Phone, Tablet and Gizmo Thread #0x02

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 26 Apr 2013 23:13

suraj

I have the Nexus 7

While i prefer it for the ecosystem - the screen is a bit tad for movie watching
The ipad mini is a bit better for holding and watching

IMHO

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 26 Apr 2013 23:42

Thanks Surya. That seems to be the problem - a Nexus7 with iPadmini's dimensions would have ensured I've no doubt as to what to pick. Maybe the next Nexus tablet will be bigger. For now I'll just hold off buying either.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 27 Apr 2013 00:04

New Nexus 7 will be announced at Google I/O by 17 May 2013. You maybe able to wait until then

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 27 Apr 2013 01:42

The iPad Mini's display is custom sized so dunno if the new N7 will have a similar sized display. Anyways wait for a bit. N7 is great if you dont want to get media content from the app store. Otherwise iPad Mini is the one to go for.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 27 Apr 2013 02:28

Mort: Thanks! Yes, I am waiting for the new one before deciding too.

Raja Bose: could you please elaborate why N7 is great for non-app store content ? Are you just referring to something like the ability to copy Handbroken movies in via USB, or something else ? I know iPadmini can take them too, via iTunes. I'd move over to Android completely but KB ecosystem works better with my iPhone.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 27 Apr 2013 02:33

^^^#1 reason is N7 is much cheaper than iPad Mini without compromising on HW quality too much (ok it has a rubberized back but thats not a deal breaker). The problem is that Chacha's Play store sucks when it comes to media content. I still haven't been able to spend all of the $25 play store credit I got from Chacha for buying N7 many moons ago, go figure.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 27 Apr 2013 04:25

^^^^Some must have apps for technical people:

1. Radar Scope $10 - Great app for getting weather info as its tied in to the National Weather Service Radars in the US. If you travel or live in a place where there is severe weather, then is a great app.
2. Real Cal Plus $3.50 - Great scientific calculator and beats most others out there.
3. Wolfram Alpha $3.00 - Great source for equation calculation.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 27 Apr 2013 04:26

Raja Bose wrote: The problem is that Chacha's Play store sucks when it comes to media content.

You mean less movies, books and songs available? That is surprising, since that is pretty much the only way chacha can make any money from Android devices. You would think they'd take care to keep it well stocked.

I have never really delved into the play store beyond apps. Being a true phata dhoti abdul, I have always shamelessly copied and downloaded any media content I was interested in, barring Netflix Instant Play which I pay for. Ability of Android devices to play a variety of different file formats without much fuss comes in handy for people like me. As also the ability to simply copy audio/video files onto the device like you would onto a pen drive from any computer and expect it to play. I remember that not being possible in older iOS devices which were synced to a particular computer. Don't know if it is different now.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 27 Apr 2013 05:14

^^Chacha didn't have good luck with the negotiations and got off on the wrong foot with a lot of the motion picture/music pakis.

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 27 Apr 2013 07:46

Takla has made almost no money in this quarter (profits are a rounding error in revenues) and people are all like "wah! wah!" and pushing the stock higher.

Meanwhile FruitCo sold ~40 million iphunwas ~20 million ipadwa has about 20% margin and has 150 Billion $ in the bank and people are all like "INNOVASHUN LOST!! ZOMG!!" and tanking the stock.

Shows which CEO had a stint in wall street before

Latest news from Takla co is maybe perhaps they might make a set-top box and people are all like "Innovaaashun!!!". FruitCo already has apple tv, an app ecosystem for it and content licensing deal

WTF?!

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 27 Apr 2013 08:01

Suraj wrote:For the completely uninitiated, may I solicit opinions on what is a better choice between Nexus7 and iPadmini ? I'm giving away my bigger TouchPad (with Android Jellybean) to parents in desh. This is mainly for some reading, browsing, books and movies (Handbrake generated) while traveling. I like the size of the iPadmini, but prefer the open ecosystem of chacha's tablet. I even considered Nexus4 to use as a phablet, but that seems too small for the purpose of reading a book or watching a movie over an hour.

I have used both.

For reading and browsing, there is essentially no difference. Nexus 7 has a wee bit higher resolution and thats about it. For books and such, play store and amazon kindle store pretty much cover everything you want to buy. The only difference is that my hand is able to wrap around Nexus 7, so I can hold it in one hand from behind and read a lot of books. One more thing is that Nexus 7 does not have HDMI out, so you cannot connect it to a TV. I am not sure about ipad mini.

If you like using split keyboards and such, Nexus 7 allows it, iPad does not.

If a higher res Nexus 7 comes out, I might buy it.

Harry S. Devon · Post by **Harry S. Devon** » 27 Apr 2013 08:09

The nexus 7 phone for travelling requires 3G or 4G services. I am not sure if any of the providers have good services allover India. For example, if you have 3G data server from docomo in Kerala, the same service on travel to TN or KA gives pathetic response.. Also, beyond the limits you have signed up for, the speed and bandwidth is drastically reduced to few kbps rendering the device practically useless.

I can understand, say I choose a service of 3 gig data plan, and beyond that they should charge me per gig or something and not reduce the QoS. The current services are no way near what is available in US. I would say, India is not ready for tablets on travel on cellular network.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 27 Apr 2013 08:35

Anujan wrote: Latest news from Takla co is maybe perhaps they might make a set-top box and people are all like "Innovaaashun!!!". FruitCo already has apple tv, an app ecosystem for it and content licensing deal WTF?!

The latest profit figures from Takla are pathetic - someone like Mickey or ChipZ probably make more than that off some old 1990s stuff they only provide legacy support for.

It makes sense for Takla to just buy Roku and make it their set-top box.

Forget FruitCo. and AppleTV, those same anal-e-cysts love to pretend that the XBox doesn't even exist and yet it pretty much dominates that space right now.

Satya_anveshi · Post by **Satya_anveshi** » 27 Apr 2013 09:25

reminds of anmol mian

:
Microsoft, Motorola ruling: Google patents not worth billions

The string of judgements falling against Motorola seems to suggest Google grossly overpaid for the company, despite the patent protection it was given.

The valuation of Motorola's patents remains undefined, but significantly lower than Google expected.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 27 Apr 2013 10:31

Our bihari babu did a numbar on Chacha M&A folks and this is not the 1st time this has happened with them. It always puzzles me why for such a successful company, Chacha's BD and M&A folks are singularly inexperienced/weak.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 27 Apr 2013 11:14

Thanks folks! I'll wait out Google I/O and will re-evaluate afterwards. I prefer either a Nexus device or the iPadmini; I'm not going to touch the blinged out Sammy stuff with a disinfected bargepole...

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 27 Apr 2013 11:22

Stay away from Sammy tabs - they suck mush. N7 or iPad Mini is the way to go in the small tab category, like you said. In big tab category its still iPad onlee.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 27 Apr 2013 11:35

Raja Bose wrote:Stay away from Sammy tabs - they suck mush. N7 or iPad Mini is the way to go in the small tab category, like you said. In big tab category its still iPad onlee.

Nexus 10 has a $100 price advantage over the iPad. But it is WiFi onlee and will suffer from same lack of content as the Nexus 7. It has a beautiful screen though. Very good for watching movies.

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 27 Apr 2013 19:37

Anujan wrote:Takla has made almost no money in this quarter (profits are a rounding error in revenues) and people are all like "wah! wah!" and pushing the stock higher.

Meanwhile FruitCo sold ~40 million iphunwas ~20 million ipadwa has about 20% margin and has 150 Billion $ in the bank and people are all like "INNOVASHUN LOST!! ZOMG!!" and tanking the stock.

Shows which CEO had a stint in wall street before

Latest news from Takla co is maybe perhaps they might make a set-top box and people are all like "Innovaaashun!!!". FruitCo already has apple tv, an app ecosystem for it and content licensing deal WTF?!

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... references

Iphone....still rocking in the free world. Eaten so many people's breakfast lunch and dinner.

Blackberry, HP, Palm, Nokia.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 27 Apr 2013 22:55

nachiket wrote:
Raja Bose wrote:Stay away from Sammy tabs - they suck mush. N7 or iPad Mini is the way to go in the small tab category, like you said. In big tab category its still iPad onlee.
Nexus 10 has a $100 price advantage over the iPad. But it is WiFi onlee and will suffer from same lack of content as the Nexus 7. It has a beautiful screen though. Very good for watching movies.

Isn't Nexus 10 made by Sammy though ? Disclaimer: I've never seen either 7 or 10 in person. I've only seen the padmini for a few seconds at the Aapil store before a throng of fanbois trampled me down and got their grubby paws all over the displays.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 28 Apr 2013 19:27

Ok i saw sasquatch and yeti together in koramangala 4th block sony world jn today.

A man was holding up a samsung 10" type tablet before his face and actually making a phone call...inshallah a true believer and ghazi

One q: given the quality of power does one need voltage stabilizer for lcd tv. Its not cheap at 2600 for vguard brand but my tv is 58k so losing it is going to be a debacle.

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 28 Apr 2013 19:46

Raja Bose wrote:Stay away from Sammy tabs - they suck mush. N7 or iPad Mini is the way to go in the small tab category, like you said. In big tab category its still iPad onlee.

Yes, I ended up going with an iPad too. Nothing beats it, and worth the $400 I spent on it. I got it $500 on eBay (iPad 3, 64GB) and there was a dent on the corner when I got it and he hadn't declared, so he gave me $100 back.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 28 Apr 2013 21:41

Both a voltage stabilizer and a surge protector would be non-negotiable items for hooking up big ticket electronics to. Well worth the money for the peace of mind value. I have one of those wall mounted surge protectors here for TV etc and another for my laptop work table with the hookup monitor, WiFi, NAS etc.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 29 Apr 2013 00:17

Singha wrote:Ok i saw sasquatch and yeti together in koramangala 4th block sony world jn today.

A man was holding up a samsung 10" type tablet before his face and actually making a phone call...inshallah a true believer and ghazi

One q: given the quality of power does one need voltage stabilizer for lcd tv. Its not cheap at 2600 for vguard brand but my tv is 58k so losing it is going to be a debacle.

Yes. It may cheaper to use a computer UPS that is rated for 700 VA. Voltage sags and spikes will damage the power supply of the TV.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 29 Apr 2013 00:20

Raja Bose wrote:Stay away from Sammy tabs - they suck mush. N7 or iPad Mini is the way to go in the small tab category, like you said. In big tab category its still iPad onlee.

The problem is every time you turn around Sammy offers yet another tablet. They are getting better, but I wouldn't buy a Sammy tablet today other than the Nexus 10, but I hate the 16:9 aspect ratio for a large tablet. My guess is that in 18 months Sammy will close the gap with Apple on tablet quality.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 29 Apr 2013 00:58

^^^Its better to get one good product than a 1000 turds. Sammy is in the habit of producing top notch products which feel like turds. They can catch up on quality if they really want to, but the question is do they even want to or realize the need to? Going by the GSIV, it sure doesn't look like it. A lot of it is due to how Sammy works internally - so what they need more than anything is a work culture reset rather than any technological advancement.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 29 Apr 2013 05:32

^^^What do you mean by turds specifically? A work culture reset? Your complaint sounds shallow. The GSIV, even with sub-pixels of 312 ppi, gives a fantastic display with great battery life. It is light weight and has a microSD slot and removable battery. The Touch Wiz UI in comparison to Sense UI is much better. Sammy provides a path to Android updates, HTC and even MOTO don't do it as well as Sammy.

Like it or not, all of these phone and tablets are short lived and will see early replacement compared to PCs.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 29 Apr 2013 05:48

^^^ Arrey saar, if you ever get a chance to see what goes for a product design process in Sammy then you will know what I am talking about. Don't let your love for Sammy blind you to reality.

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 29 Apr 2013 06:29

Does GS4 have a 5" screen? My kid (close to 12 yrs) wants to have this or iPhone 5 for his 12th b'day. I am not sure whether he is ready for a phone yet. But he did get 99%ile on his SSAT which exceeded our target for him. We are bound by our promise to get him one or the other.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 29 Apr 2013 06:50

^^^Gotcha! TFTA masquerading as SDRE.

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 29 Apr 2013 06:58

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 29 Apr 2013 08:00

Raja Bose wrote:^^^ Arrey saar, if you ever get a chance to see what goes for a product design process in Sammy then you will know what I am talking about. Don't let your love for Sammy blind you to reality.

No loyalty to Sammy here. For the end user, the design process however intriguing, isn't as valuable as useability of the finished product. If you want a well thought out design, then stick with the fruit company, but that said, Sammy has come a long way and is evolving. The S4 is touted as a "Life companion".

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 29 Apr 2013 08:05

matrimc wrote:Does GS4 have a 5" screen? My kid (close to 12 yrs) wants to have this or iPhone 5 for his 12th b'day. I am not sure whether he is ready for a phone yet. But he did get 99% on his SSAT which exceeded our target for him. We are bound by our promise to get him one or the other.

When I saw 12 years old in and 99% on SSAT, I thought wow. Then realized that the SSAT is not the same thing as the SAT administered by the College Board even though the tests share the same name. Still the achievement is very admirable and you should go ahead and get the GS4 which does have a 5" screen.

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 29 Apr 2013 08:07

FruitCo compares their phone to a well crafted watch. I would tend to agree. Their phones are like a Rolex or Omega, finely crafted with an aesthetic sense of beauty, precision manufacturing with high end components.

But then people make the mistake of "Lulz!! Look at all the ugliness Timex is churning out!! Leather strap for a plastic face?!". But the point is this, ultimately it comes down to choice. Want an analog with with a digital display in a window? Timex has one. Want a compass and a watch? Timex has one. Want a plastic watch because you like sports? Timex has one. Want a leather strap watch? Timex has one. Want a yellow colored watch? Timex has one. Want a watch for 25$? Timex has one.

I am willing to bet Timex sells more watches than Omega or Rolex.

Sammy is like Timex. A phone for everyone. Lulzing at their design process is like comparing Timex to Rolex and misses the point.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 29 Apr 2013 08:12

^^^Its more like Breitling and Casio as the analogy. Omega and Rolex don't keep time very well.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 29 Apr 2013 08:18

Sammy has come a long way but once again people make the mistake of thinking that "oh they are so successful, clearly whatever they are doing doesn't need to be changed". That is a cardinal mistake repeated throughout history and has caused big companies to bite the dust or go thru major transition pains (if they survive)....DEC, IBM, Yahoo!, Nokia, Palm, BB, Mickey, FruitCo...you name it. History is littered with such examples. Another misconception is the feeling that somehow good design == high-end product. Nothing could be further from the truth. Good design for a product requires good product design culture. Sammy's products sell becoz they have good distribution channels, supply chain and have maximum leverage over economies of scale in components. Assuming that it is equivalent to saying their products rock, is like saying Mayawati is beautiful becoz her posters are plastered all over UP.

Another problem with solely relying on typical mass market appeal is that one doesn't get consumer loyalty. So when the next abdul comes along with a cheaper product, the incumbent bites the dust. As GB realized. While FruitCo continues to charge ridiculous premiums for 0.5" extra screen and people happily shell out the cash.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 29 Apr 2013 08:25

Mort Walker wrote:For the end user, the design process however intriguing, isn't as valuable as useability of the finished product. If you want a well thought out design, then stick with the fruit company, but that said, Sammy has come a long way and is evolving. The S4 is touted as a "Life companion".

Saar then you have no idea what design really means.

Hint1: Design is not just about how something looks like. Hint2: GB's low-end S30/S40 phones actually sell more than Sammy's becoz they have great design despite being slightly more expensive - and these are budget-minded "poor" consumers we are talking about in India/S.America/ME/Indo-China.

PS: A good finished product doesn't get made from thin-air. It gets made from a good design process. And Sammy scores quite poorly there.

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 29 Apr 2013 08:37

Mort Walker wrote:When I saw 12 years old in and 99% on SSAT, I thought wow. Then realized that the SSAT is not the same thing as the SAT administered by the College Board...

Ya. SSAT == Secondary School Admission Test which is required by some high schools and prep schools.

(snip OT)

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 29 Apr 2013 08:43

Anujan wrote:I am willing to bet Timex sells more watches than Omega or Rolex.

The one I like is Swatch with its unibody. On my last day in Zurich several decades ago the colleagues asked what I am taking from Switzerland and I said a Casio. They said you have to have a swiss watch and got me a Tissot. But the blasted thing didn't keep as good a time as the digital LCD Casio. Not sure how these Rolex Omega etc are going to work. Used to ogle at $50K Rolexes through windows of shops on Bahnhoffstrasse.

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 29 Apr 2013 08:54

The deal with watches is that mechanical time keeping is a pain in the mush and can be made only so much accurate. Everything from shocks, jerks, temperature variation etc affect timekeeping accuracy. OTOH, accurate digital timekeeping uses quartz oscillators. The cheap $5 oscillators can outdo any $500 master craftsman movement. It is like comparing an abacus with a digital calculator. Just because a watch is quartz powered does not mean it should be digital watchface. Analog time faces can be driven by quartz oscillators too. Think of it as a motor moving the hands, but is timed by the oscillator, as opposed to a LCD display driven by a counter, counting up based on the oscillator.

The chi-chi TFTAs OTOH prefer mechanical watches, purely for their aesthetic craftsmanship rather than accuracy of timekeeping. The weight of the face, the precision machining of the crown, the fit and finish etc. I think Seiko has a hybrid digital-mechanical contraption whose hands are driven by a mainspring automatic movement, but timed by a quartz oscillator. I find this pointless and didnt understand why this gimmick.

I always found the obsession with mechanical movements quite strange. It is like plonking down $10,000 on a typewriter and turning up your nose on a laptop/tablet. Yes it looks good, but actually is less useful and less reliable.

I like wearing watches. I like the analog watch face, dont care about mechanical movement inside. I have a very SDRE casio waveceptor with analog watchface which syncs with an atomic clock twice a day and can outdo any mechanical watch in terms of accuracy. It has automatic daylight savings too and can set various timezones digitally (after which it mechanically moves the watch hands). It is not a $1000 swiss "chronograph".