Création des Logiciels de gestion d'Entreprise, Création et référencement des sites web, Réseaux et Maintenance, Conception
Seo Master present to you:
2013, By: Seo Master
Microsoft Kin Two Review - Introduction and Design | ||||||||||||
Introductionhe Kin Two, like the Kin One, is all about social networking. A constant stream of Twitter, Facebook and MySpace updates piles onto the phone's main stream throughout the day. But with updates organized and sized in a readable way, the stream never gets too cluttered.
Other parts of the phone get less attention. There's no instant messaging on the phone, no extras like visual voicemail or photo editing options, and messages and emails are stored separately, as are contact entries from various sources. The Kin Two is a fun option for young social butterflies and the limited, flat-fee entertainment options make managing the cell phone bill easier. But people that want more applications, downloads and extra options may get bored with the phone. DesignThe Kin Two definitely has a more approachable look than the Kin One. While the Kin One is close to square-shaped and compact, the Kin Two is less likely to turn heads with its more standard look and measurements of 4.38-inches long, 2.36-inches across and 0.64-inch thick. The Kin Two also looks more professional, with its all-black exterior. Whether blending in is a good thing or a bad thing depends on personal taste.
The screen view can go from horizontal to vertical based on which way the phone is turned. The screen has touch screen options for zoom, moving left to right and back through panels, and making selections. There's a back button below the screen and an earpiece above the screen. Volume and photo capture keys are on the right side of the phone, a USB port is on the bottom, a headphone jack is on the top, the power button is on the top right corner, and the back of the phone has the flash and lens for the 8.0-megapixel camera/camcorder. The Kin Two has a sleeker look and a larger screen than the Kin One. At 4.7 ounces, it's about 0.8 ounce heavier than the original, but most will appreciate the extra space, especially people that like to see things in a larger font. It may not turn heads, but that may be the idea. Out of the box the Microsoft Kin Two comes with a battery, a USB power adapter, a micro-USB cable, a stereo headset, a quick start guide, a warranty guide and a product safety guide. CameraWhere most smartphone cameras, including the one on the Kin One, stop at 5.0-megapixel, the Kin Two has an almost unheard-of 8.0-megapixel camera. Images come out crisp and clear, but not so sharp that one can make out minute details in the photo.
Also pictures can't be edited, only shared or placed somewhere on the phone, once shot and video recorded with the camcorder have no sound and can only be deleted, not edited, once captured. Settings for the video are high or email quality resolution and auto or night mode. Videos have decent quality, but the camcorder doesn't work well in low light. The night mode function helps this situation, but images only get lighter after they've been focused on for a few seconds, so moving the phone around a lot while recording will produce a poor product at night.
The Kin Two's camera is stronger than the Kin One's and has a better chance of producing bright, colorful images. But the difference isn't that immense, and the settings and editing options, which could use an upgrade, are the same. Also the same is the fact that the camcorder doesn't record audio, which is a poor choice given the technology available on most smartphones. Basic FeaturesThe Kin Two is made for social networking-crazed teens. Instead of offering just one glimpse at a time of what's going on on Twitter, Facebook or MySpace, as is the case with the Palm Pixi Plus and Motorola Devour, Kin Two users can see a full stretch of updates from these networking sites. The list items are large enough to be easy to read but small enough not to clutter the main screen, where the list appears. The Kin Loop system integrates any of the above mentioned social networking accounts into the loop, and any older posts can be seen by selecting "more" at the bottom of the list.
Any time a person wants to share a comment on a social site, they can simply type it into a status update line at the top of the main screen. For more complex sharing, there's the Kin Spot. A person wanting to share a news feed, search result, picture, video or Web page address can simply drag that information down to the spot, which is a dot at the bottom center of the screen, and then drag into the spot the names of contacts the person wants to share that information with. The spot can be used to send out an item via email or can be uploaded to a social networking site. It's a handy way to do something that would be a more difficult task if performed in the traditional manner on a Web site, given the size of the screen, and works quickly. The Kin Two also has Kin Studio, which is a back-up system for any information saved on the phone. Information is backed-up in an account at Kin.com, so everything from songs to photos saved on the phone can be accessed remotely if the phone is lost, stolen or damaged. It has email, text and multimedia messaging, social networking integration, entertainment from Zune, a browser, an 8.0-megapixel camera, an alarm, a news feed reader and settings, help and search sections. It doesn't have a calendar feature, instant messaging, can't read Flash items, and doesn't have the ability to create PDF or Microsoft Office documents. The Kin Two has most of the basic functions a phone should have, but few extras that will really set it apart on the smartphone market. It's missing plenty of options that business people count on. But given it's demographic, that's probably okay. Social networking is the phone's claim to fame, but don't depend on it for much else. The 3.4-inch screen on the Kin Two makes viewing Web pages, watching videos and organizing playlists a more desirable task than doing any of those things on the 2.6-inch screen that comes with the Kin One. When it comes to smartphone, as long as the phone can still slide into a pocket easily, bigger is better for screens, and 3.4-inches is closer to what most smartphones come with these days. The Kin Two has a good-sized screen, enough touch screen options to keep most people happy, and shows images in high resolution. It works relatively fast, but can have a bit of a lag. The screen image can be viewed in horizontal or vertical mode, but beware, the phone likes to switch between the two at the slightest movement. As with the Kin One, there are only three levels for volume, and high and normal sound about the same, while the soft level is so quiet it wouldn't be very useful to anyone that wants to hear the phone at all. Call quality is good, music plays clearly, especially on the 3.5 mm headset, but the audio on the phone isn't anything special. There isn't a wide range of volume options, and a greater variety of ringtones would be a bonus in any future incarnations of the phone. The Kin Two allows users to integrate multiple email accounts into the phone, including accounts from Windows Live Hotmail, Gmail, AOL Mail, Yahoo Mail, Microsoft Exchange and other POP3/IMAP4 sources. The phone also offers text and multimedia messaging. Plus there's the messages rolling in on a regular basis from Twitter, MySpace and Facebook on the main screen via Kin Loop. There are some items missing, though. The phone does not support instant messaging, and, unlike some Verizon phones, does not offer visual voicemail, which is a service that takes a voice message and turns it into a text message. The phone also keeps it simple when it comes to contacts. It integrates contact information instantly from all social networking sites integrated into the phone, but does not allow for contact entries that may overlap to become just one contact entry with information from multiple sources. Contact entries can include information on birthdays and anniversaries, work and home addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Each contact can have a photo and ringtone assigned to them as well. There are plenty of method for keeping in touch on the Kin Two, and most users will be satisfied with texting, email and social networking updates. But the Kin Two may not offer enough to keep instant message aficionados and those that prefer a more complex system of organizing contacts satisfied. There are two main sources of entertainment on the Kin Two: the Zune subscription and social networking. Watching updates from friends roll in and posting news of your own via the Kin Loop list of integrated social updates can keep users entertained for hours. But if that gets old, users can listen to FM radio, watch videos and download and listen to music through Zune. The absence of games and extra applications, or any way to add them to the phone, is unusual and a let down. If the phone is marketed to teens, one would think arcade and video game-style entertainment would be prevalent on the phone. With iPhone and Android application stores stuffing more option in every day, it's also an interesting choice to leave an application store off this phone. Music lovers and those just wanting to stay in touch and maybe download a few videos may be satisfied with the Kin Two's entertainment options. But for anyone seeking unique options or looking for a phone that's more for business and pleasure than simple communication, the Kin Two isn't the best pick. The Kin Two operates on Verizon's high-speed network and connects quickly to the Internet through its 3G service or a Wi-Fi connection, so going without a signal shouldn't be much of a problem. The browser provides full HTML views of Web pages, so you'll see the same look on a computer as you'll see on the phone. Some zooming is required to be able to read everything on the page, but it's not as hard to read the fine print on the Kin Two's larger screen as it is to peer at the Kin One's 2.6-inch screen. The Kin Two offers a relatively enjoyable Web surfing experience. There are two different ways to connect to the Internet, and Web pages look the way they would on a computer. Because the browser is not a system anyone's used to seeing on a computer, though, the navigation experience can be trying. There's no Flash support or ability to create tabs, so expect only a basic Web experience. The Kin Two, like its cousin, comes with 256MB of RAM. Internal memory totals 8GB, more than the 4GB on the Kin One. There's a good amount of memory on the Kin Two, just not a lot of opportunity to use it. With limited entertainment and application options, most of that memory is designed to handle the endless news and social networking feed. The battery can last through a six-hour conversation, but not much longer, and can remain on standby without a charge for about 10 days. The micro-USB cable connects the phone to a computer so a person can upload song files onto the Kin Two. The phone also connects to Bluetooth headset and hands-free devices (dual audio and video profile supported) and a 3.5 mm headset. There are plenty of ways to connect to the phone, but Kin Two is really about connecting to others with social networking and news feed integration. There aren't many options for Bluetooth use, but the target audience for the phone, teens, isn't big on it anyway. The Kin Two has some upgrades from the Kin One, including a more powerful camera/camcorder, a bigger screen, and a less conspicuous color scheme. It also has a downgrade from the Kin One in internal memory and its keypad is a bit harder to type on since the keys are shorter. But plenty of things about the Kin Two that could use an upgrade are just like the Kin One. There's no calendar or calculator, simple basics on most phones, and instant messaging is unavailable. The 8.0-megapixel camera takes decent shots, but there aren't many setting options and zero editing options. The Zune entertainment system is unfamiliar to most users and doesn't allow users to get the games and applications so many other smartphones allow for. While most other companies strive to offer as many applications as possible to attract customers, the Kin Two hangs its hat on social networking. The Kin Spot and Kin Loop technology make for an easy-to-manage and easy-to-read experience keeping up with Twitter, Facebook and MySpace friends. If that isn't enough, Kin Two users can also keep in touch on email or through text and multimedia messaging. The phone also connects to computers and Bluetooth devices, has lots of storage room to support the Kin Loop, and has a screen large enough to make reading messages a snap for even people with poor eyesight. The Web browser offers a speedy experience available through a 3G or Wi-Fi connection, but the browser doesn't support Flash or tabs and can be confusing to navigate at first. Sound quality is alright, but there are few volume level options on the phone. The design is sleek and more standard than the Kin One, but it's heavier than its predecessor. Those looking for a simplified phone experience focused on chatting, sharing and seeing what's new with friends with near-real-time updates are better candidates for the Kin Two. |
The Kin Two is a horizontal slider with a full QWERTY keypad tucked under its face. The keypad is wide enough to make mistyping difficult, but a bit short. As with the Kin One, the number keys are all arranged on the top row of keys, a configuration Blackberry users will have to get used to.
There are two-dozen ringtones to choose from on the phone, plus nine alert sounds and half a dozen alarm sounds. They're all wordless and generic, which may bum out some teens that prefer to have a ringtone featuring the latest hit as their ringtone. The tones sound a bit tinny and simple.
2013, By: Seo Master
Seo Master present to you:
2013, By: Seo Master
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Introductionor all the buzz that surrounded the iPhone 4, Apple's chief executive Steve Jobs offered few surprises when he unveiled the device after details had leaked out last March.
But there are minuses, First, FaceTime, unfortunately, is limited to only Wi-Fi connections and to other iPhone 4s. It also falls behind the Evo, which has better 8.0-megapixel camera and fourth-generation, or 4G, connectivity. Also, the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iPhone, AT&T, decided to discontinued its unlimited data plan, so new customers will have to pay by the gigabyte. But when Jobs wrapped up his presentation, the biggest disappointment to many customers was that the event had come and gone with no mention of Verizon. Analysts has speculated that Apple may lose its grip on the iPhone by the end of the year, with new products slated for rivals such as T-Mobile and Verizon coming as early as the beginning of 2011. When the original iPhone was unveiled in 2007, Apple reinvented the smartphone, combining three products -- a phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls and the Internet communication of a desktop device -- making competitors scramble to recover. But as many rivals catch up, the iPhone's dominance has began to wane. Still, the iPhone 4 is impressive. It's worth a look for consumers who need a fast smartphone with robust features and cutting-edge design. The HTC's Evo 4G and Droid Incredible may offer more in terms of hardware and power but they still pale in comparison to Apple's distinctive styling and robust software. Design
We dropped the iPhone 4 several times from a few feet onto a hard surface. There were no problems. And it survived without a single scratch. Jobs likes thin. And taking a page from the MacBook Air, the new iPhone 4 is the world's thinnest smartphone, measuring a remarkable 9.3 millimeters thin -- that's over 25 percent thinner than its predecessor, the iPhone 3GS, and HTC's Droid Incredible and Evo 4G devices. Although they all weigh about the same, except the brick-like Evo, which is nearly 30 percent heavier, the iPhone 4 feels denser and sturdier -- more like a a quality product than a disposable device. At first glance, the stainless steel band around the rim seems uncharacteristically Apple, but it's actually there for a reason. It not only offers a ridged structure to withstand the everyday bumps and drops, but also functions as a "multi-band" antenna for stronger Wi-Fi connections and improved cellular reception. The dramatic change represents a radical shift from its predecessors, which hid the antenna under the shell, but also puts out nearly 50 percent more radio-frequency radiation than the 3GS. The iPhone 4, like the 3GS, has a large 3.5-inch touch screen display, much smaller than the Evo's 4.3-inch behemoth. But the iPhone 4 blows everyone away with outstanding picture quality. Its 640 by 960 resolution "retina display" is over four times sharper than the 3GS. It has dual cameras -- a high-resolution 5.0-megapixel one with LED flash on the back for photos, and a second 0.3-megapixel front-facing one for "FaceTime" video-chatting. A backside illumination sensor helps capture beautiful photos in low-light environments.
The original iPhone had an aluminum back plate and felt like a quality product. The 3G and 3GS, subsequently, used plastic, which gave them a cheaper feel. Now the iPhone 4's shiny and beautiful materials brings back a standard that matches its hefty price. It's shockingly thin and feels great in the hand. You really don't quite notice it until you hold it. It's another sexy design we've all come to expect from Apple and, hands down, the best looking phone of the bunch. But just be aware that you'll be constantly wiping it. Out of the box, the Apple iPhone 4 comes with a standard battery, a USB power adapter, a dock connector to USB cable, earphones with remote and microphone, and customary documentation. CameraThe iPhone has two cameras. The one on the back, which takes photos and high-definition videos, has a 5.0-megapixel resolution and a LED flash. Another on the front, which is used for video chatting, is 0.3-megapixels.
One of the biggest highlights of the iPhone is its ability to record 720p video at 30 frames per second. What does that mean? Videos come out very well in most conditions. While the quality is far from that from a high-definition 1080p camcorder, it does exceptionally well for a phone. For an additional $4.99, users can buy iMovie, an Apple app that lets you edit videos, add transitions and music and, basically, throw together video postcards on the handset -- then upload it to YouTube.
The lesser front-facing 0.3-megapixel camera, meanwhile, is used for self-portraits or for two-way video-chatting through Apple's "FaceTime" app. Just press a button, and if the other person accepts the invitation, their image appears in the screen, with your own image showing in the corner. During a video call, users can tap the screen and switch to the rear lens, to show the caller around the room. You can even start a video call as an audio call, push the button, and swap to a Wi-Fi FaceTime call. It's simple. There is no setup and there's nothing to learn. But, unfortunately, the service is limited to Wi-Fi, not over AT&T's network, and only to another iPhone 4. The HTC Evo version for Verizon, called Qik, works over the carrier's 4G network.
Video calling is one of this handset's best features, but Wi-Fi- and iPhone 4-only limitations really cripple its usefulness. Apple says it will make the technology free to others and aims to have millions of devices using it in the future. Basic FeaturesThe iPhone 4 runs on Apple's latest iOS4 mobile operating system, updating the software with hundreds of improvements, but none more significant than multitasking. In previous iPhones, Apple had allowed some apps to run in the background, but they were largely limited to the company's own programs. But now all apps can be quickly moved to the background, the way Android phones have already done.
The iPhone 4 is incredibly responsive thanks to a blazing-fast 1-gigahertz A4 processor, the same chip on the iPad. Since Apple designed both the hardware and software, the handset doesn't suffer from fragmentation problems that have plagued Windows Mobile and Android devices. That means a more stable device. After years of complaints, Apple finally added multitasking to the iPhone. It smoothly, with no hiccups or stalls, even with several programs. But that doesn't mean every app can run in the background. To prevent a disastrous power drain on the battery, Apple has allowed only certain apps to multitask, such as streaming music services like Pandora, navigation apps, Internet calling programs. Sadly, social networking streams from Twitter and Facebook don't update in the background. Apple said constantly grabbing hundreds of updates would drain the battery too quickly. For many users, the company's limited version of multitasking is disappointing.
Apple also claims longer battery life, which Jobs attributed to the improve A4 chip. He said the iPhone 4 has up to seven hours of talk time -- compared to five hours on the previous model -- six hours of browsing, 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music and 300 hours of standby. In our tests, the iPhone never reached the warning level in a single day. Microsoft and Google's devices, which are built by a myriad of handset makers, often suffer from poor integration of hardware and software. But this isn't the case with iPhones. Everything seems to be well designed and tightly fit from both sides. While not much is added with iOS4 -- aside from multitasking which one could argue should have been included earlier -- gives the iPhone 4 a responsive, familiar feel. ScreenThe iPhone 4's 3.5-inch screen, was once considered huge, is now smaller than other smartphones like the Evo's 4.3-inch behemoth. It has the same-sized display as the 3GS. But unlike its predecessor, the iPhone 4 has four times the pixels, 640 by 960 pixels, and a contrast ratio that's four times more vivid, making text appear almost like ink on fine paper.
At a whopping 326 pixels per inch, the display is so incredibly sharp that no other phones out there compare, including smartphones from HTC. For comparison, original iPhone had just 163 pixels per inch. The screen can register multiple touches at once and supports advanced gestures such as pinch-to-zoom, two-finger tap, and more.
Familiar features include an accelerometer to change from portrait and landscape views, proximity sensor that turns off the screen when on a call and an ambient light sensor to adjust the brightness level to prolong battery life. The iPhone 4's screen isn't the biggest one on the block, but it definitely is the sharpest one. Apple has once again pushed touch screen technology by offering an exceptional display that's about as good as it gets. AudioThe iPhone 4 comes with Apple's latest iTunes music player. Aside from features users have come to know and love, iOS4 can now create and edit custom playlists on the phone and sync nested folders. Not a whole lot is new since the 3GS, but then again, the iPhone 3GS's music features were significantly more advanced than the next best alternative. Apple just does portable music better than anyone else.
Voice quality is excellent, even on speakerphone calls. That's because it has two microphones, one on the top and another on the bottom, for noise-cancellation and improved call clarity in noisy environments. MessagingThe iOS4 comes with a new unified inbox that works with popular email providers, including AOL, Gmail and Yahoo, and industry-standard POP3 and IMAP4 systems. Users can access each inbox separately or quickly view all incoming messages together. Palm's WebOS had this feature last year, but nonetheless, it's nice to have.
In addition, emails can be "threaded" together in a chain of replies for an easier view of an entire conversation. It supports rich HTML email and attachments such as Microsoft Office documents or PDFs. The iPhone 4 has a "more intelligent" on-screen keyboard. An improved dictionary makes better predictions, suggestions and corrections of words and punctuation errors. Handy shortcuts include tapping the space bar twice for a period at the end of sentences, double-tapping the screen to cut, copy, or paste, and better overall usability.
The iPhone 4 also adapts its keys and layout for different apps, such as a ".com" key in the browser and a date and time wheel in the calendar. And users can even connect an external Bluetooth wireless keyboard. Overall, small refinements make typing and emailing more convenient. Apple's iPhones have always been at the forefront of multimedia and entertainment, and the iPhone 4 is no different. Customers can connect to iTunes to buy songs, TV shows, movies, games and apps from Apple's vast library. If there ever was a strength, this would be it. Others just haven't been able to match the range or depth of third-party software for the iPhone. Apple will be launching a new social-gaming network, called "Game Center," where users will be able to invite friends to play games, track their achievements and compare their high scores on a leader board. Game Center will be available on iPhones and iPods running iOS4 later this year. As an extension to the iPad, the iPhone 4 also includes "iBooks," an app that lets readers download books from its iTunes store. The iPhone 4 syncs with other Apple products, like the iPad, so users can read the same book across all of its devices. But despite the higher-resolution screen, reading an e-book on the iPhone 4's 3.5-inch screen is not very comfortable. It's quite hard to beat the entertainment features on the iPhone 4. Apple has built a commanding lead by being the leader for third-party apps. Mobile versions of popular games and apps are available from iTunes, as well as favorite TV shows, movies and now books. While Amazon's Kindle has a larger selection of novels, Apple is quickly catching up. Hands down, Apple beats everyone else in fun. Apple pioneered pinch-to-zoom technology. And the iPhone 4 has always been in the lead when it comes mobile browsing. Safari is the browser in the mobile market, but the iPhone 4 falls behind in Internet speeds. One thing to note is that the iPhone 4 does not run on fourth-generation, or 4G, networks. It's just the fourth-generation iPhone. It runs on AT&T's high-speed 3.5G network, using HSDPA technology, and clocks in at around 1 to 1.5 megabit per second, the same as the 3GS. The Evo, a true 4G phone, is more than twice as fast. Past iPhone customers were plagued by slow network speeds, but AT&T promises that to be a thing of the past. After extensive infrastructure upgrades, and even free Wi-Fi to ease the load in Times Square, AT&T now even allows "tethering," or using the iPhone as a laptop modem -- for an additional $20 a month. For the casual user, 16-gigabytes should be enough. That stores around 2,000 songs or hundreds of videos. But for consumers who plan on loading up on apps and movies, 32-gigabytes should probably be a better choice. Something to keep in mind. Aside from headsets, car-kits and PCs, the iPhone 4 can also connect to a wireless Bluetooth keyboard to type even faster. For a monthly fee, AT&T also lets customers use it as a modem for a laptop. But tried-and-true Wi-Fi b, g -- and new "n" band -- is also included. The iPhone 4 is a combination of style and function. Sleek glass panels give it an elegant look, while the multi-band antenna improves call clarity and rigidity. But the new handset doesn't add as the revolutionary upgrades we've come to expect from Apple. Aside from design, iOS4, while adding hundreds of minor upgrades, doesn't add many mind-blowing features. Yes, it does now let users multitask, but Google's Android phones have been doing that for some time now. It also features a brilliant touch screen display -- one that's four times as clear as its predecessor. But again, nothing revolutionary. In fact, many features are rather pedestrian. Its Internet is not all that speedy -- though mostly due to AT&T's network rather than Apple's design -- and its new "FaceTime" chat is severely limiting. The 5.0-megapixel camera is mediocre, as well. And most disappointing, AT&T discontinued its unlimited data plan, so users will have to subscribe to plans by the gigabyte. Apple's new iBooks store lets users buy e-books, but we see this more as a compliment to iPad owners, letting them read their books on either device, rather than a useful tool to read on the 3.5-inch screen. But all things considered, Apple pushes way ahead of other devices in what it does well. It has tons of apps from third-party developers. The new gyroscope and Game Center platform will surely spawn new and interactive games. And customers are also just a few swipes away from buying the largest library of content -- music, TV shows, movies and more. The iPhone 4 is at best, evolutionary. But Apple's strategy from the beginning has been to build a lead in software, which it has done with outside developers and partnerships with music labels, Hollywood studios and now book publishers. The bottom line is iPhone 4 is a beautiful phone. It has mediocre hardware, decent software and exceptional online services. But then again, it is an iPhone. |
The iPhone 4 is sandwiched between two glass panels -- the same material the company says is used in the windshields of helicopters and high-speed trains. Chemically strengthened to be 20 times stronger and 30 times harder than plastic, the composite is scratch-resistant, durable and a fingerprint-magnet. When it's kept clean, though, the glossy and sleek exterior gives a refined feel that Apple has come to be known for.
Around the rim, dual speaker microphones -- one on the top and another on the bottom -- suppress unwanted background noise for improved phone calling. There's also a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack. The side buttons are nice and tactile. And the center button feels snappier. Everything, on the whole, seems better put together.
Many smartphones, like the Evo, offer higher-resolution lenses up to 8.0-megapixels. While the iPhone 4 has one of the better cameras on the market, it's definitely not top-of-the-line. Don't expect it to replace a digital camera or camcorder, because it doesn't.
The iPhone 4 has comes in 16-gigabyte or 32-gigabyte versions, the same as the 3GS. By comparison the Evo has 360-megabytes of internal memory with an 8-gigabyte microSD card. The Incredible has 8-gigabytes of storage with an expansion slot. Unfortunately, users won't be able to add extra memory to the iPhone 4.2013, By: Seo Master
Seo Master present to you:
2013, By: Seo Master
Samsung Epic 4G Review - Introduction and Design | ||||||||||
Introductionhe latest in the Samsung Galaxy S family of phones, Sprint's Epic 4G runs on the Google Android 2.1 platform and features a 4.0-inch "Super AMOLED" touch screen display. The lightweight handset is powered by a 1-gigahertz processor and supports blazing-fast WiMax 4G connectivity for data downloads.
Other features include Bluetooth capability, Swype text entry and a 5.0-megapixel camera with high-definition video recording. For navigation, the Epic comes downloaded with Google's Navigation app but can also subscribe to Sprint's Navigation service. Finally, the phone's Social Hub feature syncs contacts with Facebook and most email accounts, including Microsoft Exchange. Because of its versatility, Samsung is positioning the Epic as a phone for business as well as entertainment. DesignAt first glance, the bulky Epic exudes a quaintly outdated look. Compared to the slender iPhone 4 and other palm-sized handsets, it stands out like a Hummer in a lot full of compacts. The largest model in the Samsung Galaxy S series, the phone measures a hefty 4.9 inches long by 2.54 inches wide by 0.56 inches thick. But Samsung sacrificed small and sleek for performance and screen size when it designed the Epic. And in spite of its chunkiness, the 5.46-ounce phone feels light in the hand, even though it won't fit in any pocket.
When typing, users have a choice tapping on a virtual keyboard or thumbing the slide-out, full QWERTY keyboard. The backlit, raised keys press solidly and respond quickly for no-nonsense typing. Designated keys to the left and right of the keyboard also provide "Search," "Home," "Back" and program functions. And on the bottom right corner of the keyboard, four-way directional keys make editing texts or emails a breeze. When the phone is activated, the same basic buttons found on the keyboard -- "Search," "Home, "Back," and Menus" exist on the front screen as touch-sensitive keys on the bottom of the phone. Each key brings up an elegant, pop-up menu for its respective function. However, the "Back" button in particular is buggy, and sometimes won't respond at all. Other times, instead of going back to a previous screen, it simply quits an application. Samsung has not yet fixed the issue, which some users say gets worse over time. In the settings menu, users can choose whether or not the soft keys respond with a vibration feedback, and set the intensity of the vibration -- a small detail, but a nice option to have, in case you don't want the phone to go crazy in your hand every time you press a button. Just like the Droid or the iPhone, the home screen uses a grid of application icons -- called a "drawer" -- that users can scroll through. The Epic has a limit of six pages for icons. Other physical keys on the phone include an on/off switch and a camera activation button on the right edge of the phone. Among the Galaxy S models, the Epic is the only phone that features camera lenses on both the front and back of the phone, as well as a LED flash on the back lens. A volume rocker sits on the phone's left spine and a 3.5-millimeter headset jack and micro-USB port rest on the top edge. The back of the phone houses the speaker, the battery and the microSD card slot, which users access by removing the phone's back cover. Out of the box, the Samsung Epic 4G comes with a standard battery, a USB power adapter, a dock connector to USB cable and a user manual. CameraCompared with the HTC Evo and other smartphones now featuring 8.0-megapixel cameras, the Epic's 5.0-megapixel capability seems almost quaint and commonplace. But the Epic stands in good company alongside the iPhone 4G and the Droid X, and 5.0-megapixels are nothing to sneeze at. Pictures shot with the Epic look crisp and bright. The camera activates with the push of a dedicated button on the phone's right spine. Instantly, a shutter button and tap-to-focus guide appears on the touch screen. Press the "menu" button on the right side of the screen and an array of settings appear on the touch screen. In the "Shooting Mode" section, choices include single or continuous shots as well as panorama and special effects. Other basic controls include flash settings, white balance, exposure, auto or manual focus, screen review time, and timer. The camera shoots in eight resolutions ranging from 2560 by 1920 to 800 by 480 pixels.
More experienced shooters can delve into the camera's manual ISO settings. Social media hounds who use mapping apps will love the setting that embeds GPS coordinates into a photo's metadata. The camera also comes with a robust set of scene modes from the usual beach and snow setting to "Firework" and "Fall color." And finally, advanced users can choose centre-weighted, spot or matrix metering for their shots and adjust the contrast, saturation and sharpness. Once taken, photos can be cropped and rotated using the a suite of editing tools, then shared to social media apps or set as wallpaper. The phone's camcorder activates from the camera screen and shoots video in two sizes, "Normal" (720 by 420 pixels) and "Limited" (up to 50 seconds for MMS set at 176 by 144 pixels.) Like the camera, settings include flash on or off, exposure, white balance, contrast, video quality and audio on or off. Normal mode shoots HD video at a cinematic speed of 24 frames per second. Although holding the phone steady presents a challenge, the video comes out crisp and clear, just like the photos. Basic FeaturesThe Epic 4G uses the Android 2.1 Operating system. Many of its features can be found in other Android-based phones, including the HTC Evo 4G and the Droid 2. The phone comes fully integrated with Google Mobile Services, which means the phone integrates Gmail accounts as well as other Google services such as Calendar and Google Talk. Each service appears as an app in the browser, and all updates made on the phone are saved in real time to the Google computing cloud and accessible by other devices. In addition to the Gmail app, the phone's email app combines inboxes from other POP3, IMAP4 and Exchange accounts.
Like other phones running the Android OS and the iPhone 4, the Epic has the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously. For keeping track, the screen has a handy "Task Manager." Users can switch to a different app at any time by pressing and holding the Home key. The Task Manager pops up with a menu of the last six apps opened. There's no shortage of social media integrations on the Epic. Samsung's "Social Hub" feature incorporates contacts from various email accounts and social networking sites, instantly filling up the phone with numbers and addresses of friends across the social network spectrum. The phone also comes pre-installed with a Facebook widget that streams thumbnails of the latest updates from your friends and clicks through to a Facebook App. Another app called "Feeds and Updates" streams a combination of Facebook, Twitter and MySpace updates in real time. The phone comes with 1-gigabyte of internal memory and allows for up to 16-gigabytes of memory in microSD cards. Most users will probably want to take advantage of the microSD cards for storing photos, video and music, since 1-gigabyte isn't a lot of storage space by today's standards. Samsung claims that standby time on the phone's 1500mAh lithium ion battery runs 21 days, while talk time rates 7.5 hours. Users report a different story, with battery life lasting less than 7 hours of talk time. ScreenWith so much video content now available on mobile phones, smartphone screens are becoming more sophisticated. The Epic 4G's 4.0-inch, touch screen, Super AMOLED display boasts cutting-edge technology. It displays 16.7 million colors at a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels. Samsung developed the Super AMOLED technology for its television screens and mobile displays.
Images pop on the Epic's screen with vivid color and contrast. During a side-by-side viewing with the iPhone 4, the Samsung screen produced a higher color saturation and brighter colors, but the whites looked dull. And while the Samsung screen was larger, the image appeared stretched out, whereas the proportions looked good on the iPhone 4. The Epic is equipped with an accelerometer for landscape and portrait viewing. Waking up the phone presents a small annoyance. Whereas the iPhone and the Droid wake from sleep with the touch of a dedicated home button at the bottom of the screen, the on/off button on the Epic is located on the top right side of the phone, closer to the back than the front. Because it's also flush with the phone, it's difficult to find and press firmly. The same issue arises when putting the phone to sleep.
Sprint has also included an elegant Google Browser widget with Google Voice search functionality, the Sprint Navigator map application, Sprint TV, and Sprint Zone, an app that allows users to download Sprint apps and media, pay bills and access their Sprint account. A pull-down notification tray at the top of the touch screen features a wireless manager for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 4G and GPS settings. The Notifications tab lists incoming email, alerts and messages, which is handy for reviewing and prioritizing tasks. Finally, the home screen features personalized wallpaper and a toolbar at the bottom with shortcuts to phone functions, contacts, messaging and applications. The applications menu is laid out in a grid with endless pages. New apps from either the Sprint Zone or Android Market download directly to the apps menu. AudioCall quality on the Epic 4G sounds good, with occasional static and a slightly tinny quality on both the receiving and calling side. The microphone degrades on speakerphone as well, although the speakerphone sounds clear and has robust volume even though it sits on the back of the phone. Overall, audio clarity is good, but not exceptional. When recording video, the microphone picks up ambient noise. Depending on how far away the camera is from the subject, audio quality will sound canned and unclear. However, this is to be expected from built-in microphones in any video recording device. Unlike the iPhone 4, the Epic does not come pre-installed with a voice memo app, but apps for recording calls or memos are available in Android Market, which users access from the home screen. The Epic's music player sorts songs by artist, albums, songs and playlists. They can also be added as ringtones. Users can load tracks onto the phone using a microSD card, or download them from the Sprint Zone. Users can also download music streaming apps such as Pandora for customized radio, or buy music through the preloaded Amazon MP3 app. MessagingBuilt for social networking and multimedia, the Epic comes stuffed with messaging options. Besides voicemail, SMS and MMS, users can easily send messages to contacts on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace by installing those apps to the home menu. In addition to Gmail accounts, users can combine POP3, IMAP4 and Exchange accounts in the email app. The Epic's slide-out QWERTY keyboard makes typing SMS and emails easy and efficient. The great thing about owning an Android-based phone or an iPhone is the ability to download apps that provide an even greater scope of connectivity. Skype and similar apps that support VoIP calling are available in Android Market, as well as AIM account aggregators such as IM Plus or eBuddy Messenger.
Last but not least, the phone's Google app offers Google-based messaging services such as Google Voice (for phone and SMS messaging over Wi-Fi) and Google Talk (for Instant Messaging Google contacts). EntertainmentThe Epic 4G's 4.0-inch screen was built for a reason. Television shows, movies, games, books, apps and music can all be streamed or downloaded and watched on the Epic. The Android Market now offers more than 65,000 apps--not as many as Apple's App Store, where apps number more than 200,000. But as more and more media outlets and content providers produce apps for both the Android Market and Apple's App Store, it's not inconceivable that most apps will be available in both stores in the future. Just as with a Droid model or an iPhone, the entertainment provided by apps on the Epic is seemingly unlimited, and curated by the users themselves. Another resource for Epic 4G users is the Samsung Media Hub. Similar to the iTunes store, media purchased on the media hub can be used on up to five registered devices. The Hub features movies, next-day TV shows and other media available for purchase or rent. Sprint also offers its own store of options in the Sprint Zone, including games, Sprint TV, music and radio. Sprint TV channels include SyFy, CNN and ESPN mobile TV. All of these services are available for a fee from Sprint. With its 4G connectivity, the Epic will download longer-format television shows and movies more quickly than devices that uses AT&T's 3G network, such as the iPhone 4. While the superfast 4G network is a selling point for Sprint, it should be noted that the Sprint 4G network isn't available in all markets. Users should check to see if their local area has coverage and not assume that just because they buy a 4G-enabled phone that they can use the 4G network. InternetThe Epic 4G not only connects wirelessly to the internet, it works as a mobile hotspot and can share 3G and 4G speeds with up to five Wi-Fi devices. Similar to the Droid 2, HTC Evo and the iPhone 4, the Epic runs on a 1-gigahertz processor, the fastest on the market today. Yet oddly enough, in a test side by side with the iPhone, the Epic's browser loaded more slowly than the iPhone's (with both running on the 3G network). The phone's browser runs with Flash Player 10.1, which makes for a seamless video viewing experience on the phone. Unlike the Web browsing experience using the iPhone or Droid 2, web pages on the Epic use a special mobile layout. They do not look the same way they do on a computer screen, although users can pinch, scroll and tap the images and content as they can on these other phones. Connectivity
ConnectivityThe Epic runs on Sprint's super-fast WiMax 4G Network as well as the Sprint 3G Network, depending on the 4G's availability. Users should note that the WiMax 4G network only transmits data, not voice calls. And when the 4G network is on, it will drain the battery more quickly than the 3G service. The Epic connects to computers via a micro-USB cable, for the transfer of music and other media between devices. It also comes equipped with Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity and can connect to compatible devices such as speakers and headsets. Some users have claimed that the phone is not road-warrior-friendly, since the Bluetooth dial-out feature does not work for outgoing calls. At the same time, the phone does have a Voice Dialer function that works on speakerphone. ConclusionLike the HTC Evo 4G, because of it's 4G connectivity, the Epic has a download edge over smartphones that run on the 3G Network. This makes it desirable for the 4G network alone. However, taking into consideration that Verizon and AT&T plan to roll out 4G networks in 2011, there promises to be more competition among 4G providers soon. And since the Sprint 4G service is only available in select markets, the 4G connectivity only makes sense as a selling point for users who can actually use it now. By far the phone's biggest selling points are its gorgeous, 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display and its slide-out QWERTY keyboard. From both a productivity and an entertainment standpoint, the Epic stands out. |
All trepidation about the phone's size dissipates when the Epic's colorful, 4.0-inch display lights up. It dwarfs the iPhone 4's 3.5 inch-screen, while it doesn't quite measure up to the 4.3-inch screen on the HTC Evo 4G. The Epic is equipped with an accelerometer and can be set to automatically switch the screen orientation when rotating the phone.
The lightning-fast operating system on the Epic runs on a 1-gigahertz chip using Samsung's TouchWiz 3.0 interface, which is Samsung's re-skinning of the Android user interface. Although TouchWiz 3.0 provides widgets and functions that spruce up the handset's home screen, one concern is whether Sprint will be able to keep up with Android updates, which might make the phone less desirable to early adapters.
The home screen has seven pages for most-used apps, which can be added, deleted and rearranged by touching and moving the icons. The phone comes with some apps and widgets pre-loaded on the home screen, including Voicemail (which, oddly, is not accessible from the Phone dialer), Android Market, CNN, YouTube, ESPN and a widget called "Buddies Now," for select contacts.
The Epic's 1-gigabyte of internal storage is small by today's standards, so fortunately Samsung has included a microSD slot for up to 16-gigabytes of memory in microSD cards. Even so, downloaders of music and television shows know that 16-gigabytes runs out quickly. The iPhone 4 and the HTC Evo 4G both support up to 32-gigabytes of memory. Having only 16-gigabytes of storage requires some shuffling and sorting of content, or possibly acquiring a library of microSD cards to accommodate a larger media library.2013, By: Seo Master