I wasn’t anticipating on writing this post today (my off day), but I got a tip and Verizon has just released its HTC Droid Incredible 2, with the Casio Commando and the Samsung Charge to follow. I’m way too tired to be doing any in-depth reviews so I’ll leave you all off with lots of photos and a light synopsis on each. I have to admit, the new Incredible 2 has the rugged feel and durability that you’ll find from its predecessor with great features found in the HTC Thunderbolt such as a 1.3 MP front-facing camera, dual LED flash, the 8 MP camera, a 16 GB microSD, and best yet, it’s global ready. It runs on Android 2.2 (Froyo). It has a 4″ touch screen and weighs only 0.17 oz. more than the original HTC Droid Incredible. The phone’s back plate has been smoothed out but you’ll still get that felt-like feel with the now one groove instead of two. The right side of the phone remains virtually buttonless as the volume control still remains on the top left adjacent to your USB connector. The power button has been placed on the top right, a spot that angers me because it feels a bit awkward when you have to press that button, but that’s just something we all live with subconsciously. You have two microphones, one on the top and the other on the bottom panel. The speaker is aligned horizontally next to the flash so you won’t find clarity an issue as did with the Thunderbolt’s speakers being placed behind a kickstand (which Incredible 2 does not have by the way). You now have a few more options when it comes to connecting your phone to your computer. You have the standard charge only, HTC Sync, Disk Drive, and Internet Connection options. Incredible 2 comes with two more options to broaden its capabilities such as media sync and especially Internet pass-through (if you don’t have wi-fi or a data plan, then this comes in handy). Incredible 2 now has the personalization option which is a one-stop option when it comes to changing your wallpaper, choosing another HTC Scene, or easily adding apps to your seven extended homescreens. The battery life is a bit better although it really depends on the owner’s usage. If you want a lightweight phone that stays in your hand rather than slipping around and performs better than its brother did, then go for it. The Incredible 2 comes with so many options and features if you’re looking for a quiet-looking phone that delivers the punches. HTC did a great job cutting down the excess and keeping what works for everyone. And just like the original Incredible, this phone is going to be a hit (until iPhone 5 comes out). *** The Samsung Charge and the Casio Commando are not released yet and it seems like they will be delayed for a tad bit. Samsung’s Droid Charge is going to be Verizon’s third LTE phone. It comes with a 4. 3″ super AMOLED plus display and it more or less remind me of a Blackberry. I have no idea why. Maybe it’s the shape or something. The Charge’s battery life is superb giving you 11 hours of talk time instead of today’s phone standard of 8. Casio made it their intention to come out with a rugged and extremely durable phone. Even its name does the job: Commando. It’s a smartphone that has everything you’d expect from a smartphone: a 5 MP camera, Bluetooth capabilities, LED flash, and a 3.6″ touchscreen. It is not an LTE phone so it won’t be receiving any 4G connection. However, you won’t find a smartphone that is splash proof, dust, shock, and temperature resistant, and complies with military standard 810g. They are rumoring that this phone survives being run over and it’s a pretty great smartphone if it can do that. The phone comes with a locking battery cover, gaskets that cover your ports, and silver screw accents. Personally, it’s not something I would get but I’m pretty sure anyone working in harsh environments would appreciate the reliability and the smart functions of this product.
* All photos are of the HTC Incredible 2.Tag: HTC
HTC Thunderbolt & Katy Perry: Both Out of this World
6:28 PM I’ll announce the little things first before getting into Katy Perry’s new video, “E.T.”, which was just released, and the HTC Thunderbolt from Verizon. Last night, I had some extreme back pains and for some reason, Pete decided to use this Chinese ointment (something called Wong To Yick Medicated Oil) my mom gave me a while ago. It works pretty well and I didn’t feel anything until the next morning. Plus, it pretty much cleared up my sinuses so pick one up at your local Asian shopping center. UPS dropped by and I can tell you that I did not expect my fabric to come as an actual plastic-wrapped roll, like a spring roll. I don’t mind as long as it’s not dirty but it was surprising to look out the balcony doors and see that.
And while I’m on the topic of orders, I went and bought some Cure Natural Aqua Gel samples on eBay last night. For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, this is the skin care product that’s acquired a cult following in Asia as “one bottle is sold every 20 seconds”. It’s a natural exfoliant (basically a scrub) that’s made out of 90% water. You rub a few drops on after you’ve washed your face and as you keep working the product in, your dead skin cells will come off in little bumps. Kinda gross. It works for all skin types although I have extremely dry, sensitive skin that doesn’t shed itself so easily. I’m anxious to give it a try.
So Pete and I have both had the HTC Thunderbolt since mid-March and so far so good. I loved (and still do in a way) my old HTC Droid Incredible and through Pete’s constant urging, I now have this phone.
It’s the only phone from Verizon Wireless that allows simultaneous data and voice usage, meaning you can surf on Google and talk to someone at the same time. Some of you may think, “But I can do that already!” No, you’ can’t. You’re only able to do that when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. Plus, you have the option to alternate between 4G (VZW’s LTE) and 3G.
The Thunderbolt has a 1.3 MP front-facing camera at the top of the generous 4.3″ display that you can use Tango to make video calls. The workhorse camera at the back is a hefty 8 MP with dual-LED flash.
Just like the Droid Incredible, you can shoot videos in 720p HD. The phone comes with a 32 GB microSDHC memory card. The battery life is notorious for disappearing mad quick (lasts me about a day) but that’s something UltimateJuice and Advanced Task Killer easily fixes. The kickstand creeps me out a bit because I wish the material the manufacturers used could sound and feel a bit sturdier, but hey, no problems yet as it props my phone up vertically and horizontally.
The Thunderbolt is extremely fast so HTC and VZW weren’t joking about that.
Neither one of us are going to return our phones so that’s a good sign. Of course, many consumers are all about the Bionic or the new dual-core phones (Thunderbolt has one, the updated version of Snapdragon), but there are pros and cons to everything. Someone might prefer a Pentium 4 to an i5. It’s all about your needs and preferences. Thunderbolt is an all-purpose handy device that’ll keep you occupied, updated, and satisfied for as long as you have it.
Ah, we finally get to Katy Perry. I personally, preferred her music before she was “discovered”, but her latest album, Teenage Dream, does deliver a very diverse set. Attention was called to “Teenage Dream”, “California Gurls”, “Firework” and “Peacock” and the mentioned singles carried the record higher within the past year.
However, “E.T.” emerges now and manifests itself in a very epic video that reminded me of the Animorphs series, Dune, Wall-E, Starcraft, and Queen Amidala from Star Wars. It’s nothing Katy Perry’s come out with and I give the production designers much credit. Being from theater myself, the make up and special effects used in her video takes hours to complete. And I’m not even talking about all the times they’ve had to reapply it.
The video starts off strong with Kanye West (not a fan of his though) rapping about the Milky Way and his filthy ways while floating around in an eyeball-looking spacecraft. Katy Perry shapeshifts from a pretty version of E.T., to space age Thumbelina, and finally to a faun-esque creature.
She saves a dying robot and of course before the video ends with the two standing beside each other looking towards the horizon like Adam and Eve (to conquer the world), the viewers get a few glimpses of animal sex.
I told you it was epic. “E.T.” seems to rely on shock value while still playing it safe for the most part. I’d like to see Katy doing more of this kind of work, using the ethereal quality of her voice, traversing to newer and more groundbreaking levels of her career. Or … maybe I’m just a space nut.
That’s it. I’m tired, raspberries. Out.
Napalm Kitty 