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Apple iPad Pro: Is it really a Surface Pro Killer?

Tech comparisons often fall into confirmation bias, telling people what they want to hear. Let’s get my personal bias out of the way right now. I’m a big fan of Microsoft’s current strategy of consolidating their operating systems under Windows 10, and making sure you can access all of their services no matter which phone, tablet, or computer you use.

Apple keynote wwdc 2015Screenshot (26)_resultApple made a lot of news yesterday announcing new iPhones, a new Apple TV, Apple Watch updates, and the iPad Pro. It seems pretty clear that Apple has the Surface Pro in their sites, as Microsoft is starting to build a little momentum with their “PC in a Tablet Shell” formula. There was a lot of talk from Apple over how their new tablets and phones were “desktop powerful” devices thanks to new mobile processors.

Pricing, form factor, accessories, even the apps showcased, Apple claims they have the solution for mobile productivity. How does their new iPad Pro compare to the older Surface Pro 3? Let’s take a look.

Continue reading “Apple iPad Pro: Is it really a Surface Pro Killer?”

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Apple Unveils the iPhone 6S, iPad Pro, and Apple Watch Updates at Special Event

Apple dropped the bomb on a ton of new products during their yearly keynote!

Apple keynote wwdc 2015Screenshot (11)_result
Apple Watch Updates

Apple Watch will be getting updates for richer notifications, and a new view controlled via the crown to scan through your day called “Third Party Complications.

Future 3rd party apps coming to the Watch, Facebook Messenger will be bringing chat features, and Go Pro will enable live video streaming from their cameras straight to the watch screen to use a wrist mounted screen as the viewfinder.

Apple keynote wwdc 2015Screenshot (8)_resultWe’ll also see more focus on health care apps and fitness tracking. The new Watch OS will provide better tools for the hardware for tracking vitals, and sending health data to physicians.

Lastly new watch bodies and bands are coming. Gold and Rose Gold Apple Watch Sport in aluminum will join new bands for the same price as the current Sport. There will also be a new Product Red Stainless  model where a portion of all sales will go towards fighting HIV/AIDS.

Apple keynote wwdc 2015Screenshot (12)_resultAll new Apple Watch models will start shipping today. The Apple Watch OS2 update will be coming September 16.

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New iPadApple keynote wwdc 2015Screenshot (19)_result
Continue reading “Apple Unveils the iPhone 6S, iPad Pro, and Apple Watch Updates at Special Event”

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Galaxy Note 5 vs Note 4 – Should You Upgrade?

The number one most common question I’ve gotten on my Note 5 coverage! Is the Note 5 “worth it” as an upgrade if you already have a Note 4? Well, let’s take a look at two Titans of productivity!

Shop the Note 5 on Amazon: http://goo.gl/vYgJxO
Shop the Note 4 on Amazon: http://goo.gl/VFqK1c
Note 5 Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk7-by4E4vA
Note 4 Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9tj58aHjeI
Note 5 Camera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJpthH4npZ0
Note 4 Camera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykB1v065ndk
Note 5 Speaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVp3eAxbEXc
Note 4 Speaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLi5AZ7EPy8

Continue reading “Galaxy Note 5 vs Note 4 – Should You Upgrade?”

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#SGGQA 10: IFA Highlights, Best Lifestyle Smartphone Features, and YOUR Galaxy Note 5 Reactions!

On this week’s show we look at some of the highlights from IFA in Berlin, we talk about our favorite lifestyle features in our phones, share some responses to last week’s CTA, and read YOUR replies to my Samsung Galaxy Note 5 reviews! Make sure you’re charged and ready.  It’s PODCAST TIME!

Also, check out my friend Jaclyn’s Youtube channel, where she talks about oceanography and cool undersea creatures! Next week we’ll be working together on some videos covering ocean science and technology! I might get to play with some sharks… http://www.youtube.com/jaclynfriedlander

Download this week’s show as an audio podcast!
Subscribe to #SGGQA via iTunes!
Subscribe to #SGGQA via RSS!
#SGGQA on PlayerFM!
#SGGQA on Stitcher!
Most Recent Episode on SoundCloud!
Continue reading “#SGGQA 10: IFA Highlights, Best Lifestyle Smartphone Features, and YOUR Galaxy Note 5 Reactions!”

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 on AT&T – Still the “Power User” Smartphone King?

The Note name carries a lineage of power user productivity. Does the Note 5 continue Samsung’s phablet dominance? It’s time to review one of the most anticipated phones of the year! Let’s do this!

Shop the Note 5 and accessories on Amazon
Note 5 Speaker Test
Note 5 Mega Camera Review
Continue reading “Samsung Galaxy Note 5 on AT&T – Still the “Power User” Smartphone King?”

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Samsung Reveals Their First Circular Smartwatch, The Gear S2

samsung gear 2 black smartwatchThe original Gear S was a beast of a smartwatch experiment, blending a large curved display with a 3G cell radio. Their follow up looks to be more subtle and refined.

The Gear S2 aims to blend in more, looking like a more traditional timepiece, and it’s the company’s first circular watch face. A 1.2″ screen with a 360×360 resolution, in an 11.4mm thin frame.  The smaller screen means Samsung can also shave a little size off the battery and continue offering 2-3 days of use on a charge.

This will not be an Android Wear affair, powered by Samsung produced dual core CPU, it’s a Tizen OS watch designed specifically to pair with Samsung phones. NFC on board will tie directly into Samsung Pay for mobile payments.

samsung gear 2 silver smartwatchSamsung has a number of partners on board supporting apps utilizing the new round display, and it will be interesting to see how current apps might eventually work with this smaller screen.

There will be two flavors of Gear S2, a BT and WiFi only model and the S2 3G which incorporates an “e-SIM” for voice and data services when not directly paired to a phone. Two color options will be available, silver and dark grey, and there will be different band options for those watch bodies.

We don’t have pricing info yet, but Samsung expects the Gear S2 to start shipping in October. You can read the full press release below.

Continue reading “Samsung Reveals Their First Circular Smartwatch, The Gear S2”

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Lenovo Bets BIG on 6.8″ Smartphone – The Phab Plus

I’ll be honest. With the rise of phablets like the Note and Lumia 1520, I’ve almsot entirely stopped using mini-tablets like my Nexus 7. Lenovo is doubling down on big screen phones with the Phab Plus.

We can joke about what this might look like holding it up to your face, but the calls are no longer the primary use for our “phones”. We expect excellent data driven experiences. In a way, it is kind of silly that our LTE enabled tablets can’t make and receive calls…

PHAB Plus_Gold_Details_01The Phab Plus sports a 6.8″ 1080p screen paired with a Qualcomm Octa-core CPU and 2GB of RAM. 32GB of storage is built in, and you can add more via MicroSD. A 13MP rear camera and 5MP FFC should handle most photo and video tasks, and the larger body means there’s more room for a larger speaker and “sound chamber” Lenovo claims will offer a more immersive audio experience.

This LTE device will have a 3500mAh battery which Lenovo claims is good for “up to 2 days of battery”, but I would imagine this will likely be a “charge every night” kinda phone.

From a design standpoint, it follow in the footsteps of their Vibe series, rounded aluminum frame.

PHAB Plus_Gray_Hero_05-1This mini-tablet phone wont break the bank. $299 seems pretty reasonable for such an audacious experiment. We’re still waiting out shipping info, but expect the Phab Plus before the holidays.

 

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Trio of Lenovo Vibe Smartphones Focus on Budget Friendly Prices and LONG Battery Life

Lenovo unveiled their new line up of Vibe Smartphones at IFA, focused on bring a premium experience to mid-range pricing.

VIBE P1_Gold_Hero_01The Vibe P1m and P1 bring HUGE batteries to the table, 4000mAh and 5000mAH respectively. That might sound like overkill for daily smartphone usage, but these phones can also be used to charge up other gadgets over USB-OTG. Handy when you’re out in the field, and also packing a camera for example.

Other specs on board are solid mid-range Android. A Qualcomm 615 Octa-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 13MP rear camera, 5MP FFC, up to 32GB of storage on the P1 (16GB on the P1m) with MicroSD card expansion. They look nice too, built with an aluminum shell and Gorilla Glass 3 on the face. Not a collection of kit at all, considering the P1m starts at $159 and the P1 will sell for $279.

VIBE S1_White_Hero_01Stepping up to the Vibe S1, Lenovo thinks they might have the solution for the perfect selfie, and it comes in the form of dual front camera sensors. Flanking the ear piece, you have an 8MP camera for actually taking the photo, and a 2MP sensor for measuring depth and distance. We’ve seen similar solutions before on rear cameras, and it can be a handy trick for blurring photo backgrounds or adjusting focus.

The S1 moves to a MediaTek Octa-Core CPU and 3GB of RAM. It retains the aluminum and Gorilla Glass combo, but shrinks the battery from the P series to a 2500mAh capacity. As this is the most premium offering  of the three announced, pricing climbs a little higher, but users will only need to fork over $299 for a “flawless” selfie.

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