A few days with Google Hangouts Pt. I
With all of the announcements out of Google’s I/O developer conference this past week, the one that stands out the most for me personally is the introduction of Google Hangouts. No, this isn’t the video chat built-in to Google+ that we all know (and some love). This is the product, formerly referred to as “Babel,” that unites the old Hangouts with Google+ Messenger, Google Talk and very soon Google Voice and SMS.
Google has been developing the new Hangouts for the last two years, working with engineers across Google to bring the first truly “unified” experience to a cross-platform messaging service. Built to compete with the likes of BBM, WhatsApp and even Facebook Messenger, Hangouts allows users to communicate with their contacts from a Chrome, Android or iOS device. The old Talk within GMail is even upgraded to Hangouts so that conversations will always be synced across all of your devices.
Nokia Lumia 928 Won’t Steal the Spotlight
The Nokia Lumia 928 is the most advanced Windows phone, but those upgrades are negligible and us at Tech Void believe the device will be a lackluster competitor compared with other new phones this summer. Nokia’s upgrade of the Windows Phone 8 flagship Lumia 920 is available on May 16 through Verizon for just $99 with a two-year contract, or $500 with no contract. Microsoft released the Lumia 920 in September.
Users of the AT&T Lumia 920 have few incentives to switch to Verizon’s Lumia 928. The hardware specs of the two phones are the same, and the incremental improvements include a Xenon camera flash, an OLED screen display, and an improved speaker. The Lumia 928 is also lighter at 185 grams, compared with the Lumia 920 at 163 grams. It also still features Qi wireless charging.
It appears Microsoft is stifling Nokia on improvements for its Windows phones, given Nokia’s track record for innovating phone apps such as an FM transmitter for streaming to a car stereo. Some of those apps could have been lost in the transition to the latest Windows Phone 8 software. Microsoft is offering a free update of Windows 8 to PC users, after lackluster sales of the platform since it was released in October.
Nokia’s main competition on the market so far is the aggressively-marketed Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and Apple’s iPhone 5. The Lumia 928’s potential edge on iPhone 5 could be its 8.7 megapixel camera and 32 GB storage space, compared with the iPhone 5’s 8 megapixel camera and 16 GB storage space. However it is hard to pry Apple users from the company’s interoperable family of gear – and rumors of the next-generation iPhone keep growing. The Galaxy S4 also boasts the latest Android 4.2.2 software, a user-replaceable battery, and a microSD storage slot.
Whatever its innovation strategy, Nokia has to step up its hype and advertising if it’s going to win this Game of Phones. The Galaxy S4 is selling at lightspeed and Samsung has shipped 6 million units of the phone since releasing the device on April 26. There were also approximately 2 million orders for the iPhone 5 in the first 24 hours it was available in September.
Images: Nokia
This is the One
I am sure I have used the phrase “This is the One” before. Oh wait, I have. But this device is too nice not to say it twice. In my review of the HTC One X, I also said that “HTC is back.” With the new One, HTC has not only released a premium smartphone, but in the process jumpstarted their ascent back into the hearts and minds of tech lovers everywhere. The HTC brand should now be considered at the same level of Apple and Samsung.
“Wow, these are some pretty bold claims!” you say? Well, I stick by my story when I tell you the HTC One is the best phone on the market today. Maybe even on the planet. “Best smartphone on the planet!?” you say? Yes. Without a doubt. “Oh come on. Tell me more!” Well then read on I say.
Thoughts on Facebook Home
Now that I have actually laid my own hands on Facebook Home (via the HTC One), I feel that my “official” thoughts are ready for prime time. For avid Facebook users, I can see Home being a great addition to their smartphone. If you don’t want to read this entire piece, I can tell you that I won’t be using Home any time soon. For those with the time and patience to read the entire article, read on for my thoughts on Facebook Home.
Review: The BlackBerry Z10 (AT&T)
I am hoping that by now, you have read our first impressions of the BlackBerry Z10 and all of the other reviews on this device. The device has officially been on the market in the U.S. for a couple weeks and adoption has been slow. That doesn’t tell the entire tale, but the U.S. usually leads the way with mobile adoption and is an indicator for the rest of the market. Now that I have spent about a month with the Z10, I have some more thoughts on the hardware and the future of BlackBerry.
