BREAKING NEWS: My generation is NOT spoiled (mostly)

I'd first like to start off this post with a cartoon from Cagle.com:

Tablets, tablets, tablets: what to look for when buying this season

'Tis the season to buy stuff for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Festivus/etcetera! One popular tech toy that you or your loved ones may be asking for is a tablet, which is certainly a handy piece of equipment for games, notes, reading, and media. Tablets are basically oversized phones, but many do not have the capability to make calls or texts. 

Nokia's N1 tablet flips a rather obscene gesture at Microsoft

Per their arrangement, when Microsoft acquired Nokia's mobile phone division, Nokia can't sell mobile phones anymore. Nokia no longer can make handsets with Microsoft's still-struggling Windows Phone platform, nor will they.

But that doesn't mean they can't do other things to get at Microsoft. And they did just that today.

Meet the Nokia N1 tablet, dear readers.

Matthew to Samsung: You're (almost) literally the devil

Where do I even begin with Samsung? I'm in an almost love-hate relationship with you, you stubborn manufacturer, you.

A call for openness, stability, and features.

Recently, Google put the LG G Watch R up for sale via the Google Play store at a whopping $300. The G Watch R is another round-faced smartwatch like the Moto 360, but it doesn't have the issue of the awkward black bar at the bottom of the face and looks just as slick. However, it still doesn't quite appeal to me in terms of functionality.

Nexus 6 and 9: Why Pure Android Devices are so, SO important

It's been a few weeks since Google announced the Nexus 6 and 9, the newest devices in Google's Nexus family of devices, running the next generation of Android, 5.0- Lollipop. The Nexus 6 marks Google's first phablet with a 6 inch screen, and the 9, made by HTC, is HTC's first tablet in years and marks its coming full circle with Android since the Nexus One. But there's more to take from these devices than just what they mean to the companies. The real question is: why are these devices important to consumers? What makes the Nexus family so important as Android devices?

State of the Smartwatch: Moving to independence may not be all that good

The smartwatch landscape is changing, ever so quickly. We started with square designs, and now manufacturers are making traditionally round-faced devices to behold (or, maybe, be-wrist?).

Dear parents: let your children read Harry Potter

One of the courses that I'm taking this semester is a study of the work of C.S. Lewis, and the class recently concluded reading the first book of The Space Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet. To sum up the book, a professor named Ransom is kidnapped by two men and whisked away into space, eventually landing on a planet named Malecandra.

Apple finally did one thing right...and another thing absolutely wrong...and are using Google's tricks as usual

Yes, yes, I'm referring to Apple's announcement of the Apple Watch, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Yes, I am absolutely going to criticize Apple in this post. Apple diehard fanboys and fangirls, leave this blog now because I am 100% sure that I will offend you.

Samsung, Samsung, LG....huh

First things first, I'm definitely not gone. I've simply been busy getting back in the grind for school this week and finishing off my internship two weeks ago and band camp last week and...*wheeze*

Anyway, I'm back!

And I'm going to get uber critical with Samsung and LG.

Samsung Gear 2 Neo review: useful and natural tech for a decent price

I've spent a few days now with my new Samsung Gear 2 Neo. Opening my little brown box from Amazon had me smiling and wide-eyed as I held the even smaller faux bamboo box that held my Gear 2 Neo safely inside it. Now, I'm still just as happy to have it and I've found that the little orange watch on my wrist is the perfect companion for my Galaxy S4. 

Matthew to Samsung: You win this round. And possibly the next few.

So I did it. I decided to go with the Gear 2 Neo in Wild Orange. Ordered it on Sunday and it'll be on my doorstep by tomorrow night. WHEEEEEEEE!!

Settling the Dust

99.99% of the time you'll see me post technology news or opinions on here, though you'll sometimes see other posts. I'll probably post more about the ASL song translations I'm working on or why I'm doing better with an online summer Spanish course from my local junior college than I did in high school. But rarely do you hear me talk about more somber topics, and yet this has been bugging at me for a week now and I need to get it off of my chest.

GREAT GOOGLES, BATMAN!

Google has had a serious case of no chill within the past 24 hours. Shots have been fired 
today at the I/O Conference and all the cannons just won't stop reloading and firing. Here's the skinny on today's conference:

Sammy, you never fail to surprise me

According to the lovely folks of CNET, Samsung will be releasing an Android Wear smartwatch at this week's Google I/O conference, joining LG and Motorola with their offerings.

Amazon Fire Phone: The Smartphone War just got even more heated

Amazon, you finally freaking did it.

After mild successes with the Kindle Fire family of tablets, you finally developed a smartphone. It took you a little while, but I am thoroughly impressed.

Today, Amazon revealed the Fire Phone, the first smartphone from the company famous for its shipping services and Kindle family of e-readers and tablets. Let me tell you, she looks like a beauty.

Smartwatches: An Opinion on Function

If I could write a blog post as short as possible on smartwatches, I would say this: smartwatches are an awesome, useful, and exciting category of consumer tech that is still developing and growing. However, I don't really go for short blog posts unless I'm just absolutely tired or overworked (see: my post on blankets).

Dear Samsung: A Few Conditions to Keeping Me

Please pay attention. (photo cred: The European Sting)

Dear Samsung Mobile,

My last letter was a bit harsh, so here's a lighter one: I may stay with you if you prove yourself worthy.

For one thing, I am re-considering the Gear 2 Neo and I may look at the Galaxy S6 when you release it in 2015. However, there are some things that you need to do to keep me (and also attract a majority of new customers).

Return of the Contacts

This past Thursday, I decided to switch back to wearing contact lenses after a nearly five-year hiatus from them. I thought getting back into the groove with wearing them would be hard, but surprisingly enough, it was easy. But why switch back after five years?

LG G3 First Impressions: Your move, Sammy

Apple and Samsung, for quite some time, have been the largest duelists of the mobile phone market, pitting the latest iPhone and Galaxy S models against each other. However, other mobile phone makers also have significant potential, such as HTC, Sony, and LG. Today, LG has revealed the G3, acting as a direct rival towards Samsung's Galaxy S5, and ultimately against the Apple ecosystem. Has LG brought forward a worth competitor against good ol' Sammy?

The answer: indeed.

Attack On Titan: Still Playing Catch-Up With an Awesome Animé (with primer for new people)

I wasn't really into anime in my younger years, except maybe Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, but I knew several titles existed; I just didn't know if I could really get into them. I'd been contemplating about maybe checking out Full Metal Alchemist, but I found out about a newer one several months ago. After watching the first episode, I got hooked to "Attack on Titan" (Japanese name "Shingeki no Kyojin").

Dear Samsung: Why I'm Leaving You in 2015

Really though, Sammy?

Dear Samsung,

In June of 2013, I decided to purchase my Galaxy S4 because I was tired of my HTC Vivid after two years of screaming and frustration. I have now, however, realized I must part with you in June of 2015.

While I have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy my S4, I cannot allow myself to be locked into an Apple-like ecosystem. I want to be able to choose which services I want and to be able to go without excessive amounts of manufacturer bloatware. I enjoy the TouchWiz interface on Android, but I need a new experience.

Random Thought of the Day: Blankets

I don't care who you are or what your opinion is on anything ever, but I think we can all agree that blankets are one of the best things ever created in the history of ever.

The Duncanville Incident: Let's Play Dress-Up?

As I've mentioned before, I was born in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, specifically in Lewisville. While I didn't get to live in Lewisville long enough to really see how things would grow, I got to see how the city grew in summer visits to see my Granny, who lives in Lewisville and works as a teacher.

Welcome!

Hello one and all! Welcome to Hyperspace Jump!