Blog Archives
The Nokia Candy Bar is BACK
The company, HMD, recently released something exciting. They have revived the Nokia 3310 in the form of a android-running modern candy bar cell phone. Accorsinf to the presser, The Nokia 3310 will retail at an average global retail price of €49 (about $51.97). Here’s a closer look:
The specs:
- System: Dual band 900/1800 MHz
- Software platform: Nokia Series 30+
- Dimensions: 115.6*51.0*12.8mm
- Weight: 79.6 g (including battery)
- Display: 2.4’’ QVGA (240*320)
- two Micro SIM slots
- Curved window with polarised layer for better readability in sunlight
- Connectivity: micro USB, 3.5mm AV connector,
Bluetooth 3.0 with SLAM - Camera: 2Mpxl camera with LED flash
- MicroSD card support up to 32 GB
- LED torchlight
These numbers are all well and good, but I only ned one piece of information…where and when can I buy one? For too long now have I dreamed of owning a simple phone for the times when I need, and want, to be off the grid. This little guy, developed by HMD, seems like the perfect mix of on and off the grid. Not to mention it brings me back to Christmas 2003 when I received my first cell phone, a Nokia 3310. Santa also brought a case for my phone that year; it was black and glossy with flames on it. Literal FIRE. Pair that with my frosted tips and you can probably imagine why I was a hit* with the ladies back in the day.
-Matt
*Not a hit at all.
Tech Tuesday: NVIDIA Shield
Not really new tech news, but something i want to share nonetheless. Made by the computer hardware company, NVIDIA, The Shield is, in short, a Android-based gaming machine, but in my eyes it is much more than that. Here is a machine that runs faster and has better graphics than most handheld devices on the market (all current smartphones included). Here are the specs.
- 72-CORE NVIDIA GeForce GPU
- Tegra 4 Mobile Processor: Quad-Core A15 CPU
- Console-Grade Game Controller: Ultimate control and precision
- WI-FI Connectivity: 802.11n 2×2 MIMO game-speed Wi-Fi
This is a beast of a machine that also includes mini HDMI out so you can plug it into a TV and game how you would with a normal game console (and get similar graphics). The controller is solid in your hand and doesn’t show signs of weakness. Android Jelly Bean paired with the Tegra 4 provides for silky smooth features with high frame rates. The front facing speakers will blow you away whether you are gaming, listening to music, or screening a flick off of Neflix.
Another great feature and use of the system is emulators. This means you can play all your console favorites from yesteryear on the shield. That is an AWESOME feature.
-MattyV
Review video from Austin Evans
The Moto X is Not Your Tech Geeks Phone
At first I could not understand the buzz surrounding the new Moto X phone by Motorola and Google (This being their first phone since Google bought Motorola). With the screen size being only 4.7″ (same as my Nexus 4) embedded with a 720p display, the Moto X does not surprise with its display qualities. Pair that along with mid-range internals and some snappy color options you are left with a phone that isn’t really the leader of any category.
After watching some review videos and studying their [Google’s] marketing plan I have figured out that this phone doesn’t appeal to me, or my other tech geek friends, simply because it isn’t made to appeal to us. This phone is meant to appeal to the masses, and in that respect I think Google and Motorola have hit the nail on the head.
-MattyV
PS- I have included some Moto X review videos that I have gotten a lot from. (One from MKBHD and the other from Chris Pirillo)
Android 4.3 – What Exactly Do You Get?
Android 4.3 was released last week and I finally got the update on my Nexus 7 and Nexus 4. Now that I have the update I am wondering what exactly do I get with it? Luckily one of my favorite tech vloggers, MKBHD, has the answers I have been looking for!
-MattyV
How-To Tuesday – Nexus 7 DSLR Monitor
The great thing about shooting video with a DSLR is that you get great looking footage. The bad thing? They are not meant to do so. One way to help me shoot video on my 5D MKIII was connecting my Nexus 7 tablet to the camera and using the app ‘DSLR Controller’. In case anyone was curious on how to connect a Nexus 7 to your DSLR rig, here is a custom mount I built myself. Build cost was about $25 (including app price). A link to everything I bought is in the video description and below
-MattyV
1/4 20 to cold shoe mount – http://goo.gl/uwD9K
Nexus 7 case – http://goo.gl/2VVrM
GoPro Tripod Mount – http://goo.gl/M02M2
USB Adapter – http://goo.gl/XffsW
DSLR Controller $6.99 – http://goo.gl/9wys1
