Better Android Smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S5 or Sony Xperia Z2?

Without a doubt, Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2 are two of the most talked about Android smartphones this year 2014. Even more exciting is both of them are pulsing with quad-core processor. The blogosphere has been abuzzed with the two as both of these smartphones simultaneously flaunt their impeccable specs to show us who is better, and who deserves the limelight. But, which phone is really the one for you? Which phone would and should really win your heart? Let’s have an overview with their specs to know which phone excels in which areas, shall we?

At first glance…

Design and display always have the biggest impact. If it can’t catch your attention, then you’ll never know if it really is more than meets the eye. And so, at first glance, which one caught your eye now that both these phones are water and dust resistant? Starting with the Samsung Galaxy S5, its design somehow resembles to its predecessor Galaxy S4 together with Note 3. If you’ve been satisfied with the designs of the aforementioned phones, then perhaps you’ll get the hang of the S5’s design, iterative as it may seem minus the dimpled touch. Yes, it claims to be a waterproof phone, but only the bottom of the device is covered, in which the microSIM and microSD slots are hidden. Yet this removable panel makes it feel solid enough despite the heavy reliance on polycarbonate plastic. And it actually protects better against dust since it comes in IP67 rating compared to the IP58 of Z2.

Talk about the build and design of Sony Xperia Z2; glass and metal match up together, giving you that seamless block feeling. Now, you might think this gives it an edge against the S5, but wait till you get your hands on it. With a 5.78 x 2.89 x 0.32 dimension in inches, you’ll notice that this handset device is not that handy at all—rendering S5 more comfortable to hold than the Z2. Yet, the aesthetic appeal of Z2 beats that of S5; not to mention the premium, non-plastic feel it offers.

Which phone’s screen will get your eyes spoiled?

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is equipped with a 5.1inch screen, while Sony Xperia Z2 offers a 5.2-inch. Yet both have significantly different underlying technology. Samsung has 1080p Super AMOLED employed, while Sony Xperia Z2 has 1080p Live Colour LED tech. And for pixel density, they have 432ppi and 424ppi respectively. Yet despite the lower pixel density of S5, its screen still delivers brilliant brightness and vivid colours. And Sony doesn’t what to get left behind, so it focused more on punchy contrast and refinement of detail for great viewing angles even with off-axis viewing.

Which camera specs could capture your attention?

Samsung Galaxy S5 sports a 16MP shooter at the back, while Sony Xperia Z2 wants you to be impressed with its 20.7MP shooter.  S5 gives you a remarkable swift autofocus that helps to produce accurate colour and punchy contrast in good lighting. But the Z2 focused more at speed and producing stills with more detail. It even works better in low light conditions as it has more accurate exposure and punchier contrast. That being said, the score would likely be chalked up to that of Z2.

Which phone performs well?
The first specs mentioned are just the icing on the cake. But one of main selling points of these smartphone devices actually boils down to their performance. As mentioned earlier, both are equipped with quad-core processor. Only, Z2’s clocked at 2.3GHz, and S5’s at 2.5GHz. But as for the RAM, S5 is 1GB short compared to Z2’s 3GB RAM. Both exhibits blazingly fast performance, but still both have flaws. S5 occasionally stutters a bit while the Z2 gets warm quicker. As for the storage, Sony Xperia Z2 sports 16GB internal memory, while Samsung Galaxy S5 has either 16GB or 32GB. Both are also expandable to 128GB as they support microSD cards. So, which one is it?

And the Verdict is…

Both phones are inarguably impressive and have an edge over the other. Depending on what area, both phones excel as they are able to pull it off. Yet, this time Samsung gets the crown. Yes, Z2 may have all those ah-mazing specs, but a lot of people would actually find S5 easier to use because of its hand-friendlier design. But if you have bigger hands to hold Z2, then you might as well enjoy all the specs it offers. But don’t just dwindle your choices down to these two as there are still lots of choices out in the market.

The Rumors about the iPhone 6 in Its Stage of Contemplation

Every press release triggers a commotion across the globe bringing out excitement and a bit of anxiety, but nothing is more heart-stopping than the announcement of the Cupertino-based tech company Apple of its iPhone lineup. It’s a fact that the iPhone is the most successful smartphone model to date. The company as a whole may not top the charts in the number of sales, but its products among others have by far the highest smartphone penetration rate due to their uniqueness and exclusivity. And so, now that speculations have been circulating in regard to the details surrounding the makings of the iPhone 6, it takes a leap of faith to find out what to believe in. This is what we know about it.

 It is said that Apple will be releasing two variants of iPhone 6, same as what it did with the successor of the iPhone 5. One is going to sport a 4.7-inch display while the other is expected to be bigger with its 5.5-inch screen. This upgrade is simply a must because Apple needs to adapt to the phablet domination to secure its place in the competition. As for its release date, September 2014 would be the most plausible time, considering the release of both the iPhone 5s and 5c that was scheduled on the Fall of 2013.

Both variants will be installed with a sapphire crystal screen, similar to the material used by Vertu smartphones, which is virtually resistant to scratches. On the other hand, there are sources indicating that Apple will be stepping into the flexible display territory, like with the LG G Flex and Samsung Galaxy Round. On another note, either both models or just the more expensive variant will be powered by a faster and more efficient A8 chip, which packs in more power than its already powerful predecessor.

In terms of design, the iPhone 6 is said to adopt a thinner chassis and a bezel-free display with an edge-to-edge design. With the much more slender LED backlight from 0.6mm to 0.4mm, the internal components can be spread out, allowing a slicker design to take place. It is most likely that Apple will be continuing the Touch ID feature for its future smartphones, considering the huge sum of money it invested on the said technology. To be on par with the features of the upcoming flagship phone of Samsung, Apple is said to focus on health-related applications like the Healthbook app, which will track various data points including blood pressure, hydration, heart rate, and other stats like glucose levels. This will perhaps be available on the rumored iOS 8 release.

It really is no surprise that rumors about the next generation flagship phone of Apple has surfaced just a few months after the iPhone 5s and 5c were made available on the market. The popularity of the iPhone has reached epic proportions, and this has served a motivating factor for Apple to deliver to the expectations of its clientele. Soon enough, we can be able to tell apart facts from fiction when more credible information are revealed as the release date of the most awaited smartphone arrives.

Apps You Shouldn’t Miss for Your Smartphones and Tablets [Android]

Over the years, we find the gadgets that could cater to our needs. And after that, we eventually find the apps that could help us get through with our day-to-day activities. We may change our handsets for whatever reason—at best, for an upgrade; at worse, getting broken or pilfered—but there’s one thing that almost always remains: the apps that we can’t live without.

Notice that whatever happens, the apps you installed on your previous trusty smartphones and tablets are still loaded to the new ones. That’s because you find them essential that no matter what, you’re going to free up some space just to have them installed once and for all. Did you now have your own list? Now, I’d be glad to share mine in order for you to try them. See the list of apps you shouldn't live without below:

  

#1: Kii Keyboard

We all know that typing on our gadgets’ screen—especially on tablets—is not an easy thing. We have to get used to tapping the right keys, or else we’ll abuse the backspace ceaselessly. Flat out; it’s a bummer, especially if we are used to typing with our thumbs. Do you somehow envy the iPad Air’s splitting keyboard? Good thing there’s a key for Android tablets to make all typing on keyboard easy-peasy. The Kii Keyboard app can actually split your tablets virtual keyboard in two. It has the same features of a normal Android keyboard like Swype and prediction, and you can also dress your keyboard with themes to your liking as it supports Go Keyboard. [Free on Android]

#2: Google Drive

Yes, Android phones are being loved because their tendency to expand through their microSD slot, but let’s face it. Sharing would be a lot easier if we could just access it from the cloud. We can use our phones and tablets as a flash drive as we connect a USB data cable for sharing, but sharing wirelessly is unarguably better. Not to mention I remember one time when I have to almost tear our house apart looking for a cable. And so, let’s make use of Google’s another brainchild: the Google Drive. Not only you can store your files on the cloud, but you can also access them anytime, anywhere. Do you want to access a file later but you won’t be able to connect to the cloud? Well, you can actually make a file available offline so you can view it. And that’s not all. You can also edit the file right off the bat with collaborators. Fill in the free 15 GB space if you can! [Free on Android]

#3: Tablified Market – Tablet Apps

Having a tablet is great. The wider the screen, the more convenience it brings. But if you can’t get a good app worthy of the screen, then what good is it now? That is why you’re going to need Tablified Market app installed on your tablet. This app narrows down and organizes the list of apps compatible to your device so you won’t have to wonder if it fits your tablet or not. [Free on Android]

So, aren't these apps worthy to be included on your apps-shouldn't-live-without list? Download them now and start tapping away!

A Brand New Year Suggests More Expectations from Apple

Tech companies derive their success from innovation. Whenever there’s something new, people flock towards it, thus, contributing to the overall fame of the company which is credited for coming up with that brainchild worthy of praises. On the other hand, if the so-called innovation is something indicative of a lackluster attribute, it will certainly cause a series of demoralizing remarks. Simply, this is how tech companies reach the top; they should be able to come up with the X factor feature that has the potential of dominating the tech sphere.

All along, analysts and lay mobile consumers thought that 2013 is a terrible year for Apple, but just before the year had ended, Apple has vindicated itself from its alleged mediocre performance pronounced by its critics. And as the transition from the post-Steve Jobs era has reached its completion, we can very well say that Apple is able to manage in continually being a worthy competitor in the consumer electronic industry. However, Apple’s future is still uncertain. It needs to display a brand new development that can surprise or meet the expectations of the market it targets. And speaking of expectations, these are what we (almost) would like from Apple for the year 2014.

• An iPhone with a bigger display. Just weeks after the release of the latest flagship smartphone of Apple, people were not able to contain their disappointment on its display size. The whole time, prospective consumers sought for a phablet-like device from Apple as a tactic to cope up with the growing market for smartphones with a diagonal display of 5 inches or more. But Apple kept it the way it was used to; it announced the 5s to be as big as its predecessor. As of now, there have been speculations circulating in the open about a bigger iPhone. Hopefully, it will appear in the iPhone 6.
• The iPad Pro. Studies on the tablet shipments all across the globe show that there will be a decline on the growth of the industry until the year 2017. In addition, this trend will materialize because the demand for 7-inch tablets will be eradicated completely because of the introduction of phablets into the tech market. But as it turns out, experts believe that bigger tablets can be able to spark a brand new interest for mobile computing using a touchscreen slate device. And so, Apple must be able to satisfy this growing demand, for Samsung is already close to the full-blast production of its very own 12-inch Galaxy Note.
• Better Apple Maps. When we hear about mapping services, the first thing that comes into our mind is the Google Maps. Because it possesses a bunch of breakthrough features, it is usually downloaded into a number of gadgets, including iDevices. But why did Apple hire a team of people with mapping expertise if it will just settle for the Apple maps as it is right now. The company must make use of its resources wisely. The year 2014 must be the year when Apple will debut a newly-improved mapping service that can topple down Google Maps.
• The Mac OS newer, fresher look. Apple may be laudable in terms of hardware and software design, but at some point, it missed a spot with the Mac operating system. Consumers expect uniformity between the Mac OS and the iOS come the year 2014. Apple’s design language should be consistent with all of its releases so that it can strengthen its identity even further.

The truth of the matter is, it’s hard to tell whether a step undertaken by a company will prove to be phenomenal or not. But with all these, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “We continue to be very confident in Apple’s future, and we see significant opportunities ahead of us in both current product categories and new ones.” He adds, “We have a lot to look forward to in 2014, including some big plans that we think customers are going to love.” Let’s just hope that those big plans consist of our expectations of the company that once made tech fantasies become a reality.

Going Somewhere? Better Bring a Tablet Instead!

Electronic devices have proven their value in making life worth living. They can help us in performing our daily tasks a notch easier. Starting from the simple machines you learned back in your formative years to the high tech gadgets of this digital age, they have simply led one innovation after another. And apparently, this decade have seen the fastest advancement when it comes to machines. Computers started as humongous contraptions, to desktop computers, laptops, and now, they have come in the form of tablets. And incontestably, tablets are one of the most preferred pieces of equipment today. Certainly, they are the perfect gadgets to carry when you are on the road. Without further ado, here are the top compelling reasons why you should just leave your laptop and bring your tablet instead on your travels:

1. It’s MORE portable. The power of a tablet is without a doubt no match to the power of a laptop, and we all know that. But if you are somewhere else and you just need an electronic device for the purpose of reading emails, watching YouTube videos, and staying updated in Twitter and Facebook, it would be a hassle if you still carry your laptop with you. It may turn out light, but you will definitely feel the weight of it on your shoulder in a matter of a few hours. So, just bring your tablet next time, and travel light.
2. It has a longer battery life. When you’re outdoors, the thing that you want the least to happen is for your gadgets to have their battery life fully drained. There might not even be an outlet nearby to plug in your portable charger to stay connected again. Studies show that most tablets have twice the battery life of a laptop. And this will enable you to get more out of the device you are carrying.
3. It starts up faster. The booting up period of a device is perhaps the most dreadful seconds of your life. It puts you through a mandatory downtime wherein there’s nothing for you to do but wait. If you hate wasting your precious seconds in front of a loading screen, then better use a tablet because it boots up faster than a laptop.
4. It is future proof. Laptops are meant to take computing to a brand new level. Back in the days, one can only make use of a computer at home using a desktop. However, since laptops have made their debut, people have brought their businesses and whatnot with them on the go. But as it turns out, there appears to be the ultimate gadget that again takes computing to different heights. With a tablet, you can be able to do as much as what a laptop can do, though it may not be as powerful in terms of specs as the latter. But it’s just a matter of time when tablets will take over all consumer electronic equipment in tech stores.
5. Cool Tablet Accessories. Because tablets are becoming more famous than laptops nowadays, innovations (internal or external) are more focused to cater for the tablet market. There are a myriad of tablet accessories out there that you can use to customize your device according to your needs. With those add-ons, your tablet just got more dynamic than ever.
6. It rids you the workaholic mindset. If you’re on a vacation, you would want to use that time to relax and disengage from work. But if you you’re bringing a laptop, you may already feel the stress just by the sight of it, unlike with a tablet that gives a somewhat laid-back feel meant for fun and entertainment.

Come your next excursion, keep the reasons listed above in mind to have a more carefree, exhilarating journey. Travel smart!