I Switched From an iPhone 6 Plus to a Moto E....and i love it....

Hello and welcome back to another installment of...

I (Matthew) will get straight to the point.....

 I recently purchased a Motorola 360 smartwatch, and yes,  I was using it with the iPhone 6 Plus, with the help of the applications that bypassed the boundary of operating system discrimination. (lol) 

And just like everyone else, i had issues with the Bluetooth Connection dropping, so i decided to grab a Motorola E (unlocked), that just so happened to be on sale from Best Buy, and I have been using it for a few days now. 

Granted... The Motorola E (on paper) is a significant step backwards in the spec department when compared to a Flagship like the iPhone 6 Plus (128gb)..

but in reality...they are more alike than they are different. 

The Motorola E is missing a front facing camera as well as a flash on the rear. Ill give you that..

however, what shocked me the most about this budget device was its performance. 

with everyday use, its responses to commands and switching applications, loading videos, and consuming various kinds of media was comparable if not matching the experience I've gathered with the iPhone 6 Plus. I wont even mention how well it works with the Moto 360. (even though i just did).

my point is, a device that cost me all of $45 (after tax), in my opinion, should not work as well as a device that cost $1000. there should be a more significant difference between the two, you know, to match that significant price gap. I expected issues with certain services that the Moto E offered, and i was met with shock and awe. 

Needless to say, that in the future i will definitely test many more devices and review them accordingly, but the award of the most surprising smartphone for the price goes to the Motorola E. 

Even if it (Moto E) doesn't have the hardware to go toe-to-toe with an iPhone, the software amazingly keeps up with a device that was claimed to be, the best thing yet. 

But we all know how that goes...

In Any Event, 

These have been your technological announcements for Monday June 22nd, 2015 

Please govern yourselves accordingly

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Apple Speaks Death to Subsidies, AT&T and Verizon agree?

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

We've made it to Season 5! 

We are so excited for the things to come! The technology is ever advancing and we are here to report it all! We know its been a while since we last reported, but we have been busy!

So! on to the news!

Rumor ( from reliable sources) has it, that Apple is seeking to end their subsidies policy with their smartphones soon. What does that mean...

Let us put it to you this way,

normally, when visiting a retail store such as AT&T or Verizon, and you are seeking to purchase a phone. you are offered two options, either purchase the device under a 2 year contract price for say, $299, or choose a installment plan (like AT&T Next or Verizon EDGE). Apple however is seeking to rid us of the former. 

and for once, we completely understand why.

Normally when purchasing devices by subsidy, it leaves the manufacturer at a profit loss, due to the phone either being sold or traded in before all profit that can be made through services is collected. 

    

Our founders iPhone 6 Plus (128gb) model is just at $1000 from the manufacturer, imagine if he paid only $399 for the same device and in one year traded it in for a highly anticipated Note 5, Apple , through many other  channels and avenues has just lost a profit from him of at least $600 bucks..*exaggerated example*

with these subsidies gone, you would have to purchase all apple devices through a carriers monthly installment plan, which makes the company back almost twice as much as it costs to make individual devices..

However, Apple has always treated customers this way, so it can be stated that this is their "character" as a business. Removing options like this and forcing customers to lease an iPhone, especially when said customer simply may not want to, is in our opinion completely unacceptable. 

then again, its just a rumor. Neither Apple, AT&T or Verizon has confirmed this as of yet, and it is our hope that they will not!

If this is true....What would you do? Leave us A comment either on this blog, or our Facebook page!

be sure to follow us on twitter @techexpo2k14

In Any Event...

These have been your technological announcements for Friday June 5th, 2015, Please govern yourselves accordingly.  

Google : Rumors and Speculation

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

we are glad you made it back...

This post will be a short one.....

Google has officially made their wireless service available. Currently its only available for Nexus 6 owners, but that tactic is obviously geared toward selling more handsets. Which is fine, but most likely will be short-lived. 

moving on....

with Google now serving as a wireless carrier, and pushing sales for the Nexus 6, is it plausible for them to extend their reach into Apple's territory?

Rumors have been circling about, saying that Google was developing an Android Wear app for iOS,

and if this rumor has any truth to it....

Apple could be in some real trouble...

What is that company to do? 

Apple is currently focusing on the Apple Watch and its sales, and if Google steps in the way of that with Android Wear, many people that do not like the design or battery life of the Apple Watch may resort to Android wearables , The Apple Watch's main selling point is that its one of the few high-quality smart watches that is compatible with Apple and is available at this moment, however if Android Wear for iOS becomes reality, that will no longer be so. People could actually pair their iPhones with Moto 360's or Asus Zen Watches, some of which are the best smartwatches available from Google....

and there is more...Google and Apple have not had the most pleasant history when it comes to making the same apps available in their respective application stores.

If Apple decides to block this potential Android Wear app, what does that say to the customers? 

It says to us that Apple wants what Apple wants and the customers rights to desire something other than what they make, are irreverent. It may also spark the idea for people to abandon the iPhone and seek that perfect Smartphone/Smartwatch pairing elsewhere...

We say well played with Google, the ball is in Apple's court now. 

They have a tough decision to make, and we here at TechExpo anxiously await their decision....

In Any Event, 

These have been your technological announcements for Wednesday April 22,2015

Please Govern Yourselves Accordingly 

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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...

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. 

Thanks for stopping by...

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Just search TechExpo at blogspot.com. XD

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..

Thanks for stopping by!

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and Twitter @ TechExpo2k14

See you soon!

Samsung Galaxy S6 : Rumors and Speculation

Welcome back to another installment of.....

we are glad you joined us today!

let's get right to it then...

with the announcement and launch, of one of the most highly anticipated smart phones, on the horizon,  rumors and speculation are at an all-time high. with that being said (or typed rather lol). TechExpo' aims to bring you the most relevant and accurate information as it applies to this device.

The Samsung Galaxy S6

just as every new variant of the galaxy s series, there are promises made for an improved camera, faster operating system, and battery life/power saving functionality. This seasons model does not disappoint in these areas, However, Samsung is hinting that one of the main features of this new device is its wireless charging capabilities.

 Currently, other manufacturers have managed to have some smart phones to charge up to, if not more than, 50% in less or around 30 minutes.

And.....with that kind of foundation already set, it would be foolish for Samsung to produce the same standard for wireless charging for the S6, so that usually means that there must be some awesome tech that blows the competition out of the water, completely. or at least for a few months.

More rumors include a fingerprint scanner that is Paypal certified, allowing the door to be open for "Samsung Pay" (allegedly) . Yes that's right, Samsung is taking a stab at the mobile payment industry, while Apple is in this moment of getting their bearings. Check and mate...nicely played.

and of course with this device running touchwiz (over android 5.0) you can expect to see most of the features that were popular in the Galaxy S5 and Note 4/Edge, minus the stylus of course.

 and speaking of edge....

the most interesting and equally the most talked about rumor for this device is its design.

Galaxy S6 (below, possible design)

 Galaxy S6 Edge (below possible design)

Galaxy S6 Edge (possible additional curve)

cryptic, yes...we know.

that's how Samsung operates


Samsung conducted an experiment with the release of the Galaxy Note Edge to see if curved displays could be a permanent fixture in the future designs of their devices, the results (as you can imagine) were mostly inconclusive due to a limited production and availability, but it did amass that there was some interest from customers and developers for different kind of display.

So there could possibly be, two versions of the Galaxy S6, the regular and..the Galaxy S6 Edge, sporting 3 curved edges (allegedly).

so it is apparent that Samsung is not afraid push the envelope, nor are they ashamed of innovation on any level.

and who cant appreciate someone willing to challenge the "norm".

we expect this device to be announced officially March 1st with an anticipated availability for the end of this years 1st quarter (possibly end of march/ beginning of April, mid April at the latest)

In Any Event....

These have been your technological announcements for Tuesday February 17th, 2015
please govern yourselves accordingly..

and remember... you heard it here first!

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