Tag: Google

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Nexus 4 and Nexus 10

Google outs Nexus 4 and Nexus 10.

Nexus 4

  • 4.7-inch Display
  • 1280-by-768 at 320 pixel-per-inch
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 processor
  • 2 GB of RAM
  • NFC-enabled
  • 8 GB – $299
  • 16 GB – $349
  • LG-build
  • Network:
    Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+
    GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
    3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
    HSPA+ 21

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Nexus 10

  • 10-inch Display (16:9)
  • 2560-by-1600 at 300 pixels-per-inch
  • CPU: Dual-core A15
  • GPU: Mali T604
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n (MIMO+HT40)
  • Bluetooth
  • NFC
  • 2 GB RAM
  • Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
  • Samsung-build
  • 16 GB Wi-Fi – $399
  • 32 GB Wi-Fi – $499

 

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Spending less on wireless phone bill.

Back in 2009, I paid roughly $160 every month for Unlimited Minutes, Unlimited Data and 200 Texts on AT&T. Now I paid roughly $85 every month for 450 Anytime Minutes with Rollover, 5000 Night & Weekend Minutes, Unlimited Mobile to Mobile Minutes, Unlimited Data and 1000 Texts. That’s because I have been using Google Voice. With the introductions of FaceTime and iMessage I manage to reduce the usage on my account; with the exception of calling to other mobile phones.

Most people I constantly in contact with are using their mobile phones as their primary phones. That’s when Unlimited Mobile to Mobile Minutes plan becomes really handy. I generally make outgoing calls through Google Voice, which is currently free. I also send text messages through Google Voice, unless the other person is using an iOS device. That’s when iMessage really shines. I have 1000 Texts plan because AT&T made it a requirement. Of course, I’m using FaceTime with certain people.

Most of the time I would be on Wi-Fi network, but I have used more than 2 GB of data with three days left in the billing cycle. This is one reasons why I am keeping the unlimited data plan on AT&T, and I plan to keep it that way.

I have been saving about $75 every month and that ads up to $900 annually. That’s quite a lot.

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Maps and Glass Houses

Many criticize Apple’s own Maps app in iOS 6 such as the melted Brooklyn Bridge. Remember that throwing rocks at glass houses is a lot easier than making a Map application. Let’s throw some rocks at those glass houses.

The melted Brooklyn Bridge in Apple Maps. Low quality satellite photo and raw elevation data do not produced a good automatically generated 3D view of the bridge.

There’s a little photo stitching problem, most likely because it is automatically done by software.

Apple is not the only one having problems making 3D maps. Google is having the same issues on different locations.

3D view of Golden Gate Bridge in Apple Maps:

3D View of Golden Gate Bridge in Google Earth:

Apparently there’s a floating road on the water next to the Golden Gate Bridge according to Google.

It is really easy to choose and pick the battle. Over time Apple will improve its Maps application just like what Google has been doing for the last 5 years. Google is not immune to some silly mistakes, that’s because the map is processed and assembled by some algorithms. There’s where human element is needed to make some adjustments and corrections.

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Gmail: Suspicious Login Attempts

A few colleagues informed me that for the past few days there have been suspicious login attempts on their Gmail accounts. The attempts seem to originate from China. Immediately, my colleagues enabled the 2-step verification on their Google account. The downside is that user has to authorize all devices and applications using the Google account. It is a lot better than having the account compromised.