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> <channel><title>gHacks Technology News &#124; Latest Tech News, Software And Tutorials &#187; buying guide</title> <atom:link href="http://www.ghacks.net/tag/buying-guide/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://www.ghacks.net</link> <description>A technology news blog covering software, mobile phones, gadgets, security, the Internet and other relevant areas.</description> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:52:46 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator> <atom:link rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com"/><atom:link rel="hub" href="http://superfeedr.com/hubbub"/> <item><title>To Droid Or Not To Droid</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/11/07/to-droid-or-not-to-droid/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/11/07/to-droid-or-not-to-droid/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:50:12 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Shailpik</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Gadgets]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Google]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Google Android]]></category> <category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mobiles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[buying guide]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comparison]]></category> <category><![CDATA[droid]]></category> <category><![CDATA[motorola]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pros and cons]]></category> <category><![CDATA[verizon]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=18257</guid> <description><![CDATA[Okay folks, the Droid is finally out now. Through all the iPhone-bashing and the creepy ad campaign, it has made its way into our minds and hearts (sort of). At the very least it has forced people to take a look at it and decide what it’s really like. Overall, the reviewers have liked it [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img
class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-18270" title="droid" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/droid-375x500.jpg" alt="droid" width="158" height="210" />Okay folks, the Droid is finally out now. Through all the iPhone-bashing and the creepy ad campaign, it has made its way into our minds and hearts (sort of). At the very least it has forced people to take a look at it and decide what it’s really like.</p><p>Overall, the reviewers have liked it and from what I have seen of it, I like it too. But whether that liking will germinate into a purchase is completely up to the individual and I can’t really advise for or against it. To me it is a mixed bag and you have to take your pick.</p><p><span
id="more-18257"></span>Here are reasons for choosing it.</p><h3>That Display</h3><p><img
class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-18272" title="verizon-motorola-droid-press_1-550x438" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/verizon-motorola-droid-press_1-550x438-500x398.jpg" alt="verizon-motorola-droid-press_1-550x438" width="500" height="398" /></p><p>You gotta admit it, that 854&#215;440 display looks really great compared to the iPhone’s puny 480&#215;320 display. And the screen looks positively gorgeous. If I wanted a great smartphone to watch movies on, I would definitely choose this.</p><h3>Google’s Got Your Back</h3><p>When you have a company like Google making applications for you, you know you will have things to like. Google’s minimalist approach, tight online integration and great web presence makes it the perfect giant to have backing you up in your connected life.</p><p>One of the main features of new Android OS is the Navigation feature on Google Maps. People liked it so much that everyone predicted it being the future and the death of all standalone devices and expensive apps. Best of all, the service is free and integrated with Google Maps. It does have some hiccups but I am sure they will be cleaned out soon enough.</p><p><img
class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-18274" title="DROID-by-Motorola-Front-Open" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/DROID-by-Motorola-Front-Open-500x397.jpg" alt="DROID-by-Motorola-Front-Open" width="500" height="397" /></p><p>iPhone’s lack of an integrated <em>Instant Messenger</em> app really lets it down and the presence of the very same thing lifts up the Droid. From what I read about the user experience on the Droid regarding this and other Google apps, you folks are going to love ‘em to death.</p><p>And if there’s one thing that we all love about Google, it is Gmail. It is what I use for my personal account and it is also what I use on my own domain through Google Apps. Gmail on the Android 2.0 is like a perfect little version of the actual Gmail, complete with full labels and threaded emails. If you like Gmail, you will like it on Droid.</p><p>Also, the Wave is coming and the Android might have something special for the Surfers.</p><h3>NOT AT&amp;T</h3><p>Not having to put up with AT&amp;T’s finicky (and frustrating) network and working on the best network in the country will really help you love the Droid. Imagine a (almost) headache free network experience… makes me feel all fuzzy inside.</p><h3>It’s Android!</h3><p>Some people will choose it simply because it is the first Android 2.0 phone and has the best Android experience so far. Some will also choose Android because of Android’s (mostly) open source philosophy. But that is not a very practical reason. The multi-tasking however, is a <em>very</em> practical reason and Droid does it quite well thanks to Snapdragon and Android.</p><p>-</p><p>And now for the other side of the debate.</p><h3>Multimedia <em>Meh</em></h3><p>If you want agreat multimedia experience, <em>stay on the iPhone</em>. It’s not like the Android cannot play media but the experience is just not the same. It’s like the latest Linux and the Mac OS. One does it and the other does it <em>well</em>.</p><h3>iTunes Baby!</h3><p>I refuse to believe anyone who claims that they have it better without the world’s largest mobile app and digital music store. Not to mention movies and the <a
href="http://www.ghacks.net/2009/10/29/more-proof-that-apple%E2%80%99s-next-target-is-the-print-mediaindustry/">other things</a> that are rumored to be coming. If you have used it, you will miss it on Android and there are no comparable replacements for this. Nothing compares to iTunes.</p><h3>Show Me 10,000 Apps And I Will Show You 100,000</h3><p><img
class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-18271" title="droid_1" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/droid_1-500x382.jpg" alt="droid_1" width="500" height="382" /></p><p>The Android Marketplace over 10,000 apps and there are quite a few apps there which the iTunes Store does not have. But the iTunes has ten times as many apps at over 100,000. Do you still need me to spell it out for you?</p><p>Also, since the Droid runs a standard Android install, it does not do much out of the box You will have to download various apps for doing things like viewing PDFs and different mail attachments, etc. Sure the apps are free but you have to find them and install them. With the iPhone, you can hit the ground running.</p><p>Other customized Android phones come with these apps pre-installed though.</p><h3>Security</h3><p>You cannot lock the screen with a pass code. There is also no support for a remote wipe. You can get that through another app but nothing as integrated as the Find My iPhone Feature. Plus, you can install apps from sources outside the Marketplace.</p><p>That’s a good thing right? Yes but you will also be vulnerable to malicious apps that can cause some serious damage. You will receive a warning if you try to install from outside the Marketplace but it can be done.</p><h3>Tough Keyboard, No Multitouch</h3><p>One of the few complaints with the physical parts of the phone is the keyboard. Reviewers and users have been reporting having a tough time with the keyboard. As for the virtual keyboard, it is all good except for the fact that there’s no multitouch. Multitouch has been intentionally disabled on the Droid as per agreements between Motorola, Google and Verizon.</p><p>-</p><p>So there you have it, the most popular pros and cons laid out for you. Choose for yourself and choose wisely.</p><p>-</p><p>If you want to know more about the iPhone, head over to this week&#8217;s <a
href="http://otakugadgets.com/cell-phones/saturday-apple-pie-it%e2%80%99s-the-iphone-all-over-and-steve%e2%80%99s-the-best/">Saturday Apple Pie</a> at Otaku Gadgets.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/11/07/to-droid-or-not-to-droid/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>9</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>eBook Readers: Read It Right With These Gizmos</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/10/25/ebook-readers-read-it-right-with-these-gizmos/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/10/25/ebook-readers-read-it-right-with-these-gizmos/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:13:06 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Shailpik</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Gadgets]]></category> <category><![CDATA[amazon kindle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[barnes and nobles nook]]></category> <category><![CDATA[best ebook readers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[buying guide]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sony prs 600 touch edition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[spring design alex]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=17664</guid> <description><![CDATA[If you want to read a book these days, you know there’s an app for that. But if you want something that is not as straining on your eye and something that lasts longer, you are better off getting an eBook reader. These devices are getting hotter every month and it looks like they are [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img
class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-17694" title="ghacksebookicon" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ghacksebookicon-300x300.jpg" alt="ghacksebookicon" width="180" height="180" />If you want to read a book these days, you know there’s an app for that. But if you want something that is not as straining on your eye and something that lasts longer, you are better off getting an eBook reader.</p><p>These devices are getting hotter every month and it looks like they are about to become the new netbook, of sorts. They started out as something that is pretty niche and then Kindle came along. Now that the bubble wrap on the B&amp;N Nook is still fresh, you can see that the industry is actually getting bigger and bigger players like Google are stepping in.</p><h3><span
id="more-17664"></span>B&amp;N Launches Nook, Apps On Their Way</h3><p
style="text-align: center;"><img
class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17595" title="nook b-n" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nook-hand.jpg" alt="nook b-n" width="400" height="458" /></p><p>So in the world of eBooks this week, B&amp;N’s Nook is obviously the biggest news. The highly anticipated ebook reader is finally here and we are all pretty impressed by how different it is from the Kindle. The Android touchscreen, the lending feature and the RSS feed  – all refreshingly different from the Kindles.</p><p>We are also hearing that apps for Android, iPhone etc. are in the pipeline. So you will have a Nook in your pocket pretty if you own any device that fits the bill.</p><p>I just got through comparing the Nook with a design prototype from Spring Design. It’s another Android dual screen eBook reader called Alex. Read all about it right <a
href="http://www.ghacks.net/2009/10/23/spring-designs-alex-and-bns-nook/">here</a>.</p><h3>Spring Design Springs Alex Video On Us</h3><p><strong><object
classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="350" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param
name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dtgHfAMP5I" /><embed
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dtgHfAMP5I"></embed></object></strong></p><p>As mentioned above, Spring Design has this new eBook reader called the Alex but it is still in the pipelines. All that they can show you right now is a video with what appears to be a prototype (or may be pre-production unit). Enjoy the video for now or go read my comparison of the device with the Nook.</p><h3>Entourage edge DualBook</h3><p><img
class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17603" title="entourage midnight blue" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/1256055980692911.jpg" alt="entourage midnight blue" width="450" height="361" /></p><p>This is another eBook reader I covered this week. Yes, me covering three eBook readers this week and this round up post – they are all related. :p</p><p>So this is another interesting device – it is an eBook reader <em>and</em> a netbook. Read about it right <a
href="http://www.ghacks.net/2009/10/23/entourage-edge-dualbook-is-a-netbook-ebook-reader-and-notepad-all-in-one/">here</a>.</p><h2>The Best eBook Readers To Buy Right Now</h2><p>If you are in the market for a new eBook reader, these are best ones to choose from. Between these three, you will find everything that the industry has to offer and the build quality that will last.</p><h3>B&amp;N Nook</h3><p>This week’s eBook star and momentarily overshadowing the Kindle with its dual screen and Android driven touchscreen. It’s selling for $259 from the website (nook.com) but feature-wise, I would say that Kindle has a better deal for you.</p><h3>Amazon Kindle 2 And DX</h3><p><img
class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17695" title="kindle-2" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/kindle-2.jpg" alt="kindle-2" width="468" height="468" /></p><p>The Kindle going International with free 3G connection (to the whispernet only though) in almost anywhere in the world is plain fantastic. That means I can browse the store for a book from anywhere in the world and get it instantly. The Kindle 2 is $259 and the Kindle DX, the special Kindle with a bigger screen, is $482. But unless you really want to have the DX for its extra features, you are really just better off with the normal Kindle.</p><p>Amazon recently pulled this $20 refund stunt where it refunded $20 to all pre-order buyers because they reduced the price to $259 from $279 all of a sudden to match Nook’s price. But don’t wish for it to happen too often because the last time this happened, Amazon was removing a book from Kindles without the owners’ permission and refunding their purchase.</p><h3>Sony Readers</h3><p><img
class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17696" title="Sony-PRS-600-Reader-Touch-Edition-silver-black" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Sony-PRS-600-Reader-Touch-Edition-silver-black.jpg" alt="Sony-PRS-600-Reader-Touch-Edition-silver-black" width="450" height="346" /></p><p>Sony is the only company that I would recommend for eBook readers that does not have a huge publishing platform. Sure it has the Sony Connect store but compare to B&amp;N or Amazon, it is nothing. Still, their Sony Reader Touch Edition (PRS-600) is a pretty good device, especially because it has a touchscreen.</p><p>Not having physical controls, the device is far more compact and hence I feel is easier to use in some ways. It sells for around $200-$250 depending on where you are buying it from. Also, I like Sony’s design aesthetics.</p><p>-</p><p><span
style="text-decoration: line-through;">Plastic Logic is another trustworthy company. They are the ones who made the Nook for B&amp;N. But their own eBook Reader – the Cool-er is not very compelling when compared with the three above. So I did not mention it.</span></p><p>(<em>Corrections: </em><em>That was a terrible mixup I had made above and a media rep. from Cool-er&#8217;s actual company (Interead) kindly pointed this out. Please note that &#8216;Cool-Er&#8217; is made by &#8216;Interead&#8217; and &#8216;Plastic Logic&#8217; is the eBook store partner of B&amp;N and not the manufacturer of the Nook (which the rep. also pointed out). The two companies are not related and I apologize to them both.</em>)</p><p>One more thing to note is that the Kindle is the only device that will give you 16 progressive shades of grey. The other two have 8. This means the Kindle’s screen has a better looking display.</p><p>-</p><p>Got another reader you use and love? Tell us about it in the comments section.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/10/25/ebook-readers-read-it-right-with-these-gizmos/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>7</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>
