Thursday, November 22, 2012

Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, White 16GB (Verizon Wireless)



Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, White 16GB (Verizon Wireless)



This is an incredible phone. 


Stay connected on the go with this Samsung Galaxy S III SCH-i535 4G mobile phone that features a color touch screen for simple navigation of features and 4G LTE speed for a fast Web connection.

Requires a voice plan and data package.

Early termination fee of $350.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Mobile Phone
  • Lithium-ion battery
  • Charger
  • Owner's manual

PRODUCT FEATURES

  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system
    Along with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 2GB RAM allows you to stay connected and productive on the go.
  • 4G LTE speed
    Offers quick and easy connection speeds.
  • Bluetooth compatibility
    For wireless communication with a Bluetooth-enabled device.
  • 4.8" color Super AMOLED touch screen
    For clear viewing and easy navigation of photos, text messages and more.
  • 16GB internal memory
    Lets you store contacts and phone numbers; microSD card slot (supports up to 64GB; media not included).
  • 8.0MP digital camera
    Along with a 1.9MP digital camera helps you capture special moments.
  • MP3 player
    Lets you enjoy your favorite tracks on the go.
  • Hands-free speakerphone
    Allows you to keep your hands on the wheel while driving.
  • Vibration alert
    Alerts you discreetly to incoming calls and messages.
  • * Phone activation required before use.

Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, Blue 16GB (Sprint)



The GS3's sexy specs and glossy good looks (particularly in pebble blue) won me over. On launch day, I swapped my beloved Droid Razr Maxx, for the Samsung Galaxy S3. Prior to the Maxx, I briefly owned the Verizon version of the GNexus (which I can't recommend at all). Before I get into the nitty gritty details, with pro's, con's and comparisons, at the time of this review, this is the phone you have been waiting for--the phone that will make you use that upgrade or cause you to sign a ridiculous contract with Verizon. After spending ten minutes with the phone, it's an obvious step up from the Razr Maxx and Galaxy Nexus--the former top tier Android phones on Big Red's network.

Performance

As much as I loved my Razr Maxx (and its marathon 2-3 solid days of battery life), after spending a few minutes with the GS3, the performance leap is very noticeable. The GS3 is silky smooth, with no lagginess at all. Apps (particulary heavy duty games like GTA III) launch quickly and are game play is flawless. I know many of you aren't going to play anything requiring more than the occasional fling of a few angry birds, but the GS3's ability to handle hardcore mobile games with ease is a sure fire indicator that it will be able to run 99.9% of the apps out there in two years. In other words, this phone has the chops to allow you to make it through your contract without starting a countdown for your next upgrade.

How about some real world examples of the GS3's muscle? The Qualcomm S4 chipset with an industry leading 2gb of Ram can cut through 1080p video files like butter. Surprisingly, it was able to play back a 23.5 mbps AVCHD file using hardware decoding decoding!!! I was even able to take play back the file with the video in screen, while I did a couple of google searches. The average $400 laptop would have a tough time handling that!

The GS3 doesn't disappoint on the audio side either. While HTC touts its Beats Audio Technology, that's nothing more than a brand name equilizer setting with limited value-- unless you're spend $100 or more on a beats headphones (which I personally don't care for). Sammy, on the other hand, dropped in two Wolfson digital to analog converters, which allows the GS3 to pump out lossless high bit rate music with ease. Using a pair of Etyotic HF3 IEM earphones, sound quality was crisp and clean for music playback. Even lossy tracks streaming from Amazon Cloud sounded surprisingly full. Much more so than on some other phones that I own. In terms of music playback, the GS3 is every bit the equal of the iPhone and possibly a little better.

The Screen

The's GS3's 4.8", 720p HD screen is a stunner! The Super AMOLED panel provides rich color saturation and outstanding contrast. The panel used to make the screen is beautifully fabricated. the slight curve in the design makes it a pleasure to touch. Text is crisp and I see no issue with this most recent implementation of pentile technology. The fuzziness from Galaxy S, GNexus and Fascinate is a thing of the past. Watching videos on the GS3 is a treat.

All is, however, not perfect with the GSIII's screen. While the contrast and color saturation are strong points for the phone, if you like natural color tones, the pumped up saturation levels may bother you. Personally, I would dial back the saturation level if I could. The GS2 had a settings menu that allowed users to tweak brightness, contrast, tint and saturation. For reasons I don't understand, that great feature was some how left behind on this next gen phone, which is a real pity.

While saturation is a matter of taste, the real issue with the screen though is brightness. Even cranked to 100%, the screen still seems to be a few nits behind the curve. I would love to be able to dial up to 120%. The maximum brightness is noticeably less bright than the screen on the Maxx (which Motorola sourced from Sammy). So, what gives? I am not sure, but my best guess is that in the interest of improving battery life and to compensate for the size of the screen (and the power that size screen will suck), Sammy choose to put a software restriction that limits the ability of users to pump of the brightness. Hopefully, this can be cured by a future firmware update.

While the brightness could use a boost, this deficiency is further amplified by awful auto-brightness implementation. When auto-brightness is turned on, the phone makes sudden and drastic adjustments in brightness even in a consistently well lit setting. It seems as if the software has only 3 settings for brightness when it is set to auto--low, medium and high (which isn't that high to begin with). The phone will drop from high to low suddenly, leaving the screen unreadably dark. Until Sammy sends out a software update to fix the problem, I have disabled the auto-brightness feature.

Software Implementation

The user interface for this latest version of touchwiz is really very nice. This phone provides IOS levels of comfort and ease of use to a smartphone beginner, but allows the flexibility for the nerds among us to customize the phone to suit our needs and tastes. CNET and Phonedog have done excellent video reviews on the GS3's user interface and software features and highly recommend that you check them out (Amazon won't allow links to outside sites--so you'll have to google them).

I do have a few software gripes, one of which could effect some peoples' buying decision.
One of the purported advantages of the GS3 over its top competitors from the HTC One line of phones is the fact that the GS3's has a micro SD card slot and accepts up to 64gb cards. Android allows must apps to be saved and launched from the micro SD cards. This feature allows low and mid-range phones to be made with limited internal storage because users can add their own cards.

Sammy, however, wants power users to buy the bigger capacity 32gig phones for an extra $50. To force us to buy the step up model, Samsung disable the ability to move apps from internal storage to the micro SD card. I am not sure of the size of the app partition in the phone, but I hope Sammy didn't put too big of a restriction on internal storage or that could be a problem for some people down the road. I understand why Sammy made the decision to disable the feature, but it seems like a low rent Apple type move to me and, in fairness, the HTC One series doesn't accept SD cards at all (nor does the iPhone nor any of the current Windows 7 phones).

Another small grip I have is with Sammy's decision not to incorporate ICS's native ability to generate folders for apps simply by stacking one app icon on top of another . Motorola incorporated this feature on its ICS update to the Razr and its native to ICS, so why force us to have to press the menu screen, select create folder and than drag and drop files? Sammy, that's very Gingerbread of you. A good UI should use the strengths of the underlying Software and improve on the weakness--not just make changes for change sake. This is one of the few areas that the Sammy's "Nature" UI seems to fall short.

Battery Life

Gripes are over for now. :) The batter life on the GS3 seems pretty decent. I have had it off the charge since 8:30 this morning (its 4:47 in the afternoon), and have been using the phone heavily. Screen on time is about 2:53 minutes. I have done some light web surfing--shopped on ebay and amazon for a new case for the sammy. Send about 7 or 8 emails, 10-12 tests, and made about 80 minutes worth of phone calls. Brightness is set to around 90% (auto-brightness is disabled). I even played about 15 to 20 minutes of GTA III, and watch about 20 minutes of an episode of Lost on Netflix. It's now 6:33 in the evening and the battery says it has 62% remaining. I would still be in the mid-80's with the Razr Maxx and the GNexus would have been dead or on the charger a few hours ago.

I would say the battery is good--but it's not close to being in the same league as the Maxx. The fact that it is removable, however, does give it a major step up on phones like the HTC One (X-S), Razr (original), Sony ION, iPhone 4S and Atrix HD. In short, if you are on Verizon and don't need the Maxx's 2 full days worth of battery life, I would take the GS3 over the Razr Maxx (which is exactly what I did).

Camera

The camera on the GS3 gets top marks. It uses an updated version of the same 8MP Sony sensor used in the iPhone 4S. Unlike the iPhone 4S, there are options galore for tweaking your photos. I am really impressed with the sharpness of the phones, even in low light. Depending on the shot, the camera on the GS3 (and photo quality in general) is very comparable to photo quality on the Nokia 808 and iPhone 4S.

Video quality is on par with the photo quality. It shoots very smooth 1080p video. Color is good and the video quality is genuine HD quality for most shots. If you shooting a sporting events or other fast paced action, or are pan quickly, there is a lag in time while the camera gets in focus. In fairness, I see the same issue with the iPhone 4S and I have yet to see a smart phone camera do better. Audio quality on the camera is also quite good.

Call Quality and Reception

I have had no problems with reception at all. Unlike its GNexus stable mate, the qualcomm radio and baseband in the GS3 are top notch. I have excellent signal strength on Verizon's network. Call quality is excellent. The people I called say that I sound like I am on a landline--and they sound just as clear to me. Data on Verizon's 4G LTE Network is also strong. I located in the metro NY area. I am consistently pulling 18-24mbps download and 9-16mbps upload speeds on the 4G Network. I get strong reception for Wifi and great broadcasting for Bluetooth as well.

Comparison with Competitors

I have no regrets about trading up from the GNexus to the Razr Maxx and even less regret about trading from the Maxx to the GS3. Despite its plastic build, I think the phone does have a premium feel. It's not as solid as the Maxx, but no one is going to look at the pebble blue version of the GS3 and thinks--that thing looks cheap. It's comfortable to hold. The HTC One X has a sharper, brighter screen and a camera that is on par with the GSC's. The lack of a user removable battery is a big knock against the HTC One series however. The iPhone is, well, an iPhone. As nice as the iPhone 4S may be (and it's great phone), the lack of LTE capability and low data rates on Verizon's CDMA network make it a no go for me. On ATT, however, it can take advantage of higher HSPA+ speeds, but ATT's network has been having some issues lately. For that reason alone, if I am married to ATT or am on Sprint or Verizon for that matter, I am taking the GS3 over the iPhone 4S.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Nokia E90 Communicator



Key features:

Get high-speed 3G mobile broadband connections for Internet browsing and file transfer 1 12
Take your office with you – open and edit documents and email attachments on the move
Talk on every continent with quad-band GSM international roaming
Access voice and data functions quickly and easily with convenient shortcut keys
Be in the right place at the right time with versatile calendar functions and integrated GPS 1



Business benefits :
Connect to a full range of mobile email features
Get access to your email and open large media-rich attachments quickly and easily via HSDPA (up to 3.6 Mbit/s enabled in some regions) and 3G high-speed mobile broadband connections 1
Check your email on the go with the native email client, or via other supported email solutions such as Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email 8.1, and Mail for Exchange 1.5 1
View and edit email attachments with Quickoffice, Zip Manager, and Adobe Acrobat Reader



Increase efficiency:


Balance your workload while traveling with convenient email access and web browsing 1 12
Stay in the loop while out-of-office by viewing and editing slides, spreadsheets, and documents sent as email attachments
Access important corporate data, receive time-sensitive information, and manage your personal information remotely 1



Improve business communication:


Make voice, conference, and video calls with quad-band coverage for international roaming 3
Communicate with colleagues more effectively and with more versatility through the Nokia Team Suite application
Serve clients and customers more quickly – get time- critical emails, and respond, while out of office 1
Illustrate your point; capture images with the 3.2 megapixel camera, then send it as an email attachment or MMS, or use the QCIF camera for video calling 14 19



Save time:


Type and talk with an extensive range of handsfree voice options including speakerphone, voice dialing, voice controls, and message reader 3
Carry out several tasks simultaneously; make a conference call while browsing the Internet or reading email 1 3 12
Record meeting notes or important conversations with the voice recorder 3
Manage your time and personal information remotely on your Nokia E90 Communicator, and sync with your PC when back at your desk 4
Find the quickest or shortest route to your destination with the integrated GPS 1



Help reduce expenses:


Use one device to handle multiple business tasks; voice calling, sending and receiving emails, and browsing, for example 1 12
Email and browse the Internet at the office over cost-effective WLAN 12
Make economical VoIP (voice over IP) calls via an existing WLAN to global business contacts


Technical specifications :

Operating frequency
GSM quad-band (850/900/1800/1900)
WCDMA 2100


Size
Volume: 8.54 cubic inches (104 cc)
Weight: 7.4 oz (210 g)
Dimensions: 5.20 x 2.24 x 0.79 inches (132 x 57 x 20 mm)


Display
Inner: Active matrix color display (800 x 352 pixels), 16 million true colors
Outer: Active matrix color display (240 x 320 pixels), 16 million true colors


User interface
S60 Platform 3.1 Edition
Symbian OS Version 9.2
Java™ MIDP 2.0


Communicator keyboard:
5-way rocker key, 2 soft keys beside the screen, send and end keys
Full qwerty keyboard with backlight (separate key to activate light)
Application shortcut keys, S60 application key, profile key
Shortcuts to Bluetooth, IR, help, and call volume control 22


Cover keypad:
Full telephone keypad: send and end keys, two separate soft keys, 5 way rocker
Power key (including profile), application key


Imaging
3.2 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus 19
QCIF camera for video calling 1 3 19


Email and Messaging
Supports POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP
Support for mobile email with filtering, including Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email
View, open, and edit email attachments with Quickoffice (documents, spreadsheets, and presentations), Zip Manager, and Adobe Acrobat Reader
Remote contact look-up


Instant messaging
Text-to-speech message reader
MMS and SMS 14


Multimedia
Video calling 1 3
FM radio
Music player (MP3, AAC)
Media player


Memory functions
Up to 128MB free memory for user data and applications †
Extendible up to 2GB with microSD memory card
Nokia recommends the use of approved microSD cards. While Nokia adheres to approved industry standards for memory cards, other brands may not function correctly or be fully compatible with this device.


Applications
Quickoffice office tools with editors
Maps application for location-based services
Nokia Office Tools 1.1 (including Active notes)
VoIP 2.1
Use the Download! client to personalize your device with add-on applications
Support for Nokia Intellisync Mobile Suite
WorldMate service, Nokia Wireless Presenter application, and Global Race – Raging Thunder game available for download via Download! client
Supports Windows Live providing mobile access to Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Hotmail. Application is available via Download! Tool.


Connectivity
Integrated WLAN
WLAN: 802.11b, 802.11g*
WLAN Security: WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Enterprise, WPA-Personal
WLAN Quality of Service: WMM, U-APSD
Mini USB, USB 2.0 full-speed
Bluetooth wireless technology 2.0 22
2.5mm Nokia audio connector with ECI
Infrared (up to 115 kbps)


Browsing
Web browser (x)HTML 12
JavaScript 1.3 and 1.5 supported
Flash Lite 2.0 supported
Data transfer
WLAN 802.11b, 802.11g*
HSDPA up to 3.6Mbit/s enabled
WCDMA 2100 MHz with simultaneous voice and packet data
GPRS/EGPRS (Class A, MSC 32)
3GPP rel 5
Dual transfer mode MSC11, SAIC rel v1
Personal information management (PIM)
Nokia Team Suite
Calendar attachment support
Meeting requests to calendar
Calendar plug-in for 3rd party email solutions
Contacts with images
Nokia Active Notes application
Device management
Support for Nokia Intellisync Device management
OMA Device Management 1.1.2
OMA Client Provisioning 1.1.2
OTI firmware update
Local connectivity with Nokia PC Suite
Remote access to IT support via Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email and OMA device management
Security
Built-in S60 features protect local user data and restrict access to device settings
Device lock, also remote lock
Memory card lock
OMA DRM 2.0
Wireless LAN security features
SSL 3.0/TSL 1.0
Compatibility with leading third party security applications
Support for most common wireless network encryption methods
Voice features
Voice dialing
Voice commands for menu short cuts, keypad lock, and profiles
Voice recording for making notes or recording conversations 3
Internet Call release 2.1 for making VoIP (voice over IP) calls
Text-to-speech message reader
Enhanced voice commands with speaker-independent name dialing (SIND), and voice aid for eyes-free control of core functions
Integrated handsfree speaker 3
Push to talk (PoC)


Other useful features
Integrated GPS 1
Support for Nokia Intellisync file sync and device management
Stereo FM radio
Vibrating alert feature
Sales package contents
Nokia E90 Communicator
Nokia Battery BP-4L (1500 mAh)
Wired stereo headset (HS-47)
Travel Charger (AC-4)
Connectivity cable (DKE-2)
Memory card (microSD 512MB) - content may vary at country level
Quick Start guide
User manual
DVD ROM including the Nokia PC suite application

MOTORAZR 2™ V8


From the moment it launched, the MOTORAZR didn't just break new ground. It redefined the way we talk. Now, Motorola is poised to redefine greatness again. The MOTORAZR² V8 is on a whole new level of sophistication. It takes the impossibly sleek and thin profile and makes it even slimmer. It packs a powerhouse of features into a strong stainless steel structure. All told, the phone that has forever captivated is now about to mesmerize. CrystalTalk™ improves the clarity and intelligibility of speech while you are in a noisy environment. Consumers want clear, natural-sounding phone calls in noisy places like airports, pubs, streets, or football games.
CrystalTalk™ is able to automatically adjust the audio quality based on ambient noise conditions to provide the optimal conversational experience. By adapting the device's sound characteristics to improve intelligibility and articulation, CrystalTalk™ maximizes speech clarity in noisy environments.

Summary of Key Features:
CrystalTalk™ helps deliver crystal clear voice quality in noisy environments
Thin and strong sculpted body with vacuum metalized finish
Large 2.0" QVGA 65k color external display with touch sensitive music keys
Large 2.2" QVGA 65k color internal display
Integrated 2.0 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom
Messaging via MMS, SMS, Email1
Streaming audio and video1; video capture and playback
Stereo Bluetooth wireless technology supporting A2DP profile8
Touch-sensitive external music keys
What you get:
MOTORAZR 2™ V8 Phone
Lithium Ion Battery
Battery Door
Charger
Adapter
User Manual

MOTORAZR








From the moment it launched, the MOTORAZR didn't just break new ground. It redefined the way we talk. Now, Motorola is poised to redefine greatness again. The MOTORAZR² V9 is on a whole new level of sophistication. It takes the impossibly sleek and thin profile and makes it even slimmer. It packs a powerhouse of features into a strong stainless steel structure. All told, the phone that has forever captivated is now about to mesmerize.CrystalTalk™ improves the clarity and intelligibility of speech while you are in a noisy environment. Consumers want clear, natural-sounding phone calls in noisy places like airports, pubs, streets, or football games. CrystalTalk™ is able to automatically adjust the audio quality based on ambient noise conditions to provide the optimal conversational experience. By adapting the device's sound characteristics to improve intelligibility and articulation, CrystalTalk™ maximizes speech clarity in noisy environments.


Summary of Key Features:
Crystal Talk™ for improved audio quality
Thin and strong sculpted body with vacuum metalized finish
2 MP camera with 8x zoom
Stereo Bluetooth® wireless capable
AT&T Mobile Music with one-touch access
Digital audio player - supports MP3, WMA, EAAC+, Real, WAV
Picture and Video Messaging - Send photos, video and more
Instant messaging - AOL®, Yahoo!®, & Windows Live®
High-speed data access via broadband 3G network
Large 2.2" internal and 2.0" external color displays
microSD™ removable memory card capacity
Opera browser for full HTML web surfing


What you get:
MOTORAZR 2™ V9 Phone
Lithium Ion Battery
Battery Door
Travel Charger
Adapter
User Manual

Motorola Bluetooth Hands Free Rates







H 700 / Price: 3,700





Available in Black, Silver and Cosmic Blue
. 6 hours talk time
. 130 Hours Standby Time
. Iconic Book Flip










H 605 / Price: 2,450
. Up to 8 hours talk time
. 200 Hours Standby Time
. Behind The Ear Design
. Bluetooth Headset Persphone










H 500 / Price: 2,100
. Up to 8 hours talk time
. 130 Hours Standby Time
. Stylish Design









S - 9 / Price: 5,400
Wireless music. Stream from your compatible phone or iPod (adapter sold separately)
Lightweight. Barely 1 oz, probably lighter than your keys!
Discreet. Behind-the-head wearing style
Never miss a call. Music mutes or pauses when calls come in.
Control music and calls from the headphones
Stable and secure fit. Small 13mm speakers for better comfort and fit on the ear
Durable. Sweat and water resistant for active conditions
Long play time. Up to 6 hrs of music play from a single charge





H 350 / Price: 2,100
. Up to 8 hours talk time
. 150 Hours Standby Time
. Low Tier "Apollo"
. Generic Colour TBC

Mobile Memory Card Rates

Mobile Memory Card Rates (Prices Updated on 25th december 2007 )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SD Mini Card Memory Size Price: Kingston 512 MB Rs. 650.00 Kingston 1-GB Rs. 8,00.00 Kingston 2-GB Rs. 1,500.00
-------------------------------------

MultiMedia Card (MMC) Memory Size Price: Kingston 512 MB Rs. 650.00 Kingston 1-GB Rs. 800.00 Kingston 2-GB Rs. 1,500.00

SD Micro Memory Size Price: Kingston 512 MB Rs. 650.00 Kingston 1-GB Rs. 9,00.00 Kingston 2-GB Rs. 1,500.00










Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Size Price: 512-MB Rs. 600.00 1-GB Rs. 800.00 2-GB Rs. 1,300.00 4-GB Rs. 2,400.00





M2 Memory Card Memory Size Price: 512 MB Rs. 1,000.00 1-GB Rs. 1,500.00 2-GB Rs. 2,700.00