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.