extravagantGEEK

Just a geek and her thoughts…

Category: Mobile Devices

  • Upgrade Time.

    Upgrade Time.

    Disclaimer: I am not important enough yet to be sponsored by anyone, therefore all products and brands in this post are mentioned solely based on my own personal experiences with them.

    I can recall the days when smart phones were using BlackBerry, Palm OS and Windows… no not Windows Phone, literally just a phone running a mini mobile version of Windows actual OS. Watching both Android and Apple innovate has been fun and while I have slowed down from my previous habit of getting a phone 2 or more times a year… I still love admiring the new releases. However, this year I am not just looking, but have had to debate on what I am actually going to upgrade to because my iPhone 11 is starting to show its age.

    It has been a great phone and got me through the pandemic very well. Not to mention, it’s in my favorite color (purple)! Yet, I have come to realize that based on the way I use my phone, I need more than 128GB. I’m one of those people who often plays mobile games; some of which vary in size from 5GB to as much as 10GB. Constantly having to offload the apps and then reinstall them can get old really fast. I also like to keep at least 5GB worth of music downloaded for airplane trips or when I may need some entertainment in an area with poor signal. If I could, I would probably download a few episodes of a show or perhaps a movie. Unfortunately, I know that even with backing up Photos, iMessage, etc. to the iCloud… I still do not have enough storage for my desired personal use.

    As a result, long before Apple’s event last week, I knew 256GB or more would be the minimum I would accept for my next phone. To be honest I did ponder going back to Android for a bit. I was a fanatic of theirs for awhile and even went as low as calling Apple fan’s sheep at one point. Things just change with time and there have always been things I like about both. I remember rocking an iPod Touch while having an Android phone in the early days just to be able to get some experience with both platforms. Android was always a favorite for customization but iOS always had snappy performance and prettier apps. I eventually got an iPhone 6S as my first iPhone and held onto that for quite a while. I have always loved that iPhones continue to get updated more often (and for longer) than most Android phones. They also seem to retain their value a lot better as well. I went back to Android when Google’s Pixel line first came out and bought its first two iterations, followed by a OnePlus 7 Pro.

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  • Pixel Goodness.

    Pixel Goodness.

    Nearly two weeks ago Google hosted a Made by Google event which was streamed live over YouTube. Like many others I sat in anticipation on October 4th to hear about all the new things that were to come. They covered a variety of products from the new 4K Chromecast to the Daydream View (their VR headset with a remote control). However, the main thing I was concerned with was their new line of phones… the Pixel and Pixel XL. 

    For years I drooled over many of the Nexus devices and finally got on board in 2014 with the Nexus 6. I genuinely loved that phone and had only one major gripe relating to the size; my dainty hands struggled to hold it ( particularly with one hand) which led to me ultimately gifting it to my dad last Christmas. I could have gotten a 5X but decided to branch out and try my very first iPhone instead. One thing I can say about the Nexus experience though is that I absolutely loved getting software updates as soon as they were released or using developer previews until they were. That feeling of always being up to date is what made me never want another Android device unless it was a Nexus or straight from Google. Its also the reason that I felt like I was finally ready to give the iPhone a chance because I adore getting updates; even now I’m in Apple’s beta program.

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  • Too Many Options.

    Too Many Options.

    I haven’t posted on here in awhile because life gets… well busy to be completely honest and you don’t always have time for the things you wish you did. I still want to accomplish that one post per month minimum goal though. 

    One of the many reasons I decided to start my own site instead of applying to work for someone else’s tech blog was because I knew there would be personal time restraints. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone by not being able to write all the time, and while I am still not writing as much as I’d like I am slowly making it more of a priority.

    As of right now I’m very much on the fence about what I want my next tech purchases to be, it’s only the beginning of spring and I keep seeing new things I want. I’ve also been looking at a few things that came out last year that I couldn’t budget for and now I can.  In terms of Wearables and Android Wear I am very interested in upgrading my old reliable LG G Watch. It was nice to be an early adopter for the Android Wear movement but mama wants something new and shiny. The hyped up Huawei watch and the newer offerings from LG have certainly piqued my interest and I’m still holding my breath for the new Moto 360 in hopes it won’t have that dreaded “flat tire” thing going on.

    As for phones, I’m still loving my Nexus 6 as I mentioned in my latest Vlog. Its an amazing device but I’m a little curious about other options as well. I’m an Android lover but at the end of the day I’m fascinated by all technology not just products from Google. I’ve being eyeing Windows Phone a bit, the higher end ones are superb but unfortunately lack official Google applications which is a deal breaker for me… and that leaves me with the iPhone (yeah yeah I know). I posted about the thought of getting one earlier today on my Google+ profile and someone said that my page must have been hacked, lol. I’m serious though, I’ve dabbled with iOS previously courtesy of an iPod Touch and an iPad and I don’t find it to be all that bad. It’s very simple which can be a pro or con depending on the user but I’m willing to take the risk and give it a try and I just might in the coming weeks.

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