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We CAN test SOME Network Performance: Where I respectfully disagree with GaryExplains!

I love GaryExplains. Easily one of my favorite tech channels on YouTube. He’s one of the only TechTubers I feel actually explains things worth explaining.

Gary recently put out a video (embedded at the top of this article) where he explains why he doesn’t test network performance in his smartphone commentary. His reasoning is absolutely sound.

If you use a network speedtest app, there are way too many variables to consider for that test to have a scientific consistency.

But, just because network speedtest apps can’t be counted on for consistency, doesn’t mean we can’t control for SOME variables on our own. Continue reading “We CAN test SOME Network Performance: Where I respectfully disagree with GaryExplains!”

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Pixel 4XL vs LG G8 vs Galaxy S5: Air Gestures Are HARD

Motion control showdown! We’ve been dancing around Jedi controls for years. Alternative actions are NOT easier. Google is taking a simpler approach to air gestures. Here’s how it stacks up against the other methods used by LG and Samsung!

I think simpler is better… Continue reading “Pixel 4XL vs LG G8 vs Galaxy S5: Air Gestures Are HARD”

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#SGGQA 121: ACLU sues FBI Over Face Recognition, Facebook Lying Political Ads, FitBit and Google, AirPods aren’t PRO

The ACLU is suing the  FBI over face recognition policy and a lack of transparency. Facebook will allow false political ads in the UK for upcoming election. Microsoft tests a 4-day work week in Japan. ANOTHER bad week for NordVPN users.  AirPods Pro are better for your ears but worse for your wallet and just as bad for the planet.

And let’s spend a LITTLE time chatting about the LG G8X!

Let’s get our tech week started off right!

Continue reading “#SGGQA 121: ACLU sues FBI Over Face Recognition, Facebook Lying Political Ads, FitBit and Google, AirPods aren’t PRO”

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Google Pixelbook Go: The future of mobile computing?

Pixelbook Go first impressions!

More than just reading off specs, I have a serious question for viewers.

What DO we want for the future of mobile computing?

Lot’s of tech reviewers are quick to point out the flaws of less popular products. I refuse to believe that the future of tech is “whatever Samsung and Apple decide to make”.

With that idea in mind, are there any good ideas here that we hope will evolve? Continue reading “Google Pixelbook Go: The future of mobile computing?”

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LG G8X: The Better Dual Screen Solution

LG V50 vs G8X dual screen showdown! If you want more space for activities, LG’s solution of a second screen case might be just the trick. Here’s how the G8X improves on the first generation V50 case! FIGHT!

Pre-Order the LG G8X on B&H https://bhpho.to/34pRIHe

Continue reading “LG G8X: The Better Dual Screen Solution”

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#SGGQA 120: Red Phone Fails, FCC vs States Rights, Pixelbook Go First Impressions!

RED is sticking to cameras and abandoning their smartphone platform after one disappointing phone! Ajit Pai wants to end STATES RIGHTS to fully end Net Neutrality! The US Air Force has a SPACE DRONE! I share my thoughts on the new Pixelbook Go!

And we have to talk about Right to Repair, as legislation is under attack to protect our ability to fix our gadgets!

Let’s get our tech week started off right!

Continue reading “#SGGQA 120: Red Phone Fails, FCC vs States Rights, Pixelbook Go First Impressions!”

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SomeGadgetGuy’s TOTALLY Biased Pixel 4XL vs LG V50 ThinQ Comparison! Brains vs Brawn!

I’ve already gone on record proclaiming the V50 as my favorite phone of 2019. As a reviewer and editorialist, I don’t believe there can be “true objectivity” in a review. If you know more about me, how I use my gadgets, and the work I put them through, you will have a better understanding of my analysis. You can apply my experiences which overlap with your needs, and you can disregard the parts of my analysis which don’t apply to you. I made a video on this idea, which you can watch below.

I try to be as fair as I can. I try to examine a gadget based on the claims made by the manufacturer, not my preconceived idea of what the gadget SHOULD be. I try to figure out who the audience might be for EVERY gadget I review.

Every phone I’ve reviewed this year has gotten SOME kind of purchasing recommendation, but obviously some phones have been more broadly recommended than others.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at one of the most brutal comparisons in the premium tier of the Android ecosystem. This is a battle of polar opposites. Two substantially different takes on the idea of an expensive phone. And when the dust settles from this showdown, the songs we will sing of these mighty titans will echo through the halls of history.

Or, we’ll just totally nerd out on two flashy gadgets. Continue reading “SomeGadgetGuy’s TOTALLY Biased Pixel 4XL vs LG V50 ThinQ Comparison! Brains vs Brawn!”

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Silly Tech Geeks! Of course the Pixel 4 is worth $100 more than an iPhone 11!

I feel we all get swept up in popularity trends. It can be difficult to swim against that stream once a general consensus has been agreed upon. I have to be honest here, as an editorialist, I happen to enjoy those situations where I can shine a light on a topic, and maybe poke at that popular trend.

Whether I’m responding to a mega-youtuber about a jack-of-all-trades phone, correcting a popular Android blog about audio, or explaining how camera crop factor works when people flip out about a 3X zoom, I enjoy ruffling a few feathers to spread better data on complicated subjects.

The Pixel 4 was one of the worst kept secrets of 2019. It may be one of the worst kept secrets of all time. Now that it’s finally arrived, the tech community is in first stage of impressions and reviews. What makes the Pixel 4 different, we knew pretty much everything about the phone a month before it launched. Google isn’t facing a community just beginning to form opinions on the new Pixel, they’re facing a community that has already made up its collective mind on the Pixel.

It’s pretty clear that Google is setting their sights on Apple as the primary competition. For better, and for worse. When Apple does something, it seems to motivate a LOT of the decisions made by Google’s hardware team.

When the original Pixel launched, we all lovingly joked about it being “Google’s iPhone”. For a hot minute, I really tried to get the nickname “gPhone” to stick.

With the Pixel 4, it would seem Google took those early sentiments to heart. The Pixel 4 seems a purpose-built iPhone competitor, the closest way to recreate an iPhone-style experience, but in the Android ecosystem.

It’s entirely fair to compare Pixels against the phones Apple released this year. What’s frustrating though, is seeing folks cherry-pick one or two features to declare a winner, and to highlight “worth”.

Phones should be judged holistically, and any phone can win or lose a showdown if we move the goalposts to align with a user’s pre-determined bias. The common criticism I see now, is declaring the Pixel 4 unworthy to compete even against the cheaper non-pro iPhone 11. It’s a causally delivered verdict, folks kind of nod along. It’s a surface statement that sounds good, and throws a thumb in the eye of Google.

“The Pixel 4 can’t possibly be worth $100 more than an iPhone!”

The issue is, that statement doesn’t really hold water… Continue reading “Silly Tech Geeks! Of course the Pixel 4 is worth $100 more than an iPhone 11!”

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