Posts Tagged ‘User Interface’

Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101

August 19th, 2011

The horde of Honeycomb-based tablets announced at CES arrived in Spring, followed quickly by the Android 3.1 update. With so many similar models available now, what makes one of these tablets different or better than the others? And can any of them beat the current tablet standard, the Apple iPad 2 (4.5 stars, $499)? The Wi-Fi-only Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101, a 10.1-inch tablet powered by the beefy Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, attempts to separate itself from a crowded Honeycomb tablet field with its low price, some user interface tweaks, and a cool accessory—an optional keyboard dock that converts the tablet into a virtual netbook. Does the Eee Pad standout as a unique Honeycomb tablet? In a word: No. But it does standout as an inexpensive option that isn’t missing any key features, and it’s definitely one of the best Android tablets out there.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101

At $399 for the 16GB model and $499 for the 32GB version, the Wi-Fi-only Eee Pad Transformer is aggressively priced. Compared with the iPad 2, which fetches $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), and $699 (64GB), the Transformer is a downright bargain. The 32GB, Wi-Fi only Motorola Xoom (3.5 stars), like the iPad, is $599, while the Acer Iconia Tab A500 ($449, 3.5 stars), which is 16GB and Wi-Fi-only, goes for $449. So, for now, the Eee Pad is the cheapest Honeycomb tablet you’ll find. It’s also the least-expensive tablet that can come close to competing with the iPad 2 in terms of overall experience.

Design & File Support

Measuring 6.9 by 10.7 by 0.6 inches (HWD), the 1.5 pound Transformer looks, well, a whole lot like just about every other tablet we’ve seen. With built-in speakers flanking the screen on either side, a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, the tablet’s primary difference, visually, is its dark gray/metallic coloring—slightly different than the standard black plastic look. The back panel features an interesting etched, geometric pattern, and of course, the Asus logo. In terms of screen size, its 10.1-inch, 1280-by-800 pixel multitouch screen most-closely resembles the Motorola Xoom’s, which has identical screen specs. The Transformer integrates an accelerometer and gyroscope, uses the dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 1GHz processor, and supports 802.11n wireless signals, as well as Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.

The right-hand panel houses a mini-HDMI output (a cable is not included), a micro-SD slot, and a 3.5-mm headphone jack. The left panel has a Power button and Volume controls, and the lower panel houses the proprietary connection for cable sync and dock connection (along with two slots to stabilize the tablet when docked). A USB sync cable and charger are included, but like other tablets, you won’t find earbuds.

Also not included, though instrumental in the marketing of the Transformer, is the full QWERTY keyboard dock, which, for $149, turns the tablet into a streamlined netbook. It even folds up like a laptop when connected. The sync cable side-connects so you can charge, or even sync files from your computer, while you type. Check out our full review of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 Docking Station ($149, 4 stars) for more details, but the bottom line is: The Transformer-and-dock combo is only $50 more expensive than the Xoom, which is a good deal.

Video Review :

» Read more: Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101

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LG T-Mobile G2x Hands-On Preview

May 24th, 2011

When the T-Mobile G2x and two other Android OS gadgets debuted this week, I was there at the lavish event in New York City put on by T-Mobile to get some early hands-on time. The demoes that took place included an extensive look at this Android smartphone’s HDMI, mirroring-enabled video gaming.

LG T-Mobile G2x Hands-On PreviewAlthough T-Mobile had embarked on online sales of the G2x the week before, the shindig in Manhattan on Wednesday coincided with the first-time this new smartphone was made available in T-Mobile stores nationwide.

Video Review :

» Read more: LG T-Mobile G2x Hands-On Preview

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Motorola Cliq – Titanium (T-Mobile)

November 15th, 2010

Motorola Cliq - Titanium (T-Mobile)

Motorola Cliq - Titanium (T-Mobile)

The Motorola Cliq has a great design with a brilliant display and easy-to-use controls and keyboard. Its feature set is rich and functional, and Motorola made some welcome improvements and user interface tweaks.

If anyone doubts that Google’s Android has a future, then they haven’t seen T-Mobile’s Motorola Cliq MB200. With its easy-to-use design, spacious keyboard, and action-packed feature set, the Cliq combines an attractive, powerful device with the customization of the Android operating system. We won’t say it’s the “best Android phone yet”–that will be a hard call to make as more Android handsets go on sale–but it proves that Android handsets are evolving and getting better over time. Also, we’re glad to see a manufacturer other than HTC embrace the Android operating system.

Moto added its own twist to the Android OS with the new MotoBlur user interface that syncs your social media, contacts, and e-mail. Though having all your information in one place is convenient, the overall effect can be overwhelming. Its performance also could be better and the Android OS saddles the phone with a few limitations. Yet, despite those drawbacks, the Cliq offers a nice contrast to Sprint’s HTC Hero and it rates better than the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G and G1. It goes on sale at T-Mobile on November 2, 2009, for $199 with a service contract.

Video Motorola Cliq – Titanium (T-Mobile) Review :

» Read more: Motorola Cliq – Titanium (T-Mobile)

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Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

October 14th, 2010
This is a global GSM phone. It can be used with AT&T and T-Mobile USA without 3G.
The American version supports AT&T’s 3G network.

Introduction:

Looking at the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and X10 mini, you just can’t help but notice the overwhelming difference in size between the two Android smartphones. In fact, this difference is so great, that one would hardly believe there isn’t something in between. Well, at first, there wasn’t, but just a few days ago Sony Ericsson filled the gap by announcing the Xperia X8 – a mid-end Android phone.

For good or bad, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 is more similar to the X10 mini, than the X10, which is mainly because of the fact that it utilizes the X10 mini’s user interface. On the hardware side however, it does a decent job at differentiating and conveniently establishing itself in the mainstream space.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 Video Preview:

Design:

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 is pretty similar in design to the X10 mini. They may actually look almost identical,  if you don’t get the chance to place them next to each other. In reality though, The X8 shows its superiority by treating you to its 3-inch capacitive LCD screen with resolution of 320×480 pixels – more than enough for this screen size. Because it is a standard TFT (IPS LCD or AMOLED have yet to work their way to the mid- and low-end), the screen suffers from some poor viewing angles, while the image quality itself leaves much to be desired. Although it should have 16 million color support, color gradients are far from perfectly smooth. Not that this is all unbearable, but we’ve come to expect a bit more from mid-tier offerings these days.

The X8 boasts a 3-inch capacitive LCD screen


Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 next to the X10 mini pro
» Read more: Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

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Samsung Champ

October 12th, 2010
This is a global GSM phone. It can be used with AT&T and T-Mobile USA.

Samsung Champ Video Review:

Introduction:

What’s miniscule, has a 2.4” resistive touchscreen, and is as cheap as they come? We’ll save you the suspense, it’s the Samsung Champ, aka C3300. Graced with a scaled down version of Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface, the Champy (sorry, we couldn’t resist) has one of the tiniest touchscreens we’ve encountered so far.

The phone also sports dual speakers in the front, and mock surround sound in headset mode. Couple these with the cutesy looks and rock bottom price, and this might turn out to be one of the best value for money ratios in the touchscreen Little League cell phone universe. Will it, though?

What’s in the box

  • Samsung C3300 (Champ) + stylus
  • Manual
  • Charger
  • Headset with microphone

Design:

Did we mention that the Samsung Champ is tiny? The phone’s dimensions are just 3.79 x 2.12 x 0.51 inches (96.3 x 53.8 x 12.9 mm) with a weight of 2.82 oz (80 g). Talk about comfortable to hold – this thing gets lost in the palm of your hands. We slipped it in a typical wallet compartment – the wallet bent in the middle, and we slipped it in our pockets with almost no sensation that the phone is there.

The Samsung Champ is tiny


You can compare the Samsung Champ with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

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Smartphone Palm Pixi webOS Review

October 7th, 2010

I started using Palm devices back in 1997 with the Pilot 1000 and then spent several years moving through a full lineup of Palm devices. I still have a few Palm devices, including the Centro and Treo Pro. I purchased a Palm Pre on the day they were released last year, but had to return it because I just did not have a great Sprint signal and found the hardware to be a bit weak with a wobbly display. I found the operating system to be fantastic while app support was weak at that time. I asked several questions in the PreCentral.net forums and received some excellent responses from the readers there. With the Pre coming soon to Verizon Wireless with a MiFi capability I am going to take a serious look at the devices again because I have a special place in my heart for the Palm name. This week here on Nokia Experts I am taking a look at two Palm webOS device (the Pre and Pixi), the operating system, some capabilities & functionality, a quick comparison to S60 and Maemo, and some closing thoughts.

» Read more: Smartphone Palm Pixi webOS Review

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Vocera, Motorola create smartphone for hospitals

September 7th, 2010

Motorola Vocera reviewVocera — known for its wireless badge form factor communication devices for hospital settings — announced the first shipment of its new device: the Vocera smartphone. The company jointly developed the smartphone with Motorola, but Vocera said the device offers the same one-touch, voice user interface of the Vocera communications badge. The Vocera smartphone runs on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, which supports alarm/alert systems, asset tracking, medical reference software and includes access to corporate email.

Even though Vocera calls it a smartphone, it makes no mention of whether or not the device has a Web browser, or whether Internet access has been removed. Not sure a device qualifies as a “smartphone” if it lacks access to the full Internet. (Update: Vocera wrote in to clarify that the device does include Internet Explorer and access to the Internet.)

Vocera counts more than 600 hospitals and 400,000 users as its customers — Arkansas Children’s Hospital was one of the beta users of the Vocera smartphone:

“Arkansas Children’s Hospital wanted to extend the intelligent, yet simple, Vocera experience to a wider user base to include hospitalists and doctors,” said Kim Hays, Telecom Applications Analyst for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. “Based on the needs of a specific group of our clinical staff, the smartphone had immediate appeal. They now have instant access to key resources through the Vocera communications system’s voice interface, but in a phone form that they like for its familiarity.”

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HTC Aria (AT&T)

September 3rd, 2010

review htc ariaThe good: The HTC Aria is compact, feature rich smartphone that runs on Android version 2.1 with HTC’s Sense user interface. It has a 5-megapixel camera, GPS, Bluetooth, and supports Wi-Fi and 3G networks.

The bad: The Aria’s smaller display makes for a cramped onscreen keyboard. Its camera doesn’t have a flash and you can’t install non-Market apps.

The bottom line: The HTC Aria is a solid, midrange Android smartphone, but it’s a shame AT&T restricts it by blocking Android’s capability to install third-party apps.

At CES 2010, AT&T announced it would introduce an HTC Android phone this year. True to its word, it just unveiled the HTC Aria. Similar to the HTC HD Mini in design, the Aria runs on Android 2.1 with HTC’s Sense user interface and includes a good deal of features for its size. It’s certainly not the most powerful Android device on the market–power users might want to wait for the recently announced Samsung Captivate–and we’re upset that AT&T has once again blocked third-party app downloads. However, the Aria is a solid midrange smartphone that’s certainly better than the Motorola Backflip, AT&T’s other Android offering. The HTC Aria costs $129.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate. We think it should cost a bit less–$100 would be the sweet spot–but its price isn’t unreasonable. » Read more: HTC Aria (AT&T)

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Dell Streak

August 28th, 2010

Description

dell streak reviewDell’s tablet phone is well supplied with high-end features, starting with its 5-inch, WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) capacitive touchscreen.

The Streak runs Google’s mobile operating system on a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It has a custom user interface overlaid over the standard one.

In addition to support for AT&T’s 3G service, this model sports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1. plus a GPS receiver.

It comes with 16 GB of storage in the form of a removable microSD memory card, a 5-megapixel auto-focus camera on its back, and a front-facing one for video conferencing.

» Read more: Dell Streak

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Nokia N900 review

August 18th, 2010

NOKIA N900

Nokia N900 ReviewNokia is unwise to keep their Eseries design team separate from their Nseries design team. While the business Eseries devices are sleek and lean, Nokia’s Nseries phones, including the Nokia N900, are chunky, heavy blocks. Though the Nokia N900 feels like a solid device, with rich materials and a smooth, professional finish, it isn’t especially attractive, and the design disappoints when you start using the device. There are no buttons on the face of the phone. It lacks Send and End buttons, a Back button or a Menu key, and all of these would have been an improvement. There is a lock switch and a power button, which seems redundant, but few shortcuts for onboard features besides the shallow, 2-stage camera shutter button. Because the phone uses a resistive touchscreen, Nokia has bundled a stylus, and it’s one of the cheapest plastic styli we’ve seen on a phone.

You won’t necessarily need to break out the stylus with this phone, as Nokia has created their most touch-friendly user interface to date in the new Maemo operating system. The screen is very responsive to the touch, and quite forgiving if you’re just a little bit off pressing the tiny onscreen buttons. The interface has a very smooth and polished look. Nokia fans will recognize the familiar onscreen fonts and application icons, but the phone also uses plenty of blur effects and animated screen transitions to give the OS a modern look and feel.

It’s not very intuitive, unfortunately. To move back and forth between menus, sometimes you press a back button onscreen, and sometimes you simply tap off-window. The design is also inconsistent among the apps, especially the Web browser and Ovi Maps apps. Frankly, the multiple desktop homescreen with active widgets and hidden application menu has already been done much better on modern Android devices, like the Motorola Droid, so even Nokia’s most advanced effort feels a step behind the curve. But compared to the aging Symbian OS on every other Nokia smartphone, the Maemo interface is a dramatic step forward. It would have been a welcome addition to Nokia’s N97.

Calling and Contacts– Good

Nokia N900 ReviewWhile previous Linux-based Internet Tablets from Nokia, like the Nokia N810, skipped built-in cellular network support and just stuck with Wi-Fi for online access, the Nokia N900 uses GSM radios for voice and data. In an unusual move, Nokia has opted to support T-Mobile’s 3G HSDPA network instead of the larger, more popular AT&T radio bands, though the phone can also connect to European 3G data networks. You can use the Nokia N900 with AT&T’s voice and slower EDGE network, but you won’t get 3G speeds. We tested the phone on T-Mobile’s network.

The phone app on the Nokia N900 can place normal voice calls, but it also integrates Skype and even Google Talk directly into the dialer. You just click on a menu in the phone app to change the type of outgoing call you’re making. This was a bit confusing at first, as Skype calls require a “+1″ country code for U.S. calls, but once we learned the protocols it was a breeze.

Voice calls sounded good with the Nokia N900. Call quality was similar whether we were using Skype for VoIP on the T-Mobile data network, or GSM for normal cellular voice calls. On both systems our callers heard a slightly distant sound and background hiss during calls, but this didn’t interfere much with our conversations. On our end, calls sounded very clean and clear.

For calling features, the Nokia N900 comes up far short of what we expect from a modern smartphone. Battery life was abysmal. We never managed to break the 4 hour mark for talk time, which is a few hours shy of what we expect from a very good smartphone, like the Motorola Droid or BlackBerry Bold 9700. Reception was very good, though, and we always saw 4-5 bars of service on T-Mobile’s 3G network.

The address book on the Nokia N900 is also quite simple compared to the best smartphones on the market. We had no trouble synchronizing with our corporate Exchange account thanks to Nokia’s Mail for Exchange sync app, but other online address books are not yet supported. You can use the Nokia PC Suite on a Windows machine to sync with your favorite PIM, but don’t expect the sort of social networking integration you’ll find on the Palm Pre’s WebOS or a good Android device. The phone can’t gather information from Facebook, LinkedIn or other social networks.

For other calling features, the Nokia N900 is a surprising letdown. There’s no voice dialing on the device, which is a necessary feature that we use often while driving. There’s no visual voicemail support, though this feature usually requires carrier backing, so it’s no surprise here. Conference calling was difficult to manage, as the drop down menu to activate the feature was small and somewhat hidden during calls, and the language Nokia uses to describe the feature is unclear. The phone does have a high quality speakerphone, thanks to the dual speakers on the side of the device, and the kickstand helps keep the speakers from getting muffled, but we’d still like the volume to be much louder. » Read more: Nokia N900 review

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