April 2012
61 posts
Temp Leave of Absence
Dear readers,
For reasons beyond my control, I will stop blogging until May 7th.
Thanks for reading and I will continue to share tech news with all of you when I return.
Sincerely,
Mak_Tech
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Skydrive Updates →
I’m not sure how much more space we can or need to have in the cloud, but Microsoft has released a bunch of updates for it’s Skydrive cloud based storage service today. If you’re an existing user of the service, it maybe worth while to check and see if they’ve reduced your storage to 7GB and if you’re able to “Upgrade” back to 25GB for free because...
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Dropbox Public Link Update →
Either you, or someone you know uses the cloud storage service Dropbox. If you didn’t know that you could actually share files with people who aren’t on Dropbox, then this update is both educational for you. For those who have always known about the public links, this just makes it easier to share the files you want without moving them into the “Public” folder.
This is a...
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Craigslist Update? →
Craigslist maybe getting a facelift in the future. Hopefully it’ll just be as easy to use and still compatible on most web browsers. Please don’t make it chunky and take a bunch of bandwidth.
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Official Skype for Windows Phone →
Skype is out of beta for Windows Phone users. It’s about time considering MSFT bought Skype ages ago. Now if only WP had a decent chat client for other services…
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Samsung's Anagram →
What does it all mean?!
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Update to Fix GSM Galaxy Nexus Connectivity Issues →
When ICS 4.0.4 rolled out and was pushed to the Galaxy Nexus, some of the GSM handsets didn’t take to the update so well and decided to frustrate their owners with random disconnections etc. Google will now update once more to fix that problem.
LTE Rush →
Consumers seem to be caught up in the 4G and LTE marketing. Here’s the thing, 4G LTE is the way of the future but it’s still not quite ready for everyone to adopt. LTE phones are still not power efficient, service providers are still working out the kinks (intermittent service outages), and data caps are too low.
In 2013, all 4 major US carriers will have LTE (some fully deployed,...
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Galaxy Nexus Pre-Orders Sell Out [Sprint] →
Despite the new EVO 4G LTE announcement, it looks like a lot of people still want the vanilla Android experience and to be part of the “Nexus” group.
I have a feeling I’ll see a lot more Galaxy Nexus devices in the wild before the start of summer.
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Google Spring Cleaning →
Google is looking to clean up a bunch of their services. Check the source to see if you’ll be affected.
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Customer Preference: Thinner Phones > Battery Life... →
Seriously? Who did they poll? Hipsters with super skinny and circulation cutting jeans is my best guess.
Perhaps the survey was misleading and did not specify how thin is thin. All consumers would like a thin device with good battery life, and I think OEMs have the ability to make it happen - Droid Razr Maxx anyone?
What do you think?
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HTC One V Review →
Overall, a solid entry level device for a typical smartphone user. There’s definitely still an audience for sub 4” screen phones out there.
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HTC One S Review for T-Mobile →
T-Mobile’s new flagship device, GSII steps down.
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iPhone/Android Compatible "Pebble" BT Watch →
Similar to some BT enabled watches out there (for BlackBerry etc.), this soon to be available watch may actually be quite practical and useful for a majority of consumers who already own/rely on their smartphone for a variety of tasks.
In other words, this accessory might actually add value.
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Ikea & Home Entertainment →
Ikea already makes the furniture that you place your big shiny TV on top of/in. The TV might be included in the future (hopefully not too much assembly will be required).
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Carriers: 3G & 4G Speed Tests →
The good people over at PC World have been busy testing the 4 national networks in America. What they found may actually surprise you.
In short, T-Mobile generally offered the fastest down/upload speeds, while Sprint offered consistently poor/slow data speeds.
It’s interesting that the new “value” leaders in America can off their customers such a different experience (while...
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Intel's Ivy Bridge →
At least one initial review of an HP EliteBook running Intel’s new Ivy Bridge processor w/HD 4000 graphics think it’s a big step in the right direction.
In summary, the integrated graphics is a noticeable improvement from the HD 3000 (likely to improve over time with driver/software updates), and the processor itself is faster, uses less juice from the battery, and produces less...
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HTC Trophy Software Update [VZW] →
The one and only Windows Phone on Big Red finally gets an important software update that improves the user experience and performance. Most notably, it fixes the issue of the randomly disappearing keyboard. If you’ve got a Trophy, hook it up to your Zune or Windows Phone Connector software to get the update.
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Galaxy Nexus for Sprint - April 22nd →
Sprint & Google Wallet customers/fans can get excited about the Galaxy Nexus, which is available later this month, with a bonus of $50 of Google Wallet money.
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Apple Islands in Wal-Mart →
Not unlike Best Buy, Wal-Mart will soon have Apple “Islands” that properly display Apple products. Will Apple pay for extra security too?
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Nokia Lumia 900 Review →
If you’re still in the market for a new smartphone, read this review of the Lumia 900. Don’t let the “Windows” name scare you away, this is nothing like the Windows OS and the old Windows Mobile you maybe used to.
I agree with everything this author has to say about the device, OS, and ecosystem. There are some good comparisons too.
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Steve Jobs Movie →
Ashton Kutcher will cover Apple from 1971-2000 in the upcoming movie.
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Lumia 900 Sold Out [AT&T] →
The new Flagship Windows Phone is now reported to be sold-out at AT&T stores. Luckily, Amazon Wireless has your back.
For a phone with sales said to be, “exceeding expectations,” I am curious why I haven’t seen any on the streets yet.
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3D Oscillating Fans →
I’m still not 100% convinced these are 3D fans. I am, however, convinced that people are crazy to pay that much money for fans. Guess I just prefer fresh air or AC.
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RIM Could Have Gone A Different Direction... →
Turns out the other co-CEO, Jim Balsallie, who never really addressed the public, had a different idea about how to save RIM. It’s an idea that was eventually canned, but now may be revived (for the most part). Check the source for further details.
I actually think it would have been great for RIM to do, and it may not be too late.
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Sprint's LTE Network: End of iDEN →
By 2014, Sprint will have a lot more LTE coverage because they will pull the plug on all the Nextel (iDEN) towers and repurpose the spectrum for LTE.
Things are changing over on the yellow pin drop network.
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Nokia Lumia Connectivity Issues - Fixed →
3 days ahead of schedule and welcomed by those who own the device. You’ll need to connect your phone to a computer running the Zune or the Windows Phone connector software to perform the update.
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Paper for iPad - 1.5 Million Downloads in 2 Weeks →
This is an awesome free app for anyone who has a stylus or very good finger dexterity/control. There’s a ton of in-app purchases that must be made for you to completely unleash your inner artist, but for a majority of people, this is a very fun and useful tool for just jotting down ideas, notes etc.
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LG Viper 4G on Sprint →
This is Sprint’s first LTE device (who knows if the Galaxy Nexus LTE will launch before, after, or on the same day) that is budget and eco friendly. My reservations about the device (keeping in mind the price-point) are: Old/inefficient Android 2.3 OS and a smallish 1700 mAh battery.
LTE radios have not gotten that much more efficient over time and a device with such a large screen and an...
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Facebook Reveals the Information it Collects About... →
A lot of people don’t know that Facebook allows you to download an archive of all the information that is related to you. Recently they’ve made some more information available for you to download in the archived format.
Check it out and download the information if you’re interested.
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U.S. Government Sues Apple [E-Books] →
Developing…
The suit involves: Apple, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Penguin.
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T-Mobile HTC One S Launch Party - April 8th →
A great phone for those of you who want good battery life, performance, and cannot seem to see the difference between pentile and non-pentile screens.
All I know is, I’m not invited to this party.
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Car Infotainment Systems [Obsolete] →
Thinking about buying a new car with a navigation and “apps”? Read this article first.
Already have a car with an infotainment system? Do you agree with what the author has to say?
I think making those systems “mirror” my device (albeit simplified) is the best way to go. Obviously there’s a lot more to consider and implement, not to mention DOT and other...
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Tim Cook Will Open D10 →
Though this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone who follows All Things D, Tim Cook will be opening this year’s conference and I’m pretty sure a lot of people will be interested in what he has to say.
This is pretty much his first major public speaking event outside of the Apple Sphere after becoming CEO.
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4" iPhone Screen Mock-Ups →
I like how they used an iPhone on T-Mobile.
If Apple includes a larger screen on its next iPhone and retains the same pixel density, they could most certainly fit more icons/information on the screen - which would be pretty awesome.
But how about they include the option to add a 5th icon to the bottom dock by default? That’d be pretty helpful option for all current iPhones.
Check the...
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Bye Bye Dunn [BBUY] →
The CEO of Best Buy has resigned. Though we can (many already have) speculate as to why he has left the blue big box store, one thing is for sure: Best Buy will not survive much longer conducting business as they have in the past. Online retailers are offering much better deals and with smarter consumers, Best Buy’s already slim profit margins just cannot sustain them.
We now await to...
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Panasonic's Portable Battery - Wireless & 10,260... →
That’s a pretty awesome battery. Can we please get that kind of capacity worked into our mobile phones ASAP?
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T-Mobile: Bring On the Unlocked iPhones! →
T-Mobile wants everyone to know a few things about their network, especially for consumers who have or will unlock their iPhones from AT&T.
1. T-Mobile already has 1 million iPhone subscribers and does provide network information to let you use your iPhone on their network.
2. T-Mobile plans are much cheaper than the other carriers, especially if you bring your own phone (look for...
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Coffee Smart Cover [How To] →
Some guy was not happy with the way his smart cover was wearing after some period of use. He tried various methods to color the cover and what results is actually pretty nice [to me].
He’s got a bunch of photos, so check his site.
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Max Payne Coming to iOS & Android Soon! →
I haven’t played Max Payne for many many years. I might just have to buy this one and play it on the high resolution display of the new iPad.
iOS: April 12th
Android: April 26th
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Nokia Lumia 900 NY Times Square Launch Party →
Did people attend this event because they were excited about the phone or Nicki or being in a music video?
I’m concerned Nokia is spending wasting money on the wrong types of marketing and promotion.
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AT&T To Unlock iPhones on April 8th →
AT&T has a terrible track record of helping their customers unlock their devices. AT&T would love for you to pay those massive roaming fees when traveling abroad.
But now they’re going to update their [strict] unlock policy to include iPhones. Long story short, they’ll unlock your iPhone if your contract is over, you bought the phone full price (and have finished your...
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HTC w/Beats Audio: No More Free Earbuds →
HTC is going to stop providing “quality” earbuds with their new phones. Providing better earbuds probably reduced their profit margins and perhaps most consumers didn’t use/like them.
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Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4 ICS Update Woes? →
Some users have reported connectivity issues after the update. Are you experiencing problems?
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The Making of the HTC EVO 4G LTE →
Manufacturing techniques have really advanced in the last decade!
