The Official Technology Thread

[maplesyrup]

I'm thinking of buying my wife one of these for Christmas...
Anyone have any knowldege of them or experience with them?... Any complaints or praises? Is one better than the other?

Kodak Playsport ZX5 Waterproof High-Definition SDHC Camcorder

Samsung Waterproof HD Pocket Camcorder (HMX-W200TN)

 

[Bullfrog]

Anyone have experience with e-readers? I'm seriously considering one, especially the Kobo touch.

Anything good or bad I should know?

 

[Zee]

Anyone have experience with e-readers? I'm seriously considering one, especially the Kobo touch.

Anything good or bad I should know?

I've owned a Kindle since last October (2010), fantastic device, what would you like to know specifically?

I'm a little wary of the current generation of Touch-based eReaders.  I've seen the Nook Touch, and I don't like the responsiveness of the touch screen.  They all use the same technology, basically an infrared detection system over the actual e-ink screen, and it's way less responsive than say an iPhone or iPad touch screen.  You should really go play with a Kobo touch at Chapters and see if you like it.  If you have any other general questions about eReaders just ask.

 

[Bender]

Samsung Galaxy S II is just a much better phone than the Iphone 4S.

Apple will sell a ton of the new phone, but this is the first time it's legitimately trailing behind technologically speaking when it comes to introducing a new smartphone.

By the time Apple tries to release a 5, android phones are going to be about 12-18 months ahead of them.

I'd say you're probably right up until this point. It wouldn't surprise me if part of the reason the iPhone 5 wasn't announced yesterday is because of how far Apple intends on pushing the technology, but they just haven't perfected it yet.

I hear Jobs was working almost exclusively on the Iphone 5 prior to his death so hopefully it will be a leap forward.  As for the reason as to why this phone was not a leap forward, you only have to look at the display.  They could not have made a profit on any device with a 'retina' display larger that 3.5 inches.  In no small part due to the fact they have a huge dispute with Samsung who is owning the display side of things right now.  Increasing the size of the screen on an Iphone as it stands would mean reducing the 'retina' quality and apple will never take a step backwards as we all know.

Yeah, but now you have the Galaxy Nexus which will be released soon that has a true 720p HD display. Pentile or not, it's almost irrelevant at that resolution. If that's the beginning you have to think Super Amoled Plus HD is only a matter of time, and I think it'll be the new gold standard due to the lack of LCD backlight, which washes out colour. Nothing can touch Samsung's forward movement in display technology right now, not even Apple.

Don't get me wrong, I owned an iPhone 3GS and liked that it was optimized, liked the games etc. When 3GS was released it was still one of the best phones of its kind (although screen resolution kinda sucked) and it was the fastest phone out there. But the 4S is has a CPU upgrade that isn't even near the speed of other phones like SGSII, and the fact that the RAM is stuck at 512MB is just insane - it's half the standard of what's already out, nevermind what we'll see in the new year.

Until Apple allows more customization on their devices without jailbreaking (I can't believe I have to jailbreak the phone to add a freaking theme!), until they have a much bigger screen, can compete technologically with current phones then I have no problem with picking out the best Android phone when I have to make that decision, especially when ICS looks pretty slick indeed.

 

[Sucker Punch]

I don't really understand the draw of eReaders.

Just looking up Kindle on Wikipedia, for example, it's twice the price of an iPod Touch with a fraction of the features.

If you want to read eBooks, why not just get an iPod Touch and install Stanza?

 

[Bullfrog]

Not sure what site you're reading, but a Kindle is about 1/2 the price of an Ipod touch. it has a larger screen, and it uses the e-ink technology giving the screen the appearance of a book. To most people I've talked to, the screen is the big draw as it seems to reduces eye fatigue.

 

[Zee]

I don't really understand the draw of eReaders.

Just looking up Kindle on Wikipedia, for example, it's twice the price of an iPod Touch with a fraction of the features.

If you want to read eBooks, why not just get an iPod Touch and install Stanza?

1. The cheapest iPod Touch that I see in Canada is $199, the cheapest Kindle is $109.

2. The iPod touch has a 3.5-inch screen
The Kindle has a 6 inch screen

3. iPod touch battery would last less than 1 day if you used it to try and read books for hours on end, the Kindle battery would last 1 month.

4. iPod touch for reading books would put strain on the eyes due to back-lighting of the screen shining into your eye.  The iPod touch is bad for reading outdoors in full sunshine.
The Kindle screen has no backlighting and is fully readable in bright sunshine, causes no eye strain.


Here's an example of an LCD screen vs. an eReader screen when used outdoors:

 

[Sucker Punch]

Makes sense, thanks Zee.

With regards to the price, I just checked the Kindle page on Wikipedia.  Now that I look again, $399 was the "introductory" price, didn't notice that the first time though.

 

[Andy007]

So I was browsing the amazon.ca "black friday" electronics deals and ended up ordering a Le Pan 9.7" tablet for 169$.

For me, one who is not technologically suavy (to say the least) I am absolutely loving this thing. Bright touch screen, fast wi-fi, easily accesible and pretty sharp looking.

It's operating on Android 2.2 which is pretty outdated and Le Pan isn't exactly a household name so there are drawbacks. But personally I can't rationalize shelling out 400-600$ for the higher powered ones. And really, all I'm using this thing is for its light, sleek compactness, wi-fi and free apps (euchre, hearts, poker, blackjack, etc).

So after taxes (including FREE shipping) I paid 190$ +50$ for a 32GB micro SD card.

Seems like a pretty decent option for those with more mild technological ambitions/preferences.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

So I was browsing the amazon.ca "black friday" electronics deals and ended up ordering a Le Pan 9.7" tablet for 169$.

For me, one who is not technologically suavy (to say the least) I am absolutely loving this thing. Bright touch screen, fast wi-fi, easily accesible and pretty sharp looking.

It's operating on Android 2.2 which is pretty outdated and Le Pan isn't exactly a household name so there are drawbacks. But personally I can't rationalize shelling out 400-600$ for the higher powered ones. And really, all I'm using this thing is for its light, sleek compactness, wi-fi and free apps (euchre, hearts, poker, blackjack, etc).

So after taxes (including FREE shipping) I paid 190$ +50$ for a 32GB micro SD card.

Seems like a pretty decent option for those with more mild technological ambitions/preferences.

We're on the same page about the tablet: http://tmlfans.ca/community/index.php?topic=499.0

 

[Zee]

Makes sense, thanks Zee.

With regards to the price, I just checked the Kindle page on Wikipedia.  Now that I look again, $399 was the "introductory" price, didn't notice that the first time though.

Yeah the first ever Kindles released were way too expensive but then new technology always is. Last year they dropped the price to 139 and this year to 109 (even cheaper if you live in the US and can put up with ads --$79)

 

[Andy007]

So I was browsing the amazon.ca "black friday" electronics deals and ended up ordering a Le Pan 9.7" tablet for 169$.

For me, one who is not technologically suavy (to say the least) I am absolutely loving this thing. Bright touch screen, fast wi-fi, easily accesible and pretty sharp looking.

It's operating on Android 2.2 which is pretty outdated and Le Pan isn't exactly a household name so there are drawbacks. But personally I can't rationalize shelling out 400-600$ for the higher powered ones. And really, all I'm using this thing is for its light, sleek compactness, wi-fi and free apps (euchre, hearts, poker, blackjack, etc).

So after taxes (including FREE shipping) I paid 190$ +50$ for a 32GB micro SD card.

Seems like a pretty decent option for those with more mild technological ambitions/preferences.

We're on the same page about the tablet: http://tmlfans.ca/community/index.php?topic=499.0

Hey look at that

I didn't know the deal was on until Dec 3. If my wife keeps using mine I may have to buy another.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Not sure what site you're reading, but a Kindle is about 1/2 the price of an Ipod touch. it has a larger screen, and it uses the e-ink technology giving the screen the appearance of a book. To most people I've talked to, the screen is the big draw as it seems to reduces eye fatigue.

By far and by wide, e-ink technology is easier on the eyes, no backlight, therefore, it's just like reading a book (where you need to read in a well-lit area).


I once received an email from a University bookstore telling me that the preferred and better ereader should be e-ink.  That LCD screens caused too much eye fatigue.  So true.

 

[Zee]

Not sure what site you're reading, but a Kindle is about 1/2 the price of an Ipod touch. it has a larger screen, and it uses the e-ink technology giving the screen the appearance of a book. To most people I've talked to, the screen is the big draw as it seems to reduces eye fatigue.

By far and by wide, e-ink technology is easier on the eyes, no backlight, therefore, it's just like reading a book (where you need to read in a well-lit area).


I once received an email from a University bookstore telling me that the preferred and better ereader should be e-ink.  That LCD screens caused too much eye fatigue.  So true.

After owning a Kindle for the last 15 months I will never go back to reading anything else, especially not trying to read for long periods on a traditional computer screen.  The convenience of the eReaders can't be overstated, I can load up multiple books at once and carry them around with me.  If I want to read a trilogy of books I just put them all on the reader and they're waiting for me.  No more lugging around a large 1000 page hardcover book that just gets released -- the eReader is small and light, lighter then even some paperbacks.  Also it's easy to read with one hand, because they have page turn buttons, so you hold the unit with one hand and use your thumb to turn pages, not easy to read a traditional book with one hand cause you can't just turn pages and hold the book at the same time.  I find that I've read far more books in the last year than I ever have before. I tend to read faster when using the Kindle.

 

[Bullfrog]

Also it's easy to read with one hand, because they have page turn buttons, so you hold the unit with one hand and use your thumb to turn pages, not easy to read a traditional book with one hand cause you can't just turn pages and hold the book at the same time.  I find that I've read far more books in the last year than I ever have before. I tend to read faster when using the Kindle.

That's one issue I'm curious about. I could save $20-30 by going with the regular readers instead of the new touch screens. I'm wondering if I would actually regret not having a physical button to press. When i'm really tired but still reading, I'm sure I'll curse the makers of the touch screen models for not including physical buttons (of course it also illustrates how whiny of a society we've become, but that's another issue.) I don't know why they couldn't have included buttons on the touch screen models.

 

[Zee]

Also it's easy to read with one hand, because they have page turn buttons, so you hold the unit with one hand and use your thumb to turn pages, not easy to read a traditional book with one hand cause you can't just turn pages and hold the book at the same time.  I find that I've read far more books in the last year than I ever have before. I tend to read faster when using the Kindle.

That's one issue I'm curious about. I could save $20-30 by going with the regular readers instead of the new touch screens. I'm wondering if I would actually regret not having a physical button to press. When i'm really tired but still reading, I'm sure I'll curse the makers of the touch screen models for not including physical buttons (of course it also illustrates how whiny of a society we've become, but that's another issue.) I don't know why they couldn't have included buttons on the touch screen models.

Call it personal preference but I prefer the physical buttons to turn pages.  I've seen and tried the Nook touch, they have a touch screen device AND the physical buttons, and I would never use the touch screen to turn the pages.  I just hate having to touch the screen (and dirty it).  Imagine sitting at the beach, you have sunscreen on your hands and you're touching the screen to turn pages, the smudge of the sunscreen would be terrible.  If you get the buttons dirty no big deal, wipe them clean later. 

Also I find the buttons WAY more responsive than the screen.  The e-Ink touch screens don't use the same technology as an iPad or other tablet based computer.  The screens on eInk readers are less responsive to touch.

Just my 2 cents.

I own this Kindle by the way -- non touch screen:

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wi-Fi-Ink-Display-international/dp/B0051QVF7A/ref=amb_link_358889382_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=07HEN1ANAHB74P7NS6WQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1332001682&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[Zee]

One more thing that I mentioned about eReaders that I can't stress enough, you really don't have to worry about the battery on these things.  The last time I charged my Kindle was November 8th.  I know this only because that's the day the latest Stephen King book came out and I decided to charge my device as I was going to read it and go on a trip to Miami the following week.  It's now Nov 29th, I read every day on it, and I still have 25% battery left.  It's truly astounding.

 

[Fanatic]

I have an iPad2. I have never used it as an ereader until now. What ereader do people recommend? Does it make a difference? If I just go with iBooks would that make sense? iBooks is the reader I think, but there are other apps as well....?

I do not really understand the whoel ereader aspect, but want to get into now in a hurry.

Any thoughts from someone who knows would be appreciated.

 

[Fanatic]

I got my own questions answered this evening. iBooks is fantastic. I can even load .pdf files.

 

[hockeyfan1]

A very different ebook reader... the M90 Onyx Boox and the more powerful M92... plenty expensive...

http://www.onyxboox.com/