Vizio THRIVE

INTRODUCTION:

The Vizio THRIVE tablet represents Vizio's debut into the world of tablets. And, with a 7" display, Android 2.3.2, and an internal camera; they haven't done to shabby. However, there are some things that the THRIVE just seems to be lacking.

TABLET:

Like the presence of a homescreen. Instead of the traditional Android homescreen, Vizio has instead opted to dispose of this and to replace it with the traditional Android applications menu. But, naturally, this is just a small flaw. Reaction speed is not great either. The camera, for instance, jumps around a little. Meaning that the picture is always just a few seconds behind what is actually happening. The screen quality seems to be good, but not exactly great.

The tablet comes equipped with Android 2.3.2, not the latest Android OS by a long shot, but for those with a low income, the tablet will simply have to do. It also comes with a built in IR blaster; which can be used to change channels and volume on television sets. Regardless of brand. This seems to be a huge up for those not wanting to buy an expensive IR blaster, and it's even better because it's not aimed strictly at Vizio devices!

HARDWARE:

The Vizio tablet comes with built in WiFi that supports up to 802.11n. As well as Bluetooth capabilities so that you can answer phone calls from your tablet. It uses the standard 1024x768 screen resolution, as well as a 1.3 GHz processor. As I mentioned before, the Vizio tablet operates off of Android 2.3.2, but it also is integrated with the Vizio Plus 1.2 OS. Nothing to be alarmed about, as they had to do this to be able to put in the tweaks that they made to the Android OS. Something that I found nice was the integration of the three control buttons. When switching from landscape to portrait mode, the buttons actually change their position based upon the position of the THRIVE!

CONCLUSION:

The Vizio THRIVE tablet isn't the greatest, or the latest, tablet out there, but it certainly has a good fighting chance price-wise. But, after coming from such a long line of quality HD screens, I must say that I thought that the THRIVE would live up to the expectations set by its ancestors.

If you are thinking about buying a THRIVE, then do so by all means! Just don't do it if you're looking for the latest, and greatest, thing on the market. I bought it for a school project - in which I'll be building an Android application. I wanted a cheap tablet so that, if I messed it up somehow, it wouldn't be all that big a deal. I'll be posting the unboxing video sometime tomorrow. So don't worry if you don't see it right away! :-)

Nook Touch :)

Ever heard of this thing before? If not, then it's time to crawl out from under whatever hole you've been hiding in. (No - by the way - I am not talking about the Nook Color!) The Barnes And Noble Nook is the Amazon Kindle's biggest competitor! But what many people don't know about the nook is that it operates off of the Android OS. The current Android OS version is: 1.0.1.0
The Nook Touch isn't like your typical Android device, though. And, although it is still touchscreen, it is a very dumbed-down version of the Android OS.
It does, however, feature social updating features. Such as Facebook, Twitter, as well as its own site called NookFriends. Which can only be accessed through the Nook. NooFriends allows you to lend books, request for people to lend you books, and recommend books to friends. You can also use it to share status updates, quotes, and your reading statues in your books. As well as ratings!
For the first time since the release of the Amazon Kindle, the Nook is in the lead when it comes to the e-reader market. I've had my Nook Touch since it was first released. However, the Nook Touch that I originally received turned out to be a factory defect, and I had to have it replaced. Other than that detail, I wiuld reccommend the Barnes And Noble's Nook Touch to everybody on this planet!

The Evils' Of Apple!

Okay, so we all know who Apple is. The innovators of tomorrow, as some bloggers like to call them. However, I on the other hand prefer the term: "Operating system Nazis". Because that's what they are.
Apple Inc. was made famous by their innovation with the Macintosh computers; which - I must admit - are some of the best computers in the world. After that they created the iPod, then the iPhone, and finally the iPad. But the truth is that Apple is made up of nothing more than a bunch of control freaks.
From the very beginning, Apple made it clear that they, and only they, would be allowed to incorporate the full power of Mac OS's into computers. Everyone can get the operating systems, sure; but only Macintosh computers would be able to unlock the full potentials of the OS's. We'll just skip the iPod because I really have no problems with it. However, the iPhone was the same as the Macs. Unlike most companies, Apple made it so that only iPhone's could have the iOS that was made by Apple Inc.
No one else could use it, distribute it, own it, or develop in it without Apple's permission. The only iOS in the world that has such restrictions. Leading many to believe that Apple is hiding something deep down in the bowels of its world famous OS's.
And then there's the matter of the iPhone 5. Coming in mid 2012, this phone will be the first in the world to incorporate a projected, touch-sensitive keyboard; as well as a hologram mode (not projection, for this one it's holograms) for the screen. Allowing you to watch movies, and TV shows in eye popping 3D/holograms. Both Apple Inc, and Verizon Wireless have confirmed the existence of just such a device.
But, the question remains, what exactly are they hiding? Probably nothing, but who knows? Maybe their aliens from the planet AppleTree! Hahaha!!!!! ;-)

Xperia PLAY (Sony Ericsson)

INTRODUCTION:
The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY. The phone that everyone's been talking about lately. Why? Because it's the first ever, Playstation Certified, smartphone! I'm not even kidding! Imagine the possibilities of a smartphone that can actually play COD, just like it's supposed to be played. Awesome right?
Well, since I was lucky enough to catch an add for this phone on the internet, I was able to get my hands on this phone just in time! Another couple of weeks, and this phones existence might have been lost to the world, by means of the 2011 Fall Line-Up. So now that I've had time to break it in, I've got an awesome review posted for you guys! Please, enjoy my review of the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY smartphone.

SMARTPHONE:
When Sony Ericsson first released the news that they would be making a Playstation phone, everyone was so excited! I mean, come on, who wouldn't want the Playstation Phone - as it was soon to become known. Now that it's out, almost every major gaming society in the USA and Europe have made it their official phone.

The Xperia PLAY comes equipped with Android 2.3.2 (Gingerbread) but has been upgraded to 2.3.4 in some parts of Europe. This upgrade has not yet become available in the USA. The phone also is compatible with 20,000+ apps that are available via the Android Market.
It supports a 1.4 GHZ, and several MB's for applications. There is already a 4GB SD card installed, so if you run out of space on the phone, you will automatically switch over to the SD card. Battery life is a problem though, and I was only able to squeeze 24 hours worth of battery life out of the Xperia PLAY. (Note: Do NOT leave WiFi enabled when there is no WiFi in range! This will drain the battery VERY quickly!)

PLAYSTATION:
The Xperia PLAY comes equipped with several games already programmed into the phone. All of which can be accessed by sliding out the PLAY's characteristic game controller. There you'll find some of the most popular games from the present, as well as the distant past. Games such as Madden '11, Bruce Lee, Asphault 6, Crash Bandicoot, and many more. There is also the Xperia Play Market, where you can buy games like Modern Warfare, Battlefield: Bad Company, Modern Combat, and even PacMan. There is also the option of downloading the Mincraft and Spyro Dragon games from the Android Market - both of which have been customized for the Xperia PLAY's interface.

Looking at the picture shown above you'll see that, instead of 360o pads to move around, there are instead two touch sensitive pads that you use in place of the 360o pads. They aren't all that comfortable at first, and it takes some time to get used to them, but - in the end - they work out just fine. Sometimes they will glitch-up, but this will probably be fixed in future updates.
I absolutely love the PLAY, despite its few flaws, and I hope to have it for a long time. If you're interested in this smartphone, then you can find out more about it at the developer's webpage: HERE. I hope that - if you decide to buy it - that you enjoy it just as much as I have. If you have any questions about the Xperia PLAY, simply leave a comment for this review.

CONCLUSION:
The Xperia PLAY is obviously not strictly a business phone - although it does have some business capabilities - it is meant more for (as the name demonstrates) playing. There are some great accessories out there, and there's even one so that you can hook the PLAY up to a TV and a Playstation controller and play all of your games on the big-screen! I plan to get this, and then I'll add a review for that in the accessories section of the site. I hope that you have enjoyed reading my review, and I hope to be posting again soon! Also, if you would like to become a writer for the site, then simply e-mail me at: THIS address!