Overview of UMTS / GSM-phone LG Optimus L5 (E610)

Scope of supply:

    Phone
    Battery
    Charger
    USB-cable
    Instruction
Positioning
LG Electronics will start selling the smartphone Optimus L5 (E610), which is the intermediate solution between the budget Optimus L3 and relatively expensive Optimus L7. Unlike older models found in the L5 display with a diagonal smaller, lower resolution, a simple TFT-matrix and weaker processor.
In the price range up to 9,000 rubles, the device boasts a fresh OS Android 4.0.3. However, with the release version of the Jelly Bean Ice Cream Sandwich starts to slowly lose relevance, as Android 4.1 brings "OSes" from Google to a new level. The rest of the smartphone options rather boring: 512 MB RAM, 5 megapixel camera with video recording 0.3 megapixel and 4 GB of Flash-memory.
On the one hand, it turns out it is an attractive gadget, with another - sorrowful little things that could be eliminated, and then, in my opinion, LG Optimus L5 would be a hit. What kind of little things in question, you will learn from this review.


Additionally, you can read the following material:MWC 2012. LG, a series of smartphones «L-Style»
The design, size, controls
Despite the fact that the LG Optimus L7 and L5 looks very similar to each other, yet managed to find the differences in design. First, L5 all corners are sharp, while a slightly rounded bottom L7. Second, P705 slightly thinner (8.7 mm vs. 9.5 for E610). Third, the back cover older model almost completely closes the left and right edges, in addition, it has a different texture: in the longitudinal plane L7, and L5 in the form of rhombs. Effectively looks at the E610, but it felt better in my hand back of the smartphone Optimus L7. In LG L3 rear socket slightly more relief than in the LG L5.As well as the entire line L-style, the device is made entirely of plastic. On sale until the black version is available, will soon be sold and white. And in the first and second cases the front and back panels are painted in appropriate colors. In my opinion, LG Optimus L5 in the "light" looks impressive and elegant. At least, it is less visible traces of fingerprints.Assembled unit is very good, nothing to find fault: there is no vertical or horizontal backlash, the cover does not bend to the battery when not squeezing crunches and creaks.Dimensions of the following LG E610 - 118.3x66.5x9.5 mm, weight - 125 grams; LG E400 - 102.6x61.6x11.9 mm, weight - 110 grams; LG P705 - 125.5x67x8.7 mm, weight - 122 grams; Prada by LG 3.0 - 127.5x69x8.5 mm, weight - 138 grams. Incidentally, an interesting novelty, used a technique called «Floating Mass Technology» - is an optical effect of the perception of a lesser thickness than it actually is. Due to the small size and weight of the LG L5 is excellent in hand, they are a little easier to manage than the LG L7 through the use of a smaller display size. Phone fits in the pockets of jeans or trousers, but be prepared for the fact that the angular form of L5, probably will be felt when you bend over or sit down. It is best to wear a jacket or top shirt pocket.Display marks, prints quickly cover the surface, but erased relatively easily and quickly. The display is not protected by glass, Gorilla Glass, as it was implemented in Optimus P705.The front panel is a proximity sensor. Responds quickly and accurately. Light sensor in the device does not. Nearby earpiece. Its volume is slightly above average (in L7 was loud), the interlocutor clearly audible, the sound pleasant, but the bass is slightly smaller than in the dynamics of the LG Optimus P705.
Under the screen is recessed into the casing mechanical button "Home". Its size 14h5 mm, rectangular shape with smooth edges. The course of the minimum, pressing hard. To the left of "Home" - touch "Back" and the right - the "Menu". Since I have long enjoyed the L7, like the button layout I already did not cause any problems.At the bottom end - microUSB and a microphone on the top - the standard 3.5 mm jack for headphones and on / off button (almost drowned in the body). On the right there are no elements, and the left - the key-volume control: thin and long, gently rising above the body, and find it almost impossible to finger.Speakerphone is located on the back side, the same camera and flash unit. To remove the back cover, you must hook the tab at the top. Memory card slot can be found on the left (supported by "hot" replacement), a slot for a SIM-card - on the battery (but removed it would still have).
Display
Smartphone LG Optimus L5 equipped with a relatively large display - 4 inches (physical size - 84h56) for the price range of smartphones to 9000 rubles. However, the resolution left at the level of low-end phones - 320x480 pixels (density - 144 pixels per inch). And this is the first observation. The second - low quality of the matrix: for any modelki phone from Fly would be forgivable, but not for large Vender. Viewing angles are small: for example, inclined screen colors are inverted itself from itself - falls contrast, and when turning right or left, the image takes on a purple hue, and slightly decreases the brightness. Even the Chinese Highscreen Yummy Duo and the quality is better.The matrix is ​​made by technology TFT-LCD, capable of displaying 16 million colors. The sensor, of course, the capacitive type, work out up to 5 simultaneous touches. Sensitivity slightly above average, ie on L7 is still better.The brightness is high, and in daylight it is enough for comfortable reading from the screen. But the sun is still blind, and quite strongly.In general, the quality of the screen LG Optimus E610 disappointing, especially after a smart IPS-matrix in the LG Optimus P705. The absence of light sensor also did not play into the hands of the phone.In the setting of "Display" to enable or disable auto-rotation, put up the font size (normal or large), enable or disable the backlight time, and is configured to turn off the screen (from 15 seconds to 10 minutes).Battery

In LG L5 uses a removable lithium-ion (Li-Ion) Battery 1500 mAh, 3.8, 6.5, Tues If we compare the time of L7 and L5, the latter holds a charge a little longer, perhaps because of the low resolution and low-quality matrix display, and use less processor power.The promised battery life - up to 10 hours talk time and up to 900 hours (just over a month) in standby mode. Partially, in practice, these data are confirmed:
    Only in the talk mode - up to 8 hours
    Only in the playback of music - up to 35 hours
    Only when playing a video (maximum brightness, the maximum volume in the headphones) - about 6.5 hours
    Only the game (for example, «Running Fred») - a little over 4 hours
    Just surfing the web (for Wi-Fi, brightness 40%) - up to 10 hours
    Just surfing the web (3G, brightness ranged from 40 to 100%) - 7 - 8 hours
If you use the phone about 14 - 15 hours, the battery is fully discharged if: 15-25 minutes a day, 3 hours of Wi-Fi-Internet (Twitter, email, downloading applications and installing them), about 5 hours of mobile internet
Test Antutu
In the "Energy" has the following items:

    Auto-sync (on or off)
    Wi-Fi (disable if not connected)
    Bluetooth
    Brightness (10 - 50%)
    Time to turn off the screen (15 or 30 seconds, 1 minute)
    Highlighting the front buttons (or 1.5 seconds off)
    Enable or disable the display of the charge as a percentage
    Flow Battery
    Tips for each item
Communications capabilities

The smartphone works in GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 900/2100. The speed HSDPA - 7,2 Mbit / s (LG Optimus L7 - up to 21 Mbit / s), HSUPA - 5.76 Mb / s, EDGE - 236 Kbit / s, GPRS 32-48 Kbps / sec. In the "network settings" there are a few points: data transmission, data roaming, network mode (automatic switching between GSM / WCDMA, WCDMA only or GSM), access point, "only network 2G» and the choice of carriers (either automatically or manually) .There is a Bluetooth version 3.0 with A2DP, and a module Wi-Fi (802.11 a / b / g / n) supports Wi-Fi Direct. The phone can be used as an access point (Wi-Fi hotspot). Sensitivity Wi-Fi did not cause any complaints that even in difficult conditions 1.2 shows the division.For data transfer and synchronization of USB 2.0 is present. When connected to a PC to the smartphone screen menu appears with the choice of actions:
    Charge only
    Synchronization of the carrier (you can see the internal memory card microSD)
    Total USB-modem
    Software from LG
Memory and Memory Card

The smartphone LG Optimus L5 512 MB of RAM, with about 160 MB is available. Note that this memory Optimus L7 was about 110 MB. Unfortunately, LG E610 behaves exactly the same as the older model: the impression that not enough memory, when in fact (according to the application manager) it should be enough. For example, when switching from one application to another machine can think as much as 2-3 seconds. It happens not often, but Skype is running this way. In this case, a council - more often unload the application from the "RAM".The installation of applications allocated 4 GB of Flash-memory, but is free of about 2.6 GB. So, the memory card (maximum - 32 GB) you need to buy.
Camera

Oddly enough, but Optimus E610 uses the exact same camera module (5 megapixel autofocus camera), as in Optimus P705. There is a flash, but there is no front camera. It seems to me, this is a small but negative karma in the LG, because now more and more are beginning to use video chat, especially on vehicles in the medium price range.The maximum size of photos - 2560x1920 pixels, video - 640x480 pixels. Interestingly, this low-resolution video can be fully justified the low price on the gadget, which can not be said about the LG P705, who writes movies in the same capacity.In general, the pictures are pretty good: good detail, the correct white balance, more or less normal dynamic range. We were pleased and the minimum focusing distance - 20-30 mm.A separate button to activate the camera there, so it runs through a shortcut in the menu or the "Screen Lock". For guidance on the sharpness of the need to touch the screen ("tachfokus") or just press the touch shutter button - it will auto focus.Interface photo mode: Left - Activate the gate, switching between photo and video, the transition to the gallery, on the left - "Zoom" brightness modes, flash settings; top - resolution shooting mode, memory, battery life and number of exposures remaining .
Options:

    Focus (auto, face tracking)
    Image size (5 MP, 3 MP, W3M, an MP and W1M)
    Scene modes (Normal, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Sunset and Night)
    ISO (100, 200, 400, and auto)
    White Balance
    Color effects
    Timer
    Geo-
    Shutter Sound
    Auto @ MAIL_RU Auto (turn, turn, 2 or 5 seconds)
    Memory (microSD card or internal memory)
Interface photo mode: Left - Activate the gate, switching between photo and video, the transition to the gallery, on the left - zoom, brightness, resolution, flash and configuration from above - the sound, memory and battery power.
Options:

    White Balance
    Color effects
    Geo-
    Sound (recorded or not)
    Auto @ MAIL_RU Auto (turn, turn, 2 or 5 seconds)
    Memory (microSD card or internal memory)
"Gallery" shows a slightly modified album Android 4.0.
Feature video:

    Format: MP4
    Video: AVC, 2000 Mbit / sec
    Resolution: 640x480, 30 fps /
    Audio: AAC, 156 kbit / s
    Channels: 1 channel, 48 kHz
Examples of photos:
Performance

LG is set to the model Optimus L5 Qulacomm MSM7225 chipset with the letter "a." This means that there is set a single-core processor ARMv7-Cortex-A5 (http://www.arm.com/products/processors/cortex-a/cortex-a5.php), running at a clock frequency of 800 MHz (minimum - 320 MHz .) In this case, DPS - Hexagon QDSP5 at 350 MHz, Adreno 200 graphics accelerator, and the process technology - 45 nm. Recall that in the LG Optimus L3 MSM7225a chipset is used, while in the LG Optimus L7 - Qulacomm MSM7227a (1 GHz). The difference lies in the fact that MSM7225a works on processors with a clock frequency of 600 MHz to 800 MHz, and MSM7227a - from 800 MHz to 1000 MHz.In all these models use a graphics accelerator Adreno 200. I wonder what he is able to pull toys such as «ShadowGun» - personally, I was surprised. However, despite the very good performance, in general, the smartphone behaves slowly: long runs some applications, slowly unloads the program from memory, sometimes podlagivaet interface. It seems that the blame for this is not fully optimized hull, because the same problems the LG P705.By the way, for the latest release of new firmware, but it had no effect on the speed of the device.
Short facts:
Benchmarks:
Quadrant Standart
Antutu Benchmark
Nenamark 2
Navigation
The smartphone has GPS-navigator. Its functionality is the same as in most budget phones. "Cold" start - about seven minutes, "hot" - up to 10-15 seconds. Due to the fact that it is set «gpsONE Gen 7" - no GLONASS.
The software platform

The test sample runs on the operating system Google Android 4.0.3, and this is a significant plus, because so far most of the vehicles did not receive ICS.
The shell and menu

To activate the backlight, press the power key or the "Home". On the "lock screen" provides information about the time, date, and the network. They are branded widgets. To configure them should go to "Lock Screen". It contains:
    The choice of locking the screen (hold your finger, graphic key, PIN or password)
    Wallpaper
    Widgets and labels (labels are assigned to four, three widgets available hours)
In this section, in the LG E610 have additional widgets - 2 types of calendar.
To unlock, you need to run your finger across the screen. This function is very original: while moving your finger in a circle appears smooth "main desktop".
"The main desktop" presented widgets and shortcuts. To configure it, you must click on the "Menu" and select the appropriate item, comprising:
    Animation (the animation to show or not)
    Effects on the screen (the main, the breeze, accordion, pan, carousel, Jeng, dominoes)
    Wallpaper
 

 Browse wallpapers (whether or not scroll when scrolling desktop wallpaper)
    Rotating the screen (showing the first working table after the last one)
Falling outside the upper pane contains shortcuts to quickly launch Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or those that you set by pressing the button "Edit". On the same panel are the start button settings, and various notices. They can be removed by holding a finger on them or by clicking the cross at the top right."Four" labels can be replaced by other elements ("Menu" can not be removed). To view all desktops (there are 5), you pinch your fingers to move the center of the screen.The new firmware application appeared «Quick Memo» - quick notes on the smartphone screen. In particular, it can take screenshots. Located in the system tray, top left.
Menu. At the top are tabs "Applications", "Loaded" and "Widgets". The button "More icons" is missing. The screen can fit up to 16 labels 4x4 grid.If you do not like shell, you can always install any other, but switch to a "bare» ICS-processing impossible.
Challenge

Dialer large and comfortable. When entering the first digit, a list of subscribers with matching numbers. When you call on a huge screen is displayed full-screen avatar of contact and, unfortunately, the picture quality is poor. To make it high, you must re-set photos subscribers.
Also during the call are displayed as buttons, "the inclusion of hands-free", "contacts", "call dialer ',' on / off Bluetooth» and "mute." In the call log displays a list of incoming and outgoing calls.
"Contacts" are presented alphabetically ordered list. On the right you can select a letter that begins the name or the name of the subscriber. To create a new contact, you must click on the "plus" at the top of the screen. Each contact is logged the following information:
    Avatar
    Name
    Phone
    E-mail
    Group
    Mailing address
    The organization and more
Messages

For typing the keyboard uses a proprietary LG, similar to the "ayfonovskuyu." The characters are large, well separated from each other. Print is very convenient. Language is switched by pressing the RU / EN. Type can be a landscape or portrait. In the box, enter text above shows the number of remaining characters. Long-term retention of key 123 will launch the keyboard configuration.For those who have vision problems, I advise you to switch the font size in "Display" to "Large." Really nice feature.Once again, that those who are looking for a smartphone with a large font (in sms menu and settings) - suggest a closer look at LG Optimus L5 and L7. In the latter the font size even more.
Applications

I see no reason to re-enumerate all of the program. If you want to - read the previous reviews smartphone LG. There is a standard software from Google and LG. Below - the screenshots.
Web Browser

Used proprietary viewer web pages. Pretty and quite functional. There is a function of the original magnification: keep the "+" button (located in the center of the bottom), and tilt the phone down or lift up. Despite the fact that the device operates at AMRv7-processor, for reasons unknown to me there was no Flash. I tried to install other web browsers, set the "flash" player - did not help. Rather, blame the test sample, so as to LG Optimus P705, and LG Optimus E400 everything works fine.
Multimedia
Music Player

The player can sort songs by artist, album, songs and folders. When playing music, the screen displays: a huge album art, artist name and album title, below - the player control buttons. In the setting of: search, add favorites, SmartShare, add to the playlist, delete, share (note, Bluetooth, Gmail, Skype, SMS / MMS), set as ring tone, information and settings.
Options:
    Show notifications (on off).
    Sleep Timer (off, 10, 20, 30 minutes, 1 or 2 hours)
    Equalizer (off, reducing the bass, treble increase, the increase in bass, vocal enhancement, amplification for headphones)

The standard music player do not advise to use: it produces is not very high-quality sound. I installed one of the most popular - PowerAMP. C and tested them music features LG Optimus L5.

The volume of the headphones is high. Well designed low and high frequencies, averages, as it seemed a little overwhelmed.
The speaker volume is slightly above average.

Supported formats are the default music: MP3, AAC, AAC +, AMR, MP3, MIDI, WAV, WMA
FM-radio

Works in a range FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz. The screen displays the frequency scale, configuration, 6 cell to save the most interesting station to listen to the speaker on and off. The volume of the headphones just above the middle, the receiver sensitivity is good.
Video player

All I said in the review of LG Optimus L3 and L7, in general, valid for L5. In short, the player plays standard formats AVI, MP4 and 3GP, recorded codecs DivX, H263, H264 and MPEG-4.If you are installing, for example, MX Video Player list of supported formats and codecs expands. Maximum resolution may not exceed 1280x720 pixels (the resolution is "for show" - watch the slideshow is unlikely anyone will). Conventional DVDRip come without problems.
Conclusion

The connection quality is good at any other smartphone LG. Vibrating alert is quite noticeable in the pockets of clothing.In my opinion, after the tests L3/L5/L7, I can confidently say that the entire line of «L» has turned out some not fully thought out. For example, take the LG Optimus L3: a convenient, fast and nice, but the screen resolution - 240x320 pixels. Smartphone Optimus L7 - everything seems to be fine, but video, he wrote in the resolution of 0.3 megapixels, and the processor is almost the same "dead" in its price category. With the apparatus Optimus L5 similar story: when a sufficiently large diagonal - poor quality and low-resolution matrix, besides there is no front camera.Direct competitors like it is not so much, but a shame that because of "defects" must oscillate between smartphones, instead of explicitly choose, for example, LG E610, whether there is more resolution and slightly better than the quality of the matrix.
Prior to 9000 rubles worth a closer look at the following devices:
ZTE V880E (two "Sims", 4-inch screen with a resolution of 480x800 pixels, 1 GHz processor).
ZTE V880E: Give two!

Fly IQ280 Tech (4-inch screen with 480x800 resolution and IPS-matrix, 1.2 GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 is the front camera).
Overview of UMTS / GSM-phone Fly Turbo

Sony Ericsson Live With Walkman (small screen, but a powerful processor, excellent camera with the ability to record HD-video, there is a front camera).
Review of GSM / UMTS-phone Sony Ericsson Live With Walkman (WT19i)

Fly IQ255 (Dual SIM, 4-inch screen with a resolution of 320x480, 512 MB RAM, 1 GHz processor, 3G, and a ridiculous price - 6490 rubles).
Pros:
    Android 4.0
    Stand-alone operation
    Large diagonal display
    Slim design
    Good build
    Not a bad camera
Cons:
    The low resolution of the display
    Poor quality matrix display
    The lack of Flash in the browser (perhaps a bug of the sample)
Specifications:
    Class: smartphone
    Form Factor: candy bar
    Materials: plastic
    Operating system: Google Android 4.0.3
    Network: GSM / EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS / HSDPA 900/2100
    CPU: Single Core, 800 MHz, Qualcomm MSM7225a
    Memory: 512 MB
    Data Memory: 4 GB (2.6 GB available)
    Connectivity: Wi-Fi (b / g / n /), Bluetooth 3.0 (A2DP), connector microUSB (USB 2.0) for charging / sync, 3.5mm headset jack
    Screen: capacitive, TFT-LCD 4'' with a resolution of 320x480 pixels
    Camera: 5 megapixel autofocus camera + LED-flash
    Navigation: GPS
    Optional: accelerometer sensor approach, FM-radio
    Battery: removable, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) 1700 mAh
    Dimensions: 125.5x67x8.7 mm
    Weight: 122 grams

The crisis in the HTC. Ways out

The fact that HTC is in crisis, I think it is no secret. And the fact that now this crisis has only worsened, it may become for some news, but it is so. Just look at the value of the shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange HTC and look at the latest high-end smartphone sales and falling profits. Judge for yourself in the middle of 2011 the value of one share of HTC was about U.S. $ 40, but now - less than $ 10. Production line of One, it would seem, will help a little to rectify the situation, but actually selling One X were low because of competition from the Samsung Galaxy S III, and the model One S, is more interesting in terms of price and features, still been overrated at the start sales, in addition, the company did not advertise this product.

In this article I will try to dream a little bit on the "way out of HTC's crisis", the first half of the article will focus on options for vehicles, which could make the HTC, in my custom view, and in the second, we briefly talk about real solutions that could be to apply the company.
The company one product

Today the company is a product called Apple. Not in the sense that Apple has been one successful device of all time, we are talking about the actual products. In the case of Apple's one - a maximum of two phones, a tablet, a few laptops and, perhaps, everything. The company updates its device once a year and a half, simply by replacing the actual product is the next innovation, expansion no lineup, no dashing experiments. However, HTC, oddly enough, throughout its history, the company had one product. Yes, the manufacturer now has a serious range of smartphones in the past, the company was not a unit in the year, but the hit single became a model at different times, they were different characters.

Following the rebranding of the company and to market the eponymous brand HTC, while popular and commercially successful was the communicator HTC P3300, known as the HTC Artemis. The next model, which sold well, was the HTC Touch - the first device with a proprietary coating. Then there was the Touch Diamond - the most compact and beautiful (both in design and interface) on Windows Mobile device at the time. Well, then the time has come Android - HTC Hero, HTC Desire and the Incredible S. Around the same time, the company has released one of the last successful Windows Mobile devices - HTC HD2, but in the latter case, it was not about sales, but rather about people's love for the device. Over the years HTC conducted various experiments, trying to make more products of the middle class, tried to enter the market available "sensornikov" with a closed system (HTC Smart), mastering Windows Phone. However, with the Incredible S, in my opinion, the case of HTC were to go down the ramp. Next, after the flagship of HTC Desire HD, HTC Sensation, has proven controversial and ambiguous, moreover, he dropped out to compete with Samsung Galaxy S II - plastic bricks without design, but with different characteristics, in what direction or spit: camera, screen, sound, time, the performance - it was all good.Buying in 2011 a majority stake Beats Electronics, produces branded headphones Beats Audio, in my opinion, another blunder HTC. Then I did not think so, yes, probably a lot of people did not think waiting for HTC's new class of products with a gorgeous sound. In fact, the company began to sculpt the body Beats Audio logo, and is equipped with some good headphones a few smartphones of the brand, that's all. Neither of which work on a real musical devices of speech was not conducted, and 27 July, the company has returned and did a 25% stake back to Beats Electronics.In early 2012 the hope of improving the situation in the company became a ruler HTC One - vehicles with a cool design and good performance. But consistently high product prices and fast for the HTC HTC One X output of its main competitor, Samsung Galaxy S III, spoiled the whole raspberries for the company, and now we have what we have, HTC is in a difficult situation, but loud enough about it yet who is speaking. It seems to me that the surest way for the company - concentration of all efforts around a single top-end product, and only then release him after a few models are simpler, as it did before, at the beginning. Indirectly, this path is confirmed by the company itself, for example, CEO HTC Peter Chou in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal said that in future the company will try to focus on expensive, high-end products and will not spoil the image of the release of budget decisions. The interview can be found here (English, to register on the site).However, Peter Chou in an interview does not give any specific examples of future smart phones and devices, I suggest you reflect on this theme.
Music smartphone

Are there any smartphones in the market of music? In my opinion, no. The first and only musical, good smartphone was Nokia N91, the legendary machine. All that was done after it came out and the nameplates under the "musical" way or the other contained a fair amount of marketing and at least the soul.
Review of GSM / UMTS-smartphone Nokia N91

Meanwhile, today, users listen to music on the smartphone much more, because market players dies and replace it just phones and smartphones. That is, the niche is, but no one to fill it in a hurry. Of course, most have enough opportunities to listen to music absolutely any smartphone with a 3.5 mm jack, and there are now many, but what if HTC will do a music machine?Smartphone with good characteristics at the time of, say, if this is 2012, the machine with a 4 "screen resolution of 1280x720 pixels, a gigabyte of RAM and a fast platform from nVIDIA and Qualcomm. 8 megapixel camera with no frills, and then starts the main thing. Musically, the smartphone must be at least 64 GB of internal memory, optional memory card slot. Included - quality headphones, just with the the HTC problems should arise. During the processing of sound quality must meet a separate chip, not a mass solution used in smartphones today, and something really good that even fans of the "warm tube sound" after listening to music on this unit would buy him as a player and phone recommend to friends and happily exchanged views on the Internet. This is important because it is such an audience the device can start collecting praise on forums and other sources. And in the end of the picture, the smartphone must be equipped with a good music player level PowerAMP, with support for "out of the box" most of the existing audio formats, including uncompressed audio formats. Of course, this should be music smart phone quality hardware music keys, despite the fact that many people seem to like touch buttons are just as comfortable, it is a myth and simply addictive.It may be noted that some old school turns out a product that now even in the players touch the button, and uncompressed audio to the mass market, nobody wants. To this I can only say one thing - the mass market is now the flagship products from Sony, HTC and LG do not want anyone in particular, as people choose between the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S. I do not like the prevailing situation, and, in my opinion, the release by HTC's now a truly musical leader could seriously shake up the market for expensive smartphones, cheer him.
"Camera Phone"

One would think, why HTC do another fotoflagman when there is One X? That may be so, the company has really focused attention on the new smartphone camera and its photographic capabilities. But the reality is slightly different. Yes, the HTC One X a good camera, but that's all over, in the sense that fotosostavlyayuschey unit does not have enough stars from the sky, it just is not inferior to its competitors.
Review of Nokia smartphone 808 - 41 megapixel camera

In my opinion, quality modern fotoflagman - a cross between the Nokia 808 and apparatus PureView level Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X and Sony Xperia S. Such a smart phone should have good performance (see "music smart"), and worked out all the details related to photofraction. This is, firstly, the hardware keys photos and videos on the body, and separate. Secondly, securely protected from dust and scratches and other damage, the camera lens, ideally an indoor automatic or manual shutter or some other mechanism. Third, xenon flash, which in some situations it may be useful to the standard LED flashlight in most modern smartphones. Fourth, thoughtful software, this item is already in the HTC One X. Naturally, we need study details, such as the ability to quickly turn the camera from the locked state of the smartphone and easy changing of important settings. And most importantly - quality camera module with a maximum in comparison with the mass smartphones resolution (12 MP and above) to the unit stand out compared to other devices on this parameter.
Dual-SIM flagship

I do not know how this idea can be demanded by the market, but why not? What if HTC will make the device, technically almost the same smartphone One X, but with support for two SIM-cards and two radios? However, in this case, the device needs to be done at least twice as thick and set back a good battery for HTC this is probably a capacity of about 2700-3000 mAh battery only on a dual-SIM device with two radios will show a decent time, I think .Plus the idea that this unique solution on the market today simply does not. Almost (or all) machines do not even middle segment with two radios, dual-SIM champions either, although the market for such smartphones, with support for two SIM-cards is growing steadily, it is still limited by the budget sector.The company HTC is now only one example of dual-SIM device, and that, in my opinion, it is not good, so that practice in this promising area HTC have not stopped.
Review of dual-SIM smartphone HTC Desire V
Technically perfect smartphone

Three or four years ago, when released HTC devices like the HTC HD2, HTC TyTN II and some other major advantage over its competitors of the company (then still on the market of Windows Mobile) was an excellent combination of performance, functionality and stability of the devices. Of course, competitors, and while the HTC were weaker than they are now, but the company has changed from the time course of development, shifting the emphasis from hardware to software and additional services.
Review of GSM / UMTS-smartphone HTC HD2

What if the company to try again to do what had turned out the HTC is best? I mean, uncompromising leader of a surplus at the time of performance in everything. If this unit is out now in place HTC One X, it would have to possess characteristics similar to the following levels: quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro platform from Qualcomm, 4 GB RAM, 64-128 GB of internal memory and card slot, a screen with a diagonal 4-5 "and FullHD resolution 1920x1080 pixels, 12-megapixel camera, of course, that all wireless interfaces and capacity battery and a spare battery included. It looks as if HTC could even do something similar, then the cost of the phones would have been enormous. On the other hand, is now the flagship HTC is not the official price of space?
Smartphone Game

After the failure of the market game Android-smartphone Sony Ericsson Xperia Play hard to believe that this segment can be popular. However, it seems to me that if the HTC smartphone could provide the level of One S in characteristics, but with more memory and a slot for the card, as well as the larger screen and, most importantly, convenient hardware buttons for games - the device could become popular. It would be important to produce a smartphone soon with lots of cool games already installed, so that users do not have to look for them yourself after purchase, well, and most importantly, of course, price. If you install the game on the price of a smartphone that level, which was chosen at the start for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play - will not be buying it, but whether HTC put the price lower? Hardly.
Review of GSM / UMTS-smartphone Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Inexpensive flagship

One of the most logical scenarios for HTC in the current situation, I think. Make a machine with good quality materials and expensive housing, recognizable and interesting design, as well as good, but not more, performance, and promote it as a flagship. That is, if it happened now, smartphone technical level about HTC One S, but sold at the start at the right price in the area of ​​20 000 rubles for Russia. At the same time imagine that HTC One X, the company simply does not in this case, and all efforts are to promote the One S, and because this is really good and smart at the start, the company put him to the normal price (we are, again, of Russia) He would have sold well.
Overview of the smartphone HTC One S

For companies, this option is good for the fact that efforts will be shifted from the promotion is not the most successful leader, who is competing now with the Samsung Galaxy S III, to work with a more interesting unit of medium-high price range, which the producers do not pay so much attention . Of course, all companies have a similar model, but the emphasis is, as a rule, it is the flagship, as in matters of support and upgrades, and in terms of advertising and other things. So for HTC shift to a simpler segment winnings from all sides: less competition, not so much the cost of funds.
Go to Microsoft and make Windows Phone

There is another option, not the most happy, judging by the situation in Nokia, but it should not be written off. HTC is an old friend from Microsoft can, starting with Windows Phone 8, concentrated their efforts on this operating system, and produce in the future, more WP-smart, not Android-devices. It is not clear what will happen with an interface that Microsoft's WP7 saves and does not allow the change, what will happen to pricing and so on, but the possibility of a shift of focus on Windows Phone from HTC, perhaps, always remains. In Microsoft and will be happy to do such a sudden turn from the Taiwanese manufacturer and was once one of the main partners of the progress of MS Windows Mobile and manufacture of devices on it.
Out of the Crisis in reality

All of the above options - of course, no more than my imagination. Some, such as music smartphone, hardly would have been popular, while others, such as "camera phone" would be a small sale in any case, even in the presence of informational noise around the device, as is the case with the Nokia 808 PureView.
The reality is that companies in any case it is necessary to reduce the cost of its smartphones in some markets, this applies to Russia in full measure. It is possible to do so by sacrificing profit or conditions of work with partners, but this should be done.The second point - you need to focus on one or two, maximum three products to the end of the year, and next year also demonstrate just a few novelties. It should be very well thought-out and a small line of smart phones, where each device is interesting in itself and there are no intersections that occur today between different devices from HTC, technically similar, externally, and everything else. In addition, companies should try to release updates as quickly as possible to their Android-devices, and work on the WP-devices in the current situation may be better to minimize, though with the release of Windows Phone 8, probably, the company is worth to try their hand with the the system again.
The last and probably the most difficult decision - refusal of a proprietary interface HTC Sense. Personally, I like this the shell is still like it, not even so - enjoy! - This is what touches me in smartphones from HTC and makes them for me, unlike the other devices from other manufacturers. But we must face the truth - since about version of Sense 2.5 is introduced into the shell of more obscure changes than extremely positive. Yes, interesting ideas and details in Sense still missing, but every year the standard Android interface for ease of getting better and catching up with Sense. Of course, the beauty of the underlying interface to the Android shell from HTC yet oh how far, but they are functionally similar. And after one or at most two years, the standard Android interface with the specified rate of development now, I'm sure will be better than the HTC Sense. In this situation, the company simply does not make sense to further develop a proprietary membrane, where it can be used at no cost standard of the same level of performance. And freed from the development of resources Sense HTC can to put on more important - the release of stable firmware, the ideal job at the start of smartphones, improvements in power consumption and much more.
Conclusion

I am the current situation in the smartphone market seems bleak, to be honest. There is a current-generation Apple iPhone, now it is 4s, soon will the fifth version. The unit will buy, how strange it is, would not happened without a doubt. There is a Samsung with its Galaxy S III in the glossy casing and Mark designed in the style of "remnant TM».

Unidentified Flying Operator

Nearly all the week I spent in Vladivostok, so many things in this release due to the city. For example, in Vladivostok, is often dictated by a number like: 2321111 MTS, and do not say all the numbers. It is convenient to understand who you call on any network operator.During the trip, I sincerely tried to run the project FireFox OS, which is created as an alternative to modern operating systems such as Android. For smartphones and tablets. Up to this point, I tried this OS on the device, but want to play on the computer, realized that the process is so complex, thorny and non-obvious that the cast on the second day, all attempts. It is precisely that it is not necessary. The company, which wants to create something that would be perceived by people to think about them from the outset, rather than creating something for the developers, which, however, judging by the comments on the forums, too, did not understand the whole sequence of steps to run the emulator. In a word, not done for the people. But this is just one of those, there were many such, in this issue focus on only a few.
UFO over Russia - my experience
The strongest impression of the week for me was Transaero flight to Vladivostok. About the company modestly keep silent because I use it very rarely and only at times when no other flights. Call myself a regular user of Transaero can not - I fly again, maybe twice a year. Based on the fact that in a month I had 5.6 visits, Transaero share in them is negligible.The first shock for me was the equipment Boeing 777-300, which control panels are made entertainment center on Android. Large screens are built into the seat in front, but the remote is in your arm. This unassuming plastic box on the screen where I saw the usual menu of Android-smartphone interface version 2.3. After a short study settings, and it appears to me that the Archos 43, are just considerably transformed his appearance. My neighbor, someone from the soul the body worked on, he just smashed.However, the fact that I have this board is not broken, do not say that it works. Connection with the system it does not have cable, which it is attached does not work. You can watch local files that are stored in memory, but you can not do more. I was not comfortable asking a neighbor to pull out of his control, to dissect the patient, because he, unlike me, was the custom, unofficial firmware Android. I saw it on the screen load.Does a good idea to take a sample Android-smartphone as a remote control entertainment center in the plane? To my taste, the idea is not a failure, and it depends entirely on the implementation. For example, in this particular case, this implementation deserves censure. Close the console armrest in a niche heavily, he continues to work and heated. There is no connection to the screen is not, however, my observation of the business class passengers have shown that the most popular request was to screen approximately Fill all white light saver disabled. Some "lucky" screens are turned off, and then they were constructed on the back of the chair makeshift curtain, because that looked through a glowing screen.My attempt to order a movie from downloading from the remote central control has failed. I was given a booklet with movies, but the fact that it describes, on board just was not there. In the end, spat, and decided that an attempt to see the old movies - not such a good idea and have a nap.While comfortably arranged, could not let go of the idea that using your smartphone as a remote control - the idea is correct. You can create a very flexible solution that will not cost millions, but it will give new opportunities and give the company an image carrier technology. In my example, Transaero could make an image of "stick-rope," because, in the opinion of staff, these consoles break after the first flight, and work with them is impossible. Something like that.
Placing a pillow under my head, I settled down to sleep. In the headphones sounded my favorite band, the dream was in some moments. Suddenly the phone from which the music was playing, he began to vibrate in his pocket, and the headphones come sounds of SMS-messages. Dream as if by magic, because I thought that the phone just gave some interesting crashes. Pulling it out of my pocket, I was surprised. My phone was hooked at an altitude of 10 kilometers of any network, for some reason, noting it as a roaming (and this over the territory of Russia). However, in the SMS, I found this following message:It turns out that the Transaero began providing communications services on board the aircraft, and I missed that moment! In early 2011, Aeroflot with Megafon launched the service on two planes in Russia, it was the first test, and then a commercial operation, I wrote about it here.Amazing Stories is that Aeroflot has not expanded the number of aircraft that provide this service. For example, in the U.S. on board a Delta aircraft availability of Wi-Fi has become habitual, routine stuff. We are perceived as something special. The fact that Transaero had this service, I had absolutely nothing is known.I tried to send SMS-messages, and they went perfect destination, I soon began to receive responses. A total of ten SMS, each reached almost instantly. I recall that it happened at an altitude of ten kilometers. Trying to connect Wi-Fi has been successful - there was a dialog box from T-Mobile, in which it was possible to pay 500 rubles for an hour or a thousand rubles for the unlimited internet for the duration of the flight. Unfortunately, data entry card system is thrown back and try this kind of connection I could not. Here are the screenshots, as well as to say that even in the running test operation of the service, we can not read pages and avoid gross errors in words.My colleague enthusiastically experimented with the emerging possibilities of communication, and here we declassified one of the attendants, she said, "try our Internet on board?". I was stupid enough to say that not only internet but also mobile phones, in particular, SMS. She immediately went, and all communication has disappeared. Further inquiries were met at the answers that the staff does not know anything about the service, they were not briefed before the flight and so on. By the end of the flight network did not rise more.The press service of Transaero I posted a query about the service, until he received no answer, but happy to introduce you to him when he comes. My statement, which went through the SMS-message to the pre-drill, they are not shown. How can this be, I do not quite understand. It turns out that the cost of messages sent from the aircraft for me is zero. Of course, it remains possible that in the preliminary, technical details of these SMS is not displayed and they will appear later in full detail. But something tells me that this does not happen.What does all this happen? The answer is not an idle question, since this story many dimensions. For example, fairly and responsibly trying to find a license for telecommunications services in Russia for the company or its subsidiaries Transaero, including the aircraft version of this license to other countries. Could not find. I tried to find at least some mention of the fact that such a system test Transaero - also empty.I do not ever fly on airplanes Transaero and I can not say that this is not an isolated case. I just do not have such statistics, and can not be. Another thing is that the airline violated virtually all of the requirements of regulatory authorities in Russia, as well as SORM2. In fact, on board the aircraft when operating a base station can send as SMS, and other communications to any room in the world that will not be controlled by the Russian security services. Mode of paranoia, as in most cases easier to get around at all of SORM in other ways, but none the less.I do not suspect that here it smells like espionage or something so obviously it's just Russian razdolbaystvo. In an old airplane had such equipment, it is unlikely to put extra. Another thing is that someone still has to pay for the satellite channel, and it is not so cheap. Although it is possible that the Transaero agreed on a free period, but that's with whom and how remains a mystery. I hope that members of Transaero answer to my inquiry and talk about what kind of communication mode in which it operates, and so on.Interestingly, I specifically did not pick up a flight to Vladivostok, and aircraft, as well as the airline. Everything happened by chance, the more interesting story. However, for Transaero, it is not so ridiculous and funny. Although it is possible that these small pranks all close their eyes. Here is a unidentified flying operator.
Vladivostok - the fourth-generation communications and just about the connection
Last week in Vladivostok began working on the fourth-generation network Scartel, brand Yota. Yes, one day, on the same network was launched Vodafone service before August 14 of this company are free, you only need to buy a modem. One of the good news is the fact that in the coming days or weeks the cost of modems across the country will decrease (the information solely mine, the company did not confirm it). Someone will provide this service popularity of low or devices, but then everyone sees what he wants to see. In reality, MegaFon plans to submit a number of other devices to networks, LTE, they will begin to appear in the fall. And the range of prices will be quite noticeable, the company creates a line for every budget.Roskomnadzor in Primorsky Krai Megaphone launch of the network said in Vladivostok, a lengthy message on the local site, which stated that the operator has no right to provide services to the fourth generation. It happened just after the working day, without warning the operator and the specific claims. Enchantment post gave that MegaFon is working on a network of Scartel, which was approved Roskomnadzora, and a message about this was on the same site. Within hours, news agencies picked up the news, and later removed in the office of the local site with a message at the central site office wrote that no claims against the operator does not have. The whole situation has arisen solely as a desire of some officials to show their work and involvement in the process.The main thing is that thanks to the launch of Roskomnadzor LTE network in Vladivostok has learned a great number of people, the response of this history was notable. But it is not sounded another theme, which, in my opinion, very important in the aspect of technology development in Russia. This launch Megaphone, and Scartel (which more recently, in theory, the same thing) have shown that the plan to develop a 4G network, not only in cities. Usually a script adaptation of new technologies in Russia is formed as follows: the first stage - the city-one million, then a smaller city, then even less, and so on. In this scenario of MegaFon retreated. Vladivostok is also important in the technical aspect, in terms of mobile communications with the city planning very difficult. The hills on which the streets are mean drastic elevation changes, many buildings are recessed into the ground, covered with concrete wells. Usually, companies tend to leave such severe scenarios for dessert, when all the technology worked and the number of failures tends to zero.On the other hand, the launch of LTE for the month prior to the APEC summit - is also a kind of political move - to demonstrate that Russia is developing new technologies. Given that Scartel was repeatedly seen in the politically verified steps, the idea that clearly came from them. But in the end we get an example of how to develop a 4G network will be in Russia. Not only in cities over one million people, although they are a priority. Several cities will be smaller this standard due in early 2013.At each visit, local journalists, people ask me a traditional question: "Do you think that what we call quality?" Usually, local residents are dissatisfied with the quality of communication, they want to hear an independent assessment. In one day, to assess the quality of communication is almost impossible. For four days in Vladivostok incomplete score gets more weight. I enjoyed both Beeline and MegaFon (first place is occupied by Vodafone is catching up, followed by Beeline - most popular choice of local residents is as follows.) To voice no complaints, despite the fact that the BeeLine until recently had only a third generation network. And in terms of data transmission HSDPA + very happy, especially the presence of almost all parts of the city. I think that mobile internet access is determined by what percentage of those who use it, not so great. The road to the work of up to one hour, at which time the Internet for local residents is not important. Profile of Internet usage is typical for the region - work and home. With an emphasis on work.In comparison with Moscow, the quality of the network and dial-up just a Beeline immeasurably high. This is a forgotten impression of quality communication. In MegaFon in Moscow the situation is better, so the difference in experiences is not so striking, but even then the network is loaded to a lesser extent. There is quite explainable situation that in the regions of the network have a greater margin of strength than in the capital, and therefore the quality of communication in the cities above. Therefore, complaints about the quality of communication is like a giant cork complaints. Come join us in Moscow, and test these plugs. Then a bit of trouble on the road you will be a paradise compared to what is happening in the capital.Finally, a few observations from this trip. MegaFon In China entered the similarity evrotarifa - cheap roaming, which is automatic, no need to connect any options. From Vladivostok to China at hand, and travel is very cheap, so many people are out there often. Many go on the roads along the border, and their phone will automatically connect to Chinese operators, whose signal was higher. Therefore, for the locals automatic roaming turned off some time ago that there were no complaints that the calls cost quite a sum of the other. Few people pay attention to the roaming icon on the phone.At Vodafone, however, re-entered the automatic roaming, as in this case can work evrotarifa analogue (China Unicom - a partner in China). As a compromise, the signal level at the BS along the border have set up so that the phones are not falling out in roaming as often as in the past. In my opinion, these initiatives come from local offices operating companies, are very important. They enhance both competition and opportunities for all and benefit from this regular people.The last point - it is the preferences of local residents about phones. To begin with, that historically in the Far East prefer SUVs, as a rule, this RHD car (in Word, the word "RHD" highlights, and he offers to fix it on the "right", that's the irony of this). The quality of these machines, though many of them and used, very high. From the viewpoint of electronic engineering, all exactly the same good - a lot of Korean art, good brands from China and so on. Prices at Moscow, on something - a smaller one. With clothes and did fine, so many stylish and beautifully dressed girls, I have not met outside the center of Moscow. Under the Hong Kong side, from which many, and brought his clothes, to buy it much cheaper.Description of clothing, machinery, electronics, it is important to understand the level of sensations from the technology, user experience. And here we come to the fun - the standard of living in Vladivostok is not too high, because prices are too high and people tend not to squander money. Your phone is not itself a measure of success, as long as it was the right brand. As such, to this day serves Nokia, as happened historically. While in Moscow, a drop in sales of the brand visible to the naked eye, then away from the capital towards Vladivostok, we will see a fall, which is measured by lower values. This is quite a typical situation, which I have observed many times for different brands. First comes a drop or increase in sales in Moscow, then he dokatyvaetsya to other cities. The more the city, the later it occurs the same processes. But the exception has never been, sooner or later is the same.Interestingly, I observed that sometimes a fracture, a drop in sales in Moscow was replaced by growth next year, but this time in a remote Russian town, in contrast, began a dip in sales. Compare this with the waves can be on the water from a stone, until the wave reaches the edge of the pond in the center of outrage subside.Going back to Vladivostok. Sales of Nokia declined over the last year, but not catastrophically.