Ever since FaceTime was announced last year as a 'new' feature for the iPhone 4/iOS4, I've wondered why we keep coming back to video calling?
Let's be honest, video calling isn't all that new. It's been around in various forms, believe it or not, for nearly 80 years. So Apple proudly boasting about FaceTime being innovative yada yada yada is really a load of tosh; my great-grandmother, the inimitable Nanny Biscuits, has been around longer than video calling.
My first dalliance with the technology was back in 2005 when I got my Sony Ericsson k800i handset. At the time, the technology in mobiles was VERY new and I was very much in the minority. As I recall didn't get much chance to test it until late 2006/2007 and even then, just four years ago, I wasn't all that impressed. It was blocky, it was done over 3G/UMTS networks and it really just wasn't very good unless your phone was specifically built for it. To be honest, I thought the idea of video calling on mobiles had largely been abandoned by the end of 2007!
Fast forward three years and Apple, in yet another attempt to lay claim to something they didn't invent, introduce FaceTime to the iPhone 4 as a 'new' technology. It might be new - to iPhones - but it only works with iPhones so is useless to anyone who is able to think outside the box and get a real smartphone.
Skype Mobile is bringing video calling to Android-based mobiles in a big way, as is Android 2.3.4 which brings standard video calling. I've no intention of making a video call using my data plan but I have experimented with Skype-to-Skype video calling using a webcam and the front-facing camera of the fabulous Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo.
It was a good experience, much better than in 2007. It's on a par with using Skype on a computer, the connection was nice and steady, good picture, good sound. Much better, in fact, than the new video messaging service from Facebook...room for improvement there for sure..!
Time will tell whether video-calling really takes off again, but I think with the prevalence of WiFi in so many homes these days, we could see more people having face to face conversations and I reckon a significant portion of these will be done through a mobile phone.
As a further note, the upcoming Xperia Ray and the Xperia Pro handsets both feature a front-facing camera and will definitely be worth a purchase to take advantage of the ability to video call with Skype from anywhere on the planet with a decent WiFi connection. These handsets are expected to launch in September/October.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
The Path of Neo
The release history of the Neo has been interesting. It first had a hands-on review back in early February with TechRadar and they said reasonably nice things.
The handset was due for release at the same time as the Arc and Play, though sadly the terrible disaster in Japan affected supply of crucial components and delayed the release until July. Techradar reviewed the handset properly at the end of June, here, and gave it 3.5 stars out of 5. Their main dislike? Some sort of problem with headphones - I don't feel this is a good enough reason to mark a phone down, especially when I've had no problems using headphones with the phone or with Bluetooth attachments.
Electric Pig did something similar when reviewing the Neo, here, they marked it down claiming the handset didn't know where it should sit.
My opinion of these reviews are that certain publications are only too happy to give Sony Ericsson and their handsets a good kicking at every opportunity. Granted, SE may well give these publications a reason from time to time, but most of the time it's a pity this bashing occurs...
A real pity, as after almost a week of using the Neo I've come to the conclusion it's the balls. It's my preferred handset. The Arc may well be slick and sexy, and while the Neo may well be it's cheaper, stubbier cousin, it rocks harder than the Arc.
Sporting a metallic blue finish and some considerable heft in the hand, the Neo feels better - sturdier - straightaway. It also packs in ALL the features of the Arc into a smaller, less cumbersome housing; features including:
That's it! Two gripes, neither of which were picked up on by major publications. I don't know why Electric Pig slated the handset as much as they did in their biased review - well, I do - they are iPhone fanboys after all - it does everything the Arc did and more; personally I think, had fate not dealt it's awful blow in Japan, the Neo should've been released with the Play and the Arc kept as a luxury upgrade if people wanted it.
In short - you need the Neo in your life. It's awesome.
I recommend one of these cases, they're the business too.
The handset was due for release at the same time as the Arc and Play, though sadly the terrible disaster in Japan affected supply of crucial components and delayed the release until July. Techradar reviewed the handset properly at the end of June, here, and gave it 3.5 stars out of 5. Their main dislike? Some sort of problem with headphones - I don't feel this is a good enough reason to mark a phone down, especially when I've had no problems using headphones with the phone or with Bluetooth attachments.
Electric Pig did something similar when reviewing the Neo, here, they marked it down claiming the handset didn't know where it should sit.
My opinion of these reviews are that certain publications are only too happy to give Sony Ericsson and their handsets a good kicking at every opportunity. Granted, SE may well give these publications a reason from time to time, but most of the time it's a pity this bashing occurs...
A real pity, as after almost a week of using the Neo I've come to the conclusion it's the balls. It's my preferred handset. The Arc may well be slick and sexy, and while the Neo may well be it's cheaper, stubbier cousin, it rocks harder than the Arc.
Sporting a metallic blue finish and some considerable heft in the hand, the Neo feels better - sturdier - straightaway. It also packs in ALL the features of the Arc into a smaller, less cumbersome housing; features including:
- 1GHz processor,
- 8.1MP Exmor R camera,
- HDMI-out
- Mobile Bravia Engine
- Less cumbersome size of the phone
- Headphone socket on top of the phone, not on the side. Fits in the pocket better.
- All other sockets on the top of the phone
- Camera more centrally located on the body, less chance of covering the lens with a finger.
Dislikes:
- Message notification light is STILL on the side of the phone - WHY?! The Arc has a proximity sensor on the front plate, the Neo has TWO? Whatever for? One of these could've been ditched for a proper notification light which could be viewed from pretty much any angle.
- Earpiece is a little small, could've done with being at least twice the size.
That's it! Two gripes, neither of which were picked up on by major publications. I don't know why Electric Pig slated the handset as much as they did in their biased review - well, I do - they are iPhone fanboys after all - it does everything the Arc did and more; personally I think, had fate not dealt it's awful blow in Japan, the Neo should've been released with the Play and the Arc kept as a luxury upgrade if people wanted it.
In short - you need the Neo in your life. It's awesome.
I recommend one of these cases, they're the business too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)