Technology catch-all thread

[Steve9347]

I want details on the S4 to see if I should wait or go S3 or something else in a couple weeks when I finally upgrade from my slow as balls Evo.

[Y2HH]

I want details on the S4 to see if I should wait or go S3 or something else in a couple weeks when I finally upgrade from my slow as balls Evo.

 

At this point, I'd wait...there will be a whole slew of new phones coming out this spring...and if you don't like any of them, upon their release, you'll be able to get the phone your eyeing right now for like 1$...brand new. Because they'll want to get rid of them.

[Steve9347]

At this point, I'd wait...there will be a whole slew of new phones coming out this spring...and if you don't like any of them, upon their release, you'll be able to get the phone your eyeing right now for like 1$...brand new. Because they'll want to get rid of them.

waaaaaaiting is the harrrr dest part

[Jake]

So...what is the optimum time to switch phones?

 

ATM, I'm on an iPhone 4 and I'm planning to go Android unless Apple blows my mind. Of the phone makers, I probably trust Samsung the most but I'm willing to play the field.

[Balta1701]

So...what is the optimum time to switch phones?

 

ATM, I'm on an iPhone 4 and I'm planning to go Android unless Apple blows my mind. Of the phone makers, I probably trust Samsung the most but I'm willing to play the field.

I'm waiting on the Samsung GS4 announcement to decide my next phone, and I'm also on an iphone4 and approaching upgrade time.

[chw42]

Or on Windows, you can use iExplorer.

 

iExplorer is no longer free...

 

They're charging $40 for what iFunbox already has for free.

Edited February 6, 2013 by chw42

[chw42]

Just don't drop your damn phone. I've never used a case on any of my phones, and I've yet to break one. Sure, they get dinged up a bit, maybe some micro scratches, but nothing serious...but taking that beautiful phone you just got and stuffing it into an ass ugly case makes me angry. And I don't care what case you got...in comparison to that phone, it's ugly.

 

I didn't mind the glass backing of my older iPhones, either...and I wouldn't mind it on that Nexus...it's just something that doesn't bother me. I view phones as delicate electronics, sometimes beautiful ones. I don't go around dropping portable hard drives, watches, or any other semi delicate products, either...I don't know how people break their s*** so much (but they do)...just be careful with it, damn it.

 

Also, keep in mind most people replace their phones every 1-2 years anyway, so who cares if it gets some dings, dents, or micro scratches...nobody can notice that but you, the user of the phone. It's like being bothered that the underside of your cars bumper got scratched...nobody can see it anyway...so who cares.

 

I have horrible OCD when it comes to electronics. I haven't cracked a phone yet by dropping it and I'm not clumsy with my devices. But the peace of mind of not having the device break or crack when something bad happens is always good. Because you know, s*** happens.

 

IMO, the Nexus bumper Google sells actually makes the phone look better and the buttons on it are far more functional than the actual ones on the device (way easier to press).

[iamshack]

Just don't drop your damn phone. I've never used a case on any of my phones, and I've yet to break one. Sure, they get dinged up a bit, maybe some micro scratches, but nothing serious...but taking that beautiful phone you just got and stuffing it into an ass ugly case makes me angry. And I don't care what case you got...in comparison to that phone, it's ugly.

 

I didn't mind the glass backing of my older iPhones, either...and I wouldn't mind it on that Nexus...it's just something that doesn't bother me. I view phones as delicate electronics, sometimes beautiful ones. I don't go around dropping portable hard drives, watches, or any other semi delicate products, either...I don't know how people break their s*** so much (but they do)...just be careful with it, damn it.

 

Also, keep in mind most people replace their phones every 1-2 years anyway, so who cares if it gets some dings, dents, or micro scratches...nobody can notice that but you, the user of the phone. It's like being bothered that the underside of your cars bumper got scratched...nobody can see it anyway...so who cares.

I agree...I have never bought a case either...it is a delicate piece of electronics, but it's not a family heirloom either. You're going to replace it in 2-3 years anyways.

[chw42]

So...what is the optimum time to switch phones?

 

ATM, I'm on an iPhone 4 and I'm planning to go Android unless Apple blows my mind. Of the phone makers, I probably trust Samsung the most but I'm willing to play the field.

 

All of the new flagship Android devices will have 1080P displays, 4.7-5 inch screens, quad core processors or new ARM-architecture dual cores, 2GB of RAM, and probably a 13 MP camera. In the end, it really comes down to which OEM's software you like the best and how good the development support for that phone will be in case your carrier takes a dump on firmware updates (bound to happen).

 

I'd go with Samsung just based on the latter. Samsung phones always have a large development following because almost every Android phone is a Samsung.

Edited February 6, 2013 by chw42

[Balta1701]

All of the new flagship Android devices will have 1080P displays, 4.7-5 inch screens, quad core processors or new ARM-architecture dual cores, 2GB of RAM, and probably a 13 MP camera. In the end, it really comes down to which OEM's software you like the best and how good the development support for that phone will be in case your carrier takes a dump on firmware updates (bound to happen).

 

I'd go with Samsung just based on the latter. Samsung phones always have a large development following because almost every Android phone is a Samsung.

It's just a guess, but an educated one based on some surveys...I think the GS4 is going to have about as many new, seemingly groundbreaking concepts for integration with people's lives that consumers will be seriously impressed. Like "new iphone model" level impressed.

[chw42]

It's just a guess, but an educated one based on some surveys...I think the GS4 is going to have about as many new, seemingly groundbreaking concepts for integration with people's lives that consumers will be seriously impressed. Like "new iphone model" level impressed.

 

A lot of the TouchWiz "enhancements" were kinda gimmicky. Some might be useful, but others were kinda just there for the "cool, my phone can do this?" factor as opposed to something you will use everyday.

 

I'm anxiously waiting to see what Samsung can bring to the table, but I doubt it'll be anything ground-breaking.

Edited February 6, 2013 by chw42

[Y2HH]

iExplorer is no longer free...

 

They're charging $40 for what iFunbox already has for free.

 

It's not free, but every feature you need works on the shareware license.

[Y2HH]

So...what is the optimum time to switch phones?

 

ATM, I'm on an iPhone 4 and I'm planning to go Android unless Apple blows my mind. Of the phone makers, I probably trust Samsung the most but I'm willing to play the field.

 

Unless it's a bigger screen you want, just jailbreak your iPhone, and it will be able to do everything any Android, or Windows Phone 8 can do.

 

It's reached a point that I've given up on non-hacking, because whether it's iOS or Android, it needs to be jailbroken/rooted/hacked at this point in order to stay current, or free from s***ty built in software, or poor options, regardless of the platform you use.

 

Early on in the smartphone era, I was huge into the hack scene...over the years I fell away from it out of annoyance. After using iOS under Apples strict and often stupid rules, or alternatives like Samsung S3's (my brother and his wife have them), running old software versions or over layed with some s***ty/slow skin, I've come to the conclusion that hacking is the only way to go.

 

So I'm back.

 

f*** Apple. f*** all the providers and manufacturers that f*** with Android, too. Oh, and f*** Microsoft for becoming an afterthought while I'm at it.

[BigSqwert]

A lot of the TouchWiz "enhancements" were kinda gimmicky. Some might be useful, but others were kinda just there for the "cool, my phone can do this?" factor as opposed to something you will use everyday.

 

I'm be anxiously waiting to see what Samsung can bring to the table, but I doubt it'll be anything ground-breaking.

That's why I'm excited about the Xperia Z. They've decided to go with a near stock Android experience. Touchwiz and all of the other UIs are garbage IMO.

 

(see also: epic rant above my post)

Edited February 6, 2013 by BigSqwert

[chw42]

Unless it's a bigger screen you want, just jailbreak your iPhone, and it will be able to do everything any Android, or Windows Phone 8 can do.

 

It's reached a point that I've given up on non-hacking, because whether it's iOS or Android, it needs to be jailbroken/rooted/hacked at this point in order to stay current, or free from s***ty built in software, or poor options, regardless of the platform you use.

 

Early on in the smartphone era, I was huge into the hack scene...over the years I fell away from it out of annoyance. After using iOS under Apples strict and often stupid rules, or alternatives like Samsung S3's (my brother and his wife have them), running old software versions or over layed with some s***ty/slow skin, I've come to the conclusion that hacking is the only way to go.

 

So I'm back.

 

f*** Apple. f*** all the providers and manufacturers that f*** with Android, too. Oh, and f*** Microsoft for becoming an afterthought while I'm at it.

 

Does this mean you already jailbroke your iPhone 5?

[Soxbadger]

I have a case for my sg3. First time Ive ever bought one.

 

If you can, Id probably wait to see the sg4 at this point. If only because the sg3 will be a lot cheaper when it comes out.

[Y2HH]

Does this mean you already jailbroke your iPhone 5?

 

It does.

[chw42]

That's why I'm excited about the Xperia Z. They've decided to go with a near stock Android experience. Touchwiz and all of the other UIs are garbage IMO.

 

(see also: epic rant above my post)

 

I hate all OEM UIs. They were bearable and sort of necessary back when Android was ugly (pre-4.0), but now that stock Android looks pretty good, there really is no point. It's all just gimmicks and OEMs trying to differentiate their products.

Edited February 6, 2013 by chw42

[chw42]

I have a case for my sg3. First time Ive ever bought one.

 

If you can, Id probably wait to see the sg4 at this point. If only because the sg3 will be a lot cheaper when it comes out.

 

I really like those Samsung flip cases, blends in nicely with the phone.

[Y2HH]

For good measure, I'll show you. I'm tired of Apple gimping their phones, and others for that matter, too. I'm tired of s***ty telcos overcharging people, and I'm tired of all the crap these manufacturers force on us, despite knowing it's s***tier than alternatives out there.

 

Here is my lock screen:

 

Here is my home screen: (My dock icons dance around, which is why the Chrome icon doesn't look like it's sitting still...it's not.)

 

My iPhone5 can now do anything I want it too.

 

And it's awesome.

[chw42]

For good measure, I'll show you. I'm tired of Apple gimping their phones, and others for that matter, too. I'm tired of s***ty telcos overcharging people, and I'm tired of all the crap these manufacturers force on us, despite knowing it's s***tier than alternatives out there.

 

Here is my lock screen:

 

Here is my home screen: (My dock icons dance around, which is why the Chrome icon doesn't look like it's sitting still...it's not.)

 

My iPhone5 can now do anything I want it too.

 

And it's awesome.

 

Freedom feels good don't it?

[BigSqwert]

Hey Y2HH, where's Apple Maps? You spent so much time defending it a while back.

[chw42]

Hey Y2HH, where's Apple Maps? You spent so much time defending it a while back.

 

He probably used Springoptimize to hide it. Very good utility, BTW, those of you with a jailbroken iOS device should try it out.

[Y2HH]

Hey Y2HH, where's Apple Maps? You spent so much time defending it a while back.

 

I wasn't defending it as better than Google maps, as a matter of fact, I outright said Google maps is better. What I did do, and still will do, is defend it against people saying its outright terrible, because it isn't. There are some things it does very well and some things it can do better, and will given time to expand it's data set. It's not as good as Google maps, but it's not nearly as bad as people were, and apparently still are, trying to say it was, and I maintain that stance.

 

Also, I went with Chrome because I love Chrome/sharing tabs between my devices (and now I can use the nitro engine with it), and more or less, I'm using Google Maps out of spite at the moment.

Edited February 6, 2013 by Y2HH

[bigruss]

I wasn't defending it as better than Google maps, as a matter of fact, I outright said Google maps is better. What I did do, and still will do, is defend it against people saying its outright terrible, because it isn't. There are some things it does very well and some things it can do better, and will given time to expand it's data set. It's not as good as Google maps, but it's not nearly as bad as people were, and apparently still are, trying to say it was, and I maintain that stance.

 

Also, I went with Chrome because I love Chrome/sharing tabs between my devices (and now I can use the nitro engine with it), and more or less, I'm using Google Maps out of spite at the moment.

Not too mention, the previous version of google maps for the iphone was horrendous. The update app is pretty great now.