CZ Tech Talk Preview - An Unplugged Geek Fest

CZ TECH TALK FRIDAY EDITION INTRODUCES NEW RANDOM FORMAT

Hi folks. The CZ Blog Man is in a rare mood. I'm gonna try something new, so don't expect normal. If you are reading this, you agree to the terms and conditions of this post, which are as follows:

• This post shall ramble on, possibly without end
• Reader is aware that I may not ever make a point or have a purpose
• Writer reserves the right to change the topic of discussion every 3rd sentence without warning
• Post could end abruptly without warning
• Reader agrees to the terms of payment for the post (this is explained at the end)

Now that you have read and agreed to the terms and conditions of this post, I will be able to continue with what it is that I did not plan to do. And that is ramble on about whatever comes to my mind, kind of like a brainstorming session. So here we go! It's the Unplugged Friday Edition of CZ Tech Talk!

IPHONE 5 DESIGN

It's bunk. Crap. All these blogs out here posting about this bogus new design that makes the screen only 1/2" taller but the same width are really disappointing me. Come on, geek writers, do you really thing they are going to change the aspect ratio of the iPhone 5?

I talked to my partner, CEO Jake Seeman, of our company CoMo Coding LLC last night. We have an app development company, of which I am the Vice President handling all marketing. I asked CEO Jake if Chief Programmer Stephen Lindhauer had an opinion about these rumors, and if it was causing him any worry. He said yes.

Here's the thing... people like our Chief Programmer Stephen will have a complete psychotic fit if Apple changes the aspect ratio of the next iPhone, because that means all of the current apps would have to be re-written to run on the new weirdly shaped screen.

If they increase the width from 2" to 2.29", that would fit the aspect ratio of the new vertical dimension of 4". That is, IF the new display even ends up with the extra half inch on top. Wait a minute... strike those figures. The current dimension is 3.5" diagonally measured. So adding a 1/2" extra amount to the top would make a greater diagonal distance.

Whatever the case, you get the point. If you make it taller, and not wider, you screw up the aspect ratio. That's why I think all you big boy blog sites are sitting with your heads jammed in a warm moist place for believing this stuff.

Next topic...

IPHONES IN KOREA

I don't know who it is that started this rumor, but as the story is told, they claim that the people of South Korea love the iPhone and are found carrying it much more often than their native Samsung products.

These people also claim that the South Koreans see the iPhone as a status symbol, and they don't give the same respect or value to their own brand.

Well I am glad to report to you that this story is 100% garbage, and I know this for fact. My previously-mentioned partner, CEO Jake Seeman, was actually in South Korea for an entire 2 weeks. He said that EVERYONE in South Korea is walking around carrying phablets. They are all over the place.

He told me that this idea that the countrymen (and women) are carrying iPhones is a complete fabrication. He never saw a single iPhone 3GS while there, and only 2 iPhone 4S's (one of which was his own). So I hand the Turd Trophy to all of you who seem to find it necessary to promote this craptastic rumor.

PHABLET PHRENZY

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is coming! We have just a few days until the announcement. Soon after, we should hear about the HTC Phablet that is coming. I am gonna bet that the Samsung version will be better. I love HTC smartphones, but they are too heavy and bulky. I need light and unbreakable.

I cannot wait to get my hands on a phablet. Unless something life-changing and monumental comes out in between today and October when I can upgrade, it's gonna be Phablet Time for me

---------------------------------

That's all I have for the moment. that doesn't mean that I won't post another one of these unplugged ramblings in the next 5 minutes though. It just depends on the current state of my ADD/HD. But from now on, when you see the new "CZ Tech Talk" logo, you'll know this is an unplugged post.

But before you go, we have to talk about payment. Yes, that's right, this isn't free. You agreed to the terms and conditions of this post when you started. If you made it this far, it's time to pay up. I don't allow stealing.

To avoid possible prosecution and punitive damages, you must pay for reading this post by dropping a comment in the fantastic Disqus commenting section below. Tell me what you think of the rambling topics, share a new topic, or tell me what your favorite flavor of ice cream is.

Whatever the case, make your payment now or you will receive a citation and fine in your email inbox for violating my terms.

Thanks a bagillion.

Carlton Flowers
CZ Unplugged

The Windows 8 Shocker - I Didn't See This Coming

WINDOWS 8 COULD BE GREAT AS UPGRADE FOR OLDER SYSTEMS

I hadn't thought one single minute about Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 8, until I did a little bit of reading recently. Apparently, this new release will run on older computers, up to about 4 years in age.

Not only can you load Windows 8 on older computers, but it will also speed up your machine and make it run more efficiently. To ice the cake, the cost will only be $40 per license!

This is a pretty radical change in pricing strategy for Microsoft. Plus it's a whole new paradigm in the evolution of their operating system. While everyone has started to write them off as the dinosaur headed for extinction, they come up with a new OS that is completely different in design and not a memory resource hog.

The Microsoft Windows 8 Release Preview page lists the minimum system requirements as the following:

• a 1GHz CPU
• 1Gb of RAM for 32-bit systems
• 2Gb of RAM for 64-bit systems
• Microsoft DirextX 9 graphics card with WDDM driver

That's really a basement level hardware requirement for running Windows 8. Computers as much as 4 or 5 years old could meet these hardware minimums. I know I have 2 or 3 computers just in my basement sitting and collecting dust that could run the new operating system.

This is a huge plus for people with older systems still running on Windows XP. But from what I am hearing, you can even download and install the new Windows 8 on a machine that does not have a legitimate version of Windows running on it.

This is a smart move on behalf of Microsoft. I imagine a significant amount of people will go legit and upgrade their computers due to the lowest price they have ever offered on a windows version since the days of Windows 3.1, plus considering how much of a jump this would be from an older version.

If you want to get the most out of Windows 8, here are a few things you might want to add to your current system:

• a touch screen monitor to take advantage of Windows 8 mult-itouch
• a multi-touch capable mouse
• screen resolution of 1366x768 to snap apps
• high speed internet access

You can also get a multi-touch capable tablet and run Windows 8. That's yet another major advantage. You would have the same operating system running on your tablet and your PC or laptop. I'm almost tempted to consider this instead of getting an Android tablet (which I already am not convinced would be a wise investment).

Stay tuned for more reports as I get my first computer loaded with Windows 8! It will be exciting!

Carlton Flowers
Breaking New Windows (haha)

iPhone 4 Stuck Power Button - What You Need To Know

THE TRUTH ABOUT IPHONE 4/4S STICKING POWER BUTTON ISSUE

I have torn up 2 iPhones in my past. From tearing them up after attempting to fix them, I became quite proficient in the art of fixing them. But today, I uncovered what I believe to be a common issue with the iPhone 4 (4S) - the stuck or sticking power button.

A young friend of mine asked me if I could repair his iPhone 4 that had a mushy power button that no longer clicks. To turn his phone on or wake it back up, he would have to use tremendous force on the sticking power button. I decided to take it on.

I discovered a quick-fix and a real fix for this issue. The quick fix only requires taking the back off of the phone. Apparently, someone was lucky enough to shove a small folded piece of paper in-between the power button and ribbon to give it something to press against in order to activate. This does not work.

It can be a dangerous pseudo repair. If you break the ribbon from putting pressure in the wrong place, you can FUBAR your iPhone power button completely.

The only real repair for this is to compeltely tear down the phone and replace the entire ribbon and button assembly. Unfortunately, this is more time consuming than replacing the LCD/digitizer screen. Everything has to come out. And the replacement ribbon/button assembly is tiny.

The labor for this fix might not be worth the trouble you have to go through. In my opinion, this is a problem that should be taken straight to Apple whether or not the phone is still under warranty. From my research, I'm finding out that this is not a malfunction that comes from abnormal wear.

If you want to see the process you must go through to accomplish the replacement of the ribbon and button, check out www.imore.com and their step-by-step process. You can also check out my favorite iPhone repair site at www.ifixit.com for a great guide. However, if you have never disassembled an iPhone 4/4S, I do not recommend attempting this.

I believe the instances of this issue numbers in the 200,000-plus range. That's proof enough of a manufacturer's defect at worst case, and poor design at least case. I don't think it's a defect, but just a common problem that can occur due to the tight space the button and ribbon assembly have to be squished into.

My recommendation is to find a workaround. You can jailbreak your iPhone and reassign some of the buttons to simulate the power button's functionality. I did this with my iPhone 4 when my home button had the same problem. Instead of hitting the home button when the phone was off, I would depress the volume up + volume down buttons at the same time to turn it on.

If this is not something you want to do, you can call Apple directly and bug the crap out of them until they agree that it is not your fault that they designed the phone this way, and make them repair it for free.

This is just one of a nice list I have of serious Apple iPhone issues that the company doesn't seem to want to deal with. Judging from the response to the original "Antennagate" issue, I am of the belief that they don't want to deal with the headache.

I hate to be critical of Apple's devices, but this is just an unacceptable problem that I think a significant number of people are having. Physical buttons on the iPhone 4, including the home button, power button, volume button, and silence button are all prone to sticking in this same manner.

I'm hoping that Apple resolves this with the iPhone 5, along with the ridiculously fragile cracking screen issue. The iPhone is a solid, heavy "quality-feeling" device, but that obviously comes with a price.

Critics tend to take jabs at manufacturers like Samsung and Pantech for having "plasticky" light-weight devices, but you can't take a blind eye to the fact that they are much much more durable and don't have these common button malfunctions.

Take note of this, Apple, and please save the frustration of countless future customers of yours by resolving these issues on the next breakthrough version of your flagship device!

Carlton Flowers
Defender of Poor Souls Who Own Phaulty iPhones

Tablets Or Laptops - What Is Best For Business Use?

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PICKING A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE FOR BUSINESS

I had a great question from my friend who is realestate professional in Florida, Vaughn Herren. He asked me for advice on whether or not he should buy a laptop or a tablet device for work purposes.

He liked the idea of the portability of a tablet device, but wondered if it would have the utility of a laptop. Plus, he had plans on using Microsoft Office with whatever device he picked.

Tablets can be a great tool for real estate agents. They can take pictures, get online with mobile 3G or 4G service, and can run certain software packages. They are widely used and are very popular with agents across the country, especially the Apple iPad.

While tablets are super convenient and very powerful devices, it might not be the best choice depending on the type of software you need to run. If you're going to be doing any work on a spreadsheet, a tablet can be maddening.

Manipulating your way around Microsoft Excel on an Android tablet or Apple iPad is not easy. You've got to learn a lot of tricks to get the functionality of what the mouse can do with ease. In my opinion, it is not worth the trouble if you will be working a lot with spreadsheets.

Yes, you can perform the functions that you need to do. But if you are looking to be fast and efficient, you're not going to be breaking any records doing cumbersome number crunching and spreadsheet analysis on a tablet.

That's where a laptop comes ahead and wins the competition. Having a mouse touch pad or external mouse gives a clear advantage in manipulating and working through spreadsheets and databases.

One alternative is to get an iPad or possibly the upcoming Microsoft Surface RT with a keyboard. This makes the tablet much more usable. I find tablets useless when it comes to typing on a touch screen. Without real keys to seat your fingers, you just can't type with any real speed.

So adding an external keyboard to an iPad or Surface RT will give it a laptop-type user experience. There are some high quality keyboards available, so your typing efficiency would be off the charts if you're a fast typer.

But you still don't have the use of a mouse with a tablet. That's a big drawback. For me, I'm a spreadsheet finatic. I use it to make balance sheets, cost estimates, inventory tracking, payroll tax calculations, and more. There isn't a way in the world I would do my business computing on a tablet. If I did, what little hair I have on the top of my head would be gone.

But that's just me. Maybe the uses a person may have are more geared toward a tablet. If they are, then a tablet may be the way to go. But for maximum computing power and flexibility to run all business related software efficiently, I'm going to have to say that a laptop would be the smart first investment.

Later on down the road, if money is not a problem, I think a tablet device would compliment the use of a laptop. I just don't think it would replace it.

For me, you'll see me toting a full size 17" HP laptop. And how will I diversify my cadre of computing components? With a Samsung Galaxy Note 2. That will be my bottom-level device. Desktop PC, laptop, and phablet. My winning formula!

What is your comination of gadetry that you haul off to the workplace or field each day? Share with us in the new Disqus comments section what your weapons of data warfare are!

Carlton Flowers
Gadget Advisor

Samsung Galaxy S3 Review - The Chowder Heads Rebuffed

GALAXY S3 CLEARLY TOP-LEVEL DEVICE DESPITE TROLLICIOUS REVIEWS

I'm so miffed by a lot of the reviews on the Samsung Galaxy S3 that I had to make up a new word. The trollicious chowder heads who claim it is a disappointment and not a major upgrade over the Galaxy S2 must have a hidden agenda.

In the immortal words of Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon, let me make this perfectly clear! The Galaxy S3 is most definitely a quantum leap upgrade over the Galaxy S2. I own a Galaxy S2, and thanks to AT&T St. Louis, I have had quality time test driving the Galaxy S3. Therefore, I speak from hands-on experience.

First of all, the design is amazingly ergonomic. When I first saw the rounded design of the Galaxy S3, I was disappointed. All of that vaporized when I first held the new device in my hand. The feel of the smartphone's upgraded body is much more ergonomic than its predecessor, and it is aesthetically superior when compared side-by-side.

I love the smooth rounded edges, plus the transition from the edges of the screen to the bezel. It has a slightly convex curvature similar to the HTC One X. It is a far cry from the hard edges of the iPhone 4S. The Galaxy S2 seems to take its cues from the 4S, while the S3 enters new territory completely.

When you turn on the device, you get a new splash screen. Plus you get a new way to unlock the device and enter into the home screen. Rather than a slide-to-unlock variation, you get a ripple effect and water sound. The design is elegant, and the action is smooth.

Display-wise, the colors and brightness of the screen seem to move more towards a natural look when compared to the Galaxy S2, which has been accused of being "cartoony" with its brighter-than-life colors. I think the color variation and brightness of the S3 has hit a sweet spot.

For watching video content or viewing pictures, the S3 is clearly the best device on the market due to the large 4.8" diameter Super AMOLED display. I would have thought a screen this big would have been clumsy and bulky. But surprisingly, I didn't find it to be cumbersome during my test period. Conversely, I found my S2 to be too small when returning to that device.

The Galaxy S3 is not just shaped great in the X-Y plane. It's also impressive in the Z-plane with its razor thin depth dimension. The edges are rounded, but it doesn't sacrifice depth. You loose the big hump found on the S2, and the thinness of the device makes it less obtrusive considering the larger display.

Something that I absolutely LOVE about the S3 is the physical home button. This was a grand slam home run in my book. The shape is an elongated oval, unlike the round home button found on the iPhone 4S. I truly missed my physical home button when I ditched my iPhone for my first Android device, the Galaxy S2. The combination of physical home button plus soft buttons on either side works great. Plus you can double click the home button  for a "recent apps" popup.

I have plenty more to report about, but I am going to have to chop up my reivew into parts to keep this from turning into a novel. But the evidence presented thus far is good enough to prove that this is a successful and significant upgrade for the Galaxy line.

By the time I am done with my review series, there will be no doubt that anyone trying to make an argument that the Galaxy S3 was not a major upgrade must obviously be a paid troll. That or just a plain chowder head. Sorry trolls and chowder heads, you have been officially rebuffed!

Watch for Samsung Galaxy S3 Review Part 2. We'll talk more about the hardware, and then we'll hit the software and functionality on Part 3!

Carlton Flowers
Non-Chowder Head Samsung Reviewer

Grab a Samsung Galaxy S3 now from Amazon.com from $99 to $189 with a 2-year contract! Click the links below to check them out from the AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint stores on Amazon now!

AT&T Galaxy S3 From $189

Verizon Galaxy S3 From $149

Sprint Galaxy S3 From $99

CZ Blog Making The Switch To Disqus

CONVERSION TO DISQUS PLATFORM WILL TAKE PLACE THIS WEEK!

Good news CZ Bloggers, I will be changing over to the Disqus commenting platform sometime this week. I have decided to make the switch because Disqus offers more flexibility and options for commenting that what the plain Squarespace platform has.

There is a chance that I will lose all of the previous comments from the blog site, so please accept my apologies if you don't see your old posts.

When I made the switch from Quansite to Squarespace, I lost my entire blog. All of the history of my posts were not imported to my new provider. It was very unfortunate, but a sacrifice that I had to make.

When I launched the new site, I wasn't aware that readers could not post. But after I had changed the settings to allow any unregistered user to post, I didn't realize that the comments were still not showing up because I had to individually approve each comment.

I "turned on" all of the comments last week, and they all populated on the blog site at once. I had no idea that I was even receiving these comments, because I did not get email notifications like I had gotten on the older platform.

There might be a way that I could copy and paste the comments from over the summer, but I may just take my chances and make the switch now just to get it over with. You will all certainly enjoy the Disqus platform tremendously, and I think it will truly add to the reader experience here in the Carlton Zone.

I have missed a lot of my classic reader comments, and I hope everyone comes back to join the discussion. But a big thanks to my top commenter and good friend Postal Jim for bringing all of this to my attention, and helping me work through to a solution!

I'll post an article to everyone when the Disqus platform is up and running, and we'll let the robust discussions begin!

Thank you all for sticking with me, and I truly love blogging and interacting with you about our favorite geek topics!

Carlton Flowers
Formerly Disqusted, Soon-To-Be Disqused!

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Design Confirmed By Faked Photoshop Images

OFFICIAL LEAKED PHOTOS OF FAKE DESIGN SURFACE

I have to say that all I could do was just laugh when I read the news last week regarding the "leaked photos" of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Several blog sites jumped all over the release of fake photographs of a photoshopped image of a mockup Galaxy Note 2 design. This is par for the course in tech rumors. People swear they have unearthed the design of the next big gadget, only to find out that they have been snookered themselves.

But what cracks me up is how it all unfolded. First, they reported the story as "legit" because the fake photoshopped mockup matched the design that was "leaked" by a previous fabrication artist. I guess if you have matching fake mockups, that means the pictures are 100% legitimate.

Somewhere along the lines, I would think that reporters would try to dig up at least a shred of credible evidence before they go blabbing the news that they undermined the tech giants by outing their new hardware design. But that never happens.

I previously reported about the fake iPhone 5 digitizer and my opinion that it is complete garbage. But the same process holds true there also. They used the digitizer as proof of the new design because it fit the dimensions of a fake case that supposedly was "shipped" from China. The same thing happened last year before the iPhone 4S was released.

I love it when the big blog sites release their retractions after getting hoodwinked into believing these ridiculous stories. It makes for great gadget entertainment at the very least.

Here's my new bold prediction: The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will look exactly like the final design that Samsung has successfully kept hidden!

Thank you,

Carlton Flowers
Geek Rumor Buster

Microsoft Surface RT Tablet for $199? SOLD!

RUMORS CLAIM SUPER AGGRESSIVE ENTRY PRICE POINT FOR SURFACE RT

Fresh rumors in the tech sector are circulating about the pricing of the Microsoft Surface RT tablet computer being introduced at the amazing bargain basement price of $199. Part of me wishes this rumor had credence. But could it possibly be based on a shred of truth?

Analyzing the facts, we would have to say no. We know that Microsoft will only have a limited number of Surface RT tablets available for retailers to sell when it first hits the market. And we also know by the law of supply and demand that if demand far outweighs supply, you don't get bargain basement prices.

I'm not so sure that Microsoft would be in the business of selling the Surface RT as a loss leader just to get people buying apps, somewhat like Amazon is doing with the Fire tablet. But if you consider the price of the XBOX 360 and Kinect and how much technology they employ, it might not be that far fetched.

Plus, Microsoft made the statement that the Surface RT would be "priced close to what similar ARM based tablets are being offered". Everyone assumed they were comparing "Apples" to Microsoft "oranges". In other words, drawing a comparison of the entry level Surface to the entry level iPad 2 at $399.

But tech writers are now talking about the possibility of the Surface RT being compared to the Kindle Fire or Google Nexus 7, both of which are ARM based devices but comning in at $199. This is a valid argument.

I don't want to get my hopes up just yet, but I'm praying that this is the case. If you took a Surface RT and stripped it down to the basics with no keyboard, case, or Microsoft Office package, it is possible that you could price it at $199. This could be a break-even point or even loss leader.

As slick as the new case and keyboard are, savvy buyers would likely opt for these things at the time of purchase or shortlly thereafter. And with the availability of the Office suite, it would be a sensible upgrade for business users or students. That would bring Microsoft plenty of profit if they do end up going with the $199 entry price point.

I'll be writing soon about the Google Nexus 7 and the rumored 2nd generation Kindle Fire as viable $199 tablet options. But I'll tell you right now, the Surface RT would trump both of them immediately for me. I would be the first to get one fo $199, and the keyboard purchase would come shortly thereafter.

What are your thoughts? Would you opt for a Nexus 7, 2nd Gen Kindle Fire, Surface RT, or a more expensive tablet like an iPad 2 or 3? Sound off in the comments!

Carlton Flowers
On the Surface of Buying

Breaking News: Adobe Flash's Flame Finally Fizzles

ADOBE FLASH FOR ANDROID OFFICIALLY GETS THE AXE

This is significant, folks... our mobile experience on Android devices is about to change. Here's why.

We all know that Adobe made the announcement in November of 2011 that they would no longer continue development for the Android Flash player. But that didn't mean it would disappear from the devices. You could still install and run the Flash app for Android and enjoy Flash content on your smartphone.

Even though they decided to stop future development, we were still receiving small Flash updates over the past several months. But recently, Google decided to go with a new version of the Chrome browser that is Flash-free, much like the Safari browser on an iPhone.

Google's decision will affect us all. As a result of their move away from Flash with thier OS, Adobe will end all installs of their product on Android devices. Starting tomorrow.

Android devices that have Flash installed on them at the moment will still be capable of running and viewing Flash content. But new devices manufactured after tomorrow will not be displaying any Flash content at all.

What does this mean to the user? It means that you aren't going to be able to view a lot of the remaining Flash content on the web before it is converted to HTML5. While Adobe is now making the commitment to push beyond Flash and transition to HTML5, it doesnt' mean that Flash sites will disappear overnight.

Instead of being able to view all content available on the web with your mobile device whether it is programmed in HTML5 or Flash, you'll have to depend on your desktop device or laptop to enjoy any Flash content if you purchase a new smartphone in the future.

My hope was that Flash content would still be available to be viewed on mobile devices far beyond the last standing Flash site was still available. Unfortunately, we'll have a gap. The next time I upgrade my smartphone, which will be this fall, I will return to my prior frustration of having missing content on sites that I found useful due to the inclusion of Flash content.

While Flash certainly isn't the most efficient, smooth-running programming language, I still had high hopes of a better transition to HTML5 while we are still forced to used it. I'll be the first to admit that Flash content constantly crashes my PC when running multiple windows in Firefox. But I haven't had the same experience with my mobile device.

I guess there's a lesson to be learned here. It is important to have a standard across all platforms, as we have with HTML5. But Flash obviously had its place, and its advantages, to have penetrated the market as deeply as it did.

It leaves me frustrated and undecided as to whom to blame for this: Adobe for making such a widely used but crappy, buggy programming code, or the myriads of major websites for adopting a proprietary standard over pushing HTML5.

What are your thoughs? Who do you think is to blame? Will this affect your web browsing experience on your mobile device, or will you not notice a difference?

Carlton Flowers
Former Flash Fan

"Life-Proof" iPhone LifeJacket Case - Stupid, Or Super Smart?

IPHONE LIFEJACKET MAKES A POINT... AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK

I was perusing the web and came across something that just struck me as plain stupid. It was the LifeProof "LifeJacket" iPhone case made for the iPhone 4/4S. My initial reaction? This is just plain dumb! But then I got to thinking about it...

First of all, whenever I see big, thick, ugly cases made for the iPhone 4S like the Otterbox, I just shake my head. Why in the world would you want to wrap a gorgeous, thin, sleek phone in a big ugly brick-like case? I've never been a fan of the Otterbox, nor have I ever been happy that an iPhone requires the need of such a monstrosity.

So when I saw the iPhone LifeJacket waterproof case by LifeProof, I just shook my head. Why in the world would someone want to put their iPhone in something that was even bigger and uglier than an Otterbox? But then I started to think about this...

I myself have submerged and nearly ruined an iPhone. I decided that I could not part with my beloved iPhone 3GS when I went on a 4-hour float trip. I put my iPhone in a Ziplock bag (yes, that was stupid) and thought it would survive the trip. Well, it didn't. The bag took on water, and I almost ruined my phone.

I also thought about how quickly I destroyed my iPhone 4 (within 3 months of purchase) and how devistated I was to stare at the ugly, shattered display. After breaking the device that I could not live without, I thought it would have been much better to have spent the extra $75 on an ugly Otterbox case rather than to stare at the horrid cracks running the length of the phone.

The bottom line? The iPhone is far to expensive and fragile of a device NOT to put it in something that can protect it. It is not a rugged device, and was not made to survive active life. Therefore, you have to protect your investment.

The LifeJacket looks like a joke, but it is shock-proof AND water-proof. If you're anything like me, water-proof is a great thing to have. I like to run, swim, bike, and play in the rain. I would much rather do all four of those things with my smartphone at my side than to do without. Therefore, the LifeJacket suddenly makes good sense.

If I still had an Apple iDevice, this is something I would probably consider buying. Fortunately for me, I'm no longer stuck in the world of super fragile smartphones as I now own a super-durable Samsung Galaxy S2. But I would highly recommend that people check out the LifeJacket before they drop their phone.

Furthermore, now that I have as much experience as I do in repairing iPhones, I can tell you that the quickest way to FUBAR your iPhone is to get it wet. There's no turning back once you burn out your backlight coil & IC chip.

If you're an active person and you own an iPhone, give this a look and protect your investment. You won't be sorry the first time it takes a dive in the toilet.

Carlton Flowers
iDevice Advisor

GET YOUR LIFEPROOF "LIFEJACKET" CASE NOW AT AMAZON.COM!

Own an iPhone 4/4S? Protect that investment now with a LifeProof LifeJacket case on Amazon.com for only $45! It is shock-resistant and waterproof and made for active smartphone owners that don't want to leave their iPhones at home while they are out and about. It is far better to pay $45 now rather than $200 or more later. Be safe, not sorry... and get your LifeJacket today!

"Flexibility" - Why The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Could Be A Great Investment

GALAXY NOTE 2 FLEXIBLE AMOLED HD DISPLAY COULD BE NEXT BIG THING

We could be hearing news about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on August 15th, 2012, and a possible US release this fall. The Galaxy Note 2 could be breaking ground on the next paradigm shift in smartphone display design.

With its huge 5.5" display design, the Galaxy Note 2 could be a seriously breakable device. Stuff it in your back pocket and sit on the wrong surface, and you're sure to end up with a broken display (and a broken heart).

Sure, it might not be as breakable as an iPhone with its heavy design and glass surfaces, but it certainly would not be invincible... unless it had a flexible screen. That's the great news. The Galaxy Note 2 is reported to feature a Flexible AMOLED HD display.

If you're gonna get ridiculous with smartphone sizes, as we are seeing with the emergence of the "phablet" niche, you had better address the cracking screen issue.

The larger the screen, the greater the propensity for breakage. To solve that issue, the Galaxy Note 2 purportedly has a 4mm thick UBP (Unbreakable Plan Technology) digitizer screen.

I don't think this means you'll be able to bend the phone, but it might be slightly flexible enough to provide the ability to mold to a concave design similar to the Galaxy Nexus. But it would also provide super durability to guard against shattering when dropping or sitting.

As expensive as the new generation of smartphones are, the fragility of these devices is a serious issue. Each time a new smartphone is released, thousands are broken on the very first day. Replacement screens are seriously expensive until enough units are broken, thus raising the demand for replacement parts.

But the Galaxy Note 2 could start a new trend. Knowing how hard I am on smartphones, having a flexible display ranks fairly high on my list of desirable features. I would be ecstatic if I could own a smartphone that would last to the end of the contract period without me breaking it, or requiring me to pay extra money for replacement plans.

Even with a replacement plan, who wants to plop down a $200 deductible when they break their new smartphone the first few weeks that they own it? I sure don't. I'd rather buy one from the jump that would go the distance with me.

Do you have a horror story of a shattered display with a brand-new smartphone? Would you be motivated by your unlucky track record to invest in something like the Galaxy Note 2 if it has a nearly unbreakable display? Sound off in the comments section!

Carlton Flowers
Galaxy Note (Owner) 2 Be

Galaxy Note 2 Touching Down This Week?

GALAXY RUMOR: AUGUST 15TH COULD BE D-DAY FOR NOTE-2

There's a Samsung event coming up on August 15th. That's Wednesday of this week. Rumor has it that Samsung is going to drop the news on the Galaxy Note 2. I'm ready to hear the details!

The mobile event is called " Meet The New Way". I'm almost certain that this is going to be centered around the new "S Pen" stylus that will have new capacitive capability. That could be the "new way" they are eluding to.

The stylus on the first generation Galaxy Note was good enough for me, but some complained that it wasn't exact. There were problems calibrating the tip, and lines could be drawn that were a millimeter or two off of the tip. I did notice this when I tested the device, but it wasn't a deal breaker in my opinion.

Enter in the new capacitive S Pen which would in fact be a breakthrough feature. If you somehow add capacitive capability to the stylus, the sensitivity and accuracy should be out the roof. I'm terribly excited to try it out.

The freshest rumors state that AT&T may have exclusive rights to sell the Galaxy Note 2. It is said to be sporting a huge 5.5" 720p display and possibly a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 cpu. That means plenty of muscle combined with a gorgeous display and a breakthrough stylus.

For the operating system, it is being said that it will feature Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" with a new version of Samsung's proprietary overlay called TouchWiz Nature UX. Add double the RAM at 2Gb, and expect upgraded front and rear-facing cameras on this jumbo chunk of technology.

All this adds up to me waiting patiently for my October 2012 upgrade to lock and load on the phattest phablet to hit the scene this fall. Bring it on, Samsung!

Carlton Flowers
Galaxy Note Rumor Tracker

The First Infallible iPhone 5 Design Prediction

THE CZ BLOG IPHONE 5 BOLD DESIGN PREDICTION IS HERE

With the release of the Apple iPhone 5 around the corner, it's time for me to make a bold prediction about the design that will stand above all. Here it is: All of the current iPhone 5 design predictions are 100% crap, and I can back that up.

No matter how much "proof" that the current prognosticators have, no matter how credible they may be, they're gonna be dead wrong when the actual device is released. Something we have learned over the years is that Apple has successfully guarded their product releases without fail.

Right now, all eyes are on the alleged iPhone 5 digitizer from China that is featured in a Youtube video being circulated around the net. The video shows a new screen that is the same exact width of the iPhone 4, but about a half an inch taller.

First of all, if this is the only modification we see of the iPhone 5, I would be sorely disappointed. Stretching out the digitizer only in the vertical direction would make no sense. That would mean changing the aspect ratio of the new device.

If you do that, none of the 1.7 bagillion apps currently available for download would work on the iPhone 5, requiring developers to rework their apps to fit the new dimensions. That's not going to happen, folks. Just because we see this fake mockup digitizer does ont guarantee that the odd proportions will end up on the next iPhone.

All we have to do in order to completely discount this garbage story is look back to the release of the iPhone 4S in 2011. How many times did we see stories released which outed iPhone 5 cases that had a new display size? I lost count.

They even went so far to say that entire container loads of new iPhone 5 cases were shipped to the US and stocked in carrier stores. The story sure was believable, but I don't think a single person actually saw a container of these vaporware cases.

Fast forward to the future, and the fake iPhone 5 digitizer with the vertically-stretched design. I call shenanigans. This is complete bunk. If Apple really does have a new bigger display about to hit us in the face, it's not going to be with a different aspect ratio. They will protect the integrity of their App Store products and make it as easy on developers as possible to make the new phone compatible.

So my bold prediction for the iPhone 5 is that it will not look like anything the insiders predict that it will be. I think we will all be in for a surprise, and the suspese will be tremendous. Circulate THIS around the net if you dare.

Carlton Flowers
iPhone 5 DeBunker

News Site Armageddon Is here - Pulse Is On The Web

PULSE NEWS EXPLANDS BEYOND THE APP - WEB VERSION IS LIVE

I'm a huge fan of news aggregator Pulse News. It's an Andoid & iOS app that pulls the latest news stories from all of your favorite blogs and online magazines. It's simply the best news app on the market today, and it's free.

I have been waiting for over a year for Pulse to release a web-based version of the popular app. People like me who love the app as much as we do prefer to have it available on every single device we own. So this announcement is a happy day for Pulse fans!

What makes this announcement even more exciting is that all you have to do is sign in to your regular account and all of your presets will populate into the web version. And it doesn't matter which browser you use. Pulse works on Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari as well.

So I recommend you check out Pulse and see what all the fuss is about if you haven't experienced it as of yet. You will be browsing all of the latest news in science, gadgets, business, health, marketing, or wherever your interests may be!

Carlton Flowers
Proud Pulse Promoter

The Most Famous Tech & Gadget Battles Of All Time

TECH GADGET BATTLES - A LOOK BACK AT THE GREATEST

I came across this fun infographic and I had to share it. It's because it takes me back to the beginnings of my own gadget experience when the first battle raged between BetaMax and VHS. I'm sure the majority of you don't even know what those are.

Over the years, we've seen some epic battles rage on between competing standards in the tech sector. From the VCR to the tape deck to the CD player, history continues to repeat itself as the strongest fight for emergence.

But in the end, both winners and losers become obsolete and a faint memory as technology storms on faster that we can even conceive. It's just a sign of the current times. The minute a new product hits the shelf, it has already been made obsolete by something right behind it about to exit research & development.

Enjoy the infographic and feel free to share your memories and experiences with some of the battles displayed below!

"Dare To Compare" Why Sprint Unlimited Is Useless

SRPINT THINKS DATA CAP-FREE BUT CRAPPY SERVICE DEAL IS GOLDEN

Sprint is launching a campaign on their "Dare To Compare" webpage that attacks AT&T over data caps versus their unlimited data package.

Is it just me, or did someone forget to tell Sprint that unlimited crappy service is not better than limited service that works? The last time I checked, Sprint has the outdated dinosaur "4G WiMax" network that they are phasing out, while the company attempts to make the change to 4G LTE.

Right now, Sprint has a boatload of money tied up in their WiMax network. It's not helping the company at all, being forced into abandoning their version of 4G service for the newer LTE standard. Give them a year, and we'll see what happens as they promise to unlease a nation-wide LTE network.

I was a Sprint customer for 10 years, even before they were Sprint (Bell Telephone was the name in our market). I enjoyed their service, but had to let them go as AT&T nailed the first smartphone market with the iPhone, leaving the other carriers in the dust.

But the main reason that forced me to finally switch from AT&T to Sprint was the simple fact that there exists a huge dead spot in Sprint coverage where I work. Our offices moved in 2005 from central Jefferson City to the East side of town, into a dead zone. AT&T had great coverage, so I had to make the switch.

I haven't regretted making the switch. I've been very satisfied with AT&T in Jefferson City, and nationwide as a whole while traveling. I'm on pins and needles as AT&T expands LTE coverage in the State of Missouri, starting out in the St. Louis market area.

I'm hoping Sprint makes it through the pinch and ends up with a viable LTE network. Competition is good in this industry, and the more healthy competitors we have in the field, the better the products will be. But for now, if I were Sprint, I wouldn't be "daring" to compare anything until they get their network together.

Carlton Flowers
Callin' 'Em Like I See 'Em

HTC Jealous Of Samsung's Phabulousness - Plans Counter-Attack

WILL THE PHABLET PHASE PHLARE UP WITH HTC ENTERING THE NICHE?

Now this has to be the best rumor I have read this week... HTC is said to be entering into the phablet arena with their own jumbo 5" smartphone device. They just could not let Samsung rule the phablet roost without tossing their own version into the ring.

This comes from the professional leak-artists over at Digitimes. They claim the HTC phablet will be 5" with pixel layout of 1794 x 1080 at 1080p HD. The new monstrosity is supposed to be announced in September or October of 2012.

This might sound a bit far-fetched; but if you think about it for a while, it follows the pattern. HTC has gone blow-to-blow with Samsung for the past year in cranking out similar smartphone devices. They've done a great job, too.

I happen to be of the opinion that Samsung takes the slight edge over HTC with their devices, but HTC certainly pushes the limits in making what I believe to be one of the best product lines on the market.

People didn't predict a tremendous success for the Samsung Galaxy Note 1, and I think everyone is surprised at how solidly this unit has been selling over the past several months. Sure, it's not breaking records, but it has had respectable sales and has proven the phablet to be a strong enough niche to take seriously.

That's why I think this rumor will turn out to be fact. HTC is not going to sit back and let Samsung exploit a potential strong niche without providing a competing product. I'm just wondering which one will spec out in the lead between the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the HTC "Behemoth" phablet-to-come.

One thing is for sure, however... I don't see Apple jumping into this fight ever. Theyr'e still stuck in the 4"-or-less smartphone display size paradigm, and the best possible related product would be their iPad Mini (IF it even comes to fruition).

Share your thoughts! Are phablets the next strong gadget niche, or will it pass in the night?

Carlton Flowers
Phablet Rumor Watcher

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Unpacking Fresh Rumors

SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 2 TO BE UNVEILED AUGUST 29TH

The excitement is starting to build, and I can hardly stand it. At the end of this month, we will know all the glorious details about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. All will be told at the "Unpacked" event on the 29th.

The freshest rumors about the Galaxy Note 2 that we can believe are as follows:

• Quad-core 1.4GHz Exynos cpu
• 5.5" display
• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system
• Advanced S Pen
• Galaxy S3 styling
• $199 to $249 price tag

That is enough of a technical lineup to get me to sign on the line when my upgrade becomes available in mid-October. I will be ready to jettison my Galaxy S2 and roll the dough into a Galaxy Note 2.

I am most excited about the advancements that are being made with the S Pen. The accuracy is said to have been improved, and there are also rumors about it using micro conductivity (the same principle that allows a finger with a capacitive inductance display to work).

If I am able to land a Galaxy Note 2, you can forget any plans about the need of buying a tablet. I won't have any reason to waste the money. The Galaxy Note 2 will be big enough to serve as a tablet with a 4G LTE radio, but small enough to pack as a smartphone.

That will make me one happy gadget camper indeed.

Are you in the market for a Galaxy Note 2? Is this your perfect device, or do you think it's too much phabulous phablet for your phront pocket to handle? Sound off!

Carlton Flowers
Phuture Phablet Man

iPhone 5 - Breakthrough Device Or Boring Do Over?

IPHONE 5 PROMISES TO KEEP ME YAWNING

So we are on the cusp of another grandioso Apple announcement as we near what could be the release of the iPhone 5... would someone wake me up when it's over? Sure, this might be a great device. But I'm seriously doubting that Apple gets me excited like the days of old.

The former iPhone fanboy has lost his love for the sacred fruit of Cuppertino. I miss the "magicness" of the next-iPhone rampups. That magic has faded since I bought my iPhone 4 in 2010. Now that we are about to see what the iPhone 5 will entail, I have no excitement left whatsoever.

Many of my iPhone fan friends are super excited about the 6th generation of the Apple flagship smartphone. They say it will be a breakthrough device that further seperates itself from the Android competition. But looking at the comparison of the rumored digitizer in the photo, I'm disappointed.

The new iPhone, if this happens to be the real McCoy, will look a lot like the current iPhone 4S but only stretched taller. The diagonal on the display will be 4". That's bummer number one. To me, the standard minimum size for a smartphone is 4.3".

They seem to have stretched the limits of the display to the edges, which is kind of nice. But the display is still too narrow, and too small. The home button looks like it will be slightly smaller, and there is a bit of rearranging going on the top of the face.

There are lots of rumors flying about what the iPhone 5 will be packing on the inside. We can fully expect a 4G LTE radio, 1Gb of RAM, and possibly more storage space than previous models. There might be NFC (near-field communication) and a couple of other tricks, but that's about it.

The data connector/charger cable will be different. They are going to have a plug that looks similar to the Micro USB connector, but it will be a proprietary Apple connector.

Rumors are aslo swirling around to the tune of an improved digitizer glass that is less succeptible to scratching and cracking. As fragile as iPhones are, this would be a humongous improvement. But that wouldn't make me want to run out and get one.

From what I gather, the new iOS6 environment will only get Apple caught up to what Google has already accomplished with Anroid 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich". I'm not expecting to see anything relatively new with mobile operating systems with this device.

So while this might be a great device for Apple fans, it just doesn't excite me. I might end up buying one just to have an Apple phone to test out the apps my company develops, but it wouldn't be my primary phone. My Android device will still reign as my main gadget.

One interesting fact is that each new iPhone has outsold all previous models combined. They are predicting the same for the iPhone 5. That being the case, it really doesn't matter how boring the new iPhone is. They are serving their customer base fine enough, and they are gathering new fans to boot.

My prediction is that the iPhone 5 will continue the tradition and break records for smartphone releases, and the loyal following will happy. Some of the sensible fans will complain that it isn't on the bleeding edge, but they will be happy by the end of announcement day.

As for me, I think I'll sleep through this one until we get the news on the next Samsung Galaxy Note!

Carlton Flowers
Bored iPhone Reporter

Psycho Social Networking - Are We All This Crazy About Sharing?

SOCIAL NETWORKING OR NARCISSISTIC NETWORKING?

This is an interesting infographic that makes you stop and think just a bit. Are we just in the midst of an interesting techno-psychological age, or are we more self-absorbed as human beings than ever before?

Read this, then you be the judge...

Is this news to you? Do you relate to these statistics, or are you different? Post your thoughts and comments below!

Carlton Flowers
Self-Proclaimed King of Social Media (Narcissist)