Sony SmartWatch: When You’re Too Lazy To Check Your Android-Powered Smartphone

If you think taking out your Android-powered device out of your pocket or your bag to check who’s calling you or which app sent a notification is too much work, then here’s some good news: you can do all of that just by looking at your watch. Of course, we’re not talking about any type of watch. We’re talking about Sony’s SmartWatch.

What is this sorcery?

The SmartWatch is basically your Android device’s second screen. When it is connected to your Android device, it can receive notifications from some choice apps, tell you who’s calling or texting, show you who’s sent you an email, and even let you control your music player.

Its 1.3-inch OLED display gives you enough space to see the notifications and control the device via multi-touch controls. This color display may not have the quality you would consider perfect, but it is functional and generally, it’s easy on the eyes.

How big is it?

It’s bigger than your average watch but small enough not to call attention to yourself and your weird taste in accessories. The main SmartWatch unit has a clip that holds on to a nice black watchband. The white clip and the black frame and display gives it an elegant yet hip look, but it would have been better if the display and the frame shared the same shade of black for a seamless and sleeker look. With the main unit having 36 mm x 36 mm dimensions and a thickness of 8 mm, you don’t have to worry about it being too bulky because it’s more or less the same size as most large watches.

Features

Other than being your smartphone’s second screen for notifications, the Sony SmartWatch also lets users access SMS messages, emails, and social networking services, specifically Twitter and Facebook. Music player control is not the only way to control your Android device’s features. Basic call controls are also possible via the SmartWatch as you can reject, mute, and take calls using the headset.

How long does the power last?

At full charge, you can use the SmartWatch continuously for one full day. Typical usage will keep the battery running for 3 to 4 days. On standby or low usage, the battery can last up to about a week. You can charge this nifty device through a well-hidden USB slot.

Compatibility

If you’re wondering if this neat device can be paired up with devices that other than those running Android, the answer is no. As for the specific devices themselves, Sony has a complete list on their website. The SmartWatch’s “perfect partners” are Sony’ own Xperia devices but is also compatible with devices from Motorola, Samsung, and HTC.

Usability

Being that the SmartWatch is not your typical everyday device, it may require some time to learn. It can also take a while before you can become comfortable with the gestures required to operate and access the different features and controls of this wonder watch. Unfortunately, some aspects of its usability cannot be saved by familiarity and time, like the fact that clicking on some notifications does not lead you directly to where you expect to go. Basically, this watch just tells you there’s a new missed call or email but it’s up to you to navigate to the actual menu where you can see the missed call or email.

The Bottom Line

With all its neat features that can make your daily life a little bite more efficient, you would think getting there would be easy too. But unfortunately, it’s not as easy as it sounds. It may take a while before you experience the convenience benefits of the Sony SmartWatch. You can get it for $149.99. And oh, did we mention that it can also tell time?

NAVTEQ Maps Review

As the leading global provider of maps, traffic information and digital location content, NAVTEQ is trusted by a multitude of companies to deliver navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising in different countries all around the world. NAVTEQ’s digital location content is used in all kinds of applications such as portable and wireless devices, automotive navigation systems, Internet-based mapping apps and even government and business solutions. It is safe to say that NAVTEQ powers most of the world’s needs for digital location content.

What kind of information is provided by NAVTEQ?

Covering 6 continents and 85 countries, NAVTEQ offers digital maps that include details such as physical barriers, gates, one-way streets, turn restrictions, relative road heights and more. These maps do not just show geographic location, they also provide useful information that can help people navigate better and safer whether they are creating a route for deliveries that are essential to their business or they are simply planning the best road trip experience possible.

NAVTEQ maps include points of interest that lets users easily find restaurants, hospitals, hotels and any other establishment that they can visit. For personal use, these maps offer valuable insight on planning the perfect trip or simply discovering what an area can offer in terms of services, entertainment and leisure. For commercial and government use, the details in these maps are essential in providing services such as mail services, emergency response services and different fleet operations all over the world.

What makes NAVTEQ data different from the data offered by other mapping services?

NAVTEQ has an elite team of geographic analysts numbering more than a thousand. They survey roads all over the world using a proprietary GPS-based collection software and technology while following a single global specification. This team of geographic analysts collect as many as 260 attributes of locations, giving the data they produce a robust and detailed quality that can be used in different applications. This kind of expertise, quality equipment, standard practices and attention to detail make NAVTEQ data stand out from the data offered by other mapping services.

Is this data updated often?

NAVTEQ data is constantly updated to make sure that users get the latest and most detailed maps available. Aside from the usual attributes that users find in these maps, NAVTEQ continually find new attributes and ways to enhance their maps more. They listen to their customers, other industry leaders, mapping experts and regular users of mapping applications and devices to determine what kind of information people want and need. Listening to the people and doing an extensive marketing research gives NAVTEQ the heads up on what people require in their maps, giving them the advantage of knowing the next steps to take in improving their maps.

What kind of information can be expected from NAVTEQ maps?

One of the most popular features of NAVTEQ maps is the set of points of interests or POIs. These POIs include airports, hospitals, schools, restaurants, parks, museums, gasoline stations, casinos, cinemas, banks and ATMs. For consumers, these maps help them navigate their location better. For companies, these maps help them be found by their customers. There is even a NAVTEQ service called Direct Access that lets companies put their logos on the maps. This makes their location easier to find, making it more convenient for customers to go and purchase their favorite products or services.

For drivers, these maps provide another benefit: traffic information. Knowing when and where to expect bad traffic conditions or when and where they can drive to a specific destination without encountering jams is a priceless advantage. NAVTEQ provides real-time traffic information in the US, Canada, Brazil and some countries in Europe. Live traffic conditions are displayed right on the maps so it will give drivers an easier time in navigating the roads comfortably and safely.

Are there industry-specific features in these maps?

Yes there are. For businesses and services that include truck routes, NAVTEQ Transport offers truck routing maps with details such as physical restrictions, legal restrictions, transport-specific POIs, preferred routes, hazardous materials restrictions and warning information for hills, lateral winds and curves. Drivers can specify their routes and the attributes they want to see on the map and they will be given a map with all their specified information. These maps provide truck drivers and navigators a way to pass through their routes quickly, easily and safely.

How can I acquire maps?

NAVTEQ maps are installed different navigation devices and mobile devices. If you need to update these maps, you can simply go to the NAVTEQ store, choose the specific model of your device and purchase a map update. Specific instructions are included to make each update easy and quick to install.

The Bottom Line

While other services provide detailed maps with similar details, if you want to use the most trusted maps in the industry, NAVTEQ should be your first choice. Their maps are always updated, highly detailed and contain information backed by state-of-the-art equipment and the expertise of geographical analysts.

iPhone 4S Features: 8 Key Differences Between iPhone 4S and iPhone 4

Apple’s iPhone 4S may look the same as the iPhone 4, but its capabilities make it more like a brand-new version. iPhone 4S has the same external dimensions and appearance as the iPhone 4 – so the only differences are under the hood – but these differences are hugely significant.

Here are the key differences between the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4:

  1. New processor = 7x faster graphics rendering
  2. New battery provides 3 days of music listening between charges, and 1 full day of talking
  3. New camera has a f/2.4 lens (great for shooting low-light and blurry background effects)
  4. New video capture records video at 1080p
  5. iCloud integration will backup all your photos and music in Apple’s servers, available for you to download anytime at no cost
  6. Available on Sprint for the first time
  7. World phone capabilities, it works on both GSM and CDMA networks
  8. Siri voice assistant – a very smart voice app that recognizes you commands, knows your schedule and contacts and relationships, and actually works. You can tell it to “remind me to call my mother on Saturday morning” and it will do that for you.
What remains the same between the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4?
  1. Same physical appearance and dimensions
  2. Same display and resolution
  3. Same front-facing camera
  4. Same iOS
When will the iPhone 4S be available? You can buy the iPhone 4S starting October 7, 2011.