Popular Posts

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

[Special Feature] I love tech: Inbox by Google

There's lots of things we have to do with our lives on a daily basis, and pouring over email is definitely a 1st world problem that loads of people manage every day.  In fact, this new "electronic mail or e-mail" phenomena has spawned common vernacular terms like "spam" and "reply all" - Google has fueled their advertising and search business with its free Gmail product that it seems like 90% of the free world uses.  That's why it was a bit of a surprise when it was announced they were producing a new product, called Inbox, which aimed to do....exactly the same thing as Gmail.  Turns out Inbox does it in a different way though.  This is why I love tech - focused on Inbox by Google.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

[Opinion] 5 things I love about the Pixel

So I've had the Pixel XL as my daily driver for a little more than a month now, and couldn't be more happy with it.  And it appears to be a home run for Google, as Fortune recently reported that analysts anticipate and almost 6 billion dollar revenue bump over this year and the next from Pixel sales.  While some will argue that that's only a drop in the bucket in terms of overall sales figures (compared to iPhone sales, and that is correct) for Google to have sold around 3 million of its new handsets in such a short time since release is a good sign for the search giant's burgeoning mobile device business.

Having said all that, I wanted to give a quick follow up of the 5 things I enjoy most about being a Pixel owner, and perhaps help convince some who might be on the fence about purchasing the device.  All this assumes you've already read our Pixel XL review, but if you haven't, start there.  Then read on...

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

[News] Android users should check out Google's new app - PhotoScan

Google made a sneaky low-key announcement today, via their blog about a standalone app called "PhotoScan" - and what it does is in the name.  It is a photo scanning app that uses that camera of your smartphone to scan your physical photos and then (more importantly) back them up, either to Google Photos or to a backup service of your choice.

For Android users; if you aren't already using Google Photos to back up your smartphone pictures automatically, start.  Like, today.  I mean it.  Don't risk losing those pictures and videos of your family and friends when your phone takes a bath or crashes or (heaven forbid) runs out of room.  And if you are like me and lived a life pre-digital photos and have a bunch of pictures or Polaroids or whatever laying around, try this app and see if you like it.  Personally, I'd much rather have a low resolution copy of the photos and memories than no copy at all.  Check it out!



[News] Our Daydream View is on order!

One of the perks of a Pixel pre-order was the promise of a free goodie - the new Daydream View VR headset coming straight from Google.  The initial guesstimate was that the codes would go out about 4 weeks after the device shipped (to avoid people getting the freebie and still returning their Pixel device) and since that window has elapsed, codes are starting to show up in email inboxes everywhere.  Including ours at Silicon Theory!

So - coming soon, we'll give it a real world test and let you know our thoughts and a full review.  In the meantime, if you're curious about VR and all its promise for the future, check out this article on whether VR is here to stay or is just a fad of our modern times.  

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

[Opinion] The new and improved (and controversial) MacBook Pro


As was mentioned last week, one of the big events in tech last week was the long anticipated refresh of Apple's MacBook Pro lineup, and in much the same way as the iPhone 7 launch was met with some pushback (mostly due to the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack) the new MacBook Pro has been met with some criticism.  Why that is encompasses a bigger topic, which I'll explore in this article.  So let's discuss; shall we?

[News] Google Home in store; Daydream View to follow this week

Two more pieces of Google hardware are in the process of being released this week - the first of which is the Google Home product, which should be in stores as of now.  This Amazon Echo competitor is the first foray of the new Google Assistant software into a home environment.  The Google Home is being touted as the tip of the spear with respect to Google's Smart Home suite, which will also include the yet to be released Google WiFi product (and also work conjunction with the Pixel phones released last month)
Coming up next: the Daydream View VR headset, a demo of which can already be seen in most Verizon stores near the Pixel and Pixel XL displays.  It's a comfy looking cotton wrapped pair of goggles that when used with a Pixel (or other Daydream compatible smart phone) will allegedly transport you to far away places,  allow you a more immersive movie experience, and also play more realistic games.  I believe it should be in stores starting Thursday.
We'll have a review of the Daydream View device as soon as it comes in...as part of the Pixel promotion, we are getting one free.  Yay!  Stay tuned for more details.  As always, if you have any tech questions you want answered, hit our inbox up at silicontheory@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

[Special Feature] Silicon Theories - October Edition


So....you might be wondering what the "October Edition" of this special feature is doing here in November.  Well, I had some thoughts about things I wanted to write on and as is often the case, real life got in the way.  And since its only a day or 2 past the end of October, I feel like I'm well within the margin for error on these kinds of things.  But, I digress....so, without further ado, here are this month's (see what I did there?) Silicon Theories...

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 15 - All the Pixel XL talk!

Great news everyone!  The latest episode of the Silicon Theory podcast is uploading, and in it we talk about the latest smartphone offering from Google, the Pixel XL.  We cover out first impressions and hands on time with the device, and discuss whether we feel like Google got it right or not on their first attempt. By way of disclaimer, there is some mature language used in the pod, so listener discretion is advised. 

But if you are interested in what this device might have to offer, you can now read our review or listen to the podcast - whatever your media consumption preference might be.  Check it out, and make sure to subscribe to the podcast to get all of the latest episodes as they drop.  Links will be added as soon as the pod is available...cheers!

[Review] Google Pixel XL - Extraordinarily ordinary

I've spent the last 7 days with the Pixel XL from Google, and used it as my daily driver for the last 3 of those.  And I can honestly say its the best Android phone I've ever used (and I've used a LOT) - but the strange thing is - the Pixel does it by not standing out.  The phone gets out of the way of the end user to such a degree that it feels like there is nothing standing between you and what you are trying to accomplish with the device.  Where other devices try to impress with quality screens, amazing cameras, or cutting edge specs (and the Pixel has all of these) the Pixel goes beyond gimmicks and hardware features to a place where Android is showcased in the best possible way - a polished and smooth user experience that's simply a joy to use.  Fellow tech seekers, let's talk about the Pixel XL.

Monday, October 24, 2016

[Podcast] The Rise & Fall of the Note 7, Part 2

Greetings all - the 2nd part of our discussion surrounding the rise and fall of the Samsung sees me getting Sean P's take a a former owner of this device, and what lies ahead for Samsung.  Will the Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge be able to be released on time?  Will Samsung ever recover from the blow to their reputation and brand?  Tune in as we discuss this and even more!  If you like the show, make sure to subscribe (and leave a review if you're feeling so inclined) - cheers and enjoy!








Sunday, October 23, 2016

[News] Tech events next week

Lots going on next week in the world of tech, and here's a quick rundown on what you need to know...

Microsoft hosts an event on Wednesday, 10/26/16

What to expect...
Microsoft is expected to take the wraps off some new hardware, and coming just after Google's hardware event (and just before Apple's hardware event) their timing couldn't be better - if you're a Windows or Surface fan.  Some of the rumored devices include:

Friday, October 21, 2016

[Review] 48 Hours with the Pixel XL

So, as mentioned, we have a Pixel XL (in Very Silver) and are taking it for a test drive.  We'll have a full review up in the next few days, but for those of you who are interested in both the XL and its smaller Pixel sibling, we wanted to give a few thoughts after using it for the first 2 days.  So, read on for my impression of the Pixel XL after 48 hours...

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

[News] Early reviews of the Google Pixel are in...

And so far, I think its safe to say that things are looking up for Google.  Like they needed any help?  But still, the high price point and "internet hates" that the Pixel and Pixel XL seemed to be getting hasn't stopped it from selling out on the Google Play Store.

If you are into Android, and thinking about getting a new device, check out the below to read up on what the first week or so has been like for those lucky sites getting review units (most reviews are of the Pixel XL that I've seen, so take the battery comments with a grain of salt)


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 13 - the Rise & Fall of the Note 7

The newest episode of the Silicon Theory podcast is now available!  In the first part of this 2 part pod, I do a solo podcast to discuss the timeline behind what happened with the Note 7 fiasco, and what the impact to Samsung might be from both a reputation and a financial standpoint.

In part 2, Sean P and I will discuss what his impressions were owning the Note 7 (for a very short period of time) and how he feels Samsung handled the whole situation from an owners perspective.  

As always, you can find us on iTunes, Google Play Music, and SoundCloud.  Subscribe and you'll get all the new episodes.  Thanks for listening!

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

[Guide] So you can't get the Note 7 - now what?

So we've received a few questions about the Note 7 and for those who were looking to upgrade, its now off the table (sorry Samsung) - but the question becomes, okay - now what do you buy?  We're glad you asked!  Without further ado, here are some thoughts on what you might want to consider if you are wanting or needing to pick up a new smartphone this year.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

[News] Samsung has discontinued offering the Note 7 - permanently

Sorry for the cheesy graphics above but...yeah, the Note 7 will no longer be sold by any carriers worldwide, and Samsung has ceased manufacturing them - permanently.  This is a significant financial blow to Samsung as a company for sure.  There will be no more Note 7s ever made...which is sad, because by all reports this is a great, great smartphone.  Except for the bursting into flames thing.

I'll make sure that Sean P. writes a eulogy proper, but for the time being; if you are in the market for a new smartphone, it won't be this one. 

Monday, October 10, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 12 uploading...Part 2 of the Google Event

Part 2 of the Silicon Theory podcast covering the Google Event is uploading and will be available on iTunes, Google Play Music, and SoundCloud shortly.  In it, we discuss the rest of the hardware announced at the event, including Google Home (and touch on the software platform that is Google Assistant), Google WiFi, Daydream View and the Chromecast Ultra.  If you are curious as to how "smart home" products might be in your future, you should definitely check it out!  As always, you can subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform to get all the latest.  We'll have even more exciting reviews of the hardware from this event as its made available in the next month or so.  Stay tuned for all the tech news you can handle - and if you enjoy the pod, be sure to leave us a review.  Thanks for listening!  (links to both iTunes and GPM are below)

Friday, October 7, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 11 is here! All the Google things!

Part 1 of the latest Silicon Theory podcast is here and uploading now.  We talk about the Pixel and Pixel XL, what we like, don't like, and discuss why there is so much internet hating going on about Google right now.  Part 2 will cover the rest of the hardware that Google will be launching between now and the rest of the year.

Check us out in iTunes, Google Play Music, or SoundCloud - and thanks for listening!  If you like the show, or the other shows we've published, make sure you leave us a review (we hope its a 5 star one) as this helps us reach a wider audience with all of our techiness.  And yeah...I think techiness is a real word.  Thanks again!

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

[News] Google's Big Event - Recap

So - its been a big day for Google and all their fans.  And if you are invested in the Android ecosystem, its kind of a big deal.  Here's a quick rundown of all the things that were announced today, and what we know about specs/features/pricing...


  • Google Pixel Phones - the wait is over!  We will have more information coming, but the new phones that are being advertised as "made by Google" are here.  The devices come in 2 sizes: the Pixel (which sports a 5" display size) and the larger Pixel XL (sporting a 5.5" display)  The phones are identical with the exception of the display size (and resolution; the Pixel has a 1080p FHD display, whereas the XL has a 1440 QHD display) and battery size (2770mah versus the XL's 3450mah) and that might be a good thing.  This is very similar to what Apple has done recently with the regular iPhone and Plus models.  And these phones are going to be priced similar to iPhones as well, with the 32GB base model of the Pixel starting at $649

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

[Special Feature] Silicon Theories - September edition

While we have a little bit of a lull of late in tech, I had a few things I thought might be worth discussing, and each on their own merits wasn't necessary a whole article, but in their totality, they might be - so I am going to roll up a bunch of ideas together, and start a new special feature I'm going to call "Silicon Theories" - this will be the inagural September edition of what I hope to be a monthly thing.  I'm going to collect of bunch of thoughts and ideas and submit them for your consideration.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

[News] Google's Pixel phone starts to show up

It appears that on October 4th, we are going to see the unveiling of the newest phone offered by Google - and we anticipate these will be the Pixel and Pixel XL.  If you've caught the latest Silicon Theory Podcast, you've heard a little bit about the upcoming device.  Now, for the first time, we get to take a look at some renders and some alleged pictures.


Friday, September 16, 2016

[Guide] Thinking about buying the new iPhone?

Today is the day!  If you were waiting to purchase the latest and greatest iPhone, it should be in stores today.  The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are now available thru Apple retail stores and at all the various mobile wireless carriers.  If you are thinking of making the plunge, but haven't had time to catch up on all the details, we have a few resources you can read before heading out the door to buy "the best iPhone ever made."

Thursday, September 15, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 10 is now up!

There has some talk floating around the internet about the next phones from Google, typically referred to as the Nexus program.  There may be big changes in store for this program if the rumors are to be believed...we talk about all this and more during episode 10 of the Silicon Theory Podcast!

Google has an announcement planned for October 4th, and we discuss what might come from that event.  You can find us on iTunes, Google Play Music, and SoundCloud, just search for "silicon theory" - hit the subscribe button on your favorite platform to get all our new content as well.  And make sure you leave a 5 star review if you like what you've heard!

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 9 - Apple's iPhone announcement

The next episode of the Silicon Theory podcast is now uploading, and will be available on all platforms soon. We recap the Apple iPhone 7/7 Plus launch event, and give our thoughts on whether or not we think Apple did enough to warrant you making this your next smartphone.  There's a lot of ground to cover here, so for the sake of time we didn't touch on things like the Airpods, the iOS 10, or macOS items that were discussed during the event.  Just iPhone (mostly) all the time.

Check us out on iTunes, Google Play Music, and SoundCloud...cheers and happy listening!  If you like our work, make sure you hit the subscribe button to get all our latest content.  Just search Silicon Theory on any of those platforms!

Friday, September 2, 2016

[PSA] The Galaxy Note 7 might explode so....yeah

If you hadn't already heard, the new Galaxy Note 7 has had 35 reported cases in Korea where the battery caught fire, or outright exploded.  This is a bad thing.  Samsung's official statement regarding this issue is as follows:

"Samsung is committed to producing the highest quality products and we take every incident report from our valued customers very seriously. In response to recently reported cases of the new Galaxy Note7, we conducted a thorough investigation and found a battery cell issue.

To date (as of September 1) there have been 35 cases that have been reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market. However, because our customers’ safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note7.

For customers who already have Galaxy Note7 devices, we will voluntarily replace their current device with a new one over the coming weeks.

We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause in the market but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to our customers. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible."

So, to recap, a very small number of the reported 2.5 million sold Note 7s had a faulty battery and so Samsung is issuing a recall for all of the devices - so if you have purchased one in the last few weeks since launch, you can replace your "might or might not" explode device with a "definitely won't explode" one.  If you read our guide to buying one of the new Note 7s, and went out and bought one....well, you are probably fine.  All of the reported cases have been outside the United States, so if you are here where we are, you should be good.  If you still want to get a replacement or a refund, check out the CNET article here.

This is your Public Service Announcement.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

[Guide] Thinking about buying a Galaxy Note 7?

The Note 7 is one of the hottest phones on the market right now.  Say you are in need of a new mobile device, but aren't sure of what you should buy.  You might come to Silicon Theory in search of what you should get.  We love mobile tech, almost assuredly more than most folks you've ever met. If you are in the market, and you want or like a larger display size - you should give the Galaxy Note 7 from Samsung a long look.  

Monday, August 29, 2016

[Opinion] Does the Nexus program matter anymore?

Google has tasked HTC with developing and producing the next Nexus devices, those smartphones that are designed to showcase the latest and greatest versions of the Android operating system.  For years, while the operating system grew and improved and added new features, the hardware showing it off was not necessarily considered with the same shock and awe.

Monday, August 22, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 8 - Moto Z Thoughts & August Rumor Roundup

Greetings fellow tech seekers!  Once again, we at Silicon Theory have an exciting podcast to discuss what's new in the world of mobile tech.  In this episode we talk about the Moto Z and Z Force after having some hands on time with the phones, as well as future expected offerings from OEMs LG, Apple, and HTC.  You won't want to miss this episode!

Be sure to check us out on iTunes and Google Play Music, and subscribe to get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.  Leave a 5 star rating as well to tell us how much you love us!


Cheers!

Friday, August 19, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 7 - Galaxy Note 7 Thoughts

Episode 7 is here, just in time for your weekend listening!  We discuss the launch of the Note 7, what we like and don't like about the device after a little hands on time, and where we feel the price point puts it at.

This is poised to be a very popular Android device - so if you are considering making this your next phone, you should definitely check out this episode.


And make sure you subscribe so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are available!  Thanks for listening!

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

[Opinion] With the new iPhone on the horizon, why is everyone worried about a new MacBook Pro?

The rumors have it that the newest iPhone is only weeks away from being announced (most likely next month in September) and while the leaks have been coming fast and furious, there is another Apple product that has been getting a lot of attention, but not a lot of love - that's the yet to be announced refresh of Apple's MacBook Pro line of laptops.  While the new MacBook is amongst the lightest and thinnest mobile PCs, the Pro is really the top of the food chain where Apple is concerned.  Considering they started as a computer company, you would think this would be at the top of Apple's product list every year or 2.  And apparently, you'd be wrong.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

[Opinion] The Galaxy Note 7 has been announced...but should you buy it?

Samsung announced the next edition in their Galaxy Note series, the Note 7, and it has sparked a very interesting response.  Sean P. around these parts was in particular very excited to see (and likely purchase) the next Note device, but has cooled significantly since the announcement.  Not that a phone priced at between $850-$890 depending on carrier should be an easy "pull-the-trigger" buy.  So if you are considering making the plunge, are already a Note user or fan, or just want to know what the big deal about this phone is, let's take a deeper dive into what's going on.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

[Podcast] Episode 6 - Verizon buys Yahoo

Episode 6 of the podcast is up and available via iTunes, Google Play Music, and SoundCloud.  Links are below.  We discuss (and rant) about why in the world Verizon would want to buy Yahoo, in an era where it would seem like the world and internet has passed Yahoo by.

Check us out - make sure to leave a 5 star review on your platform of choice to share Silicon Theory with more even more folks!


Cheers!

Sunday, July 31, 2016

[Podcast] Silicon Theory Podcast episode 5 is up!

Episode 5 of the pod is available now via iTunes, Google Play Music, and SoundCloud.  Just search for "silicon theory" on any of those and you'll find us.  Its a 2 part podcast where part 1 will cover the review of the OnePlus 3 mobile phone (hint, its got a lot going for it) and part 2 we will cover (read: rant) about Verizon's acquisition of Yahoo.

Part 2 will be available in the next few hours.  Hop on over to your preferred podcast method and check them out!  If you like, you can always subscribe via iTunes or GPM to make sure you get the latest content from Silicon Theory.  Feel free to leave a 5-star review as well to tell us how much you love us.

Now that we are back from vacations and what not, we'll have more pods coming in the near future to talk about the upcoming mobile devices slated for the 2nd half of the year (including the Note 7 and the new Nexus phones from Google/HTC) - so be sure to stay tuned in.

Cheers!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

[News] New pod(s) coming soon!

Greetings fellow tech seekers!  Just a quick word that we may have as many as two new podcasts incoming, wherein we discuss our thoughts on the OnePlus 3 device, and then move to the startling news that Verizon has agreed to acquire Yahoo for a lot of money.

We'll explore whether you should consider buying the OnePlus 3 as well as what Verizon might be up to by spending billions with a "b" of dollars to make Yahoo a part of their organization.  Both should be up in the next few days, so keep an ear out for those.

As always, if you readers have a topic you'd like us to discuss, feel free to leave a comment or shoot us an email to silicontheory@gmail.com - thanks for checking us out!

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

[Review] Beats Studio Wireless Headphones

As some of you may or may not know, I'm a bit of a music lover.  I wouldn't say "music snob" since that implies I have massive lossless file libraries, and I wouldn't say "music aficionado" since that implies I have a huge home stereo DAC and amplifier system (and neither of these things are true)  But I do love music, of all genres, and I have owned several pairs of in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear headphones in my day.  I currently use the V-Moda M100s as my headphone of choice, and they are terrific.  Built like a tank, and with a fun sound profile for modern bass heavy music, they are a joy to listen to.  But that's a review for another day...

While the M100s are great, they are a wired set.  I was looking for something in the way of a bluetooth wireless pair, and armed with a bunch of Best Buy credit, off I went.  I was trying to decide between the Bose set, and the Beats Studio Wireless.  If you read the title of this article, you already knew which direction I went.  Read on to find out why.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

[Preview] Initial thoughts on the OnePlus 3

Greetings fellow tech seekers!  As noted, Sean P. has a OnePlus 3 in house and is setting it up for a friend, so he thought he'd give some initial impressions now, with a review of the device soon to come.  For those looking at a new phone, and if you're willing to take a chance on a startup phone OEM like OnePlus, this looks to be a solid deal for $399 off contract.  See Sean's notes after the jump, along with some unboxing photos.  

Friday, June 17, 2016

[News] We have a OnePlus 3 on order!

As was mentioned in the latest episode of the podcast, we have a OnePlus 3 device on order for a friend of the pod, and will have it in house in the next week to do a quick testing and review on.  If you haven't heard of OnePlus, then their business model of making a high end Android phone at a VERY reasonable price point might shock you.  There are some early reviews out in the wild already, and by and large, the press on this device is quite good.

Look for that to be coming soon!  Another device we discussed in the "Rumor Roundup" was the Moto Z, and Moto Z Force - as this will be a Verizon exclusive for quite a while, we won't be doing a review on the device - but we do have some additional thoughts after the official announcement.  Look for those in the next few days as well.

Have a great weekend!


Friday, June 10, 2016

[Podcast] Silicon Theory Podcast, episode 4

Welcome to the rumor round up episode of the Silicon Theory Podcast.  We dig into the specifics of the rumors surrounding the Moto Z, OnePlus 3, Note 6/7, and the iPhone 7.  Some of the rumors have been bourne out on the new Moto Z devices; the announcement of which came on Thursday.  We'll have a recap of those notes, but in the meantime, check out the pod and get our thoughts on some of the next wave of mobile devices.


If you enjoyed the pod (or any of the podcasts), please subscribe and feel free to leave us a review on your preferred platform.  Or if you have a topic you'd like to see covered in a future podcast, feel free to email us at silicontheory@gmail.com - thanks for listening!

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

[Podcast] New pod incoming!

The next episode of the Silicon Theory Podcast has been recorded and will be up soon.  We go through the "rumor roundup" and talk about upcoming offerings from Motorola, OnePlus, and Samsung.  Its always a fun time to talk tech - keep a weather eye on the horizon for it to drop soon!

Monday, May 23, 2016

[Rumors] What's coming up next?

While we enter a bit of a doldrums phase, what with most of the early device launches over and Google I/O recently ending.   That doesn't mean there is a shortage of phones coming on the horizon though...some of them are even shaping up to be pretty cool.

While we work up our 2016 Buyers Guide for the first half of the year, check out some of the latest rumors of what's to come...

Sunday, May 22, 2016

[Podcast] Silicon Theory Podcast, episode 3

Hey everyone,

The 3rd episode of the Silicon Theory Podcast is published, and now available via iTunes, Google Play Music, and SoundCloud.  We discuss the major items from the 2016 Google I/O event, and our thoughts on what was good, what was "meh," and what was our biggest disappointment from the event.  Check it out, and if you liked it, be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a review, and check out the other 2 episodes as well.

Thanks for listening!

iTunes Link
Google Play Music link
SoundCloud link


Thursday, May 19, 2016

[Podcast] New Silicon Theory pod coming...

The next episode of the Silicon Theory podcast has been recorded and is coming soon to an RSS feed near you.  Now that Day 1 and the keynote of the 2016 Google I/O event is in the books, we share our thoughts on the major announcements, and discuss a major disappointment from the keynote.  If you are invested in the Android ecosystem or are interested in tech in general, you've got to check this episode out.  You can also get a preview of some of our thoughts on our Twitter feed.  Look for the new episode to drop in the next day or so!

Friday, May 6, 2016

[Podcast] The Silicon Theory podcast, episode 2

It's here!  Just in time for the weekend, we of Silicon Theory have a new podcast for you to listen to.  We tackle the direction of Apple, discuss if Steve Jobs and Elon Musk have anything in common in the popular mentality, and float some rumors about the next iPhone.  Check it out (and tell a friend!) - if you like our work, please feel free to leave us reviews on iTunes or Google Play Music or drop us a line at silicontheory@gmail.com and let us know if you have ideas for a future podcast.

Thanks for listening!

SoundCloud Link
Google Play Music Link
iTunes Link

Thursday, May 5, 2016

[Podcast] New Silicon Theory podcast coming soon!

Hey all,

Just a quick note that episode 2 of the pod has been recorded and will be available soon.  In it, we touch upon the past and present of Apple as a company, and some thoughts on what might be in store for them in the future.  It is jam packed with a bunch of great insight, so if you are an Apple fan or user of their products, be sure to check it out.  We are on iTunes, Google Play, and SoundCloud.

Thanks for listening!

Friday, April 29, 2016

[Op-Ed] What might the 10 mean for HTC?

The most recent smartphones they've produced have not been big successes for HTC.  In the wake of the announcement of their most recent flagship device, the HTC 10, I'm asking myself the question: what could another failure mean for HTC?  But then I thought about it another way - what would a device that is actually a success mean for the Taiwanese company?  I've owned an HTC device in the past, and enjoyed it.  But HTC is a long way from the days of the Incredible.  Let's talk about the 10 and what it might mean for the future of this brand.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

[News] Podcast update

Greetings all - just a quick note that the first episode of the podcast is up and is now also available via Google Play Music (in the podcasts section) as well as iTunes (it should be updated in an hour or so)

You can search for the pod in either of those apps using the string "Silicon Theory" or via iTunes access it at this link once its available.

Thanks again to everyone for listening!  Hope you enjoyed it, and episode 2 is coming soon.


Friday, April 22, 2016

The Silicon Theory Podcast

Here it is - as promised, we of Silicon Theory present to you our very first podcast.  In it, we discuss our thoughts on several mobile devices, including (but not limited to):
  • Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge
  • LG G5
  • HTC 10
  • iPhone SE
And much more!  We are on SoundCloud currently, and hope to also be on iTunes very soon.  If you enjoyed the pod, feel free to like it on SoundCloud.  If you have topics you'd like to see covered on future episodes, feel free to email us at silicontheory@gmail.com.  Thanks for listening!

**Updated to add the embedded SoundCloud playback**

Thursday, April 21, 2016

[Op-Ed] Do you need a tablet anymore?

Maybe a better question is: did you ever need one?  Don't get me wrong, as some readers will know, I have a tablet myself, the LG GPad, and while I don't use it too often anymore (since my wife has assumed ownership of it) it still does see a lot of use.  So it might seem silly that I would even ask the question of anyone needing a tablet, when I myself still do.  But I think there have been a few changes in the smartphone market (and elsewhere) that have maybe, just maybe, diminished the need for this once thriving tech segment.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Everything changes - and so are we

I'll cut to the chase - while we've been a little spotty with talking tech these last few months (and with good reasons; one of us had twins and the other moved to a new home) its time for things to change around here.  There's loads going on in the world of tech, and we want to share all the things we love with you, the audience of the internets.

So, to that end, the Two Tech Geeks are becoming Silicon Theory.  All devices (mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and everything in between) run on silicon microchips - so Silicon for all the things we know, love, review, and give our opinions on.  Theory for the idea that most of what we do is predicated on us discussing "what if we got this phone?" or "what tablet is right for you?" or...literally, whatever.  So its more or less the theory of all things silicon related.  I hope that makes sense - if not, we've got you.  Our purpose, our very reason for being, is to take things that seem complicated - like what your next cell phone purchase should be - and make it a bit easier.  Hey, we were doing all these things IRL anyway, so why not make it official?  I'm hoping that we can have articles published on a variety of things 2-3x a week, and then have the Silicon Theory Podcast drop every 2 weeks.  Yes, a podcast.  Hopefully since you've enjoyed reading what we write, you'll also enjoy hearing what we have to say.  Look for the podcast to be coming soon...more details when I've got them.  You can email us questions or comments to silicontheory@gmail.com and you can also find Silicon Theory on both Twitter and Instagram now, with @silicontheory our names on both of them.  Feel free to tweet us or comment on 'the Gram when you see us.

For everyone that's been with us on this journey, thanks!  We appreciate you.  We hope you'll like what's next as well.

Monday, April 11, 2016

[Op-Ed] Is virtual reality more than just a fad?

I had a chance recently to experience the Samsung Gear VR (by Oculus) and there were some really cool things about it.  In 15 minutes, I had a chance to view several cities in Jordan and watch the first part of the movie "The Perfect Storm" while in a virtual home theater - while doing all of this, my brain was almost tricked into thinking it was real.  Of course, my first thought went to "is this the first step towards a real life Matrix?"  Probably not...but maybe its time we talk about whether virtual reality (VR) is just a fad of the moment, or if its something that's here to stay.

Monday, April 4, 2016

[Mini-Review] Samsung Galaxy S7

So this here review is gonna be a little different than other reviews...as "technically" I don't own this phone.  But, as I know quite a few people who do, and I was able to bribe/threaten/cajole one of them enough (thanks Steven!) to lay my hands on it for a good little while, I feel confident I can give the 4-1-1 to anyone who is actively considering making this their next daily driver device.  If you've got a Galaxy S5 or even purchased an S6 early on, this could be the one you're waiting for.  Maybe you've used an iPhone for a while and are considering making the switch to Android?  This could be the one you've been waiting for as well.  The Galaxy S7 - here's looking at you, kid!

Thursday, March 31, 2016

[Op-Ed] What kind of market will the iPhone SE find?

Apple recently announced a refresh of their design from the iPhone 5/5s line, and are calling it the iPhone SE.  The odd thing about this refresh is that it now gives Apple not 1, not 2, but 3 different size iPhones for consumers to choose from.  After such a long time of offering a single choice in mobile smartphones, Apple has done a 180 and first moved up from a 3.5" display mode (iPhone 4), to 4.0" display (iPhone 5/5s), then finally the current generation iPhone 6s (at 4.7" display size) and the 6s+ (at a whopping 5.5" display size) - one might view this as a reversal of trend, as most smartphone OEMs these days are abiding by the motto of "bigger is better!" when it comes to display size.  But is this really what consumers want?  Are we stuck with nothing but smartphones that are so large they create an unsightly bulge in our jeans pockets?  Or has Apple found an untapped market, as they seem to so often do with their products?  Let's explore in more depth.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

[Op-Ed] Are smart watches worth your time?

Since so much time has passed since the Moto 360 came into my life (including the release of its successor the Moto 360-2 and the Moto 360 Sport) I thought I might skip the straight up review, and instead focus more on the driving question behind this, and other wearables on the market right now: are smart watches a fad, a nice to have, or a must have?  I asked in the title of this article if "smart watches are worth your time" - using a very obvious but still clever pun - and hopefully I can answer this for you, and other folks considering picking up one of a great number of options available today.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Something new...coming soon

Hopefully!  So the Two Tech Geeks have not given up their love of all things tech (never that!) but we've been working on something new and even more exciting for all you followers.  Not going to give it away yet, but maybe you'll be "hearing" something about it soon.

Stay tuned for more details...

Monday, February 1, 2016

[Review] LG G4

With a change in carrier came a change in phones - for my whole family as it was to turn out.  I went with the Nexus 6P and haven't regretted it one bit.  Misses Tech Geek needed something with a good camera, good battery life, and had an SD card slot (since we knew we'd be using that good camera a lot) - we looked at a few options, but since she was using the G2, it made the most sense to get her the updated version, LG's G4.  Its not my daily driver, but I've used it enough to know what I like and don't like.  Does the G4 live up to the lofty expectations of its G2 and G3 forebears?  Let's dig in and find out.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

[Review] Huawei Nexus 6P

Its been a long time, and many things have happened...but among those things was a switch of carriers for the Two Tech Geeks (from Verizon to T-Mobile) and a new daily driver phone, from the LG G3 to the Nexus 6P.  Mrs. Tech Geek also got an LG G4....more details and some thoughts on that to come soon as well.

But for now...since the 6P has been in my hands for a couple months now, let's get into what I like, don't like, and whether the Two Tech Geeks recommend this first Nexus from Huawei.