Samsung Unpacked IFA Episode 2 (2014) - The Galaxy Note Edge

WELCOME BACK TO........

This will be a short post...

Surprise!!! Surprise!!!

*in my best Gomer Pyle voice* 

While watching the Samsung Unpacked Event on last week, my mind went back to the many rumors that suggested that Samsung had something else up their sleeve that was guaranteed to rattle some cages in the mobile tech world. 

And again, Samsung doesn't disappoint in the shock and awe department.

The Galaxy Note Edge is definitely one of the most interesting devices I've ever seen debuted. 

It features all the qualities of the latest version of the Galaxy Note (4) but it has this "edge" or extended screen, As i like to refer to it, on the right side that houses a few apps and serve as a "quick reference" of sorts for some features. 

Now with this Device, i cant really give my opinion yet, however I do believe this is a step in the right direction...whichever that direction maybe. Its different, is subtle and its appealing to a demographic that the tech world wasn't sure it had in the first place.. 

this video (posted below Courtesy of Android Authority) shows exactly what I mean.

In any event,
These have been your technological announcement for Monday, September 8th, 2014
Please govern yourselves accordingly

Thanks for stopping by Tech Expo, we really appreciate it!

AND

Don't forget to show our writer some love on social media!

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
= Matthew Rischer

Samsung Unpacked IFA Episode 2 (2014) - The Galaxy Note 4

 WELCOME BACK TO.....

I have to admit. Samsung had me worried. With the rapid released of the gear smartwatches and variants of the S5, one cant help but to think that the infamous company is getting a little too desperate to squash the competition. However, after watching the IFA Unpacked Episode on Wednesday, I am MORE than impressed with the way things are going for Samsung, at least in the phablet and wearables department..

Without any more hoopla.... Lets get into this shall we?

Now naturally, each new variant of the Note series is guaranteed to have a better camera, increased battery life and those few new features that everyone expects. Samsung does not disappoint. 

the 2014 Galaxy Note has a refined design, innovative display, and features that (I believe) will increase its popularity. The Note is coming with a slightly new soft back material, an All new metal frame (thank you), stronger glass, and the highly acclaimed Touchwiz experience found on the Galaxy S5. 

 Sounds good huh.. well I'm not done..

The Galaxy Note 4 comes with a stunning 2560x1440p Super Amoled Display putting out 550ppi

Translation....

its looks really really really good.

like really...

Also equipped is a newer 16mp camera for the back along with a 3.7mp (up from 2.0mp) camera for the front. and while we are on the camera, Samsung has decided to cater to the Selfie takers of the world and include a wide angle selfie mode in the front facing camera that allows you to take better selfies with friends from a 90 degree angle. A panoramic front facing camera of sorts. Yeah...lol

Also a feature on the rear facing camera that i believe is notable (see what i did there. lol) is the angle adjust feature..
Say for example I'm in class, and the instructor is writing things on the board (dry erase/chalk/overhead/whatever) and instead of scrambling to take notes, take a picture instead. Cool? well what if I'm sitting close to the door or at the far back corner of class and the picture i took is at an angle where i may not be able to make some things out on the board.... Not Cool...(im a witness)

well with the note 4 camera's angle adjust feature, i can take that picture from one of those many odd and off angels and the camera will adjust the photo to make it flat, or in other words as if i were standing directly in front of the display board...
now it may drive teachers a little crazy to see all these cameras in the air but still...its a wonderful feature nonetheless.

Now

Lets talk about the S pen. 

its just about one of the single solitary features that the Note is known for. So naturally Samsung has made some well needed improvements, to make the s pen more commonplace with Note users.

So when you detach the pen, your Air Command feature comes up (on the note 3) right?

now you have a new command which is called Smart Select. which allow you to take small focused "screenshots", if you will, and share them with friends or your blog or personal library. this is personally a feature that I'm looking forward to, only because i change my wallpaper like 4-68 times a day. (exaggeration....kinda) 

Of course like the S5, the Note 4 also comes with a/an.....

• Fingerprint Scanner 
• Ultra Power Saving Mode (also from the S5 software)
• Enhanced Voice Recording (from up to 8 different directions)
• Increased Noise Cancellation
• Fast Charging Software (0-50% power in 30 mins)
•  Samsung's new multi-tasking software
• 50GB of Dropbox Storage for 2 years 

For your viewing pleasure i have a official video from Samsung Describing the phone itself in much better detail everything i have explained and its here 

To keep things short and my posts more frequent, i will divide up all of the different things that Samsung announced at IFA (Berlin) this year.

so with a promise of more post to come. i bid you a temporary farewell as i research all of these devices!

In Any Event


These have been your technological announcements for Friday September 5th, 2014
Please govern yourselves accordingly

Thanks for Stopping by TechExpo
we appreciate it!
Stick with us!

our website will be up soon
so stay tuned here until we move!
we don't want you to miss it

Also Stay in touch with our Writer
via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
MatthewRischer

Clash of the Tech Titans (Samsung vs. Apple vs. Motorola)

I have a problem. A problem that I haven't had in a very long time.

For the first time in about 6 years....

i don't know what phone i want..

September seems to be the magic month for new phones and accessories, and for a good reason...the holidays...

what better way to prepare to close out the year (as a business) than to release a new product that everyone (all the nerds like myself) has been anticipating since January....it gives us all time to settle into the "take my money now" mindset.. and it keeps the businesses in the black...or green, or blue or whatever is the good money making color....(lol i know its black....i think).

with that being said we have a few highly anticipated devices supposedly being announced in September (Hopefully released for sale by October/November). Those devices are the infamous iPhone 6 (4.7), the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and the equally infamous Motorola 360 smartwatch (equipped with Android Wear which i will talk about in a separate blog post)

Even though this post is created before the official announcement of these devices, I'm going to deliver to you the most relevant of rumors that have the most validity. I wouldn't dare deliver information that I KNOW isn't true. 

Lets get in to it then shall we...

First up we have the iPhone 6.....

What's to be Expected? 

      well...we know for certain that the screen size WILL be the 4.7 and 5.5 inch options. we (I lol) also have confirmed that there will be different tiers of the iPhone just like before with the 5s and 5c. The lesser will mostly likely not come with the more expensive and highly famed Sapphire Glass...

speaking of which it seems that this Sapphire Glass is apple's new famous gimmick (everyone has them). Since one of the leading problems with iPhones, just so happens to be with the delicate glass on both the front and back of the phone. This Sapphire glass is highly bendable, extremely hard to scratch and very easy to keep clean, so you have that to look forward to... 

as far as the software side goes...apple did hint on something at WWDC a few months back, they mentioned a feature that allows you to remove yourself from group text messages... now i have to admit...that is a feature that i'm really looking forward to...like seriously..

Next we have the Samsung Galaxy Note 4....

So Whats New?

Well....there are alot of rumors going around about the Note 4 having a metal body, a quad HD display, an even more boss of a battery, stronger glass, a better camera

However...while these features have been confirmed, no one knows what else the phone will do...

Now i can guess (because sometimes i can be right...sometimes) that there will be a fingerprint scanner, and i can also guess that there will be a heart rate monitor for fitness applications, but those features have not been confirmed either....

Other than whats posted above, i cant confirm or deny any other features that the phone may or may not have.

That says a lot for Samsung. if you have unreliable leaked information, then that means you have a (for the most part) secure company. sure some details may slip out, but are they full details or just a piece of that is to come in september... 

Needless to say that Samsung's Note line hasn't disappointing us in a very very long time and i earnestly believe that the Note 4 will follow in those precise footsteps. 

Finally we have The Motorola 360 (Smartwatch)

What's This?

         Now i cant speak for anyone else, but this has to be the one device that I want over everything else I've seen this year. I have the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and when it was released, it shared the spotlight with the Galaxy Gear and later the Gear 2 (Neo and Fit), and even further down the line the Gear Live, all of which didn't go over very well. LG even stepped out there with their G Watch, which was kind of hit and miss...more miss than hit. Motorola seems to have taken their time and created a product that ALOT of people want. 

we want a smartwatch that....

• ...has a great multi-day battery
• ...equipped with a great easy-to-read display
• ...comes with software that can be customized
• ...comes with hardware (wrist straps) that can be customized
• ...easily pairs with your android (soon to be apple) device(s)
• ...looks really expensive and unnecessarily cool and nerdy 

that last bit was for me.....

    But with that being said the Moto 360, as its being referred to, has promised all of these qualities and more. We wont know the "more" part until after the launch event coming up soon, but don't worry ill keep you posted. Ill make it my life's responsibility to do just that *side-eye*

Rumor has it that its starting off at $249....and they are going to get it from me....

with this, yes, i have the "Take My Money Now" syndrome..

don't judge me...

i know you are already but...

don't...

In Any Event

these have been your technological annoucnements for Monday August 18, 2014

 (its been a while huh).

Please Govern Yourselves Accordingly

Thanks for Stopping By

Follow me on everything..

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Soundcloud....
Search for MatthewRischer

and Life...real life that is..lol

iPhone 6 - Rumors and Speculation

Another Shorty.....

Foxconn ( a company directly affiliated with Apple.Inc) has recently confirmed that the iPhone 6 will now be available in two,  significantly larger screen sizes. One 4.7 inch variant, and one 5.5 inch display model for the phablet lovers around the world.

now that we are in the wake of wwdc (apple's bi-yearly developers conference) , and with iOS 8 (a.k.a Android KitKat lol *jokes*) coming up in the fall, one can only wonder when these phones will be released, or even announced, for that matter.

My best guess, without looking anything up, would be September. That month in particular seems to have a profitable history with Apple Inc. I've yet to figure out why, but whatever. All I know is as follows,
                                 
                                     its high time for Apple to do something....and it better be good....

yeah, i said it...

My questions to you all are as follows....

Are you excited about the new iPhone (s)?

Excited about iOS 8?

Yay or Nay for Larger screens?

I mean....is this really the death of the baby sized phone? that's all up to Apple now.

  This post is more of an alert rather than a report. a detailed expose' on iOS 8 is upcoming as i do more study into the matter.

  Below is a Video from my favorite tech vlogger Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) who recently got his hands on the iPhone 6 (dummy model) that gives a little insight on what is to be expected from Apple and Foxconn around the latter piece of 2014...just in time for Christmas.....imagine that...

 iPhone 6 Model (MKBHD) - http://youtu.be/AVpfhoi_uOM

In Any Event

These have been your technological announcements for Wednesday June 4th, 2014

please govern yourselves accordingly

The Lg G3

     

 Quick Blog!

        Released last week, The Lg G3 has already proven to be an awesome device. Now-a-days with flagship phones pretty much having similar specifications, the best way to sell a phone now, apparently, is to equip a device with one (or more) qualities that consumers just wont see on any other devices, or operating systems in this particular case.

I won't bore you with all the specs, being that they aren't much different from other popular devices at the moment.

but i will point out some things that make the LG G3 unique...

        1. Micro sd card expansion (up to 128gb) - this is something that I am so GLAD to see becoming common place in smartphone specifications. People want the option to have more storage without having to pay ridiculous prices for devices that do not allow for memory expansion *cough* (iPhone) *cough* oh....excuse me...


        2. Laser Auto-Focus - the G3 uses a laser to focus extremely fast and allow for "one-touch picture capturing". I'm just hoping it will respond with an reasonable amount of speed when it comes to specialty photo settings like HDR and background blur features...we shall see


        3. a beautiful 1440x2560, 5.5 inch True HD-IPS display with a pixel density of 534ppi (pixels per square inch) and Gorilla Glass 3...if you are in to this kind of thing, not much else needs to be said, if you don't know what im talking about...here is a translation....

its one of the best screens you can look at in 2014 (with the exception of the "Oppo Find 7 and 7a, which I will talk about later)

        4. New "Knock" Lock screen - Normally with android devices you have the option of using a pattern or password to lock your phone. Quite handy, with any device. But it depends on what you are doing or have touched before unlocking your phone that could leave its security at risk. Fingerprints do not lie. Aaaaand with most smart phone users, we like to keep our passwords simple for quick and seamless access, which can also tell on us, and let anyone into our phone...

       The G3 gives you the option to fool everyone again with its "Knock" lock screen. just like you would with a password, you can set up a knock password, where you would simply tap on a certain area of the screen (preferably with one knuckle) and unlock your phone. no passwords, no patterns, and no fingerprints. unless of course you have active knuckles...

I'm not judging anyone...

much.....

that's all the information I'm going to give, because i want to leave something to the imagination.

I've probably already spoiled most of the surprises, but that what tech blogs are for is it not?

in any event.

these have been your technological announcements for Monday June 2nd, 2014. 

please govern yourselves accordingly

Connect with Me!

Facebook + Youtube (Music) + GooglePlus = Matthew Rischer

Instagram + Twitter = AwkwardlyNormal

Please direct all questions and comments to the "Comment Section" Below! 

Thanks for Reading!

Project Ara - The Future of Smartphones

Welcome Back to another installment of TechExpo' (The Technological Expose') !

I am your announcing clerk, Matthew a.k.a / f.k.a AwkwardlyNormal...

Its good that you've returned...

Lets get right to it shall we?

"Le' Struggle"

(a short story)

So you just bought a new phone, and for the first couple days or even weeks, you love everything about your phone. I mean everything, the screen, the button placement, the bezels, the battery life, EVERYTHING....except.......the speakers. You just wish that the speakers were just a tad bit louder, just a tad..as time goes on, you start to see phones that have front-facing speakers that delivers sound and an highly professional rate of enjoyment (boom sound on the Htc one/one M8)...and you think to yourself, i wish my phone had that...

two months later you decide..i want that, i really want those speakers on a phone, and even though you don't really like the phone all that much, you would settle for it any way just because you want those speakers, and that sound!

I speak from personal experience...this isn't hypothetical. lol

lets continue..

BUT WAIT! I just signed another 2 year contract. I mean i could just switch carriers again, but what if i leave and find out I don't really like the phone I'm going to...or the carrier for that matter...

What is one to do?

(insert awkward silence here)

Google has thought of this...

Which is why Google is currently developing a remedy to these kinds of quirks that people like myself (and I'm sure many others) have about their phones and ALL of their features.

this endeavor is know as 

Google Project Ara

or as I call it...

"the birth of modular-ism"

let me explain...

so as i stated in my short story earlier, i loved everything about my phone except the speakers, remember?

well what if i could detach the speaker and replace it with another speaker that gives me the sound I'm looking for?

Better yet, what if i could change the data capacity of the phone, or the size of the screen, or switch to a larger battery, or even switch to a higher megapixel camera.....and keep the same phone...

in essence,

that's what project ara is...

you may or may not have heard this project referred to as "Phoneblocks" 

same general idea...

instead of trying to buy the latest and greatest phone packed with features that will be obsolete in 6 months - 1 year anyway...

you could just purchase a block (or tile in this case) and just slide it in to a space that you choose, and there you go...upgraded specs..

not following me? here's a couple of photos to better explain...

and just like that...slide out a tile of a feature that is not one of your favorites, and replace it with one that is..

think about it.

i mean really think about it 

...

i mean how awesome is that, 

Naturally the tiles will lock in place to keep everything from falling to pieces when you wave/drop/bump your phone. (So i hope)

and Naturally, its going to run android, because Apple does not have the innovation or swiftness for this kind of thing..

and...

its a Google project, but my first explanation is a better one, in my opinion..lol (*side eye*).

and what really sold me is the rumor that the base models (basic specs, ready for customization upon purchasing) will be sold at or around the $50-$75 price range. 

also rumored is the price of the tiles will be around $15-25.

what would be increasingly awesome is if you could trade older tiles in for new ones. to also lend a hand in cutting down price.

Google is a gigantic company, with alot of money. 

and even though money is the reason they are in business,

im thinking that money isnt what they are focusing on right now

it would stand to reason that Google/Android is putting all efforts towards innovation and changing the way we use our mobile technology forever...

just as the legendary Steve Jobs did with the iPhone/iPod. 

and even if Project Ara flops...

the innovation is there...

the ideas are getting better....

and this is why i write about it! 

 In any event......

These have been your technological announcements for Monday, May 19th, 2014

please govern yourselves accordingly.

Until Next Time

Apple Vs. Android - The Never-Ending Debate

Welcome to the......

with all of the updates that are being implemented to both iOS and Android, these systems are starting to look more and more alike as time goes on. Even after android made its proper debut, there were highly noticeable differences in the operating systems. Both operating systems had pros and cons that made it easy to decide between the two.

most recently, however, there have been so many changes to iOS lately, that it now resembles most of the qualities that we all love about android......(except widgets....apple must really hate the widget idea lol)

Now-a-days, with all of the different android phones available, and with Project Ara (will be explained on a future blog post) on the rise... what will apple do? and more importantly... when will they do it?  i suppose that's a whole different blog post.....

My question to you is....which do you prefer? #DiehardAppleFanBoyOrGirl ? or are you an #AndroidLoverForLife?

Since we are all #Android lovers here....(hehe)

lets talk about our favorite operation system a little shall we?

The Top 5 things I Love about Android...and Go

5. Widgets - yes yes i know, ever android owner says this. but i love to be able to look at a calendar or email inbox list without actually having to search, find, and open the actual application. maybe that's just me

4. Ram Control - now I'm not certain if apple has this feature or not, i never thought to look and see. but i love the fact that you can close/force stop every application and immediately clear up some ram processing power and save on some battery life....speaking of which...

3. Battery Life - now i am aware that all android phones aren't equipped with spectacular batteries, but with my android phone (samsung galaxy note 3) i love not having to carry a charger with me (at all). my car charger is really just for someone else whose battery has died...its one of my favorite features..actually

2. Compatibility - since we are on the subject of charging. i also love the fact that most android charging cables are compatible with all other android phones. I cant tell you how hard it is to find someone with a iPhone charger these days....i mean...really....

1.  Price - Considering phones that are considered medium tier with phones that carry the title "flagship", Android phones are considerably cheaper in terms of "getting what you pay for".... while apple provides consistency with their products, they don't provide much innovation when it comes to a product that is reasonably priced.

Now, since i have not owned an apple product for more than 3 days, i couldn't tell you many (if any) valid pros and cons of/on the operating system...at all....other than the build quality and resale value..(not to be funny but you know what I mean).

but if i had to guess....(and....operating in the interest of being fair lol)

Top 5 things i Like (tolerate) about Apple Products (iPad, iPhone, and iPod)

5.  Marketing - If nothing else, Apple has the game on lock when it comes to advertising their products. its is because of Apple that all tablets are immediately referred to as an iPad, even if its a Galaxy Tab...lol

4.  Design - Apple also has this category locked down. The design of (generally) all Apple products have maintained a "top-notch" rating. The Look, Feel, and build quality of apple products (excluding the iPhone 5c) has been top of the line since the release of the first iPod. Apple is consistent..to a fault.

3. Accessories - Now I have always been bitter about the fact that every Apple product has its very own library of cases and other accessories to customize said product to your liking. And i mean they have everything from superheros to bejeweled abstract flower patterns... yes....i am bitter.. lol

2. Usability - Apple has also maintained a positive reputation for being "easy-to-use". (except for someone coming from an android phone, speaking from a personal perspective, of course) From the average toddler to the most common elderly citizen, apple products are the least confusing. That i will admit...

1. Resale Value - I jokingly mentioned this before but Apple products (because of their build quality and popularity) have ALWAYS maintained an more-than-generous trade-in value and a high resale ratio, even after the device has aged 3-4 years. This factor has always been one of the most important things i consider when buying any product that I'm interested in.

So, I leave you with this question...

What are your top 5 favorite features of your cellular or mobile device?

Least Favorite?

the comment box below gets real lonely sometimes and it needs some comfort every now and again. let me know what you like about Apple....or Android. Do you like Both? Or Neither?

in any event...

These have been your technological announcements for Friday May 9th, 2014, Please Govern yourselves accordingly....

as mentioned before, comments and suggestions are welcome! please i can use all the topics i can get right now!

dont be a stranger!

Connect With Me

Facebook, Google +, Youtube = Matthew Rischer

Twitter and Instagram = AwkwardlyNormal


Until Next Time

Matt