Archive for the 'Wireless' Category
Ratings
Pros
- Crisp, bright screen
- Loud external speaker
- Responsive multi-touch screen
- Excellent camera
- Free turn-by-turn GPS with Street View
- Solid and speedy Verizon network
Cons
- Flash crashes often and drains battery excessively
- Multi-tasking slows down system and drains battery
- Difficult pin-point cursor control in text
- Navigation not fluid and intuitive as iPhone
- App selection good but needs improvement
- Difficult to view screen in sunlight
The Bottom Line
Let’s face it, the iPhone has set the standard for smartphones and the first question asked while reviewing the HTC Droid Incredible was, “Is it better than the iPhone?” That question is not a yes or no answer, read the full review, but I will say this much: the HTC Droid Incredible is a stunning phone and does many of its functions superbly and if you are stuck on Verizon or do not wish to leave it, then the HTC Droid Incredible is the phone you should get.
Recommended
Yes (Strong)
Full Review
Google’s Android operating system has come a long way since the first device, the T-Mobile G1. Playing catch-up is never easy and that’s what Google has been doing for the last 18 months with its LINUX mobile OS it acquired a few years ago with the iPhone. Out of the gates, Google didn’t look to be a threat to Apple’s superior phone but just after a few seconds on the HTC Droid Incredible one realizes quickly that this Droid isn’t your father’s Oldsmobile.
Ratings
Pros
- Pleasant looking interface
- Excellent iPod player
- Google Maps integration for POIs
- On-screen speed limit indicator
- Logo-based POIs for easy identification
- Superb traffic alerts and up-to-date information
Cons
- Pop-up notifications takes GPS off-line
- No Google or Internet search integration
- Lack of podcast support in Music Player
- Does not support suite numbers in Contacts and mis-routes
The Bottom Line
Magellan RoadMate ignores the iPhones sleek user interface in favor of its own look-and-feel which will help owners of Magellan’s dash mount PNDs jump right into the iPhone application. For first time Magellan users, the simply layout will be a quick learn for any experienced GPS user. Once on the road, RoadMate wraps up its well defined experience into a tightly knit package that will get your to your destination quickly, easily, and accurately.
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
Magellan went a, um excuse the pun, different route with its iPhone navigation application. Instead of using many of the familiar iPhone menu items and other common iPhone attributes, Magellan stuck with its interface from its Personal Navigation Device (PND) units found on the windshields of thousands of vehicles across America. This twist helps those going from the PND to the iPhone to minimize the learning curve while keeping the user experience satisfying.
Read the rest of this entry »
Pros
- Amazing sound
- Compact and extremely portable
- Integrates nicely with iPhone/iPod touch or Sonos Controller
- Sleek and yet simple looking
- Very easy to use
- Did we mention the amazing sound?
Cons
- Requires a ZonePlayer or ZoneBridge adding to initial cost
- Bit slow adding itself to the ZonePlayer zones
- iPhone/iPod touch or Sonos Controller required for portable control adding to initial cost
- Lack of iPhone/iPod dock
The Bottom Line
If you haven’t moved into the digital age or want to add to your existing hub, then you have to look no farther than the Sonos ZonePlayer S5. This is a slam dunk for adding music to any room or place in or outside of your home, easily. With dynamic, rich, room-filling sound, you can finally remove that clunky Bose system and let Goodwill take it because now Sonos owns the bedroom; heck, it owns every room with the S5!
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
Sonos has been rocking our world for over four years ever since we first reviewed the original ZonePlayer back in June of 2005 (read review). Since then, Sonos has shrunk the ZonePlayer, released a smaller version minus an amp, plopped out a bridge, and even made some speakers. Oh ya, it also provided a free controller application for iPhone and iPod touch users to which Sonos took that knowledge to update it’s already slick CR100 controller to a more iPhone-like CR200. Taking all this work and seemingly combining it all, Sonos just recently brought to the world its latest invention; the Sonos ZonePlayer S5. The first all-in-one unit from Sonos, this takes the ZonePlayer 120 (ZP120) and Loudspeaker 100 (SP100) and puts them together to create the ZonePlayer S5 (S5). What you get is a sleek, yet really simple, looking portable digital music center. Plug the only wire it has into a wall outlet for power, wait about a minute while it finds a ZonePlayer or ZoneBridge, and then you’ll be enjoying your entire music library. Now you’re only limited by placement of your ZonePlayer/ZoneBridge and a power out let to where you can put this bad boy. That’s it. Shesh, who doesn’t have power, like, everywhere in and out of their home? Do you see the potential for this? Oh ya, it freakin’ sounds awesome, too!