January 11, 2013 in Computers, iPad, Mac, Product, Tablets, YouTube
Here at Plomonet, Kenta discusses a lot about Tabler vs. Laptops. He has made many videos in the past about his thoughts regarding the two, at that point in time. This year, with the inclusion of the new iPad mini, he has some new thoughts he would like to discuss. The video is available below.
January 11, 2013 in Accessories, Computers, iPad, iPhone, Mac, Music Players, Phones, Product, Tablets, YouTube
We have made a series of videos discussing what we think at Plomonet about the possible upcoming products from Apple. Categories are divided into Macs, iPods & Apple TV & iPhone, and iPad. Videos are available below.
Mac Predictions
iPod, Apple TV & iPhone Predictions
iPad Predictions
January 11, 2013 in iPad, iPhone, Phones, Product, Tablets, YouTube
Our hosts, Kenta and John have discussed about the differences regarding the Black & Slate models and the White & Silver models of both the latest iPhone 5 and iPad mini. YOu can watch the videos of the discussions below.
iPhone 5 Comparison
iPad mini Comparison
November 27, 2012 in iPad, Main Blog, Product, Slideshow, Tablets, Uncategorized
With all the rumors that have been floating around ever since the first generation iPad was released, the iPad mini is finally a reality. In this review, I will be covering the design, screen, cameras, apps & iOS 6, accessories, price aspects of the iPad mini. I will also be giving you my detailed analysis of my full thoughts and opinions as to what I think about the product overall, and whether you should go ahead and spend your money on it or not.
Design
The design of the iPad mini really isn’t much of a surprise after seeing all the leaked images of the screen bezel. However, when you really hold one with your hands, it is pretty impressive. The iPad mini is just thin as a pencil, and weighs only 0.68 pounds, which is 53% lighter than the Retina Display iPad. That is really, really impressive, and this was done by designing the motherboard and battery to be even thinner, and also making the glass display itself thinner.
When I purchased the first generation iPad, my first impression was that it is a beautiful device, but it is just simply heavy at 1.5 pounds. Surely it is lighter than netbooks (remember those?), but it was not something I was comfortable holding with one hand for even 5 minutes. Then, the iPad 2 was announced in 2011, which made the design even thinner and lighter. It was 1.3 pounds and when I held one in hand (before purchasing), I was really surprised with how much lighter it felt. I was all for lightness so I made an impulse buy right on the spot.
So, weight is a big deal for me, and that is why the iPad mini is a big deal for me. Weighing at less than a pound (0.68 pounds), it is a joy to hold with one hand, and does not make me feel tired at any point. I can easily hold it with one hand, with my thumb slightly covering the screen. However, that is not an issue because Apple has included some software in iOS 6 that will ignore unintentional touches. And this does in fact work. I feel comfortable holding it with one hand and scrolling through websites with my thumb. Or, I can also hold it by simply “grabbing” on to the iPad with my whole hand, and operate touches with my other hand. Although this is slightly larger than the Nexus 7 (which I have also played around with), it actually does not feel too big. It is a capable, and cope-able size to hold with one hand.
In terms of build quality, it is fantastic. Made from aluminum and glass, it just feels like a high quality product, just like any other Apple product. However, the aluminum back does sometimes make it feel slippery to hold, and also catches some fingerprints. The color comes in black & slate and white & silver, both of which look beautiful. I did find that the Apple logo on the white model looked odd simply because I am used to the black Apple logo on the back of every other iPad.
Screen
The screen resolution is nothing surprising. At 1024 by 768 pixels, in a 7.9 inch screen size, it is definitely not as sharp as a Nexus 7, nor the Retina Display iPads, but does look much better than the iPad 2. Actually, because of the better colors on the iPad mini compared to the iPad 2 and Nexus 7, I don’t actually mind too much. And since I have never owned a Retina Display iPad before, I do not feel disappointed. Because I do naturally have bad eye sight, the pixels actually haven’t even disturbed me at all.
The display is also an IPS display, which means viewing angles are wide and great. This is true, and has been true since the first iPad. The viewing angle quality is much better on the iPad mini compared to the iPad 2.
Screen size is a major factor of the iPad mini. The screen comes in at 7.9 inches, compared to the 9.7 inches on the larger iPad. Because the screen pixel density is the same as the iPad 2, all the apps can run perfectly fine on the iPad mini. However, everything will look much smaller. Text, icons, buttons will all look smaller and initially I was not used to it. However, after playing with the mini for a day, I gradually got used to the smaller screen size with smaller icons. Now, it is actually odd for me to move back to the larger iPad, simply because I am not used to the larger icons anymore. Everything seems blown up and looks weird.
Cameras
The 5 megapixel iSight camera
The iPad mini sports 2 cameras. The front FaceTime HD camera, and the rear iSight camera. These are both better than the iPad 2, but pretty much the same as the 4th generation iPad. Let’s being with the FaceTime HD camera. This camera is now able to shot 720p HD quality videos, which would look extremely sharp and clear, and equally great over a FaceTime call (if you have a good internet connection). The built-in A5 processor is also able to detect faces, and adjust the saturation and exposure automatically. This is the same for the rear camera.
Taken with the FaceTime HD camera
The rear iSight camera has a 5 megapixel sensor, and is able to shoot video at full 1080p HD quality. Thanks to the A5 chip, it is also able to do auto-stabalization, which is a nice touch. Image quality looks good, similar to the 5th generation iPod touch and the iPhone 4. But could be much better with a flash. I did not find that the photos were dull in any way, and it could possibly replace my on-the-go camera, if I happen to have my iPad with me at all times.
Taken with the rear iSight camera (although not the best weather to capture a photo)
Apps & iOS 6
Because the iPad mini has the exact same resolution as the iPad 2, all the apps that were designed for the iPad will work perfectly fine without any work on the developer end. This is great because once you purchase your new iPad mini, all the apps you had will just work fine without any new downloads or upgrades. It’s just that the apps look slightly smaller. That’s it! In terms of the speed of these apps, the A5 chip is extremely capable of coping with opening apps, playing graphic intensive games and so on. I never felt that the A5 chip was slow in any way, therefore the performance in combination with the apps will definitely not disappoint.
Siri on the iPad mini
iOS 6 also brings a lot of new features to the iPad, and we will not go through the main features in this review. However, one thing that the iPad mini has over the iPad 2 is Siri. Apple touts that Siri is your intelligent assistant and your best friend. This can be questionable, but having Siri on the mini can be handy at some times. In addition to all the things Siri was able to do ever since the launch of Siri in 2011, Siri is now also able to tell you more about restaurants, movies and sports with iOS 6. In my tests, Siri responded well, however, the speeds were nothing compared to the Google Search app. This is not really a fair test as Siri is a built-in feature, and Google Search is just an app. And, Siri actually does more. As I have mentioned, Siri does all the stuff it did since the launch, such as set reminders, alarms, appointments and so on. And all of this is great to have on a mobile device. The only problem I had when using Siri on the mini is that when I’m holding the mini in portrait, with my thumb on the screen, sometimes I can accidentally dismiss Siri. Siri on the iPad is just a small window just right beside the home button, and once you tap elsewhere, it will just go away. So when I’m waiting for search results, and accidentally tap the screen, it’s all gone and I have to ask again.
Accessories
Just like with the full size iPads, the iPad mini comes with (actually a separate purchase) the cute little Smart Cover. These Smart Covers are slightly different compared to the larger ones. First, it only comes in polyurethane, no leather. There also is no option for the Smart Case, that also protects the back of the iPad. Secondly, the hinge of the cover is not longer a piece of metal, but now it’s a micro-fiber material that does not scratch up the side. With the previous Smart Covers, it had completely scratched up the side of my iPad 2. Thirdly, the Smart Cover still folds and bends, but now only has 3 major parts to it, one less than the previous one. I found that this was sometimes annoying because it is not stable, and sometimes it just collapses by itself. The things that are the same compared to the larger one is that the flip-open-to-wake function still works (as well as close-to-sleep). And, the price is the same. At AU$45, it is still quite pricey for an accessory like this, but it is still a must-have accessory for the most of us.
iPad mini with Smart Cover in video-watching mode
iPad mini with Smart Cover in typing mode
Price
The iPad mini comes in a variety of models and prices. The base line with 16GB WiFi-only starts at AU$369 (US329), and you will have to add an extra whopping Au$110 to step up to the 32GB model, and another AU$110 up to the 64GB (in the US, its an extra $100 increase for every step up). With the WiFi + Cellular models, it starts at AU$509 and adds an extra AU$110 for every step up (In the US, its an extra $130 from the WiFi-only models for each capacity respectively). There has been a of talk of how the iPad mini is simply overpriced compared to the competition where they are selling their 7-inch tablets at just US$199. If you just consider the US prices, yes it is expensive to start off at US$329, and pay more to step up. I am living in Australia, where the currency between the two countries are almost a 1:1 ratio, however, I would have to pay an extra, ridiculous amount, just to purchase the baseline iPad mini. Even worse, I have to pay an extra AU$110 to step up to higher models. That is just unacceptable in my opinion. However, if we consider this as an alternative to the larger iPad, yes, it’s a great option. If you compare this with competing tablets, nah, not a great comparison.
Conclusion
So overall, I really love the iPad mini. It has completely replaced my iPad 2 in every way. The cameras are great, apps work great, Siri is fine and iOS 6 runs smooth. The major factor that made me want to replace the iPad 2, though, is the size. The 7.9-inch screen with its smaller form factor is what it is all about. I am able to carry it around and hold it for longer periods with just one hand. I can type comfortably in portrait and landscape with the on-screen keyboard. And it is just simply much more portable. I am really loving the iPad mini, and i do not regret buying it. So, who is this for? Well, if you are coming into the iPad ecosystem for the first time, its a great buy. It is much cheaper than the baseline full size iPad. Even if you are already in the iPad ecosystem, it’s still a great buy, as long as you have the original iPad, or an iPad 2, simply because all of the new and existing features just makes it a better iPad. If you already own the third generation iPad with Retina Display, this might be a tough move, since you have just purchased the iPad this year, and it might be difficult for you to move back to a non-Retina screen. Nor would you want to upgrade to the 4th generation iPad too. So you guys are simply just stuck. But if you love your iPads, that’s great. If you really, really want the smaller form factor, then the iPad mini is a great buy, and will not disappoint you.
Plomonet rating: 10/10
Full video review will be up soon. Stay tuned!
September 29, 2012 in iPad, iPhone, Phones, Product, Tablets, Uncategorized, YouTube
After seeing all the leaks and rumors of the iPad Mini, some of you may believe that the product is in the works. We think so too, but not because of the leaks. We have our own take on why we think the iPad Mini is coming. There are 2 main reasons.
Firstly, there is just a huge demand. Google, Asus, Amazon, Barnes and Noble. They are all coming up with low-cost 7-inch tablets that are actually selling a large amount. Especially the Amazon Kindle Fire, introduced last year, has been the top selling Android tablet. Whilst the iPad’s 9.7inch screen is nice, people are absolutely in love with the 7inch form factor. That’s why there is also a demand for a 7inch iPad, which would probably sell loads in our estimates.
The second reason though we think is more profound. Because of the change in the way Apple names their devices, we are starting to be very optimistic about the iPad Mini. Apple has changed the way they name their iPads. We were hoping for an “iPad 3″, but instead it was called “The new iPad.” At the same time, they are still selling their iPad 2 models. With their new iPhone, instead of calling it “The new iPhone” they called it the iPhone 5 (although technically it is the 6th generation). At the same time, they are keeping their iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S in their lineup. So that is when we wondered, what is going on? Couldn’t they have just called it “The new iPhone”? Why did they move back to the numbering system? Well that is where the catch is.
With the new iPad and iPad 2, they are selling them to 2 different markets. The new iPad being the flagship device, and the iPad 2 to be the more affordable option. Same goes for the iPhone. The iPhone 5 is the new flagship, and the iPhone 4 and 4S will be the low-cost option. What happens when the iPad Mini comes in? Most likely, it will be completely replacing the iPad 2 model that they still sell, and will be the new low-cost tablet option. And this makes so much sense, because Apple is still willing to make a low-cost option for consumers to choose from. Have they ever done that with their Macs and their iPods? No. Every time a new model is released, the old model is gone in history.
With the iPhone, that isn’t really the case. Whilst they do want to keep a low-cost option, they are only building one new iPhone every year, whereas if they had the iPad Mini, they will be making 2 new iPads every year. What if the new iPhone was to be called “The new iPhone” every single year? You would be having an iPhone 2010, iPhone 2011, and iPhone 2012, which doesn’t really make much sense. Because they are only making one iPhone a year, it makes sense to have a numbering system for marketing reasons, and for people to know which device is which.
Why doesn’t Apple make a redesigned low-cost option? We don’t know. But with the current naming system of the iPhone and iPad, we do think that there is a new iPad Mini in the works, and Apple will continue to introduce one new iPhone every year.
What are your thoughts? Please leave them in the comments section below!
June 23, 2012 in Computers, PC, Product, Productivity, Slideshow, Tablets
On Monday, June 18, Microsoft had a very hushed, short noticed press event in Los Angeles, where they announced the Microsoft Surface – a 10.6 inch tablet running Windows 8. There will be two versions of the tablet – Microsoft Surface, and the Microsoft Surface Pro. The Microsoft Surface will run Windows 8 RT, and will run on Nvidea ARM chip. This means it will not be able to run traditional window applications. It is intended for more leisurely use whilst still being able to run productivity applications such as Office. On the other hand, The Microsoft Surface Pro will run Windows 8, and will run on an Intel chip. Because of the Intel chip, it would be able to run legacy Windows applications as well. The Surface Pro is intended to have capabilities parallel to ultrabooks in the market currently.
The Surface is made from liquid magnesium; a technology Microsoft has named VaporMg – pronounced Vapor Mag, for magnesium. Microsoft claims this allows the Surface to be lightweight, permanently scratch and dent resistant, as well as be very durable. Microsoft also says that it has integrated two Wifi receivers to the top of the Surface to make it a device with the best Wifi reception. The Surface RT is 9.6mm thick, and 13mm thick with the touch cover. The Surface Pro is approximately 13 mm thick, and with the Type cover, makes it less than 2cm in total. More details of the specs can be found on the new Surface website, and the keynote announcement is below:
Most tablets announce nowadays are frequently compared to the Apple iPad, and no doubt the Surface will also be compared. However Microsoft really worked hard to innovate and polish the design to stand out from existing tablets.
One of the most innovative features is the Cover– a tablet cover that also doubles as a keyboard, a seemingly obvious design idea but very innovative. There are two versions of the cover. One of the covers is the Touch Cover, which puts a full QWERTY keyboard and track pad onto a solid 3mm pressure sensitive cover. The other cover is the Type Cover – which also puts a full Qwerty keyboard and track pad, but each key can be physically touched and pressed down. There is a wide range of colours available. Although no one outside Microsoft have tested the keyboards, Microsoft officials claim to be able to get over 60 words per minute on the keyboard. I personally think it is an ingenious idea of Microsoft to do more on the cover, making it more valuable and simpler for users to be productive on a device type that traditionally only consumes.
The other innovative feature is the integrated kickstand. Whilst many smartphones now have integrated kickstands to allow video watching on the small screen, tablets tend to rely on cases to standup, despite being even more suitable to watch videos on. With the integrated kickstand, Microsoft makes entertainment consumption even easier on the Windows 8. The surface is also designed around the angle 22º, with edges kickstands and even cameras angled to make it simpler for users.
Although Microsoft has yet to announce a precise price, it has mentioned that the Surface will be price-competitive with other tablets running on ARM (such as the Apple iPad) and the Surface Pro will be price-competitive with ultrabooks at the time it is released. The Surface RT would be available on the same day as the general availability of Windows 8, with the Surface Pro arriving another 3 months afterwards.
Are you as inspired by the Microsoft Surface as I am? Comment below or email at Janice@plomonet.com
June 19, 2012 in Android, Business, Business, Computers, iPad, iPhone, Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Mac, Main Blog, PC, Phones, Product, Slideshow, Tablets, Travel, Travel, Travel, Travel, Travel
So summer is here and the sun is shining, but now you have a terrible dilemma. You want to be outside but the electricity is inside, so what do you do? What if I told you, that all you had to do was strap on a backpack and you would be good to go? I know you may be thinking “Awww, it’s summer; schools out, I don’t wanna wear a backpack.” Just hear me out. Samsonite developed a very light weight that makes a great travel bag, laptop tote, or overnight rucksack. Introducing the Samsonite Solar Powered Backpack.
While the Solar Backpack clearly lacks creativity in name, Samsonite obviously chose to spend that time on the actual product. Time well spent, in my opinion.
The Use
The Solar Backpack goes on like a normal backpack, no surprise there. I found the straps and back to be extremely comfortable, even when carrying a laptop and a few books. Here is where it gets interesting though. The Solar Backpack has a 12v adapter (a car charging port) attached to the front pocket and connected to a solar panel. 
With this port you can plug in any adapter that you would normally plug into a car and supply power to that device. The backpack works great on iPhone, iPads, iPods, and numerous other portable devices. The smaller devices can be charged in about 4 hours of sunlight, while larger electronics will take longer. One trick that I do is use my USB Power Bank, a portable power pack, and have that connected to the backpack and always charging when in the sun, then I just plug in my devices into that and I can have power regardless of whether I have sun or not.
The only problem I had with Samsonite was that they do no provide a USB car adapter, therefore I had to purchase my own to use with my iDevices.
The Compartments
The Solar Backpack is a treasure trove of pockets. The Backpack consists of three main compartments ranging to the largest, which can accommodate a laptop up to 15.9 inches along with some books, to the smallest front panel which is great for storing all of those gadgets. On the outside you will find a side zippered pocket as well as a mesh water bottle holder, both of which are good sized. The only problem I have noticed with the compartments is that there is no hole in the front one to feed a charging cable out to a device or headphones from a charging device to my ears.
The Solar Panel
I thought I would breifely mention the quality of the solar panel. It is flexible and durable, and it appears that it will be able to withstand a beating, which is good especially if you are a frequent traveler and choose to use this bag as your carry on. The only problem I have noticed is that the both the solar panel and the backpack get quite hot, expectantly so, considering they are black and sitting out in the sun. I just worry that a laptop might get overheated in these conditions, so be careful.
The Overall
Overall the Samsonite Solar Powered Backpack is a great product. It is very spacious and comfortable as well as durable. The solar technology works great at topping up my devices and I take comfort in the fact that I can now venture outside without having to worry about dead batteries. The only problems I had were the lack of an adapter as well as a headphone hole and, the excessive absorption of heat. The Solar Powered Backpack can be purchased HERE originally for $300, but right now it is ON SALE FOR $134.99!! So get it while its hot! I give it 4.5 Stars because of the minor problems.
Did you get it? Have an app or product you want me to review? Let me know in the comments below.
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April 2, 2012 in Accessories, iPad, iPhone, Lifestyle, Music Players, Phones, Product, Productivity, Productivity, Tablets, Travel, Travel, Travel, Utilities, Utilities, Utilities
I love to travel, but I hate feeling that I have to ration my remaining battery charge like it’s the Great Depression. Watching the battery percent drop is like watching the stock market in free fall. So, that is why I am always looking for a new portable way to keep my iDevices fueled. This is where the Richard Solo Super Power Bank comes in. This small device, about the size of a wallet, is sleek, sexy, and powerful.
The Design:
The Super Power Bank is a slim black box with a gorgeous chrome bevel, three ports, four light LED indicator, and of course a power button. The power button is flush to the device, making it hard to find without looking, but preventing accidental button pushes. The LED lights display when the Power Bank is charging or with a single tap of the power button. Four lights correspond to the amount of power available for withdrawal from the bank. 1 LED flashing = less than 20%; 1 LED solid = 20-40%, 2 LEDs = 40-60%, 3 LEDs = 60-80%, and 4 LEDs = 80-100%.
The Specs:
The Super Power Bank has three ports along it’s frame. One is the micro USB in, the other two are USB charging ports for iDevice, smartphones, etc. Charging port 1, labeled OUT 1A, is designated for smaller devices requiring a 1A connection, where as charging port 2, labeled OUT 2.1A, is for larger device such as the iPad as well as the smaller devices. The Super Power Bank conains a 6600 mAh Li-polymer battery that is pretty kick-ass. I ran some trials to gauge about how powerful the bank is; here are the results:
Using only the Super Power Bank and moderate/ heavy usage I was able to bring my iPod Touch from 10% to 100% for a whole week until I need to deposit more energy into the bank. That is about 10 or so recharges. For just one recharge it took 10 minutes to charge the first 30%, an hour to charge another 45% and my iPod was back to 100% within 2 hours of when I started. That is definitely a lot faster than my wall outlet can put out.
What Do You Get?
So when you open up the hard plastic from Richard Solo, what do you get? You get: The Super Power Bank of course, and a small coiled USB to micro USB connector. That’s pretty much it, but hey it is whats on the inside that counts right?
One More Thing:
If you order the Super Power Bank before April 30, which I highly recommend, just enter Plomonet into the coupon field for 20% off.
Overall:
Overall, The Super Power Bank by Richard Solo is an excellent portable charger. It has a great form factor, can charge two devices at once, and is quick and efficient. For the price of $59.95 it is definitely worth it. Check it out here
I give it 4.5 stars for sure.
Did you get it? Have an app or product you want me to review? Let me know in the comments below.
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February 13, 2012 in iPad, Product, Slideshow, Tablets
It is reported by iMore that Apple is set to announce their next generation iPad at the San Francisco Yerba Buena Center on the 7th of March. iMore also claims that the next generation iPad will sport a 2048×1536 Retina Display, a Quad-core A6 processor, and possibly a 4G LTE chip.
