Monday, April 8, 2013

Took the plunge and got the Z10.

Got the new Blackberry Z10 last Friday. I was one of the last holdouts. I was waiting for the new Q10 to come out but this hunk of junk called the Torch decided to start looking at gravesites. The enemy doesn't always cooperate. Having said that, the Z10 is a pretty cool phone. Here is my totally unprofessional unexpert review based on using it for a weekend.


1. Play with the phone before you slap that otterbox on it. The entire OS is based on swipes. The otterbox covers up a little of the bezel you need to start the swipe but you adjust to it. No problem for me now. However, Get familiar with the phone and how it works for a day or two before you place it in the tomb of Otter.

2. Hub is really cool. Once you figure it out, the swipes and gestures make sense and flow together. Its nice being able to go back and forth between different apps and websites while not completely leaving them. The Hub combines your calls, FB messages, tweets, emails, and texts into one list. Considering how many I get, it helps. The phone imitates the old HP Touchpad WebOS cascades and lets you "peek" at the list before you open one up. You just slide main screen a little to one side and "peek". You remove finger, the screen moves back over.

3. Browser is really fast. Go to html5test.com to see how fast your phone browser is. Z scored a 485 out of 500 when I tested it. ALlows you to place book marked websites on the home screen of the Z itself. Gives you an option to support flash or turn it off.

4. HDMI jack. This might be interesting down the road. Run video or video apps from your phone into a tv. Kangaroo pointed out that HDMI jack means it can handle much more data if used properly.

5. I don't have to have every app under the sun. I was able to get most of the apps I use: Facebook, Twitter, Tunein Radio, Dropbox, Kindle, Docs to go, Wall Street Journal, Apollo (Pandora client), Slacker Radio, and Whatsapp. Skype is on the way. Iheartradio would be nice but I can live without it. There are no Instagram or Pininterest apps. It remains to be seen if the chick apps will make it to the Z. There is no netflix but I don't watch videos on a phone as that is why I have a tablet. It would be nice to have some more news apps but the browser is so good the bookmarked websites are not a bad substitute. As for Instagram, the camera offers many of the same features so you can perform similar functions on the Z.

6. Typing. I held on to the POS torch because I REALLY prefer physical keyboards. I was shocked at this touchscreen keyboard and how easy it is to use. Much easier than the 3GS I tried a couple of years ago. I hated the iphone keyboard but this one is much easier. I like the predictive text and the fact it adapts to you. The keys are larger and more spaced out. On day 4, the keyboard is now applying what it has learned from my bad habits and making the typing easier. Fewer errors and I wasn't as frustrated. I'd heard it was that good but didn't believe it. I was wrong.

7. Blackberry link. You can sync your itunes and other items without hooking up with a USB cable by using wifi. Nice.

8. Battery life is not bad. Supposed to get better once I go through a few cycles.

9. Video and camera. Have not used the video but the camera is pretty nice. You can edit photos similar to Instagram and give them that "aged" look.

Overall, the Z is a good phone and after a few days, I'm flying through the various apps and screens. The phone is larger than an iphone but smaller than a Galaxy.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I purchased a Z10 the day it came out in the AT&T store moving from the Blackberry Torch. It is quite a curve but I am slowly learning and that includes the problem with the Otter Box. One drawback of the Z10 is that it doesn't use BIS causing minor delays on getting your emails to your phone. But overall I think I'm going to like it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review. I've been hanging on to my Blackberry Curve despite frequent ridicule from my friends because I like the keyboard. I use very few apps, but need something that makes it easy to respond to emails and write notes that are sometimes rather lengthy.

Anonymous said...

I don't fool with sports cars. Muscle & trucks all the way.

Anonymous said...

Am I the only person left who doesn't own a cell phone of any sort?

Anonymous said...

1:21 Apparently you are. Think about your lowly status in life during your next trip to the outhouse :-)

Anonymous said...

Am I the only person left who doesn't own a cell phone of any sort?

Yes....and you are my hero!

Anonymous said...

Roman movies, non story on hemp, Kingfish's new phone, flowers weat of Jackson.....Donner Kay has gotta be lovin' this. No news for days.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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