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Tech News & Commentary
Eddie in Tulsa, Oklahoma listens to the podcast – calling in via the App sent us the following question: “What are some of the advantages of buying a Nexus tablet over a Samsung tablet?”
Eddie, Since Nexus is owned by Google, purchasing a Nexus tablet will give you the Google Android experience, while Samsung will give you their version of the Android experience.
The main advantage is that Nexus phones and tablets are the first Android products to receive updates. Other phone get their updates depending on their carrier and manufacturer, so non-Nexus phone might get their updates months after the initial release.
Since the Nexus is pure Google, it doesn’t have any bloatware. For those of you that don’t know what bloatware is, its apps and software that is permanently installed by the manufacturer. With Samsung, they use TouchWiz as their user interface, and apps like Samsung Hub, Samsung Books, and Samsung Link that serve no purpose to the Android experience.
Overall with the Nexus you are getting 100% pure Android experience, while with Samsung you’re getting 50% Android and 50% Samsung.
Buying Nexus will also get you instant updates. Android owners are often frustrated because their phones either don’t get updated to the latest version, or get put on a list that mark them “due to be updated” eventually with no clear date. That’s because Google will release an Android update, but it won’t go to phones, it will go to manufacturers to tailor to their phones so the new Android becomes the basis of the new TouchWiz-customized Android at Samsung HQ.
After they’re finished with that process, they will release the OS too… but again, it won’t go to phones… it will go to carriers to customize some more, so you can get your Verizon branded apps that you can’t remove…
When they’re done, then it will go to phones.
Nexus phones work the same way iOS devices do when it comes to updates, the OS is released and everyone gets it. No one gets to mess with it first, everyone gets the same, clean update on the same day and that’s that, no waiting, no uncertainty and no frustration.
For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.
Glenn in Houston, Texas calling in via the App asked us: “Wondered What your thoughts are on a new type of technology that I’m seeing in cars. The ability to automatically stop your car when the car sees an impending accident. I’m seeing it on some really great cars.”
Glenn, One example they use is a child running out in front of you. The software in the car should allow you to maneuver to miss the child and any other potential objects. If there are other cars surrounding it going in the same direction it should connect with those that have the same system and work in sync so everyone is safe and allowing it maneuver them as well.
However, one can wonder about those that don’t have the software in their cars, which can be just as safe because you are using cognitive thinking to keep you, and the object or person in danger, safe from you – but not other drivers.
This technology has a lot of ups and downs as far as coming to a complete stop. Because not many other cars will have this technology right away, I can see your car maneuvering around the accident, object or person and the driver behind you (without the software) hits whatever is in the way because they aren’t paying attention
Yes, luckily you weren’t involved in the accident, but still one was caused. This software can be very good, but a lot of people think it should just alert you rather than maneuver or completely stop a vehicle. Of course, that’s not nearly as high-tech.
Mark says his wife has this feature on her 2014 Volvo S60. It is designed to prevent those low speed “rear ending” accidents that occur around town when you are fiddling with your radio or cell phone and don’t see that the person in front of you is stopping, or they’re stopping more quickly than you expect. Below 30 miles per hour, the Volvo will stop itself. It then locks the brake pedal and you must press it to unlock it, signalling the car that you’re back in control. It’s one of those features that you never think about 99% of the time because you’re always stopping in time and this is definitely a “panic stop” when it kicks in. He says he likes it and would like to see more cars have it. It will prevent a lot of the minor, lane-clogging rear bumper rearrangements that we see here on the roads of South Florida.
For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.
Guest Segment:
Kris Rowberry, Creator and Host – Great American Thrills / Lost Parks of Northern California
“IFA History Feature” brought to you by Messe-Berlin
In 1971 the Funkausstellung was officially renamed internationale Funkausstellung, IFA in short, with exhibitors from all over the world. Philips and Grundig showed the prototype of the world’s first video cassette recorder, based on the VCR standard. The tape was housed in a cassette with two loops of tape on top of one another. As a timer an alarm clock was built in, recording time was up to one hour.
Robert in Grove City, Pennsylvania listens online sent us the following question: “I’m interested in a new Blu-ray player. My budget is around $200, so if you have any good suggestions, that would be great.”
Robert, As Blu-Ray players are still popular and there are many out there, they have come down in price, and there are quite a few in your price range.
We select a couple that stood out to us. Samsung Smart Blu-Ray Player Model: BD-H5100/ZA and Sony Smart Blu Ray Player Model: BDPS1200 both have an HDMI output, allowing you to view your movies in high definition. You can also hook it up to the internet and get Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus and YouTube. Each system will cost you about $70 dollars.
Now if you have a one of those cool 3D TVs you can purchase a system for a little bit more like the Sony – 4K Smart 3D Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player Model: BDPS6200 supports 4K Ultra HD images. To build a complete 3D home theater system. It’s recommended for this to work properly that you have a 3D TV with the 3D Glasses, a high-speed HDMI cable and A/V receiver that is compatible with 3D products. You will be able to stream Netflix, Youtube, and Pandora right from your Blu-Player player as well for $150 bucks.
For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.
Glen in Paducah, Kentucky listening via our FREE “Into Tomorrow” App sent us the following question: “I’ve been listening live on the radio and you’re talking about transferring files from an old computer to a new one. I’m getting ready to do that. Now I have tons of duplicates on iTunes and was wondering what was the best way to get rid of duplicates on iTunes, Thanks a lot.”
Glen, Since your files are on iTunes, finding duplicates is not hard. Under the File menu you should be able to find an option to “Display Exact Duplicates”. From that list, just select the second set of songs with the same titles and delete them as you would any other song.
That’s really it, your music library should be free of duplicates and ready to transfer.
Just make sure you don’t select everything and delete it because that will get rid of the originals as well as the duplicates, only select the duplicate set before deleting.
For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.
If you have any questions about any of this week’s show info, please email us here.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Hydreon:Fake TV – Burglary Deterrent Device
iolo: Copies of System Mechanic – Tune-up your PC to increase performance and reliability.
Tylt: ALIN Screen Protectors for the iPad Air
“Into Tomorrow”: Microfiber Screen Cleaning Cloths with Dave’s cartoon on them, for all your smartphones, tablets, TVs, camera lenses and computer screens!