The New Hardware Updates

So, many hardware events have been happening over the last month, and many of them offered new innovations to their line of products. Some updated current devices, some made a brand new product, and others are just out-of-the-box innovation. This isn't the full previews on the phones, but just an overview. The hardware events have been hosted by LG Electronics, Apple, Google, and even Microsoft. And although they didn't have an event, Nokia also made a hardware announcement. Samsung also had to make a huge million-dollar recall on a piece of their hardware.

The first hardware announcement was from LG on September 6th, 2016. They announced the V20, which was made to replace the V10 from the previous year. It also brought together improvements brought to us from the G5 from this year, although they dropped the modular design. This phone is also the indirect successor of the Google Nexus 6P. This phone was the first one launched with the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system, which was usually the job of the Nexus. This device offered a few LG features, such as the 2nd always-on display, directly above the main screen. It also has a dual-camera setup, found on the G5. A fingerprint sensor, similar to Google's Nexus Imprint, is also located on the back. Google did support LG with the software, similar to what happens when LG makes a Nexus device, however, this is marketed as an LG device.

The following day, Apple launched their unofficially-annual September Apple Event. There, they announced the iPhone 7 and Plus, which came with some new features. These features are most likely the best features Apple has offered to date, although, compared to other smartphones, they are still lagging behind. The dual-camera setup on the iPhone 7 Plus is what Apple claims to be their biggest innovation, however, it is clear that LG got it before them. They are teaming up with Motorola Mobility to offer replacements for the headphone jack. They decided to dump Samsung, and decided to use a Taiwanese company to manufacturer their new Apple A10 Fusion system-on chip. Other announcements that were made include the second series of the Apple Watch. Both this and the phones are "waterproof" this year. Apple AirPods were also announced.

Google made a new event called #MadeByGoogle on October 4th of this year. They focused on Google-made hardware throughout the event. A majority of the hardware announcements were made as replacements to previously-made Google devices, however, the proceeded were made in collaboration with manufactures, yet, these are all Google. Although, some of these devices are manufactured by previous collaborative partners, but designed completely by Google. The most popular out of all of these is the Pixel, Phone by Google. Although it has a long name to it, it is a pretty nice device. The design materials are similar to those of the iPhone, made out if aluminum. This will be a Verizon Wireless exclusive, due to the fact it supports LTE-A, however, it can be found unlocked on the Google Store. Other announcements that were made include Google Daydream, Google Home, Google Wifi, and Chromecast Ultra. The Pixel is manufactured by HTC.

While Samsung didn't announce any hardware, they put out a huge money-breaking recall out for all Galaxy Note7 devices. This is something they had to do after 27 explosions have happened because of any overheating battery while charging improperly. While this happens, it is also discontinued, banned publicly, and collected from you in a fire-proof box. This was put into affect on October 10th.

The next event was by Microsoft on October 27th of 2016, yesterday. This event focused mainly on a single device, named the Surface Studio. A few accessories are out too. This is an all-in-one device, completely made by Microsoft themselves. This is made for designers, illustrators, and graphic designers. Although, you could also use it, however, for a normal user, it would be something that would be something that you would never get the full-function out of. Although not talked about during this time, the Xbox One S was also announced around this time. Also, the Surface Book was also given a hardware upgrade, although, its not a new generation device, just the new standard.

The most recent one, at the moment, is another one of Apple's. Today, they announced the next generation MacBook Pro devices, which is adding some iOS-like features to the Mac. So now, there is "Siri" and "Touch ID" features. According to what Apple usually does when making a feature universal is make them similar features, not the same ones. Also, a touch-bar was added to the keyboard, where the function keys formally were. This makes buttons which change depending on what's happening. This is similar to LG's second screen on their phones. This is one of the most innovative features I have seen from Apple, ever. The fingerprint sensor will be on the power button, almost like on some of LG's phones as well.

What do you think about the new hardware released recently?

google-site-verification: googleb7223f4776f425c1.html

The Mobile Operating Systems

So, we've all heard the Samsung-Apple conflict between the smartphones, where one of them copies off the other, and one of them (usually Apple) ends up suing the other, and so on and so on. Well, instead of looking at the Smartphone Patent Wars, which is, in-fact, a thing, I've decided to go through a quick run-through of the major mobile operating systems. Also, I do apologize to those of you looking for some of the smaller ones, since even though they are important, there's just so many of them to look at in this article.

Google Android and the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) are the most popular mobile and regular operating systems, to-date. So, the reason I have 2 operating systems up here is because the Android we know, as well as true Android, are 2 separate things. So, the one we all know and love is Google Android. This is built off of the open-source project, with Google's specialized closed-sourced apps weaved into the operating system's core. The Play Store is the heart of Google's Android, where you can download your content to your devices. Unlike many other operating systems, there is a free and open-source version, which anyone is free to use. The theme of this operating system is customization. Since it is open-source, it is very easy for a user to customize the device the way they want it, also, it is pretty easy for carriers and manufacturers to add their own touches to Google's operating system. Although Google is the organizer, the Open Handset Alliance is the one responsible for bringing us this wonderful operating system. Also, the physical devices used to run Android are manufactured by any company which chooses to, however, in order for them to get help from the OHA, it must be running Google's Android.

The second most popular mobile operating system is, of-course, Apple iOS. Originally launched as iPhone OS, it is run by a majority of the United States' population. They were one of the first developed mobile operating systems which supported touch-screen. The hardware components for these devices are found from various companies, the biggest being Samsung. Although Apple is a hardware company themselves, they contract the manufacturing to the Taiwanese company of Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.). The iOS products are, in-fact, designed in-house at Apple, and Apple is the one and only manufacturer, so there are not many choices when it comes to iOS-capable devices. The key feature of this mobile operating system is to be very simplistic. Although, the hardware designs are usually up to standards, they often keep the previous design, only altering a few minor features, keeping the design of both software and hardware similar to the previous.

Although formally Windows Phone OS, Windows 10 Mobile is a very nice and well thought-out operating system. Unlike Windows Phone, Windows 10 Mobile is just the mobile version of Windows 10, with the focus being productivity. While gaming apps may be limited, there are tons of Microsoft-made productivity apps, as well as ones made by other developers. Software is no issue for this operating system. Continuum is a feature in Windows 10 Mobile where, for compatible phones, you can hook up your phone to an external monitor, which makes your phone turn into a PC-like experience. Windows Phone had many manufacturers to develop for it, including Nokia, Samsung, LG, HTC, and Huawei. Although, the Windows Phone's biggest manufacturer, Nokia, no longer has their mobile division, now belonging to Microsoft, under Microsoft Mobile. Microsoft Mobile is the main manufacturer of Windows 10 Mobile, although some other brands are starting to make phones now, including HP.

Originally made by Research In Motion Limited, BlackBerry 10 (BB10) is the proprietary operating system of BlackBerry devices. RIM, now known as BlackBerry Limited, has always manufactured their devices, although recently they got rid of their manufacturing brand. Although they haven't been making phones running BB10 recently, it is still an active operating system, putting security first, always. BlackBerry is always big on security. Usually, classic BlackBerry devices have always had just a few buttons, without a touch-screen display, however, they made a slow transition to touch-screen devices just a few or so ago. The operating system itself is QNX-based, however, uses the Amazon Appstore, which provides Android-compatible apps. Since BB10 isn't Android-compatible, it uses a built-in converter to install Android apps onto the operating system.

Tizen is the one of the newest mobile operating systems, made by Samsung and Intel's previous attempts at making their own operating systems. Their operating system is based on connectivity, since both make for Android, however, they believe that Google has lost control of Android, and they feel that Tizen could accomplish Google's original goal for Android. The Linux Foundation helps provide Linux coding for Tizen. Like how the OHA is for Android, the Tizen Association helps Tizen. The Tizen Association is the former Linux Mobile Foundation (LiMo Foundation).

There are many, many more mobile operating systems, but these are just the major 5 mobile operating systems, each of which has its own goal. So, based on what you would want in an operating system, which one would you take?

What to look forward to in Windows 10

So, many of you have heard of the Windows 10 free update from July 29th, 2015 to the end of the same day in 2016. Although, some of you, who had Windows 8.1, used it to downgrade back to the reliable Windows 7. Some of you who already had Windows 7 just didn't take up the offer, which is perfectly fine. Although now, those of you that have had computer issues, are now forced to upgrade to Windows 10, "The Universal Windows." So, what does Windows 10 have to offer?

Well, before getting into the features added, what exactly is Windows 10? Windows 10 is the universal Windows version, merging all current Microsoft-owned operating systems into one, excluding Windows Server, which Windows Server 2016 does run a variant of Windows 10. This means that the systems which the operating systems were run, now run some variant of Windows 10. For example, Xbox is owned by Microsoft, and the Xbox One formally ran Xbox One System Software, but in 2015 got an update to change the Windows 8.1-based user interface to the one actually of the latest version of Windows. (The update to Windows 10 for Xbox was "New Xbox One Experience Update") By merging these operating systems, some of the features from the former operating systems are now merged into Windows 10.

The biggest feature which I have been waiting for was Windows Phone 8.1's Cortana. Now in Windows 10, the feature almost works as if she has always been inside of my PC. You can ask her to do basically any task, and she'll try the best she can to get the job done. If she can't figure it out, she brings up the Bing search results of what she thinks you said, by default using the Microsoft Edge browser. She is also integrated into the Edge browser by default as well. In Edge, she can pull up suggestions and coupons which she thinks you'll be interested in. Remember Clippy (Microsoft Clippit)? Well, Cortana does, according to her, he's, "Enjoying his sunset years out of the media."

Speaking of Microsoft Edge, it is also a new feature of Windows 10. This feature comes from the Insider's Preview, then-named Project Spartan. It was renamed as "Edge" because it replaces Internet Explorer. Edge is your new and improved search browser, and no, it is not just a renamed Internet Explorer. If you miss IE, there is a button on Edge which can transfer the website to the legacy Internet Explorer. Although extensions for Edge were nonexistent at first, after the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, there are many extensions up for download. Cortana, your very personal assistant, is there to help you on the web as well. A new feature is where you can draw on the website itself, under the tab, "Make a Web Note." The drawing on a website is a very under-rated feature. By using this feature, you are helping to save many trees from being used for paper.

Microsoft Ink Workspace is a feature taken indirectly from the former-Windows RT semi-mobile operating system, which ran on the Surface tablet line. This feature was added not to long ago, during the Anniversary Update. So, not only can you write on websites, you can write on anything! Of course, using this is a bit more difficult that using Edge's features, but it still works pretty nice. The only downside to this is if you don't have a touchscreen, since this feature would be almost useless to you. However, even if you do have a touchscreen, you're not guaranteed accuracy, so, using this feature is entirely up to you.

The Xbox app is the best feature to have for any gamer who owns a PC. Have an Xbox One? Even better! The Xbox app allows you to get Xbox functionalities out of your Windows 10 PC. Suppose, you already bought an Xbox One before you knew this, don't get rid of it. You can mirror your One's screen to the one of your PC, and just hookup the wireless controller to your PC, and there you have it, a typing Xbox. And, although we are talking about Windows 10, Cortana did make it over to your Xbox One is you have one, and she can go right back over to your PC screen when you need her while gaming.

Windows Store, which is a merger of the Xbox Store and the Windows Phone Store, is now here. Although they had a Windows Market in Windows 8 and 8.1, labeled the Windows Store, it only consisted of new apps made from then. Although in the new Windows Store, the 3 stores merge into one. So now, you can access a variety of different apps for different platforms. So now, you can have a variety of different types of PC software, including both programs and "apps". This way, you can get the most out of your single device.

Next is the built-in antivirus software. Although this addition does make Windows 10 the most secure Windows, it is still pretty easy to turn this feature off. This built-in feature is found inside what looks to be a regular app, called Windows Defender. This is actually a setting, however, the main control center of this feature is in app form. For those of you who had Microsoft Office 2007 on Windows 7, or installed some programs from Microsoft, such as Windows Live Essentials 2012, you most likely already had this feature. On my Windows 7 laptop, I have recently found Windows Defender laying dormant. If you still chose to use your own anti-virus, it's totally up to you, since Windows is still very customization heavy.

Two new built-in apps, Movies&TV and Groove Music, are also integrated right into the center of the operating system. If you are wondering where these came from, these were made-for Xbox features back during the time of the 360, in 2012. Then, they were replacements of Zune, and labeled as Xbox Video and Xbox Music. In both the Xbox 360 and One (prior to the One's Windows 10 update) still used the Xbox branding. Slowly, Microsoft is sending out updates to both operating systems to update the apps. These are both good examples of the Universal App Platform, which is used in Windows 10 to help create totally compatible apps, for almost any device, one app.

Well, that has been a summary of the best within Windows 10 thus far. I will be updating this as more features come our way. Stay tuned to Microsoft, as they have a Windows 10 event coming soon later this October. Also, Windows 10 will loose support by the end of 2020, yet, also the last version of Windows, ever. What do you think will happen with Microsoft after 2020?

Samsung Galaxy Note7: What's happening now?

So, do you remember hearing about the Samsung Galaxy Note7, and how it is the best phone on the market? Then, you probably also have heard that they have been exploding, although only 37, for a newly released phone, that's a problem. Samsung attempted to resolve the problem by recalling it, and rumors have announced that the Galaxy S8 might possibly come out quicker than it should have, to save the company's reputation. Now, we are saying goodbye to the Note7.

So, more and more stories are popping up about the Note7, how both the original and replacement ones have been mysteriously been blowing up. According to Samsung and some other researchers, it is caused during charging when the original charger is not being used. As we are assuming that it means since it is using the Type-C port, the users are not using the official Type-A to Type-C adaptors, resulting in a mixed reaction, between the charger and the battery. So it this our faults, or Samsung's? Well, in a way, kind of both of ours. You see, technically, we should have used the charging adapters provided in the box, however, Samsung should've made sure the phone would have been capable with third-party chargers.

Well, why didn't Samsung just offer new phones? So, Samsung did offer out brand new Note7's just recently, which a green battery now, as we've heard. Well, now rumors are saying that those have been exploding too. Although some of them are believed to have been the regular ones, some of these have also been the replacement ones. After this, just yesterday, Samsung decided to give up on trying to fix a bigger problem than it can handle, and just give up. It is now officially a safety hazard to own a Galaxy Note7. If you own one, or are reading this article from one, power it off immediately, and turn it back in, using the online instructions provided by Samsung. Even for those of you who love it, please turn it in. The store displays are also being turned back in. Tech reviews are starting to turn off and make their final review, and turn it in.

Will we get our money back? Yes, and no. You see, your carrier will let you replace your Note7 with a replacement phone, including it's closest family of competitors and cousins, including the Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7, LG V20, and the Google Pixel XL. A lot of competing companies will probably get extra revenue the remainder of the year, due to this incident. Many of us believe that Samsung officials should offer a verbal apology at the next Samsung event, due to this inconvenience. Also, many of us believe that Samsung should offer a refund on any accessories bought for this device. We believe this because many of us have bought this one of a kind phone from Samsung over pre-order, and spent a lot of money for accessories, including cases, and now we're stuck with accessories for a non-existent phone. What do you think Samsung should do to make this us?

#MadeByGoogle event summary

Last Tuesday, Google had their annual event, this time titled "#madebygoogle." Beforehand, Google has put out various posters and billboards in random places to announce the event. Many rumors have been going around for months beforehand stating what will be at the event, in full detail. What was rumored was Google's announced Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, which will succeed to the Nexus 5X and 6P from last year.

At this event, only the hardware announcements were made, which were to be expected. One of the hardware announcements were the Pixel phones which were just mentioned. These devices, unlike the 5X and 6P, are the same on both devices, just the size and battery are different. The previous devices were different devices completely. Like the first Android and Nexus devices, the HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1) and the Nexus One, the Pixel and Pixel XL are manufactured HTC. However, unlike the Nexus devices, the manufacturer 's branding and input was not put into these devices, due to Google trying to take control of their hardware this year. The phones are supposed to be joining the "Google Pixel" lineup, alongside the Chromebook Pixel and Pixel C tablet, however, the Pixel does not support the Pixel Lightbar found in the other Pixel devices, and are the only ones not manufactured by Google itself. The Pixel is possibly supposed to compete directly with the iPhone 7, however, critics are stating it looks to much like the iPhone SE, however, in reality, they are nothing alike. The actual name of this phone is stated to be "Pixel, Phone by Google," however, many of us will just shorten it to Pixel.

The next item of hardware announced was the Daydream View. It is unheard of the manufacturer, however, we believe it to be Google themselves. Because the name of "daydream" is already used within the Android system for the screensaver, that function will be renamed starting in the Android 7.0 Nougat update. The actual piece of hardware is said to be starting at $79 as of November of this year. The phone partners involved in this project include Samsung, HTC, LG, Huawei, Ziaomi, Asus, ZTE, and Alcatel. The partners will be helping by producing Daydream-ready phones in the future. The Daydream View will eventually replace the Google Cardboard at its release. Although Google has stated this will start the Android VR revolution, Samsung earlier this year has already released the Samsung Gear VR, which was co-developed by Oculus. This will work similarly to the Gear VR, in the since that you put a compatible Android phone into it to work. Unlike the Gear, it will come with a remote, which will help boost the VR experience.

Google Wifi was also announced during the event. We are to assume this will replace the Google OnHub routers which were provided from Google for a few years now. Although, in the video showed during the event, it said a medium sized house would need two of these routers, a large with over three. They are small routers which can support a very fast connection, however, Google said that in order to get the best connection everywhere in your house, you'll need more than one. The Google Wifi will be controlled by your phone, and each of them in your house can all send out the same WiFi name, so there's not 3 different networks in your own home. The app also will allow you to connect to a different router, in case one fails to connect you to the World Wide Web.

Next is the one which Google briefly mentioned before the event, the Chromecast Ultra. This device is one of the only ones without a true predecessor, however, I consider it's predecessor to the the Asus-manufactured Nexus Player. The Chromecast Ultra, unlike previous models, does not host the "Chrome" logo, yet, Google's current logo. It has the same shape as the previous model, however, is a bit thicker do to some improvements. The price has jumped from the average $35 advertising price, which has made the Chromecast popular, to a new price of $79, which is about two-times the original price. This is due to 4K resolution capabilities, as well as those from HDR and HDR+. It is stated by Google that it will load 1.8 times faster than the other model generations. Ethernet is now officially supported, with the power adapter now hosting an Ethernet port built-in. The built-in hardware has also gotten an update with the newest hardware, similar to those in the 2nd generation.

Google Home was the next, and last, big hardware announcement made at the event on Tuesday. This was originally announced during the Google I/O event from this year, with the ability to control your house from a simple saying of, "Hey Google." However, the new video supplied by Google for the new Google Assistant is back to, "OK Google." Google Assistant will be supplied on Google Home as your new voice assistant. Assistant will be replacing Google Now in many platforms after the launch, including in Android and Chrome. The abilities of Assistant on this piece of hardware are unknown to also be the same as Assistant on Allo or Android 7.1 Nougat. Little about this device is know at the moment.

This is what we have learned from the Google event on October 4th, 2016. More information will be supplied by Google in the following weeks to come. The release dates of a majority of these devices are unknown. Will this be the start of a new generation of Google hardware, or a failed attempt or reinventing common technology?