Battle of the Smart TV

Infinitec vs Equiso: Battle of the Smart TV

For a while now, I've been looking into getting a home PC.  You can read about another option I looked into, in my post called To PC or Not To PC.  I was looking for something small, compact and one that won't take up too much room.  A nice feature would be to be able to use my existing 47" TV as the monitor.  Well, I found two options new. Infinitec Pocket TV and Equiso Smart TV.

As evident from most of the posts in my blog, especially I'm Not A Hater, I'm an Android guy.  What this device does is it turns your TV into an Android device, and all its glory.  It runs Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, and they both say they will continue to update the operating system as new versions come out, such as Jelly Bean 4.1.  This is the best part for me.  If this is something that I want for my home, I'd want my kids to be able to use it.  Since every device we have right now is Android based, my kids already know how to navigate the different versions, from Gingerbread 2.3 on the cell phones, to Honeycomb 3.0 on my wife's Dell Streak 7 tablet, to Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 on my Motorola Xoom.  As useful as learning a Windows based operating system will be in the long run for my kids, they don't need it now.  They'll start learning computers in school soon enough.  Let them enjoy what they already know at home.

Infinitec Pocket TV

Equiso Smart TV

So, which one should I get? Infinitec or Equiso?  The actual devices are small, about the size of a big USB flash drive. They connect to any TV with an HDMI port, and assuming your TV doesn't have the ability to provide power through that port (MHL for all of you looking for tech specifics), a MicroUSB cable and power adapter are provided.   From a hardware standpoint, they are almost identical, aside from a slightly older processor in the Equiso.  But from the Equiso Kickstarter comments, the older processor will actually be faster and not get as hot. Infinitec has 4GB of internal storage, while the Equiso has 8GB, for storing movies, TV shows, pictures, etc.  Both have WiFi and Bluetooth available.

Infinitec IR Remote & Air Remote

Then we get to the Remote/Keyboard.  The Infinitec gives you two remote options.  The standard IR Remote controls your TV with up/down/side arrows and several of buttons. Not much in terms of interaction,  For an additional cost, you can get the Air Remote.  This gives you a full QWERTY keyboard with a gyroscopic sensor for a full interactive experience, so you can move the remote like you would a Wii or PS3 controller. It is also pretty compact, with small, tightly squeezing the buttons into the space. 

Two Sides of the Equiso Remote

The Equiso ships with one option, a two sided controller, that combines the Infinitec's IR Remote and Air Remote into one. One one side is the arrow keys, home, back and a few other buttons.  Flipping the remote over gives you a fuller, more expanded QWERTY keyboard, that looks easier to hold.  It also has the gyroscopic sensor so acts like a Wii controller as well.  It senses which side is up so you can't hit a key on the bottom side accidentally while holding it. This would definitely be my choice.

Now to the price tags.  Both are Kickstarter projects.  The Infinitec was funded on July 10th, overshooting its pledge goal by more than of $400,000, so they don't need my money.  The $119 pledge option is sold out, but you can still get the Pocket TV and Air Remote for a pledge of $135, and a choice of colors from black, White or red.  I wouldn't recommend anything less, because the smaller pledges come with the IR remote only, which is pretty much useless. Equiso is still short of its goal, with the project looking to be funded by July 28th.  With a pledge of $99, you can get the Smart TV Pro (1GB RAM instead of Original which only has 512MB RAM), with the double sided remote.  If I wanted to spend what I'd have to spend on the Infinitec, I could get TWO of the Equiso's.  

Equiso Smart TV

Either way, Smart TV's are the next wave (Not Google Wave. That was a complete flop, but I digress.) of home entertainment and technology, and this is a much more economical way of getting it, rather than buying a new TV with the Smart technology included.  So this just became an easier choice.  I hope you all agree.  If not, let me know what you think in the comments below.

Personally, I'm going for the Equiso Smart TV.  I'll write a full review once I get my hands on it.  Estimated deliver is October 2012.  I'm not sure I can really wait that long, but I guess I don't have much of a choice now, do I...

- Yak

UPDATE: When I wrote this post at the end of last week, Equiso was still about $15,000 short of its goal.  It has since surpassed the $100K mark, with just over $120K and it is still climbing.  Lets keep it going.

Wrapped Around My Little Finger

Recently, I've been on a posting kick about devices that will keep your screen clean, or help you move away from typical input options, like keyboards and mice.  There are many out there, and I'm just scratching the surface. 

One device I came across allows you to integrate different methods of input with a multitude of platforms.  It gives you added functionality mostly with touchscreen devices and is called Ringbow. This accessory is a small ring to be used by your thumb in conjunction with your forefinger for touch, to let you scroll, click and even right-click. The Ringbow has a scrolling navigator with 9 control directions, and comes in 5 different colors. A lot of their product pitch is about the increased gaming capabilities and functionalites. It does give you the multi-touch option that most touch screen devices do not.

I'm not much of a gamer, and I'd use this more for its non-gaming functionality, but this all brings the mouse-type usability to touch screen devices running Android and iOS, as well as any bluetooth enabled device. This does seem like it would work best with a tablet, touch-screen computer, or gaming console. Most people, myself included, do not use two hands for a touch screen phone, so using the Ringbow with a smartphone doesn't seem optimal.

They are currently on Kickstarter trying to raise $100,000 fund this project, with many different funding amount options available. If you back them with at least $45, you can be among the first to get a Ringbow on your finger. Also, nothing wrong with backing an Israeli company. They usually are among the leaders in technology innovations.

I saw this first on Mashable.

- Yak

Leaps and Bounds

While doing research for another post To PC or Not To PC, I came across this amazing product.  We're all familiar with gaming systems like Playstation Move, Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect that track your movements using cameras to project light on a subject and determine the depth for distance, or sensors in the wand controllers for the Playstation and Wii.

Leap Motion, above a keyboard

But this product, Leap Motion, tracks the movements of your hands and fingers at a closer range, so you can draw, type, click or sling an Angry Bird without actually touching anything.  It would sit in front of your keyboard and allow you to do the same motions you normally would with a laptop, desktop or even a tablet, all while keeping your fingers clean.

It is a small device that creates an 8 cubic ft 3D space to interact, and even lets you use handheld items, like a pen.  You can swipe up and down websites or documents, pinch to zoom like on a tablet or other touchscreen device, or even sign on the dotted line in the air.  The possibilities are endless. It works with Windows and Mac.

The pricepoint of $70 is pretty good, and would be around the price of a good gaming mouse or wireless keyboard. They should start shipping in December 2012 or January 2013, a great holiday present. I think I'm putting this on my wish list for the Holiday Armadillo.

Check out the really cool introductory video of this revolutionary product on their homepage here: leapmotion.com

- Yak

To PC or Not To PC...

...That is the question I've been struggling with for a while.  I don't like being tethered to a single spot in my house, but sometimes I need a little more functionality than any tablet can provide.  I've always been a fan of laptops over desktops as a personal computer.  I like the flexibility a laptop gives you, being able to go from room to room, from table, to couch, to floor.  If nothing else, it is not nearly as cluttering.

 

Even when we used to have a computer desk at home, we had a docking station set up, with an LCD flat panel monitor, a wireless keyboard and mouse, so we could take the laptop out whenever we wanted to.  At work I have the same setup, so I can disconnect my laptop at a moment's notice, if need be.

I don't consider myself extremely lazy, but I sit at a desk all day hunched over a keyboard.  Now, instead of dedicating a spot in my house for a computer desk, if I could find a way to have a setup with my TV as the monitor, so that I could relax on my recliner and still do what I need to on a personal computer, with a wireless keyboard and mouse, that would be great.  I'm limited in space in the corner of my den where the TV is, so if there was a computer that was small enough to fit in that spot, without adding to the clutter, I won't have to hear about it all the time.

Recently Raspberry Pi came out as a really small $35 computer.  It just looks like a computer motherboard, with no case and it is a little bigger than a credit card, but it runs Linux.  While it comes with most input ports that people need, like 2x USB ports, Ethernet network connection, and HDMI, the yellow RCA plug isn't compatible with most monitors.

VIA Technologies APC 8750

Enter VIA Technologies APC 8750.  Like the Raspberry Pi, it is inexpensive at $49, and small, but unlike the Pi, it is faster, has more memory, 2 more USB ports, and 2GB of on board storage, with a microUSB slot for cards up to 32GB.  Best of all (for me at least), it runs Android Gingerbread 2.3.  It would be nicer if it ran Andriod Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, but I won't be greedy.  I'm not sure what they are referring to, but apparently, only non-market, 3rd party apps can be installed, and it cannot access the apps from Google Play.  Hopefully I can side-load the apps I'd want on it from a USB card.

I think it might be time for me to collect all the peripherals I've lent out to friends and family so I can get this set up.  Pre-orders start to ship in July.

Sorry if I got a bit (get it?) too techie in this post.  I guess I just got a little excited and carried away.  Am I the only one who thinks this is cool?  I hope not... 

- Yak

Sealed with a ...WHAT??

OK, this I don't really get. Yesterday I posted about securing your USB flash drive with new technology. Today, I found some new old technology that goes back to the days of Mesopotamia. This ancient technology is the apparently timeless wax seal.  A company called Herberg designed the "Top Secret USB" (great name by the way). It is a USB flash drive with a cover that uses hot wax to seal the cover to the base, to ensure that your data hasn't been tampered with. Unfortunately, it doesn't secure the contents in any way.

Top Secret USB

This is definitely not a recommendation to buy this device.  I don't understand the concept.  Most people looking to secure a device are really looking to secure the CONTENTS of said device.  It is all nice and pretty to seal your flash drive with wax and a signet ring, for aesthetic purposes, but there is no real security here.  I can deal with the limitations of the size of the storage, currently only selling as 2GB, 4GB and 8GB drives, but why couldn't I do the same thing with any other generic flash drive that comes with its own cover?  Maybe because this comes in different colors?  Or maybe because you can choose your own letter to put on the seal? Yeah, that must be it. 

I found this story originally on Gizmodo this morning, and couldn't resist sharing my confusion after my post yesterday about real, functional security.  Hope I don't lose readers because of this...

- Yak

Open Sesame!

Voice Activated USB Flash Drive

I know this won't solve my need for a high capacity backup drive, but this next gen technology is pretty cool. I am constantly using USB flash drives. Whether it is for a quick file I need to save, or some pictures I need transferred between devices, I pull the microUSB out of my phone, and hope I have my adapters with me.

I'm sure this isn't the first of its kind, but its the first one I've seen and it is at a pretty reasonable price for its feature set. It is a voice activated USB flash drive. Right now it comes as an 8GB drive, so it should be able to hold plenty of files and documents.

I've used flash drives secured with passwords before, but this concept seems to be quicker and more secure. I'm not going to go into the technical details of how it works, how it recognizes the frequencies of the owner's voice, just thought I'd share something I thought was cool and useful.

UPDATE: I just found a post on Mashable that took a more pessimistic view on this device.

See below:



- Yak

Living In The Clouds

For a while now, I've been looking for a device to manage and safely store all my media. I have five laptops, three of which I don't use, but can't seem to get rid of, mostly because I think I need something on them all, even though they barely work.  With every successive one I purchase, I copy over my important files, pictures, videos and music from the old computer, and then just phase out its use.  I still have my Compaq, now branded HP, that I used 10 years ago in YU.  I haven't even powered it on in the past 6 years, but I can't seem to part with it. 

That being said, every digital picture and video I've taken over the past 7 years is on one of two that still work.  And while we've printed them out and put many of them in albums, I don't plan on deleting them. This way, the collages, albums and videos we plan on making down the road will be easier to deal with.  It also stores all of my music that I spent hours burning from my 100+ cd's.  Google Play Music  has made that part easier to handle now that I've uploaded all of it to that library.

But I have yet to find a reliable "cloud" service for the rest of my media and documents.  Dropbox is great for sharing, but 2.75GB is not nearly enough storage, and I don't want to pay a monthly fee.  I recently signed up for box.com from my Android, and received 50GB free, but the Max file size is 100MB, another limitation of a free account. I got in with the Amazon Cloud Drive when it started and got 20GB for free, but I haven't really used it.  Amazon MP3, also available at Google Play, integrates with the Cloud Drive, but only for music.  So, I have upwards of 72.75GB that I've barely used out of restrictions or interest. 



GoFlex Satellite



In truth, I've been looking at external hard drives for the past few months, but haven't really decided on one, be it because of size or cost.  But I came across one this morning that integrates all of my mobile (smartphones and tables) and semi-mobile (laptops) devices.  And that is the Seagate GoFlex Satellite.  Currently only available with a capacity of 500GB (more than I'll probably ever need), this hard drive connects to your computer, PC or Mac, using USB 3.0.  You can then access all of your media files from up to 3 mobile devices at a time, using the free apps for both Android and iPhone via a WiFi connection, with a range of up to 150 feet.  They do note in their FAQ's that at this time, you can only stream or access files from the GoFlex drive to a mobile device and not the reverse.  The hope to be able to implement such features as/if they become available.  If you want to load files from your mobile device to the GoFlex, you will need to use your computer as a pass-through.

It is pretty light at 1.1lbs, so it won't weigh you down when you're on the go.

And in fairness to other external hard drive, this is more of a media manager than a backup drive, but isn't that what most of us would use an external hard drive for anyways?  What other reason do you save files, pictures, video and music for if not to access them at a later time?  This device seems like it is the perfect fit for my needs.

Kingston makes a similar product called the Wi-Drive, but they are currently only available in 16GB, 32GB or 64GB variations.

Amazon has this now for $173, (was $165 when I started writing this) and with Prime membership you can get free two day shipping, or $3.99 next day:

Seagate GoFlex Satellite Mobile Wireless Storage 500 GB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive STBF500101 Black

I hope to purchase this in the near future, so if anyone has a better option for me as a mobile-enabled backup drive, please leave a comment below.

- Yak

Great Scott!! They've Done It!!

Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Huh? Think, Mattel, think. And so they did. Finally.

I'm going to file this one as my first "want" blog post.  I'm sure I'll never see it, but man, that would be awesome.  I just stumbled upon an article detailing the release of a replica Hoverboard used in the movie Back to the Future, by Mattel.  Even thought it won't be released until 2015, and will only be produced in a "minimum orders required" style, meaning it will be really expensive, it is still pretty cool.  Pre-order sale will take place in March.

The only thing is that is doesn't actually "hover".  It glides over most surfaces except water.  I'll still take a Glideboard any day.  I'm not going to go into much detail here because I'm sure I'll never actually see it first hand and most of you won't either.  If you want to read more, you can check out the full article here.

I'm Not a Hater

Really, I'm not.

For all of those out there (CB, that's you) that think I'm an iStuff hater, this one is for you.  I've been around the iEquipment for a while, with some of my own personal experience to know that I just don't like it.  I see what their goal is and they've obviously done an amazing job marketing, branding and delivering their product, and they definitely don't need me to applaud their efforts.  Numbers don't lie.

If you're looking for nice, crisp, sparkly and easy to use devices, then look no further than the iProduct line.  They've simplified audio and video media for the consumer.  On a professional level, design and artwork "just look better on a Mac", even though most design software is available on the PC platform as well. 

And I've worn both hats, consumer and professional.  Way back when, before Android really had a solid product, I had an iPod. Two actually. I've had the iPod Classic 80GB and then upgraded to the iPod Touch, 1st Generation.  The iPod classic was great for storing and playing my music, over 1000 songs at the time.  It didn't do much else, not that I needed it to.  It got me to and from work on the bus or subway, in relative serenity.  Then I got my iPod Touch.  Not only did it play my music like the Classic, but it had apps, games, and video.  My favorite app was the light saber app that made the cool "vvwwoosh" sound when you turned it on.  Since that model iTouch didn't have speakers, I could only hear the sound when I had headphones plugged in.  Not very cool swinging an imaginary light saber that was tethered to your ears, but I digress.

The video was the best part of the iTouch.  I was able to watch previously downloaded movies and TV shows, transferred over from my computer.  The screen was clear and the video was nice.  But that's about all I liked.  I didn't like the fact that there is no choices for configurations, on the display level or the backend, making it feel like it was my own.  It was very cookie-cutter. 

That's what Apple has done with the iPhone.  They've made a product that is very user friendly, for all users.  They made a one size fits all product, and to paraphrase a friend, you have to be "all".  Hardware specs are whatever Apple decides to put into it, whether it be the camera, the processor or the Network.  For a while it was only available on AT&T, and last year it became available on Verizon, but only at 3G speeds.  Rumors that the heralded 4S would have 4G speeds were quashed when alas, the 4S came out with not many more improvements over the 4 model, other than the personal assistant, Siri.  And if you weren't happy with that, you could wait another year for the next model to come out, but there is no guarantee that that one will have 4G either, or any other desired hardware improvments.

Apple keeps people interested and intrigued by what they'll do next, but you're limited by their decisions.  There is 1 iPhone, take it or leave it.

One of the things I like best about Android is that it is just an operating system.  It is not limited to hardware choices made by a single manufacturer.  Because so many companies have access to Andorid OS, and so many manufacturers can develop devices that are in demand, the consumer isn't limited to one choice.  When choosing my latest phone, I had over 10 different 4G options to pick from, from a number of manufacturers.  Coming from the HTC Incredible, I could stick with what I knew, and go with the HTC Thuderbolt, check out the latest Android 4.0 on the Galaxy Nexus or find one with the specs that worked best for me.  I looked at the hardware specs on those options and made my decision based on my own personal needs and wants, not what decision was made for me.  Obviously, there is no made-to-order phone.  I couldn't pick and and choose the specs I wanted and have that one made for me (which would've been awesome, someone should look into that), but I am very happy with my choice.

That being said, I understand that the iPhone is very user friendly, making things intuitive and easy to use for the consumer.  I don't mean this as a slight, but studies have shown that many iPhone users are non-technical and they don't care how things get from point A to point B, just that it gets there.  Android users are shown to be more technical, sometimes trying to figure out a better way to get to point B.

I even went so far as to offer the iPhone 4S to my wife for her recent upgrade, but one of her biggest demands was a physical keyboard, like on the Droid 4, something the iPhone doesn't offer, and never will.

So, I repeat. I'm not a hater, I'm just not a liker either.

- Yak

Tap or Swipe? NFC and Mobile Payments

A few days ago I wrote about my interest in the NFC chip embedded MicroSD card being developed by @moneto_me for Android and Iphone, since my new phone doesn't come with an internal NFC chip, which you can read about here.  I've always been fascinated with the PayPass system in place with MasterCard, EZ-Pass, and going way back to Speedpass at Mobil gas stations, as early as 1997.  I was hoping that my new phone would have the NFC chip already, but it wasn't a deal breaker, especially since Moneto had their microSD card in the works.  I'd much rather tap my phone, which I'm already carrying anyways,  on the reader, than pull out my wallet and swipe my plastic card.

Google has recently started pushing its Google Wallet software, first introduced in May 2011, but many wireless companies had their hesitations allowing this software on their mobile devices, out of security concerns.  Sprint is the only one of the major companies to allow Google Wallet.  Verizon actually blocked the app from the GNex.

As it turns out, Google Wallet has a major security flaw in which if someone gets a hold of your phone, they can request a new PIN Number just by hitting the reset button on Google Wallet, which I read this morning on Mashable.com.  Until Google sends a security update, and the technology is more secure, I think I'm going to hold off.  I'm in no way accusing Moneto of having the same flaw, but I'm not taking my chances just yet. 

If you have NFC and are using it, and think I'm just being paranoid, please let me know.  Until then, I guess I'll be swiping a little bit longer.

- Yak

The Decision - New 4G Phone for my Wife

So, we made a decision last night. No, there was no ESPN special, but there was a TechTalk special!   We spoke last night and my wife decided that while she "doesn't care" which one I get her.  What I took out of that conversation was "You better get me the newer one if you know whats good for you!"  No, I'm just kidding.  I'm sure there was nothing for me to read between the lines about.  It was more about her convincing me that it doesn't matter what phone she gets and that she can learn a new phone OS just fine if I decided to go that route.

So I made the decision to go for the Motorola Droid 4 based on the hardware upgrades over Samsung Stratosphere.  The differences were just too glaring and I figured why go backwards in technology.  I'll just end up in the same spot in a year from now, much like my own decision to go with the LG Spectrum over the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which you can read all about here. 

I ordered the Droid 4 from wirefly.com today and I'll write my own review of the D4 when it comes sometime next week, assuming she lets me play with it.  Stay tuned.

- Yak

New 4G Phone for my Wife

The new Droid 4 is coming out tomorrow for Verizon.  So, my conundrum begins today.

My wife is due for an upgrade. Well, not technically until the summer, but she's due. The Motorola Droid Pro has run its course.  It's had a great ride, but I've heard countless times "this phone is soooo slow!!" I've given up. She wins. As usual.

Motorola Droid Pro

Motorola Droid 4

One major requirement for her, aside from speed, is a physical QWERTY keyboard. Personally I think the keyboard makes an already big phone more bulky.  But, she doesn't like the virtual keyboard, and definitely can't get on board with the greatness of Swype.  She had a Blackberry for a number of years and really likes having keys to press more than tap, knowing which button she actually clicked.  I hear the argument, and everyone has their own tastes.  I was a fan of the Front Qwerty keyboard on the Droid Pro, but it just took up too much real estate on the form, thereby limiting the screen size.

Originally, when I had her switch from Blackberry to Android, I was debating whether to go with the Droid 2 with the slide out keyboard or the Droid Pro.  I decided to not throw to many changes on her, since there is a drastic difference between the Blackberry OS and the Android OS, if nothing else than the touch screen.  To make her learn and get accustomed to a completely new device was too much for me to ask and I didn't want her to get frustrated and switch back to Blackberry.

Samsung Stratosphere

So, here's my conundrum.  Do I get the Droid 4 for her, keeping with the same Motorla Blur overlay on Gingerbread that she already knows or do I make her jump into the to the only other 4G keyboard slider phone on the market, the Samsung Stratosphere and have her figure things out all over again, saving $100?

Here are the specs for the Droid 4: http://bit.ly/wdputg and they look great. 4G LTE, 4 inch qHD display, Android Gingerbread 2.3.5 (with reports of upgrades to Ice Cream Sandwich in the first half of 2012), 8MP camera, Front camera, 1.2 GHz processor.  Also, what sets this one apart is that even with the sliding keyboard, it is less than half an inch thin.  Everything I've seen and read have shown me that this looks like a great phone and will meet all of my wife's needs.

The Stratosphere is an older model Qwerty slider and even though it has 4G LTE, the processor is slower.  It runs Android Gingerbread 2.3, but haven't heard anything about an upgrade to ICS anytime soon.  Screen size is the same 4 inch, but not as sharp as the qHD on the D4.  The camera is only 5MP, same as her current Droid Pro.  The only advantage I've seen is that the Strat has the Android buttons on the slider while the D4 doesn't.  I can't see that as such a huge negative since she's never had a slider before and isn't used to the buttons being there.  We both had a chance to look at the Strat that my Aunt has recently and she wasn't wowed, but then again, I'm usually the one that gets excited by new tech toys.

I'm leaning towards the D4, but I'm not 100% convinced yet.  Right now, I'd just feel bad getting her an older model, even though she's trading in a 3G for 4G, so she'd see a significant difference right away.

If you have any suggestions or recommendations, please send them my way.

- Yak

My newest gadget - LG Spectrum

I just got an LG Spectrum a week ago. My first 4G encounter. Welcome to 2009.

LG Spectrum

What do I think about it? So far, I'm 85% thrilled, 10% satisfied and 5% have a sense of lacking.  Some things like the Apps folder setup took a little bit of getting used to, but after doing some modifications to the display layout, I actually wish I had this last year on my HTC Incredible.  I don't like that there are no LED notifications, but there is an app available called "NoLED" that can simulate it.  I haven't tried it yet, but I've read that it is adequate.  Don't love the USB input cover, a little plastic tab, held on by another small plastic piece, which will break off in the very near future. I'm positive of this. I won't do it intentionally, but it will happen. All by itself.

Since my real job requires me to be on call all the time, I leave my phone by my bed, as do most of the world's population. The fact that I can't turn the ringer off, not vibrate, completely off without going into Settings > Sound is annoying.  Buzzing gets loud and wakes my wife.

Can't ask for better hardware specs at this price point.  Because my phone is covered by my Business account, I had to buy it from VZW directly, for $199 (plus tax), as opposed to buying it at discounts from third party vendors, such as wirefly.com, letstalk.com, amazonwireless.com or any other of the myriad of companies out there.

Camera has been great so far. I haven't had a front facing camera yet, so that part is cool too.  I like the 8MP camera, and the zoom in/out using the volume up/down buttons while holding the phone in Landscape mode.  I like the iPhone feature of using that button to take the picture as opposed to contorting your finger to tap the screen while holding it, but I'm used to that already from my other Android phones.

Battery life has been good.  4G eats a lot of the battery, but I've been able to make it through the day doing basic smartphone functions (email, twitter, texts, etc.) and that's all I can ask for without having to snap in an extended battery and carrying around a brick in my pocket.  I don't do much web browsing or streaming from my phone, but the minimal amount that I've done hasn't taken much toll on the battery.

LG's OS overlay of Gingerbread 2.3.5 is fine.  Very different than the HTC Sense that I used for the last year and a half.  It took me some time (a day) to get used to, and now I know where everything is and what everything does.

I really like the calendar app. The layout, the design. all of it. I use the calendar a lot, so that is a big plus.

Why did I chose the LG Spectrum over the Samsung Galaxy Nexus?

Hardware and price.  Plain and simple.  If you're willing to wait the reportedly few months for Ice Cream Sandwich to come to the Spectrum, then the hardware differences are more than enough to tip the scale.  The Spectrum doesn't have the NFC chip that the GNex has but there is a company called Moneto (@moneto_me) that has developed a MicroSD card for Android that can be used for both storage and NFC payments, so I will be picking one up soon, once they come out with at least an 8GB card.  Currently, they only have the 2GB and 4GB available.

I take a lot of pictures with my phone, as opposed to our digital camera, much to my wife's dismay and the 3MP difference between the GNex's 5MP and the Spectrum's 8MP are a big deal to me.  I'm sure I wouldn't notice the difference between the processor speeds of the two, but LG's is faster, from a purely numbers standpoint.  Screen size is minimally different, with the GNex being .15 inches bigger.

NOTE: One thing I realized, and haven't read anywhere.  I like the three soft keys at the bottom of the phone.  Once I figured out how to get the search option back (long pressing the menu button) I like it even more.  This is just my own speculation, but I figure that LG switched from 4 soft keys to 3 in anticipation for ICS.  The keys are rearranged from the GNex and right now the left key is the menu key which GNex doesn't have, but I assume that that key will switch to the "task manager" that ICS enabled devices currently have.  If this isn't in the works already, then get on it LG/Google. You're welcome.

The buttons even look the same:

Spectrum soft keys

ICS soft keys

Thats all I can think of for now.  I'm sure I'll add more to this later when things come up.

UPDATE - 2/27: Found out how to take screenshots with this phone. Hold the power button and tap the home soft key.  It will grab the screenshot and drop it into the Captured Images folder in the gallery.  And I was all nervous that this wasn't possible. 

- Yak

My blog

Lots of people, just like me, start blogs every day.  In fact, there are hundreds of blogs out there on my specific topic of choice.  So what will make my blog unique? Well, I'm not quite sure yet, but hopefully I can make this evolve into something substantial. 

The goal of this blog is to write about my gadgets. What I've had, what I have, what I want and what I'd love to play with.  Hopefully I'll get my friends to write here as well, so it won't just be about my perspective on things, but will have many (hopefully) different points of view.

I'm an Android and PC fan, but that won't preclude us from discussing any Apple products. They just won't come directly from me.

Why should you read this?

I've been in the Information Technology industry for the past 8.5 years.  I don't have many opportunities to get my hands on what would be considered typical gadgets over that time, but whenever they come around, I love to mess around with things.

I've had over 15 different cell/smartphones over my 10+ years of being mobily accessible and have tested out a bunch more from my friends and family members.  I've run the gamut from Startac to Palm Treo to Blackberry (4) to Android (2 and counting). I had a ipod and iTouch for a number of years, more than enough to know I don't like the iPhone, so I've never had one of my own.  In my personal opinion, Android OS gives you the most flexibility and configuration options to set my smartphones and tablets up exactly how I like them.

Hopefully, there will be more opportunities to write about my love for Android and my distaste, to put it mildly, for iStuff.

Yeah, this looks like a good start. I'm out for now.

- Yak