Nokia Lumia 920: Whats the Buzz in town???

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A new phone recently started getting listed with the giants of the industry iPhone 5 and SGS III ( I am keeping Galaxy Note out of the discussion because its in a little different category and has different user base). Just Google it and you will get lot of spec-comparisons, parody adds with iPhone 5 and SGS III, but real dark horse of the race is Nokia Lumia 920.Its not easy for a phone to even get in to the ring with these bullies around. There are many phones from Motorola, LG, HTC which have not been able to even get listed along with these Greats of Industry. So whats different about Lumia 920? Lets find out...

Lets just put the facts out of our way first. iPhone 5 is undoubtedly the good phone and so is SGS III. Between these two phones it just comes down to personal user preferences rather than phones quality or specifications ( App Store Vs Play Store, Aluminium Vs High Quality Plastic, Siri Vs S-Voice). So on paper, there is nothing that compels you to go for one over the other.

Nokia Lumia 920

Nokia Lumia 920: Whats the Buzz in town?? 

• Exceptional Camera with Optical Image Stabilization which improves low light performance. 
• Wireless Charging Its exactly what it sounds,
• High Resolution and Crisp Screen with 1280 X 768 and 332 PPI (more than iPhone 5).
• FREE Music Streaming from Nokia Music Store.
• Super sensitive Touch. Now use your touchscreen even with Gloves on.
• Offline Navigation/Maps (with public transport info)

These features on paper make Lumia 920 stand out against iPhone 5 and SGS III. In the recent history Lumia 920 might be the first phone to beat SGS III and iPhone 5 at least on some Specifications. That is the reason why its in the news.

Along with these stand out features Lumia 920 offer all the standard features that industry leaders today have (like LTE, Front facing camera, GPS, Turn by Turn Navigation, excellent Battery life, NFC, 1080p Video recording etc...)

Exceptional Camera with Optical Image Stabilization

There has been a controversy about the photos and videos taken by Lumia 920 showcased during press conference in New York. But in no way it undermines the real potential of Lumia 920's Camera. In fact same magazine that broke the story was the first one to test it hands on.

Above photos taken during Photokina 2012, Germany ( without flash) shows sided by side comparison of low light photos taken with Lumia, SGS III and iPhone 4S by visitors (not by experts). As per the experts in Photography Optical Image Stabilization - OIS (For low light and Indoor scenes) and Optical Zoom are the two technologies which drastically improve the quality and usefulness of a camera. They have been missing so far from smart phones. So a camera with OIS beats hands down the one with No-OIS for day to day indoor use. Results are unprecedented.

Optical image Stabilization is just one part of the story, There are numerous features in Camera App that are not only useful but fun and easy to use. Creating Animated\Moving images (Cinema-graph lens), removing unwanted crowd from the photos (Object Remover in Smart Shoot) are just to name a few.

So based on these results and reviews Lumia 920 Camera is undoubtedly better than SGS III and iPhone 5.

Wireless Charging

Just place your phone on Charging Plate or compatible JBL Speakers or Fatboy Pillows to charge.

This feature not available in either SGS III or iPhone 5

High Resolution and Crisp Screen

4.5" Screen with 1280 X 768 resolution and 332 PPI. now compare that to 326 PPI on iPhone 5 and 306 PPI of SGS III. 

This simply means that all three screens are crisp, clear and sharp you will not see any pixelation. But just to go by numbers Lumia has more pixel density than SGS III or iPhone 5.

FREE Music Streaming from Nokia Music Store.

No need to pay for Music on Lumia 920. Nokia Music is actually a paid service for other phones which means it will have popular and latest tracks. But for the users of Lumia 920 streaming is free.

Nokia gives free music streaming but both Play store and iTunes charge money for most of the popular tracks. 

Super sensitive Touch

Now use your fully touch screen phone with your gloves on. This is especially useful in places with cold weather. Others may not see usefulness here but imagine using any small stick or pencil as stylus. No need to buy a costly pointing device, if you need a precise touch on screen.

This feature not available in either SGS III or iPhone 5

Offline Navigation/Maps

Now you can download entire map, and it will reside on your phone. No need to be connected with data services to use maps. This will save data usage on cellular networks and also be useful when travelling.

And of course, Nokia Maps show public transport and like Google has over Decade of mapping experience with data.

This feature not available in iPhone 5. In SGS III Google maps allow to store a 10 mile area for offline access.

Add to that the recent news/rumors of Lumia 920 32 GB being priced ~ $ 512 Unlocked (iPhone 5 and SGS III 16 GB models are selling ~ $649)

So, Whats the Catch ???

Its Windows Phone 8. Windows Phone does have 100,000+ apps and also include apps for most popular services, but its still early days in Windows Phone system. It is smooth, has a fresh look (from those app lists on android and iOS) and it is more controlled system than Andorid but more open than iOS. For users of Android and iOS it might be a pleasant change from their monotonous phone systems. 

Fair Judgment

In no way I am saying jump on the phone as soon as its in, But do consider it and check it. If it does live up to these features, expectations and price, it should be a Terrific choice. Potentially better than SGS III or iPhone 5. So wait till this holiday season to buy a new phone... 

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The iMapocalypse: 2012 Dooms day is already here

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UPDATE 10/09/2012:... Guess who is using google maps???   its... wait for it... wait for it... "apple.com" 

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If you don’t believe me check these recent satellite “Flyover” Images from around the world and decide yourself.

Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, UK was bent due to Heavy winds from a Tornado

 A Massive Explosion in Berlin, Germany

 

I-93 at the Zakim Bridge in Boston, USA was damaged due to earthquake

Rising water levels result in submerged Metro station at Buenos Aires, Argentina

Malaysia's iconic Petrons Towers Melted due to high temperatures around the globe

Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Tacoma Washington, USA destroyed by an unidentified Big-Foot 

An Unidentified Flying Location (UFL) created by Alians from Planet X

Roads and bridges in Winninger Brücke, Germany Washed away in floods

Part of Punta Arenas City is submerged under ocean in Chile

And if that's not all here is the latest earth from space... Its a deserted Planet Now...

Source: Some Images may be morphed but most of them are from new APPLE MAPS released in iOS 6.

 Hope you survived the iMapocalypse.

On a serious note although all the above images and data is for fun but there are many serious flaws in Apple Maps. Few encountered by user's around the world (even in US) are:

1. Insufficient local information about buildings, street names, landmarks and shops. Only thing you will be easily able to find anywhere in the world is Apple Store!!!
2. Inaccurate roads and paths suggested by Siri.
3. Locations are misplaced on maps even in major cities of US. so driving there will lead you to a deserted field or open gardens.
4. Driving Directions take to to the Airport's Air Strip ( you will be racing with Planes in no time.)
5. No Public transport information. (Duh... All iPhone users own a Car, they don't need public transportation.)
6. USA has some data in maps, but other countries including developed countries are missing almost 90% of information compared to Google Maps

Apple's official statement says,

"Customers around the world are upgrading to iOS 6 with over 200 new features including Apple Maps, our first map service," spokeswoman Trudy Miller said. "We are excited to offer this service with innovative new features like Flyover, turn-by-turn navigation and Siri integration. We launched this new map service knowing it is a major initiative and that we are just getting started with it. Maps is a cloud-based solution and the more people use it, the better it will get. We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better"

Rationale for new Maps... Are they Better? NO, but its the rivalry with Google that made apple take this decision at an expense of its users. Apple has treated it's users as Guinea Pig for new Dose of Maps. 

So will they affect all users? May Be NO.  Many people will simply ignore or find other alternatives.

Will they improve drastically in next few months? NO. Google, Nokia have information gathered for DECADES on the maps they have. With Apple's reluctance to open source, it seems highly improbable that apple will make drastic improvements in their maps, at least not in near future.

The TOUGH question is "Was it necessary to replace more accurate and useful feature(Google Maps) with sub stranded and poor in house product, just to curb Apple Management's Ego?"

Would this VISIBLY and SUBSTANTIALLY  below par product made it to the market under beloved Steve Jobs???

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Preorder iPhone 5 - To Do or Not To Do? That is the REAL Question!

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… From Original iPhone to iPhone 4S, iPhone has been OBVIOUS choice, when competing on same Price (i.e. $199 standard across carriers in US).

For the first time, iPhone 5 … (Read on to get the FAIR JUDGMENT)

For Four Long Days, since the launch of new iPhone 5, I have been trying to form an unbiased opinion on the new offering from world’s Most Valuable Company “Apple”. Let’s get down to business.

Scenario 1: There is only ONE company creating phones – Apple, and there has been only ONE Phone in this world – iPhone

What is new in iPhone 5? (List of most prominently advertised features of iPhone 5 by Apple)

Hardware:

-                      4” Screen with Resolution 1136X640 and 326 ppi (Retina Display)

-                      LTE/4G capabilities (Ultrafast wireless)

-                      “Faster” than iPhone 4S’ Processor (A6)

-                      Thinner and Lighter than iPhone 4S

-                      New 8 Pin Connector (Lightning Connector)

-                      Newly Designed Earphones / Different Headphones (EarPods)

-                      Aluminum + Glass Body

Software: iOS 6

-                      Panoramic Mode in Camera (iSight)

-                      Maps with turn by turn Voice guided Navigation (Maps take a Turn)

Scenario 2: Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Nokia… exists. Galaxy S3,  Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy Note II, HTC One, Droid Razr and Nokia Lumia 920 are not random words or names but are indeed some of the current/soon to be available smart phones.

What is NOT new in iPhone 5? – A Look Beyond Fancy Names

Hardware:

4” Screen with Resolution 1136X640 and 326 ppi (Retina Display)

Wide range of smart phones available in market with all possible screen sizes. Nokia Lumia 920 with a STANDARD Resolution 1280 X 768 and 332 ppi.

LTE/4G capabilities (Ultrafast wireless)

Most of the leading phones launched in Last year are with 4G/LTE compatibility.

“Faster” than iPhone 4S’ Processor (A6)

A6 is proprietary and apple does not specify configuration. Again Most of the leading phones are with Qualcomm Dual Core S3/S4 processors which are comparable to A6, if not better.

Global variant of Galaxy SIII is available with Quad Core processor and 2GB RAM.

Thinner and Lighter than iPhone 4S

IPhone 5 is THINNEST (measured as Maximum Thickness on the phone's body) amongst leading phones launched last year.

New 8 Pin Connector (Lightning Connector)

Most of the phones (even low end) feature a small, compact and STANDARD mini USB port

Newly Designed Earphones / Different Headphones (EarPods)

A different and possibly better designed earphones (Also SOLD Separately by Apple for 29$)

Aluminum + Glass Body

A different design compared to other phones but from the same family of iPhone 4.

Software: iOS 6

Panoramic Mode in Camera (iSight)

Available in ALL the leading smart phones for at least a year, along with many other standard Point and shoot camera options ( such as burst mode, filters, exposure, BW etc) which are yet to come to iPhone.

Maps with turn by turn Voice guided Navigation (Maps take a Turn)

Available in Most of the leading smart phones of last year.

Preorder iPhone 5 - To Do or Not To Do? That is the REAL Question!

Owners of iPhone 4:

You will get iOS 6 and with it a lot of new features but in order to discriminate you against iPhone4S owners some key features will be DROPPED by apple from iOS6 on iPhone 4.

NOTE: If both iPhone 4S and 4 get same update and iOS features, then there will be no VISIBLE difference between 4S and 4 to justify the price and existence of iPhone 4S. So it is a BUSINESS decision for Apple and NOT Technical. 

ANSWER: MAY BE

Owners of iPhone 4S:

You will get iOS 6 and with it a lot of new features. After the initial Honeymoon Period with iPhone 5 is over you will not find any difference compared with 4S on iOS 6.

ANSWER: NO

Owners of latest Android Phone with ICS or JB:

You have seen the hard days of Android and now it is time to enjoy the competitive edge. Of course there are many Trivial Features in iPhone 5 which are not in your phone but NONE of them are compelling enough to make you leave the phone and order iPhone 5. This might be the first time after an iPhone Launch you are feeling this way… so ENJOY!!!

ANSWER: BIG NO

Past or Present Owners of  ANY 5 out of iPod, iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad, iPad 2, New iPad, Apple TV, Macbook, Macbook Pro, Macbook AIR:

ANSWER: BIG YES! You are TOO LATE, if you are reading this and not ordered already.

Others:

It’s almost the right time to pick a side between Android, iOS and Windows Phone. Competition has never been so close, which gives more quality options to choose.

CAUTION: DO NOT go by the past results and pre conceived notions when buying a phone. Try and Test all possible options and take an “Informed” decision that SUITS you. Although it’s the right time but it’s also the most confusing time to pick a side.

ANSWER: MAY BE but With a Detailed Research

Fair Judgment:

From Original iPhone to iPhone 4S, iPhone has been OBVIOUS choice, when competing on same Price (i.e. $199 standard across carriers in US).

For the first time, iPhone 5 has played a catch up in terms of specifications with other leading phones. Any "Informed" buyer should take a decision that best suits your needs after trying and researching the competition because iPhone 5 MAY NOT be the BEST Choice for you but an Excellent one for others.

Do you think it is a Fair Judgment? 
Let me know in comments...


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