mikethemobiler
Mike the Mob!ler
My name is Mike Taylor and I am a Samsung Mob!ler.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Launch Party
Join Samsung UK at PC World on Tottenham Court Road in London on the 3rd of August for the official retail launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and get your hands on this extraordinary piece of technology a day before the rest of the country!
Drinks are on the house and there'll be a live DJ spinning tunes, plus the chance to win great Samsung prizes with the Tab Grabber.
Queues are likely, so please arrive early.
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Galaxy S: Who needs Gingerbread? An extra large portion of Froyo will do for now.
Recently there has been a lot of talk around when Samsung will be releasing Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) for the Galaxy S. This is obviously because Gingerbread has been a hot topic of late for Android users. However, this has led to Samsung’s other update for the Galaxy S being forgotten about. That update is the enhanced version of Froyo, 2.2.1.
I’ve been using ‘Froyo with a side of Update’ for the last few weeks now and I must say that this is no small enhancement. 2.2.1 really does bring the Galaxy S into a new league performance wise.
Now I understand that this might make difficult reading for some. Specifically owners of ‘locked’ Galaxy S devices. This is beacause network operators (O2-UK in particular here) do not seem bothered with releasing this update, and are also are not willing to give their customers clear announcements regarding any such update.
I think it is the fact that a lot of people are being left behind on 2.2 is partly, if not hugely, the reason why 2.3 is being talked about so much when it comes to the Galaxy S.
Normally I am an advocate for getting Android updates pushed out as quickly as possibly. However, getting a surprise extra dollop of Froyo goodness on top of my first portion has (continuing the puns) filled me up for now. This is because the Galaxy S’s performance with 2.2 was so poor at times and now the 2.2.1 update has cut that all the out.
Admittedly I have digressed during this post from talking about the benefits of 2.2.1 on the Galaxy S. However, it does mean I can talk about now and it can be our metaphorical dessert.
2.2.1 is a life saver. When the Galaxy S is left to run simply 2.2 its like having a footballer playing through an injury. Sure, from time to time the footballer will show glimpses of what he can do, but the performance is nothing compared to what they will do when they overcome the injury.
All of the lag, all of the stuttering, and all of the force closes are cut out when the Galaxy S is upgraded to 2.2.1.
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Mob!ler Mission #7.2 - A Mob!ler Experience
This is it, the final Samsung Mob!lers mission and it’s fair to say that I’m feeling a little sad that the end is actually upon us. I’m going to take a moment to describe my time as a Mob!ler to you all, but I already fear that I may run out of superlatives in this piece.
It was the 1st of October 2010 when Samsung sent out the emails telling us we had been chosen to become Mob!lers, and I don’t think that any of us thought the experience was going to be as great as it has been.
The last 2 months have been a fantastic experience, with each mission being different from the last and posing new challenges; all of which have been so enjoyable to do. It has also been a lot of fun trying to get our work out there and seen by people. In essence, that is what the whole project has been about; helping Samsung to create an online buzz about their latest products (with the fantastic help of SpreadingJam). Social media and web development are two passions of mine, so whilst completing the missions, was fun I took a lot of satisfaction in tracking the online statistics that were linked to my work.
As well as the missions, there were two meetups which were incredible. First, our trip down to Samsung’s head office in the UK where were treated like royalty by all involved. Second was an informal drinks and nibbles evening in Central London. Over the two events it was great to actually get to know the other Mob!lers and the people involved in organising everything. It’s difficult to think of time when I have met such a nice group of people.
Favourite Mission
The mission that interested me most was the prequel to this mission; to come up with our very own app. I decided to take a slightly silly approach to this one and really focus on what would make my life that bit easier and in the end I think it just showed how I could become lazy if technology allowed it.
A side mission that decided to take on was to do a write up about the story behind Google’s codenames that are attached to versions of Android (Cupcake, Froyo). This brought me a lot of joy not only in writing it but also the feedback I received. I was very happy to hear about how people actually learnt things they had never given a second thought to before. That was very rewarding.
Galaxy Tab
Wow. That is really all I can say about this device. Being a part-time journalist with all things Android I had actually been anticipating the Galaxy Tab for months and I really did believe that it was going to trump its competition in every way possible. Happily I can report that I have not been disappointed. Samsung really have nailed all the finer details about this device from Video playback, to eBook Reading, all the way to how the device actually feels to hold (which is amazing by the way). My Galaxy Tab and I are getting on like a house on fire!
South Korea
This is what everything has been boiling down to. Three lucky Mob!lers are going to be taken on a trip to see Samsung’s global head quarters in South Korea. There are so many reasons why I want to be going on this trip. First of all is the culture. The Far East is somewhere I have never experienced but have always wanted to visit; I have heard so many great things about the continent from friends who have travelled round the area. Also Seoul sounds and looks like one of the great cities of the world; bright lights, fascinating buildings, and has a great blend of historical and modern architecture.
Another reason for wanting to visit the 'Special City' is because technology is not just a passion of mine, but it’s my career. Over the past couple of months, we as Mob!lers have had a great chance to see how Samsung operates and how they treat their employees and it is something I have been highly impressed by. Now I am desperate to see not only how technology has moulded the way people live in South Korea, but also how Samsung operate in their home country.
Summary
Over all, this has been one of the best experiences of my life. It has shown me that what I’m focusing my career towards really is what makes me happy, and also what a fantastic company Samsung are.
I’ll never forget my time as Mob!ler. Thank you Samsung and thank you Spreading Jam.
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Mob!ler Mission #7.1 - The Dream App
Mission 7 has been split into two parts for us Mob!lers this week. The first part is to come up with our dream app. Mine is called Home Console. Essentially it makes my life easier just by taking care of the simple things. It has been designed with the new Samsung Galaxy Tab in mind.
I decided to make a mock up of how I picture the application in my mind.
Enjoy!
Home Console (Samsung Mob!ler Mission #7) from Mike Taylor on Vimeo.
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Would you recommed the galaxy s over the desire HD?
I do love the Desire HD. It's powerful, has a great camera, and a huge screen. However, I think the quality of the Super AMOLED on the Galaxy S is actually better than the WVGA LCD screen on the HD. I also think that the size of the Galaxy S is much nicer than the huge HD.
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can you please tell me if the gps works on your phone and if the gps problem affects all samsung galaxy s phonesthanks
Hi,
I have been having issues with the GPS on my Galaxy S. I find that it never finds an accurate location for me. I'm pretty sure it is an issue with all Galaxy S handsets.
Sorry I can't tell you more than that but thanks for the question!
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Official Samsung Galaxy Tab Case Review
Its common place that when I get my hands on a new device I have to accessorize the hell out of it. Most of time this is purely for the protection of my new treasure. After some Google searching I opted to purchase Samsung's official leather, executive, case from Amazon for my Galaxy Tab. Here are the good and bad points about this product.
The case is made from genuine leather which is immediately a PLUS. Not only does this mean that it is guaranteed to be durable and long-lasting (assuming proper care is taken) but it also looks very professional.
Inside the suave leather skin of this case is a technology called d3o. This is an intelligent shock absorption system where upon impact the material inside the case locks. This means that it becomes more solid and able to deflect the shock of an impact away from the device inside. Now, I'm not going to test this out with my Tab for obvious reasons, but the knowledge that when an accident does strike that there is an increased chance that my device will survive is definitely a PLUS.
Now there is a NAGATIVE that comes with the case being made out of such durable, and in places rigid, materials, which is the border area around the screen. Basically, there should be an equal margin of space around the edge of the devices screen, however, what has happened is that there is more of the black border can be seen on one side of the screen in comparison to the other. A small plus to take away from this is that the flaw doesn't stop any of the screen from actually being seen.
Let's get back to PLUS points and how the case fares as a stand. This function of the case was actually one of the main reasons why I purchased it. Being able to prop the Galaxy Tab up means that I can watch videos when I am travelling with ease. What is also great is that the case allows for the device to be propped in either a shallow horizontal angle, or a sharp, up-right, vertical angle. Both ways work brilliantly and videos are fantastic to watch when using the case is being used this way (see photos above).
Sometimes it can be taken for granted when companies design a product that takes into account every little detail on a device. I would just like to point out that every port, speaker, and button on the Galaxy Tab is easily accessible when the case is in use. No functionality of the Galaxy Tab is hindered at all, whether you want to turn the volume up, plug in some headphones, or take a picture with either camera. This sort of point should be assumed when companies make carry cases such as this one, but all too often they do get it wrong. This time though Samsung have it spot on. PLUS!
In Conclusion...
I think that this accessory is a must have item for any Galaxy Tab owner. Especially if said owner is going to be taking their Tab out and about with them a lot. Not only does it provide protection, but it also looks great.
I'm going to give this product:
4.5 out of 5
Photo Slide Show:
Flickr Set Link
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Desserts, Codenames, and Android.
It’s widely known that there is a link between Android and desserts, but in some cases people don’t exactly understand why that link exists. So I thought I would provide a little lesson about codenames in the IT industry, how it all works, and what it means for Android.
Codenames are buzz words that get attached to software versions. So when a company like Apple talks about Snow Leapard or Tiger what they are in fact talking about is a new version of Mac OS X. To be more specific they would be talking about Mac OS X 10.6 and 10.4.
Apple and Google are not the only companies to do this either. Microsoft always attach a codename to new versions of Windows before they bring out the final version; Win 95 > Chicago, XP > Whistler, 7 > Blackcomb/Vienna. Even Nintendo have been seen to be using codenames for the consoles behind closed doors; GameCube > Dolphin, Wii > Revolution.
There are a few reasons why codenames are used like this. From a development point of view a codename will define a large version change, for example moving from version 1.0 to 2.0. The codename then acts as an umbrella over all of the smaller enhancements inside of the larger enhancement (e.g. 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.0.2.1).
Another reason for codenames is marketing. Attaching a common name to a version number that everyone else can relate to allows people to remember what is being talked a lot more easily than having to remember numbers like 2.1 or 3.0. So now when someone mentions the word "FroYo" for example, you might reply with "Oh, isn’t that the latest version of Android?" and you would be right.
So it is pretty clear now why Google are using famous desserts as codenames for Android, but to some people it all seems a bit random. Actually, it’s not random at all. In fact, Android’s codenames are moving in alphabetical order:
C upcake (1.5)
D onut (1.6)
E clair (2.0/2.1)
F royo (2.2)
G ingerbread (2.3)
H oneycomb (3.0)
So this means that not only do the public have something fun to attach to different versions of Android, but immediately they know which is the latest version simply by thinking through the alphabet.
Google are so proud of this versioning system behind Android that the codenames are often used in the public media and marketing campaigns. Network operators are actively encouraged to use these buzz words at will when trying to sell devices.
Google even took this step further by creating life sized versions of each dessert and littering their front garden with them. See the following three part video of the delivery of Éclair to the 'garden of treats':
That’s all for today kids. I hope you enjoyed learning about codenames with me. Now start guessing what the future versions of Android may be called!
I > Ice Cream?
J > Jello?
K > ….. ???
#android#desserts#donut#eclair#froyo#gingerbread#honeycomb#m1ket#mike the mobiler#mobilers#samsung mo!blers
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Mob!ler Mission #5: Let's Golf HD Review
Let’s Golf brings a great balance between a colorful arcade game and a fun competitive yet casual golf simulation. While the game has exaggerated characters and brilliantly designed courses in the same vein as a Wii Sports title, the competitive element with the a true-to-life tournament scoring system will keep casual gamers enticed by this title.
Courses
There are four courses included in Let’s Golf HD. Two are available from the start, and the others have to be unlocked through the Tournament mode. Each course is from a different location in the world; Fiji, England, America, and Scotland. As a result each course brings common characteristics from real life courses into the game. Where America has flat greens and long holes, England has up and down greens and larger fairways. All the ingredients are there to have great courses to play on with only some great artistry needed to complete the formula and the game doesn’t disappoint there either (see image below).
Characters
As found on most, if not all, casual games is the inclusion of exaggerated character design. Like with the courses there are four characters to choose from. Each character has four abilities; Power, Accuracy, Recovery, and Putting. Then each character is specialized to one area so you have a choice of either being a long hitter or an accurate putter. However, players abilities can be increased by changing their outfits, hair, and golf balls that they’re hitting. This allows the user to select which character best meets how they personally want to attack the courses which in turn lets the user feel more immersed in the game.
Modes
There are two single-player modes provided. The first being an ‘Instant Play’ mode where three holes are selected randomly allowing the player to practice with different characters and outfit combinations before tackling the ‘Tournament’ mode.
In ‘Tournament’ mode the player has to complete a number of different hole combinations (Back 9, Front 9, 18 Hole) before unlocking the harder difficulties on that course as well as the courses that at the start aren’t playable.
While the Tournaments game-play has a competitive element where players are ranked against computer controlled players scores at the end of a hole, it can be frustrating that a lot of repetitive game play has to be devoted before being able to take on the harder difficulty modes.
Controls
There are two control types to choose from in Let's Golf. One being a button that you have to touch to start a power bar and then touch again when the bar hits the accuracy area, the other type being a slider where the player has to slide their finger in a golf swing action. Both control types are very well implemented, however I found that when travelling on trains and other public transport it would be difficult to be accurate with the touch slider.
Summary
In conclusion, Let’s Golf is a casual game that I found very easy to get addicted to through wanting to win all the tournaments and unlock all the performance enhancing outfits. However, I think there is a lot here that can be improved if Gameloft make a sequal.
At £3.00 for the full game I do think that this game is worth the money. I’m going to give this game a decent score of 7.0/10.
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More Photos Taken with the Samsung Galaxy S
Hi guys,
The other week I went on a trip down to the home of Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge. The reason for this trip was my fathers birthday. His present was to go and get our photos taken with the double trophies; the Premiership and the FA Cup. We also ventured into the museum to have a look round.
I decided to document this trip using the camera on my Galaxy S. Here is the slideshow of photos I took:
Links:
Flickr Set
#samsung galaxy s#samsung mobilers#samsung mobilers#mobilers#photos#galaxy s camera#m1ket#mike the mob!ler
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Check out my new toy. After using it all day I can confirm that the Galaxy Tab is definitely a 10 out of 10 device. I’m loving it. In fact, this blog post was written using the Tumblr Android app on the Tab!
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Mob!ler Mission #4: The Galaxy Tab
The release of Samsung's Galaxy Tab marks a new age for Android devices, the Tablet age.
This week, Samsung's first tablet was released to the UK markets. Not only is it the first tablet using any platform to be released since Apple's iPad, but it is the first Android based tablet to be taken on by major network carriers.
Screen
The Galaxy Tab has a 7-inch LCD TFT screen, which is different to the normal AMOLED that you find on most Samsung devices these days. While this may be seen as step down in quality, I think users will find that it doesn't hinder the experience as the large size of the screen makes the visual experience very enjoyable.
The 7-inch screen also makes the tablet very convenient size. In fact, it is to my knowledge that the device was specifically designed with the average suit jacket inner pocket in mind. This makes the device a brilliant size not only to carry around, but also to hold and use.
Camera
The Tab boasts two cameras; one front facing and one back facing. The back facing camera is a 3.2 mega-pixel with LED flash. So while the flash is a nice addition, users might find that they won't be itching to take a lot of photos with this camera.
I think it's the front facing 1.3 mega-pixel camera that will most excite users. Video-phone technology has been around for a long time now and has never really caught on with the wider markets. So Samsung are trying to change this with the release of Galaxy Tab, as it adds to the already exiting Galaxy S which also supports video calling with it's own 1.3 mega-pixel camera.
Android 2.2 & Flash
Samsung have decided to go with Android 2.2 for the Galaxy Tab and this poses a serious threat to the existing Apple iPad; the tab boasts Adobe 10.1 Flash. The lack of Flash is the largest criticism of the iPad, with many critics noting that it renders a lot of the Internets content useless. So Flash on the Galaxy Tab was a much welcome addition for a lot of people who desired a tablet but didn't want to lose out on the current world-wide-web experience.
Readers Hub
Samsung have included an application called the Readers Hub with the Galaxy Tab. This app features three sections; news, books and magazines. The inclusion of a central area where all of this content is easily used will make a lot of die-hard readers out there very happy. A lot of book fans complain about devices like the Kindle saying "it just isn't the same as actually holding a book". I'm not an avid book reader myself, but I can confirm that reading on these devices is a very enjoyable experience.
Video
This is probably the Galaxy Tab's strongest points, video playback. Video and movie lovers will be delighted with the Tab's ability to playback a full range of different video file formats, the most impressive being DivX HD. Users can simply drop files from their computers onto the Galaxy Tab and experience seamless playback.
Other playable formats include: DivX HD, Full HD MPEG, MKV, WMV, 3GP.
Storage
As standard the Galaxy Tab comes with 16GB of internal storage which can also be expanded by using the MicroSD slot. This is ample storage for a tablet device in my opinion. But if you disagree, there is also a 32GB version!
In Conclusion...
...the Galaxy Tab poses a serious threat to the Apple iPad's dominance of the tablet market it has been allowed to experience so far. There are a lot of rumours about Android based tablets around and Samsung have done fantastically well to not only beat the competition to the mark, but to also do it by setting the bar for Android Tablets so high.
With a fantastic screen, access to 100% of the Internet, amazing video playback, and everything else that makes this device near perfect, the Galaxy Tab is a must have device for people wanting to join the mobile tablet revolution.
#galaxy tab#galaxy tab release#samsung mobilers#samsung mob!lers#mob!lers#mission#mike taylor#m1ket#mike the mob!ler
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Mob!ler Mission #3: Krazy Kart Racing Review
Krazy Kart Racing is a game developed by Konami that can be found on the Samsung Apps store after it was ported from the iTunes App Store. As the name suggests, it is a game that can be placed under the Mario Kart umbrella. In short, it is a combination of 'cartoony' characters, go-karts, and outrageous weapons.
Controls
Controls are normally the main talking point when it comes to mobile games, especially now that most phones come with accelerometers built into them. Krazy Kart Racing is no different as I feel that it is the controls of racing games that define how good it turns out.
By default, Krazy Kart Racing is set to use the accelerometer for steering and the intuitive screen tilt that has been built into the game is also set as the default. This means that when you steer by turning your phone, the screens orientation stays parallel to the floor. While this is a good feature, I actually found it difficult to use and felt more at home when I disabled it; but this may be because I'm used to tilting my head with mobile games though.
There is a second option built into the game and that is to use on screen buttons, which I feel is the best option for playing Krazy Kart Racing. Instead of using a set of on-screen directional buttons for steering, there is a slider. How much you slide the steering wheel on the gauge defines how much your car turns:
These controls allowed me to enjoy playing the game a whole lot more.
Weapons
All your standard weapons and power-ups are present in Krazy Kart Racing: from speed boosts, to cloaking items, and enemy seeking missiles. Speed boosts are found a lot in levels and are actually essential to use if you want to win races and cups. The other weapons aren't necessary to winning but do help along the way.
The worst weapon is a set of bats that, when attached to you, invert the steering controls. While this may sound like a fantastic weapon, when it happens to you it is not so great. If you get tricked by it and end up driving into a wall, getting out of that situation is bordering on the impossible. This can be very unforgiving and cause you to go from 1st place all the way to last.
Game Modes and Levels
There certainly is not much to complain about here as there are 4 different Cups to take part in. Just like with Mario Kart, you have to complete the easier Cups to unlock the more difficult ones. While doing this you also unlock different characters who each drive a Kart with different driving abilities.
As well as the extensive single player mode there is also a multiplayer area which can be played one of two ways. Either you set up a game on your local WiFi that all players on your local network can see, or you can play world-wide using the Internet. While world wide is fun, I did experience a fair amount of lag which made the game skip and jump.
Summary
All in all this is a solid game. Sometimes when games are ported from one platform to another some of its quality can be lost in translation, however this was not the case with Krazy Kart Racing.
Having the option to use different control styles was brilliant and the extensive range of levels gave ample game time.
Krazy Kart Racing is exclusively available on Android via Samsung's App store and will not be found on Google's Android Market Place. The best bit about this game is that it is totally FREE!
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What is the battery life like on this? I know that HTC android phones can last about a day after a fair amount of usage.
The battery life on the Galaxy S is identical to the HTC Desire. Expect to get a solid day of your 'fair amount of usage' before having to charge up over night for the next day.
Battery life is something that is always talked about when it comes to Smartphones or 'Superphones'. While everything inside our phones has evolved over the last 5 years. Screens, processors, keyboards, GPU's, RAM. The battery is the one thing that has not evolved as much as the rest. Therefore, the batteries of today are not built to last for huge amounts of time under the usage they get.
Thanks for the question!
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Question Time: Quiz me about the Samsung Galaxy S!
Hey guys,
On this blog I've got a nifty feature where you can post questions to me. Then when I answer them they will appear right on this blog.
Feel free to ask me anything about the Galaxy S and how it works. Hopefully my answers will go some distance to helping you to decide whether to get one or not.
Simply hit the button below and post a question to me!
Thanks,
Mike
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Mob!ler Mission #2: The Galaxy S Camera
This week I attended a Ski and Snowboarding convention in Olympia, London. I decided to use this event as the subject for the second Mob!ler mission in which Samsung asked us to test out the cameras in our devices.
The Samsung Galaxy S is equipped with a back-facing 5 Megapixel with Auto Focus but no flash. It can also record video at a HD resolution of 720p. There is also a front-facing VGA camera.
My overall verdict with the back-facing camera is good; it has taken some impressive shots for over the last few weeks as well as recorded some great video footage.
Photos
First let me show you some photos that came out really well:
These photos have a real crisp finish to them where everything in the shot is very defined. The fashion show shot even had some moving objects that have been captured brilliantly.
This however, does not tell the whole story of the camera. While there is one action shot above that has been snapped really well, it was one of the few that did look good. During the show there was a tricks competition where skiers and boarders would perform some big air moves. See these photos below:
Now these photos were all taken using the 'Sport' mode that the Galaxy S camera provides. However, a combination of either distance or speed produced photos where the performers are barely viewable. I did try a lot of different setting combinations to get a decent shot, however nothing really worked. You can view the rest of my attemps in the Flickr album.
Panoramic Photo
I took advantage of the upper level of the show to take a Panoramic photo:
Click to view original size.
The Panoramic shoot mode was very impressive. In past with Panoramic modes the photographer would have to line up each shot very precisely to make sure that the photos all matched, but the Galaxy S has changed this. Now all you have to do is move the camera to the left until a green box appears. As soon as this box is inside the screen fully the photo is taken automatically. The only thing that the photographer has to get right is starting the shoot parallel to the floor. Otherwise your Panoramic photo is taken at an angel.
Note: The Galaxy S should not take 100% of the blame as I am not a qualified photographer; this may or may not have contributed to the poor quality of some photos.
Video
Anyway, let's move onto something that does allow the Galaxy S camera to showcase itself; 720p video recording.
I uploaded three videos this week that are viewable with the playlist embedded below. The first video is a compilation of many small videos I recorded of the big air competition, put together by me using Windows Movie Maker. The other two videos are as they were recorded.
Note: The big air competition is uploaded in HD.
I was very happy with the results of the video recording and the High Definition recording was especially good in my opinion. There is only one area where the recording was a bit of a let down and that was the audio quality.
Summary
The Galaxy S definitely has a great camera with only a few issues. However, these issues do make it's performance very tempermental.
I would say that if you are looking for a phone that is going to double as a near professional camera, then the Galaxy S is not your product of choice. I am sure there will be other handsets out there with better cameras. However, if you're only going to use the camera for the occasional photo/video of you and your friends then I think you'll be more than happy with it.
Flickr Slideshow
Links
Flickr Album
Bir Air Competition Video
Ski and Snowboarding Fashion Show
The Hairfarmers Live
#galaxy s#galaxy s camera#samsung#samsung mobilers#samsung mob!lers#mob!lers#m1ket#Mike Taylor#mission#mission 2
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