Phone, Tablet and Gizmo Thread #0x02

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 19 Apr 2014 23:21

I use a Nexus 5 and the camera is decent. Better than the previous HTC One M7,and IMHO better than the M8.

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 19 Apr 2014 23:35

negi wrote:Archan sir don't buy android from Samsung , Sony or HTC buy the nexus 5 , Android runs best in its stock form sammy bloatware slows you down and more importantly it takes months to get to current android version.

In any case no smart phone today can last more than 3 years as paki OS vendor will not support the hardware , iOS is better than android in this department but there too 3 years is pretty much the limit . I have a 4s running latest iOS and I don't think that this device will be able to run the major version release with 6.

it was funny to hear my colleague with SMSNG brogrammer SHQ asking for a recommendation on a good custom ROM for his Note 3 ...since stock was crashing too much.

ROFL!!

member_28555 · Post by **member_28555** » 19 Apr 2014 23:42

for folks thinking about Androids, remember you can always slap a custom rom, and get a pure stock experience or even tweaked version....

first post, long time lurker :p

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 20 Apr 2014 01:50

dell xps 15 qhd, 512gb ssd, 16gb ram, win 8.1, i7 4702 haswell, bluray, plus gloatwares
macbook pro retina, 512gb ssd, 16gb ram, maverick, i7 2.3 ghz, plus gloatwares

both are available at around $2.4k. which one to pick?

use at home
- browse
- ms office
- java IDEs, frameworks, r&d
- might watch a blu ray or two.. but i have the kinet.. off late that was not playing blurays for me..from redbox.

office
- r&d on open source
- COTS
- study frameworks, connect to cloud.
- some new platform study
- modeling tools

now which one to choose?

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 20 Apr 2014 02:05

archan wrote:Ive been waiting long. Had better hopes from the new htc one. Next year snapdragon 810 will whoop all of todays heroes.there is always something next..
Whats bad about the s5 is my question.

Screen/Camera/Battery life/Performance on S5 is great. Except for the plasticky feel. Fingerprint reader is a dud. I dont care much for their "customizations" either. Looks like they went out of their way to make the band around the side look cheap.

Used the HTC phunwa also. The phone is amazingly well designed. A few gripes though. Camera is okay, dont expect to get blown away. The thinness and all metal body makes the phone slippery. The speaker once you hear it, will make you hate all other cell phone speakers. Wish I had a HTC with a better camera and slightly rougher edges.

If you dont care for the slightly cheap feel and lack of front firing speakers, get the S5. It has a pretty stunning screen, camera and battery life. But (for my use case) dont justify upgrading from a Nexus 5 I have now. Obviously if you wait longer, you will get better phones

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 20 Apr 2014 10:15

SaiK wrote:dell xps 15 qhd, 512gb ssd, 16gb ram, win 8.1, i7 4702 haswell, bluray, plus gloatwares
macbook pro retina, 512gb ssd, 16gb ram, maverick, i7 2.3 ghz, plus gloatwares

both are available at around $2.4k. which one to pick?

use at home
- browse
- ms office
- java IDEs, frameworks, r&d
- might watch a blu ray or two.. but i have the kinet.. off late that was not playing blurays for me..from redbox.

office
- r&d on open source
- COTS
- study frameworks, connect to cloud.
- some new platform study
- modeling tools

now which one to choose?

dell and hbee reccommendations are reserved for my enemies. never again.

member_23061 · Post by **member_23061** » 20 Apr 2014 10:21

I have a Samsung Note 1. For some damn reason, the RAM keeps falling below 200Mb which means it starts warning and you cant sync. I uninstalled most of the programs and it still does not increase more than 300Mb.

What to do for more RAM?

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 20 Apr 2014 10:32

install custom rom like cyanogenmod and dont install too many brograms on it.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 21 Apr 2014 23:04

A bunch of Samsung devices go to India for testing
http://www.gsmarena.com/a_bunch_of_sams ... s-8326.php

There are about ten Samsung devices that showed up on an Indian import and export database that will be making their way through the country.Included in the database is a Samsung Galaxy S5 with a 2K display: the Samsung SM-G906S and Samsung SM-G906K. These are expected to be the “premium versions” of the Galaxy S5 that have been circulating on the internetThe other devices include the Samsung SM-G310HN, which is part of Samsung's ACE line of phones. The Samsung SM-V700 is Samsung's smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear. The Samsung SM-G313F is on the list and not much is known about it but it's supposed to be a smartphone.There's also a crop of already released devices on the list: The Samsung SM-T335 (Galaxy Tab 4), SM-G310HN (Galaxy Ace Styles), SGH-l187 (Ativ S Neo), SCH-I930 (ATIV Odyssey), Samsung SPH-I800 (ATIV S Neo), Samsung SM-G900R4 (GS5 US Cellular), amongst many others.If you check out the database, the list is pretty self-explanatory. Some of the devices on the list aren't even released yet and Samsung hasn't made an official comment on the phones, tablets, and gear that'll be arriving in the region to be tested

archan · Post by **archan** » 24 Apr 2014 19:47

Mort Walker wrote:I use a Nexus 5 and the camera is decent. Better than the previous HTC One M7,and IMHO better than the M8.

I can blindly trust you on these things, you know 1000x more than I can ever. How is the battery life on general "normal" usage?
Does it heat up?
What would you change in it if you could?
I'm visiting US for a couple of weeks and this time I am seriously looking to buy. Skyrocket is struggling, even with the Cyanogenmod 10.2 Jelly bean.
I could spend anywhere between 300 to $500..
One thought is get a used Lumia 1020 for photo and general use and get a Moto G for INR 13K from here for the second sim. Currently I have a second sim in a iphone 4s, which is a pretty nice phone IMHO, small, sharp screen and very useful.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Apr 2014 21:33

Archanji,

Bose babu is the most knowledgeable as he works in this area. I'm the forum duffer here.

The Nexus 5 does not suffer from thermal throttling or excess heat. LG has resolved the problem from the Nexus 4. Battery life on the Nexus 5 is much better than the Nexus 4. I would say I get 4 hours more and I easily get over 12+ hours with some 15-20% charge left on normal use of maps, reading BRF, email, texting and phone calls. Please read the review on Anand Tech for the Nexus 5 - as he tends to have a quantitative review. http://www.anandtech.com/show/7517/goog ... s-5-review

If I could change anything on the Nexus 5 it would be the use of better DACs, or their better implementation, and a better line amplifier for increased headphone volume. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad, but the HTC One M7 and M8 are best in class in this regard like the Lumia 1020 is for photos.

The Nexus 5 has the most accurate color screen I've seen. If you need dual sim, then choices become limited. Coming from the Sammy ATT Skyrocket (Galaxy S2), you will love the Nexus 5 in every way. The difference would be like going from MMS to NAMO.

archan · Post by **archan** » 24 Apr 2014 22:05

Mort Walker wrote: The difference would be like going from MMS to NAMO.

NaMo namah:
I guess neither the 1020 nor the Nexus has a micro sim expansion slot. Perhaps the only con for me as of now. Is the moto X a formidable competitor to the Nexus?

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Apr 2014 22:37

The MotoX is not bad at all, but its screen quality is inferior to the Nex5; however, battery life is a couple of hours longer. The MotoX does have a bit better build quality as it is top notch. Between the two I would prefer the Nex5.

archan · Post by **archan** » 24 Apr 2014 23:01

Mucho gracias.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 25 Apr 2014 00:11

Both NEXUS 5 (16GB Model) and MotoG seem to be doing well in India...and surprisingly, most of the owners I came across had bought the same over internet; one lady got her NEXUS 5 through Google Store and the thing was shipped from Singapore! MotoG seems to have seen good sales on Flipkart...have couple of guys in the team who bought it online. It helps that you get good deals online and the cash back offer on credit card x or y is also available. You can beat your retailer by 500-1000 bucks depending on timing of your purchase.

And these online stores have quite good reputation in terms of timely delivery. And product authenticity. I recently bought a book from amazon.in and it was a pretty smooth operation.

I'm in need of a new phone and in sub-INR 30K category, Nokia 925 and NEXUS 5 are best options. Though, I have a soft corner for Nokia and good camera is very important for me. Plus I've realized that 5-inch screen phone have best form factor for me...So, three main requirements from next phone are 5-inch screen, sharp/full HD Display, good camera and processor.

I'm also hoping to buy the Sony lens accessory for smart phone camera(s) which sync through Bluetooth (I think). Pretty handy and neat.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 25 Apr 2014 00:14

Archan-ullah, if you can be a bit patient and want Android onlee, wait for Nexus6 - you may like it.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 25 Apr 2014 01:06

According to Anandtech's review, the Nexus 5's camera hardware is good, but the camera app is horrible.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 25 Apr 2014 01:12

^^^You can download many different camera apps and use them. I use Camera Awesome from SmugMug and have been happy.

RB,

Nexus 6 will probably come out in November and probably December in India. We still have at least 6 months to go and for Archan he is upgrading from Sammy Galaxy S2, so he needs something now. For $350 new, the Nexus 5 is a good deal.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 25 Apr 2014 01:40

Nexus 5 is a good choice....in some ways the only sane choice.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 25 Apr 2014 09:50

iphone 6 is making some brave moves
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/04/24 ... mparisons/

archan · Post by **archan** » 25 Apr 2014 11:16

RB making me rethink. Nexus in India is $100 more than in the US. It's bearable. I can drag another six months, I could make the iPhone 4S my main phone or get the moto G. That is based on the hope that the Nexus 6 will support Indian 4g frequencies and will have the camera trickery of the S5 and One.

ArmenT · Post by **ArmenT** » 25 Apr 2014 12:05

Bye Bye Gundotra
Vic Gundotra, the head of Google+, leaves Google

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Apr 2014 12:12

learnt today he was alumni of iit chennai.

archan · Post by **archan** » 25 Apr 2014 17:02

Marten wrote:
archan wrote:RB making me rethink. Nexus in India is $100 more than in the US. It's bearable. I can drag another six months, I could make the iPhone 4S my main phone or get the moto G. That is based on the hope that the Nexus 6 will support Indian 4g frequencies and will have the camera trickery of the S5 and One.
G2 ftw - mine is chugging along just fine. AND I got it for $300 NIB.

What is NIB and where did you get it from? did you get the KitKat update? how is the camera and battery life?

archan · Post by **archan** » 25 Apr 2014 17:04

Some on list-e-Craig are asking $360 for unlocked 32GB Nexus 5. That's only $40 less than the new right? do you have to pay tax when you order from Google directly?

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 25 Apr 2014 17:06

archan wrote:RB making me rethink. Nexus in India is $100 more than in the US. It's bearable. I can drag another six months, I could make the iPhone 4S my main phone or get the moto G. That is based on the hope that the Nexus 6 will support Indian 4g frequencies and will have the camera trickery of the S5 and One.

Does that include VAT and delivery? In the US, you can add $40 to the price for sales tax and delivery.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 25 Apr 2014 17:07

archan wrote:Some on list-e-Craig are asking $360 for unlocked 32GB Nexus 5. That's only $40 less than the new right? do you have to pay tax when you order from Google directly?

Yes. There is sales tax on purchases from Google. I believe even eBay charges taxes for new items in some states.

Mihir · Post by **Mihir** » 25 Apr 2014 19:17

ArmenT wrote:Bye Bye Gundotra
Vic Gundotra, the head of Google+, leaves Google

Say what you will about Google Plus, their photo sharing website is by far the best out there. I hope the next guy doesn't screw it up.

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 25 Apr 2014 20:15

iPhunwa 6 looks gorgeous (if the render is true). Makes sense for FruitCo to move to a bigger screen, if they have shrunk down the bezel, it would be amenable to one hand operation.

Also north america market has matured and they need to get the users of the prev-gen iPhone to upgrade to keep their revenues up. Big screen is a good reason.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 25 Apr 2014 21:44

NIB = New In Box.

---

Vic's hot air I guess ran out just like the Haath safai party

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 27 Apr 2014 07:42

http://galaxys6samsung.com/wp-content/u ... isplay.jpg
what is the advantage of this feature?

btw, butt calls don't happen in smart phones na?

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 27 Apr 2014 13:23

http://mobile.computerworlduk.com/news/ ... n-8-weeks/
Windows XP isn't the only software getting the knife in 8 weeks

∅ Microsoft will also end support for Office 2003 and Exchange 2003

∅ Post exchange 2003, it is all 64 bit

∅ newest editions of the suite, Office 2013 and Office 365, run only on Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1.

∅Microsoft no longer sells Office 2007 or 2010

∅ Microsoft will also stop serving patches to Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2 (SP2) on April 8, and require all users of the OS X edition to run Service Pack 3 to receive and install security updates

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 27 Apr 2014 19:04

pandyan, my memory needs are 16gb ram, and 512gb sdd at the min. now, i would choose the bang for the buck (no limits if the buck is reasonable to the tech i get) deal.. my intention is performance - higher cpu cores, speed, memory and especially i/o. multitasking/threading a must.

@100 bucks per month, i should not feel the pinch. that pcie sdd on mac is too hot to ignore...they could have done better on the processor and ram speed. the whole purpose is dual - home use + some niche use where it suppors my next agendas in my career.

vina · Post by **vina** » 27 Apr 2014 20:31

Was in a mall this evening with she and brats and I walked into an Airtel shop there, and was told about 4G . How is that stuff here? They told me about USB dongle and also using phones, only iPhunwa 5s and 5c on rede, thank you! Question does it work well, is it useable and can I use it seamlessly with both USB and phone ? The sales guy told me that for the phone it is a micro sim and for the USB normal sim, so won't work and USB is data only, no voice. Okay, can I connect lap top to phone and use as modem while traveling, instead of USB?

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 27 Apr 2014 20:39

the device needs to route your ip traffic. can the ios do it?

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 27 Apr 2014 20:46

I would say be careful with warranty plans. For extending warranty, Lenovo Thinkpad has requirements to open a service request at least 15 days in advance before expiry, and the Lenovo helplines for service requests don't operate on weekends.
======
About 4G plans, first check the data plans wherein data limit could be quickly reached with quicker plans. Speed is of course good at 4G. Phones have similar plans, but speed reduces for connection to laptop through both port/wireless substantially. (Called tethering) However if it works then nothing like it logically.

archan · Post by **archan** » 30 Apr 2014 10:32

Kafir Martenwa, where did you get the LG G2 new for $300?

BhairavP · Post by **BhairavP** » 30 Apr 2014 10:42

^eBay IIRC, I think it was a Verizon model with unlocked world-GSM.

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 30 Apr 2014 12:01

After all the negative reviews of ACT I decided to take a gamble and got ACT here in Chennai. Very prompt and efficient handling by sales guy, no false promises on installation time and things were on the dot. Accepted scanned documents through mail.

Took 15 MBPS plan but I am getting routinely 16.5 MBPS and upload speeds is more than download most of the times. FUP is 60 GB and uploads are not considered part of FUP.

I still have my BSNL line as backup which gives 2-4 MBPS with 20GB FUP. I will surrender it once I am convinced of ACT. So far so good.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 30 Apr 2014 12:44

Wait at least 6 months for determining stability and uptimes for any new service provider. Then you can cut out BSNL for the pathetic speeds and FUP they give.