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The GS3 is probably the best-supported device in terms of accessories in Android history. I got 2 OEM-equivalent spare batteries + charger for $20. Docks. Cases. It’s great. And day-to-day usage is fantastic. I have zero desire to upgrade in terms of speed, resolution, etc. I’m good until the next gen of devices in mid-2014.

That said, the signal on mine (VZW) is surprisingly flaky at times. I have a hard time getting a steady (4G/3G/voice) signal “deep” (although not ‘deep’ enough to bother my previous Sprint GS2) indoors. And ‘penetration’ was supposedly VZW’s strength. So I can’t help but wonder how much of it is the phone. Still, I can’t help but recommend overall. People here will snipe, but Samsung has emerged as the market leader for a reason IMO.

3 days ago on HTC First or GS3? 1 recommend

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As a fan of the Pandora model I’m frustrated it wasn’t Google who could make that model work. Maybe it’s just an age thing, but at some point I just don’t care about actively managing my music catalog anymore. It’s too time-consuming. I prefer just pointing and then letting the algorithm (and my occasional feedback) take me where it goes. That model seems right up Google’s alley.

And as an advertiser I still find it ironic that Google (the company with the best ad platforms) chose the Spotify/etc model while Apple (the company that basically can’t remotely manage advertising . . . . remember that Google-killer iAd?) chose the Pandora model. It’s no secret the labels hate the Pandora model and have (only begrudgingly) settled on the Spotify/etc model. But I figured if any company could find a way to make the Pandora model work it would be Google. They’ve already got ad infrastructure 5+ years ahead of anything Apple has. They reach the full specturm of advertisers – all the way from fortune 500 to the millions of mom-and-pops. And they have similar revenue-sharing models already in place (YouTube/Vevo, etc.) Oh well. I’m sure it’s a great it’ll be a great service, but it’s kind of sad to see the web’s leader for freemium roll over for the old guard.

3 days ago on How Google beat Apple to a streaming music service 1 reply

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So an improvement then

3 days ago on Apple TV to get first network television app with addition of CW

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So (judging by the original pic) this means I can now use an Apple TV with my Xbox controller?

4 days ago on Apple TV to get first network television app with addition of CW 1 reply

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From what I understand product placement like this (especially for relatively unknown brands) is actually surprisingly inexpensive and more about how seamlessly it can be interwoven into the program. My agency doesn’t work directly in product placement, but I have seen the budget that one of our clients spends on it and it was only mid 5-figures (and I know of at least one front-and-center placement on Big Bang Theory during that time . . . and no I’m not talking about Dell/Alienware.)

5 days ago on 'Modern Family' has a surprise guest: Nvidia's Shield gaming handheld (update)

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I’m still holding out hope that the July timeline reports were right and that they’re just waiting until they can ship to announce.

That said, if Samsung launched a (non-$400) 8" HD tablet between now and then I may not wait. Based on the latest rumors though it sounds like the 8" Tab may be largely the same as the Note 8 (probably minus $150 and a stylus.)

5 days ago on When is the New Nexus 7 coming?

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I was kind of disappointed by lack of an ad-supported free version as well. If anything I figured Google would be the one to make that happen (given their advertising roots) while Apple would be the one to offer up yet another all-you-can-eat paid plan.

As an advertiser (ducks tomatoes thrown at him) I’d much rather work with Google than Apple.

5 days ago on Google takes on Spotify with Google Play Music All Access subscription service, priced at $9.99 per month

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I’m kind of the opposite. I wanted to like Spotify, but at some point (maybe it’s an age thing) you just stop wanting to take the time to actively manage your music collection and instead point a direction and just go (with the occasional yay/nay nudge.)

5 days ago on Google takes on Spotify with Google Play Music All Access subscription service, priced at $9.99 per month 1 reply

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That was definitely a bummer for me as well. I so wanted to like the original Nexus 7, but it was just too wonky post 4.2 update. And the speakers are anemic. I use my tablet speakers all the time for music/video so I had to switch back to my Tab 2 – a very good device, just would like a higher-res display. Was hoping for a full HD Nexus with front-facing speakers.

5 days ago on So, half an hour left in the keynote and no mention of 4.3.

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I’m still waiting on an attractive, simple, large/resizable radar widget. There’s a million weather apps, but none address this area well.

6 days ago on What app is missing from the Android ecosystem that you would find genuinely useful?

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I don’t think is something that could be done at the app level, but as a multi-device user I would love something that could sync my notifications across devices. If I’ve dismissed some notifications on my phone I don’t want to have to see the same notices on my tablet later when I get home.

7 days ago on What app is missing from the Android ecosystem that you would find genuinely useful? 1 reply 3 recommends

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Most of the biggies have already been mentioned. As a group though I’ve found the biggest missing category hole (outside of games) is apps for kids. There’s a seemingly endless supply of them for iOS, but very few quality ones for Android (and hardly any for tablet.)

7 days ago on What are the best iOS apps that are not in Play Store yet? 1 reply 3 recommends

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Wish it worked with the S3

12 days ago on SideSync tool helps Samsung's Galaxy phones and PCs play nice together 1 reply

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Galaxy S (Epic) – had it for 18 months (still use it as an iPod substitute for the kids on trips)
Galaxy S II (Epic Touch) – bought used; had for 6 months; sold on eBay for almost what I paid for it
Galaxy S III (VZW) – I’m going to try to hold on to this one until the S5 and next gen HTC devices

14 days ago on How often do you upgrade & why?

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I’ve actually been pretty happy with my Tab 2, especially considering the price. I actually received the Nexus 7 as a gift but ended up selling it as the downside of being on the bleeding edge of software updates was bugginess. Also, Nexus’ speakers are woefully pathetic for an entertainment-oriented device.

18 days ago on Ok Developers...Now can we get some better tablet support? 1 recommend

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It’s a multi-device world. I need my notifications synced across devices. If I dismissed a Twitter notification on my phone I don’t need to see that same notification on my tablet when I pick it up later in the day. It desensitizes you to notifications.

Why isn’t there a native option to auto-silence the device based on calendar/appointments? That was in WM5/6. As-is, I have to remember to put my phone into silent mode every time I head into a meeting. There may be some app workarounds for that now (although there wasn’t a couple years ago) but that’s something that could be native.

19 days ago on What do you REALLY hate about Android (ICS+)? 1 reply 5 recommends

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There’s still a good chance Samsung will release a more premium 8"-ish device with a higher res screen (maybe even AMOLED) later this year. However I shudder to think of the price if they’re charging $400 for the Note 8. If that thing was $300 I’d be more tempted.

I’ve also been tempted to snag a Galaxy Tab 7.7 off eBay. It’s still arguably the best Android tablet under 10". But I just can’t bring myself to pay nearly $300 for a device that has over a year’s worth of use on the battery and that’ll cap out at Jelly Bean.

20 days ago on Nexus 7 & Google I/O

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Mine typically run naked – mostly because mine lives in an OEM dock (either desk or car) about 90% of the time and it won’t fit with a case.

21 days ago on What's your favorite phone case?

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For things where I don’t need full app-level engagement they’re great (and for low-tier interactive things like toggling/scrolling you can still do that in many widgets.) I still use widgets for:

Google Traffic widget (one for each direction of my commute)
BW clock/forecast
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Inbox widgets (for both my office and Gmail)
Agenda calendar (can scroll and give everything without opening app)

I’m still amazed that with all the great weather apps out there there’s still not a good radar widget. WeatherBug has a small (2×2) one. And eWeather has a larger, but not very good one IMO. My area gets a lot of rain/storms so I’d love to have a big or resizable widget I could put on a full screen.

21 days ago on Widgets: Have we forgotten about them?

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After the disappointing Tab 3 announcement yesterday I’m that much more curious about this as well. I use my tablet for couch surfing and streaming music/video while working around the house. I’ve had both a Tab 2 and a Nexus 7. I actually ended up keeping the Tab 2 even though it has (mostly) weaker specs as the day-to-day performance was more fluid and the speaker much MUCH better than the one on the Nexus 7.

But I would like a higher res screen and a slightly larger device. Hopefully the rumors of the Nexus getting bumped up to a 7.7" full HD display are true.

21 days ago on Nexus 7 & Google I/O 1 reply