Let's Talk Tech
Monster specs!
The G2 is one of the first Android phones to rock the Qualcomm 800 processor here in the states. It’s also only the second Android handset to sport a camera with proper hardware optical image stabilization and a higher resolution sensor than the HTC One. This should be a recipe for camera phone success.
LG made some pretty bold claims with their ads, so let’s see if the LG G2 lives up to the hype!
Happy day for Nokia!
Kantar Worldpanel announced sales figures for the fiscal quarter ending October of 2013. Windows Phone has yet to break 5% here in the states, but we did almost double the number of Windows Phones sold here. The news in Europe is much more exciting for Microsoft fans. This same period last year, WP was floating around 4.8%, and moving into 2013 sales more than doubled with Microsoft cracking 10.2%.
Bolstered by some fantastic low end Nokia phones like the Lumia 520, Windows phone is rocking 11.9% in Great Britain, 12.5% in France, and 16% in Italy.
The news for Apple wasn’t quite as rosy. While sales are generally up fr the iPhone, they’re losing share in almost every major market. Down 6% in the USA, 3% in China, and 5% in Europe. The 5S is also unsurprisingly outselling the 5C more than three to one, it would seem that Apple is missing out on the hot smartphone growth sectors in the entry-level and mid-range.
Of course Android is continuing it’s domination in every major market tracked, but it’s nice seeing Microsoft step up as a potential competitor to the Android / iOS power struggle.
(via Kantar Worldpanel)
I guess you can have too much of a good thing. For Moto, this meant too many customers trying to take advantage of yesterday’s Moto X promo. People flocked to score a Moto X for $350 unlocked, and unfortunately Moto Maker just couldn’t handle the strain.
In a letter released last night Moto CEO Dennis Woodside issued a formal apology to all the customers who weren’t able to properly place their orders, and promised to correct the problem. They’ll be improving MotoMaker’s ability to handle large numbers of customers, and they’ll be doubling the number of phones that will be available for the promotion.
On Wednesday, December 4th at 9am Pacific time the Moto X will once again be on sale for $350 unlocked for the 16GB model on any network with any color combination. Mark your calendars. Apparently this is shaping up to be a popular sale.
Full Motorola apology letter after the jump.
I love rugged phones. There are a ton of smartphone gimmicks out there, but features like “drop resistant” and “waterproof” really light me up.
Quechua makes rugged outdoor activity clothes and gear, and now they’re moving into the world of consumer electronics. Working with Archos, they’re targeting the rough and tumble set. The Quechua phone will have a five inch screen (resolution to be announced) with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm quad-core, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of storage and a MicroSD card slot for expansion.
Not the most exciting specs to be sure, but it’ll be IP54 certified against water and drop damage. It will also sport a huge 3500mAh battery, which on these low power specs, should provide excellent run time. No LTE, but this looks like it’s following in the footsteps of other branded devices like Caterpillar’s licensed rugged phone.
Released for European markets, expect a price of €230 (about $310), and here’s to hoping Archos brings a similar design to the USA. This also reinforces how competitive the entry and mid level unlocked markets will be over next year.
Quechua Press Release (via Gadget Tech)
Motorola’s fresh spin on Android can now be yours for a very nice price!
If you’re shopping Cyber Monday deals, this is a pretty good one. How about $150 off a Moto X?
This brings Moto’s top handset in line with Nexus phones, and Moto is already rolling out KitKat. For the 16GB model, you can schnag one today only for $350. No contract, no financing. $350 and you own it outright.
Quantities will be limited, and the sale runs through today only, but for those lucky folks who can buy one at this price, you can pick one up for Sprint, Verizon, T-Mo, or AT&T. No carrier or color/customization restrictions. Go nuts! Sale starts at 8am Central time!
You folks buying phones this holiday season, will this price point tempt you to open your wallet? Are you considering a Motorola this year? Drop us a comment below!
There still aren’t a lot of rugged and water-proof cases built specifically for the iPhone 5S. Thankfully, the changes between the 5 and 5S aren’t so severe that you couldn’t use a 5 case on a 5S, but there will be a few compromises.
The Ballistic Hydra is ready to go! Let’s take a look at how someone might better protect their shiny, pretty iPhone from drop and water damage!
Shop for the Ballistic Hydra rugged case on Amazon.
More info on Ballistic cases at: http://www.goballisticcase.com/
Welcome to the party Moto G! You’re early and I like that!
We honestly weren’t expecting Moto’s entry level handset here in the states until next year. It was clear they had designs of offering up a world phone to raise the game for consumers in developing areas.
The specs for the price are kind of ridiculous. For $179 you’ll get a Qualcomm 400 quad-core, a 4.5″ 720p screen, and 8GB of storage. Market-busting specs, and it’s clear Moto is trying to shake up the low end.
There are two versions available from the site one optimized for the USA and one for “World” networks. Here in the states that means you’ll be able to jump on either AT&T or T-Mobile HSPA+, as the G doesn’t include LTE.
If you’ve been shopping a low-cost Android smartphone option, this would be at the top of my list. Phones should be shipping out early next month.
It’s that time!
Wrapping up the year, we’re going to take a look back at the year in smartphones. Unlike our Tablet Buying Guide, there are many aspects to shopping a phone. Instead of declaring a one-size-fits-all winner, we’re going to run down a list of individual features. We’ll hand out awards to the best of the best in categories like Camera, Speakers, and Battery Life.
If you’re shopping a phone this Holiday Season, we hope this will help you make a buying decision on those features which are most important to you!
Let’s get to it!
Continue reading “SomeGadgetGuy’s 2013 Smartphone Awards! The Best of the Best!”