Sunday, October 28, 2012

Belkin WeMo iPhone Baby Monitor Won’t Let You Rest Any Where You Roam

Belkin WeMo iPhone Baby Monitor Won’t Let You Rest Any Where You Roam

Most parents will probably opt for a dedicated baby monitor.  After all, it is the time tested, maternal approved approach.  However, their rather inflexible pieces of kit since they have limited range, work with just one or two receivers and require you to carry around an extra device.

Enter the Belkin WeMo Baby monitor.  This handy little device, which builds upon the brands WeMo line of products, is effectively a microphone with WiFi capabilities.  Once it’s connected to your home’s network, you can access its mic simply by firing up the accompanying iOS device, allowing you to audibly monitor your baby without the hassle of another device encumbering your pocket.  Best of all it works over 3G, 4G, or WiFi.  So even when there is a baby sitter on premise, and you’re away from home, you can keep tabs on your tiny tike.

The WeMo Baby monitor is powered by Evoz.  The service is free, but for an added cost (presumably monthly), otherwise known as an “optional upgrade”, it can send cry notifications via text or email, provide cry history information, and an analysis of the baby’s crying and sleep patterns.

If you’re expecting, you can pick one up from major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Apple) starting in early November for $90.

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."


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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

LG Optimus G First Impressions

LG Optimus G First Impressions

I’ve been playing with the latest flagship phone from LG, the Optimus G, and before we fully review the device, we’re going to provide a quick list of first impressions after a few days of testing. Let’s put it this way: my brother ordered the Galaxy S III, and I think he may have made a mistake.

The Optimus G is far beyond what I’ve seen LG create in the mobile space. Their last phone, the Nitro HD, was severely lacking. This latest device hits a home run on so many fronts that I think it may be the best Android phone available when it releases in November.

I’m testing two models, from AT&T and Sprint, and there are some slight differences between the two. The Sprint model is identical to the world model, except that it works on Sprint’s CDMA network instead of GSM (of course). It has a 13MP camera, has a completely streamlined build, and is a single, solid piece. AT&T’s model, on the other hand, is bulkier and more rounded on the edges, and has a textured top and bottom. The power button also acts as a notification light , and there’s an available slot to swap out the MicroSIM and MicroSD cards. Finally, the AT&T model features a slightly better 8MP camera, which we’ll talk more about in the full review.

Both devices run on Android 4.0, but Sprint’s model is strangely more cumbersome but less intrusive. The available RAM on the Sprint model is always around 950MB (of 2GB total), compared to the 1.1GB available on AT&T’s model. I don’t know yet why there’s such a big difference in available RAM, but from my use it has little to no impact on actual use.

That’s because the Optimus G is extremely fast and smooth, thanks to it’s newest-generation Qualcomm Krait processor and the latest Adreno 320 GPU. I’ll talk at length about both in the review, but know for now that this phone is extremely fast. It doesn’t top out all of our benchmarks, but in the right conditions it can in nearly every case.

One potential issue for long-term use revolves around overheating. I thought it may one specific model, but both units tested had significant drops in benchmark performance after extended use and, more importantly, after getting extremely hot. I cooled the phones down and retested, and after a brief warm-up period they were back to benchmark-breaking numbers. It’s unclear as of yet whether that means thermal throttling is in place or if the phone just cannot dissipate heat well enough for the new CPU and GPU, but one thing is certain: performance drops significantly, from way over competition from phones like the HTC One X or Samsung Galaxy S III, to just under them both.

That of course means that performance far surpasses competitive devices. But it was very warm and muggy during my testing (as my non-air conditioned office is), which undoubtedly contributed to it.

The Optimus G also seems to have very good battery life, if users go into the settings and turn on the Eco mode. This effectively throttles the CPU to last-generation Krait speeds, which is still fast enough to use any function on the phone, and drops the power use from 10%/1.5 hours to 10%/5 hours. The first day I got the phones after charging I didn’t use either, only to find both were nearly discharged from minimal use over 10 hours. Minimal use meaning setting up the phone, downloading and installing apps, and answering a few emails. With Eco, that same minimal use, plus at least an hour and a half of low-end Android gaming after 13 hours, left the phone with 40% remaining battery.

A few other quick notes: the Optimus G has a gorgeous screen, one I haven’t tested but looks stunning. It looks better than the Galaxy S III’s display. The phone overall feels wide, wider than most phones, and has a strange 15:9 aspect ratio (compared to widescreen 16:9), which explains why the phone is so wide. It has a resolution of 1280×768, which should sound familiar if you’ve ever plugged a computer into a TV. Those extra pixels across make the phone wider than most other devices.

So far I’m extremely impressed with the Optimus G. If you’re thinking of picking up a Galaxy S III or another phone soon, I’d recommend you wait for a few reasons. First, prices will go down for the holidays. Second, there are a handful of upcoming phones that may overtake the GS3 in terms of performance, ease of use, comfort, etc., including the Optimus G is one. Finally, out of all of the upcoming phones, the Optimus G may be the top dog to beat; not only is LG rumored to be the next “Nexus” maker, but some reports stipulate that the Optimus G may be that phone (or at least a variant of it).

Whatever the case, the Optimus G has thus far been an exceptional device. Look forward to our full review in the near future.

Spawned in the horrendous heat of a Los Angeles winter, James was born with an incessant need to press buttons. Whether it was the car radio, doorbells on Halloween or lights at other people’s houses, James pushed, pressed and prodded every button he ever saw. No elevator was left unscathed, no building intercom was left un-rung, and no person he’s known has been left un-annoyed. They call it ‘pushing their buttons’ for a reason.


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The MG is a Dedicated Android Gaming Handset, Costs $150

The MG is a Dedicated Android Gaming Handset, Costs $150

Handing your precious Android phone over to your kids is a risky endeavor.  Aside from discovering what are perhaps lurid photos of you and mommy, the device may get returned with a broken screen, a missing battery, and a whole host of other problems that are most certainly not covered by your warranty.

And that’s why it might be worth plunking down $150 for the MG.  It’s a Android 4.0 devices sans cellular connection.  It will however include WiFi connectivity for downloading one of the many Play Marketplace apps, as well as a 4-inch WVGA touchscreen, a 1.5Ghz Cortex A5 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 1.3-megapixel camera, an 1880mAh battery (it should provide just under 4 hours of play time), 4GB of built-in storage, and a microSD card slot for expansion.

Preorders are available now, with shipping commencing in the first week of November.  After that the price will jump to $170, but it will still include an 8GB microSD card, $10 worth of preloaded games, and $10 on a Spendsmart card (provided you sign up for the service).

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."


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Google Offers a New Chromebook, Costs Only $249

Google Offers a New Chromebook, Costs Only $249

Google today announced a new Chromebook today and it costs just $249.  That’s less than many a tablet or even smartphone.  However, there are some caveats associated with the 11.6-inch machine, which include storage space and all together power.

Under the hood is an ARM-based processor (1.7Ghz Samsung Exynos 5), which is often found in many mobile devices.  The previous Chromebook used an Intel Celeron processor, and while that offering is more analogous to that of a traditional laptop, it’s also louder, sucks up more energy, and is generally more expensive – the last Chromebook was over $400.

Despite boasting a smaller screen (11.6-inch vs 12.1-inch) than it’s predecessor, the new Chromebook has a higher resolution display of 1366×768, weighs 2.48lbs, and measures .8-inches thick.  16GB of on board storage comes standard with the machine, though thanks to an SD card slot you can bump that amount to infinity, provided you’ve got a bevy of SD cards on hand.  Google also includes 100GB of online storage for up to 1 year, but after that you’ll need to pay a fee.   Those that travel a fair bit, you’ll enjoy the 12 free Gogo inflight WiFi passes (estimated $150 value) that you can use over 2 years on domestic US flights (not bad considering the price of this machine).

Additional specs include 2GB of RAM, a USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, a .3MP camera, dual 1.5w speakers, and a purported 6.5 hour battery life.  Sorry, there is no 3G or 4G connectivity, but it’s a caveat we’re willing to accept in light of the lower price, though it’s important to note that it is not WiFi N enabled.  Like the previous machines of a time past, this one will include the same chiclet style keyboard and a comparable trackpad.

So, it’s obvious that the new Chromebook (model number XE303C12-A01US) isn’t intended to replace, but complement your existing computing power.  It’s a bit hard to agree with that, though, especially seeing as most machines these days are light enough, and powerful enough to complete most tasks (putting aside Photoshop and other media like editing programs).  That said, we could easily see this fitting in nicely into the family room or kitchen.  Kids could complete home work assignments, parents could look up recipes or quickly surf the web, and supposedly it’s capable enough to support full HD streaming.

The 11.6-inch Chromebook should ship sometime soon.

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."


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Griffin Moto TC Monster iPhone Controlled RC Car is a Holiday Must

Griffin Moto TC Monster iPhone Controlled RC Car is a Holiday Must

If you’re still looking for an excuse to buy a remote controlled car, especially after watching that amazing RC Car Chase scene yesterday, look no further than Griffin’s Moto TC Monster.

The Moto TC Monster further expands their TC line, which includes the HELO TC Assault.  However, unlike Griffin’s helicopter, which depends on an infrared dongle to receive its commands, the Moto TC Monster connects directly to your iPhone using Bluetooth.  That’s right.  You can control this remote controlled vehicle with your iPhone.  And best of all there are a variety of ways to drive it.  You can opt for the more traditional virtual steering wheel, throttle, and brake setup.  Alternatively, you can swipe your finger across the screen in accordance to the direction of travel you want the car to go.  Or you can just simply tilt the device.  Lastly, the app includes a track feature, which allows you to program  the truck to run through a series of preset routes, including figure eights, as well as record and store drive plans (ideal for homemade tracks).

The battery life of the Moto TC Monster is about 15 minutes.  It’s compatible with the Phone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPod touch (4th, 3rd generation), iPad 3rd generation, iPad 2, iPad.  The truck itself measures 10.28? wide by 13.77? long.

The Griffin Moto TC Monster is available now for $60.

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."


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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Supercharged GT by Kicherer

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Supercharged GT by Kicherer

German tuner Kicherer is known for creating stunning aftermarket programs for many Mercedes-Benz vehicles and now they’ve released their drop dead gorgeous 2012 Mercedes SLS GT AMG Supercharged. The tuner upgraded the car’s 6.3 liter V8 engine with a supercharger, allowing it to push out 700 ponies, which means it can sprint from 0-62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and can hit well over 186 mph with no probs.

But the power upgrade isn’t all they’ve added. They’ve also outfitted the the luxury sports car with a matte black paint job, carbon fiber rear diffuser, and a hand crafted vertical fan grilles paying homage to the 1952 300 SL Carrera Panamericana. This SLS AMG version also doesn’t have huge a huge Silver Arrows badge on its center grille which doesn’t take away anything form the  overall profile of the vehicle. Finishing off the exterior modifications are a new set of Kicherer’s own 20? and 21-inch RS-1 light-weight forged wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

The interior also gets upgraded with lots of carbon fiber, particularly on the door interiors, the center console, the door sill protectors, the rear of the seats, and the stowage tray.

aftermarket body kits, AMG, Benz, gt, Kicherer, luxury cars, mercedes, mercedes benz, SLS, supercars, supercharged, tuners, tuning

Kristie Bertucci is an L.A.-based writer, who can't live without her MacBook Pro. When she's not writing, she's either reading or shopping (online, of course) and loves lazy days so she can catch up on her DVR-recorded shows and movies given she's a work-a-holic. She's definitely a Mac girl despite not having an iPhone (well not until her upgrade next year). She loves music and is currently on a mission to to have an insane and enviable iTunes library.


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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Battlefield 3 Aftermath DLC Launch Trailer Reveals “Seismic” Changes Inbound

Battlefield 3 Aftermath DLC Launch Trailer Reveals “Seismic” Changes Inbound

The one-year anniversary for EA first-person shooting behemoth – Battlefield 3 is swiftly approaching. Just prior to that inital launch last Oct., developer DICE promised they were committed to delivering a continual stream of new content and DLC that would extend the life of the game for years to comes. While the first DLC Back to Karkand took longer than promised, it seems DICE is  back on track with yet another bullet-riddled DLC package.

I give you, Aftermath! This is the fourth DLC delivery following Back to Karkand, Close Quarters and Armored Kill. Aftermath is set in and around “4 Urban Maps” structurally reticulated by a massive earthquake. Yes! This is the same earthquake featured in the Tehran portion of the game’s single player campaign.

The ground has been literally tilled by Mother Nature herself. EA says we should expect “horizontal and vertical combat”. A cracked earth will purportedly yield new avenues of engagement “…providing unexpected cover and paths to objectives.” Aftermath will also bring 3 new vehicles (at least one is said to be a civilian thing with a bit of Madmax-meets-A-Team flare), new weapons (Crossbow, anyone?), new assignments, dog tags and more.

But the boldest and most promising feature is the new “Scavenger Conquest” mode.  Though I’ve bumped my gums enough… I’ll let EA/DICE take it from here.

New Scavenger game mode, an objective based Conquest mode where lost soldiers armed only with a pistol must search the environment to find more powerful weapons and increasing their chance for survival

Sounds promising  and DICE can deliver too. Each DLC thus far has lit a roaring bonfire in my BF3 gaming, delivering on the promise of adding new life to the game. Aftermath looks to do the same, come holiday season.

SIGH! Now for that hideously convoluted release schedule. It goes like this: PS3 users who own BF3 Premium get early deployment on November 27. PS3 non-Premium players roll out on December, 11. PC and Xbox 360 users who own BF3 Premium, will see the “Aftermath” on December, 4th with the following 18th being the final delivery to the remaining BF3 community.

So lets hear it for keeping promises. We’re about one year in and there is still more content to come, one of which is rumored to introduce the first operable motorcycle in BF history. Can’t wait for that! Until then, bring on the earthquake–and that’s coming from a Cali-man! (*knocks on wood)


AMD, Armored Kill, Back to Karkand, battlefield 3, Close Quarters, Dice, Direct X 11, DLC, downloadable content, EA, EA/DICE, first-person shooter, FPS, Gaming, GTX, Intel, nvidia, PC, Playstation 3, PSN, Radeon, XBL, Xbox 360, xbox live

Shawn loves gadgets, literature, history and games. For over a decade he's straddled both the comic book and video game industries, as a journalist, writer, editor, marketing officer and producer. Shawn got his start in tech and games as an editor and Hardware Director for GameRevolution.com. More notable accomplishments include Executive Producer on mobile games Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved and The Shroud. When he is not offering his two cents on tech at GR, he's talking about games and consulting for a number video game and tech companies.


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V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Metal Over-Ear Headphones Might Be Able to Survive Canon Fire

V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Metal Over-Ear Headphones Might Be Able to Survive Canon Fire

Do you have a tendency to destroy headphones?  Drop them often?  Or perhaps you snap cords and plugs like they’re uncooked pasta.  Then you need V-Moda’s Crossfade M-100 Metal Over-Ear Headphones.

While they’re not bulletproof, they are MIL-STD-810G certified.  And to prove it V-Moda dropped the M-100s 70 times to the concrete (at what height we don’t know).  They’ve also gone on to say that the headband is virtually indestructible, and include two detachable Kevlar-reinforced cables, a remastered SpeakEasy microphone cable and an all-new SharePlay cable allowing multiple users to share music and media without extra adapters.

Other features include 50mm Dual-Diaphragm Drivers, some sort of V-Cork seal that lets you balance the audio on the fly, an exoskeleton carrying case, as well as a 2-year warranty and 50% off replacement plan if that runs out.  For some added scratch gamers can add a boom microphone, and an optional Coil Pro cable with locking mechanism.

The Crossfade M-100 will be go on sale some time before the holidays for $300 in Matte Black Metal, Shadow or White Silver at Amazon.com and other major retailers.  For $310 at V-MODA.com, consumers can now pre-order M-100 and receive an extra set of personalized shields and a set of Faders VIP Tuned Earplugs for a limited time.

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."


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The Best Jacket for a Snow Ball Fight, But Not A Fist Fight

The Best Jacket for a Snow Ball Fight, But Not A Fist Fight

Cold winters are inevitable, hence why it’s called winter.  So skimping on the appropriate clothing to circumvent frostbite, or the very least that nagging chill that runs down your spine as you step into 20 F degree weather, is never a good idea.  Fold a snowball fight into the mix, on what is generally a brutally sunny day, and you’ll wish you had one of these, the  Matt Nylon Hooded Jacket.

It’s costs a whopping $428, so let’s hope it can keep you warm in the worst of freezes.  Unlike other puffy coats of this ilk (they make other, lighter versions), it includes a fully zippable hoodie that covers both your head and face.  A variety of ventilation ports will keep you from suffocating, while a set of built-in goggles ensure your eyes are protected from the sun beaming off the snow.  That, or a snowball hurled into your face at 50mph.  There is even a set of ear ports so you can stay aware of your surrounding, such as tactical snowball warfare calls, or traffic while crossing the road.  And that pompom.  It can be removed, which is a must unless you want to be hazed into wearing a much sleeker, yet less warm jacket this winter.

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."


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Samsung Galaxy S III vs LG Optimus G (Comparison)

Samsung Galaxy S III vs LG Optimus G (Comparison)

The latest flagship smartphone from LG, the Optimus G, is no laughing matter. Past LG handsets have been lackluster, but don’t let that stop you from considering the Optimus G as a potential next phone. It’s a bold new step for the company that I wholly endorse. From my short time with the phone thus far, I’m impressed. But can it unseat our current king, the Samsung Galaxy S III?

With the holidays coming around and the last batch of smartphones releasing in just under a month I wouldn’t recommend anyone just go out and buy the Galaxy S III today. That’s not to say you’ll be disappointed, because you surely won’t. There’s a reason why Samsung’s flagship is both the best-selling and most popular Android phone on the marketplace. Our savvy readers know, of course, that those who are patient are more often happier. They don’t buy products that ship broken, sell on day one with problems, or end up only marketing fluff.

So which is the best device? Unlike our comparison earlier this week, which we didn’t have hands-on time with both models, this time I’ve personally reviewed the Galaxy S III and have two different Optimus G models on-hand. So let the comparison begin!

There doesn’t seem to be a major difference between the Galaxy S III (GS3) and Optimus G in terms of size, but hold both and it becomes abundantly clear that the two couldn’t be more different. The GS3 is sleek, thin, and both looks and feels like a futuristic phone, and that’s partly due to the large size but still relatively small impact. Not so with the Optimus G, which is a Siberian tiger compared to Samsung’s bobcat. The Optimus G both looks and feels like a brick in the hand, but in a manly, “yeah, this is my phone” sort of way.

The screen sizes are only slightly different, 4.8? for the GS3 versus 4.7? on the Optimus G, but the real size difference is in bulk and width. With .1? less screen size diagnolly, the Optimus G is actually wider and has more pixels going across as well, as you’ll see in the display section below. This makes it too big to use one-handed, but not too tall, which is a perplexing change of pace for Android phones. That’s not to say it’s better or worse. It’s just different.

Out of all of these things, the only one that really makes a difference is the weight, and that’s where Samsung’s phone is miles ahead of LG. The GS3 is 133 grams; the Optimus G is 145g. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you hold the two phones in your hand, the difference in weight is astonishing. The LG phone feels heavier because of its size as well, which doesn’t help in the hand or the pocket.

Winner: Galaxy S III, which is thinner and lighter.

As I mentioned earlier, the GS3 looked and looks stunning, at least from a distance. The relatively cheap-feeling plastic shell gave it the appearance of grandeur, which in this bout is all that’s necessary. And the Optimus G? Depending on the model you get, it will look how you feel after eating two meals at McDonald’s and hating yourself, or it will look like a standard smartphone.

That’s because here in the US there are two models, one for Sprint and the other for AT&T. In a strange twist the Sprint model is identical to what everyone else in the world gets: a sleek, cut handset that’s thin around the edges and almost looks elegant, if you let it. It may be big, but it looks pretty good for a smartphone.

Not so with AT&T. Their changes make the phone thicker around, add on a textured top and bottom, all with a slapped-on AT&T logo on the back and an utter lack of class. As much as it pains me to say, the two phones side by side look and feel like twins separated at birth, one in the US and one in Europe. Guess which is which? Then again, these twins aren’t ugly, but they’re 5's compared to Samsung’s 9. Or, well, maybe an 8. It has smart curves, a solid build for a glossy plastic panel, and is shiny in all the right ways. LG just can’t compare.

Winner: Galaxy S III, which looks sleeker, more streamlined, and isn’t a fat buffoon from any distance.

Ahh, the good stuff. The Optimus G has an IPS panel that boasts a strange 15:9 aspect ratio, but with a display resolution you’ve likely heard before: 1280×768. If that sounds familiar, it’s because most 720p TV sets support up to 1366×768 when you plug a computer in. Don’t ask me why. And frankly, the extra 48 pixels across do very little for the phone’s display, but as they say, you can never get enough pixels.

What actually makes the Optimus G stand out is that it uses an IPS panel, compared to the GS3's decent but relatively weak SuperAMOLED Pentile display. The reason the GS3 doesn’t really compare is screen brightness is way down, even if overall contrast is higher. The Pentile system, which uses an RGBG (that’s red-green-blue-green) pixel system (instead of traditional RGB) looks good, but not great. Samsung was able to get away with it because the screen was so dense that nobody could notice how actually terrible it was, which is brilliant. Think about it: they defeated the human eye from noticing an odd design that makes no sense compared to competing technologies!

LG doesn’t have that problem and uses a more traditional IPS screen which is extremely bright, provides great color and light contrast, and is actually visible in sunlight. Oh, and don’t forget it has more pixels.

Winner: LG Optimus G, which provides better overall picture quality with an IPS panel. And it has more pixels.

Both phones run Android 4.0, though in Korea the GS3 already has 4.1 running. We’re expecting a worldwide release of Jelly Bean on the GS3 sometime this month. Or not. Who knows with these crazy release dates.

For the time being, the major difference between both operating systems are the extras that Samsung and LG have built into their respective phones. The GS3 includes some extras, but is pretty clean in spite of Samsung’s worse judgment. LG on the other hand has taken “optimization” to another level, but I must admit in a lot of useful ways. The drop-down menu includes the same quick-menu functions, but they’re completely customizable. The four apps on the bottom that stay with you on every homescreen page actually houses up to six apps. Swiping between pages, depending on which model, offers several very clean and pleasant graphics. I especially enjoy the lock-screen, which by default acts like a portal into the phone that you have to swipe to open.

Then there are the excessives, but they’re on both devices. App organization on the Optimus G is more confounding, but that’s a relatively moot point. LG simply offers more customization, and if there’s anything that Android users love, it’s exactly that.

Winner: LG Optimus G, which offers a lot more customization, though the OS is the same.

Putting the GS3 against the Optimus G head to head in processing power is like using a bald eagle for a cock fight. It just isn’t fair, and everyone knows it. Well, you may not know it, but the engines in these two phones are a generation apart, and we all know how much of a gap that can create. The first benchmarks I’ve taken of the Optimus G are anywhere from 20% to 150% faster than the GS3. Web browsing is only slightly better, but graphical performance and raw computing power are so much faster on the Optimus G that the chicken knows it’s cooked. Pun intended.

Winner: LG Optimus G, which uses the newest generation Qualcomm Krait processor which is anywhere from 20%-150% faster than the one in the GS3.

Normally I’d skip this one altogether, considering that the GS3 and Optimus G both have expandable memory and ship 16GB models. Except for one little detail: the Optimus G ships with 32GB of storage. Well, if you’re on Sprint or not in the US. If that’s the case, then you don’t get expandable memory, but for the same price you get double the space, while we’re still waiting for Samsung to release a 64GB model sometime in the near future (it’s available from some retailers, but none that I would trust).

And the AT&T model? It comes with 16GB plus a MicroSD card slot, so users can get a total of 48GB. The GS3 has a MicroSD card slot too, so it has the same maximum, but the difference of course is on the Sprint/World version you get 32GB for $200 versus 16GB on AT&T with a fatter, uglier phone, that has expandable storage.

Which is better? I’d rather have 32GB with no MicroSD card, but that’s just me. Android isn’t particularly good at managing storage properly between internal and external memory, and I’ve rarely found need to go above 32GB on an Android phone even with a ton of music, movies, and apps. Heck, I don’t do that on my iPhone. And internal memory is always better because it’s faster…but it’s ultimately dependent on what you do with your phone.

Winner: Tie, because they offer the same type of storage, and the Sprint 32GB model will likely be enough for users on the Now network.

Based on the testing I’ve done, in general the Optimus G does not have that great of a camera. it’s 13MP, compared to the GS3's 8MP, but everyone should know by now pixel count means less than nothing when it comes to picture quality.

Then again, the one smart thing AT&T did with their model was used an 8MP sensor, which does two things: it makes picture quality clearer and keeps the lens inside the frame of the phone. Sadly for LG, this helps but not enough. The GS3 has one of the best cameras of any smartphone, as we’ve seen in the past with our extensive camera comparisons, and the Optimus G just doesn’t do the more powerful phone justice. We’ll have a full comparison of the cameras shortly.

Winner: Galaxy S III, which provides better quality photos no matter which Optimus G model you’re comparing it to.

Both handsets feature 2100 mAh batteries, and you would think that the latest Krait processor in the Optimus G would be optimized for battery life, but the sad fact is that it isn’t. Well, unless you select the phone to throttle itself and go into the hippie “eco” mode. Selecting this non-default mode boosts battery life so much that it practically doubles it. Without “eco” active, the Optimus G drops about 10% of battery life every hour fifteen, even idling. That’s pretty bad.

Meanwhile the GS3 offers exceptional battery life with no user help. Sure, the processor isn’t nearly as powerful, but put LG’s “eco” mode on and the two are much, much closer in benchmark performance. And this is all very surprising, because one would expect that while a more powerful processor requires more power to run, it also doesn’t need to actually process data as long because it does it faster. So, in a sense – *puts on glasses* – the Optimus G isn’t optimized. Yes, I used that pun twice. I regret nothing.

What’s more important however is battery life with “eco” active, and frankly the Optimus G runs for a long, long time. It does as well as the GS3. I haven’t completed my barrage of battery tests just yet, but there’s one reason that Samsung wins this contest of longevity, and that’s the default standard and additional complexity that LG is introducing. Having a high-end mode is fine, but that shouldn’t be the default standard. Most users won’t even know how to turn it on or off, or even what it means. That’s just wasteful.

Winner: Galaxy S III, because while both offer fairly equal battery life, the GS3 does so normally. The Optimus G has to be set to do so, doesn’t do so by default, and that’s a level of complexity most smartphone users don’t ever want to deal with.

Ouch, this one’s easy. The Optimus G is stuck on Sprint and AT&T. Meanwhile, the GS3 is on all four major carriers and pretty much all smaller carriers as well.

Winner: Galaxy S III, which supports all carriers.

Both handsets sell/will sell for $200, though since the GS3 has been out for a few months there is an expected price drop closer to the holidays. Don’t bet on being so lucky with the Optimus G, since it isn’t even out yet. Slated for November 4, you’ll be lucky to get it at any discount. Plus, a quick search will reveal that you can already get the GS3 at a discount with some carriers.

Winner: Galaxy S III, which is available for less and will be even cheaper when the holidays finally come around.

The scores are close. LG has done a tremendous job with the Optimus G, though corners were cut, or in this case, grew. Some of it isn’t LG’s fault. The fatter AT&T model is just because Ma Bell has this urge to be different to the extent of being a hipster.  In the case of the camera they made the right call, but everything else — from thicker hardware to more bloatware — is just too much.

What sets the Optimus G apart is its breakneck speed, the sort that just isn’t available on any device today. That’ll change in the coming month, but likely won’t come to too many phones because we’ve already run through the summer releases. So if you want the absolute fastest phone, the Optimus G is it. It also has a really great screen, which for a phone that may turn into your media player, is far more important than anything else we compared.

Ultimately though, the Optimus G is worse but only ever so slightly. Samsung just built a better phone. It has a smarter design, it’s more comfortable regardless of hand size, it’s lighter and feels better, and it does all that without making the user fix things. But the Optimus G is really quite close. The few areas that it loses in are slight. From my use thus far, I would recommend it for purchase, and with a few weeks before release there may be some changes to the software that improve on the overall device. We’ll have to wait and see.

The point is you can’t go wrong with either device. Both the Optimus G and Samsung Galaxy S III are great devices. Samsung’s is better, but LG’s is newer. Make your choice starting from there.

Spawned in the horrendous heat of a Los Angeles winter, James was born with an incessant need to press buttons. Whether it was the car radio, doorbells on Halloween or lights at other people’s houses, James pushed, pressed and prodded every button he ever saw. No elevator was left unscathed, no building intercom was left un-rung, and no person he’s known has been left un-annoyed. They call it ‘pushing their buttons’ for a reason.


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