My thoughts about this weeks Nokia event

Whether it’s for the right reasons or not, Nokia are a big name in the mobile industry. They’ve been a market leader, they’ve nearly gone bust, they’ve jumped onto the Windows Phone boat, they’ve gone and got themselves bought out by Microsoft and this week we saw the latest iteration of their devices. Was that little pile of devices enough to keep them relevant? Was this the last bunch of new devices well ever see bearing the “Nokia Lumia” branding? I honestly don’t know. What this is, is just going to be my thoughts on the Lumia devices announced on Tuesday.

Lumia 1520

The Nokia Lumia 1520 looks and sounds like an astounding device, spec wise it is pretty much in line with the top end Android device, complete with the ubiquitous Snapdragon 800 quad core processor, 2GB of RAM, 32 GB internal storage, a flippin Micro SD slot, a 20 MP camera, Qi wireless charging and a huge great 6? 1080p display.

It is the highest spec Windows Phone ever, complete with the usual Lumia design it’s really going to be a contender when it’s released. The work Nokia has put into creating apps to give Windows Phone an edge, admittedly this is mainly focused in the photography and mapping areas, but it really makes Windows Phone pretty damn useful. The only two slight problems I can envisage with the Lumia 1520 are the price and the fact beneath all of the fancy Nokia apps it still runs Windows Phone. Microsoft really need to fix/add features rather quickly or this huge great phone is going to be another camera orientated device. Things like the threading in the email app, handling of attachments in the email app, sharing between apps in the OS and little things like more accent colours. Don’t get me wrong here, I love Windows Phone, I just can’t use it as my main device as things are a little backward.

Lumia 1320

The next in the lineup was the Lumia 1320, offering a trimmed down spec in an equally as large casing, it’s like the Samsung Galaxy Mega compared to the Note 3. It’s made specifically for those people who really don’t have £600 to spend on a new phone. But that comes at a compromise, you get a 6? 720p screen, a dual-core processor, 8 GB internal storage, 1 GB of RAM, Micro SD slot, 5 MP camera and LTE.

The thing about the Lumia 1320 will be the price, hopefully cheap enough for various networks to pick up and cheap enough SIM free for enthusiasts to get one just because. It will join a sea of other budget Lumia devices that people get on cheap contracts, but the naming convention has got a little confusing now, with devices with lower model numbers having a higher spec. Maybe Microsoft will fix that when they’re allowed to finish off buying them.
The Lumia 1320 should be a nice device though, albeit a little low spec. It will allow people interested in the new six tile wide interface to give it a try.

Lumia 2520

The Nokia Lumia 2520 at the outset seems like a weird product, mainly down to the stigma attached to Windows RT. Spec wise the Lumia 2520 is up there with the other high end tablets, a quad core Snapdragon 800, a decent camera, LTE, HDMI output, a 1080p screen, 32 GB internal storage, 2 GB of RAM, Micro SD slot and that keyboard cover. It’s all going to be about the price compared to the new Microsoft Surface RT.

Up until now Windows RT hasn’t exactly been a success and as to why Nokia would choose it for their new tablet I’m not sure. I guess they didn’t really have a choice, using normal Windows 8.1 would have probably cost more in licensing and it wouldn’t surprise me if Microsoft didn’t “encourage” Nokia to use Windows RT instead. Windows RT is improving, I’ve been using my Surface RT a hell of a lot more since the 8.1 update. Nokia have also took to making software for Windows as well with Storyteller, that video editing thing and a special version of Nokia Music. I think I’d probably get one of these if I didn’t have a Surface RT, but stranger things have happened, I may still.

Overall feeling
Overall I liked Nokia’s new devices, the Lumia 1520 really shone above all of the rest of their range. Personally I’d prefer the 1520 over the 1020, mainly because of the Micro SD slot, but also the size is a plus point.

I was pleased to see Nokia talking about all the new apps coming to the platform, things like Vine, Flipboard and Instagram are often cited as reasons not to use Windows Phone, I guess people will complain about Snapchat instead now. Hearing about RAW support in the 1020 and 1520 was impressive as well, no doubt no other mobile phone will be able to offer this for years. I do feel Nokia are pigeon holing themselves though, either amazing camera or budget, that’s the direction for the next six months it seems.

I would have liked to have seen a Galaxy S4 competitor though, a high spec device around about 5? with a high spec similar to the Lumia 1520 and the new six tile interface. That would be something that a lot of normal people would want.

So good job Nokia, you should have announced a few more Lumias, I guess you’ll have another event in six months time, if Microsoft allow it.

Thoughts on the iPad event – Opinion

Apple announced a plethora of new software and hardware at its event on Tuesday. While we don’t really cover laptops and desktops, there still plenty of mobile goodies to discuss.

iPad Air

As a massive iPad fan, I was particularly looking forward to seeing what the iPad 5 would look like. While I love my iPad 2, it’s starting to show its age and the once fantastic screen now frankly looks mediocre. iOS 7 has exacerbated the problem, being designed for a fully retina world with its light fonts and minimalist aesthetic.

I’m not really a fan of the Mini. As a reading device its size is a boon, but I actually do a lot of typing on my iPad and find that the full size screen lets me touch type with near perfect accuracy. It’s not as good a physical keyboard, but it’s good enough that I haven’t needed to use a laptop for the past two years when writing emails or notes.

Still, I take my iPad virtually everywhere and this was making the Mini much more tempting. While I haven’t tried out the Air yet, it looks like I may very well be sticking to a full size iPad. It’s dramatically thinner, lighter and smaller. It’s incredible that Apple have managed to slim down the bezels, reduce the weight and thickness and yet massively increase power and maintain the amazing battery life. It’s a complete win in every way.

Android tablets like the Nexus 10 may have even higher res screens and cost less, but sometimes you really do get what you pay for. When it comes to full size tablets, there’s only one game in town. And it just leapt even further ahead.

Retina iPad Mini

Size aside, I was never a fan of the original Mini because of its iPad 2 based hardware. My iPad 2 may have served me like a champ, but it’s definitely getting on. I have no problem with Apple’s higher pricing, but when I pay a premium I want to get the best and I want something that will last a while.

With the Retina iPad Mini I feel like I’m definitely getting both. I thought we’d be getting an A6X, but Apple went all out and gave it an A7 to make it spec for spec identical to the Air. And for a full $100 less. The only problem now is choosing how much that extra 1.8” is worth to you, either in price or portability.

I still feel like smaller tablets are more for content consumption though. While the Mini will give you all the same great iPad apps, I’m not sure if I’d enjoy using it as much for things like typing and photo editing that I do regularly on my iPad 2. For others it may very well be the perfect tablet, and for $100 less I may be one of them.

 iPad 2

The fact that the iPad 2 is still on sale must presumably means that it’s still doing decent business for Apple. I can’t remember having another gadget for as long as my iPad 2. It’s done me proud over the last two and a half years. In the same time, I’ve been through four different phones.

 But I’d feel sorry for anyone that buys one today for $399. The fact that Apple can still sell it for $399 makes feel both annoyed and amazed. I feel like the Air is incredible value at $499. But you’d have to really value that $100 saving to go for the cheaper model. Even then, you could have a far superior Retina iPad Mini for the same price. Please just don’t do it.

 iPad Mini

I feel similarly about the original iPad Mini. I was never a big fan in the first place, but a year later and for a whole $30 less I still couldn’t recommend it to anyone. I’d rather have the a Nexus 7 with its far superior screen and $80 saving. It might not have all the apps, but phone apps work pretty great on it. And at that size it’s more about reading and video, for which the widescreen actually has an advantage.

 Overall

Two frankly awesome and great value high end models. Two ageing and overpriced low end models. Do yourself a favour and spend the extra cash for the flagships.

iOS 7 – Send us your thoughts

 

It’s taking a while to download at the moment because everyone is trying to get the all-new version of iOS. Twitter has seen a number of tweets from people which basically can’t comprehend the fact that their iPhone has changed…

What happened to my iPhone? #IOS7

— Hunter Williams1?6? (@HunterWilliam34) September 18, 2013

We’ve already looked at the features and you can get a full run-down