iPad Mini vs. Nexus 7

he iPad Mini and Nexus 7 are competing in the smaller tablet space. People really like 
tablets of this size because they can be held with one hand, they can fit into a pocket 
(usually), and they're great for reading and web browsing. 

The iPad Mini is the more expensive of the two, starting at $329 for the 16GB WiFi model.
 At higher price points, more storage and LTE connectivity is available. It has an A5 dual-core 
chip with 512MB of RAM. The display is 7.9" and 1024x768 resolution and 162ppi.

Google Girl - Google Plus vs Facebook

Google Girl - Google plus vs Facebook
Have fun and laugh while you learn with Google Girl.

Facebook Timeline vs. Google Plus (Social Network Parody)

Mark Zuckerberg reflects on the battle of Google+ vs. Facebook.

Will Google+ make Facebook the new Myspace?

What is Google+ (Google Plus) and do I need it?

***This is NOT a paid advertisement*** Google Plus is Google's new social network. 
But why start a Google Plus account when you already have a Facebook account? 
Well, Facebook was developed on the premise that everyone is your "friend" which isn't 
how your social circles work in real life. Google plus is built so that you can intuitively
 break up all your connections into "circles" and treat each circle separately. 
(Facebook allows you to do some of the same things but the privacy settings are 
confusing and constantly changing.) 

Google Plus has a lot of slick features, but the biggest reason to open a Google Plus 
account is that if you use a lot of Google products you will inevitably get one some day.

Official Apple iPad Mini Trailer

Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Note 10.1, Which Is Faster?

In this video, I do a speed comparison test between the ASUS Nexus 7 from Google 
and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablets. These are arguably the two most popular 
Android tablets out on the market right now, and they're both packing a lot of power 
under the hood. The Nexus 7 has a 1.3 GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor with
1GB of RAM. The Galaxy Note 10.1 has a 1.4 GHz Exynos 4 quad-core processor 
with 2GB of RAM. At the time of recording, the Nexus 7 was running Android 4.1.1 and
 the Galaxy Note 10.1 was running Android 4.0.4. So, which tablet is faster?
 Watch the video to find out!

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: S Pen demo

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 vs Apple iPad 3

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Review

Five user complaints about iPhone 5

(CNN) -- Apple's iPhone 5 broke records over the weekend, selling more than 5 million units.

Most of those new owners, many of whom lined up at Apple stores and other retailers, are presumably happy with their new gadget, which has been praised for its bigger display screen, lighter and thinner form, and faster processor.

But, as with many new tech products, there have been glitches, too. As the new iPhones get road-tested, buyers have taken to the Web to complain about issues ranging from the fixable to the unfortunately final.

The doozy has been a spotty maps application. For the first time, Apple's latest operating system replaced rival Google's mapping service with its own. As many people got their first look at it with a new phone, they've found huge chunks of the world missing, or locations showing up in the wrong place. (Apple said the app is a work in progress and will be fixed.)

Plenty has been written about that issue. But other gripes have emerged as well. Some sound legitimate. And, given the hyper-intense nature of the tech world's "love-hate" relationship with their gadgets, a couple just sound downright silly.

After a few days of putting the new smartphone through its paces, here are five gripes people have with the iPhone 5.

Google: No plans 'yet' for iOS 6 mapping app

1. Scratches

Apple prides itself on making products that aren't just functional but beautiful as well.

But users are reporting that after having their iPhone 5s for only days, or even hours, the sheen on the sleek, aluminum phone is getting scratched up.

Melissa Jenna Godsey at iFixIt.com posted a YouTube video of her 2-year-old daughter hitting and scratching the phone's aluminum rear case with a set of keys, creating visible scratches and dents. Similar scuffing of the iPhone 4S revealed little, if any, damage.

"I know this is kind of an extreme case, but she's not the strongest two-year-old," Godsey said. "And this all just happened, so I can only imagine what this is going to look like after a couple of weeks of solid use."

Answering an e-mail from a user, Phil Schiller, Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing, downplayed the issue.

"Any aluminum product may scratch or chip with use, exposing its natural silver color," Schiller said in the e-mail, reported and verified by Apple-centric blog 9to5 Mac. "That is normal."

Translated on Twitter by PC Mag writer Sascha Segan: "Apple: iPhones Aren't Chipping, They're Just Shedding Their Skins To Become Beautiful Butterflies."

2. Lightning dock connector

The tech world is nothing if not full of change. But many longtime Apple users are irked at the company's decision to use a smaller connector port, called Lightning, on the iPhone 5 and new iPods. With one fell swoop, that meant both a need for new power cords and that the new products won't connect with older speaker systems, alarm clocks and other accessories.

The fix? A $29 adapter (which costs $39 if you want a new cable with it). And even then, the adapter doesn't support video or the "iPod out" function for transmitting some data from the devices.

"Day 3 of having the new iPhone and I already lost the power cord #thanksapple," wrote one Twitter user.

"It's time to gouge our customers for a ton more money," Disqus commenter dawsg4ever quipped.

A Lightning-to-USB cable costs $19 and, according to Apple's website, currently has a one- to two-week wait time to be shipped.

3. The phone's too light

We told you some of these are kind of weird.

One of Apple's selling points for the new phone is that it's the lightest smartphone ever.

One of the emerging complaints? That it's the lightest smartphone ever.

To some users, a phone without the usual heft feels suspiciously cheap, toylike. Gizmodo rounded up some of the gripes under the headline, "The Weirdest Thing People Hate About the iPhone 5."

Those, culled from Twitter, included these nuggets:

• "Can I be honest and say I wish the iPhone 5 was slightly thicker and heavier. Hate thin phones!"

• "Held the iPhone 5. Way too light for this spazz-attack. I need a heavier phone so I don't completely destroy it."

• "This new iPhone is way too light. I feel like its gonna just fly outta my hand with the slightest breeze #firstworldproblems"

Should you upgrade to the iPhone 5?

4. Screen issues

OK ... there are 5 million new phones in the wild now, so inevitably there are going to be some lemons. It's hard to know how widespread it is, but a handful of problems with the phone's touchscreen are bubbling up, too.

One YouTube video shows what appear to be weird bubbles showing up on one part of the display screen when the user touches another.

Threads on the Macrumors site also were filling up with people who said their screens started flickering just hours after getting their new phone.

5. Leaking light

Phones aren't supposed to leak. But users on multiple forums are reporting that light from the screen appears to be showing through gaps around the iPhone 5's antenna and power button.

Boy Genius Report said it's happening on one of its phones and shows light streaming out of a small crack beneath the power button. The report said the leak is only visible in low light. Users said Apple has been offering replacements.

5 big changes in iOS 6

Rihanna leads MTV Europe Music Award nominations

Pop sensations Rihanna and Taylor Swift are up against each other in three categories. PHOTO: FILE

LOS ANGELES: 

Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna led the nominations for the MTV Europe Music Awards on Monday with six nominations, ahead of country songstress Taylor Swift with five and pop stars Justin Bieber and Katy Perry with four each.

The music channel said Rihanna had been shortlisted for best song “We Found Love”, best female, best pop, best video for “We Found Love”, “biggest” fans and in the new category best look.

She is up against Swift in the female, pop and look categories, while Swift was also nominated for best live and best world stage act.

Lady Gaga dominated last year’s awards held in Belfast, coming away with four prizes and performing “Marry the Night”. This year she is nominated for three awards – best live act, best video and “biggest” fans.

The awards, many of which are voted for by MTV fans online, are one of the biggest pop events outside the United States, and, despite being based in Europe, are generally dominated by American artists.

This year they will be held in Frankfurt’s Festhalle on November 11.

Following are the main nominations:

Best song: Carly Rae Jepsen/“Call Me Maybe”; Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris/ “We Found Love”; Gotye/ “Somebody That I Used To Know”; Pitbull feat. Chris Brown/ “International Love”; Fun. feat. Janelle Monáe/ “We Are Young”

Best new: Rita Ora; Fun.; One Direction; Lana Del Rey; Carly Rae Jepsen

Best female: Rihanna; Katy Perry; P!nk; Taylor Swift; Nicki Minaj

Best male: Justin Bieber; Kanye West; Flo Rida; Pitbull; Jay-Z

Best pop: Justin Bieber; No Doubt; Katy Perry; Taylor Swift; Rihanna

Best live: Taylor Swift; Lady Gaga; Jay-Z & Kanye West; Green Day; Muse

Best hip hop: Jay-Z & Kanye West; Nas; Rick Ross; Drake; Nicki Minaj

Best rock: Linkin Park; Green Day; Muse; The Killers; Coldplay

Best electronic: David Guetta; Swedish House Mafia; Avicii; Skrillex; Calvin Harris

Best alternative: Jack White; The Black Keys; Arctic Monkeys; Florence + The Machine; Lana Del Rey

Best video: M.I.A./Bad Girls; Lady Gaga/Marry The Night; Katy Perry/Wide Awake; Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris/We Found Love; PSY/Gangnam Style. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2012.

Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Test OTA update for Samsung Galaxy S3 revealed

Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Test OTA update for Samsung Galaxy S3 revealed

Heads up, those of you who are rocking to the South Korean version of the Samsung Galaxy S3, which is also known by its model number SHV-E210K. It seems that the Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Test OTA (Over The Air) update for said handset can be retrieved, although it is not yet available to the masses. Word has it that this particular update will also be able to assist 3rd party Android Developers such as CyanogenMod Team to further improve their Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean custom ROMs for Samsung Galaxy S3. Again, we must stress that this particular Jelly Bean Test is meant for the South Korean version of the Galaxy S3 only, try it on other Galaxy S3 models and it will not work.

The entire OTA update weighs in at a massive 323.9MB, sporting a build date of September 18, 2012. You will need to be on E210KKKALH6 firmware before the update can be flashed properly. For the uninitiated, you might just want to play it safe and wait it out for an official Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean update for your device and save yourself from any potential heartaches and headaches.

Samsung Galaxy Note II with dual-SIM capabilities gets spotted in the wild

Now that the second-gen Note is finally out of Samsung's precious (and teasing) bag, we're learning moreand more about the exorbitant device -- not to say we weren't expecting this to be the case, however. Still, we were rather intrigued by the distinct Galaxy Note II pictured above, which, by the looks it, comes pre-loaded with dual-SIM capabilities, and thus makes this particular unit slightly different than that one unit we played with back at IFA. Although details are still very scarce at the moment, rumor has it the dual-SIM Note will only be available in China and, aside from the slot additions, all other features the famed phablet offers appear to be exactly the same. Feel free to check out the source below for more pics, but don't expect anything too exciting or out of the ordinary -- unless, of course, extra SIM slots are your thing.

iPhone 5 review: Finally, the iPhone we've always wanted

iPhone 5 review

The good: The iPhone 5 adds everything we wanted in the iPhone 4S: 4G LTE, a longer, larger screen, and a faster A6 processor. Plus, its top-to-bottom redesign is sharp, slim, and feather-light.

The bad: Sprint and Verizon models can't use voice and data simultaneously. The smaller connector renders current accessories unusable without an adapter. There's no NFC, and the screen size pales in comparison to jumbo Android models.

The bottom line: The iPhone 5 completely rebuilds the iPhone on a framework of new features and design, addressing its major previous shortcomings. It's absolutely the best iPhone to date, and it easily secures its place in the top tier of the smartphone universe.

The look: Thin, metal, light as heck
You know its look, even if the look has been subtly transformed over the years: circular Home button, pocketable rectangle, familiarly sized screen. Can that design be toyed with, transformed a little, changed?

From left: The Lumia 900, iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3.

Samsung Galaxy S3 vs. HTC One X : In-depth comparison

Samsung Galaxy S3 vs. HTC One X : In-depth comparison

For years, we’ve compared nearly every new smartphone to the iPhone. Even today, it remains the best-selling phone of them all. Times are changing though. Excitement over Android handsets has always been scattered, but right now, everyone keeps asking me the same question: Should I get the One X  or the Samsung Galaxy S3? For the first time, we’re seeing excitement for new Android handsets begin to rival the iPhone — at least more than ever before. The Galaxy S3 is actually the first smartphone to launch on all four major carriers 

(and US Cellular). 

So which should you buy? Samsung and HTC are clearly attempting to duke it out. These handsets are nearly identical in many ways, but if you’re going to lay down cash for a top phone, you want the best. And so we bring you our guide to picking which handset is better for you: the HTC One X or the Samsung Galaxy S3.

	Phone	Samsung Galaxy S III (AT&T)	HTC One X (AT&T)
	OS	Android Ice Cream Sandwich	Android Ice Cream Sandwich
	Interface	Samsung TouchWiz	HTC Sense 4
	Processor	1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4	1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4
	Screen	4.8-inch, 1280x720, HD Super AMOLED	4.7-inch, 1280x720, HD Super LCD
	Memory	2GB RAM, 16GB ROM	1GB RAM, 16GB ROM
	Expansion Slot	micro SD	No
	Dimensions (HWD)	5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 inches	5.3 x 2.75 x 0.36 inches
	Weight	4.7 ounces	4.6 ounces
	4G	4G LTE	4G LTE
	Camera	8MP main, 1.9MP front	8MP main, 1.3MP front
	Max Video Resolution	1080p HD	1080p HD
	Burst Mode	Yes	Yes
	Image capture during video recording	Yes	Yes
	Dedicated camera button	No	No
	Voice Command	Samsung S Voice	Google Voice Actions
	Search with voice	Yes	Yes
	Voice launch 3rd Part Apps	Yes	No

Design
Sculpted from a single block of fancy polycarbonate plastic, the HTC One X is a lovely handset for sure. Its all-white chassis is also pretty striking, plus it feels smooth yet grips fingertips well. Despite its massive 4.7-inch screen, the One X is thin too (0.36 inch) but not quite as trim as the Galaxy S III (0.34 inch).

The Galaxy S III's design outdoes the One X in other ways too, with Samsung's latest flagship phone packing both a microSD card slot and removable battery. Samsung Galaxy phones have also gained a bad rap for their cheap-feeling plastic construction. Not so with the Galaxy S III, which sports smoothly rounded curves that fit hands like a glove. And while the Galaxy S III is indeed made from plastic, it has a more premium paint job than its predecessor.

Display
It's hard not to be entertained by the Galaxy S III's massive 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED screen. It boasts a high 1,280 by 720-pixel resolution and flaunts colors that pop and blacks that are lusciously deep. The HTC One X's 4.7-inch HD Super LCD is a contender as well. It too offers a sharp 1,280 by 720-pixel resolution, and while the screen's colors aren't as saturated, its hues are more lifelike. Additionally, images and text are more crisp on the One X, plus the display is much brighter. Of course, which of the phone's displays you prefer comes down to your personal preference. Frankly I hear echos of the old plasma versus LCD HDTV debate.

• CNET
 
• Dialed In

Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X compared

Sparks fly when these two Android smartphone titans collide.

by Brian Bennett

  June 20, 2012 2:59 PM PDT

How well does the HTC One X stack up against the Samsung Galaxy S III?

(Credit: Brian Bennett/CNET)

If you're a loyal AT&T subscriber, love Android, and need a new phone badly, you've got a tough choice ahead. Both of today's hottest handsets, the Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X, are yours for the taking.

The problem is figuring out which one is a better option. These two superphones are each winners in their own right, but if push comes to shove and you had to select just one, which AT&T device is truly worthy of a place in your pocket? Let's get down to brass tacks and find out.

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As you can see from this handy dandy chart, both the Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC One X can hold their own. They do differ in several ways, which makes picking one over the other that much more difficult.

Design
Sculpted from a single block of fancy polycarbonate plastic, the HTC One X is a lovely handset for sure. Its all-white chassis is also pretty striking, plus it feels smooth yet grips fingertips well. Despite its massive 4.7-inch screen, the One X is thin too (0.36 inch) but not quite as trim as the Galaxy S III (0.34 inch).

The Galaxy S III's design outdoes the One X in other ways too, with Samsung's latest flagship phone packing both a microSD card slot and removable battery. Samsung Galaxy phones have also gained a bad rap for their cheap-feeling plastic construction. Not so with the Galaxy S III, which sports smoothly rounded curves that fit hands like a glove. And while the Galaxy S III is indeed made from plastic, it has a more premium paint job than its predecessor.

HTC takes care in the One X's premium plastic construction.

(Credit: CNET)

Samsung also upped its design game with the Galaxy S III.

(Credit: josh MIller/CNET)

Display
It's hard not to be entertained by the Galaxy S III's massive 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED screen. It boasts a high 1,280 by 720-pixel resolution and flaunts colors that pop and blacks that are lusciously deep. The HTC One X's 4.7-inch HD Super LCD is a contender as well. It too offers a sharp 1,280 by 720-pixel resolution, and while the screen's colors aren't as saturated, its hues are more lifelike. Additionally, images and text are more crisp on the One X, plus the display is much brighter. Of course, which of the phone's displays you prefer comes down to your personal preference. Frankly I hear echos of the old plasma versus LCD HDTV debate.

Features and performance

Samsung threw all the bells and whistles into the Galaxy S III. The cutting-edge device comes with a boatload of special software and interface enhancements, some of which work better than others. Real standouts, though, are Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and S Beam for transferring content between phones such as photos and video by bumping them together. Running the Galaxy S III's show is a fast Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor paired with a whopping 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard memory.

The HTC One X is no slouch either, equipped with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and HTC's latest Sense 4 UI, which is both intuitive and powerful. Sure, the One X may not come with the amount of ambitious gesture or voice controls as the Galaxy S III. I'd argue, though, that too many snazzy enhancements and special functions may be overwhelming or have limited value. Just like the Galaxy S III, a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip pushes the One X's software along at a quick clip. That said, the phone's RAM tops out at 1GB, though 16GB of internal storage is included.

Camera and network
Both the Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X pack formidable 8-megapixel cameras with backlit sensors. The dueling phones also take advantage of Ice Cream Sandwich's new burst shot feature and can capture images with machine gun rapidity. Still, the Galaxy S III wins by a hair in the camera department, capturing clearer and more pleasing HD video. It also has a higher resolution 1.9MP front-facing camera compared to the One X's 1.3MP vanity image sensor.

When it comes to network connection, the two handsets, thankfully, link to AT&T's swift 4G LTE infrastructure and both delivered similar data speeds on our tests. We recorded average download speeds north of 15Mbps with peaks exceeding 20Mbps. Of course, your particular experience will vary depending on the usual variables such as the time of day, location, and the proper alignment of celestial bodies. We also conducted data testing for the Galaxy S III in San Francisco and the HTC One X in New York.

Verdict
I have to say it's a close call and you'll be served exceptionally well by either of these two phones. If you absolutely must have a bleeding-edge device and want the option of swapping out batteries in a pinch or if your power cell fails, the Samsung Galaxy S III is the way to go. I do know that HTC handsets flaunt a distinctive soul all their own, right down to their elegantly crafted interface and quality craftsmanship. If you fall into this camp, only the HTC One X will float your boat.