Nexus 7 2013 One year later

 
 Nexus 2013 One year later. 


When Google released the original Nexus 7 (2012) it was an industry changer.  It had a great form factor that could be held in one hand, had a beautiful display, fast processor, and this all could be had for a very low price.  Even at a much smaller size, and made with cheaper materials it was continuously compared to tablets such as iPad as if they were in the same class.

The size class of the original Nexus 7 2012 was that of the Kindle Fire, the Nook, and the Galaxy tab.  So why was it being compared directly with the much bigger iPad?  One of the reasons was the operating system being a "True" Android system without a software overlay that just bogs down the Android OS.

As consumers we will brag to our friends when we get the latest piece of technology, until we see someone with a newer, faster model then we can no longer be satisfied with our gadget companion.  As we begin to look at the younger prettier model we have daydreams of what it would be like to have it, and how we should repurpose or sell our old one to get the new model.

 Enter the New 2013 Nexus 7.  The younger, thinner, faster, and lets face it "prettier" model.  I did also trade in my old model and got the version 2013.  Asus had fine-tuned the body of its latest offering.  While it was taller by 1.5 mm, it got noticeably lighter by 50 grams, and thinner in width making it have an even better feel in the hand.

Not only was the body of the new Nexus 7 much improved in look and feel, but the specs.  Performance was upgraded from a 1.2GHz quad-core  processor with 1GB of RAM to a 1.5 GHz quad-core with 2GB of RAM. The display also got a face lift from 1280-800 216 ppi to a 7-inch full HD display with 1920-1200 resolution and 323 ppi pixel density.  While still LED-back lit the display is beautiful producing sharp images, and video is awesome.  The single speaker was replaced by back firing stereo speakers.

The original Nexus 7 had a front facing 1.2MP camera that was left virtually unchanged;  however the addition of a 5MP rear facing camera was well received by most.  While cameras are being quickly made a thing of the past with Smartphone cameras producing great shots that can be instantly shared online, I do not see tablets becoming a daily shooter any time soon.

Each July for the past two years we have been treated to the release of some great Nexus products.  Many expected to see the new Nexus 8 at the Google I/O developer conference, but so far they are being stood up.   While sure to be bigger, faster, and release with a reported Android 4.5 Lollipop operating system we will see if it can grasp and hold our attention like both of the Nexus 7 models have.  With many reports showing the use of a 64-bit operating system we will have to wait and see.

Chromecast! What are you waiting for?

Ready 
Set
Cast!
     What are you waiting for?  Go get one already.  I have had my Chromecast since the day they were released to the public.  Immediately after I got it I learned that they were selling out as quick as they could reload the shelves.  Google play sold out and was setting up buyers for a long wait.

  Another great Google product, in another great Google package.  There is something to be said for a well put together presentation box.

Have you noticed that today's products are boxed without instructions?  I think that manufacturers are noticing that it is not only men that don't read instructions, but women, children, everybody.  When you open the box you will find the only instructions you need are printed right inside the lid.  

Even the instructions are simplified.

1. plug it in
2. switch input
3. set it up.

Brilliant!  I could not believe just how quick the setup was of this product.  I never thought I would buy any $35.00 device and get so much use out of it.  From YouTube, to Pandora, or even just streaming our Google Play Movies, and Music player.  We love this thing more everyday.  You can even cast live from your laptop (Chromebook), tablet or phone.

I think the only thing they fail to tell you is that you really do need a very fast WiFi connection to fully enjoy this.  Other than that, it is everything they sell it as and much more.  If you have not gone out and got one yet, what are you waiting for?  It's $35 bucks, get one!

Chromebook take 2

Chromebook take 2.0

In June of 2013 I got my first Chromebook (Samsung Chromebook Series 3).  After getting frustrated by the poor viewing angle, and slow upload of simple photo's from my cameras SD card I returned it. The Chromebook was originally bought out of frustration when my Windows laptop began to bog down.  I was looking for something that would never slow down over time, but unfortunately I found I could never seem to get going with my new small screen toy.  After returning it I still felt like the Chrome OS was right for me, and maybe I just picked the wrong hardware;  however I just could not find anything that appealed to me.  I could not justify the high dollar expense of a Pixel as one of the benefits of a Chromebook was "Low Price".  I also could not find a piece of hardware that was both low cost, and felt like a quality product.  Until now.  After researching Chromebooks and many trips to the local stores I made an impulse buy online using my Amex points on an HP Chromebook 14 LTE.  It seemed to have the specs. good for me, and the cost was right.

Specs.

• Intel Celeron 2955U Processor 1.4 GHz
• 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
• 16GB solid-state drive
• 14.0" diagonal HD BrightView LED-backlit display
• Full-size island-style keyboard 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless LAN with Bluetooth
• 4G mobile broadband (free for life)
• Chrome OS

So far my Chrome OS journey has been short but fantastic.  My new Chromebook boots up in seconds, and lasts for hours (so far my average under heavy use with streaming video included is 8 hours WOW).  Now I have found my Chromebook being occupied by my wife who was the biggest doubter of the Chromebook being usable for a college student.  About 24 hours before the arrival of my Chromebook my wife dropped her brand new Windows 8 laptop and broke the screen.  We immediately contacted the laptops manufacturer, then shipped it out for a screen replacement and were told it would take roughly 3 weeks to get it back.  What a coincidence my wife at that point had 3 weeks left of school.  Let the usability test begin!!  Immediately upon my first boot and setup completion my wife assumed ownership and took over my new toy.  She initially was pleasantly surprised by the screen size, the keyboard feel, and most of all the battery life.  Then she became very frustrated trying to use Google Docs for her spread sheets when she was deep into the spread sheets using Microsoft Office.  Once I showed her she could still use Microsoft office (Yes you can use office on a Chromebook) through the very same "cloud" concept of the Chromebook utilizing "Office Online" with the app. "One Drive" she is now thrilled.

When I do get the chance to use my new HP Chromebook it seems to be after my wife has used it all day, and has headed off to bed.  No worries with the awesome battery life, I can stay up for hours without having to plug it in.  I can run many web tabs at the same time with either music streaming in the background, or listening to a YouTube video on the side.  I have had over 10 tabs open at the same time, and no noticeable slowdown occurs.  While using Google Hangouts I have had positive response to the camera's quality and the sound of the microphone.

All in all my experience has been short but positive.  I will be doing a follow up to this in another couple weeks when my wife finishes her classes for the summer, and I get my Chromebook back.  So far though I am happy with my new toy.