Which is the best Smartphone?

05.16.13: I have revised my smartphone comparison chart for current products from Rogers, Bell and Telus.

Bottom Line: Samsung Galaxy S4 is the best product available today. 

04.08.13: An update comparison between the leading smartphones, a few days ago.

Depending on your needs, it is getting more difficult to determine the best smartphone for your needs.

What stands out in this chart:
1. Talk time - iPhone is much lower - very important
2. Speed - difficult to determine - not important
3. Camera (front) - iPhone not as good, (Back) - equal
4. Texting - about equal

What is not in this chart is even more important to me, as a daily smartphone user who has almost replaced his computer with the phone - Interchangeable battery.

There are three main things that dramatically reduce time between battery charging:
1. screen brightness
2. using Network (wi-fi)
3. using GPS

If you aren't very careful, battery life will not last the whole day.

iPhone is the only one (of the major smartphones) not allowing you to change the battery. 

Here are 10 tips to conserve battery charge. 



12.04.12: This item outlines the Bell iPhone 4S and Galaxy Note and the Rogers iPhone 4S and Galaxy Note.


It also includes Bell and Rogers 4G and LTE offerings. Hopefully, it doesn't add to your confusion.

I have now had time to adjust to non Apple interface.
It took a while ... now understand why those who are Apple stay Apple.


Samsung is the leading maker of Android (non Apple) smartphones. Their newest entry into the cell phone space is the Note.


There are a few reasons I prefer the Galaxy Note: interchangeable battery, larger screen and resolution, ease of transferring data to/from a PC.


Some of the best Apple apps are not available in Android models yet ... but sure to appear in the future.
I will outline useful Android apps in future blog items. 

Here are the specifications for the iPhone 4 and the newest iPhone 4S. 
Pls note the very small front camera (for Skype, Google Talk, etc) for 4 and 4S.

Here is a comparison of iPhone 4S and Galaxy Note.


I'll let you draw your own conclusions on which is better for you.

Bell is offering 4G-LTE in most major areas.


Here is a diagram showing GTA areas a this time.


From what I can tell, at this time, it appears both have very similar coverage and comparable speed.

Rogers has "LTE beyond 4G" in larger city areas (including Markham and Mississauga).




LTE - Long Term Evolution. It is the new international standard for next generation wireless networks, as defined by the International Telecommunications Union.

LTE enables faster HD video streaming, gaming, communications, transactions and other connected experiences through mobile Internet. 

LTE allows significantly more data to pass through a network at speeds of up to 150 Mbps and it will become the foundation in a world defined by connected experiences.

4G - Is the fourth generation of cellphone mobile communications. It is not available yet. It will allow mobile ultra-braodband speed between smartphones and wireless laptops. HD TV steaming, and other high speed transmissions will appear seamless.


To add some confusion, LTE is not really 4G speed but it is close.
Both major carriers are inaccurate and confusing their customers by using LTE with 4G. Rogers is worse by indicating their LTE is "beyond" 4g.


Both are really offering 3GPP Long Term Evolution ... better than standard 3G speed.


LTE Advanced (LTE-A) will appear, eventually, and will be true 4G compliant.


From Wikipedia:
"The first release of the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard does not completely fulfill the ITU 4G requirements called IMT-Advanced. 
First release LTE is not backwards compatible with 3G, but is a pre-4G or 3.9G technology, however sometimes branded "4G" by the service providers. 
Its evolution LTE Advanced is a 4G technology. 
WiMAX is another technology verging on or marketed as 4G."

a couple of useful PC apps

12.04.04: 


Ninite - a very quick and easy application updating tool for your computer. It will update specific apps you might have on your PC. Just select from the apps listed and it will update if the app is out-of-date.


Box - similar to Dropbox but provides 5gb of space (only 2gb for dropbox) but has a 25mb file size limit. 
I also find it much more intuitive to use.

Dropbox - similar to Box but has no file size and you can increase your free space by 250mb every time you get someone to sign up.


I use both Box and Dropbox - depending on file size.

gas prices on the rise

04.03.12: Get ready for a gas price increase ... again!

I am about to rant on gas prices ... but I should really be RANTING about the WASTEFUL use of our tax $s again. 
The F35 fiasco is rearing its ugly head again. But, relax, it is only an additional $10B waste of our tax $s.

Why is it we Canadians don't mind the feds partying with our tax $s ?

I guess we must enjoy paying taxes!

Back on April 25, 2011, I posted an item on Gasbuddy to help you check for lower gas prices when you need to fill up.

Well, gas prices may be $1.40/litre tomorrow and you need to take measures to encourage lower prices and to ensure you are getting a good price when you do fill up.

As you know, I have complained about gas prices in the past. 

We do pay a LOT OF TAX on our gas.

We just returned home from Myrtle Beach and we paid approx $.98/litre for our gas. 

BTW, we averaged 16k/l in our Civic (approx 47MPG - for the oldies - thanks to an Android app for my Samsung smartphone called fuelio).

What really surprised me was the price for 'regular' vs 'premium' gas.

Did you know we pay approx $.15/litre more for premium ... and the Americans pays approx $.15/Gal more for premium. 
Canadians pay a lot more for premium gas than Americans.
Why the dramatic increase for premium here in Canada?

I guess we have to pay for the F35s somehow! 

What really astounds me is how PASSIVE we Canadians are about inequities!!!

I am about to tweet Harper again and really encourage everyone to tweet him and send emails to their MP.


I also will email the auditor general on the excellent unbiased report. 

Planning for the driving future:

1. drive less

2. elect a more responsible government

3. complain to your MP

4. really think about a very efficient vehicle for your next purchase

5. get rid of those pick-up trucks and vans you are driving now - if you want to save money
6. don't but a vehicles that requires premium fuel

It really is time to start serious complaining about our wasted tax $s !!!


Although I like to rant, the one positive of increased gas prices is the growing inevitability of hydrogen fuel as the right answer.

Android Phone vs Apple iPhone

03.16.12: Galaxy Note received and working great!
Confirmed one day and received the next day.
Price was quoted at approx $260 ... but bill shows $99.


03.13.12: Here it is. The future of cell phones!
(left-click to enlarge pic)


Just received my new Samsung Galaxy Note and it is dazzling. 


While the iphone was great ... in the beginning, this android phone is the future (for now)!


Not only is the display huge but the wi-fi at a distance is working very fast and the phone responds MUCH faster than the 3Gs iPhone.


I will post more blogs, as I uncover more of the features.

Rogers is at it again - free faster speed

03.06.12: Rogers did this before and it was unencumbered.


An email just arrived today from Rogers ... for high speed users only.


As of March 8th, speed up to 28Mbps and usage up to 120GB/mo!


The competition must be preparing or already improved their service.


Isn't free enterprise wonderful!


capitalism wonderful.

iPhone - a few last productivity items

03.06.12: supplement to post, I just received an email from Rogers indicating the wrong replacement phone is being sent ... never ceases to amaze me ...
Now I must decline the phone being sent and wait for Rogers to send an email indicating my account has been reset ... before going after the correct replacement.


03.06.12: This may be my last post for iPhone items, as I am replacing it with a Rogers Samsung Galaxy Note LTE (to arrive in the next few days).


While my iPhone still has more than a year to go o n my Rogers plan, somehow, they are giving me this replacement for $65.
I didn't ask why...


Tip 1: Shortcuts (Settings -> General -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts)
This aid is very good for those who text or regularly enter the same long words in emails.
I use it for email addresses, words like "tomorrow", phrases like "in my opinion", etc.


Tip 2: Restrictions (Settings -> General -> Restrictions) 
Turn most of them off to ensure you know what is being downloaded to your iPhone.


Tip 3: Data Roaming (Settings -> General -> Network)
Turn off Data Roaming, to ensure no large charges when travelling. I leave it off at all times.


Tip 4: Location Services (Settings -> Location Services)
While a lot of apps would like to use your current location, it isn't required. 
Turn it off, except when using something like Maps for a non-saved location.
Each time you use Maps to get directions for a location, save it by clicking on the red dot (end location) and then the blue carrot and then "Add to Bookmarks".  
When you turn on Location Services, only allow the app you are using.
This is probably to most battery saving tip available.


If you aren't aware, the main reason I am changing cell phones is lack of wi-fi with my 3gs iPhone.
The latest operating system update (which cannot be undone) made it almost impossible for a lot of iPhones to get wi-fi at more than 10 feet from source.
With earlier releases, it worked at quite a distance from the source.
Apple indicated it is a hardware problem and anyone outside warranty (more than 1 year) should buy a reconditioned 3gs for $160 plus taxes only warranty is 30 days).


Or should I wait for the next gen iPhone...

Tax Time - free Tax program

03.02.12: I really dislike this time of year ... giving the governments money to foolishly waste on jets and G8/G20 sessions  and other non-essential flights of fancy to make them more important internationally.


But this ranting is best placed on my other blog.


StudioTax 2011 is a free Internet Canadian tax preparation application.


It works very well for simple tax preparation and combines husbands/wives quite easily.


It also allows for easy adjusting of T3s and T5s and other joint incomes/expenses between husbands/wives.


It has an easy NETFILE approach and stores easily for retrieval in following years.


It took about two hours to do both returns yesterday (the first time used).


The less time spent doing tax returns the better.