Category: Editorials

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LG V50 Dual Screen Case: TWO screens in one! -OR- Why I still don’t want a folding phone!

It wouldn’t be an LG review without some bizarre regional issues. Phones that get features in some places, but are removed in other places. The V50 continues that proud tradition with one of the signature accessories for the phone. Living with the second screen case for a week, was this a deal breaker omission? Has it changed my opinion of folding phones? Let’s take it for a spin… Continue reading “LG V50 Dual Screen Case: TWO screens in one! -OR- Why I still don’t want a folding phone!”

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Sprint 5G in Los Angeles Test Drive with my buddy TK Bay!

Sprint just fired up their 5G network in Southern California! TK Bay and I were invited to take this new network for a test drive! Here’s part of our livestream (from the LG V50 on 5G), sharing some thoughts on infrastructure, tower deployment, and the new phones that support 5G! Also I was REALLY hungry when I shot this… Continue reading “Sprint 5G in Los Angeles Test Drive with my buddy TK Bay!”

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How can we stop this annoying YouTube “DRAMA DANCE”?

We’re wrapping up the summer. We’re near the end of “The Tech Doldrums”. Instead of circling back for long term reviews, or spending time with gadgets which might not have gotten as much attention, the popularity algorithm demands we feed it popular topics.

We don’t have any news on iPhone 11 or Note 10 or Pixel 4, but if you spend any time covering less popular brands, your channel metrics will take a hit. If your viewership falters slightly, Google stops recommending your channel. It’s a direct punishment metric designed to discourage you from straying. Even when you see a video these days about a Sony or an LG, it’s rarely a true review. It’s more likely what you’ll watch is a thinly veiled comparison against a more popular device.

“In reviewing the Sony, I’ve come to the conclusion that you should buy a Samsung instead.”

But I digress…

When we’ve run out of actual news and review topics, but we still need to feed the popularity algorithm, what we arrive at is pretty obnoxious. I call it “The Drama Dance”. Continue reading “How can we stop this annoying YouTube “DRAMA DANCE”?”

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Why do gadget fans hate grandmothers so much?

I enjoy a good Twitter row as much as the next geek.

We had a fun showdown this morning with some “unpopular” opinions. Some critical tweets posted about how Google is using gestures on the next version of Android. Some critical replies to those tweets. Rinse. Repeat. Good solid nerd fun, and of course I had to throw my two cents into the fray.

Now, I don’t believe this is a controversial idea. The most dangerous concept here is asking someone to consider the implications of using their phone in a slightly unfamiliar way. Geeks have become some of the most reactionary tech consumers when it comes to the notion of change, but I’ll have to save that for another editorial.

I got a handful of replies. Some folks agreed, some disagreed, but I got a couple of replies that took me by surprise. Not people voicing concerns over their own use, but feigning concern for their family.

That could be noble. I know quite a few gadget geeks who really do worry about how a UI change might affect their family. The best gadget reviewers NEVER belittle a switch from Android to iOS or vice versa. Changes like that can be tough on people. Familiarity matters.

Alas not today. The justification was not pointing out the stress or confusion which comes from change. The big fear was their own frustration in having to deal with non-techie family.

“Use 3D touch as a home button? Yeah, try explaining that to grandmother!” Continue reading “Why do gadget fans hate grandmothers so much?”

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What stops YOU from using the Google Pixel 3a?

The Pixel 3a is CRAZY overkill for just covering the basics, but that seems to be the main takeaway from a lot of reviewers. So, I’m genuinely asking, what do you do on your phone? What would legit stop you from picking up a less expensive device? Let’s chat! Continue reading “What stops YOU from using the Google Pixel 3a?”

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Pixel 3a doesn’t just cover the basics: Your tech elitism costs you cash

Before we get into this, I’d like you to check something on your phone. Look through your app drawer. Look up your battery stats. If you use any kind of Digital Wellbeing tracking, look at the list of services used. I’d like you to look up what apps and services really get used on your phone. I’ll come back to this, but you probably already know where I’m going after reading the title of this editorial.

Quick flashback.

In 2016 I was in Germany covering IFA with Jaime for Pocketnow. We had just finished a Huawei presser, the company showing off a new pair of premium mid-range phones. This was a bit confusing between all the various lines of Huawei and Honor gear, but they sent us away with a Nova and a Nova Plus to demo and review.

I was extremely skeptical. This phone was going to be expensive for its internals, starting at €400. Pricing it above my precious Honor 8 felt “wrong”. I am a professional though, so I popped the smaller Nova out of its box, gave Jaime the larger phone, and we shot a first impressions video from our hotel.

Reading the specs, being concerned about price, and then using the phone, those concerns slowly evaporated. Continue reading “Pixel 3a doesn’t just cover the basics: Your tech elitism costs you cash”

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Reverse Wireless Charging is a Silly Gimmick

Is Samsung PowerShare a gimmick? Are you using reverse wireless charging on your Samsung or Huawei? Should you be taxing your phone battery to charge other gadgets? Let’s chat about gimmicks, deal breakers, and getting what we pay for.

When a phone has a feature that consumers might not use often, we call it a gimmick, and then act like it’s a travesty people are paying for something they might not use. How much is wireless charging “peace of mind” worth to a phone’s bottom line?
Continue reading “Reverse Wireless Charging is a Silly Gimmick”

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The OnePlus 7 Pro DOES have a 3X OPTICAL Zoom – Why generic consumer measurements suck…

Looks like we needed something to be outraged about.

A flurry of stories have been published, claiming deceit on the part of OnePlus. The zoom on the OnePlus 7 Pro camera is a LIE! It’s NOT really a 3X zoom! PITCHFORKS! TORCHES!

Except it is. It’s exactly what OnePlus advertised it to be. In fact, it’s a little better than what they advertised. You get a little more than what they listed on the spec sheet. The main thing OnePlus is guilty of is a clumsy execution, which we shouldn’t be too surprised about. This company is regularly “charmingly clumsy”.

We’ve got a lot to unpack here.

First of all, Very few phones really have a ZOOM lens. Continue reading “The OnePlus 7 Pro DOES have a 3X OPTICAL Zoom – Why generic consumer measurements suck…”

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