Finally, New Technology Breakthrough Are Introduced

It has been a while that I add article to this Blog. Almost 2 years to be exact. The reason being, there not much game changing technologies introduced in the market that actually excites me. The introduction of SmartWatch was big, but it was just a refinement of older technology development. There was no intense excitement in the gadget world, until this September 2016.

Two introduction of new products caught my attention: iPhone 7 family of smartphones and Lenovo Yoga Book. One is a major breakthrough, while the other is actually a minor one instead.

The introduction of iPhone 7 smartphone family without the analog 3.5 mm headphone jack took the world by storm and controversy. Technologists, reviewers, and news media took this development as a storm brewing and changing the world as we know it. In my humble opinion, it's just a minor development. If Apple didn't do it, someone will.

You might wonder why do I think that iPhone 7 without headphone jack is a minor development which is overblown in a gigantic proportion. Well, here are the reasons:

1. June 2016 introduction of Bluetooth 5.0 and its Implementation is coming at the latest early 2017.

Bluetooth wireless technology is the base backbone of current audio wireless technology. Up to version 4.2, Bluetooth is still has major limitation on how much data can be relayed, at max 2.1 Mbps (based on Bluetooth 4.0 specification) or 260 kbps on Bluetooth Low Energy. However,  Bluetooth 5.0 is promised to break the data transfer barrier to 4x the data amount, which means even 24 bit 96 kHz hifi audio quality can be transferred with ease. Do make a note that despite incredible higher speed of data transfer. Bluetooth requires additional data package to be transferred along with audio, hence at max 50% of the max limit will be used for audio data.

But Apple doesn't gamble their name, in fact they will make sure iPhone 7 current or next model is Bluetooth 5.0 compatible. With audio protocol apTX HD being introduced in July 2016, this guarantee iPhone 7 smartphone family is the safe bet of the top of the line smartphone in the market.

2. High End Personal Audio Equipments are now Affordable

Personal Audio industry has bloomed beyond what it was 4 decades ago. The development of portable DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) and micro amplifier have been going towards the micro-size that both will fit into the volume controller module or Earbuds or Earphones body. This technological development ensures those less then adequate audio data sound quality will be improved to significant higher level.

3. Bluetooth Headset Goes Smaller

If you browse through Kickstarter, Indiegogo, eBay or other gadget selling Web marketplace, you will find not 1 or 2, but a big selection of Bluetooth earphones at the size of our outer ear canal from various manufacturers, from cheap small China factories to major brands such as Motorola, Samsung, Sony, etc. These products are maturing right now and more higher quality Bluetooth earphones are being introduced weekly.  AirPods is not a new technology breakthrough, but only Apple's take on those tiny earphones.

In summary, Apple has been known to attract media news makers eyes to them. The introduction of iPhone 7 without headphone jack is not a real major breakthrough. It has been long overdue and it is nothing more but a minor step forward in technology world.

The second product introduction is the working and ready to market Lenovo Yoga Book. It is a Lenovo laptop with 2 10" screen facing each other. Yes, Nintendo has done it first, but only for gaming. Similar technology has also been introduced again and again by other manufacturers and innovators, but nothing like what Lenovo has introduced with Lenovo Yoga Book.

Remember the introduction of the first Samsung Galaxy Note, no one cared. I was so excited by the original Samsung Galaxy Note that I bought a unit at the launching event. The reason was it was the first time someone or some people implemented the use of stylus with the right functionalities. Now, regardless the Note 7 battery disaster, the world still recognizes Samsung Galaxy Note as one of the best smartphone series in the world.

Lenovo Yoga Book is, in my humble opinion, the combination of the right technologies the right way that will change the way we use our tablets, netbooks, or laptops. There are noticeable miscalculations by Lenovo apparent already, similar to Galaxy Note first introduction, but it will still change the way we use and perceived future handheld computers.

Yoga Book was introduce for multipurpose tablet/laptop. You can type using highlighted soft keyboard on the bottom screen which will be activated when we position both screen in laptop configuration (top screen straight up), Yoga Book is now a laptop. You can flip the bottom screen to the back to form a slightly heavier tablet. The upside down V shaped (or make a roof configuration) for watching movies for entertainment purposes.

The last configuration is what determines Yoga Tablet as the major breakthrough in laptop technology, the vertical book configuration. We can use stylus or pen on included pads and papers on the keyboard screen. Whatever we draw or write on the pads will be transferred to Yoga Book as notes, drawings, or editing purposes.  This feature is the key ingredient that will change the way we use tablets and laptops in the future.  Regardless on how advance the technology is, we have not yet abandoned pen and paper. Simply because pen and paper is still the best and most flexible way to take notes and make arts. By combining hardware and software development, Lenovo has produced the most natural way of using laptop/tablet into part of our daily life further.

For those reasons, Lenovo Yoga Book introduction is, in my humble opinion, the major breakthrough that will change the way we use computers in the future.

What do you think, guys? Feel free to comment

Sony Xperia Z Ultra Hands On Review

Alright, for those who followed.this blog, you know that I'm a suckered for Samsung Galaxy Note N7000, aka the original Galaxy Note. In recent years, that is the smartphone that I used for over 18 months until it became too obsolete that everything become unbearably slow to operate.

2013 is probably the slowest year for me in regards of Android smartphones, except for 2 smartphones: Asus Padfone 2 and Sony Xperia Z series.

I must say, those 2 enticed me with their creative solutions that I decided to buy Asus. Unfortunately, that was a decision that I regretted due to hardware flaws and weaknesses.

2014, I went backward and purchase the abdominal Sony Xperia Z Ultra, this 1920x1080-true-HD-6.44"-screen-2.2ghz-quad-core is the current record breaker of thinnest and biggest screen for a phone category.

As an old fan.of SGNote, stylus writing capabilities and features to support it are something that I yearned when using Asus Padrone 2 or my just retired Polytron Quadra HD. Sony creatively put an incredible amount features to their Z series, including their giant Z Ultra. Those features made my SGNote becomes a museum piece.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra exceptional and useful features (that I know of, and I believe I will find more soon enough):

- Reading/Accessing portable hard disk
Z Ultra ability to access portable hard disk makes my life easier. I don't rely on transferring files using flash memory and computer anymore on the go.  However, accessing big capacity (1TB or above) portable HDD is proven to be hardwork for the unit since the limited electricity power Z Ultra has. Connection easily severed and lost power several time. Looks like there is a limit how long Z Ultra can.supply power to the HDD unit.

- Stylus replacement: pencil, pen, or anything made of iron
Did I hear a "Huh?" Well, it is unique. Sony decided that the users of Z Ultra are people who like pens and pencils so forget the stylus and go straight to use pen and pencil as stylus instead.  Brilliant decision with some risks like screen scratches etc. Solution, screen protector.
I also found out that Samsung C-Pen (not the same as SGNote's faithfull S-Pen), which uses metalized rubber, work like they were born for each other on Z Ultra.
With this feature, users can freely use almost anything to write, annotate or sketch on Z Ultra. Why bother buying a stylus then? Well, users will still need stylus since pens and pencils will scratch Z Ultra screen surface in the long run.

- NFC Easy Connection
Whoa, Sony pretty much exploded NFC trends by applying easy connection features that now tons of NFC accessories are now available in the market. Samsung and HTC have NFC features.but they don't really put NFC as part of their main strategic feature.

- Dust and Water Proof
Sony might not be the first, but they certainly the one to  explode water and dust proof smartphones worldwide. I would.say shame on Motorola for not exploring Defy series further. Now, Samsung has noticed the.Zip series success and launch Galaxy S5 with water and dust proof feature.

- Power Management
HTC One was the first high end smartphone that featured this newer unique feature, however HTC limits this features to only One series. Sony produces almost every middle and top range of their products with Sony's stylized Power Management. Of course, HTC in turn quickly add more products with this feature and Lenovo follow suits to flood the market with affordable Android smartphones with Power Management features pre-installed.

- Being a tall unit with almost 2 cm/1 inch space on top and bottom of the screen means Z Ultra is the current best suited Android for gaming and multimedia consumption

What else can I say, last year I.made a mistake on deciding to buy Asus. This year Z Ultra has gone down in price and become my new favorite smartphone.

Of course there are some drawbacks:
- Painfully gigantic size for a.phone
- Flaps here and flaps there mean extra efforts required to access USB and the rest of the connections
- Glass (front and back) means scratches and fingerprint magnet, self explanatory here, Sony people might talk to Apple people a bit too much
- New screen means trip and error, luckily Z Ultra uses the 2nd generation 1920x1080 HD Triluminous Bravia technology so it is superior to the previous ones on Z, but not necessarily better than IPS and Super Amoled

Final words on my first 1 week living with Z Ultra, I fell in love and Z Ultra is definitely my concubine. Please don't tell my wife.

Review: Quick Keyboard Switch

When you have at tablet, switching from landscape to portrait and vise versa sometimes causes problems in the form of keyboard functionality. In my case it gets worse since my Asus Padfone 2 can switch from smartphone OS to tablet OS. The problem is that smartphone keyboard buttons are too small for tablet, while tablet's keyboard buttons are too big for smartphone. Unfortunately, not all manufacturer provides settings for this small unforeseen necessity.

Solution a small application called Quick Keyboard Switch. This app practically a link to open up local & input setting by adding home screen widget, notification widget or just direct access to the app itself. That way, when you are to tablet or to smartphone mode, all you need to download is to quickly change the keyboard you want to use in each mode, without the need to go through the settings levels.



It is useful when you need to answer your email or editing a document quickly, since you can access it from notification pull down/up menu.

Quick Keyboard Switch has 2 versions available, free (with ads support) and paid version. Try the free on and start doing your typing quicker and easier.

First Impression: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

It's here, the new update on Samsung Galaxy Tab series, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0.



With the success of Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, the Korean manufacturer continues the streak with GalTab 3 at 8.0 inch screen.

Quick specification:

- Dual core 1.5GHz, MALI 400M GPU
- Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
- 1.5GB RAM, external memory microSD upto 32GB
- 1280 x 800 pixels TFT Capacitive Screen
- Phone function
- Stereo Speakers
- 5 MP back camera and 1.3 MP front camera
- 209.8 x 123.8 x 7.4 mm
- 4450mAh battery

It is thinner than 1cm for easy holding. This tablet is definitely for home use and gaming, if not entertainment.

The tab is always the preferred tablet of students, housewives and elders. Tab 3 will strengthen that position by improving the specification and capabilities.

Weakness:
- as always, not bright enough under direct sunlight
- 1.5GB RAM? it's neither here nor there
- 8.0" screen means heavier when used to read for long period
- new tablet accessories needed.

At around US$ 440 (Rp. 4,450,000) unlocked at launching next week at Samsung Experiential stores throughout Indonesia, Samsung will continue to rule the position of no. 1 tablet manufacturer in Indonesia.

Recommendations who should buy:
- for game players
- students
- young executives
- films and YouTube lovers

Smartphone AND Tablet: The Unique Padfone 2

Up until last year, the world smartphone or tablet users are given 2 major choices: own a smartphone and/or a tablet. Asus broke those dilemma and gave us Asus Padfone. It was okay at the market, but I woouldn't categorize it as successful however it did open a great freedom of option for users to have a smartphone that can also function as a tablet at the same time.

Asus Padfone 2 has just been released and I took a big chance in buying it as a replacement of my beloved Samsung Galaxy Note N7000.  Interestingly, my main reason to purchase Asus Padfone 2 is because 3 main reasons:

1. Despite the drawback of not having replaceable battery, it combines 2 battery a 2,140 MAh and a 5,000 MAh.
2. Despite of lacking external memory expansion, it does come in 64 GB which means more than satisfactory at current needs, at least for the next 2 years.
3. It's a 4.7" phone and a 10" tablet at the same time, the dual personality that it's competitors are lacking.

Of course coming from SGNote, there are certain concerns that Asus Padfone 2 doesn't have like:

1. SMemo and SNote
2. SPen Stylus

Anyway, let's go deeper into the review, if you will, on the Asus Padfone 2.

Hardware:

- 1.5GHz quad-core processor is powerful enough for today's multi tasking 

- phone unit is thin enough with circular pattern back for easy 

- the rim of the phone unit is made of aluminum and felt easily scratched 

- tablet felt sturdy but also a bit weak construction-wise 

- excellent IPS screen, bright and clear, despite of only 1280x720 resolution 

- built in speaker  are excellent and loud, tablet is several notch louder with bigger speaker. The location of the speakers are easily covered when put on the table

Bloatware:

- only a little, webstorage, app locker, etc. The most useful feature is the floating windows apps that can be accessed from the bottom of the screen, but only has limited list of 

- power management is impressive although not the most thorough, mainly focus on power sharing and turning off network access for most apps during screen off. 

Headfi:

- for headphones users, I think Asus has put a good sound processor for enjoyment. It reproduce flatter frequency, bass are tight and clear, wonderful details for sound separation, no apparent sibilance. It is recommended to buy or download good music player to paring up the potential. 

Signal:

As usual like any other Android, standard sensitivity. 

Making calls:

Voice are clear and loud enough. It doesn't have move reduction so bear in mind when you are in busy place. My recommendation is to get a Plantronics or Jawbone bluetooth unit for comfort (check my review on some of them in this blog) 

Notable problems:

- tablet will always be 

- Beware the tablet screen is not very protected from wear and tear. It is easily cracked on 

- if you damaged either unit, it will be expensive to service it. 

- no accessories for protection, however a Samsung size tablet case will work. 

Those are my deeper review. My final recommendation is that this Asus Padfone 2 is designed for work and play and the same time, but it is not for children.