Do I Regret Getting Blackberry Playbook

No.

A friend asked me the other day if I regretted getting the Blackberry PlayBook. Without hesitation, the answer in no.

I love the swiping motion used to turn on or close programs. It doesn't have a 'home' button. Almost everything can be done with the touch screen. At the time I bought it, it was the best device for me.

Yes, it lacks apps. By today's standard it is slow and the screen is low resolution. But I still use it. So it is good enough yet.

Mobile Banking Deposit and iPhone 4

My Black Friday gift to myself is a Virgin Mobile iPhone 4. It was only $99. Took the $35 a month plan. 300 minutes talk, unlimited text and 'unlimited' data. I believe data is 3G for only 2.5GB, then you get throttled to 2G speeds. No LTE reception where I live, nor where I work, so the phone will be fine.

Picked the iPhone 4 because of the camera and price. When my Credit Union offered mobile check deposit, I jumped at it. Signed up for it and took out the HTC One V and snapped a picture of a check and nothing. The image was so bad, I could not make out any letter or number from the check. None. The HTC is supposed to have a 5MP camera, same as the iPhone 4, but the pictures are not clear. It could just be my device is defected, but I have had it for so long, I can't return it.

Looked at the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Moto X, Moto G, Lumia 520/521 and Lumia 1320. the Lumia phones were out because the needed app is not availale on Windows phones. The Nexus 4 sold out, but all reviews pointed to a camera that was lacking. In fact, it seeems most Android phones had mediocre cameras, except the high end ones like the Galaxy S4. Didn't want to spend that much.

Have not tested the iPhone yet, but I have tried the camera and it took good pictures. Hope it works out.

Mobile Check Deposit and Me

I was so glad when my Credit Union got mobile check deposit. You know, where you take a picture of a check to deposit into a bank account, without ever going to a branch or ATM. Available as a Android or iOS app. It would save me so much time. Having direct deposit would be better, but I am not offered that at work. So this app would benefit me so much.

If it worked. Not sure why, but on the HTC One V, with a 5MP camera, it just would not work. Can't be sure if the camera is defective, but the 5 times I tried taking a picture, I couldn't read one letter or number on the check. It was a garbled mess.

Not sure what to do, as I want the option to do mobile check deposit. My next check, I will try to do a mobile check deposit using either my mother's iPad Mini or my sister's Iphone 4S. I would need to download the app to their devices and get it verified by the Credit Union for the device to access my account. I hope it works.

If it does work, I may be getting a new iOS device, as I know they would work.

Chromecast Needs Good Internet

Chromecast seems interesting, and at $35, seems like a steal. But the more I look at it, the more I don't like it. The first thing I don't like about it - it doesn't support the BlackBerry PlayBook. Again, not much of anything supports the PlayBook.

The biggest drawback, for me, is that it requires the Internet. As my service can drop to very slow speeds at times, I hate streaming videos. Watching YouTube videos can be annoying, choppy and always buffering. If I had better service, then maybe.

You really can't use it for traveling. If you go to a hotel, you would need Wifi and Internet access. And it seems maybe an ac adapter. The Chromecast dongle needs a little power, some HDMI ports can power the device, some can't.

It won't playback media stored on your device. This is a Google product. Google believes everyone should live in the cloud. I don't live in the cloud. I don't. I have no friends, so I don't need to save my contacts in the cloud. I don't take pictures. I don't need a calendar. I don't have mobile Internet, as I don't have a data plan for my phone. I just don't need it. Nor can I afford it.

It doesn't  do much right now, I think only 4 apps can use it at this time. It may get more apps, but that is what they said about the PlayBook . Remember, buy what it is right now, not what it may one day be.

But it is just $35.

Me and My Orphans

This week, Barnes and Noble announced that they will stop manufacturing color tablets. Then, a few days later, BlackBerry said that BB10 will not be ported to the PlayBook. Both announcements basically making my 2 tablets orphans.

As for the Nook HD +, I expected that Barnes and Noble would exit the tablet business, as the price cut was quite steep. And sales have been disappointing.  I still would recommend the Nook HD + to people who don't need video chat. It is a good tablet for the price and for people who are not sure if a tablet is right for them.

As for the PlayBook, I do feel sorry for people who paid full price for one. I paid $200 for mines. I have never regretted my decision. At the time, November 2011, it was the best tablet for me. Not sure what I would use a tablet for. Turns out, mostly reading news articles, watching videos (not too much streaming videos), paying bills and ordering things online. I do write this blog using my PlayBook. I have played videos onto a LCD HDTV, using the micro HDMI out, but not often.

I do wish the PlayBook had certain apps. The most wanted for me is a text/sms app. But other people want Skype and Netflix. Also nice would be a good VoIP app. When your phone dies, it is helpful to be able to make calls and text. Using a tablet to make a phone call may look stupid, but at least you could do it if needed.

For most people looking for a tablet, I would recommend a iPad, if they can afford it. I find Android has a less apps for tablets iOS. Would not recommend a Nexus 7, as I don't like the screen too much and quality control issues. I would never recommend a Kindle Fire, to locked down to Amazon.

Even though my tablets are orphans, The still have life in them. They might not be the fasted, have all the bells and whistles, but they do what I need and that is all that matters.

Two words of advice. Buy what you need. Buy on what it is and not what will be.

Nook Good

I really like the Nook HD +.  A 9 inch screen that is beautiful to look at. For my taste, I like the colors of the LCD screen. With a pixel density of 256 pixels per inch, reading is a joy. Words are well formed on the screen. Reading from a e-ink is thought to be easier on the eyes though.

Watching videos on the PlayBook is nice. But the videos I watch on the PlayBook look good on the Nook HD +. But those videos are not 720p or even 1080p videos. Playing a 720p video on the PlayBook look fine, but on the Nook, it is great. Only problem is the size of the videos for 720p are larger. 1080p is even worse. Good thing I bought the 32GB version of the Nook. And the Nook HD (7 and 9 inch models) accept up to a 64GB micro SD cards.

The Nook HD + weighs 515 g  (18.2 oz). As compared to the PlayBook, which weighs 425 g (14.99 oz). The Nook, while heavier, feels more comfortable in my hands. The bigger size evens out the weight better for me to hold for longer periods. The iPad 3 or 4 is heavier ( 652 g/ 23.04 oz), but has a bigger screen with a higher pixel density. I would also assume the iPad has better battery life. I really can't say how good the battery life is on the Nook HD + , as I have not tested it, but most reviews give it about 9 hours.

The Nook has no cameras or GPS. It uses a proprietary cable for charging. It has a HDMI out, again using a proprietary connection. It operating system is Android 4.0, not the latest.

But I really wanted to just for video, so I'm very happy. At $149.99 for 16GB version, USA, It is a great deal. Maybe not for everyone, but I'm happy. So happy I brought one for my friend.

0952

shawnsheeezyboy

Porn or Not

Been seeing gifs all over the place. Many are funny. Too many are porn. So thinking of starting a blog of gifs I like. No porn. Just to be a collection of the ones that I liked. No porn.

Called gif. Pronounced jif.

The gif I posted, I found in George Takei's Tumblr page, Are You Talking To Meme. I was on another Tumblr Page and found it and a link to his page. Checked out his posts. They were funny and a little corny. Yes, he is that George Takei's of Star Trek fame.

I was thinking of using Tumblr to post gifs.

Check it out
http://georgetakei.tumblr.com/

Dab of jif

No Google Waze

Everyone is now saying Google is buying Waze, the crowdsourced mapping service. I don't think so. I think there will be an agreement, but I don't think the deal will pass antitrust laws. It may be approved in the USA, but not in the European Zone. Or the other way around.

When I first heard about Google trying to be Waze, I thought it never would be approved. I thought T-Mobile/ATT merger would go thru, but it did not. I would think this is even a bigger monopoly then ATT deal. We shall see

I Need a iWatch

Got a new job and I need to use my cell phone more. But, I leave it in my pants pocket. And I have missed a couple of phone calls. So, having something smaller to look at (a watch) may help. It's not like a need to be on the phone, but that I do get calls during the day. It would be nice.

Yet, I have to ask, at what price would I pay?  The Pebble watch is $150. Not sure, no pretty sure it is too much money for my needs. It is not life or death. It would be helpful, but not a game changer.

Google Glass, even $200, will not fit my needs. It just is something looking for a reason.

I Kinda Like It

I have been using my Nook HD + tablet for awhile now. Had problems where the Nook would reset itself, but I wiped the Nook about 12 times. I believe the problem is now fixed. It may have been an update problem, mixed with processing power. While Nook HD + has a 1.5 GHz processor, but it is pushing 1920 × 1280 pixels.

It is one of the lightest tablet for it size. The size to weight ratio makes it comfortable for me to hold. And the screen is great to look at. Videos look amazing. I like the color palette. Not cartoonish, like my neice's Galaxy Note II. Not as good as a iPhone 4s. But that is my taste. My PlayBook looks as almost as good for videos, but the Nook HD + is 9 inches and while 480p video looks good on the PlayBook, on the Nook not so much. 720p is needed.

But there are somethings I have not figured out how to do on the Nook. So, the PlayBook is still needed. Also, a 7 inch tablet is more portable. It is the one I travel with.

Needed to Wipe the Nook HD +

Hopefully not sign of things to come. Needed to wipe my Nook. When I would waken the Nook from sleep, I would use it for a few minutes and then it would shut down and restart. It would be fine after that for that session. But, once it went to sleep for awhile, I would have the same problem.

Was not sure if it was a behavior of the Nook HD + or just mine. Used the Barnes and Noble chat feature. But they didn't help me there. So I emailed them and a recommendation to wipe the device and start again. I did that and it seems operate okay now.

Nook Is Here

Nook HD+ arrived this past Friday. Was surprised by the speed of delivery, as shipping was free. Charged it that night and played with it yesterday,  Saturday. I put some videos on it and I was very disappointed.

The problem is that the Nook HD + screen is bigger and has a pixel density of 256 PPI. Most of my videos are not 720p HDTV quality, as those files are bigger. There is no need to view that file quality on the PlayBook, as you would not really get an improvement in viewing quality. But on the Nook, the videos I loaded onto it looked terrible, you can see the pixels. So now I need better quality videos. And that will take time.

As for as screen color rendition, I find the PlayBook produces nicer whites. Or, it could just be brighter then the Nook. Overall, the Nook's color look better.

The best thing about the PlayBook are the two front facing speakers. Why more devices don't come with front facings speakers is strange. I enjoy watching videos and not using headphones. The speaker on the Nook is on the back. At times, I have covered the speaker with my hand.

The Nook is light for its size. For me, it's comfortable holding for extended periods, better then the PlayBook. I think the larger size of the Nook distributes the weight better, but the PlayBook is heavy for its size.

At this time, I still like the PlayBook better. I like the UI on the PlayBook a lot, it is easy to learn. It seems more natural, intuitive. The native browser is slower, but I know what it can do. I need to play with the Nook more to learn what it can do. What I do find with Android, you have to try things, to figure out which will work. It will take time.

I Surrendered

I did it. I ordered a Nook HD + 32GB from barnesandnoble.com yesterday. Went to the Best Buy nearest my work, but they were busy. Got no help from the staff. Left without finding if they even had any in stock.

After arriving at home, opened the PlayBook browser and went online to order one. It supposes to arrive between 2-6 days. I expect it to arrive in 10 days. Free shipping. Got the 32GB for $209.00 + tax.

I really wanted the Nook for the bigger screen and it's high pixel density. Yes, it's low price. The sale price is good at barnesandnoble.com for today, May 12, 2013. And you have the option to pick your order up at a Barnes and Noble store near you.

Fate Will Decide

Ambivalent of buying the Nook HD + now. It is light, it's screen produces nice colors, it has a 9 inch screen and it cost $180. Plus sales tax. But do I need it?

Had my PlayBook now for a year and a half. It does what a need it to do, play videos. The browser is slow at times. There are a lack of apps, but not sure if the Nook will have any good apps for a tablet either. I have the HTC One V for Android apps. The Nook would be only for watching videos. 

So I have decided to let fate determine if I will buy one. Forgot, my birthday is soon upon me, so I will have the money to get one if I wanted. So, I will go the Best Buy nearest my work this Saturday and if they have any available for $180, a will buy one. I write this to force me to do this. I just can't make up my mind. Whatever happens, that will be it.

Monoprice 9927 Earphones

I've had the Monoprice 9927 earphones for about a month and a half. It sounds great. And they cost me about $7.57 for them. It comes with 3 tips of different sizes. Which makes them an even better deal. It includes shipping, in that I had bought a total of 7 items and shipping was $7. So $1 for the shipping of the earphones.

I had used the pink noise burn in before using, so I can't say if it helps, as I only listened to them after. But I enjoy the sound quality. The cloth cord is nice, as it doesn't tangle as bad as latex ones. As far the cord creating noise from rubbing, it does, but for me it has been tolerable. The ear piece is quite large, so there is a way to wear them. From behind the ear lobe, run the cord over the ear. Come down the front and the place in the ear canal.

But the problem with wearing it like that is it takes too long to put them in and out. I use them at work, for short periods, so it is just too much of hassle. I now use the Monoprice 8319 earphones, which works better. I do like the 9927 better, but it is easier for me to use the 8319.

This blog posting has a picture of how to place the earphones in your ear-

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-headphones-under-30/

Get the Nook HD +

I'm thinking of buying a Nook HD + from Best Buy. At $179.99 + tax, it sounds like a steal. It has a 1920 x 1280 9" screen. The colors are supposed to be good. Comes with 16GB of memory, with a microSD expansion slot. Weighs 1.1 lbs, kinda light.

I think, but not sure, that it now runs Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. When the Nook HD + first came out, it used a skin of Android 4.0. The Nook has a store, which you were limited to using for your apps, books, movies and such. But the other day, they announced that they will update the software and allow users to access the Google Play Stores and the Google apps. So, I assume they are more like Ice Cream Sandwich then before.

The downside to the Nook HD + are many. No cameras at all. No GPS. A proprietary charging system. Android 4.0. Android is at 4.2 Jelly Bean. And the speaker is on the back. One of the best thing about the PlayBook are its 2 forward facing speakers.

I'm also assuming it has a mic, because no review said it doesn't.

And now I see Barnes & Noble are selling the Nook HD + for the same price. It had got good reviews, the bad thing was the app selection, so now, with the price drop and app selection, it is a good choice for watching videos on a tablet.

Link to this CNET review
BN Nook HD + Review

Uncompressor App does Muiltifile RAR Archives

Not paying attention, Uncompressor for the PlayBook can now extract muiltifile RAR archives. I have used it a couple of times with no problems. I really enjoy being able to download RAR files and extract them on the PlayBook.

I will confess to having one file that I was not able to extract using the Uncompressor app. Can't say if I didn't have enough space on the PB at the time or something else. I was able to use my Windows XP laptop to extract the file. The file was over 1 GB, though I don't think that maters.

Dongle This! Fork U!!

Not going to talk about that incident, cause I just don't understand what happened. It seems there is some he said, she said. But part of this has to do with the posting of a picture on social media. Some people are saying it was inappropriate to take and post that picture. Maybe it was. But, is this not the direction we are heading into.

I'm speaking of course of Google Glass. It seems that with people wearing those things, you could post pictures, video and audios with ease. That people could be recording you at anytime. Yes I know there is a red record light, but someone could always just disconnect the light. It seems to me that anything you say or do can be recorded and posted online without your consent. If you thought smartphones were intrusive, there is something that is even more intrusive. It is always on and out.

People think Google Glass is the next big thing. I think Google Glass has many barriers for true acceptance in this world. It may take some time, if ever. Of course, at $1,500 a pop, I don't have to worry it for now. At least Google Glass are not 'emasculating'.

Another Speaker

Was reading a blog, The Cheapskate, at CNET. He listed a wireless Bluetooth speaker for $49.99. It was from TigerDirect. And they come in red. So onto TigerDirect.com and they didn't have any red ones for sale. But for $50 + shipping, this maybe better then the Auvio Bluetooth Speaker I got from Radioshack.

The best thing was that it comes in red. Also black, purple, a sky blue and the requisite black. The second best thing is that it last for 12 hours on a full charge. I think the Auvio is 6 hours. I can't say anything about the sound quality, but the few reviews at Amazon are good. They say 9 reviews, but there were only 7, as one person has 3, all the same review.

Now, I need to decide if I will get one. If they had a red one, I would have bought it already.

On sale now, going fast. 

Destroyer of Headphones

At one time, I ordered 5 different earphones from Monoprice. I chose to use the 8319 model first. I must say, I really liked it. Liked the sound quality, especially if price was taken into consideration. For under $10, it delivered sound of a $50 earphone. So when I broke it last week, I didn't feel any remorse. I had given 3 of them away, but a still had one, model 8322. Alas, the car door was slammed onto it the next day. Now I have none.

The 8319 model had a cloth covered wire, which I liked. It does not tangle easily, as I just stuff them in my pocket. The 8322 has a latex wire, and it would tangle so badly, that sometimes it would take a couple of minutes to untangle. The bad thing of the cloth wire is that it kinked. I can live with that. Some of the reviews for the 8319 complain about noise from the rubbing of the wire.

So I ordered 4 earphones from Monoprice.com on Thursday. It has shipped Friday. I think the first one I will use is the 9927 model, which replaces the 8320 model. The 8320 model has gotten good press, which is why I bought from them.

Upon doing a Web search, I think almost all the good press for earphones comes from this forum thread-

Head-Fi.Org 8320

Favorite Super Bowl XLVII Commercial

Not sure if this will be taken down

Super Bowl Sunday

Yes, I know SB XLVII is over. Don't really watch American Football, well most sporting events. I don't have the attention span. 10 minutes and I'm changing the channel. I can watch sprints, so horse races, swimming, track, speed skating, luge and so on. But only for awhile. Then I change the channel.

But, this Super Bowl was different. Well, it was a good game for once. What I never knew was that cbssports.com had the SB on too. With my PlayBook,  I could watch online from different angles. It made watching more intense. My mind didn't wander as much. Instead of changing the channel,  I would change the viewing angle. There was a problem with the cbssports.com and the cable company's HD broadcast not syncing, the Internet seemed behind by about 3 seconds.

It also helped that I had to text the score to a friend, who had to work. Used Pinger on the HTC One V to text to him. I still use the standard virtual keyboard of the HTC One V, which I don't care like that much. I always get the wrong letters or I backspace a lot. Texting was a pain sometimes.

I think that is why a like watching videos on the PlayBook or even any tablet. I can watch in 10 minute spans and then watch something else for 5 minutes. Life is good.

Down the Drain

It happened. I dropped the HTC One V into the toilet. It was flushing. Not a good thing. I can't turn it off. It has been over 12 hours. The One still works. But the button to restart or turn off is wonky. I can't put the screen to sleep or restart/power off using the button. I can wake it. So it works. There is sound still yet. It seems to work other wise.

I may get rid of it. If I ever sell it, I will tell all buyers of the fate of the One. I still have an extra HTC One V, that no one wants. I may just use that one instead. Time will tell.

Lightning Cables in Color

My mother had lost her Lightning cable and charger that came with her Apple iPad Mini. One the problems she had when looking for it she had to go through all the old Apple 30 pin connectors. I alone have 4. But alas, she has never found them. So I ran to the ATT store and got a Lighting cable for $19.99. Still had money collected for her gift and I was planning on buying her a spare.

After getting home from buying the new cable, I was reading CNET.com. There is a Cheapskate blog on it, which I read. Lo and behold, color Lightning cables. Maybe, because of the colors, she could find them easier, if she misplaced them. It also comes in red, her favorite color. I ordered 2, one red and a green.

Read the reviews, as there are complaints they don't charge or sync. They have worked fine for me, syncing from iTunes, I just loaded some videos onto my mother's Mini, and charging from an ac USB charger. But other people complained.

all4cellular.com iphone-5-charge-sync-lightning-connector-to-usb-cable

I Hate Facebook

Facebook. Love it. Hate it. Facebook has a place in my life. It is a way to keep up with people who I don't have constant contact with. I can see when someone gets a new job. When they have problems. See pictures of people, who I can't see because they live 3,000 miles away. Those things I like. And I don't mean Facebook 'Like'.

I don't like when I see and get all those game request. Or even those game statistics. Farmville. Bejewel. I don't care if people play those things, but why do I have to know. People love to share.  But yet, I don't want to know.

Facebook also seems to not be up to date with information. I can't explain, but it does seem to be wrong on my profile sometimes. I seemed to have 'Like'ed somethings, but it never showed that I 'Like'ed anything on my page. So, if those Like threads would show up, I would write nasty comments. After 2 months, those Like showed up in my profile, so I was able to delete the Like.

I bring this up, as there is an upcoming event for someone I don't know, for something I would never go to and somewhere that is 3,000 miles away, on my page. It should not be on my page. Facebook is irritating. But, there is nothing that can match it at this time.

Everybody is on Facebook,  that is Facebook's strength. But with the poor privacy policies, it is vulnerable to people searching for an alternative. There is none on the horizon, but look at MySpace. Once the giant, but now, forgotten.

Tip about friend requests. If there is someone who friend request you and you don't really want them- just add them. Then later, defriend them. Most people would never know. But then, maybe Facebook would not update your friends and they will still be on your friend list.

I hate Facebook. But I still won't join Google +.

Is + a Good Thing?

So, bought the Spare Phone app from Google's Play Store and I liked it. Thought I should review or rate it. Tried doing that, but I could only do it using Google +. Not going to do that. I have no desire to use Google +. I hate using Facebook. I need to log out all the time, as sites see my Facebook account. I hate that.

I believe Google will be putting more emphasis on logging in using Google +. If that is the case, my foray into Google Android may be at an end. Google Android is Android in which Google apps have a prominent role. As compared to a forked version of Android like Amazon's Kindle Fire line.

I may hate Facebook, but I do use it. Helps me keep up with family. But, it keeps saying I 'Like' this or that. And I keep trying to undo those likes, but it takes weeks. I don't know why. It is just irritating. And now Google wants me to be a part of Google +? No, I won't do it.

I will say, Facebook maybe bad, I find Amazon to be the worst. Kindle Fire. How many have been sold. My estimate? For the whole link of Kindle Fires I would guess 2 million. Prove me wrong.

VoIP Now

Found a Google Play gift card at a brick and mortar WalMart. I got the $10 card, as I needed to buy a $2.99 app. Other card values were available, up to $50.

The app I bought is called Spare Phone. What it does, for my Android HTC One V, is let me make free VoIP calls over wifi. You do need a Google Voice account, so this is good only USA and Canada, I think. I don't live in Canada, so can't be sure if this works there. The app does cost $2.99, hence the need for a payment method.

I have attempted and was able to make a phone call. The call went fine. The sound on my end was good. As far as the other end goes, the receiver didn't say anything bad, neither did he say anything good about sound quality.

From what I have read, free calls are good for all of 2013. This will also work on a Android tablet that has a microphone. Will come in handy as I forget my phone a lot.

Spare Phone

Edit: Canada can't get Google Voice accounts. Google Voice accounts can call in the USA and Canada. Sorry for any confusion. People have made accounts using proxies, but I really don't know for sure.

My Friend and his Auvio

Sent an Auvio Bluetooth Portable Speaker to my friend in Las Vegas. I talked to him the other day and he seems to be having problems with his. Can't say what it is, but he can't get it to sound right. I had sent him a bluetooth headset before, and he couldn't get to work right too. I really think it is him. I know the headset performed fine, because it was mine. I just had no use for it. Hopefully I can guide him into getting it to perform correctly, not leaving much hope.

Greatest Gift of All

Buying apps for your gadgets is a bit tedious. First is finding interesting apps. But the real problem is paying for them. I don't like to link a credit card to anything. Never link a debit card, if something goes wrong, it may be impossible to get your money back.

For the PlayBook's App World, where you buy apps for the PlayBook, I linked my PayPal account. It is not the greatest solution, but it is safer, I think, then linking my credit card.

I like iTunes solution. In a misconception, you don't need a credit card to set up or use an iTunes account. For setup, you need to just skip the input of a credit card number. What I like to use are iTunes gift cards. At times, stores will sell iTunes gift card for 20% off. For $80, you could get a $100 card. But I don't use that much. What I do is turn in my loose change at a CoinStar machine. They have an iTunes option, in which your coins deposited are turned into an iTunes gift card and the fees are paid by iTunes. It's a good deal.

CoinStar also has an option for Amazon, but I hate Amazon. They seem to always required a credit card. They do sell apps for Android, but I think you need a credit card even if you use a gift card.

With Google's Play Store, they now offer you the use of gift card. The only problem, I can't find one. For the past 2 days, I have visited 20 retail outlets and could not find a Play Store gift card. I was not really shopping for them, but I would look at every store l was at.

I like Apple's approach to their app sales a lot. I also like that I can gift an app with them. Of course, the person receiving an app must have an iOS device.