Category Archives: Google

Android, Comparisons, Google, Google, Google (Nexus), Nexus 9, Reviews

Hands On with Android M Part 2: Performance Improvements

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By Rich W Woods

A couple days ago, I posted a hands on video with the Android M developer preview. I pointed out that, as with all Android updates, there are really no new features. As Android fans love to point out, it’s all “under the hood”.

Even though I said it in the video, people still seemed to want a video where I show those “under the hood” performance improvements. For this video, I have two Nexus 9s, one with Android M and one with Android Lollipop.

Also, if you watch the whole thing, you get to see me TOTALLY eat my own words.

Continue reading Hands On with Android M Part 2: Performance Improvements →

', Android, Comparisons, Google, Google, Google (Nexus), HTC, Nexus 7, Nexus 9

Nexus 7 vs Nexus 9: Does the New Flagship Measure Up?

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By Rich W Woods

When Google announced the Nexus 9, words could not describe how excited I was. Finally, an Android tablet with a 4:3 aspect ratio. For those that don’t know, it’s the same aspect ratio as an iPad as well as a piece of paper, so it fits into portrait mode more easily. The Nexus 9 was the first Android tablet that I seriously considered as a replacement for my iPad.

Needless to say, it didn’t work out so well. The Nexus 9 gets terrible battery life, it’s slow, apps crash, and the apps look distorted, due to the aspect ratio. Because of this, it seemed more reasonable to compare it to the Nexus 7.

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', Android, Comparisons, Google, Google, Google (Nexus), HTC, HTC, HTC One M8, Motorola, Nexus 6, Reviews

HTC One M8 vs Nexus 6 Camera Comparison

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By Rich W Woods

For the last two weeks, I have left my iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2 in a drawer and have used a Nexus 6 and a Nexus 9. To be perfectly honest, I can’t wait to go back. The Nexus 6 is not for everyone and the battery on both devices is terrible. They combine for nearly 10,000 mAh between the two devices, yet with moderate use, neither will make it to the end of the day.

But I digress. This is a camera comparison, right? Well, my web site, my rules. I might compare the two devices in other ways if I feel like it.

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Sony Xperia Z3 Compact vs Nexus 6 Camera Comparison

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By Rich W Woods

It is the smallest flagship on the market against the largest. Why not? The truth is that I don’t have my Sony Xperia Z3 review unit anymore so we’re going to have to use the Xperia Z3 Compact. For camera comparison purposes, it won’t make a difference.

I have been living with the Nexus 6 and the Nexus 9 for a little over a week now. It is the first time that I have used both an Android phone and an Android tablet as my daily drivers. Personally, I can’t wait to go back to my iPad Air 2. I could take it or leave it with the Nexus 6 and the iPhone 6.

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Nexus 9 vs iPad Air 2: Does Google’s Flagship Live Up?

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By Rich W Woods

The Nexus 9 is a device that I have been waiting for for years. I have always used an iPad because of the aspect ratio. Apple has always used a 4:3 aspect ratio because it’s the same as a piece of paper. Android tablets have typically been 8:5, making them better for watching movies because of the widescreen display.

Because of the 8:5 aspect ratio, none of them natively sit in portrait mode. The Nexus 9 is the first flagship Android device to have a 4:3 aspect ratio. I was super excited about it. I wanted to wait for the LTE model, which is why I didn’t buy it on launch day, which was November 3.

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', Android, Comparisons, Google, Google, Google (Nexus), Motorola, Nexus 6, OnePlus, OnePlus, OnePlus One, Reviews

OnePlus One vs Nexus 6 Camera Comparison part 2: Same Hardware, Same Software

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By Rich W Woods

A week ago, I published the first part of the camera comparison of the Nexus 6 and the OnePlus One. In researching the two devices, I realized that they both use the Sony IMX214 Exmor RS rear camera sensor. Because of that, the only difference between the two rear cameras is software, firmware, and the fact that the Nexus 6 has optical image stabilization (OIS).

In that comparison, I used the stock camera apps. For the Nexus 6, I used Google Camera and for the OnePlus One, I used the stock CyanogenMod Camera app. I promised a part 2 to see what would happen if we used the Google Camera app for each and this is that part 2. It’s important to note that although the same camera hardware and the same software is being used, both devices still have different firmware.

Continue reading OnePlus One vs Nexus 6 Camera Comparison part 2: Same Hardware, Same Software →

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Nokia Lumia 1020 vs Nexus 6 Camera Comparison: The Gold Standard Test

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By Rich W Woods

Any time a new flagship phone comes in, it’s time to do camera comparisons and the Nokia Lumia 1020 is always the gold standard test. It is the closest smart phone camera to a DSLR, which is still not very close. The Nokia Lumia 1020 uses a 41 MP camera with a real xenon flash and a 1/1.5″ sensor.

I’m not expecting the Nexus 6 to be better than the Nokia Lumia 1020. Neither the Nexus 5 nor the Moto X have had fantastic cameras in low light and thus far, the Nexus 6 hasn’t been any better. That being said, the Nexus 6 does have an impressive camera.

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', Android, Apple, Apple, Comparisons, Google, Google, Google (Nexus), iOS, iPhone 6, Motorola, Nexus 6, Reviews

Nexus 6 vs iPhone 6 Camera Comparison: Battle of the Sixes

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By Rich W Woods

This will be the final time I use my iPhone 6 for two weeks. Oh you haven’t heard? I’m throwing my iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2 in a drawer and I’m going to use the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 as my daily drivers for two weeks. It will be the first time that I have used Android for both my phone and tablet daily drivers. But I digress…

The scope of this column is to compare the Nexus 6 camera to the iPhone 6 camera. It’s the battle of the sixes. Coming into this, I was a bit nervous for the Nexus 6 camera. After all, neither the Nexus 5 nor the Moto X have particularly great cameras and the Nexus 6 is sort of a combination of the two. It certainly has the combined screen resolutions.

On the other hand, the iPhone 6 is known for its camera. It’s widely recognized as the best smart phone camera that exists. Of course, it’s not undisputed as I’m sure many of you will have disputes with that claim. I’m not even sure I agree with it. One thing is for sure, Apple does have a fantastic camera on their phone. It would be nice if I still has the iPhone 6 Plus to compare the Nexus 6 to since the iPhone 6 Plus has optical image stabilization (OIS) like the Nexus 6 does, but unfortunately review units come and go.

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', Android, Comparisons, Google, Google, Google (Nexus), Motorola, Nexus 6, OnePlus, OnePlus, OnePlus One, Reviews

Nexus 6 vs OnePlus One Camera Comparison Part 1: Same Hardware, Different Software

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By Rich W Woods

I’ve been using the Nexus 6 for a whole three days now and I am super impressed. It’s a super fast phone with a super beautiful display. It has a poor battery because of that 1440p display, which is a severe setback, considering that if you gave up your Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 for a Nexus 6, you probably want to use it for the combined use times.

Of course, the scope of this is to compare the camera of the Nexus 6 to that of the OnePlus One. I’ve been skeptical of the Nexus 6 camera thus far. After all, the Nexus 5 camera was less than spectacular and the Moto X is terrible in low light. Hopefully, the Nexus 6 will solve this problem.

Typically, when I do a camera comparison with the OnePlus One, the OnePlus One loses. The reason for this is because I use all default settings when I do camera comparisons and the images tend to look washed out. This time, I tried something different. I used the Clear Image and Smart Scene settings for these photos taken with the OnePlus One.

Continue reading Nexus 6 vs OnePlus One Camera Comparison Part 1: Same Hardware, Different Software →