Google is known for its trial and error approach to products. In the past decade there were more products dropped by Google than continuing to flourish.
With new Pixel launch Google has abandoned Nexus line of smartphones, pure versions of popular phones. So what’s special about Pixel?
24*7 support from Google.
Pure Android.
Google assistant.
Best in class camera.
While not great the pros are good for Nexus. But with the pros there are several cons worth noticing.
Only 2 years of Android updates.
Poor design with a low screen to phone ratio.
No waterproofing.
No SD card support.
Premium pricing.
Low carrier availability.
No distinctive hardware features.
Below par hardware features than other leading Android manufacturers.
$100 bump for next level of storage.
With a long list of cons, it doesn’t look good for Google.
And by increasing the price for Nexus to Pixel by almost twice, Google has reduced the value proposition associated with earlier Nexus models.
With not much changing between versions of hardware and software in modern phones, it needs to be seen if Pixel and Pixel XL will make any impact.
Time will tell if I’m wrong, but I’m waiting for a fire sale of Pixel to grab a few sometome early 2017.
Apple’s “Most awaited!” Tablet device is out, unlike a full Tablet PC this is more of an iPhone with a 10 inch screen. It runs the same iPhone OS and almost has identical features of the popular iPhone.Apple Lovers will crave for the device and critics still have a lot to complain.
But Apple has Maintained its consitant tactic of Beauty over features. With a thickness of 1.3 cm and weighing less than 0.75 kg this must be one of the thinnest and lightest computing devices around, also it sure will be a style statement, if you carry one around. But lets get down to business in terms of features.
It is available in two versions one with 3G and other without the 3G support. Below is the price for both versions available in 16GB,32GB and 64GB 16GB 32GB 64GB
Wi-Fi $499 $599 $699
Wi-Fi + 3G $629 $729 $829
Features –
– 9.7 inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display
(same multi touch as iphone)
– 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
– Fingerprint-resistant coating
– Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
– Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
– UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) (Data only)
– GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) (Data only)
– Email and Document support
– Browser without Flash support
– Accelerometer
– Ambient light sensor
– 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
– Built-in speakers (Mono)
– Microphone
Main Disadvantages
– Not a Full fledged computer OS (iPhone OS)
– No Multitasking support (it can run a maximum of two apple apps)
– No USB
– No Webcam
– Mono Speaker
– You can install apps only from Apple Appstore
– Need to use itunes on PC
– No Flash support in browser
– Limited to AT&T 3G network
– Too pricey for its limited feature set
– 16/32/64 GB Flash drive is too limited for a device like this
Overall Apple has created a device between a Phone and an Tablet PC, but for this form factor and price the functionality provided is very disappointing. Many who own Macs still install Winodws XP on them and use it for many applications which are not supported in the Apple OS.
Possibly a more feature packed version of the Ipad with a full featured Leopard OS will be much more appreciated than the shortcut taken by Apple here.
Finally the much awaited Nokia’s high end Full Touch Screen Nokia N97 is out. It will be available in most of the stores in a week and expected to be priced at Rs 32000 -34000 in India. Around 380 UK Pounds, same will be available in US for 670-700 USD. The phone has been much talked about for almost a year.The phone itself doesnt offer anything new except the full touch screen and QWERTY keyboard, a marriage between its Entertainment heavy weights like N96 and E series beauties. Actually N97 reminds me of some of the HTC slider phones, but they weren’t this good in features.
If you are someone expecting a slim phone then it isnt the phone for you, it is slightly thinner than the N96 or N95 8GB but still is 15.6mm thick (18mm at the camera location). Lets get to comparing the N97 with some other popular phones.
The phone comes in two colors White and Black and the white definitely looks better. It definitely blurs the line between the mini laptops and Mobile phones, in terms of features it is better than any mini laptop.
Though most of the media ignorantly writes that main disadvantage of Nokia N97 is that it doesnt have a App Store like Iphone, the truth is the opposite. Most people have been buying Nokia N series and E series because of the availability of so many softwares and most of them being free. The symbian OS is the operating system with more softwares than Iphone OS or Windows Mobile or Google’s Android.
The Coolness factor – Looks and Dimensions
Nokia N97 – Dimensions – Length x Width x thickness
Here are the dimensions of the popular Models
Nokia N97 – 117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9 (18.25) mm
Nokia N86 – 103.4 x 51.4 x 16.5 mm
Nokia N96 – 103 x 55 x 20 mm
Nokia N95 8GB – 99 x 53 x 21 mm
Nokia E71 – 114 x 57 x 10 mm
Apple Iphone 3G S – 115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm
Interestingly the Nokia N97’s dimensions are not far off from Apple iphone 3G S , it is 3 mm thicker than the iphone but has powerful features and Full QWERTY keyboard to balance that.
Pictures of Nokia N97
Nokia N97 Emailing - Front View
Form:Side-slide with tilting screen
Volume:88 cc
Dimensions:117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9 mm (18.25 mm at thickest point)
Weight (with battery):150 g
Additional size and shape information:
Sliding tilt mechanism
Nokia N97 - Front view dexternights
Keys and Input Method
Full slide out keyboard
Cover keys (S60 keys, Menu key, Send/End keys)
Touch screen
4-way navigation key with centre select
Dedicated camera and volume keys
Memory
MicroSD memory card slot, hot swappable, up to 16 GB
Internal memory: 32 GB
Nokia N97 - Full Keyboard
Connectivity
Bluetooth version 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate
TV out
Support for local and remote SyncML synchronisation
High-Speed USB 2.0 (micro USB connector)
3.5 mm AV connector
Nokia N97 white - dexternights Back view
Display and User Interface
Size: 3.5″
Resolution: 640 x 360 pixels
Up to 16.7 million colours
Resistive touch screen with separate touch foil and touch feedback
Brightness control
Orientation sensor
Proximity sensor
Ambient light detector
Power Management
BP-4L 1500 mAh Li-Ion battery
Talk time (maximum):
GSM up to 570 min
WCDMA up to 360 min
Standby time (maximum):
GSM up to 430 h
WCDMA up to 400 h
Video playback time (maximum): VGA 30fps
QCIF 15fps up to 5.5 h
Video recording time (maximum): up to 1 h per clip
