Verizon is not very customer friendly. First they are now charging you $30 to upgrade your phone and now they are going to get rid of unlimited data plans. I thought competition was supposed to keep prices down yet every cell phone company is increasing prices all the time. I tend to notice the same thing with my trash company. There are five trash companies in my neighborhood and each raises their prices each year.
While certain features of these phones are comparable, like the camera. There are just certain things that you cannot compare when looking at these devices.
For instance, while the 1.2 dual core processor or 1.4 quad core processor seem to blow Apple’s .800 dual core processor out of the water, this couldnt be further from the truth. Many forget that Apple runs a different OS. Meaning that Apple’s iPhone is built specifically for their OS. They didnt need a 1.5 quad core processor because their OS does not require or utilize it. Additionally, you cant really even compare the Gnex to the S3 for the same reason. While they both run ICS, the Gnex runs a vanilla version of the OS and was made to specifically to run the OS just as the iPhone was for iOS. The S3 contains TouchWiz, which is Samsung’s bloatware and thus needs that extra power that the Gnex does not need.
All in all, there are some things you can compare but overall you cannot compare these devices by just looking at the specs. The specs are not very helpful in really telling you much about the big picture, they are simply a small piece. Each of these phones is so different that it’s going to be a matter of preference which is better, not the one that has the best specs is king.
– 4.8 inch screen
– 8mp camera (1.9 inch front camera)
– 2100 battery
– summer launch in America
– looks very similar to nexus
– 2 feature – s-voice and s-stay – both look ok but are bloatware.
– 1.4 GHZ Quad core processor
– MicroSD slot
– Runs ICS Android 4.0
– 1 GB Ram
My thoughts from what I have seen ( I have not touched the phone or seen it in real life): It’s a definite upgrade the S2 and GNex, however, it is not what I would call significant. It’s reminds me of the upgrade from the iPhone 4 to the 4s. Some specs are great, like the quad core, and microSD card. But the S2 has an 8MP camera already. And while Samsung is really pushing their bloatware – it’s bloatware, although I will admit that if you did not want the bloatware you already have a Gnex which has a vanilla version of Android 4.0 on it. Would I buy this phone? Well I have the Gnex so there is no way this is worth the upgrade. I personally do NOT want bloatware – but that is my big selling point. Additionally, I have the extended battery for the Gnex which is the same one used as default on this phone. Others really like the microSD card, that alone may be a huge selling point. If I had the S2 I would probably upgrade although honestly if you care about a better camera, phones will have 10-12mp by the end of the year.
The following blog post will discuss when you should consider developing instruction for the mobile device. Developing for the mobile device presents several challenges that differ from the PC. Currently, there are not many best design practices recommended in the research, usability is different, and compatibility is a major problem. However, this post will not discuss those issues, I will do so in others posts but instead will focus on when to consider mobile learning in your training solution. Why are we currently developing for the mobile device? Well in some cases we are just doing it for the sake of doing it, not when it is actually warranted as noted by our instructional analysis. The reason I bring this up is because mobile learning is a ‘hot’ topic right now. However, the best uses for mobile delivery are only a very small portion of training but many are trying to use it for all training solutions.
Before developing instruction for the mobile device, I recommend making sure that mobile delivery of the instruction fits into your instructional objectives and strategies. Are you trying to develop for the mobile device so that employees have a option to view this on their iPad or mobile phone? If so, I would develop for the PC. Most instruction that is meant to be viewed on the PC cannot be repackaged for the mobile phone because the instructional objectives just are not meant to be delivered in that medium due to the significant differences in screen size, usability, design options, time for delivery, etc. The mobile device is NOT meant to deliver the same training that the PC can. If you are trying to develop training for both, and both have the same objectives/strategies – then you are cutting corners somewhere and sacrificing quality. They are both used for different reasons and it is these reasons, which are identified in your front end analysis, that mobile based instruction should be considered.
I would develop for the mobile device when employing instruction that is real time – i.e., happening while on the job or on the go. For instance, it is a great way of delivering job aids and real time how to’s. It is also great for delivering training that is mobile, such as training in remote areas (with no wifi) or training solutions that require being on the go. An example would be a child at the zoo – where each animal would reveal information about the animal. A laptop or PC would not be convenient to carry around but a mobile device would work well with this type of instruction. Another example could be a soldier out in the field who needs to learn how to perform a task that they might not be skilled in but needs an immediate solution. It is here that mobile delivery shines. However, normal 1 hr computer based instruction will not shine on the mobile device – it is meant to be viewed on the PC. So you really need to ask yourself: What device makes the most sense for this instruction? If it’s mobile, then develop for mobile; if PC, then develop for PC. However remember that objectives/strategies for each medium will be different and if you are developing using the same objectives/strategies for both you are cutting corners and sacrificing quality.
There are many iPhone emulators out there. For those that do not know, an emulator is a program that mimics or acts like a device. For instance, there are NES (Nintendo) emulators that allows you to play old NES Roms. The following emulators act as iPhone emulators so you can get an idea of what your website looks like on pretty much any mobile device. Just to note, the emulators are not perfect, so there may be some slight alignment differences. I noticed this when I tested them although it was only a slight difference.
For those of you with Android operated phones. Amazon.com offers a free Android app each day at their website. So check it each day. I have gotten some great free $15+ apps.
