Don't Keep Up With Joneses

Okay, so I think we can all recall my initial excitement about the HTC Thunderbolt, but as always I jump on the first product that soon looks like a dinosaur a few months after its launch.  Let's talk technology.

Breakdown of 4G: What is it? Really?  It's supposed to be data speeds close to those of your home network.  Yeah, the phones that we're buying now that CLAIM to be 4G, actually aren't.  Granted, they are faster than 3G speeds, but they also work on newer, better technology.  4G Verizon phones can access voice and data at the same time.  Meaning you can finally use online apps, while on a call.  The BAD: 4G will eat your battery alive.  Seriously.  Expect to keep chargers at your job, in your car, and stashed all over the house (I even have a charger with a built in battery so I can charge on the go). You can expect about 5-7 hours off the wall.  

New Phones: Have dual-core processors in them.  Now far as smart as smartphones go they MUST remain compact (no more suitcase phone days), but running a dual-core processor takes a lot of energy.  Chances are if you are reading my blog, you've got no clue what a dual-core processor actually does.  You're right with your hunch that it makes the phone faster, but where are you used to seeing dual-core processors? That's right, in computers.  Now computers are plugged into walls or have batteries that are about ten times the size of phone batteries.  Do you see the problem when we put computer technology into a phone?  Prepare for your phone to be permanently attached to a wall.  A dual-core will give you battery life of 3.5-5 hours and performance that isn't that much faster than the standard.  I have a Thunderbolt, LOADED with music, apps, and photo and my phone rarely lags.

Summing It All Up: I say, don't follow this dual-core trend.  Stick with the base 4G phones, dual-cores overheat quicker and I think that their performance isn't worth the battery headache.  Besides, once your 2 year sentence/contract (whichever term you use) is over mobile makers should have made a phone that is small, powerful, and doesn't have terrible battery life.  Sometimes you just have to ignore the trends to save yourself grief.

'Til Later,

B.C.