Why "mini" isn't necessarily a bad thing anymore

As an interest in a phablet market has continued to surge, and ordinary smartphone screen sizes are progressively stretching more and more - a trend that's starting to take off, at least amongst OEMs, is manufacturing a smaller companion handset to be available alongside a larger brother.

With Motorola's current Droid Mini, and the purported Sony Xperia Z1f - we're starting to see handsets pack more and more into less. It's astonishing to think only two years ago, Samsung's Galaxy SII flagship had a 4.3 inch display, and that nowadays its considered "mini". Also that the mere sight of an iPhone 4S, and even iPhone 5 user's screen inspires cute sentiments when matched up against Galaxy SIIs, SIIIs, S4s and HTC Ones that many more users are toting nowadays. But what's more is phones such as the Droid Mini and Z1f (provided it will release) are reminding us why bigger doesn't necessarily have to mean better.

Should waterproof phones epitomise the #bestofSony?

Looking over each of the major OEMs, one can arrive at certain areas they individually excel in with their current batch of devices - what with Samsung and their innovative *cough* gimmicky features, Motorola and battery life, HTC with design and sound, and LG for being a blend of both Motorola and Samsung with a considerably smaller amount of cheese in comparison with the latter.

If we turn to Sony, "waterproof" springs to mind, but if Sony were to hypothetically go down the drain tomorrow, would that kind of work really be worth carving into their headstone alongside their countless other accolades?

Reasons to Crave the Moto X - Size and Portability

Proof of interest in a phablet market is becoming increasingly apparent in more public spaces, and we've reached that stage where the mere sight of any iPhone display prior to the iPhone 5 registers on our 'cute-o-metre' (though the same could be said about the latter as well).

We've sat by, watched and even participated in this "bigger is better" mentality - which has extended equally to the numbers clocked on a processor and its cores. We've not been the only ones who have observed this however, and Motorola and Google have set out to make us reconsider whether we really should be caught up in the spec race.

Motorola believes their Moto X presents itself as a viable alternative in a world of smartphone sameness, and the titans already on offer, and while the Moto X doesn't shine in numbers on a sheet of paper, its objective is to wow users in its real world performance, use and personalisation. Part of this real world use factor boils down to the fit of a device in the hand, and the ease with which is can be taken places and used with little hassle. The size of the Moto X and portability is one of the reasons the device appeals to me, and what I'm sure will be many others. 

Next Nexus OEM - If it’s good enough for Google, it’s good enough for us.

As is often the case, if we’re not thinking about the devices we have, we’re thinking about what’s next - and the question of who will be making any of Google’s upcoming Nexi, and their design and specs are always a talking point for Android enthusiasts.

The Nexus smartphone is most significant, as it often introduces changes to the OS - via adjustments to UI and the inclusion of a host of new features. It’s for this reason, we gather on social media, in online communities, forums and boards to speculate as to which OEM will take the honours of developing and producing the hardware that encapsulates Google and the direction of Android.

It’s no wonder then, that we may be upset (to use the word loosely), if we discover a Nexus we've been holding out for is being built by an OEM we aren't too fond of.

Fusion ROMs - Mixing Features from OEM Skins with Vanilla Android

Flashing custom ROMs based on stock Android has been a fascination of mine from the moment I first rooted and flashed CM7.2 to my Defy. There's a certain appeal associated with being able to customise a device to reflect ones' personal tastes, and I'm sure it's shared by many whom read this very piece.

But it's not always the case that we want to part with certain features within OEM skins - even if they're only small features which please us. Take, for instance the Circles widget on Motorola handsets as of late. This particular Motoblur widget has captured the attention of countless individuals within the community, and has brought about a slew of imitation circle widgets in attempt to satisfy our burning desire for what is otherwise "just a widget".

eBooks or Hard Copies?

In this increasingly digitally affiliated world we live in, there's been a great brouhaha surrounding the future of books and the nature with which we'll continue to consume and read them. As tablets and eReaders continue to permeate the public sphere. The topic of who prefers what with regards to the format of books has been a consistent topic of discussion and for good reason - each pose their own individual pros and cons.

Rant: People who use voice assistants public

With Motorola and Google's (though it should be the other way round) push for "Touchless Control" as one of the Moto X's significant features, it's got me thinking: "how comfortable do you feel using a voice assistant in public?"

Thoughts on Google Play Music All Access

Almost day dot since its being made available in Australia, I've been utilising a little service called "Google Play Music All Access". It mightn't be news to anyone who reads this, but it's essentially a pay-by-the-month music subscription service, much like Spotify - only users are able to combine music into playlists in conjunction with their own music library "locker", which can comprise of up to 20,000 songs.

I admittedly was apprehensive before I decided to take Google's 30 day free trial plunge, not because it was free - or that I was too stingy to fork out $9.99 a month, which is the current going rate for first subscribers, but because I was concerned I wouldn't be able to live without it.

What do I mean by that? Well, I've made no attempt to hide that I still often use my iPod either when I'm out and about, or at home on a cheap twenty dollar stereo dock. The reason being was because it was easy first and foremost, and it was offline. "Offline" is a key word here, because streaming music while out and about has its nasty drawbacks (as I will mention later on). Having all my own music on me was a major plus, along with a few favourite TV shows. But all good things have to come to an end unfortunately, and sometimes for the better. My iPod classic has a meagre 29GB left of its 149GB it shipped with. I've been meaning to move on for some time now - and Play Music does a fair job of filling that void.

Android 4.3: Impatience, Nexus fever and slight jealousy

It's been a few days since the announcement and subsequent release of Google's latest Android Jelly Bean 4.3, and in that time - for those of us on Google+, it's likely if you're an avid fan of Android, that in some way or another you've been inundated with screenshots from fellow Android fanatics and their devices' requests to update to 4.3.

It was all shared love amongst the community initially, and even those who hadn't yet received any such update we're gracious enough to offer commiserations to those now basking in the very freshest jelly beans on offer. Most of the aforementioned were, (and still) eagerly awaiting - frustrated that their Nexi hadn't yet received the update, and this is spurred folks to come to loathe the next screenshot of something they didn't have.

Generating hype for the Moto X

For the past few nights, I've found myself  facing recurring dreams. Whilst each varied in what took place, a common thread persisted in each - the Moto X.

Each dream is so real, so lucid, and yet I have absolutely no idea how I end up in each setting, and why I have a white Moto X in my possession. One of the stranger parts of these dreams are that each centre around the launch of the device, to which I am present at each, and eagerly awaiting the announcement, without any notion of why I have the device on me already.

It's torture, mainly because the dreams are so lucid. In each dream I can feel the texture of the back casing, I see how it sits in my own hand, the way its always-on voice commands can be used, and the way photos shot with the camera turn out. It's so near, yet so far.

Sony Xperia Z Unboxing and Hands-On

We have a fairly new addition in our family. It's a sleek temptress with lines and angles that put my Droid RAZR HD to absolute shame. It's incredibly thin compared to the Motorola as well, but that's no difficult feat nowadays. It's also rather tall and wide, which posed a few concerns for its owner before it arrived. Those fears were quickly allayed upon first holding it however, and overall the Sony Xperia Z has actually made my sister interested in smartphones.

Anti-Theft Apps - how tall have you built the fortress walls on your device(s)?

Getting back into the spirit of writing (if there even is one), I found myself stumped today with where to pick things up from my somewhat lengthy absence. It was only as I was trawling through my G+ feed, searching for a source for inspiration that I was startled by the high-pitched, irritating tone of a security alarm fitted on the newly built house next door. Not showing an immediate concern for whatever was happening next door, I tried to drown out the sound with tunes but to no avail - 'Gimme Shelter' just wasn't the same with an alarm sounding in the background. After a good 3 minutes, I checked outside my window to see what all the fuss was about and realised the slip-up was caused by a real estate agent who had no clue how to turn the alarm off.

Photo of an old Gregory's map from the 1940s that we have in the family - unusual that it knew
 we'd  need to know the location of our mobile telephones one day...

It was then that I began to think about security. What would happen if you lost your precious gem of a phone at a restaurant, or on public transport - or worse yet, it was stolen. How would you react, and what methods do you have in place to safeguard any data that may be sensitive?

Google Drive - Cloud Storage Challenge pt.II

Google Drive continues to be the home for my primary office suite of sorts, and for storing most, if not all of my Uni related work - and now even extra stuff I work on outside Uni. It truly is becoming more and more a part of my life the more I'm using it. But don't assume that this entire post will express my love affair with this service, because not every love affair is rosy, there are bound to be some pitfalls and it's no different in this case.

Source: play.google.com

Launcher Challenge - Apex Launcher

To start my long overdue launcher challenge - I'll be talking about Apex Launcher Pro, which from the moment I first flashed a nightly CM9 build to my Defy, it was the first 4.0 launcher I bought and have mostly stuck with since.

An old screenshot I thought I'd
throw in

Already in my weeks since announcing this launcher challenge, in using other launchers I've found that I will never have the same dependency on Apex as I've had in the past. There are just way too many avenues for customisation and personalisation on Android, and Apex is only the start of it. But alas, I have to start somewhere with this challenge, so why not comment on what has largely been my primary launcher since Android 4.0?

Most Galaxies are Mere Pawns in Samsung's Game Strategy

Why don't we just come to expect a new phone or two from Samsung every fortnight?

To be quite honest, I'm tiring of Samsung's continued exploitation of the 'Galaxy' name and design language. Just in case you weren't aware, Samsung recently announced the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3, which look just about the same as every other Galaxy device on the market, save for the back and menu buttons on the 6.3 - which have been swapped around.

Source: ubergizmo

Changing the button configuration which has just about always existed on their range which feature that hideous physical home button is a worrying thought for me. I believe it signifies Samsung are aware that their designs are ageing quickly, and at fears of coming up with a new design language - they're playing it safe by making subtle design 'enhancements' to an otherwise stale slice of bread.

Xiaomi MI-2S - One Attractive Alien

I think I'm smitten for a smartphone from an OEM whose name I often find fleeting both in recollection and spelling. I've never been a fan of Chinese OEMs, but this quirky device brings premium specs at a bargain basement price that makes it an extremely difficult offer to pass up.

Themed Icons that aren't assigned to the App Drawer

As I gear up to write about Apex Launcher as part of my launcher challenge, I thought about something which I've never quite understood with respect to some icon packs - that being why don't certain app icons which do exist in the icon pack theme themselves in the app drawer, and why don't themers take the steps necessary to mend this annoyance?

Before I start, this post is not a rant about themers/devs not having themed an app I have - I realise I'm more than capable of emailing the themers/devs with a list of app icons I'd like to see themed. This post is questioning why when I sift through the often extensive list of icons in an icon pack, and actually find a themed icon for the Chrome app for instance, that the icon itself isn't themed in the app drawer to begin with.

Impatiently awaiting the arrival of Play Store Gift Cards

For the last week or so, I've found myself out of "Google dollars". By that I mean the prepaid credit card that I use to make all sorts of purchases through Google Wallet has ran dry, and by time I finally have the opportunity to go down to the local post office (the only place my card can be recharged), it's closed.

Ingress Activation Codes are going to send me to the madhouse

I don't think I've ever been more anxious to play a game as I am with Ingress. Part of this could come down to the fact that the game is in closed-beta and operates on an invite-only basis. Knowing that thousands around the world are "geeking" out, improving their health and are part of something I'm not makes me feel as though I'm struggling to prevent a rock from defeating me. Though I may not be living completely under a rock, unless I'm actually involved and playing the game itself I might as well be. You don't understand, I'm pacing up and down the house, thinking of a new, creative way of landing my hands on an activation code, should my artistic skill and efforts see me through.

Source: geek.com

Breaking my Silence - thoughts on the S4 and Samsung

I think it's time I broke the silence I've been holding following the Galaxy S4 launch. Before I start, I'd like to point out without question, there are a number of features and improvements Samsung have made to the device which I think are great. I want to love the Galaxy S4, but I just can't.

Source: news.com.au

Why anything Facebook related on Android probably isn't a good thing

I had no clue what I would write about today, up until the point I checked my Google+ feed and was alerted to the news of a Facebook event to be held on the 4th of April, which is supposed to reveal their 'New Home on Android'.

Under any normal circumstances, I'd welcome almost any new organisation to the Android game, but as far as the things go with the social media giant - I can't be nearly as excited. To be honest, I care very little about what it is they plan to announce. Whether it be a Facebook phone with integrated Graph Search and a UI akin to their News Feed, or that they plan to release more of their services on the Play Store, Facebook are the last group I personally want to see in the smartphone game - heck, push me far enough and you might even get me to consider an iPhone over a FacePhone if I had no other option. Even if I did have a gun to my head, I'd still probably take the bullet if it meant not having to give any more of my personal information to Facebook.

Why sometimes the easiest fix is the most effective fix

As a user who frequently revisits older devices, appreciating what we once regarded as "snappy", I found after recently returning to my GNex from a stint with my N1, that aspects of performance soon sparked questions and doubts for my "fastest" smartphone. Little did I know, the simplest trick in the book would end up being a solution to what was rapidly shaping up to be another unfortunate purchase.

Like the colouring of this case, the GNex was on the
verge of being another lemon

Changing up the Launchers

A few posts back, I tackled the topic of homescreens, and the fact that the number I have on my devices are  becoming lesser and lesser as time goes on. Looking through my app drawer today, I found I actually own a large selection of Launcher replacements, but I mostly find myself staying with Apex - the one I know best.

Updated Chameleon Launcher - now for phones

Launchers can breathe new life into anyone's device, and I've come to realise I don't customise as much as I did when I first got into Android (which is odd, given I now have a GNex which affords way more customisation than my Defy did). With this, I've decided I should make an attempt to set up my homescreens and shortcuts for each launcher - so as to make it easier when I feel like a change of "scenery", I suppose you could call it. I'll make sure to post screenshots of what's sure to be "aesthetically pleasing" layouts.

This is a short post, but it's more or less an official reminder to myself that I'm going to stick with this challenge, as I'm doing so with my cloud service challenge.

Current launchers I own are as follows (feel free to suggest any I should look at purchasing):

• Action Launcher Pro
• ADW Launcher EX
• Apex Launcher Pro
• Chameleon Launcher (recently updated and compatible with phones)
• Launcher 8 (yes, curiosity killed the cat)
• Nova Launcher Prime
• SF Launcher Plus
• ssLauncher the Original

HTC's CEO willing to stake his life (at least as head of the company)?

A piece of news which really caught my attention today was the announcement (at least in the boardroom) that HTC's long serving CEO and co-founder, Peter Chou would step down if his brainchild, the One wasn't to live up to the hype.

Google Drive - Cloud Storage Challenge pt.I

As you've guessed, it's now been just over a fortnight since I posed myself the challenge of relying on absolutely nothing else for my University work other than Google Drive. That's right, I'm not using MS Word or Adobe Acrobat on my desktop , and no LibreOffice on my Ubuntu laptop - I'm relying heavily on Google's services on each device I use.

Why can't Samsung just let go?

Straying from all the Google related news I've been dumping on this blog over the last week or two, I thought I'd delve into some of those Samsung leaks that have been surfacing, mainly because a few of the purported design elements have been getting under my skin.

The elusive SIV?

I'm not one to take rumours of specs which may/may not feature on a device too seriously. I think it's all good and nice to have a look at what fans believe will be the 'killer-specs' of an upcoming device, but given the way releases of other devices have been in the past, OEMs tend not to stray too far from what is already quite common on other devices, flagship or not - it's mainly the software and design that differentiates.

When it comes to leaks however, I'm a sucker, and though for the most part I know that a large majority may be fan renders, I still admire the all the effort that one goes to, in order to fool a selection of people. As soon as a leak, or render sees itself used in a video, it's usually by then that I'm completely pulled in, which is precisely why when a leaked video 'claiming' to show the Galaxy SIV for China Unicom was released, my hopes were shattered.

Exposing Vulnerabilities in Systems - the Case of ChromeOS and others

Something which has piqued my interest these last couple of days were the Pwn2Own and Pwnium3 events, which encourage hackers to show off their skills with exposing flaws in programs, browsers and OS', all for the chance to stick their hands into companies' bank accounts.

I love the concept of these events. Not only do they promote computer geeks leaving their seedy basements for a bit of fresh air, but it provides them with an outlet to showcase their technical aptitude - with an opportunity to rake in some top coin if they're successful.

Nexus Accessories and why sometimes it's an annoyance living "Down-Under"

As the next Google I/O event fast approaches, and the possibility of a follow up to the Nexus 7 is announced, Asus have finally released the official Nexus 7 dock for sale on the Play Store in some major countries.

Source: TheVerge

But what's the deal with consumers getting hold of official accessories, months or in this case - three quarters of a year after the device has been released?

Why Google Needs to up the Ante with their Distribution of Play Store Services

The Google Play Store has come a far way since its beginnings as the once bland, green and white themed Android Market it replaced last year. As we approach the one year anniversary of the Market's re-branding and its inclusion of a number of new categories within the store, one must wonder: "why are many around the world still missing out on access to features of the Play Store?"

Is Motorola lacking the X-Factor?

Over the last day or so, we've heard from a recent conference that Google Chief Financial Officer, Patrick Pichette commented on the lack of "wow" in Motorola's 18 month product pipeline that Google inherited in their acquisition.

Whilst praising the assets that Motorola brings to Google's table, Pichette undercut the undisclosed list of devices that came with Motorola, claiming they're "not really to the standard that Google would say is 'wow, innovative, transformative'", much to the dismay of fans of Motorola and noted reviewers of their more recent products.

In response, Android Central's Phil Nickinson posted to his Google+ followers, an image of a collection of Motorola's handsets, wherein the caption asked individuals to 'spot the "wow"'. The image was inundated with views of fans and users who mostly reminisced about their past and present Motorola loves, effectively seeking to make a point about Motorola's ability to capture consumer's attention, and hinting that frail ol' Moto has 'still got it'.

But what of the facts behind the views?

Cloud Storage Challenge

I've made it known that whilst I'm not a complete cloud-o-phobe, that nor am I entirely convinced that I would ever find a need for it, at least presently. Well, that's all about to change. I've just began my third year at Uni and thought I'd try something different for a change - that is, to upload all my readings and notes on the cloud, and do my best to depend on it throughout the semester.

Google, Samsung and Motorola: bizarre love triangle

Recently, the word has been circling that Google are fearing Samsung's saturation of both the mobile and Android market - though there's more concern surrounding the latter.

Reports from the ever anonymous, though seemingly "reliable" sources from the Wall Street Journal detail that Samsung's dominance in the market could impede on Google's revenue making, should Samsung decide to reconsider the amount they be paid for pulling in Google ad-based profits on their devices. Currently, Samsung earns 10% of profits from ads generated by Google with thanks to the amount of Samsung devices that run Android, and word as of late has been that Samsung may choose to increase this percentage.

Without doubt, Google's acquisition of Motorola purely for patents appears a little sketchy, but at the same time, holds up. Apart from the September releases of their flagship RAZR HD, along with the RAZR M, and RAZR i, these devices are the only recent devices we've seen from Motorola, under new CEO and former Googler, Dennis Woodside. Their events at the time marked the beginning of a new direction for Motorola Mobility under the watchful eye of Google, but since these events, Motorola have been awfully quiet.

Why is that so?

Cloud: is it too hard to say goodbye to what you know?

I had a conversation with some extended family members who recently jumped off the Apple bandwagon, and have both switched to Samsung. They know well the feeling of being 'boxed-in' by Apple's products and services, and that they could get so much more with a Galaxy SIII - so when the time came, they up and left. But they didn't leave entirely, and to be fair - neither have I.

Homescreens: do we have it too easy?

Over my three or so years with Android, there's been one aspect of the OS that I've found myself limiting more and more - the number of homescreens on my devices.

It's baffling to me in a number of ways. When I first started off with a Motorola Defy, stock Blur gave you all the room you could need, and then some with several homescreens for your optional customising pleasure. Admittedly, Blur widgets required a lot space on your screen to be usable in any way - and yes, I did for a time rely heavily on Blur, before I was introduced to custom ROMs. Furthermore, I found I was able to make use of all seven homescreens because of how Blur organised rows and columns, wherein you were allowed around 4 columns and 4 rows of space, excluding the unmodifiable dock on the bottom.

A typical Blur setup - Source AndroidBeats

Once I found out my particular Defy model would never receive the 2.3 update, unlike its Defy+ brother, I finally flipped the table and explored my options. Instead of an early upgrade, I figured I'd root and slap a CM7 ROM on it.

I've never looked back.

Glass: reality enhanced

I haven't ever given Project Glass a fair chance, partly because I thought its price on release would be far beyond anything a student could afford, and because something inside made me believe the product would never eventuate, since it was merely a 'Project'.

The new logo for Glass

But now I have to leave at least one of those preconceptions behind, Glass is going to be a reality. The developer preview models are already on their way out, for a smooth $1,500, and for those who missed out, the #ifihadglass competition just launched and offers preview models to lucky entrants in the U.S. 

The HTC One: man's best friend?

So the HTC London and New York Press events have blown past, and in their wake has left the mobile industry a-buzzin' over the announcement of the ever anticipated HTC One - the follow up to the first flagship title in the One line, the One X.

Source: DigitalTrends

Along with the Xperia Z and its cousin, the Droid DNA/Butterfly, we consumers are now receiving an insight into the next generation of flagship smartphones, and the ever improving and constantly changing mobile world. 

What are some of the hit and miss features I find with this new handset? Hit the break and find out!

HTC Unveiling Soon!

We're only hours away from HTC's event where the rumoured successor to the One that started it all will be revealed. I'll be having my say after the event hype has blown over and I've had some sleep, tomorrow morning (AEDT).

Source: techinasia

 Till then, I have some thoughts on the OEM.

Using a case, or going it bare?

People take chances with their devices, some care and others couldn't give a hoot, instead taking each day as it comes and waiting for the inevitable day something goes wrong, insurance aside. Is it better to appreciate things as they are, for as long as you can, or live slightly less satisfied, but happier in the long run?

Thankfully I'm not the owner of this Samsung Infuse

Ads in Paid Apps: the Tapatalk fiasco

Something which I awoke to today was the news that one of the apps I use on a semi-regular basis, Quoord System’s Tapatalk Forum App was now embedding ads within their paid-only app. I was, along with a host of others, utterly outraged by this discovery and took to Google Play in disgust over this unwelcomed addition to change my review for this app, which over the last few months, its devs have tried to win over users who’d been having issues with updates and new features, myself included.

Smartwatches: how an "iWatch" could actually help it take off

With current doubts as to whether or not smartwatches will meet their end before they even gained traction, could word that the big A itself plans to develop and produce an “iwatch” of their own finally kick things into gear for other manufacturers already in the game? I’d like to think so.

Sony SmartWatch - Source: Engadget

Nexus 4 Envy and a Realisation

After the recent unboxing of my friend's new Nexus 4, I'm afraid to say I'm suffering from a little envy. Most of this stems from the fact that I had rushed to rustle up the money to purchase my GNex a few months prior to the N4 being released, and I ended up paying the equivalent price of the 16GB N4 when it was released.

The bad camera culprit of past posts - Galaxy Nexus

I remember thinking to myself: "the new Nexus is only going to be released a few months from now - why not hold off just a little longer?", but I resided to the idea that the price would be double of what the then current GNex was. I suppose it was short-sighted to believe after the subsidised release of the Nexus 7, that the Nexus phone would remain at its usual price as a new phone, and I've now learnt to expect anything from Google and not make any decisions until they've made details official.

LG Google Nexus 4 Unboxing!!

So today I had the chance encounter of receiving some time with one of the rarest Android devices currently on the market, and certainly the only one I've seen so far here in Sydney - the LG Google Nexus 4!

Prepare for some incredible photos from the GNex
(I should be using my sister's  SLR...)

Sadly, it's not mine to keep but I can say I'm over the moon for its new owner, a good friend of mine. A friend so good in fact, that he managed to contain his eagerness once it arrived, and even made the effort to drive out to my place just so I could be there for the unboxing – salivating and the whole bit.

Googlerola X-Phone: The phone that might make me wet my pants.

Yes, you read right – the prospect of a Google and Motorola collaborated ‘X-Phone’ are enough to make me wet my pants if this personal dream of mine finally becomes a reality.

Troubles of being an Android junkie pt.1

So I'm finding myself in a dilemma. Being the nut that I am with my devices (flashing new ROMs and customising rather often), I'm frequently approached by friends who are impressed by my "technical aptitude", and who want me to unlock and root their devices.

An old Chrome OS inspired homescreen

I've told them on a number of occasions that I could do it for them, and that for the most part - it would be a simple matter of following instructions properly, and it really isn't as challenging as it's made out to be (especially in the case for two friends who have a Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus). Yet they all continue to remain adamant that I am the only person qualified to do the job, and do it right. 

I believe their apprehension stems from either fear or laziness – though it’s mostly both.

Some thoughts on reports that Sony plan to focus solely on premium handsets

Is this potential move by Sony what they need to elevate and propel their brand towards the future? I'm not entirely convinced.

Source: CNet

To anyone who is an avid follower of all things Android news, the reports that Sony Mobile may be looking towards maintaining a high-end handset line – in turn ditching its budget handsets is nothing new. What I thought I’d do here was examine why this move may prove to be detrimental for Sony Mobile.

Getting through the Niceties

Android: how many ways can I express thy love for thee?

Romanticism aside,

I may not be the most die-hard fan of Android, to the point where I develop apps or custom ROMs, kernels or even themes (though I’ve tried the latter and bit off more than I could chew), but I, like many others out there find an uncontrollable thrill and desire to tinker with, and customise my devices – and it’s the open source nature of Android that infects our being.

Who’d have thought one little green robot could have birthed a new generation of tech junkies who live and breathe Android? That an already blooming iOS market which had established itself would soon be overrun by a horde of Android users, with the very essence of the OS coursing through their veins, underscoring every consumer’s fundamental right: choice.

This is not a fan blog – it’s anything Android. Covering news, OS and ROM updates, app reviews, ideas for homescreen customisation and more, because like the OS, the world of Android is multifaceted, and its users’ lives are shaped by all that is offered on their mobile handsets.