Product Review: Microsoft's Lumia 950 - A Last Chance to Break into the Market

Something about the clean, simple interface appeals to me as an alternative to the relative clutter of Android and Apple's iPhone, and chats I've had with Windows phone fans do make me believe that there are people out there better served by this approach to mobile software. The Lumia 950 starts at $550 in the US, but you'll need to check with carriers, since their prices and payment plans will vary. AT&T, for example, sells it for $600 outright, $150 with a two-year contract, and for monthly installments that vary between $20 and $30 per month depending on which of its three Next plans you choose. Share your comments on the fate of Microsoft's smartphone with the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium:

That's why it pains me to see the Windows 10 update in the Lumia 950 fall so short of its promise. The hardware itself is fine, if disappointingly uninspired. But the software, especially the buggy new Continuum feature that's supposed to let you turn your phone into something approaching a full-on Windows PC, only highlights Microsoft's inability to meaningfully keep up with Android and the iPhone. Yes, the phone has a gorgeous display that's easy to read outdoors and camera image quality that keeps me smiling, especially in low light. I can even deal with the plastic construction because of the Lumia 950's removable battery and microSD card slot, which many metal phones don't have. the Lumia 950 costs too much and offers too little for all but Windows diehards to take seriously. It's been five years since Microsoft rebooted its old, failing Windows Mobile software into the Windows phone platform we see today, and the company still hasn't been able to work out the kinks. Microsoft's future as a world class software-maker for mobile phones is looking dim.

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What Lies Beyond the Apple iPhone 6S?

Apple's so-called "iPhone 6c" will have a 1,642 mAh battery, slightly larger than the iPhone 5s battery's 1,570 mAh capacity.

The report, citing "insider Foxconn employees," also corroborates multiple rumors claiming the 4-inch iPhone will feature an A9 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB base storage, Touch ID and the same 2.5d curved glass used on the iPhone 6 and later.  Apple's suppliers will reportedly begin mass production of the much-rumored smartphone in January ahead of a potential March 06 announcement and April 06 launch.  At least five sources have now predicted the "iPhone 6c" will launch in early 2016 since rumors about the device began circulating this year.  In November, often-reliable Japanese blog Mac Otakara reported that Apple has developed a new 4-inch iPhone that is essentially an iPhone 5s with sixth-generation iPod touch features, including an A8 chip, 802.11ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.1 and an improved FaceTime HD camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture. The "iPhone 6c" may also come in three colors and lack 3D Touch.  Just what and when will Apple the S6 successor? Share your predictions with the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium.

Smartphone Innovations in 2016 - A Look Forward

2016 may provide to be the year of breakthrough innovation in the smartphone universe. Samsung and LG have teased us with the likes of the Galaxy S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ and the LG GFlex 2,  but will someone to take these ideas to the next step, with a bendable phone or at the very least a phone which makes good use of its curves.

 There's talk that Samsung is readying a foldable phone for launch in early 2016, so it's possible it could arrive at MWC.  There's also a good chance we'll see the Samsung Galaxy S7 at MWC 2016 and we hope so too, especially after how impressive the S6 was. Battery life is a key concern again and it would be good if Samsung could return some of the features it cut from the S6, like a microSD card slot and a water resistant build.Windows Phone  has had a tough time up against the might of Android and iOS, but Windows 10 Mobile is finally here and it's accompanied by the impressive Microsoft Lumia 950 and Microsoft Lumia 950XL. Huawei and ZTE always have big stands at MWC, and MWC 2016 won't be any different - but the devices they're peddling are usually less eye-catching than the more established names. I'd like to see a real flagship contender from each firm, which will actually launch in a timely fashion around the world (with prices revealed up front) and minus the weirdness the brands can sometimes suffer from. Which innovations would you like most to see in the New Year? Send your comments to the Smartphone  and Tablet Emporium.

At the Intersection of Smartphones and Virtual Reality

Your smartphone is the single most important device in VR. It’s the engine for a dam-burst of creativity from Samsung, Avegant, Carl Zeiss, and even Dodocase, that twee-est of Apple case makers. Even Oculus itself has embraced smartphone VR, through Samsung and its Galaxy-compatible Gear VR headset. In fact, it was the Gear VR that convinced programming legend John Carmack to join Oculus in the first place, says Nick DiCarlo, who runs the virtual reality team at Samsung.

“We showed him mobile, and he’s like ‘whoa. Now I have this even bigger vision for that. At GDC this week, Carmack threw his and Oculus’ weight fully behind Gear VR. “The official formal strategy,” he said, “is that Oculus goes big, full consumer [push] on Samsung’s next release cycle.” The emphasis on smartphone VR is not altogether surprising, given that most of the ingredients to turn your phone into a virtual reality wonderland are already there. It probably has a good screen. It almost certainly has enough processing power to show you a movie in virtual reality, or to play a simple VR game. ” The first goal of the VR industry is to just get people to try it. Which smartphone vendors will be among the first to introduce VR features into their smartphone? Surely Apple and Samsung are on the shortlist, however, being a first-mover in this segment may be an emerging smartphone player whose name we do not yet know. Send your pick's to the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium.

A Closer Look at Tablet Screen Displays

Screen size and display resolution are key factors to consider when purchasing tablets for the home or office. Needless to say not all screens are created equal. Let's take a closer look at some of the highly ranked screens. The Sony Xperia Z4, is no different.

The 10.1-incher is supremely thin and light and its performance is among the fastest Android tablets. Its large HD screen is bright and crisp and, though it features a wide range of colors, color reproduction still looks lifelike and accurate. Like its predecessors, it's also waterproof. The Galaxy Tab S2 8.0, unlike its predecessor (see below), has a 4:3 aspect ratio. This means the screen is a little more square, and not as wide as the majority of tablets with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The size is better suited for reading and browsing the Web, however HD video still looks razor-sharp. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 was released last year, though it's by no mean out of date. The super-AMOLED screen is similar to the one found on this year's model, the Galaxy Tab S2 (above), but with a higher resolution, resulting in more pixels-per-inch. It's sharp and vibrant, with rich color and deep contrast that make real life look dull in comparison. It also comes in a large 10.5 inch model. Since the screens are bigger with a wide aspect ratio (16:9), the older models are better for watching video. By contrast the Dell Venue 8 7000 is a sleek 8.4-inch model with a lot going for it. Its slim and lightweight aluminum design feels solid and luxe, and its sharp screen doesn't disappoint either. It's one of the best small tablets you can buy and, if you're a fan of photography, you'll get a kick out of its depth-sensing rear camera. Which screen display best meets your needs? Share your picks with the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium.

Will "Lightsaber Escape" Turn Your Smartphone into a Force to Be Reckoned With?

As “Star Wars” fervor reached a fever-pitch this week, Google unveiled another neat treat for fans of the franchise: You can now battle Stormtroopers from the comfort of your own desk chair. Lightsaber Escape is a Chrome Experiment  and web-based game that turns your smartphone into a lightsaber.

To try it, visit the game's website on your computer, and copy the unique URL you find there into a browser on your phone. (You can also do the reverse, and access the website on your phone first.) You’ll then be prompted to calibrate your phone. Once done, your phone will become the handle of a glowing weapon, and an image of the lightsaber will appear on your computer screen. Use the lightsaber to battle the Stormtroopers that seem determined to kill you. Lightsaber Escape, which works not just in Chrome but across all mobile and desktop browsers, was created by Google in conjuction with Lucasfilm and the “Star Wars” visual-effects studio Industrial Light & Magic.   A stunning surprise in the search engine that appears when users type in the phrase: "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away".Will "Lightsaber Escape" Turn Your Smartphone into a Force to Be Reckoned With? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium. 

Smartphone Printers: Comparing Canon Selphy, Polariod Zip and Fujifilm Instax Devices

If you're buying an instant printer, you probably want it to be portable, or at least have a small footprint. In this category, you can eliminate the Canon Selphy pretty quickly, as it weighs nearly two pounds and has to stay plugged in. seconds.

The speed we're talking about here refers to the time it takes for the photo to print from the moment the "print" button was tapped on the phone. (Meaning that it doesn't include the time it takes to select and edit a photo.) Surprisingly, the Zip felt excruciatingly long, despite its newness. The Canon Selphy also took more than a minute due to its involved printing process -- the printer prints one color at a time for a total of four colors. So the Instax wins. But there is a catch. Unlike the Selphy and the Zip, the photo isn't ready for viewing once it's delivered. You'll have to wait a few minutes for the image to appear, old-school-style. It's not easy to build a printer that fits in your hand and produces high-quality photos. That's probably why Canon refused to sacrifice its printing quality for form factor. Although it won't fit in your purse, the Selphy delivers prints close to what you'd get from your local drug store. The biggest disappointment in the quality department goes to Fujimax Instax. The prints that come out of it are washed out, blown out and often blurry. In some cases, the nostalgic look might be what you're looking for. But for most people, the image quality just isn't worth the expensive paper. Polaroid's Zip sits somewhere in the middle, producing bright, inviting prints that when examined closely appear noisy or grainy. It's exactly what you'd expect from a pocket-size instant printer. Which printer meets your smartphone printing needs? Share your picks with the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium.

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That leaves the Instax and Zip. Both easily fit in a backpack and won't weigh you down. But side by side, the Instax dwarfs the Zip, making the Instax look old and outdated, like a CRT monitor waiting to be replaced with a sleek flat-panel screen.

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That leaves the Instax and Zip. Both easily fit in a backpack and won't weigh you down. But side by side, the Instax dwarfs the Zip, making the Instax look old and outdated, like a CRT monitor waiting to be replaced with a sleek flat-panel screen.