All eyes are on the Motorola Xoom tablet, and for good reason: It's the first device in an expected multitude to ship with Google's tablet-optimized Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). The Xoom has a lot of features to like, and a lot to set it apart from the ever-growing crowd of tablets; but it also has some drawbacks that temper my enthusiasm about it.
One drawback is its price: $800 with no contract on Verizon, and $600 with a two-year contract (prices as of February 23, 2011). More critically, I experienced some issues with the display and image rendering during my hands-on evaluation of the Xoom.
Using the Xoom confirmed my earlier impressions of Android 3.0: The OS is vastly superior to its predecessor and is so different to use that it's practically unrecognizable as a close relative of the Android widely deployed today. The software's tablet optimization was evident in the home screens, the widgets, the music player, the browser, the e-mail, and even the YouTube player. Missing, however, was the Adobe Flash 10.2 player, which is coming soon but wasn't available in time for this story.
The Hardware: Style and Class
The Xoom zooms to the top of the tablet class in overall style and design. The build quality is solid, with volume and power buttons that are easy to press and a sturdily constructed SIM tray that doubles as the MicroSD Card slot cover. It has a soft, rubberized feel along the top, and black metal on the bottom when held in horizontal mode. It also has its buttons and other elements configured for that orientation.
Clearly, the device was designed with landscape orientation in mind: In that position, you hold it with two hands, and the front-facing 2-megapixel camera sits at the top middle of the display, just as the Webcam on a laptop typically is. The stereo speakers, at back, appear to the right and left, with plenty of clearance for your fingers (this positioning is unfortunate, however, if you plan to listen to music while the pad is lying flat, with its screen face-up). The micro-USB and HDMI-mini ports are at bottom, perfect for mounting the Xoom in its optional dock (standard dock, $60, Speaker HD dock, $150). The power button is located on the back, to the left of the rear-facing, flash-equipped, 5-megapixel. The button lies where your forefinger naturally lands when you hold the Xoom in both hands.
The Xoom runs Nvidia's Tegra 2 platform, with a dual-core 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and 32GB of on-board user memory. The MicroSD Card slot permits users to double their storage space as they use the device--a boon for anyone who tends to pack gadgets with media. Unfortunately, the MicroSD Card slot is not enabled at launch-so early shoppers will have to wait until a software update comes along (eventually, Xoom will ship with the slot enabled).
The display measures 10.1 inches diagonally, with 1280-by-800-pixel resolution. The widescreen's 16:10 aspect ratio makes it perfect for viewing video; but for folks accustomed to the 4:3 aspect ratio of the 9.7-inch Apple iPad screen, it may take some getting used to. The unit also stands an inch taller than the first-generation iPad, but it feels comfortable when you hold it landscape-style in two hands.
You'll definitely want to use two hands: Like the first-generation iPad with 3G and Wi-Fi, the Xoom weighs 1.6 pounds. The weight is manageable for periods of two-handed operation, but intolerable for extended one-handed operation. A third-generation Amazon Kindle weighs one-third as much as the Xoom.
The Display: The Draw and the Drawback
I wasn't terribly impressed with the Xoom's display's quality: In spite of its high resolution, I detected graininess; colors seemed somewhat inaccurate and didn't pop as they do on the iPad and on Samsung's bright, occasionally oversaturated Galaxy Tab.
Initially, the device's display looked lovely. The home screens were readable, and colors looked fine. But as I used the device, the pattern of the screen became more obvious. The display on the iPad felt downright sparkly, as if sand were buried in the liquid crystals themselves. In contrast, the Xoom seemed to present me with a grid whose lines were more obvious in some situations than in others. I noticed them especially in photos and on the gray of the keyboard, but less so on the default blue Honeycomb wallpaper. The lines were most obvious in screens with white backgrounds, such as in the Web browser or in the preinstalled Google Books app. I also detected a lot of pixelation in the letters, but that effect varied depending on the font I used (for example, the sans serif font in Google Books looked relatively smooth)--which leads me to wonder whether this is primarily a screen issue (Motorola says that the display is 150 dots per inch) or a rendering issue.
When I looked at a series of pictures (10-megapixel or greater images shot on advanced cameras) sideloaded to the Xoom via the USB connection on my PC, it became clear that the images' contrast was off. Under identical lighting conditions, I compared the images as they appeared on the Xoom to the original images on my PC monitor and to the way they looked on the Samsung Galaxy Tab and on the first-generation Apple iPad. Colors seemed dull and uninspired on the Xoom, and the images lacked the detail and depth I expected to see.
Even worse, the included Gallery app didn't render the images properly. Images lacked sharpness and suffered from artifacting, dithering, and macroblocking. It was almost as though I were looking at images that had undergone a preview render but never fully rendered. A Google spokesperson did not know what was going on, nor did Motorola. Nvidia, which makes the Tegra 2 processor, did not respond to my inquiry before I posted this review.
Blockiness and artifacting were issues in video playback, too--for instance, in YouTube videos played in both standard and HQ modes, and in Google Talk video chat over Wi-Fi (as well as 3G). The images I captured on the device were disappointingly middle-of-the-road, as well. Overall, the camera was a bit awkward to operate, as was the video camera, though you do get more controls than before.
Interestingly, though the Gallery player supports H.263, H.264, and .mp4 video files, it failed to play .wmv files that Android 2.2 and 2.1 devices had managed to play just fine.
The big piece of glass on the display is readable indoors, but it's very glarey. I've described the Apple iPad as a mirror--but compared to the mirror effect of the Xoom, the iPad is as nonreflective as paper. The Xoom's glare was noticeable both indoors and out; and closer inspection revealed an air gap between the glass and the display beneath. I expected better: If the Barnes & Noble NookColor could nail the screen and glare issue on its $250 e-reader tablet, why couldn't Motorola overcome glare on its $800 flagship device?
Performance Zips Along
I was quite impressed with the Xoom's overall ability to zip through content. I easily and speedily moved through menus, through large collections of digital images, and through the redesigned Android Market. Even the file transfer speeds via USB were impressive. Anyone who has synced content to an Apple iPad knows how torturously slowly content moves from PC to device. On the Xoom, waiting wasn't a huge issue: I transferred 700MB of digital pictures to the Xoom in just 3 minutes. Not too shabby.
Speed buffs will also appreciate that this 3G+ Wi-FI device will be able to migrate to Verizon's 4G LTE network in the second quarter at no extra charge. The free upgrade rewards early adopters eager to own the first Honeycomb tablet.
Ultimately, the price feels too high, given that the nearly one-year-old, no-contract, 3G- and Wi-Fi-enabled first-generation Apple iPad came in at $730. But by obtaining a 4G SIM card (when the update comes out) and performing a software update, you'll be able to surf the Web with the Xoom at lightning speeds. That future-proofing is a very appealing touch.
Other Usage Minutiae
Android 3.0 is easily the most polished Google software effort to date, but the random apps I downloaded from the Android Market didn't work on Honeycomb at all, let alone scale to the Xoom's large screen. Moreover, there's no obvious way of knowing whether an app has been optimized for Honeycomb.
I endured some software crashes, and Google Talk behaved somewhat inconsistently (where's the button to answer that call?). Also, some folders that I transferred to the Gallery didn't show up, so I couldn't test whether Honeycomb does indeed support .bmp files as Google says. (For a full list of supported files, see Google's Android Developer site.)
Motorola rates the Xoom's battery life at about 10 hours of high-definition video playback. And the device's recharge time is fast, at just 3.5 hours for a full recharge (in my testing, it recharged from a 13 percent charge in less than 3 hours).
One of the Xoom's main assets--aside from being the first Honeycomb tablet to market--should be its deep integration with the Honeycomb platform: Motorola worked hand-in-hand with Google to make Honeycomb run well on the Xoom, Google's reference Honeycomb device. As such, the Xoom is likely to be as pure a Google Honeycomb device as possible.
All in all, the device is a solid but imperfect first effort. Platform stability and 4G can come with future software upgrades, and the bugs in the graphics and video rendering will (I hope) be fixable through software, too. But the screen's annoying grid effect can't be fixed by a simple update.
The Xoom is the first large-screen tablet to provide stiff competition for Apple's iPad. But as smooth as many of its elements are, and as groundbreaking as this first-of-its-kind tablet is, its weaknesses prevent me from giving it a rousing endorsement. Software rough patches can be patched; but hardware frustrations may run deeper than any firmware update can fix.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Verizon iPhone4 From CNET
The good: The Verizon iPhone 4 offers a hot-spot feature not available on AT&T's device. Performance was better in most regards.
The bad: The Verizon iPhone 4 lacks world roaming and the ability to access voice and data simultaneously. The hot-spot feature didn't work with all devices.
The bottom line: The Verizon iPhone 4 has much in common with its AT&T counterpart, but varying features and different performance give it enough room to stand apart. It won't vastly change your iPhone experience, but we welcome the consumer choice that it brings.
Review:
Yes, it's finally here. After almost four years of endless gossip, analyst forecasts, and so-called leaks, the Verizon iPhone is a reality. We're thrilled, to be honest, mostly because we never have to write another rumor story again. And, of course, we're also happy to see U.S. iPhone owners get a real choice in carriers.
If you've been pining for this moment for ages, we feel your elation. But before you rush to the store, there are some important points to keep in mind. First off, the Verizon ... Expand full review
Yes, it's finally here. After almost four years of endless gossip, analyst forecasts, and so-called leaks, the Verizon iPhone is a reality. We're thrilled, to be honest, mostly because we never have to write another rumor story again. And, of course, we're also happy to see U.S. iPhone owners get a real choice in carriers.
If you've been pining for this moment for ages, we feel your elation. But before you rush to the store, there are some important points to keep in mind. First off, the Verizon iPhone 4 is nearly identical to its AT&T counterpart. It stands apart in a couple of ways, but it's largely the same device with many of the same benefits and drawbacks. And like its predecessor, the Verizon iPhone 4 entails some serious give-and-take on the part of the user. You get that nifty hot spot, for example, but Big Red's CDMA technology takes away functionality as well.
Performance may also defy some of your expectations, which we know are huge. After a few days of testing, we can report that Verizon's network offers discernable improvements over AT&T's. The data speeds were faster most of the time, we had more success with placing calls in problem areas, and the calls connected faster. The changes, however, weren't life-changing and they weren't completely consistent. So while it is better in some regards, it can't beat AT&T on all fronts.
Verizon will match AT&T's pricing, which is $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB version. You can get it only in black for now, though the elusive white model is due later this spring. Verizon will offer a $30 unlimited data plan to start, but it likely to switch to tiered data plans in the near future.
Design
Honestly, we can't say much in this section since the Verizon and AT&T handsets are so much alike. There are a couple cosmetic differences, which we'll discuss, but Verizon's iPhone bears all the familiar Apple-style trademarks. It's the same size and weight (4.5 inches tall by 2.3 inches wide by 0.37 inch deep; 4.8 ounces), it has nearly identical external features, and you'll find that gorgeous Retina Display. We're still not fans of the sharp edges and glass back, but there's no denying that the iPhone 4 remains an eye-catching device.
From the front, the two handsets look exactly alike.
Turn the handset on its sides and you'll notice some minor alterations. To accommodate the CDMA antenna, the ringer mute switch on the left side has been moved slightly closer to the volume controls. It makes no difference in usability, but the change means that most current iPhone 4 cases, including the bumpers that Apple gave out for free last summer, won't fit properly. Over on the right side, the SIM card slot has vanished because the handset runs on CDMA.
just above the ringer switch. Apple wouldn't discuss the specifics with CNET, nor would it confirm which portions of the antenna serve which features (on the AT&T phone, one portion of the antenna was for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the remaining portion of the antenna powered cellular calls). We're not prone to conspiracy theories, but it wouldn't surprise us if Apple tweaked the antenna design following last summer's "antennagate" drama. But more on that later.
A feature you gain
Inside, the Verizon handset offers a few more differences, both good and bad. On the upside, Big Red beats AT&T by offering a personal hot-spot feature that can support up to five devices. You can establish the connection through and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable and use all three methods at the same time
Before you can use the hot spot, though, you'll need to activate the option with Verizon. The feature will cost an additional $20 per month, which is cheaper than Sprint's $29 monthly charge, but more expensive than T-Mobile's $14.99 fee. For that price you're limited to 2GB per month, after which you'll pay $20 for each additional gigabyte. On the whole, those charges aren't outrageous for what you get.
Once you're set with the carrier, the hot-spot option will appear in your Settings menu. Then, after you set a password and choose which connectivity options you'd like to use, you can get started. We tried connecting a number of devices including a laptop computer, an iPad, an AT&T iPhone 4, a LG Optimus S, a RIM BlackBerry Torch, a Huawei Ideos X5, and a T-Mobile MyTouch 3G.
For most devices, the connection process over Wi-Fi was quick and painless. The MyTouch 3G was able to find the hot spot, but for some reason it could hold the connection for only 5 seconds before dropping it. The Ideos, meanwhile, was not able to locate the iPhone, even when they were next to each other.
Though those hiccups weren't encouraging, they could be the fault of the other phones. What's more, once we tossed them aside, the hot spot performed well even at full capacity. Web browsing on the laptop, for example, was only a few seconds slower than what we normally experience on CNET's wired network. Uploading a Facebook photo took about 10 seconds (versus the usual 5 seconds), and we were able to load a number of graphics-heavy Web sites without any problems. We had a similar experience when using a USB cable for the PC; it was a bit slower than normal but nothing drastic.
The Verizon iPhone tracks how many devices are connected through the hot spot.
Even with those few issues, the hot spot is user-friendly and it makes the Verizon iPhone an even better mobile-computing device. You don't get individual notifications when you connect a new device, and you can't see what is connected at a given time, but a status bar at the top of the display conveniently tracks how many gadgets are linked up. Yet, as with so many other things on the iPhone, the hot spot isn't the first or the best we've seen of its kind. It may do things differently, but it's not better. We're still testing the hot-spot battery life and will report the results here.
Features you keep
Outside of the hot spot, you can expect the usual iPhone goodies. You'll get the 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, front-facing VGA camera, Bluetooth, digital compass, e-mail and messaging, iPod player, voice control, voice memo recorder, assisted GPS and Google Maps, Safari browser, access to apps and media through iTunes, and FaceTime over Wi-Fi.
The Verizon iPhone has the same camera features as the AT&T version.
The polished interface also remains the same, though the Verizon iPhone currently runs iOS 4.2.6; the AT&T iPhone runs iOS 4.2.1. Apple said 4.2.6 is a version unique to the Verizon handset and that its only changes are support for CDMA and the hot-spot feature.
The Verizon iPhone's photo quality also is no different form the AT&T handset.
Though the phone is impressive, the smartphone market is a thousand times more mature than it was in 2007 when the original iPhone hit, and even in 2010 when the iPhone 4 first went on sale. We don't doubt that the Verizon iPhone will be successful, but it faces heavy competition from rival carriers and even from within Verizon's own lineup. Some offer features that the iPhone can't touch, and there are plenty of people who have interest in buying Apples device. The iPhone is on a new carrier, but it remains just one player in a very competitive field.
Features you don't get
Unfortunately, Verizon's iPhone lacks two very important features present on AT&T's device. Because CDMA essentially separates voice and data into two "pipes" (GSM uses only one), you won't be able to stay on a call and use the Web browser, Google Maps, or any app that requires a data connection (you'll receive a notification if you try and do so). If you're using the navigation feature or hot spot, they will pause when you get a call and resume after you hang up. On the other hand, you will be able to send and receive texts and browse existing content on your device when on a call.
The bad: The Verizon iPhone 4 lacks world roaming and the ability to access voice and data simultaneously. The hot-spot feature didn't work with all devices.
The bottom line: The Verizon iPhone 4 has much in common with its AT&T counterpart, but varying features and different performance give it enough room to stand apart. It won't vastly change your iPhone experience, but we welcome the consumer choice that it brings.
Review:
Yes, it's finally here. After almost four years of endless gossip, analyst forecasts, and so-called leaks, the Verizon iPhone is a reality. We're thrilled, to be honest, mostly because we never have to write another rumor story again. And, of course, we're also happy to see U.S. iPhone owners get a real choice in carriers.
If you've been pining for this moment for ages, we feel your elation. But before you rush to the store, there are some important points to keep in mind. First off, the Verizon ... Expand full review
Yes, it's finally here. After almost four years of endless gossip, analyst forecasts, and so-called leaks, the Verizon iPhone is a reality. We're thrilled, to be honest, mostly because we never have to write another rumor story again. And, of course, we're also happy to see U.S. iPhone owners get a real choice in carriers.
If you've been pining for this moment for ages, we feel your elation. But before you rush to the store, there are some important points to keep in mind. First off, the Verizon iPhone 4 is nearly identical to its AT&T counterpart. It stands apart in a couple of ways, but it's largely the same device with many of the same benefits and drawbacks. And like its predecessor, the Verizon iPhone 4 entails some serious give-and-take on the part of the user. You get that nifty hot spot, for example, but Big Red's CDMA technology takes away functionality as well.
Performance may also defy some of your expectations, which we know are huge. After a few days of testing, we can report that Verizon's network offers discernable improvements over AT&T's. The data speeds were faster most of the time, we had more success with placing calls in problem areas, and the calls connected faster. The changes, however, weren't life-changing and they weren't completely consistent. So while it is better in some regards, it can't beat AT&T on all fronts.
Verizon will match AT&T's pricing, which is $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB version. You can get it only in black for now, though the elusive white model is due later this spring. Verizon will offer a $30 unlimited data plan to start, but it likely to switch to tiered data plans in the near future.
Design
Honestly, we can't say much in this section since the Verizon and AT&T handsets are so much alike. There are a couple cosmetic differences, which we'll discuss, but Verizon's iPhone bears all the familiar Apple-style trademarks. It's the same size and weight (4.5 inches tall by 2.3 inches wide by 0.37 inch deep; 4.8 ounces), it has nearly identical external features, and you'll find that gorgeous Retina Display. We're still not fans of the sharp edges and glass back, but there's no denying that the iPhone 4 remains an eye-catching device.
From the front, the two handsets look exactly alike.
Turn the handset on its sides and you'll notice some minor alterations. To accommodate the CDMA antenna, the ringer mute switch on the left side has been moved slightly closer to the volume controls. It makes no difference in usability, but the change means that most current iPhone 4 cases, including the bumpers that Apple gave out for free last summer, won't fit properly. Over on the right side, the SIM card slot has vanished because the handset runs on CDMA.
just above the ringer switch. Apple wouldn't discuss the specifics with CNET, nor would it confirm which portions of the antenna serve which features (on the AT&T phone, one portion of the antenna was for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the remaining portion of the antenna powered cellular calls). We're not prone to conspiracy theories, but it wouldn't surprise us if Apple tweaked the antenna design following last summer's "antennagate" drama. But more on that later.
A feature you gain
Inside, the Verizon handset offers a few more differences, both good and bad. On the upside, Big Red beats AT&T by offering a personal hot-spot feature that can support up to five devices. You can establish the connection through and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable and use all three methods at the same time
Before you can use the hot spot, though, you'll need to activate the option with Verizon. The feature will cost an additional $20 per month, which is cheaper than Sprint's $29 monthly charge, but more expensive than T-Mobile's $14.99 fee. For that price you're limited to 2GB per month, after which you'll pay $20 for each additional gigabyte. On the whole, those charges aren't outrageous for what you get.
Once you're set with the carrier, the hot-spot option will appear in your Settings menu. Then, after you set a password and choose which connectivity options you'd like to use, you can get started. We tried connecting a number of devices including a laptop computer, an iPad, an AT&T iPhone 4, a LG Optimus S, a RIM BlackBerry Torch, a Huawei Ideos X5, and a T-Mobile MyTouch 3G.
For most devices, the connection process over Wi-Fi was quick and painless. The MyTouch 3G was able to find the hot spot, but for some reason it could hold the connection for only 5 seconds before dropping it. The Ideos, meanwhile, was not able to locate the iPhone, even when they were next to each other.
Though those hiccups weren't encouraging, they could be the fault of the other phones. What's more, once we tossed them aside, the hot spot performed well even at full capacity. Web browsing on the laptop, for example, was only a few seconds slower than what we normally experience on CNET's wired network. Uploading a Facebook photo took about 10 seconds (versus the usual 5 seconds), and we were able to load a number of graphics-heavy Web sites without any problems. We had a similar experience when using a USB cable for the PC; it was a bit slower than normal but nothing drastic.
The Verizon iPhone tracks how many devices are connected through the hot spot.
Even with those few issues, the hot spot is user-friendly and it makes the Verizon iPhone an even better mobile-computing device. You don't get individual notifications when you connect a new device, and you can't see what is connected at a given time, but a status bar at the top of the display conveniently tracks how many gadgets are linked up. Yet, as with so many other things on the iPhone, the hot spot isn't the first or the best we've seen of its kind. It may do things differently, but it's not better. We're still testing the hot-spot battery life and will report the results here.
Features you keep
Outside of the hot spot, you can expect the usual iPhone goodies. You'll get the 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, front-facing VGA camera, Bluetooth, digital compass, e-mail and messaging, iPod player, voice control, voice memo recorder, assisted GPS and Google Maps, Safari browser, access to apps and media through iTunes, and FaceTime over Wi-Fi.
The Verizon iPhone has the same camera features as the AT&T version.
The polished interface also remains the same, though the Verizon iPhone currently runs iOS 4.2.6; the AT&T iPhone runs iOS 4.2.1. Apple said 4.2.6 is a version unique to the Verizon handset and that its only changes are support for CDMA and the hot-spot feature.
The Verizon iPhone's photo quality also is no different form the AT&T handset.
Though the phone is impressive, the smartphone market is a thousand times more mature than it was in 2007 when the original iPhone hit, and even in 2010 when the iPhone 4 first went on sale. We don't doubt that the Verizon iPhone will be successful, but it faces heavy competition from rival carriers and even from within Verizon's own lineup. Some offer features that the iPhone can't touch, and there are plenty of people who have interest in buying Apples device. The iPhone is on a new carrier, but it remains just one player in a very competitive field.
Features you don't get
Unfortunately, Verizon's iPhone lacks two very important features present on AT&T's device. Because CDMA essentially separates voice and data into two "pipes" (GSM uses only one), you won't be able to stay on a call and use the Web browser, Google Maps, or any app that requires a data connection (you'll receive a notification if you try and do so). If you're using the navigation feature or hot spot, they will pause when you get a call and resume after you hang up. On the other hand, you will be able to send and receive texts and browse existing content on your device when on a call.
Verizon iPhone Sales Underwhelm - From PC Mag.com
Consumer demand for a Verizon iPhone 4 may be less enthusiastic than first expected. Tech blog Boy Genius Report is reporting that first-week iPhone 4 sales didn't meet the expectations of Apple and Verizon Wireless.Citing unnamed Apple sources, BGR posted unit sales totals purported from five Apple stores, including two "very, very prominent" locations. The numbers show Verizon Wireless and AT&T iPhone 4 sales during the Verizon iPhone's first five days of availability (starting Thursday, February 10):
The figures suggest an early rush of Verizon iPhone 4 sales that quickly dissipated. By Sunday, February 13, Verizon's iPhone sales were only slightly higher than AT&T's. Online pre-orders for the Verizon iPhone 4 totaled about 550,000 units, BGR reports.
If consumer response to the Verizon iPhone is somewhat disappointing, what's the most likely reason? You can take your pick of possible explanations, including a cold spell across the eastern half of the U.S. that reduced foot traffic at Apple's brick-and-mortar locations, or the healthy number of Verizon iPhone preorders online.
Or perhaps iPhone fans are more savvy than slavish. Many have probably heard that the iPhone 5 will arrive this summer. Revelation! It's smarter to wait a few months and get the latest iPhone on Verizon (assuming it's available), rather than commit to a two-year contract with last year's model.
Oh, one other interesting tidbit from BGR on who has bought Verizon iPhones thus far: 30 percent were Android users; 25 percent migrated from BlackBerry; and just 14 percent were AT&T iPhone owners. The rest either didn't have a smartphone or other mobile handset, or simply didn't say.
The figures suggest an early rush of Verizon iPhone 4 sales that quickly dissipated. By Sunday, February 13, Verizon's iPhone sales were only slightly higher than AT&T's. Online pre-orders for the Verizon iPhone 4 totaled about 550,000 units, BGR reports.
If consumer response to the Verizon iPhone is somewhat disappointing, what's the most likely reason? You can take your pick of possible explanations, including a cold spell across the eastern half of the U.S. that reduced foot traffic at Apple's brick-and-mortar locations, or the healthy number of Verizon iPhone preorders online.
Or perhaps iPhone fans are more savvy than slavish. Many have probably heard that the iPhone 5 will arrive this summer. Revelation! It's smarter to wait a few months and get the latest iPhone on Verizon (assuming it's available), rather than commit to a two-year contract with last year's model.
Oh, one other interesting tidbit from BGR on who has bought Verizon iPhones thus far: 30 percent were Android users; 25 percent migrated from BlackBerry; and just 14 percent were AT&T iPhone owners. The rest either didn't have a smartphone or other mobile handset, or simply didn't say.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Damn Lakers
In a season tainted by bad losses and chemistry issues, this one has to be at the top. And interestingly, we’re coming to you live from Cleveland and not talking about the Cavaliers.
We’re talking about the two-time defending NBA champions. We’re talking about a team with Phil Jackson as its coach and Kobe Bryant as its superstar, a dream team that also features Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest.
We’re talking about the Lakers, who dropped a 104-99 decision Wednesday to the same Cavs they had previously beaten by 219 points. Actually, it was 55, but it sure felt like a whole lot more.
Now the Lakers head into the All-Star break having lost three straight. They seem angry, confused and considerably less formidable than at any other time during the Phil-and-Kobe era.
“They went on break before the game started,” Jackson said of his players, and you just knew that line was coming.
But a quick look at the numbers goes a long way in proving Jackson’s point:
* The Lakers committed 19 turnovers, never led by more than three points and trailed by as many as 12 with 2:30 left.
* Bryant scored just four points in the fourth quarter and 17 for the game. While Jackson insisted Kobe didn’t try too hard to take over, he did force a lot of shots in an 8-for-24 night. That included a couple of bricks (and two air balls) that may have made the rim cringe with fear.
* Artest took all of one shot, missed it, and compiled zero rebounds in just less than 18 minutes. Artest has become the Lakers’ Dennis Rodman, except Artest doesn‘t crash the boards nearly as much. And at least Michael Jordan was able to keep Rodman under control on those Jackson-coached Chicago teams. Kobe has been unable to do the same with Artest.
* Meanwhile, Bynum looked sluggish and almost aloof in shooting 2-for-12 and finishing with six points. All of this took place against Cavs centers J.J. Hickson and Ryan Hollins. Nice players, but we're not exactly talking Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain here.
It’s no wonder Bryant took an extra long shower after the game, aiming to avoid reporters and the tough questions that were certain to come his way. After all, the only thing worse than losing in Orlando and Charlotte is to get outhustled by a downtrodden team in Cleveland.
Of course, it’s not like anyone else can do a whole lot of explaining for what’s happened to this organization.
“I got to look at the tape to analyze what happened,” Artest said. “We just have to play hard, harder than what we are playing,” Bynum added.
As for Jackson and what he told the players afterward, well, it was more of the same. It was a whole lot of nothing.
“You know I did not say anything,” he said. “I just talked about when they have to report (back to practice) Monday.”
Granted, the Lakers are in fact a veteran team that is still leading the Pacific Division with a record of 38-19. There is indeed a chance they are coasting and remain very confident.
A few years back the Lakers were storming through the playoffs, only to drop a game no one expected. “We’re not bored anymore,” Bryant quipped at the time.
Perhaps these Lakers will soon feel the same. But if home losses to Milwaukee, Memphis and Indiana don’t get the juices flowing, something like Wednesday night sure had better do the trick.
Because with 25 games left, it might be time for the Lakers to quit messing around and stop being so casual. This is no time to act like fat cats.
“We have to get back on Monday and get some work done,” Jackson said.
In Los Angeles, that’s usually a line reserved for plastic surgery. But when it comes to the Lakers, this is gonna take more than just a tummy tuck and cheek implants.
It requires a whole new attitude, and anyone who saw the loss to Cleveland knows there’s really no other way to explain it.
We’re talking about the two-time defending NBA champions. We’re talking about a team with Phil Jackson as its coach and Kobe Bryant as its superstar, a dream team that also features Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest.
We’re talking about the Lakers, who dropped a 104-99 decision Wednesday to the same Cavs they had previously beaten by 219 points. Actually, it was 55, but it sure felt like a whole lot more.
Now the Lakers head into the All-Star break having lost three straight. They seem angry, confused and considerably less formidable than at any other time during the Phil-and-Kobe era.
“They went on break before the game started,” Jackson said of his players, and you just knew that line was coming.
But a quick look at the numbers goes a long way in proving Jackson’s point:
* The Lakers committed 19 turnovers, never led by more than three points and trailed by as many as 12 with 2:30 left.
* Bryant scored just four points in the fourth quarter and 17 for the game. While Jackson insisted Kobe didn’t try too hard to take over, he did force a lot of shots in an 8-for-24 night. That included a couple of bricks (and two air balls) that may have made the rim cringe with fear.
* Artest took all of one shot, missed it, and compiled zero rebounds in just less than 18 minutes. Artest has become the Lakers’ Dennis Rodman, except Artest doesn‘t crash the boards nearly as much. And at least Michael Jordan was able to keep Rodman under control on those Jackson-coached Chicago teams. Kobe has been unable to do the same with Artest.
* Meanwhile, Bynum looked sluggish and almost aloof in shooting 2-for-12 and finishing with six points. All of this took place against Cavs centers J.J. Hickson and Ryan Hollins. Nice players, but we're not exactly talking Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain here.
It’s no wonder Bryant took an extra long shower after the game, aiming to avoid reporters and the tough questions that were certain to come his way. After all, the only thing worse than losing in Orlando and Charlotte is to get outhustled by a downtrodden team in Cleveland.
Of course, it’s not like anyone else can do a whole lot of explaining for what’s happened to this organization.
“I got to look at the tape to analyze what happened,” Artest said. “We just have to play hard, harder than what we are playing,” Bynum added.
As for Jackson and what he told the players afterward, well, it was more of the same. It was a whole lot of nothing.
“You know I did not say anything,” he said. “I just talked about when they have to report (back to practice) Monday.”
Granted, the Lakers are in fact a veteran team that is still leading the Pacific Division with a record of 38-19. There is indeed a chance they are coasting and remain very confident.
A few years back the Lakers were storming through the playoffs, only to drop a game no one expected. “We’re not bored anymore,” Bryant quipped at the time.
Perhaps these Lakers will soon feel the same. But if home losses to Milwaukee, Memphis and Indiana don’t get the juices flowing, something like Wednesday night sure had better do the trick.
Because with 25 games left, it might be time for the Lakers to quit messing around and stop being so casual. This is no time to act like fat cats.
“We have to get back on Monday and get some work done,” Jackson said.
In Los Angeles, that’s usually a line reserved for plastic surgery. But when it comes to the Lakers, this is gonna take more than just a tummy tuck and cheek implants.
It requires a whole new attitude, and anyone who saw the loss to Cleveland knows there’s really no other way to explain it.
Damn Yankee
I can't stand the thought of a Yankee as Dodger manager but, Donnie Baseball debuted Thursday, as Mattingly oversaw his first workout for pitchers and catchers as Dodgers manager and did his best to sidestep the first potential controversy of his tenure.
That would be the fifth-starter spot. A year ago under Joe Torre, the Dodgers came to camp without an established one and tried to piece it together for most of the year.
It didn't work, which is why general manager Ned Colletti gave Mattingly six starters this spring. Too many is a good thing for everyone except the odd man out, who figures to be Vicente Padilla. He told the club he's willing to be a reliever, but he's also said he has the resume and ability to be in the rotation. After missing time twice last year with arm and neck injuries, the right-hander arrived in Arizona last week, motivated to prove he's healthy again and determined to break camp in the rotation.
Well... I am not impressed....
That would be the fifth-starter spot. A year ago under Joe Torre, the Dodgers came to camp without an established one and tried to piece it together for most of the year.
It didn't work, which is why general manager Ned Colletti gave Mattingly six starters this spring. Too many is a good thing for everyone except the odd man out, who figures to be Vicente Padilla. He told the club he's willing to be a reliever, but he's also said he has the resume and ability to be in the rotation. After missing time twice last year with arm and neck injuries, the right-hander arrived in Arizona last week, motivated to prove he's healthy again and determined to break camp in the rotation.
Well... I am not impressed....
From Fox News
On Tuesday, Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer asked Ron Paul to respond to the chorus of boos that greeted news the insurgent small-government Texas congressman had won the Conservative Political Action Conference's presidential straw poll for the second year in a row. There was just one problem with Hemmer's question: The vocal chorus of boos didn't come from last week's 2011 CPAC as the network claimed; rather those boos were from the 2010 conference.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Ya Sure Frank!
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said Tuesday that fans should not be concerned about his financial troubles and renewed his vow to own the team whenever his costly and lengthy divorce proceedings conclude.
"I'm very, very confident at the end of the process that I'm going to own the baseball team and, someday, my four kids are," McCourt said. "My confidence in that has not changed."
The Dodgers posted a losing record last season, which could affect season-ticket sales even without a struggling economy and the damaging revelations from McCourt's divorce trial.
McCourt said ticket sales were "fine" and "right on projections," but would not say whether sales were up or down as compared to last year.
He said the fans he meets do not want to discuss his divorce, his debt or whether he would sell the team. In seven seasons under McCourt ownership, he said, the Dodgers have advanced to the playoffs four times.
"The fans care about one thing, and that is the team winning," he said. "That's really what they want to talk about. They want to talk about the players — our pitching, who's going to bat cleanup, and so on and so forth. That's really what they care about — the team, and winning a championship.
"That's what I want to deliver to the fans, a world championship, more than anything else."
McCourt, speaking after the Dodgers and the city of Los Angeles dedicated a community baseball field at Northridge Recreation Center, had a quick response to a question about where the Dodgers go after another tumultuous winter.
"We go to spring training," he said.
"I'm very, very confident at the end of the process that I'm going to own the baseball team and, someday, my four kids are," McCourt said. "My confidence in that has not changed."
The Dodgers posted a losing record last season, which could affect season-ticket sales even without a struggling economy and the damaging revelations from McCourt's divorce trial.
McCourt said ticket sales were "fine" and "right on projections," but would not say whether sales were up or down as compared to last year.
He said the fans he meets do not want to discuss his divorce, his debt or whether he would sell the team. In seven seasons under McCourt ownership, he said, the Dodgers have advanced to the playoffs four times.
"The fans care about one thing, and that is the team winning," he said. "That's really what they want to talk about. They want to talk about the players — our pitching, who's going to bat cleanup, and so on and so forth. That's really what they care about — the team, and winning a championship.
"That's what I want to deliver to the fans, a world championship, more than anything else."
McCourt, speaking after the Dodgers and the city of Los Angeles dedicated a community baseball field at Northridge Recreation Center, had a quick response to a question about where the Dodgers go after another tumultuous winter.
"We go to spring training," he said.
Cali Prop 8
From NutHouse California - The California Supreme Court decided Wednesday to determine whether the sponsors of Proposition 8 have special authority to defend the anti-gay marriage initiative in court.
The state high court, meeting in closed session, agreed to a request by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to determine the status California law gives initiative sponsors.
The court was unanimous in deciding to accept the case. The court's order set an expedited briefing schedule to permit a hearing by "as early as September." The court must rule on a case 90 days after oral argument.
A panel of the 9th Circuit has indicated it would have to dismiss an appeal by proponents of Proposition 8 on procedural grounds unless the California court determines that the initiative's sponsors have legal standing. A procedural ruling would not affect gay marriage outside of California.
ProtectMarriage, the group that sponsored the 2008 anti-gay-marriage initiative, appealed a federal judge’s ruling in August that found the measure unconstitutional. State officials, who under law clearly have the right to appeal such orders, refused to do so.
The state high court already has ruled twice on same-sex marriage. In a May 2008 ruling, the court voted 4-3 to end California’s ban on gay nuptials. Voters reinstated the ban six months later.
The state court rejected a challenge of Proposition 8 the following year, ruling 6-1 that it was not an illegal revision of the state Constitution.
Both conservative and liberal groups are expected to urge the California court to rule that backers of ballot measures have authority, or “standing,” to defend them. Such a ruling would pave the way for a 9th Circuit decision on Proposition 8’s constitutionality, which likely would go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and have national impact.
The state high court, meeting in closed session, agreed to a request by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to determine the status California law gives initiative sponsors.
The court was unanimous in deciding to accept the case. The court's order set an expedited briefing schedule to permit a hearing by "as early as September." The court must rule on a case 90 days after oral argument.
A panel of the 9th Circuit has indicated it would have to dismiss an appeal by proponents of Proposition 8 on procedural grounds unless the California court determines that the initiative's sponsors have legal standing. A procedural ruling would not affect gay marriage outside of California.
ProtectMarriage, the group that sponsored the 2008 anti-gay-marriage initiative, appealed a federal judge’s ruling in August that found the measure unconstitutional. State officials, who under law clearly have the right to appeal such orders, refused to do so.
The state high court already has ruled twice on same-sex marriage. In a May 2008 ruling, the court voted 4-3 to end California’s ban on gay nuptials. Voters reinstated the ban six months later.
The state court rejected a challenge of Proposition 8 the following year, ruling 6-1 that it was not an illegal revision of the state Constitution.
Both conservative and liberal groups are expected to urge the California court to rule that backers of ballot measures have authority, or “standing,” to defend them. Such a ruling would pave the way for a 9th Circuit decision on Proposition 8’s constitutionality, which likely would go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and have national impact.
Mike Vick - No on Oprah!
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will not be appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" after all.
A show spokesman said Wednesday representatives of the NFL star called late Tuesday to cancel his appearance for personal reasons. The daytime talk show host's interview with Vick was set to air Thursday, Feb. 24.
"After careful consideration, I will need to postpone the taping of the Oprah Winfrey interview," Vick said in a statement. "I admire and respect Oprah and hope to be able to participate in an interview in the future."
The interview was to cover Vick's time in prison, his work with the Humane Society and his return to the NFL.
Vick missed two seasons and served 18 months in federal prison for a dogfighting operation based on his property in Surry County, Va.
He was reinstated to the NFL for the 2009 season and has been doing public service work, including with the Humane Society.
A show spokesman said Wednesday representatives of the NFL star called late Tuesday to cancel his appearance for personal reasons. The daytime talk show host's interview with Vick was set to air Thursday, Feb. 24.
"After careful consideration, I will need to postpone the taping of the Oprah Winfrey interview," Vick said in a statement. "I admire and respect Oprah and hope to be able to participate in an interview in the future."
The interview was to cover Vick's time in prison, his work with the Humane Society and his return to the NFL.
Vick missed two seasons and served 18 months in federal prison for a dogfighting operation based on his property in Surry County, Va.
He was reinstated to the NFL for the 2009 season and has been doing public service work, including with the Humane Society.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)