Minor Tech Reports

[danibbler]

Just a couple of things that don't really fit into a blog or in their own separate threads:

First, looks like the battery on my Samsung Galaxy S I may be shot. Been having problems with it for months and the unit is stone cold dead right now.

Second, just took a pleasure jaunt over to Asia and hit up a couple of countries. On one inter-Asia flight took a look over the passengers (all Asian, good range of ages, middle class and lower) and noted that the preponderance of phones were Androids and iPhones, good smattering of feature phones with nary a RIM in sight. Anyone who says that RIM is popular is Asia is probably referring to Indonesia which is probably true given the reports of how popular BlackBerries are over there and the fact that I saw a lot of posters/ads for them when I was in Jakarta last year.

Quite a few iPads were in view too on the flights, mostly with videos on them.

Third, not a tech observation but AC has really upped their service levels in the past year. Used to be that they would just point you to a tray of filled water glasses, now they actually bring them around.

 

[danibbler]

Looks like I may have spoken too soon. The Galaxy S woke up from its coma last week and is now performing like a champ.

The iPhone 4 on the other hand seems to have developed a problem with its home button.

 

[danibbler]

Got my hands on an old Nokia C series phone and this thing is fast! Shop said so but I didn't really believe them. Egg on my face but I did manage to have it hang within 48 hrs. Restarted and it's working fine now.

The Galaxy S is shot so will have to use the C for now. Looks like I will have to find a way to wipe it clean.

The iPhone 4 is still have issues with the home button.

Next tech project may be a NAS or a Hackintosh...not sure yet.

 

[onthebottom]

I saw my first two Windows metro phones on a flight to Montreal yesterday.... I assumed they both worked for M$ but I could be wrong...

OTB

 

[danibbler]

No insult intended but probably wrong.

I played around with the Lumia 900 and a few others. Very nice bright screen and seems very fast.

I saw my first two Windows metro phones on a flight to Montreal yesterday.... I assumed they both worked for M$ but I could be wrong...

OTB

 

[onthebottom]

No insult intended but probably wrong.

I played around with the Lumia 900 and a few others. Very nice bright screen and seems very fast.

You could be correct, I assumed they were company supplied because they were both the same (and they didn't look like the 900) and I have friends at M$ who are forced to use M$ mobile products.... interestingly enough the Google friends of mine report no one there cares what you use (most of my fiends at Google have iPhones and iPads...).

OTB

 

[b4u]

interestingly enough the Google friends of mine report no one there cares what you use (most of my fiends at Google have iPhones and iPads...).

OTB

most of my friends at Apple seem to favour the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Asus tablet..... weird huh?

 

[onthebottom]

most of my friends at Apple seem to favour the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Asus tablet..... weird huh?

It is, I don't know anyone who works for Apple so I don't have any wildly statistically insignificant data there like I do at M$ or Google

OTB

 

[WoodPeckr]

It is, I don't know anyone who works for Apple so I don't have any wildly statistically insignificant data there like I do at M$ or Google

OTB

LOL!

Then create some like you were learnt over at Fuzzy Math U.... FFS!....

 

[danibbler]

After intensive use, the Nokia C is still going great! Glad that Nokia is bringing out more of the Asha line which is a successor to the C series. Ditched the Galaxy S somewhere...must remember to wipe it so I can give use it as an emergency phone.

Considering an iPhone 4S after playing around with a friend's. It's definitely a speed bump from the iPhone 4 but otherwise it's meh. Not sure if it's worth the hassle of reloading everything and losing settings.

Was thinking of a NAS but can't afford it at the moment.

 

[djk]

most of my friends at Apple seem to favour the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Asus tablet..... weird huh?

Wait a minute. I thought Apple was a cult?

 

[danibbler]

Just back from a short jaunt to Asia. Hit up Indonesia mainly. Was there last year and nary an iOS product to be seen. But, big surprises in store this time around. Was stuck in slow traffic in south Jakarta and saw a huge Apple retailer! Then, same day, saw a smaller Apple retailer in a small mall.

RIM seems to have a lower profile this time around and I only got to see one BB kiosk.

Don't let anyone fool you, the vast majority of Indonesians cannot afford a smartphone.

Checking out NASes again because the porn collection is getting out of hand here. May have to bite the bullet later this year some time.

 

[danibbler]

Some bad news, the iPhone 4 has bit the dust due to a small mechanical issue that ballooned when the repair guy mucked up replacing the part. (Out of warranty.) Luckily, he offered top cash for it so I can look for another phone.

Too bad this did not happen earlier this year. Was in HK and someone showed me Chungking Mansions where you can buy cheap Chinese knock-offs of any phone you want.

The Nokia C has shut down by itself a couple of times but still working great.

 

[danibbler]

If anyone ever saw me shopping for my first DSLR you'd have thought I was an idiot. Geeze, the Nikon 5100 I could only figure out a couple of the buttons and the menu system reminded me of those answering systems at big corporation where it can go down multiple-levels!

The Canon T4i was a little better but I suspect that it may be because the thing handholds you on the LCD.

At this rate, I may just retreat and get myself an F4 from eBay.

 

[danibbler]

Good news! I might be getting an iPhone 4S from an Apple fanatic who wants to go to the 5. Man, it's been a month since I've used a smartphone.

I tried the Galaxy again but the battery or power management on it is terrible. Thank goodness for the Nokia C!

Still looking into a DSLR...think I may just go with the Canon Rebel.

 

[onthebottom]

Good news! I might be getting an iPhone 4S from an Apple fanatic who wants to go to the 5. Man, it's been a month since I've used a smartphone.

I tried the Galaxy again but the battery or power management on it is terrible. Thank goodness for the Nokia C!

Still looking into a DSLR...think I may just go with the Canon Rebel.

On the DSLR front you should consider which lens camp you want to be in (Nikon or Cannon) and then decide if you want to go FX or DX sensor - from there the selection is pretty easy. If your even modernly serious about it one thing you'll find over several years is that you spend more on lenses than cameras.... which is why the first decision to make is lens camp.

OTB

 

[danibbler]

It's a good point about which lens camp to be in but at this point in time I am not wedded to either one. I've been doing film for well over 20 years but a move to digital means it's virgin territory otherwise I'd stick with Nikon. The FX cameras are way out of my price range. And even if I could afford it I don't really want a very expensive camera because I expect to be robbed of it somewhere in my travels. Worse comes to worse, I will stick with my Canon G series for travel shots.

 

[onthebottom]

It's a good point about which lens camp to be in but at this point in time I am not wedded to either one. I've been doing film for well over 20 years but a move to digital means it's virgin territory otherwise I'd stick with Nikon. The FX cameras are way out of my price range. And even if I could afford it I don't really want a very expensive camera because I expect to be robbed of it somewhere in my travels. Worse comes to worse, I will stick with my Canon G series for travel shots.

What lenses do you currently own.

In the Nikon camp $2,500 is the low end for an FX body, but what a body it is: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892428-REG/Nikon_D600_Digital_Camera_with.html

 

[danibbler]

Just a couple of G lenses from when I had an F series autofocus camera.

I've seen the D600 announcement and it's still out of my league. Even if it was within my finances, the software on it might be a bit much for me - I've played around with the D5100. The Sony A65 and Canon Rebel T4i I can understand.

 

[onthebottom]

Just a couple of G lenses from when I had an F series autofocus camera.

I've seen the D600 announcement and it's still out of my league. Even if it was within my finances, the software on it might be a bit much for me - I've played around with the D5100. The Sony A65 and Canon Rebel T4i I can understand.

Actually I find the pro cameras easier to use, all the functions are buttons not hidden in menus... but they are heavy and VERY expensive. I'm sure you could use your G lenses on the D5100.

OTB