Android vs Windows? or Phone vs PC? - 2020
is Phone>PC?
Some years ago when I worked with my good friends at Coolsmartphone, I wrote a piece on Android vs Windows. https://www.coolsmartphone.com/2016/07/29/android-vs-windows/
I surmised that it wasnt actually the platforms that were the problem, but that the UI’s made the phone superior then the computer in many ways.
We are now in 2020, a new decade. Is that premise still true? In fact is it even MORE true? we have an insane amount of computing power in our phones now compared to 2016 when I first wrote the article. Well-Known Youtuber Juan Carlos Bagnell AKA @SomeGadgetGuy did a recent video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbL5Qk3Pilo ) in which he argued that actually you can now do more, and with greater efficiency on your phone then your laptop. Frequent travellers especially would find this interesting. So i decided to revisit this.
SCENARIO 1
I like to think of myself as an aspiring comedian, so when the Harry Meghan Megsit Saga was unfolding a few weeks ago, I decided to make a video overdubbing Prince Charles complaining about the whole situation (in Urdu). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvezjHi8qhM
YesNow I’m not just shamelessly plugging my anaemic YouTube channel. I agree it probably isnt the best video out there, the lip-syncing is wrong etc etc.
BUT
This was all done on my OnePlus 7 Pro in about 45min. That is recording a voice track, finding a video sample of a Prince Charles Speech, editing the video, changing the audio, rendering and then posting it on Youtube. All on the phone using mobile apps
FORTY-FIVE minutes, I didnt even switch my laptop on.
SCENARIO 2
I have been involved in some interviews and investigations in my role at the hospital. I also go to many courses and meetings. Windows 10 has great Inking and Stylus support and the OneNote App is great.
The other day, i just had to open a file, review the pdf, amend, and sign. Time for my trusted Lenovo Miix. Something that this device wouldve been built for right? Yes….
BUT
For some reason Windows had difficulty connecting to my Wifi, and in the end i just gave up and used my Galaxy Note Tab A + Spen (not the most common tablet out there, but a bloody good one, snap one up if you can) and in the time Windows finally connected and downloaded the files, I had already done the necessary edits, signing, inking and emailing. Max 10 minutes.
AND YOUR POINT IS?
in 2016 when i first discussed this topic, it was true of “quick” tasks like emailing and quickly editing a file. Now in 2020, in addition to those. Proper content creation can be done mobiles. On the go, no specific extra equipment required. I have even heard of a an Indian News Channel (NDTV) doing some of their studio filming on a Galaxy Note 10!
Juan is right. Maybe the phone in your pocket is all the computer you need.
"A Little Bit Of Plastic On A Case..."
Majid explains how an additional piece of plastic on a smartphone case can be very, very useful.
Video content on my phone. It always seems a “naff” as an idea. I mean How can you get an immersive experience on such a (not-so-small) screen? That,s why often you see people carrying tablets and laptops whilst travelling. Sure I normally prefer the big screen, but lugging around a 42in OLED TV travelling is (unsurprisingly) not very practical.
Having said that, carrying another device (laptop, tablet etc) may also be a bit of a pain. With every device comes its paraphenalia (chargers, cases etc etc).
Frankly, I just couldn’t be bothered, and I’d sit there watching stuff on my phone. This was never as good, not because of the screen size, but by the fact that you have to hold it, or prop it up and watch it on a strange viewing angle.
A lot of people have flip cases with their phones, which can double up as a rudimentary stand. But the solution in the above image, has drastically affected the way that I watch content on my smartphone. The case itself is an unbranded non-descript one from eBay/China. There are many variants for many devices. Mine is designed and made for my OnePlus 6. On recent train journeys, it has made watching hours of video content enjoyable, with good viewing angles, and no arm-ache from continusly holding a phone.
I love it, and its my top travel tip for the week!
An Ode to Dash-Charge
“You are my sunshine, my (only) sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray”
Tech Travel Geeks Emily AKA Majid declares his love for Oneplus’ Dash Charge.
Battery Anxiety: Low charge on smartphone leading to irrational behaviour
Dear Tech Travel Geeks readers,
A few years ago LG stated that a significant number of smartphone users start getting very twitchy when the charge on their phones is low. This is not surprising, as a species it seems we are addicted to our smartphones, and would have difficulty if our phones were to die.
Some may think of this just as FOMO (fear of missing out): not being able to check messages, phone calls, social media etc etc. Also genuinely useful things like using Google Maps for Sat-Nav and directions or if your smartphone is your primary camera (like mine is to me),
Manufacturers have attempted to address this issue using different methodologies. Originally we had removable batteries. That sadly was one of the causes of poor build quality and industrial design (the Samsung Galaxy S5 fake leather plastic back for example, or the LG G5 modular metal). Then, as smartphones became more capable and important in our lives BIG batteries started being more common: 4000 mAh and then even 5000 mAh batteries started coming up. This in turn has caused its own problems (Do you remember the Samsung Note 7 issues?). Some manufacturers started also working on added software optimisations (like Huawei with its EMUI Android softwarre).
Chipset and component manufacturers also worked on physical solutions like quick charging solutions. Qualcomm has Quick charge for example (now up to version 4).
My personal preference is for OnePlus’ solution: Dash Charge. Even after having got through four separate OnePlus devices (3, 5, 5T, 6), the SPEED with which it charges is amazing. Put your phone in at 1%, 30min later you can be at over half a full battery. THAT kind of speed.
The way OnePlus do it is proprietary, yes they have a large amp plug, but there’s software optimisations in OxygenOS and most importantly, some complicated electrickery stuff in the cable. If you attach a normal USB A to C cable into the plug, yes you’ll get fast charging, but not Dash Charge-speed.
In this era of £1000 phones which often have very average battery life (looking at you iPhone eKs), Dash Charge is simply great. I always travel with my Dash Charger, and sadly need to say no to iPhone users who ask to borrow my cable (it won’t work).
Yours truly,
Tech Travel Geeks Emily
(Also Known As Majid)
Would you like to know more about Dash Charge?
This Week in Mobile - droidcon Dubai 2018
This week Matteo and Lukasz have been in Dubai, attended droidcon Dubai and avoided melting or catching fire...
Welcome to This Week in Mobile (TWiM), Tech Travel Geeks' weekly column covering what has happened in the world of mobile. If we haven't covered it on Tech Travel Geeks we'll link to the best content on the web.
Arjaan by Rotana Dubai lobby #dubai #uae #hotel #lobby
If last week was relatively quiet on TWiM, this week is quite busy. I was busy at work and then travelled to Dubai (on KLM of course...) to represent my employer Skyscanner at droidcon Dubai 2018.
Some of the heroes who made droidcon Dubai 2018 possible at in5 Dubai. #droidconae
I really enjoyed droidcon Dubai 2018. Not only did I get to meet lots of new awesome people, all much more talented developers than I will ever be, but also managed to catch up with many of the veterans of droidcon Dubai. It is clear that Kotlin is now the preferred language for future of Android development, as well as other platforms as well. As a recovering Test Engineer, it was also a pleasure to see how much emphasis was put on tools and practices for delivering quality software in many of the talks.
Lukasz at droidcon Dubai 2018. #droidconae #ShotOnPixel2XL
Lukasz, our very own Chief Aperture Officer, also managed to attend a few sessions of droidcon Dubai 2018. He was in the UAE at the beginning of his epic 6 week trip around the world. Not only did he help me discover that two gin lemonades can be extremely expensive, he also assisted with my final preparations for both talks at droidcon Dubai 2018. While I was arriving home in Edinburgh, Lukasz went skydiving in Dubai today. I'm sure you will all enjoy the impressive video of his experience below.
Now, I mentioned I delivered two talks at droidcon Dubai 2018, and as well as my long-planned official talk I delivered one on behalf of Tech Travel Geeks in my capacity as Chief Mobile Opinionist. "The State of Mockodile in 2018" is a tongue in cheek talk about customisation on Android. Video below.
My travel to and from Dubai was on my favourite airline KLM. As usual their excellent service was enjoyed. My most used device while there was the Huawei P20 Pro. In the first week I had some reservations about the device overall but now I'm being won over by it.
While Lukasz and I were travelling to Dubai the world didn't stand still (how inconsiderate). There were no major announcements during the week, but the buzz around some upcoming Android smartphone launches is getting much louder. The OnePlus 5T is sold out across Europe, and this is a clear indicator that the One Plus 6 will be announced soon. I reported on Coolsmartphone of how Meizu has acquired patents for in-screen fingerprint readers. It is unlikely we will see the functionality in the upcoming launch of the Meizu 15 range, but this is exciting for their device launches of Q4 2018.
That's all for This Week in Mobile for now. We'll have more content for you soon.