Editorial: Chrome OS – Why I Like It
Chrome OS is something that has been debated a lot lately on the twittersphere due to Google’s recent announcement of improvements to their experiment. Many are saying that the concept of a OS based only around a browser is pointless; However I am not in this school.
Everything I do on a computer is in the browser (Google Chrome obviously). My email is hosted by Gmail and therefore I do not need a client, the web interface is more than sufficient. Scratch that, using Gmail on the web is in fact amazing. As for my twitter addiction, I use the web version of Tweetdeck and may I add, it doesn’t feel like I am in a browser when using Chromedeck. It runs so fluidly and smoothly it feels like I am running a native app. As for documents, I have been writing and storing my reviews, essays and posts in Google Docs for several months now so I do not need a office suite of applications such as Microsoft Office or iWork. Everything that could need a desktop application, I have found a solution that works for me on the web.
Therefore, a Chromebook would make complete sense for me. In practically, productively, and economically terms. I have owned a Macbook Pro for a couple years now and I would guesstimate that I use about 15-20% of the capabilities it. I originally bought the powerhouse because I was getting into video and sound editing, but after several failed projects, I realised it wasn’t my forte and lost interest in this certain “hobby”. Since that certain abandonment, I have been living in my browser; which makes Chrome OS is a viable alternative for me.
I hadn’t always had this view however, but since Google unveiled important features such as a file browser, USB mass storage support and offline support for Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Docs, I really do feel like a Chromebook could be my next computer. If you can call it a computer.
Guru Inspection: LG Optimus 2x (LG-P990)
Running the 1GHz Tegra 2 chipset, the LG Optimus 2x is the world’s first Smartphone with a dual-core CPU. But the insane amount of horsepower isn’t the only thing going for the Optimus 2x; 4″ LCD touch screen, 8MP camera, 1080p HD video recording, 8GB of internal storage and Android 2.2 Froyo are all present and accounted for in the Optimus 2x likewise in the ex-colonial version, the T-Mobile G2X.
But is the extra horsepower worth it? Do smart phones that live in your pocket need to have this much computing power? Should you get this instead of other dual core smart phones such as the HTC Sensation, the Samsung Galaxy S II and the Motorola Atrix?
Read on to find out!
Guru Inspection: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Review
Possibly the worst kept secret in Sony Ericsson’s history, the Playstation Phone aka the Xperia Play was one of 4 devices unveiled at MWC in February this year. Part Android phone, part PSP, is this handset a match made in heaven or is it just a Frankensteinian mix that was never meant to be? Read on to find out!
iOS 4.3 Coming March 11
Alongside the iPad 2 being announced today, Steve Jobs with the help of Scott Forstall unveiled iOS 4.3 to the world. New features in the update include the Nitro Javscript engine from Safari on OS X to make browsing super sweet, new iTunes Home Sharing that lets you play content from iTunes to your iOS device over WiFi, new AirPlay features that we saw in the iOS 4.3 betas such as the ability for App Store apps to share audio and video. For the iPhone only, iOS 4.3 adds the personal hotspot feature but for only the GSM version and for the iPad it adds Photobooth and Facetime to take advantage of the new camera on the iPad 2. Oh and Apple is giving us choice of whether you want the switch on the side to be for locking the screen rotation or for it to be a mute switch.
iOS 4.3 will be a free download available on March 11 for the iPhone 4 (GSM), 3GS, iPod Touch 3rd and 4th gen and both iPad models.
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iPad 2 Announced
Announced by Steve Jobs only moments ago, the sequal to the iPad has been announced, imaginatively named the iPad 2. The next baby to come out of Apple uses the all new A5 duel core processor with 9x faster graphics, there are front and back facing cameras, it is 2lb lighter now at 1.3 pounds, a 1/3 thinner at 8.8mm thick (which is thinner than the iPhone 4 by the way) and all in a brand new design with a white version that will ship on time! The iPad 2 will come in the same 16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb models, all at the same price as the previous model and will ship on March 11.
There are the usual Apple accessories like a keyboard dock and USB/SD card dock connector that was available last year but we have some now we have some new ones. The first is a HDMI connector that can go straight to a TV which mirrors the iPad screen and exports in 1080p, which will be good for app demos and the like. The next new accessory for the iPad 2 is a new “case” called Smart Covers. It apparently adds no weight or bulk to the iPad while keeping it protected, the inner material is micro-fibre which will get rid of any fingerprints made while using the device and comes in either Polyurethane ($39) or Leather $69). But the coolest thing about these Smart Covers is that it uses magnets to wake and sleep the iPad when you open and close the case. Fancy!
But there is one missing chunk in this announcement. The lack of a Retina Display. Probably too costly for this iteration but I would of blown away every tablet on the market right now if it had that awesome screen.
So will you get one or is it just a pointless update?
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