Nexus 7 is Finally in the Hands of Consumers

Well not really consumers - the geeks are finally getting their hands on the much hyped Nexus 7. And they are putting it through its paces. As a result, the first wave of bug reports are beginning to surface.
Here is the list of issues so far:

1) Device unresponsive while performing intensive operations - as reported on Venturebeat.com. Which seems to be similiar to an issue reported about screen responsiveness after play games, and as we all know games can be considered an "intensive operation".

2) Backlight bleeding which is being caused by device display not being properly screwed in, causing them to move or dislodge. Users have reported a squeaking noise around the plastic bezel.

It sounds like there may be a few rotten Apples in the first batch of Nexus 7's , which isn't uncommon for new devices. These issues may be easily resolved by a software update and a quick twist of a screw, so by no means do these reports indicate that the Nexus 7 is a failure. I am sure that by next week someone will be complaining about device temperature and battery life. You can read my complaint about the lack of expandable storage here

iPhone 5 - The Wait Continues

It looks like we won't have a release date for the iPhone 5 this month - maybe next month or the one after that. Rather than speculate let's take a look at few cool things you can get for your current iPhone.

iGills Smart Diving

1. Let's get wet or rather keep dry - iGills Smart Diving System is a polycarbonate case (comes with an app), that turns your iPhone into a recreational dive computer/logbook - down to 130 feet. It's not cheap - this kit will set you back $330 clams!
2.  Solaveil Suncare has released a suncare app, which tracks your skin, hair and eye colour, and uses GPS from your  iPhone to identify local temperatures and UV estimates in order to give you reminder alarms.
3. Do you need help dressing when the weather isn't right - well look no further than Cloth - a weather sensitive fashion app. You can add additional weather related metadata to your outfits, so if the weather isn't cooperating you can quickly scan what you have in your closet. In my case, everything I own is at the dry cleaners.

So Where is The iPad Mini?

According to the rumor mill its in Brazil. Foxconn, the well-know electronics manufacturer will be building the new 7-inch iPad at its Brazilian plant. While the first batch of mini's may come from Brazil - Foxconn is expanding it production capabilities with a new billion dollar facility in Indonesia. Where it will provide millions of jobs and  plans to pay the folks $100 a month.

Read:
http://mediamixmaster.blogspot.com/2012/07/google-nexus-7-expandable-storage.html

Youtube a Destination For News

The Pew Research Center for Excellence in Journalism has released a study examining the most popular news videos on Youtube from January 2011 to March 2012. They were able to determine that citizen posted videos were the most viewed a third of the time, as compared to tradition media organizations. The study also sited a continuous journalistic "dialogue" between citizens and media orgainzations - where video content gets married. This mix of amateur and pro video has created a real on demand news platform - that still has credibility.

Nexus 7 Tablet - SOLD OUT!

Gamestop and other retailers are sporting "Backordered" on their Nexus 7 tablet pages. As a result, consumers should expect a 1-2 week delay. But the situation may get worse, as the popularity of Nexus 7 increases and I expect that it will. Sporting a great set of features at a low price, the Nexus 7 is in a position to disrupt both Amazon and Apple. If you are considering the Nexus 7 spend the extra $50 and get the 16GB model - you'll be happier.

Google's Nexus 7 Only Costs $152 to Make

According to All Things D, research house IHS iSuppli provided the figure after they performed a tear down on a Nexus 7. The 8-GB model sells for $199, costs $151.75 to build and 
the 16GB model sells for $249, costs $159.25 to build, the only difference is the extra memory. I have to admit that I am still upset about lack of an SD slot.
As the rumor mill continues to turn, expect to start hearing more about iPad mini and the new Kindle Fire.

LinkedIn Is Cleaning Up

Is the popular networking site down again or did they schedule routine maintenance @ 11:30am?

Galaxy Nexus Is Available Again

Apple took a bite out of Samsung a week ago when it won a patent infringement decision, which banned the sale of the device in the US. But Samsung has promised to release a patch that will prevent its users from accessing the Siri-like functionality in question. As a result, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has lifted the sales ban.

Google Nexus 7 - Expandable Storage Missing

I'll admit that I can't wait to get my hands on the Nexus 7, but I was very disappointed to see that its storage isn't expandable. This is a real let down. Give me an SD slot, so I don't have to be so conscious of what I have stored on my tablet. My 16 gb iPad has proven to be a headache when it comes to storage. I can't keep my family photos, music, movies, apps and Apple university items on my tablet at the same time. So I have had to delete the university videos, two movies and I deleted almost all of my music. A friend suggested that I upgrade to the 64 gb iPad --- its not an invest I'd chose to make at the moment. Expandable storage should have been a feature included in the first version of the Nexus 7 - Samsung offers it in the Galaxy.

Samsung Galaxy Pictured 

Related Stories:
http://mediamixmaster.blogspot.com/2012/03/i-read-article-from-washington-post.html

http://mediamixmaster.blogspot.com/2012/01/299-ipad-2-seen-shaking-up-tablet.html

http://mediamixmaster.blogspot.com/2012/01/where-are-99-tablets.html

Is Your Airline Googling You?

As may people have learned, your online social media profile is an open invitation to the world to get to know, not just your friends. While most people accept the fact that potential employers, academic institutions, and friends might you look you up - but how surprised would you be to know that British Airways plans to Google its VIP customers before they fly. No this isn't a new security measure - but an attempt to create a more personalized experience for their VIP customers by putting a face to the VIP. The new program know as "Know Me" --- seems like a real stretch. BA employees will scour flight lists to identify VIP's - then forward images of the VIP's to other BA staff (including its pilots) - --- and everyone will memorize the faces and names of each VIP.  I don't know about other customers, but I prefer my pilots being focused on the flight plan rather trying to remember the faces and names of VIP's.
I can help the folks at BA --- treat every customer who uses your airline like a VIP! Think of all the money I just saved you on iPads!

Google Nexus Tablet

I am going to pre-order my Nexus 7 today. With impressive specs and a $199 price tag - Google has set  the bar high with a low price.  The tablets wars are less about whether your tablet is 7 inches or 10 inches, or how fast your processor is. This war is about price! Consumers will overlook size and features to get their hands on a tablet. In January I wrote a blog entitled - "Where Are the $99 Tablets" - and I can't wait for Christmas - hopefully we'll have a $99 tablet from Google.