Every weekend we round up the opinions of the Electricpig team on tech issues, inventions new products and more. That time has come. Join us for thoughts and verdicts on Facebook, new laptops, state of the art pens, gaming and more.
Would a Facebook phone actually be a Facebook phone
Reporter, Jennifer Allan isn’t so sure. Rumours swirled around this week after a report suggested that Facebook is building a smartphone. Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg said we won’t see one anytime soon, but if the building of said social branded phone was contracted out wouldn’t that cause it to cease being a Facebook phone? “Yes, it is a Facebook phone, but strictly speaking, it was not built by Facebook,” Jen says.
What is Facebook building? Answers down in the comments section please.
Our man Phil reviews the Samsung R530
Our very own laptop man, Phil Barker reviewed the Samsung R530 for us, proclaiming it as being great value for money, at £520. His verdict:
“The Samsung R530 is a respectable all rounder of a laptop. It’s not particularly inspiring, and some of the plastics used on the bottom feel a little cheap to the touch, but there are few other faults we can find. Performance is also impressive at this price range.”
Review Editor, Ben Sillis on BlackBerry 6 on BlackBerry Torch
BlackBerry 6 features some of the biggest front end changes to the BlackBerry software yet. But is it any good?
Ben loved the Universal search, new app layout, social feeds and its browser, but wasn’t so keen on the screen, and its occasional stickiness. “Pinch to zoom does work of a fashion in the browser on Blackberry 6, but we’ve found that just navigating with your finger alone can be quite tricky – through either slowdown, a glitch, or the responsiveness of the screen, we’re not quite sure.”
He wasn’t so chuffed with its wasted screen space and BlackBerry Maps.
“Do people actually use this? We’re not sure anyone at RIM does, otherwise they would have noticed how slow and ugly it is.” Thankfully you can install Google Maps instead.
Altec Lansing Muzx earphones ear-tested
Looking for new pair of earphones. Andrew Williams tested the Altec Lansing Muzx earphones and was rather pleased.
“What the Altec Lansing Muzx Ultras lack in bass boom and high frequency zing, they more than make up for with detail, insight and a thoroughly satisfying sound.”
Despite the lack of enough bass for Mr. Williams that with a fairer UK price they can compete with some of the best.
“With an immaculately tasteful and balanced sound, we only have to ask why we in the UK are left paying £99.99 when our overseas cousins are paying $99.99. At a fairer translation rate of £79.99 (still a lot more than today’s exchange rate equivalent) these buds would have been nearly unbeatable.”
Livescribe Echo smartpen reviewed
Yes, it’s a pen, but what a pen. “Anyone who’s ever tried to take detailed notes of a meeting, interview or lecture, without hours of shorthand practice, will know how hard it can be to keep up, and stay accurate.”
Buy what makes it so special? Ben?
“…through the magic of an IR camera hiding behind the nib, they’re capable of not only logging your notes, but recording audio, and pairing the two together, letting you skip to find out who said what and when quickly and easily. And in this, the Livescribe Echo, like the Pulse before it, excels.”
Is Heavy Rain with PlayStation Move all it’s cracked up to be?
Heavy Rain, one of the games of 2010 got updated this week with PlayStation Move skills. Is it the game to unleash the potential of Sony’s new motion controller?
Not quite. I reviewed the controls earlier this week and have to say that while it is brilliant at times, it’s very frustrating at other moments. If you’ve already played with a pad, you’ll notice some scenes and movements take longer to do. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Far from it. Though I’m sure I’d have enjoyed it more if my experience wasn’t tainted by past memories of clearing the game with a pad. Check out my review at the link above.
