Archive for October 24, 2014

Telus Announces The Arrival Of The Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Posted in Commentary with tags , on October 24, 2014 by itnerd

Telus just dropped me a note to let me know that the GALAXY Note 4 has arrived on their network. Keeping in line with the Note series tradition, the latest iteration has an impressively large QHD display and a long list of top-tier features including:

  • Massive QHD display: 5.7 inch Quad HD Super AMOLED (2560 x 1440).
  • 2.7 GHz Quad-core processor + 3GB ram: Equipped to handle high-demand apps while multi-tasking.
  • LTE ready + Next-gen WiFi: Super-fast connectivity, featuring up to 75 mbps through our 4G LTE network and compatibility with the latest WiFi technology (802.1 ac)
  • Improved S-Pen: Doubling the levels of pressure sensitivity from 1024 to 2048, the improved S-Pen feels more like a pen on paper. Feeling even more natural as you write, create and share.
  • All day battery + fast charging: Quick charging features can get you from 0% to 50% in roughly 30 minutes.
  • Refined multi-window: Running multiple apps all in one screen gives users the capability for true multi-tasking. Users can now even choose between full, split or pop-up screens.

I’ve requested one from Telus to review. As soon as I get it, I’ll post a review.

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A Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

Posted in Products with tags on October 24, 2014 by itnerd

My day got a tiny bit brighter today as Carbon Computing gave me a call to say that after testing they’ve determined that the hard drive has failed on my ailing MacBook Pro and they’re going to get me a new one. I should have my MacBook Pro back by mid next week. I told that to my wife over iMessage and here’s what she asked me:

Don’t you find it odd that they determined that the drive failed after you went public with this on your blog? 

My response is that I’m going to Carbon Computing a pass on that front. Though my wife is correct in terms of how the optics look from the outside. Thus there seems to be a light at the end of the metaphorical tunnel.

More updates as they come.

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Rogers Lights Up LTE-Advanced Network [UPDATED]

Posted in Commentary with tags on October 24, 2014 by itnerd

I got a note today announcing the fact that Rogers is rolling out their LTE-Advanced network today. The company says it’s the next evolution of wireless technology that combines its 700MHz and AWS spectrum.

The following cities now have this access:

  • Vancouver
  • Edmonton
  • Calgary
  • Windsor
  • London
  • Hamilton
  • Toronto
  • Kingston
  • Moncton
  • Fredericton
  • Halifax
  • Saint John

More locations will be added in the near future. So what does this mean for Rogers consumers? They’ll get faster speeds and better signal coverage indoors and out. That means a better mobile data experience for Rogers customers. Seeing as I have to do a review of a Rogers device this weekend, I’ll try it out and let you know what I find.

UPDATE: I won’t be testing this on the weekend as the device that I have from Rogers doesn’t support LTE-A. Here’s more info:

Right now devices that can take advantage of this new network technology are just starting to become available. The current LTE-A compatible devices are iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Note 4. We’re working with those vendors to implement necessary software. Once that software is tested it will be deployed to customers as an over the air software update that will allow them to take advantage of LTE-A.

However, the good news is that as Rogers is going to get me a device that supports LTE-A soon so that I can test this out.

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Review: 2014 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD – Part 5

Posted in Products with tags on October 24, 2014 by itnerd

So I’ve come to the end of the review of the Mazda CX-9. First let me wrap up a few loose ends. At the end of my week with it I registered 13.4 L/100KM in mixed city and highway driving, a lot of which was in rush hour traffic. I am not sure if the driving conditions contributed to this final result. But seeing that it’s a big seven passenger crossover, I’m not surprised with the result.

So what is the Mazda CX-9 GT AWD going to cost you. As equipped it was $48,090 including freight and PDE. But the CX-9 starts at $33,995 so you can find one that fits your budget. If I were to cross shop it against similar vehicles, I’d pick the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder. You may also want to look at the Infiniti QX-60 and the Acura MDX as well if you are looking for something that would compare against the GT trim level that I drove this week. You’d want to pay attention to how each of those vehicles handles as I suspect that the CX-9 will win on that front with all with the exception of perhaps the Acura MDX which will be close because of the SH-AWD system that includes torque vectoring to improve the handling. A lot of these other vehicles miss out on some of the features that the CX-9 comes with, or you have to check option boxes to get them which will really add up. Thus I believe that the CX-9 will win on that front as well.

So to the woman who wrote in asking me to review the CX-9, my advice would be to take a good hard look at it. It looks good, it handles well, its got the technology you need and I think it’s a great value. I also think its perfect for people who want to look sexy while hauling around a lot of stuff. That’s a win-win in my mind.

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