Thoughts: Motorola Droid X2
Motorola Droid X2. Source: pocketnow.com
The Droid X2 (DX2) is the successor to Motorola’s original Droid X (DX) and the latest addition to Verizon’s smartphone lineup. It’s been almost a year since the DX’s release and many things have changed in the smartphone industry. At the time, 1 GHz single-core processors were the best that you could get in a smartphone. In less than a year, we’ve seen drastic improvements in processor technology as dual-core chips are now powering most recently released and upcoming devices. Like other “Droid” branded smartphones, the original DX did pretty well and was/is quite popular. I have to admit, I see them pretty often out in the wild. Should we expect the same success from the DX2? Hit the break and let’s take a look at some of the changes made in the DX’s successor.
The HTC Flyer – A Truly Productive Tablet
HTC Flyer tablet and stylus. Source: HTC
I have to admit, when I first heard about the iPad and how it was considered to be the next BIG thing, I was among those who bagged on it and thought that it was a total gimmick. I figured it was more of a novelty…you didn’t really NEED it because many of the things that one would do on it could easily be done on an existing laptop, but then apps came along. Now, iPads can be used as several different things from DJ turntables, to digital notebooks…which leads me to the main point of this article. Since the iPad’s successful adoption, we’ve seen a plethora of tablets saturate the market. Despite all this, I still could not justify the need for a tablet, until now. The HTC Flyer tablet, which will be available at Best Buy stores this Sunday, May 22, may be the only tablet out there that has a TRUE productivity feature. Read on to see what makes this tablet so special.
Android “Launcher” Apps – Customization At Its Best
Screenshots of ADWLauncher EX. Source: Android Market
I can confidently say that most Android users (besides the ones who read sites like this) have never heard of “Launcher” apps. This is unfortunate because these apps do some pretty amazing things. If you have or are currently using a launcher, this article will probably introduce nothing new, however, for those average users out there who have problems with laggy phones and lack of customization options, this is definitely something that you’ll want to read. Hit the break and let’s discuss what launcher apps are, what they allow you to do, and the benefits of using one. Read the rest of this entry
The Samsung Hercules is GODLY!
Possible appearance of the Samsung Hercules. Source: This is my next
Technically, Hercules was a demigod (half god, half human), but T-Mobile’s latest rumored superphone is truly godlike. The device is currently thought to be called the Samsung Hercules and was first rumored by This is my next. In today’s market, it seems like a new smart/superphone is announced every month, but there’s always one little thing that bothers me about the devices. There’s never a single smartphone that simply HAS IT ALL. There are always phones with a plethora of amazing specs…with one or two that the manufacturers leave out. I’m sure many of you out there have asked the question, “Why can’t there just be a phone with EVERYTHING I want in it?!” Well, perhaps many of you will not have to look much further, as the Samsung Hercules seems to be the God of Specs. Hit the break for my thoughts on this device.
Why didn’t many people buy the Motorola Xoom?
Motorola Xoom. Source: LetsGoDigital.org
The Motorola Xoom was the first tablet to be released with Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) and in many ways, was supposed to be a huge seller. However, recent reports have indicated small sales numbers since the device’s release…why? The Xoom was supposed to represent Android as the first true competitor to Apple’s iPad. There are tons of Android and tablet users out there, so why didn’t the Xoom succeed in raking in the numbers? There are many different factors that can explain why the Xoom hasn’t done as well as many initially thought. Read on and let’s think about this. Read the rest of this entry
To ROOT, or not to ROOT?
Rooting your Android device gives you "Superuser" permissions. Source: TechWorld
I’m sure many of you already know and understand what it means to root an Android device, but for those that don’t, I will try to explain in layperson’s terms what rooting an Android phone actually entails and what the benefits and potential risks are of doing so. So if you’re one of those people who has been introduced to the term (maybe through a geeky friend like me), but don’t quite understand it, this article was written for you. Hopefully I can help you decide if rooting your Android device is something you should/shouldn’t do. Hit the break and let’s get started.
Customize your Android lockscreen with “WidgetLocker Lockscreen”
WidgetLocker Lockscreen app. Source: Android Market
Ever wished your Android phone’s lockscreen had more functionality besides displaying the time, date, and battery status? I sure did. The lockscreen is the first thing that you see when you wake up your phone and the only thing that you can do from there is either unlock or silent the device. Wouldn’t it be awesome to be able to put widgets, icons, and shortcuts onto the lockscreen for quick and easy access? If the ability to customize your lockscreen sounds intriguing, download an app on the Android Market called “WidgetLocker Lockscreen.” Hit the break for more information about the app. Read the rest of this entry
Text people while online with “Google Voice”
Google Voice app. Source: Android Market
I love Google Voice! Google Voice allows you to access and control all of your phone calls, voice mail, and text messages online (like while on a computer). With G.V., you can have one phone number dial multiple phones at once (i.e. your house, work, cell phone, etc). You can also set up different voice mail greetings for specified groups; so now you can have an official and a personal voice mail on the same phone. It also allows you to view your call and text history online, but why stop there? Read on for more information on G.V. Read the rest of this entry
Will the newly announced Blackberry Bold Touch (9900/9930) be “D.O.A.”?
Blackberry Bold 9900/9300 (Bold Touch). Source: RIM
Ever since Apple and Google barged into the smartphone scene, the once undisputed champion of the mobile world began its slow descent down the rungs of the smartphone ladder. Just a few years ago, Research In Motion (RIM), the manufacturer of the popular Blackberry smartphones controlled a large amount of market share, but since the introduction of Apple’s revolutionary iPhone and Google’s vast army of Android-powered phones, RIM has slowly started to fade into the background of the smartphone scene. Today, RIM had just announced its latest Blackberry device, the Bold 9900 (9930 is the global variant), which will be running Blackerry 7 OS, the latest iteration of RIM’s mobile platform. The new Bold Touch features many improvements over its predecessor such as a faster processor, more RAM, an enhanced web browser, near field communication (NFC) support, and of course, a capacitive touch screen. These features are quite drastic in comparison to older Blackberry devices, but will it be enough to help RIM regain its title as the largest smartphone manufacturer? Hit the break and let us reason.
Alex Nguyen
Nicolas Gonzalez III
Are you sold on the idea behind Google’s Chrome OS?
May 12
Posted by Alex Nguyen
The newly announced Samsung Series 5 running Chrome OS. Source: Engadget
Google’s Chrome OS seems to be a hot topic in the tech world over the last 2 days. For those that don’t know, Chrome OS is an operating system that is based on Google’s popular Chrome web browser. The idea behind the operating system is that it is “web-centric,” meaning most if not all of what you do on devices running the OS is done over the Internet. Data, media files, applications, most will be saved in the increasingly popular “cloud.” This term is used to refer to things that are hosted or saved on the Internet. With everything backed up over the cloud, there’d be no need for hardware components like hard drives, so the risk of losing your personal data due to hardware malfunctions is reduced. Sounds ideal right? Well then, why am I not completely sold on the idea yet? Read on to hear me rant and see if you agree/disagree.
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Tags: browser, chrome, chrome os, chrome web browser, chromebook, cloud, google, internet, operating, os, samsung series 5, system, web, web base