Samsung Galaxy Note: The Review

Samsung Galaxy Note is an addition to the Samsung Galaxy Phone’s family. Note is an android 2.3.5 (gingerbread) phone, which showcases the S Memo application. The S Memo has the capability to help a user draw notes as well as drawings and store them in the phone’s memory. You can also use it to add extra graphics to a picture with the digital pen that comes with the smart phone. 

An extra feature which is contemporary with the IPHONE is the capability of the galaxy phone to take screen shots. This should have struck the android smart phone makers before. But it is better late than never.

Apart from this the hardware configuration of Samsung Galaxy Note is truly outstanding. It comes with a 1.4 GHz dual core processor and can be purchased in two variants; one with 16GB internal storage and the other with 32GB. The primary camera has a resolution of 8MP (becoming a common feature of all the late 2011 smart phones) and is capable of taking HD pictures and recording HD videos at 1080 pixels.

The Note has got a gigantic 5.3” screen which supports high definition video play back and is multi-touch screen. You can’t distrust Samsung phone’s display now after the value that Galaxy S II created. The digital pen or stylus is a re-inclusion and works fine.  I just hope that the new galaxy phone doesn’t compete with 

Samsung Android Tablets!

In all the Samsung Smartphone reviews,  I have talked positive about the new gen mobile phones and Note is by far not away from the same streak.

It is by far the best 4G LTE 700 Samsung smart phone which endows the capabilities of both, a phone as well as a tablet. Indeed, it requires a big pocket to carry it on move.

Samsung Galaxy Note is not made for everyone but the lot which has a serious affection towards new technologies!

Samsung Galaxy Note Price: around $650.

Overview of Galaxy Note’s specifications:

OS	Android version 2.3.5 (gingerbread)
Network	2G, 3G, 4G (LTE 700)
Connectivity	WiFi, Bluetooth
Interface	USB, 3.5 mm music port
Internal Memory	16GB/32GB
Expandable Memory	32GB
RAM	1GB
Processor	1.4GHz dual core
Primary Camera	8 MP, supports HD video recording @ 1080 pixels
Secondary Camera	2 MP for video calls

GG’s Gadget Rating: ****1/2 stars

Posted on 12:10 AM / 0 comments / Read More

THRIVE: The Toshiba Tablet Review

Toshiba Thrive is yet another android 3.0 tablet. The Toshiba Tablet has no such feature which is going to enthrall you except the solid make (Toshiba’s x-factor). What the makers had in mind was providing Thrive’s users with a beautiful “HD theatre in hand” experience. Hence they came up with a 1280 by 800 pixels resolution 10.1” screen to enjoy beautiful video experience. What’s more? Nothing as such! The same honeycomb molded into a Toshiba Honeycomb tablet and all the regular features which you are now so conversant with. 

As mentioned before, the uniqueness of this Toshiba android tablet is only its packaging. A high resolution screen and a superbly heavy body as compared to other tablets (why did they decide on this although the news of all the 7 inched tablets ruling the markets is out?) makes it a good gaming and movie watching device. But the founders (is it right to call them as founders?) forgot to equip the Toshiba thrive with good speakers? Forgot, or probably cursed it with a pair of speakers having ancient sound quality. What a waste!!

The HDMI port and wireless capability (‘mirroring’ is the common term they use nowadays) to rig the android tablet Toshiba with an HD television, can make you enjoy your videos on big screen televisions.

Thrive comes in three forms: 8GB, 16GB and 32GB with a 1GHz dual core processor and 1GB Ram. This is a nice configuration but nothing new!

It flaunts two cameras; the front 2MP for video chats/calls and the 5MP primary camera with decent quality.

The sources of getting connected with the outer world are merely WiFi and Bluetooth as this Toshiba tablet lacks support for 3G.

The android Toshiba tablet price is around $450 which does not suffice its quality. Why should anyone go for it if there is a huge availability of cheap and portable tablets in market like Nook and Kindle?

If you are a gamer, thrive won’t disappoint you but if you want a tablet which could help you in many other ways, think before you take the $450 leap.

Toshiba Thrive Specifications

OS	Android 3.0
Connectivity	WiFi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0, mini USB 2.0
Screen	1280 by 800 pixels HD
RAM	1GB
Processor	1GHz Tegra 2 dual core
Internal Memory	8GB, 16GB, 32GB
External Memory	Up to 32GB
Primary Camera	5MP
Secondary Camera	2MP

GG’s Gadget Rating: **1/2 stars

Posted on 10:50 PM / 0 comments / Read More

PANTECH POCKET: The Review

Pantech has been around with its numerous easy to purchase devices. We haven’t heard a lot about a pantech phone though! So hoping that Pantech Pocket changes the trend and gives GG more opportunity to look forward and publish more of pantech phone reviews, let us start diagnosing the new offering from pantech mobile phone department.

Pantech Pocket has lots of specialties which come as a nice surprise for all the smart phone buyers. The best out of the many eye catching features that the phone has is its price. Priced at the cheapest $50 amongst all the smart phones available in the market, Pantech Pocket offers you with everything that you might have desired from a smart phone.

Probably it can be ranked as one of the smallest smart phones with its length being just about 4.4 inches but don’t get carried away because it offers a decent screen size of 4” because of the slight square like make.

Pros of owning a Pantech Pocket:

1. Don’t demean its capacity to connect you with the outer world just because it costs less. The pantech phone supports an HSPA+ and 4G, giving you high speed internet connectivity anytime you desire.
2. The 5 MP camera (common among all the smart phones nowadays) works pretty fine while taking pictures. It can also take pictures in HD resolution (720 pixels)
3. It glorifies the Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) OS. Gingerbread is a complete android version in its own specific way.
4. The screen resolution cannot be compared to a HD device but 600 by 800 pixel ratio is not a bad offering.
5. One thing which I personally recommend every user going for this pantech phone is the custom UI setting. It is brilliantly designed and makes the phone easier to use with the keyboard representation.
6.  The internal memory is not flaunt-able during the era when phones are coming with huge amount of it. Pantech pocket has 600 Mb of internal storage, which seems to be less but don’t you forget the price at which you are purchasing the device. The expandable memory is up to 32 GB which is common for all the smart phones.
7. The processor speed is competitive, 1GHz, single core.
8. The battery life is decent and probably will seem to be better than others if you aren’t using 4G data connection.

Cons of owning a Pantech Pocket

1. Absence of front camera takes you away from making any video calls. Hope they added a $20 more to provide us with this functionality, we wouldn’t have been hurt!
2. The call quality is really poor. This should be improved otherwise the pantech phone would be knocked out from the market because of not having the minimum requirement of a phone!

Other than these, I found Pantech pocket to be a decent smart phone with little but major flaws.

An overview of Pantech Pocket’s Specs

OS	Android 2.3
Network	2G, 3G, 4G
Connectivity	GPRS, EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth
Display	Multi Touch Screen with 600 by 800 pixel aspect ratio
Interface	USB 2.0 Micro USB
Internal Memory	600 MB
Expandable Memory	32 GB (comes with a 2GB card)
Camera	Primary: 5MP (can record videos at HD) Secondary: NO

GG’s Gadget Rating: *** stars (because of its cheap price)

Posted on 7:50 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Samsung, Sony & HTC Phones that will receive Android 4.0 Update

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich has been the biggest show stopper of all the technology trends around and also GG’s posts. We have been discussing about it several of other posts but now we will list down the most important detail. Which phones are going to receive an Ice Cream Sandwich update? The list of phones is made out of the official proclaim by those device makers and may be in coming months we are going to hear of many more phones eager to equip their users with the 4.0 capabilities.

The Samsung Android Phones which will receive this update:

Samsung Nexus S

The Nexus S, globally known as Nexus S 4G will be receiving an Android 4.0 update. This news was confirmed by Google! Wait to watch your phone display some wonderful ice cream sandwich features.

Samsung Galaxy S II

This shouldn’t be news at all for a Galaxy S II owner. The Android phone has ruled the users with its fantastic capabilities and will keep on ruling with the new 4.0 update for it. 2012 brings the update for all S II users.

Samsung Infuse 4G

Get upgraded from the problematic Android 2.3 to 4.0. Hopefully Infuse won’t face any problems with the Ice Cream Sandwich OS.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

A phone with default Ice Cream Sandwich!

Samsung Galaxy SCaptivate

The QWERTY endowed classy device will have its update in a few months to go.

Samsung Droid Charge

The Samsung’s Android version 2.3 based 4G LTE mobile will also get an update to rock and roll with the new 4.0.

Sony Ericsson phones to get an Android 4.0 update:

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

The 4G phone, fully equipped with all that what a gamer expects is ready to receive the new android update.

HTC phones to receive an Android 4.0 update:

HTC Amaze 4G

Android 4.0 is confirmed for the Amaze 4G and it shouldn’t be surprising at all as we expected this after all. A phone with such great caliber does deserve anything that can make it better and probably the best down the lane.

HTC EVO 4G

News for this is not confirmed but there are decent rumors that HTC will upgrade EVO from 2.3 to 4.0 android. Keep your fingers crossed. The same is from HTC’s Droid Incredible, Droid Incredible 2, ThunderBolt, Inspire 4G and G2.

HTC EVO 3D

The better version of EVO 4G will definitely feast on an ice cream sandwich update.

HTC Sensation 4G

Android 4.0 updates will surely be available for this Gingerbread based mobile.

There is a bad news for the HTC’s iconic Nexus One users. According to Google, there will be no update for it.

Posted on 6:21 AM / 0 comments / Read More

TOP ANDROID APPS TO MAKE THINGS EASY!!

Developing android apps has become the biggest source of enthusiasm for all the coders around. The android apps store has taken the users by surprise due to the huge availability of free android applications.

Considering the trend, let us try to list the most useful applications which can make life a little easier if not much!

Locale 

Locale is an intelligent piece of software linked with Google Maps. It can automatically change your profile settings including the ringing options and call receiving options based on your geographic location. So, now there is no need of remembering your mobile phone’s ringer before entering a meeting. It is available for free in the android market.

Google Maps 

 It has been the most used app on my droid 2 at least. For people like me, who keep on forgetting directions and then too are great roamers, this GPS based map service is the best. You can update your geographical location and share it with your friends who are using Google Latitude. Get directions, spot your location and get traffic view of the streets which could be the best to achieve your destination. It is free and comes pre-installed with all the android phones and tablets.

Shazam 

Are you crazy about music, to the extent that you need to know everything about a music piece which hits your ear drums? Shazam will be the best app to suppress the anxiety you feel when you don’t recognize a track. Switch it on your android device and place the device near the source of music and wait for Shazam to provide you with all the details on the music. It is priced at $2.29 which is not a big amount when compared to the task it can perform.

WikiDroid 

This is something which has become a need of every single human around. How many times in a day do you trace the instance of something you read in Wikipedia? If you remember, you will understand what I am talking about here. Wikidroid gives you quick access to Wikipedia through your smart phone. So, all the information is there at your finger tips. And it is free!

Pandora Internet Radio 

Are you bored of the music collection on your android? Then download this free internet radio app and transform your android into a streaming radio receiver. The best part is that Pandora streams well even in the presence of week signals.

Wait for more to come!!!!

Posted on 10:43 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Top 10 IPHONE 4 Cases: Get Amazed

“If you don’t have an IPHONE, you don’t have an IPHONE!” And, “If you don’t have an IPHONE case, you just have an IPHONE.”

This won’t sound as a biased statement, bent towards the IPHONE cases, once you go through the top 10 IPHONE 4 cases and realize that they are not the regular designer IPHONE cases. If you are an Apple fan, you won’t be able to keep yourself away from these. 

Not wasting a single second let us discuss the IPHONE cases for IPHONE 4. 

  Pico Genie A 100

The case which gives your phone the capability of portable projection. It is a light weight case which can be used by iphone 4s to project the videos or pictures on a wall. Priced at around $400, it seems to be a nice buy. 

Case Mate Barely There
 

The Case Mate Iphone 4 case named as case mate barely there provides a protective casing for iphone 4 with the help of its rubber body. Out of all the custom iphone cases, the case is the best save only casing. Priced at a cheap $20, it also gives the smart phone a beautiful look. 

Incipio Feather

The lightest and slimmest case in market. It is more of a designer case than a protective one, though it can save the 4S from light damages. It is priced at around $75.

Michael Kors Wallet Clutch
 

The Michael Kors Wallet Clutch iphone 4 case is exclusively for the fashion struck population. It is nice to look at but I am not sure about how it will portray your personality! The wallet clutch for iphone is priced at around $110.

Incipio Destroyer Ultra

It is the iphone 4 hard case. The incipo destroyer is made up of plastic and rubber and good enough to hold the phone through various strains and shocks. Priced at a around $100, it can be a decent selection to protect the phone’s body.

Griffin Adidas MiCoach armband
 

It is the best designed iphone 4 arm band. The Adidas MiCoach Armband is a trendy, young generation iphone case. It has an upper slit which allows user to connect the headphones with 4S and a small packet in the arm band can be used to keep the keys. By far the best accessory priced at a decent $40.

Mophie Juice Pack Air

 The Mophie Juice Pack Air has a portable battery which can act as an ad-hoc battery for iphone 4, increasing the battery life and your stay away from a charging bay! It is priced at around $175.

Boxwave Keyboard Buddy Case
 

The Boxwave keyboard buddy case includes a Bluetooth keyboard which can be charged using USB port. So, now you can have access to a QWERTY keypad with your iphone 4 at a meager $85.

Amphibian Iphone Case
 

It is a water proof casing for iphone 4 and hence the name. A little towards high range when pricing is considered; $60 seems to be expensive with the offerings.

Element Case Vapor Pro
 

The case is made up of solid aluminum at par with the one used for aircraft making. It can protect the iphone under any cases of mishandling. It is priced at around $120 and suffices its cost.

Posted on 4:16 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich): The Review

Advancement and technology have been a prototype of Google Android OS. The android tablets and android phones have kept on amazing us with their UI, android apps, new OS updates and many other features. More than the developers, the users are excited about the 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android. The GalaxyNexus has come up with what we have been waiting for: The Android 4.0 OS.

Ice Cream Sandwich is the most relevant update of android since its birth and it portrays substantial changes in the mobile platform. 4.0 is made for a better user experience and ease. Don’t confuse it with a regular update that we used to have as it will require some amount of R&D to get acquainted.

Look and Feel

When we talk about android, we can’t restrict ourselves from talking about the look. Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade comes with a fresh new look and probably the best amongst all the versions. Due to the use of the high resolution font, Roboto, it becomes easier to read the texts. Roboto is a font which is chiefly developed for high definition reading. The OS avoids any usage of hardware button combinations to achieve navigation from home and back to some other page. It has all these markups in the OS and all the buttons are placed in the OS itself. Hence the Galaxy Nexus doesn’t sport any buttons and has a complete button less panel. An issue which can trigger rage in some users is the existence of unnamed applications. If public demand prevails, it can be restructured in the next 4.0 versions.

Feature Specs

The Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade has lots of additional features apart from its looks to feast upon:

Recent Apps: The Recent Apps button helps you to maneuver over the last 15 applications used.  Click on it to go through the 15 application pop up window.

Resizing widgets option:  This is one nicer feature which helps users to resize the screen appearance of a widget by holding and dragging the corners of widgets to resize them.

Redesigning the major Applications: Gmail has a new look which is similar to the pc version. It is easier to upload photos and file attachments. The Calendar has a better look and it is possible to view the shared calendars too. GTALK has better UI and can help you sign in with multiple ids. The photo editing options have been increased. The new people application has number of extra features which can help you keep track of your friends through social networking clients.

Face Recognition: I have talked about this feature before too. But anyways, let me brief here. It helps your phone to automatically unlock after recognizing your face through the frontal camera.

Android Beam: Again a topic previously talked about. Android beam helps android phones to share multimedia and applications just by tapping each other.

Android 4.0 is still under the development phase with small glitches but these will not spoil your experience with it. Take my words; it will be the best android you have ever used.

GG’s OS Rating: **** stars.

Posted on 12:06 AM / 0 comments / Read More

SAMSUNG STRATOSPHERE: The Review

All the Verizon’s 4G LTE phones like Droid Bionic and HTC ThunderBolt had a special specification missing from it; a QWERTY keypad. Samsung brought that into existence, Samsung Stratosphere, the 4g LTE Samsung phone.  We have discussed about the horizontal slide out keyboard offered by Samsung mobile in their Captive Glide. Stratosphere flaunts the same kind of keyboard slide out. This structure is specifically for the people who are really comfortable with keyboards than the touch pads.

Samsung’s mobile designs are unquestionable. Stratosphere appears the same as most of the previous releases by the mobile makers.

The 1.3 MP frontal camera facilitates a decent video chat and the touch sensitive buttons at the bottom can remind you of all the droids. Primary camera is of 5 MP and stratosphere holds upon a 1GHz single core processor. The Android 2.3 device has a 512 MB Ram.

Samsung Stratosphere Price: around $150.

A quick summary of all Samsung Stratosphere’s Specification:

Display	480 by 800 pixels
OS	Android 2.3
Processor	1 GHz single core Samsung Cortex
Internal Memory	2.2 GB
Expandable Memory	Up to 32 GB
Network Support	2G, 3G, 4G LTE
Connectivity	Bluetooth, WiFi, GPRS
Interfaces	Mini USB, 3.5 mm audio jack
Primary Camera	5 MP with LED flash
Secondary Camera	1.3 MP

Stratosphere is a nice offering by Samsung and Verizon.

Wait for Samsung,s Nexus to hit the market!

GG’s Rating: *** ½ stars

Posted on 10:32 AM / 0 comments / Read More