Archive for March, 2012

Android Cameraphones Against Nokia 808 PureView

Beyond a shadow of doubt Android is the most popular operating system in the world, but the question is if it deserves that title or not. Apparently, many stunning handsets run Google’s platform, and it’s THIS circumstance that makes Android this popular. But what would happen if this OS were on the handsets of only one manufacturer? Would it be as popular as it is now? To discover the truth behind that we decided to compare the Nokia 808 PureView, which runs Nokia Belle OS and sports the largest lens — 41MP, and several Android cameraphones in face of the LG Thrill 4G (aka LG Optimus 3D), the T-Mobile MyTouch Slide 4G and the HTC Evo 3D.

Nokia has been working on PureView technology for 5 years, and due to it smartphones can now sport camera a lens larger than 20MP, though I have to say there is no any smartphone featuring more than 16MP lens (the HTC Titan II). The Nokia 808 PureView’s powerful sensor comes with:

  • Carl Zeiss optics of focal length: 8.02mm.
  • 35mm equivalent focal length: 26mm, 16:9 | 28mm, 4:3.
  • F-number: f/2.4.
  • Focus range: 15cm – Infinity (throughout the zoom range).
  • Construction: 5 elements, 1 group. All lens surfaces are aspherical.
  1. One high-index, low-dispersion glass mold lens.
  2. Mechanical shutter with neutral density filter.
  • Optical format: 1/1.2”.
  • Total number of pixels: 7728 x 5368.
  • Pixel Size: 1.4 microns.

But the technology is not this powerful due to the sensor and only. There is an outstanding feature called oversampling as well. The latter allows taking snaps in smaller sizes at the same time keeping three main peculiarities — great image quality, lossless zoom and excellent low light performance.

For example, the actual size of an image taken by a 38MP camera will be about 10MB. It’s something unacceptable for current smartphones the owners of which hold dear each megabyte. So Nokia developed a method allowing to shoot photos in smaller sizes and store them in the phone.

Another advantage of this technology is conditioned by zooming without quality loss. Find the modes in which you can take photos below:

  • 3x is the default zoom mode
  • 4x lossless zoom at 1080p
  • 6x at 720p
  • 12x when recording videos at nHD (640×360)

Moreover, its large f/2.4 aperture allows you to take photos with faster shutter speed and without noise.

Nokia Lumia 808 PureView Sample Photos

Nokia Lumia 808 PureView Sample Video

The LG Optimus 3D is the first 3D smartphone launched in the US with the name the LG Thrill 4G. It sports a camera with two 5MP lenses allowing users to have 3D pictures and videos. The phone can’t boast of a monster-sized lens, but being the first 3D shooting smartphone is a rather good title.

The LG Optimus 3D will record 3D videos at 720p and 30fmps, but there is a toggle allowing to easily switch to 2D mode and record videos at 1080p (Full HD) at the same 30fps. You will easily tell the difference between photos shot in 2D and 3D modes as there are 3D marks on each 3D image.

One annoying feature is you will not be able to open the camera app if there is less than 10% of battery remaining. We must note the 3D feature on the LG Optimus 3D is a real battery killer though it’s promised to be corrected on its successor, the LG Otpimus 3D MAX.

LG Optimus 3D Sample Photos

LG Optimus 3D Sample Video (3D)

LG Optimus 3D Sample Video (2D)

The first smartphone in the US enabled to shot 3D photos and videos is not the LG Thrill 4G, but the HTC Evo 3D launched via Sprint (it’s seen even from the name). In some sense it has many common lineaments with LG’s phone, therefore geeks couldn’t reach an agreement. The HTC Evo 3D sports the same double 5MP camera and it can be switched between 2D and 3D modes easily. The biggest difference between this handset and the LG Optimus 3D is the HTC Evo 3D records videos in both 2D and 3D modes at 720p.

HTC Evo 3D Sample Photos

HTC Evo 3D Sample Video (3D)

HTC Evo 3D Sample Photos (2D)

Finally, we have another HTC-branded smartphone dubbed the T-Mobile myTouch Slide 4G determined as the best cameraphone running Android OS, though only HTC used to think so.

Unlike previous Android phones, this one sports an 8MP camera with autofocus and dual-LED flash meaning this camera will feel free when taking snaps in dark conditions. Another feature helping with better pictures in low light is the backside illumination. When users snap the camera button, a special Zero Shutter lag technology begins recording everything it sees in its memory buffer. So when you push the button to get a photo, it pulls the picture from cash. The camera also comes with an f-number value of f/2.2, which will help users capture with greater depth of field.

T-Mobile myTouch Slide 4G Sample Photos

T-Mobile myTouch Slide 4G Sample Video

Camera’s special features:

  • SweepShot™: Used to capture ultra-wide panoramic shots, so that you can sweep across an entire scene in a single shot.
  • ClearShot™ HDR: Used to capture objects in high contrast settings, so that photo details are not lost.
  • BurstShot™: Used to capture multiple photos in a quick burst, so that you don’t miss the perfect photo.

The question I raised at the beginning is still actual, so let us know what you think in this regard.

Nokia 808 android
March 31, 2012 | 0 Comments More

Google Voice for Android Available for Download

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich brings not only a higher software version, changed menus and bug fixes, but also new apps with deep integration with it. One such app is Google Voice, which has been available since 2009 and it can now be downloaded from Google Play.

I mentioned the integration feature not accidentally, because the main improvement of the updated version of Google Voice will be seen only on handsets running ICS. It is the ability of accessing the voice message right from within the call log without launching the Google Voice app itself. Thus as you open the call log to see outgoing, incoming and missed calls, you will see the voice message with text transcripts, and play them on-demand. Users can slow down the playback or speed it up regardless of how they want to check out the message content.

As I said, Google Voice is available for download, though you must check “Voicemail display” under settings and run Android 4.0 to use the feature.

Source

March 24, 2012 | 0 Comments More

Google Play Live

While many people were doing their best to understand what the name Google Play might imply, the soft giant was developing a general store, where all its stores are gathered.

Initially, Google Play was thought to be the name of the upcoming Google Nexus tablet, but now it was made clear it’s just an integrated store. The services seem not to be changed, so Google has only changed the destination to make it easier for you to find whatever you’re looking for.

The new store will be rolled out to all Android devices running Froyo and higher. All your old Bookmarks for the Android Market Web store will automatically be routed to the new Google Play address. Moreover, the Market itself still looks the same with sections for Apps, Music, Books, and Video. Say, the Google Music website is now available at the Play subdomain.

As stated by company reps, users will soon get opportunities to store and purchase music, access numerous e-books and rent movies even in HD quality. Well, I guess this is a good decision and Google fans are happy with it.

nexus 7 schutzfolie

cifs ko kindle fire hd
March 13, 2012 | 0 Comments More

Android 6.0 to Be Called Key Lime Pie

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean is on its way, and according to initial rumors, it will be launched in fall, though no one talks about its exact launch date. Anyway, at the moment we know for sure how the fifth generation Android OS will be called and that’s enough, because the Android world is waiting for Ice Cream Sandwich updates and then we’ll start talking about the Jelly Bean. But wait, there are some people who are already interested in the sixth generation Android and even know how it will be called.

The information comes from The Verge, and as the source claims it is sure Android 6.0 will be called Key Lime Pie. We know Google launches every Android version after a dessert in alphabetical order. So Key Lime Pie is the first thing we think about, but there is also Kugelhopf. The latter, however, is not so popular as the Key Lime Pie, don’t you agree with me?

Of course, The Verge’s tipster wished to remain unknown, though we think it’s the same person who tipped them about the Jelly Bean name last year.

key lime pie
March 6, 2012 | 0 Comments More

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean to Come in Fall

Google announced the latest version of its platform back in October and launched it in November. Afterwards it released the Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Nowadays there are only a few handsets running this version of Google’s mobile operating system, but as the MWC 2012 event showed in coming months the market will be full of similar devices.

As you see Android 4.0 ICS has not yet completed its mission, but people are already talking about the next version of Android. Moreover, rumors even mention the launch date of Jelly Bean — later this year.

The sources told Phandroid that Google’s Hiroshi Lockheimer said Android ‘Jelly Bean’ would be released this fall. Moreover, Android 5.0 Jelly Bean is said to be announced in October and to be launched in November.

Doesn’t sound trustworthy, does it? We have previously not heard anything similar. Other than that, there is no official confirmation the next variant will be called exactly that way.

Stay tuned and we’ll inform you as new information is available.

March 1, 2012 | 0 Comments More