[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.

[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.

[Review] LG GPad 8.3 tablet

Recently, chance and good fortune happened to land me a 1st generation iPad mini.  While very grateful for such a princely gift, I (of all people) had no use for such an Apple product.  So, armed with some courage and a good story, I found a local merchant that was willing to swap me out for my choice of Android tablet.  I had thought to find myself the proud owner of a 32GB Nexus 7 (2013) but at the 11th hour found myself going with the LG GPad 8.3 instead.  As those of you who follow this blog might know, I am rather fond of LG's most recent tech products (see my review of the G2 here) and thought to give their new tablet a try.  Is it as outstanding a product as their flagship superphone?  Read below to get my thoughts!

[Op-Ed] The benefit to rooting an Android phone

Once upon a time, I was the proud owner of a Blackberry Pearl.  (Don’t laugh)  I had worked my way up at a previous employer to be in a position to recommend the products the company purchased.  Since mobile e-mail was king, we ended up purchasing a fleet of Blackberry devices.  My first smartphone impressed me so much that when I left the company I decided to buy one for myself.  I owned two before the Pearl was released, and I really though I had found the perfect smartphone for me.  The size, form factor, and RIM’s e-mail integration made this a real winner in my book.  Some days, I miss the feeling I had when I first got it…there’s nothing like the thrill of buying your next tech toy.  This was right about the time the iPhone began to gain traction as an all touch screen smartphone that had a host of other features that a Blackberry couldn’t hope to match.

[Review] LG G2 (or how I learned to love a superphone)

Image courtesy of Droid-Life

At long last - the search is over.  Many of you will recall that I lamented over the lack of phone choices to replace my Galaxy Nexus (see the article here ) but I lament no more!  I have taken the plunge and purchased the G2 from LG, and honestly, I couldn't be happier.  What the heck? you may ask - as this device was on the short list of possibles and was discarded as being unsuitable for my needs.  Well - no one is happier to be proven wrong than me.  Let's take a closer and more in depth look at how LG's newest flagship smartphone won me over.

[News] Samsung debuts the Galaxy S4

Photo courtesy of Droid-Life

The waiting is over - Samsung's even on March 13th officially announced their newest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4.  While it isn't available on any carriers just yet, here are the official specs, direct from Sammy:

• Processor: 1.9GHz Quad-core processor or 1.6GHz Octa-core processor (depending on global region)
• Memory: 2GB of RAM and 16/ 32/ 64 GB User memory expandable through SDcard slot
• Display: 5″ full-HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080) display, with 441 ppi
• Connections: Hexaband LTE, HSPA+, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, IR controller
• Battery: 2,600mAh
• Ships with Android 4.2.2

The Galaxy S4 has a larger screen than its predecessor, while still managing to come in thinner and lighter.  From early reports, this true HD screen looks incredible with vivid rich colors and amazing sharpness and clarity.  This is sure to be a huge selling point with fans of Samsung.

[Rumor] Galaxy S4 to launch in black & white

Possilble Galaxy S4 render

The latest rumor as we approach the middle of the month and the launch date for the Galaxy S4 is that Samsung will be kicking off their new flagship with 2 colors - the staple white and black.  In addition, there should be 16GB/32GB/64GB variants, all available for purchase (at some point) - this is in addition to the expandable SD card slot already pretty much a done deal.  Will there be carrier exclusive colors?  Will we see Pebble Blue ever again?  Stay tuned for more details!

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Google to launch new Nexus 7 tablet

If you've read my review of the Nexus 7, you'll know I surely love it and think it likely the best Android tablet on the market.  It's been a very good seller for Asus (the maker) and Google as well...and it looks like its about to get a refresh.  The latest rumor from DigiTimes is that Asus is partnering with Google again to give us an updated Nexus 7, with perhaps an HD panel display, smaller side bezels, and an "upgraded version of Google's Jelly Bean operating system" - whatever that means.

Plunkett called this in one of his Fearless Predictions...it will be interesting to see if it comes true.  I'm sure we will know by May, in time for Google's I/O event.  Carry on Google and Asus!

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Galaxy S4 coming in 2nd quarter 2013

Samsung's Galaxy S3

As we move forward into this new year, we are likely to see a slew (maybe even 2 slews) of "mega" smartphones unveiled - the first to come could very well be Samsung's Galaxy S4.  The latest rumor is that a big reveal might be coming in March, with the go-live sale date coming shortly thereafter in April.  This would be a fast launch by Samsung's standards, and would be great news in light of a somewhat disappointing CES earlier this year.

[Rumor] More HTC M7 info coming soon?

Now that its a brand new year, more rumors are starting to fly around about our favorite tech toys...most notably this new "M7" device from HTC.  The latest rumors have it that HTC might spit some game on their new device as early as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which will be held very soon.  As we'd covered in earlier rumors here this device could be HTC's next "superphone" boasting very cutting edge specs.  The only downer could be whether or not it hits the US and which carriers.  Stay tuned...

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Google and Motorola working on "X phone"

As noted in one of my fearless predictions for next year (see the whole list here) I theorized that the next Nexus phone would be produced by a joint Google and Motorola venture.  Since Google owns Moto, that's no small thing...but since Samsung, HTC, and now LG have all had their shot - I'm thinking it just makes sense if Motorola gets a shot at it.  And it looks like we might be well on our way to that future - if reports from the Wall Street Journal are true.  The rumored device, the so-called "X Phone" would be made by a super secret division within Motorola, and sanctioned by Google, to produce the next generation smartphone so that it can be released in 2013.

I for one am hoping for the unlocked, quad core, 3500mAh, LTE toting beast all Android smartphone lovers have been waiting for since LTE was introduced, but hey - this is just a rumor and could be darn near anything at this point.  Even something crappy.  So we'll all just have to wait and see.

*Source:  Droid-Life

[News] Verizon Galaxy Note 2's bootloader unlocked

Now this news will probably not mean much to a lot of folks, but for those precious few Android enthusiasts who enjoy "modding" their phones...this is a great day.  The good folks over at XDA Developers have found an exploit that allows the bootloader of the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 to be unlocked.  This allows for a variety of custom options to be flashed onto the device, including a custom recovery, kernels, and ROMs.  If you're like me and have a desire to always tinker with your device, the Galaxy Note 2 (already a great smartphone) just got a little better.

This link to the chaps over at Droid-Life includes some more info, along with the video on how its done.  You might want to make a "Note" of it if you are thinking about picking up this phone and messing around with it.

*Source:  Droid-Life

[News] Fortune interview with Google's Larry Page

Fortune sat down recently to talk with Google's somewhat reclusive CEO, Larry Page.  As Mr. Page is not often in the spotlight, it seems like this interview would be of significant interest to Google or Android enthusiasts.  A excerpt of the interview with a focus on Android is below:

There are some great products out of Motorola, but none of them are your signature Nexus line. Will you partner with Motorola for these sort of signature devices? How will you decide when to partner with them? And despite all your assurances to the other [Android] partners that you're going to be neutral, aren't they going to freak out [when you build a Motorola Nexus]?

First of all, I don't think there's any physical way we could have released a Nexus Motorola device in that sense. I mean, we haven't owned the company long enough.

How will you decide when to do a Motorola Nexus device, and what do you tell Samsung and LG? 

I think there's a lot of complexity in that question. Maybe I'll talk more generally about that area.
The right way to think about it is how do we get amazing products into users' hands in the most cost-effective, highest quality way possible and to the most people. That's what we do as a business, and that's what we've done with Android.  Part of the reason why we've done Nexus devices in the past is that we want to build an amazing device that kind of showcases what's possible on Android, gives a way for the programmers to get early builds, does a whole bunch of things that are important. Exactly what we do, which devices we do, what the timing is, how we release the software with them, all those things have been changing.

So...as you've probably read in our article on Fearless Predictions for next year, a proposed Motorola Nexus device would be of extreme interest to yours truly.  So hopefully Mr. Page has enough sway to make it happen.  Because I'm sure he's focused solely on my personal happiness.  Or something.  But enough from me...check out the whole article from Fortune here.

*Source:  Fortune Magazine

[Rumor]Samsung Galaxy S IV to be announced in April with "unbreakable" screen

It's the slow season for smartphone news, so that means the rumor mill is in full force.  The rumor of the day is that the Samsung Galaxy S IV will be announced in April and will feature an "unbreakable" screen.  Presumably this would be some version of the flexible display that Samsung showed off at CES back in 2011.

While it's possible the Galaxy S IV will have some version of a flexible display, I'm not holding my breath.  The same rumors surfaced right before the Galaxy Note II was announced with a conventional display earlier this year.

[Rumor] Samsung prepares new phones, tablet for 2013

Coming soon...?

So it would seem that having the Galaxy S3 be a huge hit wasn't enough to make Samsung sit back and rest on their laurels...some rumors coming out of Korea are hinting at the Galaxy S4 (possibly codenamed "Project J") as well as a successor to the Galaxy Note 2, and even (possibly) a giant 13.3 inch tablet (along with a keyboard dock) to compete in the new space that Microsoft is looking to dominate with their Surface line of devices.

After seeing the Galaxy Note 2, and the Galaxy S3 for that matter - I'm pretty excited for what Samsung has coming down the pipe.  Anyone else feel the way I do?

*Source:  Droid-Life

[News] Verizon Galaxy Note 2 to go on sale tomorrow

The day many have longed for has come...the Galaxy Note 2 will be available for purchase through Verizon Wireless starting tomorrow, November 29th.  If you're jonesing for the largest, most powerful smartphone/tablet/phablet on the market with LTE on board, wait no more.

Pricing will likely depend on whether or not you on on or off contract, but with a new 2 year agreement you can pick this one up at Big Red's stores for $299.  As Mr. Plunkett has already made his purchase, expect an in-depth review of this magical device coming soon from the Two Tech Geeks!

*Source:  BGR

[Special Feature]Two Tech Geeks Best of Tech 2012

With the year coming to a close, and the looming Mayan Apocalypse, the Two Tech Geeks thought it would be a good idea to take a look back and highlight some of our favorite things from that wacky, wonderful year that was.  Without further ado, we bring you our Best of Tech 2012:

Best Small Tablet (8" screen or smaller):

Sean: Asus Nexus 7
The Nexus 7 has it all; a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, a 1280 x 800 IPS LCD display, 1GB of RAM and 16GB or 32GB of internal memory.  Better yet, the 16GB version will only set you back $199.99 while the 32GB version goes for $249.99.  Sure the iPad mini may be thinner and constructed of nicer materials, but it has an inferior screen and the 16GB iPad Mini costs 65% more than a 16GB Nexus 7.  In the smaller tablet market, the Nexus 7 reigns supreme.

Shawn: Asus Nexus 7

You'll get no argument from me here.  I recently purchased a Nexus 7, and can't actually use it because the wife likes it so much.  Great materials, great screen, small enough to be portable, but big enough to be useful for things your phone is too small for.  In short - its perfect.

[News] Nexus 4 to go back on sale today

After some "issues" on launch day with getting the Nexus 4 phone sold to as many people who wanted it, Google has indicated that the new Android flagship phone from Google and LG is now back stock and will go back on sale to the consumer at noon Pacific time.

If you are an AT&T or T-Mobile customer and are in the market for a new Android device, this might be right up your alley.  For detailed specs on pricing and the device, go here.  For a link to the Google Play to buy this unlocked bad boy, go here.

*Source: BGR

[Op-Ed] The road to a proposed Google Wireless

When the rumors of Google potentially becoming a wireless carrier themselves broke everywhere on the internet yesterday, of course the world (including yours truly) began to rejoice.  But what would it take to make this beautiful dream a reality?  The short answer is: a lot.  But Michael H. over at Phone Arena has written a pretty good "plain language" opinion piece on this whole process, and some of the potential roadblocks to it actually coming to fruition.

See the article here to read up on what hopefully be in our very near future.

*Source:  Phone Arena

[News] Nexus 7 sales "better than expected"

Published reports are indicating that Google was surprised (probably pleasantly so) over increased demand for the Nexus 7 tablet.  So much so, that they have ordered an additional 2.5 million devices from manufacturer Asus to keep up with sales before the end of 2012.  This comes on top of the estimated 2.5 million tablets already sold so far.  This comes as no surprise to me...I love everything about this tablet.  You can read my review of the Nexus 7 to see my thoughts on this device.

While these numbers don't compare to the number of iPads sold each day, week, or month, demand for the Nexus 7 is growing - indicating a definite need in the market for a 7 inch tablet.  Google and Asus have a home run on their hands with this one.

*Source:  Droid-Life