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Julie’s gadget diary – I just held a Samsung Galaxy S8+ and I liked it

Two days ago after Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy S8 and S8+ phones, I wrote that I’d be staying up and pre-ordering one at the crack of dawn the next day. As it turned out, I didn’t pre-order one because I found out that I would not be able to order an unlocked phone until May 9th.

I wasn’t that tore up about not being able to pre-order because I knew I’d be able to test drive one from Verizon at the end of April when they start shipping on 4/21. I also knew that a shiny new LG G6 loaner unit would be waiting for me on Thursday. New toys make it easier waiting for future toys.

Today I decided to stop by my local Best Buy after work because it was on the way to my accountant where I had to pick up my taxes. The reason why I wanted to stop at Best Buy was so I could check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 in person. But I got an even better surprise when I walked in and saw a big Galaxy S8 and S8+ display. It didn’t really occur to me that they would already have them in the store.

I got to try both sizes and was really surprised how similar they look and feel. I kept having to check the sticker on the back of the phone to see which one I had in my hand.

I never liked the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S7 Edge devices because my palm would accidentally touch the curved edges of the display causing weird behavior. I didn’t notice that issue with the S8+ (shown above) or the S8 (shown below). At least not during the few short minutes that I played with each phone.

I will tell you that two things were immediately apparent to me upon holding the devices. One thing I love and one thing I hate.

I love Samsung’s displays. They really do make every other smartphone’s display look anemic in comparison. Some people might not fancy the vivid, almost over saturated displays, but I kinda love them.

I love the displays but I hate the slimy, smeary, fingerprinty feel of the back of the phone. Ick. That said, the LG G6 that I started testing has the same issue. If I do end up buying an S8+ (that’s the one that I’m leaning towards now that I’ve actually held one), I’ll have to put a skin on the back like the “leather” dbrand skin that I have on my Nexus 6P.

Other than not liking the back of the phone, I found the S8 and S8+ to be comfortable to hold and oh so pretty to look at. Where the S8 devices feel like slab of glass in my hand, the Nexus 6P feels more like a slab of steel. I prefer the feel of the 6P, but that won’t keep me from probably buying an S8+.

I really am looking forward to using one for a few weeks when I get the chance to get one to review.

I was disappointed that Best Buy didn’t have a DeX dock because I’m really interested in trying one.

Oh, I also checked out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 which was my main reason for stopping at the store. Really thin and light. I’m tempted… I wish my current S Tab 10.5 would just die already so I wouldn’t feel guilty buying a new one!

Anyone else had a chance to see and touch one of the S8’s in the wild yet? Thoughts?

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Julie’s gadget diary – I just held a Samsung Galaxy S8+ and I liked it originally appeared on on March 31, 2017 at 4:32 pm.

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Julie’s gadget diary – I’m going to be really tired tomorrow and quite a bit poorer

I have been using a Nexus 6P as my main phone since the fall of 2015. It’s been a really nice device, but it’s time that I hand it down to Jeanne so she can ditch her older than dirt Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and I can move to something new like the Samsung Galaxy S8! 

I just finished watching Samsung’s Unpacked Event where they officially unveiled the Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices. I’m excited about the new phones. The event itself didn’t sway me to want to buy one of them though. I had already decided that I would be buying one months ago. My only struggle has been trying to decide which one to choose: S8 or S8+. I’ve finally made up my mind to go with the S8. The S8+’s crazy large display is very tempting, but I’m looking forward to having the same size screen as my Nexus 6P in a more pocket-friendly size.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices won’t be available until April 21st, but pre-orders start at 12:01 AM tomorrow morning through Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The S8 will be priced at $750 and the S8+ will be $850 from AT&T and T-Mobile, but only $720 and $830 through Verizon, which is the carrier that I use. Verizon and T-Mobile are also including a new Samsung Gear VR headset and other goodies.

I also want to buy a Samsung DeX dock which will let you connect the S8/S8+ to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse for a full-screen PC-like experience. I’m really excited to try that feature. Right not there isn’t any info about pricing or availability. But if it’s up for pre-sale at 12:01 tomorrow morning, I’m adding one to my shopping cart along with a black S8.

Check out Samsung for more info on the new Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices (Note: at the time I’m posting this, they haven’t added any specific product info).

Is anyone else as excited as I am to get their hands on one of these new phones?

[Source: The Verge, CNet]

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Julie’s gadget diary – I’m going to be really tired tomorrow and quite a bit poorer originally appeared on on March 29, 2017 at 1:04 pm.

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Gadgeteer team EDC updates – Bob Patterson

Hello, friends! Welcome to Bob’s EDC update. I am always on the go for work and I am obsessive about functional design, so I’m constantly tweaking my toolsets to optimize my daily carry. Here’s the go-to list of items that find their way into my daily EDC!

(Note: I’ve included links to all the items on my list where available f you would like to check them out yourself. In some cases, an item may be an older model, so I have linked to the latest product page where appropriate.)

The Bag.

I’m obsessive about bags. I have used more messengers, briefcases, and backpacks than I care to count. My current go-to is the Timbuk2 Command Backpack. It allows me to haul a whole day’s worth of work stuff (including lunch, gym gear, etc.), and it’s ridiculously comfortable to carry for extended periods. It looks good in a business-casual workplace, and it’s great for one-bag work travel for a short trip. I do have some issues with the accessibility and pocket design, but I have yet to beat it for day-to-day flexibility and capacity.

Having said that… we’re moving to an “open space” office design at work, and I’ll need to adapt to a more flexible, mobile office solution. I’m thinking that a bigger messenger bag may meet my needs, and I’m researching solutions at this time (I don’t mind taking suggestions!).

The Laptop. 

I work in digital marketing, so testing things across multiple devices is a key part of my job. I have a Thinkpad, but I much prefer my 13″ MacBook Air for daily use on the go. It’s smaller size and lighter weight is great for running about. Did you happen to notice that MacBook skin in the picture? Kinda cool, right? That’s a natural Stone Skin from Cover-Up, which I am currently evaluating for an upcoming review here on The Gadgeteer. More on that soon!

The Tablet.

I’m experimenting with switching to a tablet as a laptop replacement for day-to-day use. I have a work-issued iPad Air that I can use get 80% of my work done, but the current love of my life is the iPad Pro 12.9″. This is my personal tablet, and I have it tricked out with the iPad Pro Smart Keyboard and the Apple Pencil. With this combination, I can accomplish virtually any business, personal, or creative task that I need to get done.

If you’re wondering about the illustration on the iPad in the photo, that’s one of mine. I draw for fun, and to keep my creative muscles in working order. That piece was done in Sketchbook Pro, but I’m currently digging Proceate as my go-to drawing package. Its integration with the Apple Pencil is amazing.

The Phone. 

I’m an iPhone guy from the first generation, and I currently have the iPhone 6S. It’s got all the function and ease-of-use I need at this point, and I don’t see the need to upgrade any time soon. My phone case is also a Cover-Up product, called the Stone Explorer. It’s also a natural stone material like the MacBook skin. I’ll be posting pictures of this along with a detailed review with my evaluation of the MacBook Stone Skin soon!

The Headphones.

My headphones are the Yurbuds Signature Series Sport Earphones. I hit the gym almost every day and these buds are great for their durability, comfort, and water resistance. Sound quality is not exceptional, but more than good enough for playing tunes & drowning out background noise. The microphone is pretty good for personal and conference calls, with minimal background interference. The wire-wrapped chords minimize tangles, which is an added plus.

The Wallet. 

Last year I picked up a Harvey’s Seat Belt Wallet. I’m a fan. Not only is it a cool eco-friendly solution, but it’s indestructible and really well designed to carry all of your cards & cash without getting overly bulky.

The Coffee Gear.

Life without coffee is unthinkable. I’ve been using an Aerobie Aeropress Coffee Maker for years. As long as you have access to hot water, it makes the best brewing solution out there in a simple, portable package. I also use stainless steel mesh filters instead of paper filters (yes, it does make a difference in flavor!). There is an  endless variety of these filters available through Amazon, but these are the ones I currently use.

I grind my own beans fresh every morning and keep in a classic Ball jar for transport. You can’t beat Ball jars. They keep a tight seal, they’re compact, and they are virtually unbreakable.

The Beverage Mug.

The Force is strong with is my Tervis mug. I love that you can go from hot-to-cold in this double-walled beastie, it is easy to clean, and really tough. They also sell a variety of add-ons for lids and accessories. The only downside to this mug is that the lid is not completely sealable, so you do have to be careful about transport. I’ll probably need to switch to a watertight option if I switch to a messenger bag, but I’m a Star Wars guy. I’m kind of attached to my Stormtrooper mug at the moment.

Accessory Pouches.

I love Tom Bihn products and have owned a number of their bags over the years. Tom Bihn is legendary for the design and build quality of their bags and accessories, all made in Seattle. Pictured here are a set of their accessory pouches that I use to corral all the loose stuff in my bag. There’s a standard pouch (the blue one), a padded pouch that’s great for delicate items (the black one), and a cool little pouch that uses a cork material that I have never seen anywhere else. Every pouch also comes with a built-in clip, which allows me to keep them attached to a ring for easy access when dumped into the bottom of my pack. Check out the Tom Bihn web site for all of their products.

The Ukulele.

I’m an avid ukulele player, and I own several of them. I wouldn’t call myself good, but I compensate for a lack of skill with a ton of enthusiasm. I’ll confess that I normally don’t carry my ukulele… but it felt right to sneak one into the picture. 😉

That’s the rundown, my friends! If you have any specific questions or comments about my daily EDC, let me know!

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Gadgeteer team EDC updates – Bob Patterson originally appeared on on March 20, 2017 at 3:25 pm.

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PAX East 2017 trip report

This past weekend I attended PAX East 2017 in Boston at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. PAX is a gaming convention held at different venues and times throughout the country. PAX truly is a celebration of all things gaming and loads of fun.

What is PAX?

In 2004, the creators of the webcomic Penny Arcade decided to create a convention exclusively for gaming. That first gathering in Bellevue, Washington had about 4,500 people in attendance and focused on board, tabletop, card, arcade, console and computer gaming culture and community. Each year since its inception the convention has doubled in size and in 2010 the show expanded into Boston for PAX East. The PAX shows in Seattle and Boston now represent the two largest gaming events in North America.

Game creators, computer manufacturers, toy makers, gadget purveyors and the like all gather at PAX to show and promote their latest wares. The booths range from a single table to city-block-long sets complete with light shows and MCs.

Several huge sections of PAX are cordoned off just for networked gaming. There are a number of competitions throughout the weekend and gamers are encouraged to bring their own PCs or use one of the hundreds of high-end units supplied by manufacturers like Intel.

Tabletop gamers are also given their own specific areas on the floor to compete in tournaments or try out some of the many new and up-and-coming games being promoted.

There are demos for everything from VR car-racing rigs to PC cooling systems. New PC games are frequently debuted at PAX and it gives game lovers the chance to try the latest games before they hit the shelves.

Of course, there are gadgets at PAX! For some reason, mechanical keyboards seemed to be VERY popular with the PAX crowd and there were a number of customizable keyboards that had some amazing features as well as very high price tags.

Not to be outdone by the digital game industry, a huge portion of the vendor area was reserved for tabletop gaming paraphernalia. Dice, dice towers, gaming mats, spell books and all sorts of tabletop gaming apparatus were on display.

Several vendors displayed very high-end luxury furniture designed specifically for tabletop gaming. The design, quality, and functionality of some of these tables were amazing. Some of the more intricate designs take as much as a full year to design, customize and build to a customer’s specifications.

Besides the exhibition floor, the convention center’s meeting rooms were jam-packed and scheduled with a number of panels, discussions, and presentations all having to do with gaming culture, personalities, and industry. I attended a fascinating discussion on real scientific theories present in current game titles.

PAX East is great fun for people even mildly interested in gaming. The community, attendees, exhibitors and PAX volunteers are all very enthusiastic, helpful and just nice in general. This was my first time attending a PAX convention, but it won’t be my last. I would love to attend PAX West in Seattle or PAX South in San Antonio and enjoy all those conventions have to offer as well.

Find the news PAX convention at paxsite.com

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PAX East 2017 trip report originally appeared on on March 19, 2017 at 8:36 am.

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Julie’s gadget diary – Fun with scammers

Jeanne and I were parked on the couch enjoying our usual Saturday morning ritual of oatmeal, hot tea, feet up on the coffee table and MacBook Pros on our laps. She was surfing for vacation ideas and I was working on Gadgeteer stuff when the phone rang.

The person on the other end had a thick accent that sounded like an unlikely combination of Scottish and Nigerian said “My name is Jack and I’m calling from Microsoft to let you know that your computer is infected.”

“It is?” I said sounding completely horrified.

“You don’t want to lose your computer do you?” Jack asked.

“No, no I don’t. What do I do?”

“Is your computer in front of you now?” He asked.

“Yes, help me please.”

“Is your computer powered on?”

“Yes.” I said.

“What do you see on the screen?” He asked me.

“Porn,” I said. It was the first crazy answer that popped into my mind. Not sure what that says about me so don’t judge!

Silence…

“Are you there?” I asked Jack.

“Hold please…” He said.

“I need help. Don’t leaaaaaaaave me.” I wailed.

“Hold please…” He said again.

A few seconds passed…

“Hello. My name is Jack and I’m calling from Microsoft…”

“You already told me this.” I said. “How do I fix my computer?”

“What do you see on your screen right now?” He asked.

“Porn”

“What?” he asked.

“Porn” I replied.

CLICK. The phone went dead.

You know it’s going to be an awesome weekend when you’re able to make a scammer hang up on YOU instead of the other way around! 🙂

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Julie’s gadget diary – Fun with scammers originally appeared on on March 11, 2017 at 11:44 am.

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