The Best Tech of 2014!

Welcome back to another installment of...

  Now that 2014 has reached its expected end, it would be fitting for us to take a look back and see what this past year had to offer us, in terms of technological advancement, of course.

Lets start off with the Good stuff, shall we?

The Nexus 6 & 9! 

Nexus 6 (above), Nexus 9 (below)

                After the release of the nexus 5 (smartphone) and the nexus 7 (tablet) in 2013, the fans of the popular device line had long awaited the arrival of a current model nexus from a different manufacturer. LG and ASUS were in charge of last years models, and they sold an adequate amount of units. But now, HTC and Motorola has taken their turn at making both a smartphone and tablet for the Nexus series. With the nexus 6's 5.96 inch 2560x1440p resolution, 13mp camera and 3220 mAh battery... It would seem that Motorola remembered every detail that a phablet should entail (based on public opinion, and sales from the One M8) , with an added bonus of front facing speakers. I mean who doesn't love those?

                The Nexus 9 is basically a larger version of the smartphone variant (naturally), meaning that if you bought both devices, navigating them would be a breeze, plus what makes the nexus name so popular, are the updates, straight from google, and good for at least 2 years. (Currently running lollipop/Android 5.0)

The Nexus 6 and 9 are both on my (Matthew's) christmas list, just in case anyone was wondering.

I kinda figured someone would care.....

moving on.....

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

           You can call Apple Inc. copycats, hypocrites or just a bunch of plain ol'  followers, but you must admit, the iPhone is better now, that it has ever been. I've reviewed the 6 and 6 Plus in a separate blog already but I will say this, the 6 plus (my personal daily driver) has impressed me! and that isn't an easy task to accomplish. The battery life is exquisite, the screen resolution, while not Quad HD, still provides a premium experience, and the build quality ( with an all metal design ), put iPhone 6 and 6 plus, at the top of my list of devices that are a must have for the last quarter of 2014.

The Pebble Smartwatch

Disclaimer : Let me just say that I'm not just putting these devices on my list, solely because I own some of them, But because they are just amazing devices of this year!

            The Pebble Smartwatch has been awarded best smartwatch of 2014 in most tech award categories. Yes, that means that the Pebble won over the Moto 360, ASUS Zen Watch, Sony smartwatch, and the Samsung Galaxy gear, all of which are more "technologically advanced" than the pebble. But what makes this device more popular than the rest?

• The Price
• Availability
• Cross-Platform Usage (meaning compatible with Apple Products as well as Android Devices)
• Look and Feel (Build Quality)
• Steel Variant
• Battery Life (up to 7 days between charges)

          Of course with a price point of $79-$99 (depending on what sale is going on at the moment), the Pebble suffers some lack of fancy tech that you get on other watches, like a touchscreen for example, or a high resolution, pixel dense multi-color display. However I find that the physical buttons on the device make me feel like more of a spy when I'm using it, and the retro look makes it very easy not to compare it to other devices, its in a class of its own.. So, there's that.

These three devices (well 4 if you count the nexus 9) are, in my opinion..the best tech of 2014!!In spite of everything else that has been released throughout the year, these devices have managed to stir up the most conversation, debate, controversy, and general buzz in the tech world during their respective debuts. Sure other tech could go on my list, like the Galaxy Note 4, great device, or the One+, equally great, the Moto X 2014, or even the HTC One M8, all wonderful pieces of tech, but they pale in comparison, not on a specifications sheet, but in popularity. 

And of course you know that's what technology is really about, 

popularity.....

In any event

These have been your technological announcements for Wednesday December 10th, 2014 

Please govern yourselves accordingly

Wearable Technology - The Latest Craze

Wearable Tech!

 apparently its the next big thing!

We've seen the rise of the Smart Watch, we've seen the Fitness Smart Wristbands, we've even seen Google Glass(es) make its debut! who can tell what else will appear in the coming months? My question to you, and what I'm going to focus on in this blog, is the practicality of such wearable technology!

Lets talk about functionality.

 From what I've been seeing and reading on smart-watches (such as the Galaxy Gear and Pebble Smart-watch), its major functions are focused on notifications.

Whether it be from Facebook/Twitter or maybe a text message/email. your perspective watch will alert you and possibly give you a small preview of what you received, and I'm guessing the preview if for you to determine if you need to take the time to take your phone out of your pocket/purse/bag or not. 

Lol. (Pause to laugh with me...)

Moving On....

I can definitely see the advantage of answering phone calls or maybe taking a quick snapshot of something you want to remember when you may or may not have enough time to pull your phone out. I can also see advantage of your phone automatically locking as your smart watch gains distance from your phone. Both are qualities of the Samsung Galaxy Gear. While the Pebble smart-watch is a more limited adaptation of such functionality (minus the ability to answer calls and take pictures), it holds up the standard on notifications and will indeed let you know when something is up in your social world. 

Naturally I find features, such as the listed above, to be more than amazing. Practical or not. I just like impressive technology. and I find the idea of wearable technology (wrist bands, watches, glasses) to be more than amazing in every aspect..

Oh i almost forgot about Google Glass...

why didn't you say anything....

(*points at you*)

Google Glass, to my knowledge is still in development. I could try to explain it, but i think the website does a much better job at that so ill let you check them out!

( http://www.google.com/glass/start/ ) 

Also I'll Leave this here as well for your checking out pleasure

Samsung Galaxy Gear Features

( http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/wearable-tech/SM-V7000ZKAXAR-features )

Pebble Smart Watch

( https://getpebble.com/ )

Ill let you be the judge on the validity of wearable technology...

in the meantime...

I'm going shopping...

These have been your technological announcements for Wednesday February 5, 2014

please govern yourselves accordingly

Remember!

I could always use suggestions and topics!

Let me know what you want me to talk about!

Thanks for stopping by..

Don't forget to come back! 

Until Next Time

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