Gadzooki

Top Mobile Devices for Business Use

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Businesses today are fully embracing the latest technology to successfully achieve their goals and reach out to a wider target audience. While the conventional desktop computer remains to be the primary tool in the offices, mobile devices have also become very useful owing to the great benefits they provide not only to the owners but as well as to customers.

It’s a reality that business professionals these days bring along with them various mobile devices. These can include the laptop, tablet and smartphone. This is a confirmation of the 2011 prediction of Microsoft Tag that mobile internet use will surpass desktop internet use by 2014. Also this year, experts are seeing increasing mobile adoption by consumers thereby bringing more changes to the marketing strategies of business organizations.

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The smartphone, however, is the most handy of them all as it can easily be held by the hand and kept in the pocket. Here then are some of the best smartphones any business should consider using. They’re great to own and ideal for business use. [Read more…]

Best Smartphones of 2012

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This summer we’ve seen some very impressive devices from the top phone manufacturers. In this article we’ll take a look at what we think are the best smartphones of 2012.

Samsung Galaxy S III

This smartphone is at the top, or near the top, of everyone’s smartphone rankings, and with good reason. You can find it on virtually every major carrier in the United States. Even the folks at Apple, known for this, have not been able to achieve this level of carrier adoption. The hardware is great, although perhaps not innovative enough. Some great software features include Smart Stay, Direct Call, Smart Alert, and the S Voice system for voice commands. With a competitive price and plenty of power under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S III is definitely one of the best, if not the best, smartphone of 2012. [Read more…]

5 Reasons to Avoid a Long Term Cell Phone Contract

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When cell phones first started growing in popularity, the only way to get one was with a long term contract. Then, companies started releasing prepaid cell phones and users suddenly had a choice. Over the years, no contract or prepaid phones have grown into a very popular market.

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No Bill Shock

Prepaid means that what you pay for is what you get. There’s no chance that you’ll go over your minutes or you’ll send too many text messages and rack up extra charges. You know exactly how much you’re spending per month and you can manage your expenses accordingly. You never have to worry about getting an outrageously high phone bill in the mail because of some unforeseen occurrence. [Read more…]

Google Nexus One vs Google Nexus Prime

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When Google released its flagship smartphone product the Nexus One, it received rave reviews and has continued to be a player on the portable device market. Now two models removed from the original, we see how the Nexus One stacks up against the yet to be released Nexus Prime.

Dimensions and Form
• Google Nexus One – 119 x 59.8 x 11.5mm, 130g
• Google Nexus Prime – Unreleased

The minimalist shape and chrome build of the Nexus One has been a popular aesthetic with many critics. The screen uses up the majority of space, and this always improves the look of portable devices. The touch-sensitive buttons and fluid track ball juxtapose nicely with the overall countenance. It’s patently obvious that Google is fond of the design, as the Nexus Prime shows little alteration in this regard.

Winner: Draw

Display Screen
• Google Nexus One – 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 480×800 pixel resolution
• Google Nexus Prime – 4.7 inch, 1280 x 720 pixel resolution with Samsung PenTile Matrix Technology

While the builds are similar, the Nexus Prime’s significantly larger screen sets it apart from the Nexus One. Despite the quality of the Nexus One’s 252 pixel per inch AMOLED screen, it is hard pressed to compete with what is rumored to be the first 720p smartphone. Other features likely to be included are multi-touch and an accelerometer sensor.

Winner: Google Nexus Prime

Processing Power and Memory
• Google Nexus One – 1GHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor with Adreno 200 GPU, 512MB RAM
• Google Nexus Prime – 1.5GHz dual core TI OMAP4460 CPU and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU, 1GB RAM

The Nexus One was potent for its time, backing its 1GHz Scorpion processor with an Adreno 200 GPU and 512MB of RAM. Yet as we begin to see dual core processors become standard in tablets, it isn’t surprising that the architecture would eventually find its way to smartphones. The Nexus Prime is said to boast a brawny 1.5GHz dual core TI OMAP4460 processor supplemented by a PowerVR SGX540 GPU and 1GB RAM, revolutionary for a device that fits in the palm of your hand.

Operating System
• Google Nexus One – Android 2.4 Gingerbread
• Google Nexus Prime – Android Ice Cream Sandwich

The Nexus Prime once more is the beneficiary of a next generation upgrade, as the smartphone will roll out with the much anticipated Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Currently, the Nexus One runs Android 2.4 Gingerbread, yet it too will reportedly be upgrading to the next generation software.

Designed for both tablets and smartphones, Google has stated that Ice Cream should end the fragmentation that has occurred with its various iterations such as Gingerbread and Honeycomb. Ice Cream combines the best of these operating systems in a more efficient, app and multi-tasking friendly experience, including enhanced Javascript and Open GL graphics acceleration. Browsing promises to be much smoother than on the clunkier Gingerbread, and Google has also indicated Ice Cream will have voice and facial detection software included.

Winner: Draw

Camera
• Google Nexus One – 5 MP primary camera
• Google Nexus Prime – 5 MP primary camera with 2560 x 1920 pixel resolution, 2 MP secondary camera

The Nexus Prime is reported to have a 5 megapixel primary camera that is capable of full 1080p HD video capture. In addition, the camera should come equipped with the usual features, such as auto-focus, digital zoom, and a secondary camera for video calling, but the video capture is DVD quality.

Winner: Google Nexus Prime

Conclusion
As the newer model, the Google Nexus Prime is naturally the more advanced device. Yet the difference between the two models is staggering, considering the dual core processor, the 720p display, and the 1080p video capture in the Nexus Prime. For Nexus One owners, truly this is a case where the cost of an upgrade is justified.

Article written by Sarah Richards from MobileBroadband.net. Sarah writes on a wide range of broadband topics including 3 broadband reviews.

iPhone 5 – a New Trend-Setter on the Horizon

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Apple have a tendency to need a few model versions in order to clean up all the small issues with their products – but once they do reach that “sweet spot,” they inevitably set a new trend. While some may argue that the iPhone is already there, others can still point out a few quirks with the device’s overall design which need polishing. It seems that with the newest addition to the iPhone lineup – the upcoming iPhone 5 – Apple are really going to hit everything right.

Reports indicate that even though the hardware powering the device hasn’t been upgraded much, the changes are there to address the long-standing issues that users have been complaining about. The processor has been buffed slightly, and according to first-hand accounts, there are no longer any antenna issues – a blessing for those who’ve had to endure the last version constantly dropping its calls.

The software is where the iPhone 5 is really going to shine though – it’s going to be the ultimate device for portable browsing, with a revamped interface to better accommodate multitasking, as well as various small additions to make the whole experience smoother. And even if you’re worried about having to pay too much at the end of the month when your bill arrives, there are still plenty of prepaid iPhone 5 plans out there to pick from, so this shouldn’t be much of an issue. Arm yourself and prepare for what’s easily shaping up to be the release of the decade – Apple sure know how to please the crowds!

The Phone Watch That Makes You Look Cool

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Back in 1997, I read a news article about concept designs for new mobile phones that will come out in ten to fifteen years. One of the concepts was a ring that you put on your finger that is also a small mobile phone. It looked like it came out of a science fiction movie. We’re now at that time they were envisioning and even though a ring mobile phone has not arrived yet, miniaturization has allowed manufacturers to create a watch phone like the Burg5 Phone Watch. [Read more…]

HTC ChaCha: For Certified Facebook Addicts

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HTC Chacha

Or maybe that should be “HTC ChaCha – if you get one, then you’re a certified Facebook addict”. Even the least technologically inclined person I know is aware of two things. One, that there is such a thing as Facebook. Two, that there are so many kinds of mobile phones in the market that your head will swim trying to figure out which one to buy.

Luckily for you, if you think in terms of Facebook statuses, and if you take photos/videos with posting on Facebook in mind, then you don’t have to think twice when it comes to buying a new phone. HTC has solved the issue for you by releasing HTC ChaCha. For the lack of a better name, I call it the Facebook phone.

See the image above? You can’t miss the magnifying glass highlighting the blue square button with the universally recognizable “f” within its borders. Facebook button. On a mobile phone. What else will it do but send everything and anything that you want to your Facebook account at a mere press?

It’s not all about sending photos and updating your status, though. This phone was really designed for people who just can’t live without Facebook. As buggy as Facebook chat can be (although I have to admit that it has improved lots), people still use it a lot. The HTC ChaCha has a built-in Facebook chat widget which allows you to get in touch with your Facebook contacts much like you would using a computer.

This phone does other things that well, one could expect from a “normal” mobile phone. You can make calls, send text messages (QWERTY keyboard FTW!), browse web sites, and send/receive e-mails. However, one really cannot deny just how Facebook-centric the ChaCha is. From the product description: ((HTC ChaCha))

Your friends are your life, so you want to be close to them. That’s why HTC ChaCha comes with a load of Facebook widgets that bring you closer to them. Like a clock with a Facebook stream of updates as a ticker, and a Calendar widget so you never miss your friends’ birthdays and events. You can also follow your special favorites and all their news with the Friend Stream widget. With HTC ChaCha, you’re no longer a friend – you’re a super-friend.

I am sorry, but “super-friend” just cracks me up. I do use Facebook like crazy, but I don’t know…is it just me or is this a little too much? It’s either brilliant or it’s a pathetic way of encouraging overdependence on social networking. How do you call it?

Android 2.3 Gingerbread Is Coming to Town

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Samsung Galaxy SThere is no doubt about Android-based devices becoming more and more popular. And amongst the Android-based devices out there, Samsung does seem to have an edge over its competitors. The Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Galaxy S are perhaps two of the most sought after gadgets in their respective categories (maybe next to the ubiquitous and more expensive Apple products).

With the rising popularity of these devices, it is but expected to have users on the constant lookout for improvements and updates. And speaking of updates, it looks like Samsung Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S (as well as other gadgets in the Galaxy line) users are in for a treat in the very near future. That is, the Android 2.3 Gingerbread upgrade will be made available to the range of Galaxy devices.

In a press release published today, Samsung outlines the following: ((Mobile Syrup))

  • Faster Performance – Multimedia content now has a lower CPU consumption rate, while support for more powerful 3D Graphics enables an enhanced mobile gaming experience.
  • Upgraded Usability – The user interface has been improved, enabling faster access and control and a more intuitive user experience. Users will also benefit from improved copy-and-paste functionality.

I repeat: this upgrade is going to be available for all the Galaxy devices, even the cheaper ones like the Galaxy Mini! This piece of news is enough to make users clap their hands with glee, yes?

The thing is that the upgrade will not be available everywhere at the same time. In the same press release, Samsung mentions that the UK and Nordic countries will receive the Android 2.3 upgrade for the Galaxy S starting the middle of this month (that’s right about now?). The rest of Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the rest of the world will have to wait for the update, which will be gradually rolled out.

Coverage… It’s All About Coverage

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Nahhh…… not about the skimpy clothes the girl who passed by is wearing but rather the coverage of the many networks that are offering mobiles all over the place. Carriers offer mobile phone units for free in exchange for subscriptions to their mobile plans which is the norm in the industry. The mobile phone invasion has resulted in a whole generation of people who cannot exist without their mobiles that just keep on getting better and smaller.
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Though most carriers have expanded their coverage areas, it is still wise to compare cell phone coverage areas for the best deal. Though dead-spots may never be eliminated, the larger the area coverage, the better, so you don’t get a no coverage message as you make an emergency call. The huge expanse of the US being one solid mass is easy to cover with satellite and land-based site antennas but even in the most developed areas, too much interference or noise as it is called can interfere with your mobile’s signal.