I received a handful of iPhone 4 cases to review over the last several months, including the Crimson Aluminum Frame Case. Its design and form-factor set it apart from the rest of the crowd. My hope was the design would allow better reception while not compromising on usability or protection….we shall see.
Box Contents:
* Crimson Aluminum Frame Case for iPhone 4
* Allen wrench and 2 spare screws included
* One set (Anti-fingerprint, front / rear) of Crimson Premium Film Surface Protectors
Crimson includes everything you need for installation, plus a bonus set of screen protectors and cleaning cloth.
Features:
* Precision CNC machined
* Aircraft-grade aluminum frames
* Engineering-grade resin corner guards
* Stainless steel screws
* Durable anodized or polished finishes
* Weighs only 19 grams
* Unobstructed access to all ports, controls, and camera
* Works with all iPhone 4 models – GSM and CDMA
The Frame Case is relatively minimalistic; while being lightweight, it's rigid and provides good protection. The front and back of the case are anodized coated, finely machined plates of aircraft-grade aluminum. The two plates sandwich the iPhone 4 between them. Compared to a majority of other iPhone 4 cases I have tried/seen, the Frame case is rather boxy and a bit extreme. Because of its frame/sandwich design, this case works with all iPhone 4/4S models – GSM and CDMA. In addition to black, the case is available in silver, polished silver, red, cobalt blue, and polished gold.
At each of the corners are 'engineering-grade' resin corner guards that both of the plates screw into. The corner guards are well constructed but (IMO) the weak point of the engineering. If you take the case on and off regularly, the threads could potentially be stripped by the stainless steel screws.
As you can see, the iPhone is held securely in place by the corner guards. There are little strips of rubber that keep the iPhone from rubbing against the hard plastic and in place. It is a tight squeeze to insert the phone but better for it. Once inserted, there is no movement or wiggling around.
The case adds a beveled edge to both sides of the iPhone, thus not allowing the glass faces to touch whatever surface it is resting on. As you would expect, all four of the iPhone's sides are very accessible due the design of the case. The right side allows easy access to the mute and volume buttons. This design does not seem to interfere with the iPhone's antenna as much as the other metal cases I have reviewed.
The top allows for access to the power button and earbud port.
Like the leftside, the right of the case does not interfere with the iPhone's antenna either.
The base also allows for easy access to the sync/dock port and does not interfere or block the iPhone's speakers.
As you can see, the rails of the case do not get in the way of connecting the usb sync cable at all.
The Crimson Aluminum Frame Case design works with the dock connector on my Altec Lansing iMT800 MIX Boombox, something a majority of the aluminum iPhone cases have failed to be able to do.
Alright, I have to say it…..at least for me, the case feels horrible. It transforms your sleek and slim iPhone into a utilitarian, clunky brick. The frame edges stick out too far from both a bevel and side point of view. If I could redesign the case, I would reduce the bezel and make all the edges like the top and bottom, where the aluminum does not go beyond the iPhone itself. While it would not provide as much protection, it would give the case a much slimmer feel to it. I would leave the bumped out edges because they work well, add grip-ability and provide a good amount of protection at the corners.
Due to its non-antenna-interfering design, it does not degrade the cellular or wireless signal much at all. A definite plus when comparing this case to other metal iPhone cases. I used this case in the same test locations as my previous reviews and unlike others, the case did not impact my ability to send and receive calls in the marginal areas.
The Aluminum Frame Case costs $40. Considering Crimson includes front and back screen protectors for your iPhone, it is a pretty great deal. Even though I do not like the form factor of the case, it is well made and provides a good amount of protection at a cost effective price point.
original post the-gadgeteer.com
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Nokia C3 review 3
Opera Mini could be the web browser of choice and as with all the current apps so far, it might be a little basic and slow nonetheless it displays correctly formatted full-width web-pages and a lot definitely gets the job completed. There are some nice extra touches at the same time. Start typing in the address bar plus it brings up matching sites you might have previously visited.
Zooming into a cushty reading level is a individual button press away, as is returning to the fullpage view. What's a lot more, when zoomed in, text is formatted to suit the width of the screen so you should not scroll from left to directly to read it all. Topping all of it off, with Wi-Fi onboard you could browse at a reasonable rate, though 3G isn't present so mobile browsing can be a little slow.
On the multimedia system side, the C3 is undoubtedly limited. You get a basic ipod that correctly reads mp3 tag words, arranging your music into directories of Artist, Album, and Track. You also get an Fm radio, while on the visual side there exists a simple picture viewer and video clip playback is supported, though you will most probably struggle to find much that plays about it.
As for this phone's photographic camera, about the best thing it is possible to say about it is that it is there for taking the strange snap of friends. However, the miserly 2-megapixel resolution, lack of autofocus or even a flash, and generally mediocre performance means you'll still want a suitable camera whenever possible. Meanwhile, the limitation of five second movies is particularly disappointing. At least the app is straightforward enough to use.
A collection of basic apps like an alarm clock, calculator, and voice recorder are installed however, you don't get anything quite so clever being a map application or compass. You also get several reasonably enjoyable basic games and also both games and apps may be added to by visiting the particular OVI app store where various both free and paid for apps can be obtained.
Making calls on the Nokia C3 will be another area where it excels. The ear piece is deafening and clear while we heard no complaints with the microphone from the other conclusion. Even the loudspeaker is previously mentioned average and certainly trounces the indegent one on the HTC Need HD.
Battery life seemed great especially when left on standby, as you can find no apps running in the setting – we left this phone for almost a week after fully charging it plus it still had four out of four bars showing once we returned to it. In more heavy put it to use of course drains quicker, but we'd expect you to be able to only worry about charging it maybe once or twice a week.
Verdict
The Nokia C3 plainly isn't the be all and also end all, and betrays the sub-£100 price in its lower resolution screen, limited number regarding functions, and slow performance. Nonetheless, if you're happy to be described as a little patient at times it supports very well. Its screen quality is fantastic, it's well built and effectively designed, the keyboard is nice to utilize, and the software is easy to access grips with. For the funds, we really can't think of your better phone.
Zooming into a cushty reading level is a individual button press away, as is returning to the fullpage view. What's a lot more, when zoomed in, text is formatted to suit the width of the screen so you should not scroll from left to directly to read it all. Topping all of it off, with Wi-Fi onboard you could browse at a reasonable rate, though 3G isn't present so mobile browsing can be a little slow.
On the multimedia system side, the C3 is undoubtedly limited. You get a basic ipod that correctly reads mp3 tag words, arranging your music into directories of Artist, Album, and Track. You also get an Fm radio, while on the visual side there exists a simple picture viewer and video clip playback is supported, though you will most probably struggle to find much that plays about it.
As for this phone's photographic camera, about the best thing it is possible to say about it is that it is there for taking the strange snap of friends. However, the miserly 2-megapixel resolution, lack of autofocus or even a flash, and generally mediocre performance means you'll still want a suitable camera whenever possible. Meanwhile, the limitation of five second movies is particularly disappointing. At least the app is straightforward enough to use.
A collection of basic apps like an alarm clock, calculator, and voice recorder are installed however, you don't get anything quite so clever being a map application or compass. You also get several reasonably enjoyable basic games and also both games and apps may be added to by visiting the particular OVI app store where various both free and paid for apps can be obtained.
Making calls on the Nokia C3 will be another area where it excels. The ear piece is deafening and clear while we heard no complaints with the microphone from the other conclusion. Even the loudspeaker is previously mentioned average and certainly trounces the indegent one on the HTC Need HD.
Battery life seemed great especially when left on standby, as you can find no apps running in the setting – we left this phone for almost a week after fully charging it plus it still had four out of four bars showing once we returned to it. In more heavy put it to use of course drains quicker, but we'd expect you to be able to only worry about charging it maybe once or twice a week.
Verdict
The Nokia C3 plainly isn't the be all and also end all, and betrays the sub-£100 price in its lower resolution screen, limited number regarding functions, and slow performance. Nonetheless, if you're happy to be described as a little patient at times it supports very well. Its screen quality is fantastic, it's well built and effectively designed, the keyboard is nice to utilize, and the software is easy to access grips with. For the funds, we really can't think of your better phone.
Nokia C3 review 2
Moving onto software and the Nokia C3 is running Nokia's venerable Series 40 operating system. It's starkly simplistic in its general look and feel, and certainly doesn't push any frontiers in terms of functionality. However, on such a simple phone it feels quite adequate. Moreover, there are a few additions that mean it isn't completely behind the times.
The Home Screen can be either kept clear or you can add up to three widgets with a choice of favourite contacts, Facebook, calendar, shortcut bar, radio and media player, and notifications amongst others. It's not on the level of a full smartphone OS but you can customise everything to get you where you want pretty quickly. You can also assign a shortcut to each direction of the directional-pad (D-pad) as well as the two raised silver buttons.
Symbian/Nokia's love of menus is the only thing that really lets the main interface down, with too many options and a somewhat unintuitive layout. Thankfully, as the phone has such basic functionality that the menu-chaos isn't too much of an annoyance, as you soon learn the whereabouts of everything.
Also, whereas most of the key apps like contacts and messages are quick to open - and look and feel like native apps - many extras like email, Facebook, and Twitter are Java apps, taking a couple of seconds to load and sporting a totally different look and feel. It's somewhat irritating, certainly compared to proper smartphones, but thankfully once you're in the apps they all work very well. Moreover, considering how cheap this phone is, it seems a more than acceptable compromise.
Managing your text messages on this phone is a breeze, with texts stored in conversations making it easier to keep track of what you and a particular contact were chatting about. Thanks to the excellent keyboard it's also easy to bash out fairly lengthy messages in double quick time. You can also access Windows Live Messenger, though the service is pretty slow.
Email support is basic, even lacking notifications of new messages until you've already opened the app, but the layout is nice and intuitive, and there are all the usual options you'd hope for.
Facebook and Twitter are accessed via a Communities app, which appears to be nothing more than a list of the above apps. It can take a little while to load the apps and, like email, you don't get notifications of updates or messages. But so long as you get in a habit of checking the services every now and then you'll still feel like you're in the loop.
The apps themselves are also nicely laid out and easy to use, if a tad slow. You can even upload photos straight from the camera.
The Home Screen can be either kept clear or you can add up to three widgets with a choice of favourite contacts, Facebook, calendar, shortcut bar, radio and media player, and notifications amongst others. It's not on the level of a full smartphone OS but you can customise everything to get you where you want pretty quickly. You can also assign a shortcut to each direction of the directional-pad (D-pad) as well as the two raised silver buttons.
Symbian/Nokia's love of menus is the only thing that really lets the main interface down, with too many options and a somewhat unintuitive layout. Thankfully, as the phone has such basic functionality that the menu-chaos isn't too much of an annoyance, as you soon learn the whereabouts of everything.
Also, whereas most of the key apps like contacts and messages are quick to open - and look and feel like native apps - many extras like email, Facebook, and Twitter are Java apps, taking a couple of seconds to load and sporting a totally different look and feel. It's somewhat irritating, certainly compared to proper smartphones, but thankfully once you're in the apps they all work very well. Moreover, considering how cheap this phone is, it seems a more than acceptable compromise.
Managing your text messages on this phone is a breeze, with texts stored in conversations making it easier to keep track of what you and a particular contact were chatting about. Thanks to the excellent keyboard it's also easy to bash out fairly lengthy messages in double quick time. You can also access Windows Live Messenger, though the service is pretty slow.
Email support is basic, even lacking notifications of new messages until you've already opened the app, but the layout is nice and intuitive, and there are all the usual options you'd hope for.
Facebook and Twitter are accessed via a Communities app, which appears to be nothing more than a list of the above apps. It can take a little while to load the apps and, like email, you don't get notifications of updates or messages. But so long as you get in a habit of checking the services every now and then you'll still feel like you're in the loop.
The apps themselves are also nicely laid out and easy to use, if a tad slow. You can even upload photos straight from the camera.
Nokia C3 review 1
Other phone's hardware features generally exceed our expectations at the same time, though there are a handful of slip-ups. A microSD slot for including to 8GB of extra storage means it is possible to pack your phone with plenty of tunes to be controlled by and photos to show friends and family. The headphone jack also means you're absolve to use your own choice regarding headphones – a stereo headset having an inline control for answering calls is provided inside the box. It's okay for taking telephone calls but certainly isn't the best in terms of music listening.
More pressing a problem than an iffy headset could be the microUSB socket, specifically the undeniable fact that the microUSB socket doesn't also charge the device. Instead Nokia has employed the proprietary cylindrical charging socket that is situated on the top edge. MicroUSB is allowed to be the standard socket for asking and data transfer nowadays, in like manner see Nokia still veering off course is merely plain irritating. What's more, you don't even get Nokia's new compact charger as located on the Nokia C6, so travelling along with your phone is even more undesirable.
The keyboard Nokia C3 and navigation buttons don't purge any such concerns. Their action is pronounced using a noticeable break that shows you the key has been hard pressed. The keyboard keys are a tad stiff however, not to the extent that they will significantly hamper typing. The layout is also easy to access grips with, allowing for quite speedy typing. As ever, we find we could type faster on onscreen keyboards but also for a physical keyboard, this example is greater than acceptable.
One slight downside is the otherwise very welcome backlighting with the reflective silver finish on the quantity keys can make them difficult to learn in an environment with common office lighting.
One final negative note concerning this phone is its camera. Gone will be the days when merely having a camera was an additional benefit, and the 2. 0 megapixel affair with this phone doesn't really hold around much scrutiny. It lacks autofocus or any flash and doesn't really replace these deficiencies in any some other department. Given this phone's value, we certainly wouldn't expect something more but neither is this a location where Nokia has excelled alone.
More pressing a problem than an iffy headset could be the microUSB socket, specifically the undeniable fact that the microUSB socket doesn't also charge the device. Instead Nokia has employed the proprietary cylindrical charging socket that is situated on the top edge. MicroUSB is allowed to be the standard socket for asking and data transfer nowadays, in like manner see Nokia still veering off course is merely plain irritating. What's more, you don't even get Nokia's new compact charger as located on the Nokia C6, so travelling along with your phone is even more undesirable.
The keyboard Nokia C3 and navigation buttons don't purge any such concerns. Their action is pronounced using a noticeable break that shows you the key has been hard pressed. The keyboard keys are a tad stiff however, not to the extent that they will significantly hamper typing. The layout is also easy to access grips with, allowing for quite speedy typing. As ever, we find we could type faster on onscreen keyboards but also for a physical keyboard, this example is greater than acceptable.
One slight downside is the otherwise very welcome backlighting with the reflective silver finish on the quantity keys can make them difficult to learn in an environment with common office lighting.
One final negative note concerning this phone is its camera. Gone will be the days when merely having a camera was an additional benefit, and the 2. 0 megapixel affair with this phone doesn't really hold around much scrutiny. It lacks autofocus or any flash and doesn't really replace these deficiencies in any some other department. Given this phone's value, we certainly wouldn't expect something more but neither is this a location where Nokia has excelled alone.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Amazon Kindle Fire Content and Controls
Before while using Kindle Fire, I uploaded a lot of my music (the non-DRM variety) towards the Amazon Cloud. As a outcome, it was all available in my experience on the Fire. I also bought an album or two directly with the Fire. The music store is clean and simple to use. I especially enjoyed playing music about the device while I read the book.
As noted earlier, watching movies can also be easy and entertaining on the actual Fire. With my Amazon Perfect account, I can stream anyone of hundreds of movies direct towards the device. No first-run films, but several decent ones like Fear and Loathing in Vegas and Iron Giant (Just like Netflix streaming, there are also lots of duds). When I desired to see a new movie, I merely rented it on the gadget ($2. 99 for the SD version from the Green Lantern) and began watching. Best part? I could pause on the Fire, switch on my Blu-ray player, access my Amazon account and just pick up where I left off within the movie. Worst part? The Kindle Fire only had use of the SD version of the actual film, so I had to pay for again to watch the HIGH DEFINITION version on my HDTV.
Quite simply, the Kindle Fire is a great and easy-to-use content consumption gadget. It's also a decent — though not perfect — internet browser. The tab-based Silk browser had been, on occasion, as fast because promised. Some pages zip within, but other times Silk would stall out and won't load a page. Silk isn't like other Android tablet browsers. Amazon built this one also it uses Amazon's own servers in order to pre-fetch pages it thinks you'll view alongside help websites load fast. Amazon informs me the experience will get quicker as Amazon's servers cache much more page info. Email is an additional story. First of all, Amazon hid the e-mail under Apps, so I had to find it to work it. I don't understand why this isn't on the main interface from the beginning. It sits on a shelf once you've work it. I do not like the actual default email screen — it's dark with white text and way too hard to read. Email messages appear as black text on whitened screens. The switch is mysterious and annoying.
There is a larger problem with the Kindle as well as I saw it in from email to menus and set up. This interface is not usually optimized for 1024×600 resolution on the 7-inch screen. While the bookshelf and items onto it are large, some of the actual controls are tiny. The primary menu, which includes Newsstand, Publications, Music, Videos, Docs, Apps as well as Web, is fine, but the setting icon is smaller compared to tip of my pinky — it does bring up a summary of items that are somewhat larger and I actually do like that the settings tend to be simple and obvious: lock the actual screen orientation, volume, brightness, Wi-Fi manage, sync and a more switch. Digging into many of these types of controls I was confronted again and again with shockingly small text — frequently white on black or gray on the deeper gray. Virtually all from the email app (controls, subject lines and also the contents of messages) is small and hard to see. Even the "Buy" buttons tend to be tiny — you'd think Amazon would a minimum of want to make those bigger.
Many things look wonderful about the Kindle Fire, but only when the partners design for the display. I bought a bunch associated with magazines through Newsstand (often I'd to download apps first after that subscribe or buy individual issues — still a simple process). GQ and The brand new Yorker looked great. Esquire's PDF FILE pages, though, look bad plus some are unreadable if you move in.
Web pages look great in landscape mode, but there isn't enough screen property to see much of the actual page. Portrait mode makes the pages tiny — you are able to pinch and zoom, but then you're only seeing the main page. This is a location where I definitely prefer my personal iPad's larger 9. 7-inch display. Kindle fire review.
As noted earlier, watching movies can also be easy and entertaining on the actual Fire. With my Amazon Perfect account, I can stream anyone of hundreds of movies direct towards the device. No first-run films, but several decent ones like Fear and Loathing in Vegas and Iron Giant (Just like Netflix streaming, there are also lots of duds). When I desired to see a new movie, I merely rented it on the gadget ($2. 99 for the SD version from the Green Lantern) and began watching. Best part? I could pause on the Fire, switch on my Blu-ray player, access my Amazon account and just pick up where I left off within the movie. Worst part? The Kindle Fire only had use of the SD version of the actual film, so I had to pay for again to watch the HIGH DEFINITION version on my HDTV.
Quite simply, the Kindle Fire is a great and easy-to-use content consumption gadget. It's also a decent — though not perfect — internet browser. The tab-based Silk browser had been, on occasion, as fast because promised. Some pages zip within, but other times Silk would stall out and won't load a page. Silk isn't like other Android tablet browsers. Amazon built this one also it uses Amazon's own servers in order to pre-fetch pages it thinks you'll view alongside help websites load fast. Amazon informs me the experience will get quicker as Amazon's servers cache much more page info. Email is an additional story. First of all, Amazon hid the e-mail under Apps, so I had to find it to work it. I don't understand why this isn't on the main interface from the beginning. It sits on a shelf once you've work it. I do not like the actual default email screen — it's dark with white text and way too hard to read. Email messages appear as black text on whitened screens. The switch is mysterious and annoying.
There is a larger problem with the Kindle as well as I saw it in from email to menus and set up. This interface is not usually optimized for 1024×600 resolution on the 7-inch screen. While the bookshelf and items onto it are large, some of the actual controls are tiny. The primary menu, which includes Newsstand, Publications, Music, Videos, Docs, Apps as well as Web, is fine, but the setting icon is smaller compared to tip of my pinky — it does bring up a summary of items that are somewhat larger and I actually do like that the settings tend to be simple and obvious: lock the actual screen orientation, volume, brightness, Wi-Fi manage, sync and a more switch. Digging into many of these types of controls I was confronted again and again with shockingly small text — frequently white on black or gray on the deeper gray. Virtually all from the email app (controls, subject lines and also the contents of messages) is small and hard to see. Even the "Buy" buttons tend to be tiny — you'd think Amazon would a minimum of want to make those bigger.
Many things look wonderful about the Kindle Fire, but only when the partners design for the display. I bought a bunch associated with magazines through Newsstand (often I'd to download apps first after that subscribe or buy individual issues — still a simple process). GQ and The brand new Yorker looked great. Esquire's PDF FILE pages, though, look bad plus some are unreadable if you move in.
Web pages look great in landscape mode, but there isn't enough screen property to see much of the actual page. Portrait mode makes the pages tiny — you are able to pinch and zoom, but then you're only seeing the main page. This is a location where I definitely prefer my personal iPad's larger 9. 7-inch display. Kindle fire review.
The Kindle Fire The Main Interface
The Kindle Fire is definitely an Android 2. 3 device, however the interface is all Amazon. It's, naturally, dominated by a digital bookshelf. This is not a brand new screen metaphor. I first encountered it about the iPad's iBook bookshelf. To end up being honest, it's a cute concept about the Fire, but with a fairly clumsy execution. Whatever you looked over recently — books, a film, apps, web pages, etc. — all sits on top shelf. As a result, it's the hodgepodge of icons. Some tend to be movie boxes or posters, that look good. Book covers look great too; giant icons for email, Myspace, Angry Birds, the Wired Journal app — look ridiculous. The shelves make use of a carousel to let you swipe through your articles. This is effective once you get accustomed to the Fire's tendency to allow moving icons run away along with themselves — I constantly missed them I wanted to access.
Kindle fire review, like a device not much larger compared to my original Kindle (although almost 5 ounces heavier), reading about the device is a joy. The actual pages look great, and accessing some of Kindle reader's smarter features for example highlighting and definitions is simple. While I love my Kindle ereader, it's definitely much easier to simply touch what I wish to access — I do not really miss the physical joystick through my e-ink reader. I'm that which you might call a Kindle serial readers: I often go from my personal Kindle ereader, to my telephone, to my iPad, and now towards the Fire with the same guide. As long as I allow the unit to sync, wherever I leave off on a single device is where I detect another. Of course, this will only work on the Kindle Fire if you have access to a Wi-Fi connection—there isn't any 3G (same for the actual Nook Tablet).
Whenever I wanted to return to the home screen I merely tapped the screen once to get into the home button in the low left corner. The Kindle Fire's one physical button is just used to put the gadget to sleep, turn it off completely and transform it on. Its placement is a little odd: The button sits on a single narrow side, and more than once I accidentally rested these devices on a table or my lap also it went to sleep. Because there's an accelerometer within the Fire, I can turn the gadget completely over so the button is on top, but then the speakers relaxation on my lap. In common, the button sticks out an excessive amount of and is too easy in order to depress.
Kindle fire review, like a device not much larger compared to my original Kindle (although almost 5 ounces heavier), reading about the device is a joy. The actual pages look great, and accessing some of Kindle reader's smarter features for example highlighting and definitions is simple. While I love my Kindle ereader, it's definitely much easier to simply touch what I wish to access — I do not really miss the physical joystick through my e-ink reader. I'm that which you might call a Kindle serial readers: I often go from my personal Kindle ereader, to my telephone, to my iPad, and now towards the Fire with the same guide. As long as I allow the unit to sync, wherever I leave off on a single device is where I detect another. Of course, this will only work on the Kindle Fire if you have access to a Wi-Fi connection—there isn't any 3G (same for the actual Nook Tablet).
Whenever I wanted to return to the home screen I merely tapped the screen once to get into the home button in the low left corner. The Kindle Fire's one physical button is just used to put the gadget to sleep, turn it off completely and transform it on. Its placement is a little odd: The button sits on a single narrow side, and more than once I accidentally rested these devices on a table or my lap also it went to sleep. Because there's an accelerometer within the Fire, I can turn the gadget completely over so the button is on top, but then the speakers relaxation on my lap. In common, the button sticks out an excessive amount of and is too easy in order to depress.
Amazon Kindle Fire Review
The actual $199 Amazon Kindle Fire is really a worthy device. It's not a good iPad slayer, but it may be the first tablet to ably remain atop Mount Tabulous (or a minimum of on a rock ledge just a couple dozen feet lower) along with Apple's industry-dominating slab computer.
This can be a product I wanted to adore. The Kindle Fire's unveiling had been so impressive. Jeff Bezos hitting all of the right notes in true Jobsian style, telling the tale of an item vision so clear it created my eyes tear up. Rather, now I'm discovering it's the somewhat flawed gadget — an item that literally does not usually know which way is upward.
First the good stuff. The Amazon Kindle Fire is really a tablet that simply works. As soon as you turn it on to the very first time you download music from your very own cloud to the minute a person start watching a movie about the device and then continue watching in your HDTV — without connecting these devices to the TV — you're connected. This is a smart tablet having a fully thought-out ecosystem. It is — and We don't think Amazon would disagree with this particular — very Apple-like in its insistence to keep you within the Amazon play ground.
Having an Amazon account or even, better yet, an Amazon Prime account ($79 each year for free 2-day shipping, one free book rental monthly and free streaming flicks), opens a global of content possibilities on the actual 7-inch-screen device. Amazon, like Apple (and like Barnes and Noble using its upcoming Nook Tablet) has your charge card on file. It's tied for your Amazon user name and accounts. For me, it's also associated with my original Kindle 2. After i first started using the Kindle Fireplace, it was already tied in order to my account, but signing in together with your Amazon account is also easy. This Fire calls itself "Lance's third Kindle" (that's because I was also taking a look at the Kindle Touch). Each device syncs whatever content it may. In the case of the actual multimedia-friendly Fire, that's books, publications, music, apps and more. kindle fire review.
These devices itself is, in some methods, unremarkable. Its finish is a stark black color and contains exactly one button. It weighs in at 14. 6 ounces (solid-feeling, although not uncomfortable to hold), is less than a half-inch thick and it has a pleasantly rubberized back which keeps the Fire from slipping from your hands. The speakers, which may blast out near-room-filling-sound, are about the narrow side of the gadget, opposite the side where the actual device's sole button and audio jack can be found. There's no camera, no mic (the Nook Tablet offers one, as does the 9. 7-inch apple ipad 2), no screws with no discernible way of opening these devices. The Kindle Fire's screen offers 1024 x 600 pixels (such as the Nook Tablet. The iPad 2 is 1024 by 768) and things look superb onto it. Inside it's running a dual-core 1GHz CPU (like the Nook Tablet and the Apple A5 chip within the iPad). It has 512MB of RAM (such as the iPad, but half of what's within the Nook Tablet) and 8GB associated with on-board storage (the Space Tablet, by contrast, has double that along with a micro SD card slot). Such as the iPad, the Kindle Fire doesn't blemish its clean lines having a memory card slot. Amazon's focusing primarily on extending space for storage via the cloud, which includes a prominent position on the Fireplace Interface.
This can be a product I wanted to adore. The Kindle Fire's unveiling had been so impressive. Jeff Bezos hitting all of the right notes in true Jobsian style, telling the tale of an item vision so clear it created my eyes tear up. Rather, now I'm discovering it's the somewhat flawed gadget — an item that literally does not usually know which way is upward.
First the good stuff. The Amazon Kindle Fire is really a tablet that simply works. As soon as you turn it on to the very first time you download music from your very own cloud to the minute a person start watching a movie about the device and then continue watching in your HDTV — without connecting these devices to the TV — you're connected. This is a smart tablet having a fully thought-out ecosystem. It is — and We don't think Amazon would disagree with this particular — very Apple-like in its insistence to keep you within the Amazon play ground.
Having an Amazon account or even, better yet, an Amazon Prime account ($79 each year for free 2-day shipping, one free book rental monthly and free streaming flicks), opens a global of content possibilities on the actual 7-inch-screen device. Amazon, like Apple (and like Barnes and Noble using its upcoming Nook Tablet) has your charge card on file. It's tied for your Amazon user name and accounts. For me, it's also associated with my original Kindle 2. After i first started using the Kindle Fireplace, it was already tied in order to my account, but signing in together with your Amazon account is also easy. This Fire calls itself "Lance's third Kindle" (that's because I was also taking a look at the Kindle Touch). Each device syncs whatever content it may. In the case of the actual multimedia-friendly Fire, that's books, publications, music, apps and more. kindle fire review.
These devices itself is, in some methods, unremarkable. Its finish is a stark black color and contains exactly one button. It weighs in at 14. 6 ounces (solid-feeling, although not uncomfortable to hold), is less than a half-inch thick and it has a pleasantly rubberized back which keeps the Fire from slipping from your hands. The speakers, which may blast out near-room-filling-sound, are about the narrow side of the gadget, opposite the side where the actual device's sole button and audio jack can be found. There's no camera, no mic (the Nook Tablet offers one, as does the 9. 7-inch apple ipad 2), no screws with no discernible way of opening these devices. The Kindle Fire's screen offers 1024 x 600 pixels (such as the Nook Tablet. The iPad 2 is 1024 by 768) and things look superb onto it. Inside it's running a dual-core 1GHz CPU (like the Nook Tablet and the Apple A5 chip within the iPad). It has 512MB of RAM (such as the iPad, but half of what's within the Nook Tablet) and 8GB associated with on-board storage (the Space Tablet, by contrast, has double that along with a micro SD card slot). Such as the iPad, the Kindle Fire doesn't blemish its clean lines having a memory card slot. Amazon's focusing primarily on extending space for storage via the cloud, which includes a prominent position on the Fireplace Interface.
Galaxy S II Performance and battery life
We are pretty hefty multitaskers upon our phones. We normally possess our email and social network syncing twenty-four hours a day, and we're continuously texting, checking information sites, playing video games, and trying to maintain our lives organized along the way (emphasis upon "trying"). Consequently, we're consistently pressing our phones towards the limit, demanding more from them than anybody should. We still couldn't obtain a flutter, flicker, or any additional sign of weakness to emerge from the Galaxy S II. It's difficult to beat Samsung's amazing Exynos CPU, the 1. 2GHz dual-core darling that means top-tier phone overall performance in almost every part of the device. We witnessed hardly any lag -- so when we did, it had been negligible -- and also the device didn't accident once. Not to express it won't actually crash, but we're able to definitely tell how the Galaxy S II does not skip a defeat.
In our regular benchmarks, Quadrant performed not surprisingly, typically hovering in between 3, 200 as well as 3, 300. Neocore as well as Nenamark nearly strike the max framerate through scoring 59. 8, and we noticed Linpack give outcomes that were very similar as the Legendary 4G Touch, usually producing 55 MFLOPS with regard to single threads as well as 81 MFLOPS with regard to multi. AT&T's internet browser performance also coordinated wits with Sprint's edition, notching a best score of 3, 369ms.
With regards to the call high quality and speaker quantity, we'd be pleased campers if each and every phone could perform along with the Galaxy S II. We found ourselves needing to turn the volume down to be able to converse with family and friends comfortably, and the actual speakerphone was absolutely no weakling either. The actual reception was additionally on par along with other AT&T products we've reviewed.
Certainly, the Galaxy S II series offers made a title for itself by providing the best battery life we have seen from any kind of Android device; even the multitaskers ought to be getting at least a complete day of use from it, and resigning you to ultimately moderate usage will probably extend the life of the phone an additional half-day. What we were interested in was the difference between your AT&T model, packaging a 1, 650mAh juice pack such as the global version, as well as Sprint's, which is available in at a wholesome 1, 800. Remarkably, AT&T lasted longer inside a direct side-by-side movie test, which includes playing a full-length movie with an endless cycle before phone keels more than and begs to become recharged. Here's the actual big surprise: as the Epic 4G Contact lasted 8. 5 hours these times (which was interesting alone, because it survived 5 hours whenever we initially did the actual review), the actual AT&T Galaxy S II kept cranking away the moving photos for 9. 5 hours before quitting the electronic ghosting. Needless to state, we were quite stunned through the revelation.
In our regular benchmarks, Quadrant performed not surprisingly, typically hovering in between 3, 200 as well as 3, 300. Neocore as well as Nenamark nearly strike the max framerate through scoring 59. 8, and we noticed Linpack give outcomes that were very similar as the Legendary 4G Touch, usually producing 55 MFLOPS with regard to single threads as well as 81 MFLOPS with regard to multi. AT&T's internet browser performance also coordinated wits with Sprint's edition, notching a best score of 3, 369ms.
With regards to the call high quality and speaker quantity, we'd be pleased campers if each and every phone could perform along with the Galaxy S II. We found ourselves needing to turn the volume down to be able to converse with family and friends comfortably, and the actual speakerphone was absolutely no weakling either. The actual reception was additionally on par along with other AT&T products we've reviewed.
Certainly, the Galaxy S II series offers made a title for itself by providing the best battery life we have seen from any kind of Android device; even the multitaskers ought to be getting at least a complete day of use from it, and resigning you to ultimately moderate usage will probably extend the life of the phone an additional half-day. What we were interested in was the difference between your AT&T model, packaging a 1, 650mAh juice pack such as the global version, as well as Sprint's, which is available in at a wholesome 1, 800. Remarkably, AT&T lasted longer inside a direct side-by-side movie test, which includes playing a full-length movie with an endless cycle before phone keels more than and begs to become recharged. Here's the actual big surprise: as the Epic 4G Contact lasted 8. 5 hours these times (which was interesting alone, because it survived 5 hours whenever we initially did the actual review), the actual AT&T Galaxy S II kept cranking away the moving photos for 9. 5 hours before quitting the electronic ghosting. Needless to state, we were quite stunned through the revelation.
Samsung Galaxy S II Software
The Samsung Galaxy S II runs on Android 2.3.4 out of the box, but you're mostly seeing the TouchWiz user interface that Sammy's elected to add to every phone in the series (not to mention most of its non-Nexus devices, for that matter). The version we see running here is 4.0, which is the best iteration of TouchWiz that we've used so far. It's no secret that we typically prefer vanilla Android over a UI overlay, but we appreciate user interfaces that least try not to interfere with our full experience on the phone. More specifically, TouchWiz is a nice skin that allows us a schload of customization, which is a nice gesture for most users.
Speaking of gestures, this is an area where TouchWiz excels. Several motion sensor-assisted gestures are available, offering a unique twist on how we pinch-to-zoom, move icons, and silence our media. When moving an icon on the home panels, you can simply tilt your phone left or right to shift that icon to other front screens. Pinch-to-zoom can be replicated by pressing two fingers simultaneously on the screen and tilting the phone up or down, which admittedly was more cumbersome to use because it doesn't feel as natural to us as its alternative. Double-tapping the top of the device when you're in voice control mode will prompt you to begin dictating. Finally, you're also given the option to flip the phone onto its front to pause media playback or silence incoming phone calls -- this particular feature has been done on HTC devices before, but we appreciate the fact that it's starting to reach out to other manufacturers.
The lock screen isn't nearly as crafty as what you'd find on HTC Sense 3.0, where you can drag a pre-determined shortcut into the ring and have it take you directly there, but it has a few nifty additions. For one, you can access missed calls and messages directly from little tabs on the left and right sides of the screen, and when a phone call comes in, you're treated to an added option to reject the phone call with a text message response -- and lets you slide the screen up to view the different messages you can send the caller.
The actual application menus can also be seriously easy to customize, that is among the most popular options that come with the actual TouchWiz pores and skin. The actual menus nevertheless utilizes sections inside a left-right alignment (when compared with vanilla Google android, that utilizes 1 scrollable up-down solar panel), and never just enables you to select how you wish to arrange your own applications -- a choice which increasingly more skin right now permit -- additionally, it enables you to place files straight into the actual application menus by itself. Quite simply, all the pre-installed applications that people won't ever make use of as well as cannot uninstall are now able to end up being saved inside a folder, concealed within basic view. Therefore if you are the type which favors to arrange applications and never depart a large number of all of them sprawled throughout a number of displays, you are set for a goody.
Bloatware is really a subject associated with constant thing to consider with carrier-subsidized products. Some pre-installed applications just can't be uninstalled without dealing with the additional effort associated with rooting your own device, that is frankly a choice that approximately 95 percent from the average person base probably will not think of as well as care regarding. On the actual AT&T version you will find: Kindle, Yellow-colored Pages, Youtube . com, Qik En aning, Quickoffice, Reside TV, Featured Application (the hub which shows -- support yourself-- a number of AT&T's showcased apps) myAT&T, AT&T signal, AT&T Loved ones Map as well as AT&T Navigator, as well as the apps which come standard along with Android or TouchWiz. On the good be aware, however, we're pleased to report that the healthy chunk from the AT&T apps could be uninstalled. This hasn't been the situation, and we will root with regard to more of the later on.
The AT&T Galaxy S II comes with two Samsung Hubs, a stark contrast to the four found on the I9100. We felt that the Epic 4G Touch did the right thing by only including a Media Hub and Social Hub, and this model appears to have followed the same wisdom. The Social Hub has space for feeds, which gives you the option to integrate Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as you please, and messages, an option that doesn't seem to have much of a point aside from offering a universal inbox for Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo and Exchange accounts. Interestingly enough, there are several more quick email setup options available here than on the Epic, which only offers support for Exchange and "others."
Not a fan of the default Swype keyboard on the Galaxy S II? True, it's not for everyone -- we find ourselves torn in an epic love / hate battle with it all the time. The phone comes with not one, not two, but three options for virtual keyboards; in addition to Swype, you can choose between the standard Android and Samsung 'boards.
Speaking of gestures, this is an area where TouchWiz excels. Several motion sensor-assisted gestures are available, offering a unique twist on how we pinch-to-zoom, move icons, and silence our media. When moving an icon on the home panels, you can simply tilt your phone left or right to shift that icon to other front screens. Pinch-to-zoom can be replicated by pressing two fingers simultaneously on the screen and tilting the phone up or down, which admittedly was more cumbersome to use because it doesn't feel as natural to us as its alternative. Double-tapping the top of the device when you're in voice control mode will prompt you to begin dictating. Finally, you're also given the option to flip the phone onto its front to pause media playback or silence incoming phone calls -- this particular feature has been done on HTC devices before, but we appreciate the fact that it's starting to reach out to other manufacturers.
The lock screen isn't nearly as crafty as what you'd find on HTC Sense 3.0, where you can drag a pre-determined shortcut into the ring and have it take you directly there, but it has a few nifty additions. For one, you can access missed calls and messages directly from little tabs on the left and right sides of the screen, and when a phone call comes in, you're treated to an added option to reject the phone call with a text message response -- and lets you slide the screen up to view the different messages you can send the caller.
The actual application menus can also be seriously easy to customize, that is among the most popular options that come with the actual TouchWiz pores and skin. The actual menus nevertheless utilizes sections inside a left-right alignment (when compared with vanilla Google android, that utilizes 1 scrollable up-down solar panel), and never just enables you to select how you wish to arrange your own applications -- a choice which increasingly more skin right now permit -- additionally, it enables you to place files straight into the actual application menus by itself. Quite simply, all the pre-installed applications that people won't ever make use of as well as cannot uninstall are now able to end up being saved inside a folder, concealed within basic view. Therefore if you are the type which favors to arrange applications and never depart a large number of all of them sprawled throughout a number of displays, you are set for a goody.
Bloatware is really a subject associated with constant thing to consider with carrier-subsidized products. Some pre-installed applications just can't be uninstalled without dealing with the additional effort associated with rooting your own device, that is frankly a choice that approximately 95 percent from the average person base probably will not think of as well as care regarding. On the actual AT&T version you will find: Kindle, Yellow-colored Pages, Youtube . com, Qik En aning, Quickoffice, Reside TV, Featured Application (the hub which shows -- support yourself-- a number of AT&T's showcased apps) myAT&T, AT&T signal, AT&T Loved ones Map as well as AT&T Navigator, as well as the apps which come standard along with Android or TouchWiz. On the good be aware, however, we're pleased to report that the healthy chunk from the AT&T apps could be uninstalled. This hasn't been the situation, and we will root with regard to more of the later on.
The AT&T Galaxy S II comes with two Samsung Hubs, a stark contrast to the four found on the I9100. We felt that the Epic 4G Touch did the right thing by only including a Media Hub and Social Hub, and this model appears to have followed the same wisdom. The Social Hub has space for feeds, which gives you the option to integrate Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as you please, and messages, an option that doesn't seem to have much of a point aside from offering a universal inbox for Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo and Exchange accounts. Interestingly enough, there are several more quick email setup options available here than on the Epic, which only offers support for Exchange and "others."
Not a fan of the default Swype keyboard on the Galaxy S II? True, it's not for everyone -- we find ourselves torn in an epic love / hate battle with it all the time. The phone comes with not one, not two, but three options for virtual keyboards; in addition to Swype, you can choose between the standard Android and Samsung 'boards.
The Galaxy S II Hardware
The Samsung Galaxy S II lineup is launching in a much similar fashion (and with seemingly higher expectations) as its predecessor: the US models are reaching the market several months after the phone's global release, and carriers have made a few design tweaks along the way. What's so different this time around is the selection of devices. Last summer, each mobile operator took the concept of "carrier customization" to extremes, tweaking the S to their every whim -- in some cases changing the chassis altogether. For instance, the Epic 4G added a full QWERTY keyboard, the Captivate had a metal battery cover along with sharp edges and the Fascinate sprinkled Bing throughout the device's firmware. The three US variants of the sequel, however, have been a deal more subtle, making only slight adjustments in the design where the carriers see fit, and each one has even retained the Galaxy S II name in at least some way (the full title of Sprint's darling, for example, is "Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch.").
At first, it really is evident the provider failed to try to acquire a lot of any starting from your learn replicate. We would like to believe that it is followed the particular "if that is not out of cash will not resolve it" mindset, yet we have been not necessarily totally positive just what the particular thinking will be. We all is not going to whine, even though -- we all provided large good remarks for the international model's layout, and also keep on to take action the following, given that it really is almost any spitting graphic. The sole considerable modify we're able to locate could be the introduction regarding several capacitive-touch course-plotting switches in the bottom, rather than the particular a few located on the I9100. 'Course, a couple of several tips the following is practically nothing fresh for your US ALL; committed lookup switches appear common about these kinds of elements, whilst it doesn't always have any reputation around the international model.
Anyone searching for the thinnest smartphone on the market won't find it here, though most casual observers will be perfectly content. Coming in at 8.89mm (0.35 inches) at its thinnest point, the Galaxy S II on AT&T is marginally thicker than the I9100, which measures at 8.49mm (0.33 inches). Unless you're viewing the two side by side, this slight difference won't be noticeable. With that said, it's still the thinnest of the US trio: the Epic 4G Touch is 9.65mm (0.38 inches) and T-Mobile's GS II comes in at 9.4mm (0.37 inches). At 4.3 ounces (122g), it's also the lightest of the three, though it's a full 0.2 ounces heavier than the global ditty.
As with the others, we can enjoy the GSII's 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos CPU, a full gigabyte of RAM, an 8MP camera with 1080p HD video capture, a 2MP front-facing cam, 16GB of internal storage and quadband GSM and tri-band UMTS / HSPA (850 / 1900 / 2100) to make for smooth international travelling. A slot for a microSD card is included, but that'll be a separate accessory you need to purchase on your own if you require more space.
AT&T opted to include a 1,650mAh battery, which is the same size as the I9100's, but there's one intriguing twist -- a Near-Field Communication (NFC) chip. Or, at least, the words "Near Field Communications" are inscribed on the battery itself -- lending credence to the presence of an embedded chip. We've previously reported that instances of NFC are littered throughout the device's firmware, and after some digging through the task manager we found a NFC Service app which proffers little details and can't be opened. In reaching out to Samsung, we were told that the AT&T Galaxy S II is not NFC-enabled, but the company didn't volunteer any details about chip placement or if it will be enabled at a later date. Our theory is that the NFC functionality is laying dormant for now, perhaps until the carrier is ready to unleash the fruits of its partnership with ISIS. We'll update if we get any more clarification.
We are going to don't become an excessive amount of any weary simply by discussing just what will come within the package, yet besides the common charger and also consumer instructions, AT&T wanted suit to be able to chuck in a HIGH DEFINITION adaptor at the same time -- a great accent that has been absent with all the Unbelievable 4G Feel. Of course, the particular Samsung Universe Azines II collection provides MHL empowered, gives the device the ability to employ a individual cable tv to be able to create uncompressed 1080p HDMI although asking upwards concurrently. It really is effortless adequate to get a great MHL or perhaps HDMI cable tv to suit your wants, yet it's really a great touch about AT&T's portion to be able to no less than are the adaptor proper which wants to get in touch like that.
This particular model of the Samsung Galaxy S II uses an identical display to that of the international version, with a stunning 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus with WVGA (800 x 480) resolution. It's been said with the other two phones, but it's worth repeating: regardless of how many pixels it packs in, it's still one of the most gorgeous and color-saturated displays we've had the pleasure to cast our eyes upon. The colors are brighter, more vivid and saturated than most displays you'll see on the market today, and just like the others, it's easy to view in direct sunlight. It's in close competition with the Retina Display found on the iPhone 4 -- we'll see if there's any change to that statement next week, of course -- but has the larger screen size to give Sammy a major plus (pun not intended, but greatly welcomed).
It's true that Sprint and T-Mobile decided to go with a larger display, which may be a bit intimidating for anyone with smaller hands. For what it's worth, our average-sized hands didn't have any more difficulty holding the Epic 4G Touch than we did the AT&T version, mainly because of the small difference in width (4mm) between the two devices.
One aspect we loved in the Epic 4G Touch and wished we could've seen here was the LED notification light. Unfortunately AT&T stayed so true to the original I9100's design, it seems, that the little blinking alert was left out.
At first, it really is evident the provider failed to try to acquire a lot of any starting from your learn replicate. We would like to believe that it is followed the particular "if that is not out of cash will not resolve it" mindset, yet we have been not necessarily totally positive just what the particular thinking will be. We all is not going to whine, even though -- we all provided large good remarks for the international model's layout, and also keep on to take action the following, given that it really is almost any spitting graphic. The sole considerable modify we're able to locate could be the introduction regarding several capacitive-touch course-plotting switches in the bottom, rather than the particular a few located on the I9100. 'Course, a couple of several tips the following is practically nothing fresh for your US ALL; committed lookup switches appear common about these kinds of elements, whilst it doesn't always have any reputation around the international model.
Anyone searching for the thinnest smartphone on the market won't find it here, though most casual observers will be perfectly content. Coming in at 8.89mm (0.35 inches) at its thinnest point, the Galaxy S II on AT&T is marginally thicker than the I9100, which measures at 8.49mm (0.33 inches). Unless you're viewing the two side by side, this slight difference won't be noticeable. With that said, it's still the thinnest of the US trio: the Epic 4G Touch is 9.65mm (0.38 inches) and T-Mobile's GS II comes in at 9.4mm (0.37 inches). At 4.3 ounces (122g), it's also the lightest of the three, though it's a full 0.2 ounces heavier than the global ditty.
As with the others, we can enjoy the GSII's 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos CPU, a full gigabyte of RAM, an 8MP camera with 1080p HD video capture, a 2MP front-facing cam, 16GB of internal storage and quadband GSM and tri-band UMTS / HSPA (850 / 1900 / 2100) to make for smooth international travelling. A slot for a microSD card is included, but that'll be a separate accessory you need to purchase on your own if you require more space.
AT&T opted to include a 1,650mAh battery, which is the same size as the I9100's, but there's one intriguing twist -- a Near-Field Communication (NFC) chip. Or, at least, the words "Near Field Communications" are inscribed on the battery itself -- lending credence to the presence of an embedded chip. We've previously reported that instances of NFC are littered throughout the device's firmware, and after some digging through the task manager we found a NFC Service app which proffers little details and can't be opened. In reaching out to Samsung, we were told that the AT&T Galaxy S II is not NFC-enabled, but the company didn't volunteer any details about chip placement or if it will be enabled at a later date. Our theory is that the NFC functionality is laying dormant for now, perhaps until the carrier is ready to unleash the fruits of its partnership with ISIS. We'll update if we get any more clarification.
We are going to don't become an excessive amount of any weary simply by discussing just what will come within the package, yet besides the common charger and also consumer instructions, AT&T wanted suit to be able to chuck in a HIGH DEFINITION adaptor at the same time -- a great accent that has been absent with all the Unbelievable 4G Feel. Of course, the particular Samsung Universe Azines II collection provides MHL empowered, gives the device the ability to employ a individual cable tv to be able to create uncompressed 1080p HDMI although asking upwards concurrently. It really is effortless adequate to get a great MHL or perhaps HDMI cable tv to suit your wants, yet it's really a great touch about AT&T's portion to be able to no less than are the adaptor proper which wants to get in touch like that.
This particular model of the Samsung Galaxy S II uses an identical display to that of the international version, with a stunning 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus with WVGA (800 x 480) resolution. It's been said with the other two phones, but it's worth repeating: regardless of how many pixels it packs in, it's still one of the most gorgeous and color-saturated displays we've had the pleasure to cast our eyes upon. The colors are brighter, more vivid and saturated than most displays you'll see on the market today, and just like the others, it's easy to view in direct sunlight. It's in close competition with the Retina Display found on the iPhone 4 -- we'll see if there's any change to that statement next week, of course -- but has the larger screen size to give Sammy a major plus (pun not intended, but greatly welcomed).
It's true that Sprint and T-Mobile decided to go with a larger display, which may be a bit intimidating for anyone with smaller hands. For what it's worth, our average-sized hands didn't have any more difficulty holding the Epic 4G Touch than we did the AT&T version, mainly because of the small difference in width (4mm) between the two devices.
One aspect we loved in the Epic 4G Touch and wished we could've seen here was the LED notification light. Unfortunately AT&T stayed so true to the original I9100's design, it seems, that the little blinking alert was left out.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The New Media and Social Change
Being someone who is up to date is a necessity, especially in the last ten years. Maybe some of us who have a smart phone already unknowingly have a few minutes once the rhythm of the mobile phone display looking or waiting for the lights twinkling red marker marks there is an update message, the status or reply chat. Following the development of any gadgets like listening to the rise and fall of shares on the stock exchange, sunguh rapidly changing. Portable computer or laptop instead of foreign goods that are often coupled with a cup of coffee or tea, friends hanging out for hours, so we are no longer afraid to hang out at cafes alone. The discovery of a mobile phone with a QWERTY keypad someone else change the speed in typing an SMS and allows one to write long emails like using computers.
The development of the digital world is then seen with caution: on the one hand there is a feeling that the discovery of these technologies and tools to communicate their life easier, but on the other hand there is also a feeling that the development of this technology simply puts us in a position as a mere market. The development of this gadget makes a communication tool becomes part of your lifestyle. Packaging becomes more important than the functions needed.
Perhaps this situation is predicted by a futurologist Alvin Toffler as "future shock" in 1970. Future shock he defined as changes that are so much in so short a time that experienced not only at the individual level, but also the entire community. Structural changes that occur in society from an industrial into a super-industrial society will drown in the acceleration of technological advances and changes in social systems, so that they feel disconnected and disoriented. One that causes this is an unstoppable flow of information (information overload). A society can not run if fully controlled by the data and the computer, because in addition to cognitive abilities, emotions and affections are also needed.
In addition there are also the term digital native to refer to the current community of people who are part of a digital society. Basic question needs to be raised here: whether the intent of the digital native? Does a similar concept of Alvin Toffler or John Naisbitt on the information society? Or with the network society was initiated by Manuel Castell?
Questions arise as a result of some of the symptoms in the community, among others, the increasing needs of the community will respond quickly in the use of telecommunication services. Phone and SMS formerly considered the most rapid course, now replaced by instant messenger that saving rates and faster response. In addition, the information may now be regarded as one of the main backbone of the economy that drives the media industry. Too often we hear, that the new media, especially social networking to "maternity hospital" for solidarity actions such as coins for Prita Mulyasari or # prayforjapan (trending topic on Twitter when the big earthquake hit Japan in March 2011 last month).
The development of the digital world is then seen with caution: on the one hand there is a feeling that the discovery of these technologies and tools to communicate their life easier, but on the other hand there is also a feeling that the development of this technology simply puts us in a position as a mere market. The development of this gadget makes a communication tool becomes part of your lifestyle. Packaging becomes more important than the functions needed.
Perhaps this situation is predicted by a futurologist Alvin Toffler as "future shock" in 1970. Future shock he defined as changes that are so much in so short a time that experienced not only at the individual level, but also the entire community. Structural changes that occur in society from an industrial into a super-industrial society will drown in the acceleration of technological advances and changes in social systems, so that they feel disconnected and disoriented. One that causes this is an unstoppable flow of information (information overload). A society can not run if fully controlled by the data and the computer, because in addition to cognitive abilities, emotions and affections are also needed.
In addition there are also the term digital native to refer to the current community of people who are part of a digital society. Basic question needs to be raised here: whether the intent of the digital native? Does a similar concept of Alvin Toffler or John Naisbitt on the information society? Or with the network society was initiated by Manuel Castell?
Questions arise as a result of some of the symptoms in the community, among others, the increasing needs of the community will respond quickly in the use of telecommunication services. Phone and SMS formerly considered the most rapid course, now replaced by instant messenger that saving rates and faster response. In addition, the information may now be regarded as one of the main backbone of the economy that drives the media industry. Too often we hear, that the new media, especially social networking to "maternity hospital" for solidarity actions such as coins for Prita Mulyasari or # prayforjapan (trending topic on Twitter when the big earthquake hit Japan in March 2011 last month).
development of gadgets
Gadget can not be separated from urban residents who live in Jakarta. Certainly wherever they go, always surrounded by sophisticated gadgets and fun. Imagine rapid urban development is also accompanied by the development of gadgets that are more and more exciting. If the first person to have a walkman, discman later, has now been supplanted by a portable audio player that is very small and easy to carry anywhere. Below are some of the urban gadgets that you should not miss.
Nokia N91 8GB
This is not just a regular mobile phone. Success with previous variants that grow as much as 4 GB memory card, this time to establish himself with the N91 is more of 8 GB memory card so you will save more of your favorite songs on this mobile phone. Facilities MP3 player and Windows are also embedded in the product that has a luxurious design.
www.nokia.com
MacBookPro
Notebook of this one was very easy to find everywhere. Starting from the office down to the various coffee shops. In addition to design an attractive, sophisticated facility is also available on this MacBookPro. For those of you chat enthusiast, this notebook also has a sophisticated internal camera.
www.apple.com
Nixon Dictator
The watch seems to be a special attraction. Starting from the shape of the exciting to the technology contained therein. Voice recording technology became one of the mainstays of this gadget. So, when you find inspiration in the middle of the road, you simply put it in this watch with your voice.
www.nixonnow.com
Sony VGN-UX1XN
High-resolution color and material strength to be one of the mainstays of this gadget. Processor Intel Core also embedded in it. Windows Vista Professional also become one of the flagship. Simply slide it onto the display, then you will find the keypad is very comfortable to use.
www.sony.co.uk
XBOX 360
For some reason what makes this game one player who is inferior to the Sony Playstation. If taken as a whole, the game is owned by the XBOX 360 is much more pronounced when compared to its competitors. It also assisted with the backing up of Microsoft, which will surely make your game more enjoyable.
www.xbox.com
Sony Walkman Bean
The shape resembles an ordinary nut you eat. But this one was born nut by Sony, which is a big name in the world of audio video. Display it makes your eyes will be comfortable dalan see what track you play. Only with recharge your batteries for 3 minutes you can use this MP3 player for 3 hours non-stop.
www.sony.com
Kodak V705
Seems incomplete if you walk around with my friends without a digicam this one. Only complains that first launched the Kodak digicam with two lenses at once and has a 7.1 megapixel resolution which makes the images you capture clearer. Anti-blur technology is also found in the Kodak V705.
www.kodak.com
Sony Aibo
Of course very nice dog, but if the thought of how North bad behavior will surely make everyone hate him suddenly. Sony saw the hole, and immediately launched a new robot named Aibo. Dog-shaped robot is quite comfortable and keeps you away from the trouble in the care of it. You simply have to recharge the robot back and find the humor that can ditumbulkannya.
www.sony.com
Sony Playstation Portable
The object of this one was the most loyal friend in every moment. Anywhere you travel, do not forget to bring a player of this game. Besides being able to play the game, you can also listen to MP3 with this gadget. The resulting sound quality was not inferior to the audio that has a large size.
www.sony.com (ng)
Nokia N91 8GB
This is not just a regular mobile phone. Success with previous variants that grow as much as 4 GB memory card, this time to establish himself with the N91 is more of 8 GB memory card so you will save more of your favorite songs on this mobile phone. Facilities MP3 player and Windows are also embedded in the product that has a luxurious design.
www.nokia.com
MacBookPro
Notebook of this one was very easy to find everywhere. Starting from the office down to the various coffee shops. In addition to design an attractive, sophisticated facility is also available on this MacBookPro. For those of you chat enthusiast, this notebook also has a sophisticated internal camera.
www.apple.com
Nixon Dictator
The watch seems to be a special attraction. Starting from the shape of the exciting to the technology contained therein. Voice recording technology became one of the mainstays of this gadget. So, when you find inspiration in the middle of the road, you simply put it in this watch with your voice.
www.nixonnow.com
Sony VGN-UX1XN
High-resolution color and material strength to be one of the mainstays of this gadget. Processor Intel Core also embedded in it. Windows Vista Professional also become one of the flagship. Simply slide it onto the display, then you will find the keypad is very comfortable to use.
www.sony.co.uk
XBOX 360
For some reason what makes this game one player who is inferior to the Sony Playstation. If taken as a whole, the game is owned by the XBOX 360 is much more pronounced when compared to its competitors. It also assisted with the backing up of Microsoft, which will surely make your game more enjoyable.
www.xbox.com
Sony Walkman Bean
The shape resembles an ordinary nut you eat. But this one was born nut by Sony, which is a big name in the world of audio video. Display it makes your eyes will be comfortable dalan see what track you play. Only with recharge your batteries for 3 minutes you can use this MP3 player for 3 hours non-stop.
www.sony.com
Kodak V705
Seems incomplete if you walk around with my friends without a digicam this one. Only complains that first launched the Kodak digicam with two lenses at once and has a 7.1 megapixel resolution which makes the images you capture clearer. Anti-blur technology is also found in the Kodak V705.
www.kodak.com
Sony Aibo
Of course very nice dog, but if the thought of how North bad behavior will surely make everyone hate him suddenly. Sony saw the hole, and immediately launched a new robot named Aibo. Dog-shaped robot is quite comfortable and keeps you away from the trouble in the care of it. You simply have to recharge the robot back and find the humor that can ditumbulkannya.
www.sony.com
Sony Playstation Portable
The object of this one was the most loyal friend in every moment. Anywhere you travel, do not forget to bring a player of this game. Besides being able to play the game, you can also listen to MP3 with this gadget. The resulting sound quality was not inferior to the audio that has a large size.
www.sony.com (ng)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Robot Record Volcano Eruption in Seabed
Scientists are rightly grateful to Jason. Without these robots, they will not be able to record volcanic eruption that occurred on the ocean floor of the Pacific Ocean.
Yes, a robotic submarine named Jason had already witnessed the eruption of a volcano which is 4,000 feet below the water surface.
Mountain, located in the Pacific Ocean, precisely bordered by Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, discovered by researchers in May last.
In a conference in San Francisco, high-definition video footage of volcanic activity is then displayed.
Scientists from NOAA and the National Science Foundation had never witnessed the eruption of a deep and detailed as this.
"We have not seen this before. And now for the first time, we saw lava flowing on the seabed," said Joseph Resing, mission chief scientist as well as staff of the chemical oceanographer at the University of Washington.
Mission to record the volcanic eruption in the sea using these robots requires a period of 25 years in the making. However, waiting for so long been paid off already.
From the records of results of the expedition "Western Eyes", the scientists hope the image, data, and samples obtained can shed light on how Earth's crust formed.
The research may also help explain how some sea creatures survive and thrive in extreme environments, and how the Earth behaves when tectonic plates collide.
With these findings, scientists are also expected to learn how to survive in the underwater environment. Meanwhile, the researchers could also see the creation of rare material - only happen in a million years - the so-called boninite.
Yes, a robotic submarine named Jason had already witnessed the eruption of a volcano which is 4,000 feet below the water surface.
Mountain, located in the Pacific Ocean, precisely bordered by Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, discovered by researchers in May last.
In a conference in San Francisco, high-definition video footage of volcanic activity is then displayed.
Scientists from NOAA and the National Science Foundation had never witnessed the eruption of a deep and detailed as this.
"We have not seen this before. And now for the first time, we saw lava flowing on the seabed," said Joseph Resing, mission chief scientist as well as staff of the chemical oceanographer at the University of Washington.
Mission to record the volcanic eruption in the sea using these robots requires a period of 25 years in the making. However, waiting for so long been paid off already.
From the records of results of the expedition "Western Eyes", the scientists hope the image, data, and samples obtained can shed light on how Earth's crust formed.
The research may also help explain how some sea creatures survive and thrive in extreme environments, and how the Earth behaves when tectonic plates collide.
With these findings, scientists are also expected to learn how to survive in the underwater environment. Meanwhile, the researchers could also see the creation of rare material - only happen in a million years - the so-called boninite.
Basic Robot Making
Cockroaches are often considered useless animals. But not so apparently in the minds of scientists at Oregonn State University (OSU), the United States. They admire the way cockroaches run and plans to implement on the robot.
"Man can run, but our capabilities are not nothing compared to insects or other animals," said John Schmitt, a professor in the OSU School of Mechanical Engineering who led the cockroach robot project.
If the robot cockroaches runner style made this a success, Schmitt believes any point will vary. Robots will do the heavy duty operations such as for military, law enforcement, or space exploration.
Researchers at OSU trying to identify the mechanical and biological principles why certain animals can run very well and almost without effort. Through computer models, they created the concept of robot-like.
It is hoped one day, cockroach-inspired robot is going to materialize for hazardous areas visited. And because of his running so fast, they can get the hell out if it gets threats.
"Man can run, but our capabilities are not nothing compared to insects or other animals," said John Schmitt, a professor in the OSU School of Mechanical Engineering who led the cockroach robot project.
If the robot cockroaches runner style made this a success, Schmitt believes any point will vary. Robots will do the heavy duty operations such as for military, law enforcement, or space exploration.
Researchers at OSU trying to identify the mechanical and biological principles why certain animals can run very well and almost without effort. Through computer models, they created the concept of robot-like.
It is hoped one day, cockroach-inspired robot is going to materialize for hazardous areas visited. And because of his running so fast, they can get the hell out if it gets threats.
Line Follower Robot
Line follower robot is a robot that can move a guide line to follow the path. Waveguide lines are in use in this case is a white line placed on surface of dark berwaran, atupun contrary, the black line which is placed on a white surface. The working principle of detection of the robot scout line is that each color of the surface has the ability to reflect light differently. The white color has the ability to reflect more light. In contrast, dark colors have less ability to reflect light. It is used to detect the line of the waveguide.
There are several systems that are important in making a line follower robot is a robot Mechanical, Electronic and robot programming language. Associated with mechanical robots is how to choose the material physical robot builders. As for the electronic robot is a robot that includes a series of robot main controller (main controller), a series of sensors, and driver circuit. And the system is important in making line follower robot that is language programmer (software). Is the part that is used to program (fill) IC microkontroler. Programmable software which is often used is the Assembly Language, C / C, Bascom (compailler language).
There are two kinds of line follower robot line follower without using the program and the regular line follower with microkontroler program. Basically it works the same way that distinguishes between black and white surfaces. it's just that using the program microkontroler more complex and more perfect if the appeal is without a line follower using the program. In terms of cost is very clear that the line follower using the program microkontroller more expensive in the making.
The components that need to be in siapka to build a line follower is
Robot Body
To build a robot body we can use acrylic, that looks like glass. For the simplest pembutan we can use a CD, a few modifications will result in a pretty good body.
Akuator robot.
Akuator robots here we use a DC motor maknet permanent. Dc motor can be obtained from children's toys, or from a dc motor from a toy Tamia. To penyetabilan motion required a gearbox.
Wheel
We need 3 rear wheels is 2 wheels and one front wheel. For the rear wheel we associate with dc motors. For the front wheel to move freely at the time of inflection, using only one wheel. Wheels are in use Castrol / idle wheel. Untuh simplest materials we can use BB Rexona packaging.
Censorship
The sensor is like a robot eye. Only by the robot sensors can determine the direction of motion. There are various sensors used in making a line follower. To membgaun simple line follower we use infrared sensors because pembuatanya very simple.
Electronics Line Follower
Electronics for a robot is as organs of support work for other systems. Additional electronic components: resistors, capacitor, condenser, Diodes (LEDs), transistors, switches.
There are several systems that are important in making a line follower robot is a robot Mechanical, Electronic and robot programming language. Associated with mechanical robots is how to choose the material physical robot builders. As for the electronic robot is a robot that includes a series of robot main controller (main controller), a series of sensors, and driver circuit. And the system is important in making line follower robot that is language programmer (software). Is the part that is used to program (fill) IC microkontroler. Programmable software which is often used is the Assembly Language, C / C, Bascom (compailler language).
There are two kinds of line follower robot line follower without using the program and the regular line follower with microkontroler program. Basically it works the same way that distinguishes between black and white surfaces. it's just that using the program microkontroler more complex and more perfect if the appeal is without a line follower using the program. In terms of cost is very clear that the line follower using the program microkontroller more expensive in the making.
The components that need to be in siapka to build a line follower is
Robot Body
To build a robot body we can use acrylic, that looks like glass. For the simplest pembutan we can use a CD, a few modifications will result in a pretty good body.
Akuator robot.
Akuator robots here we use a DC motor maknet permanent. Dc motor can be obtained from children's toys, or from a dc motor from a toy Tamia. To penyetabilan motion required a gearbox.
Wheel
We need 3 rear wheels is 2 wheels and one front wheel. For the rear wheel we associate with dc motors. For the front wheel to move freely at the time of inflection, using only one wheel. Wheels are in use Castrol / idle wheel. Untuh simplest materials we can use BB Rexona packaging.
Censorship
The sensor is like a robot eye. Only by the robot sensors can determine the direction of motion. There are various sensors used in making a line follower. To membgaun simple line follower we use infrared sensors because pembuatanya very simple.
Electronics Line Follower
Electronics for a robot is as organs of support work for other systems. Additional electronic components: resistors, capacitor, condenser, Diodes (LEDs), transistors, switches.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Historical development of robot technology
In modern society, the term robot has been felt so familiar. Although its presence may still rarely found in many places. But at least will soon know if it is mentioned about robots. While, for most people, robots are often interpreted as a human-shaped machine that could make a move or act like humans. This is an image generated by most science fiction film genre.
Then the definition what is a robot itself? According to the site inventors.about.com robot is an automated device that performs functions normally ascribed to humans or a human-shaped machine. Perhaps a definition is less precise because there are some robots that are shaped like a human being or a part of human organs and replace the jobs previously done by humans even though many of its goals the creation of the robot is to it. Due to the fact that robots have successfully created and later became famous, it's not a robot that resembles the shape of human body organ or part. For example the robot dog Aibo ERS-210 made by SONY company.
Starting from a short story
Since when is a human robot knows? The legend says that first popularized the term robot in a short story (short story) entitled Runaround, written by Isaac Asimov in 1942. Actually the term robot already used by Karel Capek, a playwright from Czechoslovakia. Short story tells about the robot therapy. Inspired on the short story Runaround, Joseph Weizenbaum, a professor at the Institute of Massachusetts, making Eliza program in 1966. There are about 240 lines of code created by Weizenbaum to simulate a psikotherapy.
It was not only Prof. Weizenbaum are obsessed with the work of Asimov's short story Runaround it. Ten years before Prof. Weizenbaum makes the program Elilza, George Devol and Joseph Engelberger had already been talking about making a robot based on the idea that the story of the short story Runaround. They both then set up a company called Unimation, an abbreviation of the term Universal Automation. Unimation became the first company in the world to produce commercial robots. Even until now the company is reportedly still in production.
Period Robot Technology
Although there are some who may not be defined as a robot, but the results are arranged in order of creation or period below is considered as a development from the embryo of robot technology.
1. Sebelem year 270 BC, Ctesibus, in ancient Greece has made organs and water clocks that can make certain movements.
2. In 1818, Mary Shelley wrote the novel "Frankenstein" the famous and forbidding it. The story of the man who was created by Dr. Frankenstein.
3. 1921, the term "robot" was first used in a play called "RUR" or "Rossum's Universal Robots" written by authors from the Czech Republic, Karel Capek. Simply put this drama about human mengkisahkan making robots and robots that eventually kill the human who created it.
4. 1941, science fiction writer Isaac Asimov first used the word "robot" to describe the technology of robots and predicted the emergence of strong industrial robots.
5. In 1942, Asimov wrote "Runaround", a story about robots and introducing "Three Laws of Robotics".
6. In 1948, Cybernetics ", an article about the influence on the results of artificial intelligence which was published by Norbert Wiener. In those days, was also a pioneer of robotic technology in the UK, William Grey Walter created a simple robot, named Elmer and Elsie that mimic lifelike behavior using electronics.
7. George Devol and Joseph Engleberger create a robot arm that is programmed for the first time and created the term Universal Automation for the first time also.
8. In 1956, George Devol and Joseph Engelberger formed the company producing the world's first robot. In this year also an electronic robot squirrel-shaped and named Squee created.
9. In 1959, Computer Assisted Manufacturingg Servomechanisms was demonstrated in the laboratory at MIT.
10. In 1961, the first industrial robot was exhibited at the General Motors automobile factory in New Jersey. The robot was called UNIMATE.
11. In 1963, artificial robotic arm controlled by computer were first designed. Arm (hand) robot is designed as a tool for the disabled with the completeness of the six joints that provide the flexibility of the human arm.
12. In 1965, the first manufacture of advanced systems and called DENDRAL. This program is designed to carry out the accumulated knowledge of the subject experts.
13. In 1968, Marvin Minsky made arm Octopus tentacles called.
14. In 1969, the manufacture of the Stanford arm which is driven by electricity. This robotic arm controlled by computer.
15. In 1970, the emergence of Shakey the robot is touted as the first mobile robot controlled by artificial intelligence. This robot was created by SRI International.
16. In 1974, the design of a robotic arm that works based on feedback and pressure sensors. The robot, called by the name of the Silver Arm is used for assembling the components in the field of industry.
17. In 1979, the first time demonstrated the ability of a robot passing by in a room full of chairs. Stanford robot dubbed it can avoid crashing into the chairs are placed randomly in the room. This robot is equipped with cameras that convey images to the computer field laluan. Furthermore, the computer account object distance and the barriers that exist in the field.
In the period following the creation of robots can be obtained through a lot of information published by mass media. Please you are seeking information through electronic media or print media.
Then the definition what is a robot itself? According to the site inventors.about.com robot is an automated device that performs functions normally ascribed to humans or a human-shaped machine. Perhaps a definition is less precise because there are some robots that are shaped like a human being or a part of human organs and replace the jobs previously done by humans even though many of its goals the creation of the robot is to it. Due to the fact that robots have successfully created and later became famous, it's not a robot that resembles the shape of human body organ or part. For example the robot dog Aibo ERS-210 made by SONY company.
Starting from a short story
Since when is a human robot knows? The legend says that first popularized the term robot in a short story (short story) entitled Runaround, written by Isaac Asimov in 1942. Actually the term robot already used by Karel Capek, a playwright from Czechoslovakia. Short story tells about the robot therapy. Inspired on the short story Runaround, Joseph Weizenbaum, a professor at the Institute of Massachusetts, making Eliza program in 1966. There are about 240 lines of code created by Weizenbaum to simulate a psikotherapy.
It was not only Prof. Weizenbaum are obsessed with the work of Asimov's short story Runaround it. Ten years before Prof. Weizenbaum makes the program Elilza, George Devol and Joseph Engelberger had already been talking about making a robot based on the idea that the story of the short story Runaround. They both then set up a company called Unimation, an abbreviation of the term Universal Automation. Unimation became the first company in the world to produce commercial robots. Even until now the company is reportedly still in production.
Period Robot Technology
Although there are some who may not be defined as a robot, but the results are arranged in order of creation or period below is considered as a development from the embryo of robot technology.
1. Sebelem year 270 BC, Ctesibus, in ancient Greece has made organs and water clocks that can make certain movements.
2. In 1818, Mary Shelley wrote the novel "Frankenstein" the famous and forbidding it. The story of the man who was created by Dr. Frankenstein.
3. 1921, the term "robot" was first used in a play called "RUR" or "Rossum's Universal Robots" written by authors from the Czech Republic, Karel Capek. Simply put this drama about human mengkisahkan making robots and robots that eventually kill the human who created it.
4. 1941, science fiction writer Isaac Asimov first used the word "robot" to describe the technology of robots and predicted the emergence of strong industrial robots.
5. In 1942, Asimov wrote "Runaround", a story about robots and introducing "Three Laws of Robotics".
6. In 1948, Cybernetics ", an article about the influence on the results of artificial intelligence which was published by Norbert Wiener. In those days, was also a pioneer of robotic technology in the UK, William Grey Walter created a simple robot, named Elmer and Elsie that mimic lifelike behavior using electronics.
7. George Devol and Joseph Engleberger create a robot arm that is programmed for the first time and created the term Universal Automation for the first time also.
8. In 1956, George Devol and Joseph Engelberger formed the company producing the world's first robot. In this year also an electronic robot squirrel-shaped and named Squee created.
9. In 1959, Computer Assisted Manufacturingg Servomechanisms was demonstrated in the laboratory at MIT.
10. In 1961, the first industrial robot was exhibited at the General Motors automobile factory in New Jersey. The robot was called UNIMATE.
11. In 1963, artificial robotic arm controlled by computer were first designed. Arm (hand) robot is designed as a tool for the disabled with the completeness of the six joints that provide the flexibility of the human arm.
12. In 1965, the first manufacture of advanced systems and called DENDRAL. This program is designed to carry out the accumulated knowledge of the subject experts.
13. In 1968, Marvin Minsky made arm Octopus tentacles called.
14. In 1969, the manufacture of the Stanford arm which is driven by electricity. This robotic arm controlled by computer.
15. In 1970, the emergence of Shakey the robot is touted as the first mobile robot controlled by artificial intelligence. This robot was created by SRI International.
16. In 1974, the design of a robotic arm that works based on feedback and pressure sensors. The robot, called by the name of the Silver Arm is used for assembling the components in the field of industry.
17. In 1979, the first time demonstrated the ability of a robot passing by in a room full of chairs. Stanford robot dubbed it can avoid crashing into the chairs are placed randomly in the room. This robot is equipped with cameras that convey images to the computer field laluan. Furthermore, the computer account object distance and the barriers that exist in the field.
In the period following the creation of robots can be obtained through a lot of information published by mass media. Please you are seeking information through electronic media or print media.
robot asimo(honda corp)
Many of us grew up watching robots on TV and in movies: There was Rosie, the Jetsons' robot housekeeper; Data, the android crewmember on "Star Trek: The Next Generation"; and of course, C3PO from "Star Wars." Robots that created at this time is not enough in the field of Data or C3PO, but there are some amazing advances in technology have been busy creating mereka.Insinyur Honda ASIMO robot for more than 20 years. In this article, we'll find out what makes ASIMO the most advanced humanoid robot to date.
Honda Motor Company developed ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, and is the most advanced humanoid robot in the world. According to the ASIMO Web site, ASIMO is the world's first humanoid robot that can walk independently and climb stairs.
In addition to ASIMO the ability to walk as we did, it also can understand body language and speaking programmed commands, recognize faces and voices and interface with IC Communication cards. ASIMO has arms and hands so they can do things like turn on lights, open doors, carry objects and push carts.
Rather than building a robot that will be another toy, Honda wanted to create a robot that would be a helper for people - a robot to help around the house, helping the elderly, or helping someone in a wheelchair or bed. ASIMO is 4 feet 3 inches (1.3 meters) tall, the height of the right to see eye to eye with someone seated in a chair. This allows ASIMO to do the job it was created to do without too big and threatening. Often referred to as looking like "a child wearing a spacesuit," ASIMO's friendly appearance and nonthreatening size work well for the purposes Honda had in mind when creating it.
Unless you know a lot about robots, you may not fully understand the incredible milestone it is that ASIMO to walk as we lakukan.Bagian most important of ASIMO's walk is the ability to change. Instead of having to stop and shift, and random stops, and stopped and shifted into a new direction, ASIMO bent and smoothly changed just like humans. ASIMO can also adjust the steps in case it tripped, pushed, or come across something that changes the normal flow.
To achieve this, ASIMO's engineers must find ways to work with the inertial forces created when walking. For example, Earth's gravity creates a force, as well as the speed when you walk. Those two forces are called "total inertia force." There is also the force generated when you connect your feet to the ground, called the "ground reaction force." These forces have to balance out, and the posture of the body must work to make it happen. This is called "time zero point" (ZMP).
To control ASIMO's posture, engineers worked in three areas of control:
Floor reaction control means that the soles of the feet absorb floor is not flat retaining the position of the company.
Target ZMP control means that when ASIMO can not stand up straight and the body begins to fall forward, it maintains the position by moving the upper body in the opposite direction with the arrival of autumn. At the same time, it speeds up a running quickly offset the fall.
Kicking foot planting location control when the target ZMP control has been activated. It adjusts the length step to regain the true relationship between body position and velocity and step length.
ASIMO's capabilities and Pengedalian
ASIMO robot is not autonomous. Unable to enter the room and make your own decisions about how to navigate. ASIMO either has to be programmed to perform certain jobs in certain areas that have a marker that he understands, or must be manually controlled by a human.
ASIMO can be controlled by four methods:
PC
Wireless controller (sort of like a joystick)
Gestures
Voice commands
Using 802.11 wireless technology and laptop or desktop computer, you can control ASIMO as well as see what ASIMO sees through the eyes of the camera. ASIMO can also use the PC connection to access the Internet and retrieve information for you, such as weather and news.
Wireless joystick controller operates ASIMO's movement in the same way you would operate the remote control car. You can make ASIMO forward, backward, sideways, diagonally, in circles, running in a corner or walk in lingkaran.Membuat ASIMO move by remote control may not seem that advanced, but ASIMO does have the ability to adjust step. If you have walked to the front, and he met with a slope or a kind of obstacle, ASIMO will automatically adjust the measures to accommodate the plains.
ASIMO can recognize and react to some of the movements and posture, allowing the user to Asimo nonverbal commands. You can indicate a specific place you want to ASIMO to walk towards, for example, and will follow your lead Anda.Jika wave to ASIMO, he will respond with its own wave. It can even recognize when you want to shake his hand.
and the need to move, and then control that moves. Servos use a position-sensing device (also called a digital decoder) to ensure that the motor shaft is in the right position. They usually use power proportional to the mechanical loads they carry. A lightly loaded servo, for example, do not use much energy.
ASIMO has 34 servo motors that move the body in the body, arms, hands, legs, feet, ankles and other moving parts. ASIMO manage a series of servo motors to control each type of movement.
ASIMO is powered by a rechargeable, 51.8 volt lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery that lasts for one hour on a single charge. ASIMO is stored in the battery pack and weighs about 13 pounds. ASIMO's battery takes three hours to fully charge, so the second (and third) battery is very important when you need ASIMO to operate for a long time. Users can charge the battery onboard ASIMO through a power or remove the backpack to be filled separately.
Honda Motor Company developed ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, and is the most advanced humanoid robot in the world. According to the ASIMO Web site, ASIMO is the world's first humanoid robot that can walk independently and climb stairs.
In addition to ASIMO the ability to walk as we did, it also can understand body language and speaking programmed commands, recognize faces and voices and interface with IC Communication cards. ASIMO has arms and hands so they can do things like turn on lights, open doors, carry objects and push carts.
Rather than building a robot that will be another toy, Honda wanted to create a robot that would be a helper for people - a robot to help around the house, helping the elderly, or helping someone in a wheelchair or bed. ASIMO is 4 feet 3 inches (1.3 meters) tall, the height of the right to see eye to eye with someone seated in a chair. This allows ASIMO to do the job it was created to do without too big and threatening. Often referred to as looking like "a child wearing a spacesuit," ASIMO's friendly appearance and nonthreatening size work well for the purposes Honda had in mind when creating it.
Unless you know a lot about robots, you may not fully understand the incredible milestone it is that ASIMO to walk as we lakukan.Bagian most important of ASIMO's walk is the ability to change. Instead of having to stop and shift, and random stops, and stopped and shifted into a new direction, ASIMO bent and smoothly changed just like humans. ASIMO can also adjust the steps in case it tripped, pushed, or come across something that changes the normal flow.
To achieve this, ASIMO's engineers must find ways to work with the inertial forces created when walking. For example, Earth's gravity creates a force, as well as the speed when you walk. Those two forces are called "total inertia force." There is also the force generated when you connect your feet to the ground, called the "ground reaction force." These forces have to balance out, and the posture of the body must work to make it happen. This is called "time zero point" (ZMP).
To control ASIMO's posture, engineers worked in three areas of control:
Floor reaction control means that the soles of the feet absorb floor is not flat retaining the position of the company.
Target ZMP control means that when ASIMO can not stand up straight and the body begins to fall forward, it maintains the position by moving the upper body in the opposite direction with the arrival of autumn. At the same time, it speeds up a running quickly offset the fall.
Kicking foot planting location control when the target ZMP control has been activated. It adjusts the length step to regain the true relationship between body position and velocity and step length.
ASIMO's capabilities and Pengedalian
ASIMO robot is not autonomous. Unable to enter the room and make your own decisions about how to navigate. ASIMO either has to be programmed to perform certain jobs in certain areas that have a marker that he understands, or must be manually controlled by a human.
ASIMO can be controlled by four methods:
PC
Wireless controller (sort of like a joystick)
Gestures
Voice commands
Using 802.11 wireless technology and laptop or desktop computer, you can control ASIMO as well as see what ASIMO sees through the eyes of the camera. ASIMO can also use the PC connection to access the Internet and retrieve information for you, such as weather and news.
Wireless joystick controller operates ASIMO's movement in the same way you would operate the remote control car. You can make ASIMO forward, backward, sideways, diagonally, in circles, running in a corner or walk in lingkaran.Membuat ASIMO move by remote control may not seem that advanced, but ASIMO does have the ability to adjust step. If you have walked to the front, and he met with a slope or a kind of obstacle, ASIMO will automatically adjust the measures to accommodate the plains.
ASIMO can recognize and react to some of the movements and posture, allowing the user to Asimo nonverbal commands. You can indicate a specific place you want to ASIMO to walk towards, for example, and will follow your lead Anda.Jika wave to ASIMO, he will respond with its own wave. It can even recognize when you want to shake his hand.
and the need to move, and then control that moves. Servos use a position-sensing device (also called a digital decoder) to ensure that the motor shaft is in the right position. They usually use power proportional to the mechanical loads they carry. A lightly loaded servo, for example, do not use much energy.
ASIMO has 34 servo motors that move the body in the body, arms, hands, legs, feet, ankles and other moving parts. ASIMO manage a series of servo motors to control each type of movement.
ASIMO is powered by a rechargeable, 51.8 volt lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery that lasts for one hour on a single charge. ASIMO is stored in the battery pack and weighs about 13 pounds. ASIMO's battery takes three hours to fully charge, so the second (and third) battery is very important when you need ASIMO to operate for a long time. Users can charge the battery onboard ASIMO through a power or remove the backpack to be filled separately.
ASIMO, Robot from Honda Japan
Honda took the opportunity in the development of two-legged humanoid robot that can walk like a human. Reporting from Honda.com, humanoid robots are small, lightweight, and named Asimo (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility.rom), a robotic revolution in the new era has a style that is a robot that resembles a human in walking.
One reason for Honda's ASIMO robot created in a few years ago was to develop a robot that can run itself, which is biased to help humans as well as their use in community practice. ASIMO robot research and development began in 1996 with a prototype robot P2, and in 1997 in the format of P3 robot.
Including the prototype of the robot Asimo P3, which can run smoothly and without noise. With ASIMO's height is about 120 cm visible eyes will align with the eyes of adults when adults sit in a chair. ASIMO is lighter than the P3, the higher 40 cm and 87 kg heavier than the Asimo. With a weight of 43 kg, Asimo can operate household appliances, grabbed the door knob, dance, and perform household tasks.
Advanced Walking Robot ASIMO has Technology that can predict and control the movement in the direction of gravity, which combined with the existing control run, ie, technology iWalk (intelligent real-time flexible walking). The combination of both technologies can produce a subtle change in direction, so it looks natural and stable like a human. Operation of the robot using the Simple Operation To, to facilitate the course of robots, flexible walking control, and operation buttons (from the motion cues and hand waving) which can be operated from a workstation or portable control mounted on the hand. The expansion of distance movement Asimo can be done by adding the angle of movement shoulder high around 20 degrees and elbow about 15 degrees horizontal, vertical arm motion also angle of 105 degrees, which is much broader than P3 robot.
Here are the specifications of the Honda Asimo robot:
One reason for Honda's ASIMO robot created in a few years ago was to develop a robot that can run itself, which is biased to help humans as well as their use in community practice. ASIMO robot research and development began in 1996 with a prototype robot P2, and in 1997 in the format of P3 robot.
Including the prototype of the robot Asimo P3, which can run smoothly and without noise. With ASIMO's height is about 120 cm visible eyes will align with the eyes of adults when adults sit in a chair. ASIMO is lighter than the P3, the higher 40 cm and 87 kg heavier than the Asimo. With a weight of 43 kg, Asimo can operate household appliances, grabbed the door knob, dance, and perform household tasks.
Advanced Walking Robot ASIMO has Technology that can predict and control the movement in the direction of gravity, which combined with the existing control run, ie, technology iWalk (intelligent real-time flexible walking). The combination of both technologies can produce a subtle change in direction, so it looks natural and stable like a human. Operation of the robot using the Simple Operation To, to facilitate the course of robots, flexible walking control, and operation buttons (from the motion cues and hand waving) which can be operated from a workstation or portable control mounted on the hand. The expansion of distance movement Asimo can be done by adding the angle of movement shoulder high around 20 degrees and elbow about 15 degrees horizontal, vertical arm motion also angle of 105 degrees, which is much broader than P3 robot.
Here are the specifications of the Honda Asimo robot:
- Weight: 43kg
- Height: 1,200 mm
- Thickness: 440mm
- Length: 450mm
- Speed runs: 0 - 1.6km / h
- Degrees of freedom of motion of the head: 2 degrees
- Degrees of freedom of arm movement: 5 x 2 = 10 degrees
- Degrees of freedom of movement of hand: 1 x 2 = 2 degrees
- Degrees of freedom footwork: 6 x 2 = 12 degrees
- The total degrees of freedom of movement: 26 degrees
- Mover robots: servomotor + decelerator + Harmonic Drive ECU
- Controller: Walking / Operation Control ECU, ECU Wireless Transmission Sensor
- Sensor feet: 6-axis
- Sensor body: Gyroscope & Deceleration
- Source of power: 38.4V/10AH (Ni-MN)
- Operation: Work Station & Portable Controller
- Excess robot Asimo:
- Small and lightweight
- Walking sophisticated Technology
- The movement of your arms wide
- Design a people-friendly
- How easy operation
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