If there’s one thing that the big three consumer technology companies are good at, it’s competing for public attention. October turned out to be a big month for those looking for mobile devices, just in time for the holiday season, with companies announcing products on the same dates that others had devices released. So many devices have been announced and released in the last few weeks, that it appears fitting to devote this issue’s column to all the new goodies you can get your hands on. I promise not to write much about Windows 8, since I’m sure keen readers noticed my review graced both the second and third issues of this term.
Apple’s big announcement last month was the iPad mini, which is an 8-inch version of the iPad with design cues borrowed from the iPhone 5. The resolution is the same as the first iPad generations at 1024 x 768, giving it a pixel density of 163 ppi (pixels per inch), which is the same as the first three iPhones. This is the most puzzling aspect of the mini, since every other line of devices in Apple’s portfolio is moving towards incredibly high densities. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro, iMacs and fourth-generation iPad that were announced with the iPad all had Retina displays, as Apple refers to them, suggesting that pixels should be indiscernible. Likely, the iPad mini will have double the resolution in next year’s update, but this point will make those of us who demand the highest display quality in their devices think a little longer before considering it over a 10-inch iPad or competing tablet. Many reviewers have noted that they prefer the iPad mini over the 10-inch iPad despite this sticking point, and playing with one in the Apple Store makes it a little clearer. The iPad mini shows the very same information you get on a 10-inch iPad, but in a smaller, sleeker and arguably more appealing form factor. If you’re looking for an iPad, as with any device, the one you pick will be based on which benefits and detriments align with your needs. Both are still top-form tablets, but for those who really want an iPad mini with the pixel density of an iPhone, you’ll likely have to wait another year. There’s not much to say about the fourth-generation iPad, since it’s visually the same as the well-received third-generation one except for the Lightning connector on the bottom and some improved internals.
Google had a bit more to talk about this month, with an updated version of Jelly Bean and new devices in both the phone and tablet sizes to join their Nexus 7 tablet from earlier this year. The heavily-leaked Nexus 4, manufactured from LG, is Google’s flagship phone for the season and has some interesting features. While some Android fans mocked Apple’s choice for neglecting LTE and putting glass on the front and back of the iPhone 4 and 4S, Google oddly enough chose to follow both of those paths in creating the Nexus 4, while Apple chose to implement LTE and remove the glass back on the iPhone 5. Echoing some comments made my Android users in the past, no LTE in 2012 is nearly a deal-breaker at this point. Sure, many places don’t have LTE support at the moment, but it’s expanding at a rapid pace and is on virtually every other major phone at this point. The glass back, if it’s anything like the iPhone was, will hardly be a big deal, although replacement backs may be harder than heading to the Apple Store and getting a $39 or free glass cover in a matter of minutes. The Nexus 4 still looks like one of the best deals if you’re looking for an Android phone though, as with all Nexus devices, since it’s unlocked and running stock Android, which would be the way to go for me if I were to switch.
Google also announced the Nexus 10, their flagship tablet with a display of the same resolution as the 10-inch iPad. There’s not too much to say about it, except that if you’re shopping for an Android tablet bigger than 7-inches, this is the one you’re looking for. Unfortunately, Android developers have been a little slower at making apps that scale nicely onto large screens, so many of the apps suffer from the same awkward spacing and overblown proportions that plague other Android tablets. One upside to the software is that Android 4.2 further refines the excellent user interface introduced in the Jelly Bean update, making Google’s OS a little more polished with each update.
Microsoft’s biggest news was in the form of the Surface, which is their first foray into the tablet hardware side of things. Software aside, since it’s quite similar to Windows 8, the hardware design appears to be rather nice, with the Touch Cover and Type Cover proving to be rather novel accessories. The Type Cover in particular, while bulkier than your average tablet cover, was described by The Verge as feeling similar to typing with a MacBook Air, which is excellent for any sort of mobile keyboard, especially one that also functions as a cover. Unfortunately, finding a Surface to test this on myself has proven challenging, so I’ve had to rely on others for their impressions. One very quick note on the software is that the gestures that feel awkward on a computer are amazingly intuitive on a tablet, having tried using Windows on a Samsung tablet at one of the Microsoft kiosks, and I’d recommend giving it a spin if you come across one, just to see what it’s like. Many have complained that Windows RT, which comes on current Surfaces, has very little software outside of your staple Office and other large applications, and suggest waiting for the Surface with Windows 8 on it before seeing if you’re interested in the tablet.
There were also two big phones that launched with Windows Phone 8, their new operating system. Nokia’s Lumia 920 follows the same design ethos as the previous flagship Lumia phones (and the N9 before it), with an excellent display, vividly coloured casing and, by implementing some camera shake reduction magic, is able to produce some insane photos for low-light conditions and moving targets. HTC’s Windows Phone 8X is an equally vivid, equally well-designed phone in its own right. It embodies the flat, minimal, yet beautiful lines of the Windows Phone operating system beautifully, and visually deserves its place as one of the flagship Windows Phones. Both run Windows Phone 8, which has added a few tweaks to the homescreen, deeper Skype integration and wallet support. In all, no matter which platform you prefer, there appears to be something new for you. The Nexus 7 and iPhone 5, while not extremely new, were released within the last couple months, and are as worthy as any other devices I’ve mentioned. What binds these aforementioned tablets and phones is that they are all the prime of their ecosystems. If you’re looking for a new device, any of the ones here are top of their class and would be great entries into iOS, Android or Windows Phone, despite any flaws they may have. All this competition showcases how much innovation there is in the mobile industry right now, and you get to reap the benefits.
As a little tech aside, I happened to come across a Wii U in an EB Games this past week, and it’s a lot more impressive in person than you’d gather from the Internet. It has the silence and sleek size of a Wii with guts more impressive than that which you’d find in a 360 or PS3. The Gamepad is a little bigger than you gather from looking at them online, but it’s quite comfortable to hold. You may be able to find them at other stores as well, if they have demos set up. The only playable game was Rayman Legends, which in my few minutes with it proved to be an enjoyable and entertaining little platformer. I caught myself smiling a few times at how neat the Gamepad-oriented puzzles were, and I think the potential for games on this device may outclass what similar offerings like Xbox Smartglass, which doesn’t have the same level of instant connectivity and flawless cohesion with the console. It’s definitely worth a look though if there’s a GameStop or EB Games in your area. With all these neat devices being released, I’m not quite sure what will be left for the final issue of the term, but I promise to think of something good.
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