What’s Going on With Gadget Insane?

So, I haven’t written an article in 5 months!!!!  Yes, I know that’s an eternity if you want to be a successful blogger but I didn’t start this blog to make it “big” but simply to share my thoughts on the gadgets I managed to get my hands on.  Now, if Facebook wants to buy me out as they did Instagram, we can chat. :)

So, what’s happened?  Honestly, I think getting an iPhone 4S a few months ago is what happened.  Let me explain.

HTC Flyer – Video Walkthrough – Upgraded to Android 3.0 Honeycomb

As a follow-up to my previous video on the HTC Flyer, here’s a video walkthrough of my HTC Flyer now upgraded to Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

As I mention in the video, this is the release version of Honeycomb from HTC for the Flyer which they haven’t made officially available as an upgrade from Android 2.3 Gingerbread to the general public yet.

Considering the length of time it’s taking HTC to get Honeycomb on the Flyer, I won’t hold my breath for an Android 4.0 Ice-Cream Sandwich version.

HTC Flyer – Walkthrough (Android 2.3 Gingerbread)

Here’s another video walkthrough.  This time of the HTC Flyer running Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

To anyone wondering…yes, I’ve gone a little video “insane” lately.  It gives me a chance to practice with a few different formats, software, and hardware for doing these videos.  I think I’m starting to narrow things down to the right combination for getting things done the way I want now.

 

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Video Walkthrough

It’s with a lot of excitement that I present the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus running Android 4.0 Ice-Cream Sandwich (ICS) in this video walk-through.

This is an absolutely gorgeously designed phone with pentaband support.  Add the new Android 4.0 operating system with the level of customizations that you can do with it and you have a phenomenal smartphone.  My only “criticism” is the measly 5 MP camera.  In these times, an 8 MP camera should be the new normal.  Despite that, it’s still an amazing phone that I wish I could have kept.

 

My Impressions: Samsung Focus S (SGH-i937) – Windows Phone 7.5 (Manga)

This is the second Windows Phone that I’ve managed to get my hands on.  The first one was the original Samsung Focus (SGH-i917)  with the original release of Windows Phone 7 that I gave my impressions on which can be found here.  This pseudo video review will be on the Samsung Focus S (SGH-i937) with Windows Phone 7.5 also known as Manga which is Microsoft’s second release of the Windows Phone OS.

So grab some popcorn and enjoy. :)

 

Big News: SageTV Acquired by Google

The HTPC world has been shaken up with the announcement last evening that Google has acquired SageTV.  The announcement is on SageTV’s home page and can be found here.

For those not aware of SageTV, it’s media center software with its strength in its DVR/PVR capabilities and availability of dedicated hardware extenders such as their HD-300 extender devices.  Its direct competitor is Microsoft’s Windows Media Center and to a lesser extent, Google TV itself.

I, for one, have a SageTV 7.0 setup in my home. SageTV doesn’t replace my local cable TV offerings and I must still use their digital set-top boxes which diminishes some of the value of SageTV but it currently serves its intended purpose and I’m happy with the setup.  Part of the problem is that, in Canada, cable and satellite providers provide very few over-the-air (OTA) channels forcing you into getting their digital set-top boxes so you can’t have a dedicated SageTV setup and get rid of your cable/satellite provider’s offerings.  Anyway….

While still early, the acquisition of SageTV by Google brings about a series of questions which I suspect will be answered over the coming days/weeks.  Some questions that I immediately have are:

  1. What are Google’s plans with SageTV?  You have to believe that they either want to integrate SageTV’s technology into Google TV or kill it off altogether since it’s a direct competitor to Google TV.  Given that Google TV hasn’t really taken off, I’m going to bet on the former that they will find a way to leverage what SageTV already has along with its client base.
  2. What’s the long-term support strategy for existing SageTV users?  In particular, support for SageTV’s hardware extenders and their continued availability (the SageTV store is currently unavailable at this time).
  3. Will we continue to see the frequent updates to SageTV as we’ve been seeing in the past or will there now be long drawn out development cycles using Google’s approach if anymore updates at all?
  4. I hope that Google is fair to existing SageTV users and provide a reasonable upgrade path to whatever Google is cooking up.

On a positive note, the acquisition of SageTV by Google will provide it with Google’s financial strength and stability.  It will really be a test for Google not to screw up the good things about SageTV and hopefully grow SageTV into an even stronger HTPC offering.

Interesting times in the HTPC world.  I’ll be keeping my ears to the ground on this one especially since I’m vested in SageTV also.

The Holy Grail: The Panasonic Lumix GH2 Digital Camera

GH2 with 14-140mm Lens

That’s right. I’m proclaiming it. The Panasonic Lumix GH2 is my “holy grail” of digital cameras. The camera may not be for everyone but it can be for everyone.  Let me tell you about my quest for the perfect digital camera and how the Panasonic Lumix GH2 (GH2) became that holy grail.

Opinion – Blackberry PlayBook

I’ve now had RIM’s Blackberry PlayBook for several days now since its launch date this past Tuesday and have had a chance to play around with it. I’ve decided not to write a review about the Blackberry PlayBook. The PlayBook is not in a state to be reviewed.  Maybe in 6 months time but certainly not now.  I will, though, offer my opinion about the Blackberry PlayBook in its current state.

RIM can only blame itself for the difficult position they found themselves in.  They announced the PlayBook on September 27, 2010 with expected delivery in the first quarter 2011.  The PlayBook was released on April 19, 2011 – almost a full 7 months later!  When the PlayBook was announced, the first iPad had already been on the market for 5 months with the iPad 2 announced on March 2, 2011 and released in the U.S. just over 2 weeks later on March 18, 2011.  Where was the PlayBook in the time that it took Apple to release 2 versions of the iPad?

Unboxing Video – New Blackberry PlayBook

P1000105 (Large)

Today is a huge day in the history of Research in Motion (RIM) with their release of their Blackberry PlayBook tablet – their first entry in the tablet space dominated by Apple’s iPad. I wish the best for RIM that it can be a viable competitor to the Apple iPad juggernaut and other competing tablet devices. Only time will tell but today is RIM’s day with their release of the PlayBook.

My unboxing video below.

First Look – Belkin Mini Surge Protector

Hey Guys, I wanted to try something different and post a Youtube video on a gadget that I had.  Being my first time, thought I would pick something simple enough to talk about.  Since we all know how “exciting” surge protectors can be, I decided to take that on as my first Youtube challenge.  :)

I’m also using this as an opportunity to introduce who “Gadget Insane” is and who’s behind the site and the posted articles.

Again, be gentle…it’s my first time.  :)