BlackBerry breaks its silence unveils BB 10 L-Series

It’s been quite awhile that we heard about Blackberry being silent on the smartphone market. BlackBerry 10 (BB10) is still under development and not yet the finished product, and seen out an almost-final version of it and I could say it’s appealing close to perfection, a smartphone that is shiny, sleek and futuristic in design. Research in Motion (RIM) says that it will arrive this 2013 as early as the first quarter and could be late as March.

Now, RIM is ending up the use of a full keyboard a virtual trademark brand in favor to switch to a full touchscreen device in able to compete with Google and Apple devices. BB 10 is a whole new interface that implemented on the device. RIM is done with the familiar BlackBerry system that most of BB users are used to and switching into something which resembles the like of Android and iOS, with its owned unique features.

The BlackBerry 10 has no home button and expected that the software will allow users switching between apps without having to go through the homescreen, digging more on its physical features of the device showing that it has a micro-USB connector and also a slot for a micro-HDMI cable, in which it could enable to connect to high resolution external displays.

On its interface, not much of a difference from the other smartphones and common with iOS and Android interface, swiping from right to left that you can have to more than 16 apps additional pages are added and can be done by swiping. The fascinating fading animation as you flick between pages as you’ll see fading away the previous page of the apps on the side of the screen as it replaced by a new page. This is RIM’s idea behind the Blackberry 10 that uses to describe their new OS.

And as well the world of the BlackBerry App has its overhauling that makes it more spontaneous and a cleaner design that would be shown on all the apps. RIM pushes hard to those developers for the time of launch.

That means it offers more applications in the new App World. This provides videos and music to purchase and downloads, that allows BB 10 devices the chance to compete like of the iTunes, Apple App Store and the Google Play.

BlackBerry handsets are well-known for their physical keyboards and RIM is now dedicated to bring a typing experience to its BlackBerry 10 touchscreen smartphones that offers. The keyboards similarly looks like those stock Android offers, but it has a separated silver line on each row of keys. It has its auto correct and spell check which is commonly seen features on smartphones these days. RIM really spent some time in developing to its own system to have a proficient typing experience.

Other revelation on the BB 10 has a 1,800 mAh battery, the handset most likely keeps it 1280x768 resolution, with 16 GB or more of internal storage and can be upgraded using an included micro-SD card slot, it has also the front-facing camera and rear camera with flash.

It’s really impressive with how slick and smooth the interface is, although the BB 10 operating system is in development. It seemingly makes some shake on the smartphone industry, with its phone so intergraded with the new OS that makes Facebook, Twitter, Email are all available, connected to your friends or easily share to throughout the phone. I would say it could be added to your choice of choosing the right smartphone that you want.

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First ever Android-powered camera the Coolpix S800c by Nikon

We have seen how technology rises and Nikon has released the newest and the first Android-powered camera the “Nikon Coolpix S800c”. It’s really meant to link the worlds of mobile technology and cameras like nothing had before. With Coolpix S800c, you can have access to most apps for photo editing, sharing and shooting from a devoted camera.

As most of us know, smartphones swiftly develop into the most challenging to face the conventional compact digital camera since they have emerged in the market first. Nikon have stand up to this challenge to develop a camera that would become responsive to the masses, and now they introduce the Nikon Coolpix S800c. The first major camera manufacturer to widely open an Android mobile based operating system.

Smartphones are more persuasive as a photographic tool due to some reason. One of them is that, the devices are well connected to mobile data services that allow automatically uploading and sharing images. In addition, the benefit has come from those emerging apps and platforms with lots of third-party apps that would add new capabilities to the device that can be used. From those social networks like instagram, twitter, facebook, etc. to games like the most played Angry Birds.

The S800c is a full Android 2.3 (Gingerbread OS) device; it means that it can run through any apps equivalent to what a smartphone can offer. So you can improve images through Photoshop Express. Furthermore, there’s nothing could pass with a quick game of your choice from Temple Run or Angry Birds.

The Coolpix S800c as a compact camera still got the advantage through its larger sensors (having a better image quality, particularly in lower light), and the standard optical zooms a greater photographic flexibility, and also comes with a removable memory, having an easily expand and swap storage of your camera as what most smartphones could give. It offers the same 10x zoom lens and 16MP backlit CMOS sensor as Coolpix S6300 has, a great device of a compact camera capability and a full-function tablet computer.

Specifications of Nikon Coolpix S800c:

- 16MP 1 /2.3" – BSI CMOS sensor

- Android v2.3 Operating System

- Includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS

- 3.5" WVGA OLED touchscreen

- 25-250mm equivalent F3.2-5.8 lens

- 2GB of internal memory

- 1080p30 video

- Up to 8fps continuous shooting

As OS is concern, Gingerbread isn’t the latest version of Android, with 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) taking hold on flagship smartphones and 4.1 (Jelly Bean), though it’s the most commonly supported. Nikon isn’t that clear on whether it may upgrade to one of Android’s newer versions operating system, which enables users to use Chrome web browser. Most current apps are compatible on Android 2.3 OS.

As Nikon been the first to release the Android-powered digital camera than Samsung camera. If Nikon continues down to this path and hoping it does, with a more advance versions of Android merging with more sophisticated cameras. It would lead to a better digital control that comes next from the shuttering speed and white balance, augmented-reality games that take advantage of the optical zoom, and more…

Those would be an exciting promises and an edge over the growth of the new smart camera era. As a start, people need to respond to the Nikon Coolpix S800c and to convince the masses of an idea that a digital camera would behave like a smartphone. Would you do believe digital camera will rise with a different edge of innovation?

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A Digital Camera plus Smartphone equals Samsung Galaxy Camera

Another revelation that Samsung add to its technology through another life experiencing innovation and that is the Samsung Galaxy Camera.  A camera of its own powered by android, the second of its kind after Nikon Coolpix S800c. And officially on sale in the U.S market last Nov. 16 through AT&T. The Galaxy Camera starts at a selling price of $499, it’s Galaxy Camera takes it further to a greater concept with a 4G cellular connection with its rear panel identical  as of a phone.

The so-called “camphone” was introduced during the Samsung’s press event last Aug 2012 at the IFA tech trade conference in Berlin. A camera with a phone features on it, a very different yet a new device to have to experience. It runs an Android OS 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box, a user access of the full Google Play Market and downloads Android Apps. A camera device that can take advantage ahead over the limits of what smartphones these days can achieve. 

The camera is amazingly consists of a 21x zoom and its reasonably bright F/2.8 wide angle, with a contoured grip and a zoom rocker with a combined shutter button. That contains a standard point-and-shoot of a 16-megapixel 2/3 inch CMOS sensor. Like those numerous Android phones, Galaxy Camera has all its controls on its screen though its design seemingly less appealing.

Among other things, phones section more or less likely a high-powered smartphone, sharing almost similar with its Samsung’s flagship the Galaxy S3, having a 4.8 inch 720p screen, GPS and 1.4 GHz processor.

The Galaxy Camera is a SIM card capable and can connect to a cellular network (3G or 4G) plus WiFi. Can easily stored and backed it up on Google Cloud and upload photos via sites like Instagram, Pinterest, etc. and stored via SD slot up to 32 GB on its phone and as well can download your favorite games from the Play Store, checking e-mail, and also Samsung includes a numerous of a non-standard features of a vigorous camera app.

Returning back the favor after reading this, is the Samsung Galaxy Camera interests you of buying it?

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Apple’s next move towards 20% hike by Samsung Electronics

I’ve read some reports about the rival Samsung and Apple. As most know, Samsung is the manufacturer of Apple’s chips and comes to a revelation that Samsung electronics had increased the price of its mobile processor by 20%, and just too only one of the Korean technologies giant’s customer “Apple”.

According to MarketWatch report that Apple purchased each and every application processor (AP) that is used on their smartphones and tablets for production. Samsung Electronics had dispersed an estimated volume of 130 million units last year and 200 million units this year of mobile processors. Samsung Electronics contract on providing chips is still effective until 2014.

Over viewing it, it’s more likely that Apple would be designing their own chips on the near future, to gain control the supply chain on their iPhones and iPads. And last month, Apple done some shuffling on their fortress, Apple’s former hardware chief Bob Mansfield was appointed as senior vice-president of technologies, giving a challenge to where he’s in-charge on attempting to the firm’s in-house semiconductor and chip-making, and disconnecting out with their third-party suppliers, Samsung Electronics.

Also coming on-board a former Samsung and AMD chip veteran Jim Mergard, hired by Cupertino. And Apple wants to retain its functionality chips as provided by Samsung Electronics.

MarketWatch tried to contact the two giant firms Samsung Electronics and Apple’s South Korea office to further run deep on the hike but declined to comment on it.

Let’s hear about your opinion on this and able to look over your vision towards some changes Apple made. Do you think it’s the best move?

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Samsung Galaxy Note 2 a Smartphone Tablet

One of the world’s largest smartphone maker had marked another success, Samsung persist to make innovation in the 2012 year ender and announces the Galaxy Note II smartphone-tablet (phablet).

We’ve heard and no surprise that Samsung Galaxy Note sold millions of dollars providing the masses last 2011. Now it’s time to see a Note for the second time around with bigger, sporty and new features of it.

The Curve

Galaxy Note 2nd generation carry a slightly larger display of 5.5-inches, 9.4 mm thick, slimmer than the original note (9.65 mm) and has a weight of 182.5g heavier than the original Note of 178g.

With in terms with its physical features the Note II hold on to the physical “home” button bordered by the Menu and Back. The power button is on the upper right edge and across of it is the volume rocker on the upper left of the device and the charging micro HDMI cable port sits on the base of the phone.

Its headphone jack (3.5mm) sits at the top and hidden at the base corner to the right is the accurate S-Pen. Behind of it is the 8-Megapixel camera long side its flash and at the other end its loud speaker. The Micro USB port sits on the bottom and a microSD card slot under the back cover. Taking off its back reveals the sim card slot and a removable battery.

The original Note when creating a call most likely draw strange looks putting into your ear but the Note II has curvier design that makes a feel not too large in your hand and seemingly suites on handbags or jacket pockets.

Stylus Pen

Samsung innovate several improvements to its S Pen experience, seen on the Note 10.1 tablet and ported to the phone side. The stylus now has hovering ability that made it possible behind the pen/screen interaction digitizer technology by Wacom. Greater sensitivity improved its palm rejection, that makes the Note II an even better note-taking device.

The S-Pen is more ergonomic and comfortable thanks to several design tweaks. The interchangeable nib is remarkably an improvement over the original Note, the writing feels more natural like a pen and paper.

Now S-Pen features are more even useful. The screen can now notice the stylus from several millimeters away, small dot display when it’s near. Hover over buttons to spot pop-up labels, hover at the top or base of scrollable content to roll without touching the screen or increase a picture over video w/o having to tap. However the frustrating one is that with some hover features such as the capability to read more lines in an e-mail without opening, just work on Samsung apps and it’s more likely to see this feature in Google app/ Play Store.

Specifications

The Note II has a quad-core Exynos processor on a 1.6 GHz. 5.5” HD Super AMOLED display, internal storage memory of 16GB with 2GB RAM, an expanded microSD slot storage, 4G LTE (depends on your territory), 8 Megapixel rear camera and 1.9 Megapixel front camera, built-in S Pen, NFC and a 3100mAh battery.  An HD Super AMOLED of a 5.5 inch display that a Galaxy Note II have a 1280x720 display at 276ppi, like the first Note having 1280x800 display and it’s weird why they cut down resolution for this. The Galaxy Note 2 actually has an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update.

The TouchWiz changes the way Android works, Jelly Bean has some terrific features such as placing one app icon on top of another to create a folder and activating Google Now through swiping up (instead, you access this from the Search widget or Recent Apps screen). With these several tweaks that make Android 4.1 work more like Android 2.3. It’s been really well appreciated that this is helpful for masses upgrading from an older versions of Android, some changes on Android Jelly Bean are both welcome and improvements over the way things used to work.

Conclusion

The Samsung’s big screen phone is worthy to have, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It’s remarkable improvements like the battery life, performance and does it all while not adding bulk. Let’s face it a giant smartphone isn’t for everyone. The best choice available now that crave for a larger screens and don’t want a tablet, Galaxy Note 2 suites you.

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