XOOM Review

Pro:
Better hardware specs than iPad2.
Android Honeycomb OS.

Con:
HEAVY!
No vibration for keyboard input.
Portfolio case design does not opening for cables.
Overdue free 4G LTE upgrade.

Verdict:
Over priced, over weight, over due.

Nexus S Review

Pro:
Fast OS update from Google.
Unlocked bootloader, open to custom ROM.

Con:
Cheap plastic feel, slippery grip.
Plague by random shutdown problem.
Hardware specs do not stand out.

Verdict:
Build quality does not justify $500+ price tag.

Droid X Review

Got the Droid X on the launch day July 15! Compared it with the Droid.

-Pros-

Huge screen: Although the same resolution as Droid, the big 4.3" really stops my eyes from hurting.

The vibration: Awesome. The whole phone feels like a drum. I never liked the vibration mode. But this is kind of cool.

The weight: Or the lack of. Just weighs about the same as iPhone 4, feels much lighter than Droid.

The string hole: Really need this safety net in case the phone slips from the hand.

Better hardware: More RAM, more ROM, more storage, more speed, etc.

-Cons-

The physical menu buttons: Big bummer! Feels cheap compared to Droid's touch sensitive ones.

MotoBlur apps: HORRIBLE! Half-baked software that slow down the UI and buggy like hell. Email notification not working for Exchange account; cannot toggle among Exchange account and IMAP accounts. Why can't we just have the Google native one like Droid or Nexus One has?! This is like forced to downgrade to XP from Windows 7 just for the 10+ years old crappy software to live another decade!

Overall the whole UI and speed is ruined by this stupid MotoBlur layer. Motorola is giving Android OS a bad name!

-Other-

No front facing camera.

Locked bootloader: Now that it is rooted, will we ever get a custom Gingerbread ROM? Again, blame Moto.

I give Droid X 70 out of 100. Rumor has it that Droid 2 is coming out on Aug 12 with Android 2.2 Froyo on board. I hope there is no Moto on that. But I bet there will be!

On a related note, Samsung Galaxy S seems to have unlocked bootloader. It might be a better phone for custom ROM. However, Verizon probably won't have the Fascinate(the only Galaxy S with LED flashlight) out before September. And at 4", the screen resolution (800x480) is still a bit lower than Droid X.

DELL Streak is also coming out by the end of July with AT&T. At 5" 800x480 it does not provide better resolution than Droid X and is awkward to use as a phone. If it has an 720p 1280x720 screen I'd probably jump on it.

Thus so far, if you want a high resolution large screen smartphone, you are like me, stuck with Droid X.

Android vs. iPhone

I have jumped ship from a 3GS to Motor Droid in November 2009. The main reason was that ATT has no 3G at my work place; while Verizon has! Ten times faster!

The major advantage of Android is the multitasking ability. Another plus id that I can download some podcast over the phone without having to sync with itunes. It did lack some apps that I used on iPhone, but overall it gets things done. The one major hurdle is having to update each apps individually. Also the minimal sync function with Mac (double twist) makes photo and video sync a little more complicated.

For email and calendar, Android really nailed it. It supports multiple exchange accounts and gmail accounts. Now I quit using me.com for calendar and totally transfer to Google. And it is free!

Just recently I started feeling the Droid is a bit lagging and was looking for some android phone with faster snapdragon processer and extra features. HTC EVO 4G surfaced out but the slightly lower screen resolution held me back.

What I ended up doing was rooting my Droid! And it's all for the speed. Overclocking!! Through help on droidforums.net I put on Bugless Beast v 1.1, along with P3droid overclock module. And I couldn't be happier! 1.25 GHz compared to stock 550 MHz! And the battery management software still keep it running cool and long. Many other benefits also come with rooting, such as system backup and wifi tethering.

Now every time I open photo gallery app. Everything just renders in a snap! And this souped upmotor Droid should keep me happy for a while until 4G coverage spreads wide.

Sony LCD projection TV failed after 3 and half years

After 3 and half years of usage, my Sony 55" LCD projection TV started to show some yellow smudges and blue hues/stars on the screen in late 2008. Busy with life and not knowing Sony offered extended warranty until the end of 2008, I finally researched the issue this April. Turned out it's too late for warranty repair. To repair the light engine cost about $300 therefore I decided not to pursue further with Sony to save my time and energy on more important matters.

During my research process I set my eyes on the Mitsubishi 73" DLP projection TV, model # WD-73737, which just rolled out this month. Amazing price for under $1900!

As an early adapter for LCD projection technology, there is risk that glitches may happen along the way of my ownership. Sony failed not only the component but the incompetency to issue a recall, instead bet with the customers with the so-called extended warranty. From now on I have to write Sony off my list.

Do not buy from BestBuy if you are a DIY person

I brought my desktop to BestBuy and their young geek squad was telling me: "You are not a qualified technician to add components on your desktop, so we cannot serve your computer. This has been industry practice for more than 30 years."

LAUGH OUT LOUD! 30 years! The geek squad hardly even started his twenties, and acted as a veteran in industry?! I've been DIYed PC for probably more than this guy's age and never once did I hear such a bragging comment regarding warranty service.

So why are DELL, HP, and the others selling components for customer upgrade? Why isn't there any warranty sticker preventing me from opening the case, but the power supply and hard drive?

It turned out to be a faulty factory-installed hard drive, and I decided not to send it in to manufacturer for data security reason.

BestBuy should really fire this kind of employees to save their customer relation.

And for sure, BestBuy will never get my business again. Big or small.

My iPhone 3G Story

I was one of the 50 or-so fans in the line in front of an Apple store the 2nd day it was debuted. I had to dig up my family from the bed and drove 2 hours to arrive at 10 AM. My family went shopping and I was left in line for 3 and half hours chatting with people. They only had several in stock and no definite answer was given for the next shipment. Therefore we left after my wife finished her shopping and kids started to get hungry...

I wasn't too disappointed that day because later we were able to strike a deal for our new car, so at least I wasn't home empty handed...

The next morning I went directly to AT&T to order my iPhone. 5 days later they informed me that my phone is awaiting me. I stopped by twice after work but the store was packed. I was lucky enough to return to store before my name was called. And some customers were not happy that I was called before them (I signed up the sheet and went back later while they arrived later than I did but sit and waited). The rep went with the sheet and 10 minutes later I left happily. Do not waste your time waiting in line in front of Apple store. Go to AT&T and order one. They reserve it for you to pick up within 10 days after arrival.

The white color does stand out from the crowd. I still like the aluminum look and feel better. 3G is fast and GPS locates in no time. However when I am indoor with 3G and try to locate my position, it took forever and never went through. When I am indoor with EDGE it was normal again. My last visit to Apple store I bought the Belkin leather hard case for the phone. It is handsome, sturdy, and functional. The whole front side is exposed so it's easy to tap. The leather do not rub the phone with debris because it is not soft like silicon.

The camera is pityful as I mentioned earlier. I just pre-ordered Panasonic LX3K from Amazon so my kids' pictures won't be blurred by iPhone.