Author: Juan Carlos Bagnell

Juan has been obsessed with consumer electronics since before computers had GUI’s. Out of college he worked on a JIT computing contract which supported DOE facilities in New Mexico. He’s been featured on numerous podcasts and radio shows lending his tech insights. You can also find him in LA directing voice over actors and producing spoken word recording.
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Qualcomm Reduces Price of Toq Smart watch to $249.99

qualcomm toq box smartwatch wireless charge cradle review somegadgetguyWe’re fans of the Toq here at SGG, but the price tag has certainly been a barrier for many looking to take the smartwatch plunge.

Well it looks like Qualcomm is addressing that concern by quietly slashing $100 off the price. You can now grab the Toq and its incredible outdoor viewable display for $249.99, bringing it right in line with the Pebble Steel. Not bad at all for a color touchscreen, wireless charging, and five day battery life. The recently announced SDK might mean we’ll soon see more apps for the Toq ecosystem.

Shop for the Qualcomm Toq, or read through our Toq coverage with reviews and updates!

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Watch Samsung UNPACKED 2014 – Galaxy S5 Unveiling Livestream

Galaxy S5 camera appSamsung is about to show off all the juicy details for their next flagship phone, and while the look of the phone has already leaked, there’s plenty more to discuss. Let’s look at some phones and new Gear smartwatches!

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Galaxy S5 Pics Leak Ahead of Samsung Unboxed

Galaxy S5 camera appAnd here we get to the meat of the rumor and leak market, some decent pics of Samsung’s next flagship.

Following the design language of the Note 3, the GS5 is rumored to sport a 5.2″ display, which is creeping up on the 5.3″ screen of the original Note. Remember when we thought a phone that size was crazy? Yeah. Good times.

We still don’t know the full spec sheet, screen resolution, how many megapickles the camera will have, what the official battery capacity might be, but at least for now, we have a pretty good idea of what the phone will look like. We can also see a few new features like Download Booster which can use your LTE and WiFi at the same time, and there’s a covered USB port which might mean some kind of waterproofing is being used.

We can be thankful there will still be SOME discovery during Samsung’s event later today. Fingers crossed there might actually be a surprise or two…

Pics via SaudiAndroid and Hardware Zone

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Nokia unveils three Android powered phones: Nokia X, Nokia X+, and Nokia XL with Microsoft Services

13In an interesting twist on the rumors, Nokia officially unveiled a trio of phones running the Android operating system.

nokia xThe Nokia X and X+ feature four inch screens, while the XL has a 5″ display, all with a WVGA resolution. On board we’ll likely see dual-core Qualcomm processors, 512MB of RAM, and 5MP cameras. While the underlying core is AOSP, they’ll be heavily skinned with Nokia’s Fastlane UI found on their Asha devices. They’ll also heavily feature Nokia and Microsoft services like OneDrive, Skype, Here Maps, and Nokia Mix Radio. 

nokia x fastlane Aimed at entry and developing markets, the Nokia X will be available intermediately, starting at 89€ (around $120US). The X+ will add more internal storage and a MicroSD slot for 99€, and will be available in the second quarter of this year.  The Nokia XL will follow the X+ later in the year at an expected price around 109€.

nokia xl android plants vs zombiesNow these phones will likely not support Google Play, and I suspect the relationship will be more like Amazon and the Kindle. Developers will have to submit their apps to Nokia’s own standalone app store, but they wont have to rebuild apps from scratch so long as they’re compatible with low power Android hardware. It’s a curious thought that if these handsets find any market traction, Nokia’s app store could fill faster than Microsoft’s.

It’s also funny to think that Microsoft+Nokia might be able to succeed in producing popular low cost Android offerings which aren’t painful to use. The Moto G started a broader conversation in high quality phones for developing markets, and Nokia looks ready to continue that conversation. I wonder if there will be any demand for those Nokia services on traditional Android hardware, say Nokia Mix Radio for instance. I’m sure someone at XDA will grab the APK’s for us…

nokia 220 internet enabled phone for 29 euroThe exciting race this year is in low cost offerings. Nokia is taking a gamble by forking their OS, but they now offer several tiers of phones for a variety of different markets. This “X” line up slots in between Lumias and Asha devices.

Also announced was a new 29€ internet enabled phone called the 220 featuring a month of battery life, and a new touchscreen Asha 230 for 45€.

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Sony unveils Waterproof Xperia Z2 Smartphone & Tablet

A pair of exciting announcements from Sony out of Barcelona. Following in the wake of selling off their PC division, Sony is doubling down on their Xperia line up with the Z2 phone and Z2 Tablet, and happily both of these multimedia powerhouses will survive a swim.

Xperia_Z2Xperia Z2 Phone

It’s a power packed combo including all of Sony’s best gear.  A 5.2″ HD screen is powered by a Qualcomm 801 quad-core, 3GB of RAM and a phablet-sized 3200mAh battery.

For Android photogs, Sony is packing a 20.7 megapixel 1/2.3″ sensor with optical image stabilization. That puts it firmly in Nokia Icon territory for light sensitivity and achieving shallower depth of field in photos and videos. It will also be capable of shooting 4K video, making it one of the more formidable combinations of optics and tech in the Android ecosystem.

Xperia Z2 Tablet

Xperia_Z2_Tablet_BlackPushing forward with slates, the Z2 Tablet features a 10.1″ “Full HD” Live Colour LED display, also powered by a Qualcomm 801 quad-core and a 6000mAh battery. Two models will be available, WiFi only and LTE.

Sony pushing gaming and multimedia, hopefully as a tease for future Playstation Now compatibility, are bragging on DUALSHOCK3 wireless controller game play. For work, they’ll have a custom Bluetooth keyboard cover and stand available for purchase.

Both the Z2 Tablet and Phone are waterproof, feature integrated noise reduction when using Sony ear buds, and they’ll also both be eligible for a special entertainment package including six Sony Pictures films, one of which is ‘Captain Philips’, and a 30 day free trial for Music Unlimited.

Both Z2’s will launch globally this March. Full press releases are below.

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