Let's Talk Tech
SOC SHOWDOWN!
Let’s get nerdy with some silicon announcements! Qualcomm vs MediaTek vs Google! We have a better idea of what chips will be in our phones for the first half of 2023. What makes them different? How will we grade them for performance? Will it matter to consumers what chip is in their phones?
Let’s dig into the specs and take a look! Continue reading “Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Dimensity 9200 vs Tensor 2! What we know so far…”
Hello.
I edit video on my phones. I edit A LOT of video on my phones.
We keep selling people on the idea of increasingly powerful pocket computers, but we also do a poor job of showcasing apps that will USE that extra power.
Developers like to make apps for the Apple ecosystem. It’s easier to support the smaller number of phones and processors. When we have an opportunity to support a developer bringing an iOS-only app to Android, we enthusiasts need to step up and act.
The smartphone landscape is looking a little bleak…
Continue reading “Smartphone Video Editing: Why Supporting LumaFusion on Android is SUCH a Big Deal”
Pixel Watch impressions!
Using the Pixel Watch for a couple weeks, I have more questions than answers.
Lots of criticisms point to the omissions and the first generation aspect, but what’s really important in a watch? I don’t think this is the watch for me, but there’s one feature which might be a deal maker for other folks.
Let’s take a look! Continue reading “Google Pixel Watch: What really matters in a wearable?”
The Duo and Duo 2 are finally on Android 12L!
Whenever there’s some Surface news, we can always count on some derisive tech commentary. The folks all too happy to show you how CLEVER they are in panning a niche device.
“I knew it wasn’t going to sell as many units as a POPULAR phone.”
To be fair, there is SOME fun in that. Folks who genuinely enjoy the Surface Duo can get a chuckle out of how small our community really is.
The idea I consistently need to push back against is this lazy notion that Microsoft’s updates for the Surface have been poor. It takes a terrific tech hack to look at the Duos, only look at an Android “number”, and say:
“It needs to be gooder BIGGER Android number!” Continue reading “Surface Duo and Android 12L – What is “good” Software Support?”
Velotric Discover 1 ebike road test!
How can we reduce the number of inefficient trips we take in a car?
I’m a big fan of moving to bikes and scooters for “short trip” commutes. I’m test driving some bikes from Velotric while also trying to lose a little pandemic weight. I’ve got a LOT of thoughts on the setup and the first couple rides.
Is an e-bike the right fit for your travel needs? Let’s take a look! Continue reading “Velotric Discover 1 E-Bike: Replacing my car for cheap!”
I’m test driving a Pixel Watch, and so far I enjoy the experience. Getting disclosures out of the way at the top of this article, I received the Pixel Watch from the #TeamPixel folks to review. Neither Google nor other PR has influenced or contributed to any of my commentary on Pixel products.
The Pixel Watch is performing well. It’s a snappy and responsive wearable. Wear OS 3.5 is fun, and I enjoy the applets and FitBit integration.
I have a major issue with this watch though: the inevitable e-waste these watches will create. Continue reading “E-Waste: My biggest problem with the Pixel Watch is the charger…”
I like the Pixel 6 Pro a lot, but this first party case from Google is one of the worst accessories I think I’ve ever used. An open letter to Google, right before the Pixel 7 announcement, I hope this is improved for their next phone.
This case is bad, and Google should feel bad… Continue reading “Google made one of the worst phone cases I’ve ever used…”
The semiconductor industry is a crazy place.
There’s an ebb and flow in computing. A new chip is rarely a perfect one-to-one upgrade over an older chip. Different features, different initiatives, changing consumer needs, numerous factors influence a chip design.
Google’s Tensor is an interesting beast.
Tensor is an attempt at focusing phone hardware to better run Google software. It’s an attempt at creating more hardware and software synergy for Google services. It’s a surprisingly successful solution for a first generation System on Chip (SOC), but it is first gen and we should expect improvements from succeeding generations.
What does Tensor 2 need to be successful? Not a lot…
Continue reading “Google Tensor 2: I don’t need a lot from this chip to fix the Pixel 7”