Category: Editorials

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Smartphone design “improvements” are not progress: Prettier is less practical

And the immediate reaction by consumers will likely be a shrug.

“What can you do?”

The problem is, that apathy shouldn’t be a surprise. We don’t have much room to “vote with our wallets” these days. The reality of the tech market, these supposed “upgrades” happen way too quickly for consumers to react. Gadgets sales paced out over years from individual consumers don’t guide manufacturing decisions.

This week Samsung stumbled into a bit of a security issue on the Galaxy S10.

The in-display fingerprint sensor can apparently be unlocked by ANY finger. I discussed this on the #SGGQA podcast while the story was fresh, and the general sentiment from Samsung fans was that this had to be a case of user error. We’re getting confirmation now that this is a flaw in the current software from Samsung. Users are starting to test this flaw, and it has nothing to do with improper setup or using Non-Samsung approved accessories. BBC confirms Samsung will release a software patch for the problem.

 

Here’s a video of a Galaxy S10 owner on Twitter demonstrating the problem, freshly training a thumbprint, and then bypassing the fingerprint lock with a different finger. Continue reading “Smartphone design “improvements” are not progress: Prettier is less practical”

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Sorry Apple, iPhones aren’t for pro video! -OR- What I learned arguing with people on Twitter!

The main takeaway, which became resoundingly clear over the last 48 hours?

Marketing works.

Tuesday we all sat through a round up of new product announcements from Apple, with the stock boiler plates of innovation and improvement. The most amazing products yet created. The most powerful products on the market. We were shown this year’s collection of bar graphs touting the huge lead Apple hardware enjoys over the competition.

Revealing “pro” versions of the iPhone, Apple leaned heavily into video creation to showcase the new cameras and the new A13 chipset.

The iPhone 11 Pro is so powerful you can make movies on it! Just don’t pay attention to the multi-million-dollar sound-stage, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on equipment, lighting, and the talented team of filmmakers behind the phone, but I digress…

It’s those bar graphs though. Since the PowerMac days, Apple has had a love affair with simplistic, unlabeled bar graphs. We’ve seen them through so many keynotes over the last decade, that we just take them for granted. It’s just common knowledge that iPhones are more powerful than Androids.

But what happens when we test Apple’s performance claims against their video production claims?

iOS fans on Twitter get REAL flustered… Continue reading “Sorry Apple, iPhones aren’t for pro video! -OR- What I learned arguing with people on Twitter!”

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Android 10 on the Google Pixel 3a – Living up to Promises and Expectations

Yesterday was Android 10 day! A flurry of podcasts, articles, and videos hit the web showing off the official release of Google’s newest phone operating system. I joined the fun talking about Android’s native Desktop Mode on a OnePlus 7 Pro Open Beta, but yesterday was all about Google’s Pixel. Very few other manufacturers can match the update speed of a first party Hardware + Software solution.

Lot’s of manufacturers make promises about support, and few live up to those promises. Google has had a solid track record with support so far, we all remember the Nexus too, but this year represented two important milestones for the brand.

Judging a manufacturer by its claims, it’s refreshing when those claims are realized. Continue reading “Android 10 on the Google Pixel 3a – Living up to Promises and Expectations”

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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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