other cameras but it still is a nice feature to have.

The E-PM1 is also called the Pen Mini. If you are looking for a really small camera with interchangeable lens, then this is for you. However this is not the smallest in the category, the Panasonic is smaller. However the E-PM1 has built in-body image stablisation.

Motorola has updated the Defy with Defy + which is scheduled to launch in September.

Most of the specs remain the same of the earlier one like Gorilla Glass a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash. The size and dimensions also remain the same with 3.7″ screen. Like the Defy, the Defy + is also waterproof, dust proof and scratch proof.

The processor has been upgraded to 1 GHz, a larger 1750 mAh battery and android has been updated to 2.3.3. This should improve the performance and user experience.

Still no front facing camera and HD video recording.

Google has acquired Motorola Mobility essentially for its 24,500 patents.

Google has been bogged down by patent hoarding companies which have put pressure on Android as a platform. They decided instead of focusing on innovating, they would focus on building a patent portfolio.

Google had no choice to pay for patents,else they would end up losing the wonderful Android platform that they built because of patent wars.

What Google in going to do next is anyones guess.

Strip Motorola Mobility of its patents and software talents and sell of the hardware seems like a logical one.

If google decides to continue selling hardware, they would compete with other companies in the Android eco-system such as Samsung and HTC.

However what they would be able to do is tightly integrate hardware and software like Apple does.

The least I expect is to have the latest Android available for Motorola phones.So if you have a Motorola phone, have fun!

I have been using the Kindle for a few months now, here is brief review.

• Its very easy to use thanks to the e-ink technology which doesn’t emit light and feels just like paper.
• Very good if you like to read a lot.
• With 3GB of space, you can carry 1000′s books in a light form factor. Very good if you travel a lot or are moving residence, you can carry all your book collection with you when you move.
• Can play music. It plays MP3, but you can’t select or browser. You can only hit the play button and it plays in a sequence.
• Has Wi-Fi support and 3G as an option.
• The 3G version allows you to use unlimited browsing anywhere in the world without any subscription or data plan. However you can’t use it for anything else such as email.
• Works with Ubuntu, shows up as a drive and you can drag and drop files.
• Uses standard Micro-USB chargers used by many phones today.
• Its environment friendly as it replaces paper.
• You can purchase any book, newspaper in a few seconds and they automatically get delivered to your kindle.
• You can increase font size so it makes it easy to read.
• You can add bookmarks and notes to your books.
• The 6 inch size is quite handy, light weight and easy to manage.
• Battery life in days (claimed 1 month) and not hours.
• Lots of free e-books can be read easily.