Hello Asus Transformer, R.I.P. Motorola Sales

My apologies for not keeping up with blogging every three seconds: I've been drooling on my Thunderbolt (making sure to avoid all of the water sensors in the process), but I've just got some hot new gossip.  I've been long-awaiting the arrival of the Asus EEE Transformer and according to some reliable sources it will be available in the US April 4th.  This tablet is comparably priced to the Xoom, so I'm seeing either a price drop (either in tablet price or Motorola stock price).  This tablet has an amazing and dare I say better than the Xoom.  It has already made its debut in Taiwan.

There my beauty goes.  The Asus EEE Transformer is something like a hybrid laptop/tablet that is just quite frankly amazing.  For those who don't want all the weight of a computer, detach the keyboard and for those who miss the feeling of typing on actual keys rather than virtual can just slap it on its keyboard dock.  Not only is this dock going to be a keyboard it will also have other ports on it, like USBs, HDMI ports, headphone jacks,etc AND act as an extended battery (bringing the 8 hours of battery life to a whopping 16 hours).  This tablet will be running Google's latest OS (HoneyComb 3.0), 1 Ghz dual-core processor, and sporting dual cameras.  The 16 GB version with the keyboard (that can expand memory with its MicroSd port) can run you a little under $700.  Do I think it's worth it? Of course, it's like your next-next laptop and with the ever-expanding Android market quickly bridging the gap between tablet and PC I'm sure the difference will be unnoticeable.

Welcome to the future

Til Later,

B.C.

3D? Too Much, Too Soon?

When I was growing up 3D was a rare, exciting feature exclusive to kids movies, now it is an overexposed hunk of technology junk.  I am always one for new progression in the technology world, but I think that we may be moving too fast with the new 3D movement.  The focus in the technology should on towards advancing and polishing technology rather than just making money.  Actually I think the way to go would be making 3D prescription glasses more available to the public.  3D is cool and all but 3D glasses and prescription glasses really don't mix well with one another, and that would limit the market potential of the 3D technology.  I think over the next 3 years there should be a movement of small businesses that can make 3D glasses more efficient, old vision friendly, and accessible to more people.  We can take the technology we have then and get some 3D use out of it.  Besides after years of existence the public is just getting onto tablets: I say big money isn't invested in this until there's a lack of consumer excitement with the technology market. 

Besides, why mess with the classics?

'Til Later,

B.C.

The Thunder Has Arrived

Ahhhh, Verizon makes its 4G debut with an impact.

The HTC Thunderbolt.  This phone has been somewhat of a folktale for the last few months.   HTC was successful at keeping it under tight wraps during its development. This phone is lighting fast (no pun intended, of course).   With a 1 Ghz Snapdragon processor and 4G speeds it single handedly beats any phone available now.  

Some of the Amazing Specs (Remembered By Heart)

• Dual Cameras (8 megapixel rear dual led-flash, 1.3 megapixel front-facing)
• Android 2.2 (Gingerbread)
• HTC Sense (complete with Swype)
• A Kick-Arse KickStand
• Flash Compatible
• The Ever-Expanding Android Market
• Expandable Storage (Comes with 32 GB MicroSD standard)

I've been in Verizon and have had some one on one time with this phone and I can tell you first hand it is as sweet as it sounds.  I'm glad they've decided to stick with the reliable Android 2.2 software, because it has 98% of the kinks ironed out.  All and all, sweet phone one of the best on the market and definitely on my wishlist.

'Til Later,

B.C.

iPad 2 Vs. Motorola XOOM (A Comparison for the Technologically Challenged)

Guess this will serve as both an introductory post as well as a urm... news related one.

I am a tablet fanatic, I've been fascinated with them from a young age and always wondered why they never gained the popularity and fame that they deserved. Well 10 years and simplified OSs (operating system) later tablets are set to take over the world.

The average consumer has a few basic needs when it comes to computing: checking emails, social networking applications, entertainment, directions, and the occasional video chat. Tablets, now stronger than ever, can meet all of those needs with their eyes closed. Let me just give you a small break-down of the hot tablets.

First, The iPad 2 (Apple iOS) and all of its commercial glory

User friendly, the cool factor, great customer support, and accessories ad nauseam ; possibly the strongest of the advantages that Apple has to offer. Apple's hold of the technology gadget market cannot be denied. Apple has some great range in the pricing of their devices with the least expensive model starting at $499. The new iPad 2 is slimmer than the original iPad (surprise!), has dual-cameras (front standard VGA and the rear capable of a 720p capture),a dual-core processor, but still no HD screen or expandable storage. A new refined OS is said to be available with the new iPads, but widgets will still not be supported. Apple definitely has the best branding of any company out right now, but they are really good at fooling the average consumer. First, this tablet is 3G capable NOT 4G. Personally, I'm not a need for speed kind of person and 3G is just fine for me, but it's really going to be irritating to see the next generation, next year with 4G speeds. It's a great tablet for the average person: there's an app for practically everything and you can rest assured that you can go accessory crazy at a lower price, because there's always going to be a high supply of companies making Apple accessories.

Android Honeycomb (Android OS 3.0) tablet: The Motorola XOOM

Perhaps the sexiest thing to me when I first heard about it. This tablet features Android Honeycomb OS, which is not the Android you're used to seeing on smartphones. Honeycomb has been refined to give you more of a computer feel. The Honeycomb operating system is experiencing some glitches and I wouldn't advise anyone really jump into it until the first update has been released. Also, the market needs a little more time to get some Honeycomb optimized applications out there. This tablet sports a dual-core processor faster than the iPad 2 and also both of its cameras are better than its Apple competitor. The Xoom has a HD screen, and also its widescreen display makes it the ideal tablet for typing and watching movies. A lack of ports is a little disappointing with this tablet, because there are so many Android Tablets available the accessories are usually for universal use (get ready to cough up some serious dough for Moto-specific accessories).

Speaking of money, this tablet hits an extreme sour note on its pricing; a whopping $800 for a 3G/4G+Wifi tablet without a contract ($600 for a 2yr contract option through the beloved Verizon Wireless). As of now, the tablets are only 3G capable and the microSD card port is not active. Motorola will, hopefully soon, be launching their free upgrade program. You will ship your $800 pride-and-joy away, all expenses paid by Motorola, for about a week to have it return 4G and microSD card ready. Personally I love this tablet, but I feel as if Motorola rushed to release it and sacrificed customer satisfaction. The owners of Xooms have laid out the big bucks and wait for Motorola to give them what they paid for. Also, Motorola rolled the die on the high prices and due to their piss poor sales their stocks are down by 20%. I pray that they come to their senses on the pricing of the tablets, but until then their revenue and thrifty geeks will suffer in silence.

In terms of a winner, I'd say for the average consumer you should be sticking with Apple. Motorola took some big gambles and lost miserably at most of them. The iPad 2 is more new user friendly and rather intuitive. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. The only problem lies with someone that does not use iTunes or have an Apple store account. The setup may take all of ten minutes, but once you're set up you're good to go. Allow Motorola to mature on its tablet sales and build, because this is their first shot and well it's only human to stumble through it. For my avid androphiles out there that can wait a month or two there's a tablet will blow the XOOM out of the water, until then iPads will dominate.

'Til Later

B. C.