Mobile phones & tablets thread

[Malbec]

I've heard about this problem, as one of my friends who owns a 4S also was having this issue since upgrading to iOS6. Have you tried rebooting the phone, and then resetting the router/modem? Worth a shot IMO, as that works in many cases. If not, then a trip to the repair center it is.

No thats not going to work.

There is a documented problem with iOS 6 where the phone will prefer to download over 3G if connection with wireless is lost even momentarily and will not revert to wireless download if the connection is restored. This has resulted in 3G downloading bills skyrocketing for some owners.

I do think Apple have cut a few corners to get the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 to market in good time for Xmas. Shame.

[Malbec]

I don't know what your little Apple love story there has to do with, henners, but first off, you're comparing a three year old HTC phone to Apple's current offering. Things are different with the flagship competitor phones. I used iPhone 4S for a week and jumped back to Android in a heartbeat. But then again, different people have different choices. To each his own. À chacun son goût, Chacun son goût.

Second, if it was a retort to one sentence in one of my earlier posts in reply to Malbec, I was talking about their latest iterations, and Android 4.1 is universally rated higher and regarded better than iOS6, especially with the maps debacle, not just by me, but by almost all major tech reviewers.

But hey, if in your opinion, iOS is better, then good for you. You should stick to your choice and be happy with it, just as I am with mine. I was retorting to Malbec's claim of Android being a clone, saying how it's now an almost unrecognizable OS with far more features and versatility.

The rest of it, I find it to be the same old repetitive stuff and have no interest in debating as we'll be going in very familiar circles again anyway.

Oh dear CR, one has to either love or hate Apple right? More nuanced views don't have a place do they.

I don't care how others rate Android 4.1 vs iOS6. However having used both I rate the Android as being far better for me than the iPhone version. You really don't need to convince me of its superiority.

Hence why I'm probably opting for the Xperia T as my next phone. Thats not an iPhone BTW just to clarify further.

BTW I'm such an Apple fanboi as you put it that I'm thinking of the Nexus 7 to dip a toe in the tablet market. Thats by Apple isn't it? Though I have to say that Apple smartphone/tablet hybrid you posted a link to looks good too!

Nor did I claim Android was a clone, I haven't even mentioned any court cases involving Android per se, merely the Samsung vs Apple case which left out Android itself (hence why Google was not directly involved). I suggest you find the sentence where I did and quote it if you disagree.

[CaptainRaiden]

So Samsung have not been banned anywhere else?

Samsung Galaxy Tab ban upheld in Germany, mein gott! | CNET UK

There you go, Galaxy Tab banned in Germany before the landmark case in California.

That link is from 2011. Is the ban in effect? No, a friend just bought a Galaxy tab in Frankfurt. Bans have been lifted in the UK and Germany since, I guess when their legal system realized how ridiculous the lawsuit was. Apple won the lawsuit in the USA, lost the lawsuit in China and the EU, two equally big markets. Apple lost again in other parts of Asia like Japan, and South Korea deemed both parties to be guilty of infringing patents. Nowhere was a victory as clear cut as in the USA, Apple's backyard, especially amidst allegations of mishandling evidence. Also, I highly doubt Samsung will ever win a case against Apple in USA.

Besides, the verdict in USA doesn't even matter, because nobody is paying anybody anything, no devices will truly be banned. Samsung will keep appealing the decision and the re-trial will go on forever.

I tried to explain some of how patents work. I've had to work with drug patents in the past so I have experience in the area. As soon as what I was saying became inconvenient for your viewpoint your response has been to claim disinterest in legal systems then label me an Apple fanboi (that is how you spell it correct?).

So where does this leave your assertion that Apple is the first company to really start suing in the electronics industry? WAKE UP, its been going on forever!

I never called you a fanboy, but you do get a tad bit emotional when defending Apple.

Where did I say the lawsuits haven't been going on forever? I am also quite aware of Microsoft's litigation history. But what you're defending here, Malbec, is clearly a broken patent system. I mean when a company can patent a specific rectangular shape (seriously??), aren't they really blocking innovation? Software from different companies have always been heavily similar to each other for as long as I can remember.

Suing your rivals for petty things like slide to unlock or rectangular edges is really desperate and pathetic IMO. I know Apple are full within their rights to do so if they please, but are you actually siding with Apple on this? Having said that, I too think Samsung and LG's lawsuits against Apple are pathetic as well, and serve really no purpose. Neither company benefits from this, because you know the verdict is gonna be appealed no matter who wins. This only enriches the law firms, and ultimately the end user has to pay more. My point is that petty squabbles like these should not exist in technology, no matter which company is wielding the hammer.

For example, I agree with a lot that's written here: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/0...in-marketplace

Especially this part:

Our patent system is intended to incentivize innovation, in theory at least. Lately it’s become little more than a tool to squelch competition, and it’s not just the Apples and the Samsungs of the world who find themselves fighting these battles. It’s also small and innovative companies, local governments, foreign companies trying to make it in America, hobbyists, and even individual developers. The problems are particularly acute in the world of software: it turns out that software patents are nearly five times more likely to be the subject of litigation as other patents. In fact, lawsuits surrounding software patents have more than tripled since 1999.

[CaptainRaiden]

I don't care how others rate Android 4.1 vs iOS6. However having used both I rate the Android as being far better for me than the iPhone version. You really don't need to convince me of its superiority.

I am not.

Hence why I'm probably opting for the Xperia T as my next phone. Thats not an iPhone BTW just to clarify further.

WHAT?? It isn't?? I thought it was called the Apple iPhone Xperia T.

BTW I'm such an Apple fanboi as you put it that I'm thinking of the Nexus 7 to dip a toe in the tablet market. Thats by Apple isn't it?

The Apple Nexus 7 doesn't have expandable memory or USB ports, but I guess people don't need that these days, especially flaming Apple loverboys.

Though I have to say that Apple smartphone/tablet hybrid you posted a link to looks good too!

The Apple Padfone 2 costs $3000 just so you know.

[CaptainRaiden]

Nor did I claim Android was a clone, I haven't even mentioned any court cases involving Android per se, merely the Samsung vs Apple case which left out Android itself (hence why Google was not directly involved). I suggest you find the sentence where I did and quote it if you disagree.

What you said earlier was:

I don't like many features of Apple's behaviour but I believe their competitors should beat them by making a better and different product, not a clone. That way I get a variety of products to choose from and not just Apple and Apple-lite.

Unless I am in a parallel universe and this is Blorgon Delta-6, I believe Apple's competitors include Google and Android as well, and one of Apple's major lawsuits are aimed towards Android, which BTW Google are now countersuing Apple for taking elements off too. Apple has a problem with Galaxy S3 too, which IMO doesn't look like any Apple device in existence.

If Apple could, they would sue every rectangular shaped phone with the candybar form factor. I'm sure the judges in California will find enough evidence and the radii to be the same to award another $1 billion. They targeted Samsung solely because they were its biggest competitor.

[Malbec]

I never called you a fanboy, but you do get a tad bit emotional when defending Apple.

I'm not defending Apple. I get annoyed and frustrated at your one-sided simplistic view of the system and your ability to dismiss new information when you don't like it.

My other posts regarding Apple's bizarre Maps debacle and also my own willingness (or rather unwillingness) to invest my own cash into their iPhones and iPads should tell you where I stand on their mobile products.

Where did I say the lawsuits haven't been going on forever? I am also quite aware of Microsoft's litigation history. But what you're defending here, Malbec, is clearly a broken patent system. I mean when a company can patent a specific rectangular shape (seriously??), aren't they really blocking innovation? Software from different companies have always been heavily similar to each other for as long as I can remember.

No you still just don't get it.

The Apple/Samsung US case covered many different bases but the bit you keep bringing up again (rectangles and corners) is not about patents, its about brand protection. iPhones have always had a particular look about them and Apple argued that Samsung were copying this look in the S2. When you put descriptions of a particular look on paper they do sound stupid.

I posted links to Starbucks vs some Chinese cafe. Starbuck's argument sounds equally stupid on paper. Our logo is round and green with a black picture in the middle and white lettering. That cafe chain in China uses a similar logo and are therefore copying us. Please stop them from doing so. How pathetic does that sound?

This isn't about stifling innovation. They weren't asking to ban Samsung from ever making smartphones, just ones that look different from iPhones. The S3 looks nothing like an iPhone so Samsung clearly got the message.

There were obviously many other parts to the court case but the above bit which I've repeated for the third time should give you an insight into why that decision was made.

Suing your rivals for petty things like slide to unlock or rectangular edges is really desperate and pathetic IMO. I know Apple are full within their rights to do so if they please, but are you actually siding with Apple on this? Having said that, I too think Samsung and LG's lawsuits against Apple are pathetic as well, and serve really no purpose. Neither company benefits from this, because you know the verdict is gonna be appealed no matter who wins. This only enriches the law firms, and ultimately the end user has to pay more. My point is that petty squabbles like these should not exist in technology, no matter which company is wielding the hammer.

For example, I agree with a lot that's written here: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/0...in-marketplace

Especially this part:

Agreed.

[Malbec]

What you said earlier was:

Unless I am in a parallel universe and this is Blorgon Delta-6, I believe Apple's competitors include Google and Android as well, and one of Apple's major lawsuits are aimed towards Android, which BTW Google are now countersuing Apple for taking elements off too. Apple has a problem with Galaxy S3 too, which IMO doesn't look like any Apple device in existence.

If Apple could, they would sue every rectangular shaped phone with the candybar form factor. I'm sure the judges in California will find enough evidence and the radii to be the same to award another $1 billion. They targeted Samsung solely because they were its biggest competitor.

Fair enough, I wasn't actually referring to Android but the hardware makers like Samsung or HTC. I was unclear.

What is Apple suing over the S3? Presumably not its looks because its properly differentiated from the iPhone. More likely their case is over software or hardware rather than the appearance.

Why focus on Apple alone btw?

Nokia and HTC both brought out Windows 8 phones the other week. Both decided to reflect the use of strong coloured tablets in the OS by making the phones brightly coloured too. Nokia happened to release theirs a week or so before HTC and are now suing them for copying their design. Is it a coincidence that the HTC is likely to be Nokia's biggest single competitor? Lets hear the outrage

[CaptainRaiden]

What is Apple suing over the S3? Presumably not its looks because its properly differentiated from the iPhone. More likely their case is over software or hardware rather than the appearance.

Apple goes after Galaxy S3, Note in new court filing | Apple - CNET News

Didn't read it all, gotta hurry to work, but from what I remember reading a few weeks ago, it was about petty things like pinch to zoom and some other software features I'm guessing related to Samsung's touchwhiz UI.

Why focus on Apple alone btw?

Nokia and HTC both brought out Windows 8 phones the other week. Both decided to reflect the use of strong coloured tablets in the OS by making the phones brightly coloured too. Nokia happened to release theirs a week or so before HTC and are now suing them for copying their design. Is it a coincidence that the HTC is likely to be Nokia's biggest single competitor? Lets hear the outrage

I didn't. A few pages ago I posted pics of HTC's Windows phone lineup, and mentioned Nokia is gearing up with its own stupid version of lawsuit against HTC. This I still don't get really. Similar looking gadgets have existed for as long as I can remember, ever since the walkman, this sudden huff-a-puff over slight resemblance is annoying.

[CaptainRaiden]

Getting back to mobile phones, got the Jelly Bean update on my S3 two days ago. Smooth as butter, much faster, more responsive, Google Now voice recog is great and super fast. As for features, I especially like the swipe to call feature from the call log thingy. Everything else has been ramped up quite a bit too, detailed review to follow when I have more time to play with it.

Would have rooted my phone and installed this long back, but didn't wanna lose warranty. As it stands, I'm gonna lose warranty anyway, I'll most probably root my S3 and install a vanilla Android 4.2 Key lime pie when it arrives. Apparently it has a second notification bar for quick settings at the pre-alpha stage, as this video would suggest:

[BleAivano]

Apple goes after Galaxy S3, Note in new court filing | Apple - CNET News

Didn't read it all, gotta hurry to work, but from what I remember reading a few weeks ago, it was about petty things like pinch to zoom and some other software features I'm guessing related to Samsung's touchwhiz UI.



I didn't. A few pages ago I posted pics of HTC's Windows phone lineup, and mentioned Nokia is gearing up with its own stupid version of lawsuit against HTC. This I still don't get really. Similar looking gadgets have existed for as long as I can remember, ever since the walkman, this sudden huff-a-puff over slight resemblance is annoying.

Not to mention guitars, they all look pretty much the same. The same goes for light bulbs, wrenches, screw drivers, hammers....

[CaptainRaiden]

Talking about tablets, ASUS unveiled a laptop/tablet hybrid thingy called the Taichi: Asus' dual-screen Taichi tablet-laptop hybrid on sale for $1299 | PCWorld



When the lid is closed, it becomes a tablet:





The guy needs some presentation coaching. But boy, ASUS are really picking it up on the innovation side.

[Mark]

They've been around for years. Although not with the tablet based OS to go with them.

[Malbec]

Getting back to mobile phones, got the Jelly Bean update on my S3 two days ago. Smooth as butter, much faster, more responsive, Google Now voice recog is great and super fast. As for features, I especially like the swipe to call feature from the call log thingy. Everything else has been ramped up quite a bit too, detailed review to follow when I have more time to play with it.

Good.

Keep us informed. Ultimately JB is the factor that kept me with Android as well as that butter thing.

Whats the general performance of your phone like, is there any change in speed opening up apps etc?

[CaptainRaiden]

Good.

Keep us informed. Ultimately JB is the factor that kept me with Android as well as that butter thing.

Whats the general performance of your phone like, is there any change in speed opening up apps etc?

General performance has sped up. The phone's lock screen comes on quicker, apps open much faster, visibly faster than in ICS. There is a slight frame rate increase when gaming. I play Dead Trigger every chance I get, which is a graphic intensive game, and it's visibly faster. Chrome opens up instantly and the browser speed is excellent. The keyboard is better. It's almost like the phone has come alive. I believe JB is what ICS should have been.

In your call log or contact list, you can now swipe right to make a call or swipe left to send a message, which is neat and I think saves a lot of time.

People having problems with ICS on their older devices, IMO, should root their phones and get vanilla JB installed. DIY is simple enough, if not, any small third party phone shop will do it in a matter of minutes for a small fee. ICS is a heavy OS, was even for the Galaxy S3, and JB is much lighter on hardware resources.

[CaptainRaiden]

Hence why I'm probably opting for the Xperia T as my next phone.

This just in: No Jelly Bean for Sony Xperia phones until 2013 | News | TechRadar

However, if you don't mind waiting until February, then there are no issues.

[Mark]

Apple seems to think the local town on Consett is called Gonsett.

[CaptainRaiden]

Apple seems to think the local town on Consett is called Gonsett.

I think they're also providing special effects for the next Inception movie:

[BleAivano]

the squared brown/orange building with the tower is Stockholm city library.

[ioan]

Its a great phone or is it a tablet? I had a go with one the other day and although I was impressed with with it can do, I couldn't have one simply because it doesn't fit in my pocket without looking like I'm smuggling a library book. Trying to fit that in the pocket of skinny jeans would be difficult too so nights out would have to be like the old days before mobile phones for me. Its still a nice gadget though if you can justify and accommodate it.

I've got an older Samsung and an older Nokia for nights out.
I need this one for when I travel, get bored and want to do something productive or artistic. Until now I am happy with the 7" Galaxy, so the Note would be a slight improvement in the portable and yet multifunctional tool direction.

[race aficionado]

Okay, I confess I'm posting this to rile Daniel a bit.

I personally have never experienced Windows. Because of my profession I have always been a Mac man and am totally ignorant in this subject but have always followed Microsoft's adventures.

And here comes a new one:
* by the way, it does go with this threads topic.

Early look at Windows 8 baffles consumers - CBS News