Sunday, March 29, 2015

My Strange Trip to the Apple Store....

Hello and welcome back to another installment of.......




Glad to see you've come back..

This post is going to be a tad different than usual.... So bear with me.

Recently, Apple released a software update..iOS 8.2, and with that update, came some features and bug fixes and of course increased stability..

It was a few days after this update when I noticed that the camera on my long term tester (iPhone 6 Plus 128GB) , stopped using its auto focusing feature correctly. So like the good little iSheep that I am, I took the tester device into the Apple Store, and said store offered to replace the camera for free, but as a contingency plan, offered to replace the device, if the problem wasn't solved...

It was almost like the sales rep, didn't want the word to get out. Why do I say that? I've worked in retail, and when the company doesn't want you to know something, the sales reps always act, "a certain way". I know because I've been guilty of this.

It was also very obvious that I was not the only one with the camera issue, this discrepancy has been reported in small waves, ever since the software update, and it has prompted Apple to go out of their way to fix all issues.....quietly..

Like anyone else, I was extremely grateful not to have to come out of pocket for the repairs, which was so obviously explained to me as an hardware issue, a manufacturers defect. 

But I couldn't help but wonder, since the defect was not apparent until after the most recent update, could said update cause a hardware issue, something as simple as a commonplace auto focus feature.

And if so, why was Apple ready and willing to replace a $1000 device, in such a non-confrontational way. I had to admit I was more than surprised, but ever more suspicious.

The iPhone 6 and 6 plus has been one of Apple's best moves, since the lines creation. So I would seem practical to fix any and all issues and discredit them to rumor and speculation, especially with new devices on the horizon for this fall, allegedly.....

More on that later,..

In any event. 

These have been your investigative announcements for Sunday March 29th, 2015, please govern yourselves accordingly.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook! 

Until next time...


Monday, March 16, 2015

The Apple Watch

Hello again! And welcome back to another installment of....





The wait is officially over and speculation can finally end. The Apple Watch has made its debut. And we hear tech expo cannot wait to dive into the details at this device. So without further provocation, here is... The Apple Watch..



The first detail of note is the fact that this watch comes in two sizes, one modest 38mm and one slightly larger, and equally less modest 42mm variant of the watch. 

But wait there's more.... Along with the two different sizes, there are three different types of chassis or watch housings, that you have to choose from. 

The entry level Apple Watch Sport, rightfully so, sporting an aluminum (rumored to be highly durable) chassis and rubber watch bands : starting at $349 for the 38mm and gradually moving up $399 for the 42mm. (Shown below)



The next tier up is simple named "The Apple Watch" sporting stainless steel chassis and watch band for an increased premium appearance, this watch ranges from $549-$1049. Prices vary depending on the watch band options you choose, along with the chassis size itself Yes you read that correctly.....


And finally, which happens to be the most expensive the "Apple Watch Edition" that encompasses a 18 karat Rose gold chassis, that starts in pricing at around $10,000. Kudos to anyone that purchases this variant, you will officially be..."that guy"...

its up to your imagination to determine if this is good or bad...lol




Now that we've hashed out the prices, lets talk about what you're getting. 

The apple watch (all variants) offers many features that the tech world has become familiar with, thanks to previous android compatible smart watch devices. These apple smart watches have a built-in microphone paired with a small useful speaker, making answering phone calls and replying to text messages a breeze. These new devices also come software features allowing all watch faces to be modified, showing vital information at a glance if you so wish it to be displayed. Naturally you can navigate to such information using buttons and dial on the watch itself but, it's a nice feature nonetheless. One of the most off features of this device is its ability to send hand drawn (by swiping on the watch screen) pictures between your own watch and a friends/spouse's apple watch. (Obviously encouraging people to buy at least 2 per household and recommending them to friends...)

But here is my (Matthew's) personal issue. Apple is and will always be known for radically redesigning, re-releasing and reformatting their devices at or around 6 months of unsuccessful sales...( (i.e. the iPhone 5s and possibly the 6s and 6plus (s) if the rumors have any truth to them....))
So persuading the masses to purchase the first generation model of this device at a price that I do believe is completely unreasonable compared to the competition (like the new pebble smart watch or Motorola 360 ) that offers equal quality and functionality is absolutely absurd.

My advice? 

Wait for a sale....or some sort of offer or decent promotion...to knock that price down.....
Or simply wait for the second generation of the device with might prove to correct the unforeseen mistakes of the first gen model...

Is it a great device? 
Of course it is!

Is it worth your first born child?

Maybe.....

No I'm just kidding...of course it isn't lol

Pre-orders start on April 10th with an expected availability of April 24th..

In any event....

These have been your technological announcements for Monday March 16th, 2015.
Please govern yourselves accordingly. 


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Thursday, March 5, 2015

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge

Hello, and welcome back to another installment of....




we are so glad you've returned!...
you wont be disappointed!

Today we are reporting the latest talk of the town,
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge 

On March 1st Samsung held their bi-yearly announcement or press conference at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, Spain. and with those announcements, comes the quelling of rumors and speculation that has had the Internet in an uproar since the release of the Galaxy Note Edge Experiment. Now we have the S6 in all of its highly anticipated glory..

Lets start with the specs of both devices..
First the Samsung Galaxy S6 (shown below)





The S6 is equipped with...
  • 5.1 Quad HD Super AMOLED display pushing 577 ppi (2560x1440 resolution)
  • Quad 2.1Ghz + 1.5 Ghz, Octacore Processor
  • Android 5.0 Lollipop (with TouchWiz on top of course)
  • 16mp Camera with Optical Image Stabilization, Paired with a 5.0mp front facing camera (with quick launch.
  • Ultra Power Saving Mode
  •  Download Booster
  • Samsung Pay
  • "Theme" Store
  • Private Mode
  • 3GB Ram, 2550 mAh battery
  • Wireless Charging (4 hours of battery life on 10 minutes of charging time)
  • Improved, Swipe-less, Fingerprint Scanner, with functionality close to that of Touch ID
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
-equipped with all of the above listed features plus...
  • Slightly Larger 2600mAh battery
  • Dual Edge Display (for notifications and other application functions)
Speaking of dual edges, lets discuss the display of the S6 Edge. this new display curves around the sides of the device, dramatically reducing the left and right bezels. and providing unique viewing angles along with a more immersive experience. As seen below.









While the S6 will definitely be considered a flagship with all of its specs (on paper), its more than obvious that the Galaxy S6 Edge will definitely be the company's main focus.

 Both devices will feature some on Samsung's more popular features, such as multi -screen app/web browsing , and app bubbles/contact favorites. but the Galaxy S6 Edge display alone is simply, attractive. Something more that the Edge and S6 have added is a highly reflective rear glass, that just makes people marvel when they lay eyes on it!

The material on this device alone makes it more than a worthwhile purchase.

These devices have an availability set for the month of April, specifically the 10 day of the month.
Naturally deals and prices may vary depending on what carrier you select, but we are told that such prices should be close to if not uniform for this device, seeing that it will be available through all major carriers, including some prepaid carriers...

We hope to get our hands on a test model in the near future, to do a comparison of features.
stay tuned for that..

In any event, these have been your technological announcements for Thursday March 5th, 2015
please govern yourselves accordingly..


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