Stock vs Mod: Android

We all know that Android is quickly becoming the norm in our portable OS world. It's dynamic, customizable and responsive. Clearly is has already dethroned iOS, which in my opinion is a good thing; iOS is boring and unimaginative, even with the "colourful" updates that iOS 7 brings.

What's interesting about Android though is the fact that it is an open source project, meaning that developers can modify the OS to their own liking. This is seen in many Android devices, which include smartphones, superphones and tablets. One of the most popular mods to Android belongs to Samsung, more specifically the Galaxy S4. The interface is colourful and easy on the eyes (which is a good thing considering the design of the phone to be anything but that). Other companies including Sony and LG also have their own version of Android to accommodate their software and features, which for the most part can be a good thing.

On the other hand, Google still has the unmodified version of Android. This stock version is available not only on the Nexus brand devices, but several phones and tablets that are sold as "Google Play Editions", meaning that they are not attached to any carrier or brand and do not have company software installed into the OS.

Stock Android has several advantages over modified versions. The biggest being that updates are never an issue. Nexus brand devices get updates first before any other device, along with any other "Google Play Edition" version devices. There is also the comfort that with Stock Android, you get a clean slate to modify to your own liking, without being overloaded with features and abilities that in my personal opinion, can be too overwhelming to consumers (then again, it's that idea of having so many features that attract those users in the first place).

Now, I could try to convince you that Stock Android is better, but then again; it really doesn't matter. The reason why is because Android gives you the ability to choose what you want to have happen on your device, without the restricting chains that exist in iOS. It can be said without a doubt that Android IS better than iOS. What we need now is a competitor like Ubuntu OS or the newly arrived Firefox OS to act as competition for Android. I say that because competition allows for new innovations to arise, and new innovations allow for technology to become better and that is a win-win scenario for the consumer.

Peeping Tom? I Think Not.

With all this news about governments "spying" on people and this whole "1984" paranoia going on; does anyone really pay attention to reality anymore?

I ask you the first question: Does the government really care about your personal emails?

Answer: No. Unless you're a terrorist and/or a criminal.

Second Question: Does the government want to steal your banking information?

Answer: No. Why would they care about your petty money when they have alot more money to spend than you?

Third Question: Does the government care about your personal life?

Answer: Unless your life involves illegal activity, then no. Contrary to popular belief, politicians have lives as well.

Final Statement: Americans have an odd perception on freedom and privacy. They demand that their lives be privatized yet they have no qualm about posting their half naked bodies on public domains such as Facebook or Twitter. Personally, I feel that there needs to be some sort of monitoring system in place to help stop criminal activity in a place that alot of people like to call "free domain". Help to catch the child porn distributors, organized crime syndicates, etc etc; people that are a stain to our society. Now, my irony behind this idea also calls for the dismissal of things such as piracy so that people can freely pirate stuff as they please, as study after study prove that it actually works  . Of course, in an open market capitalist system; that will never happen.

I really do hope that the US will get a grip of itself over these whistleblowers, as they are over-reacting over something that has no real significance anymore. As far as this "PRISM" thing, don't worry about it (unless you're a criminal)

The Dark (?) Horse: A look at Chromebooks and Chrome OS

If you're going out to purchase a personal computer, you'll be greeted with numerous options to choose from. Chances are, you will be buying a laptop; they tend to sell alot more than PC towers, and they have the same functionality and power as a tower.

Now, there are 3 options to choose from; First, you have your "illustrious" Windows computers. They are the mainstream computer and are generally the most prefered in a business environment, as it has access to your powerhouse Office tools. Next, there's the streamlined Macbooks, which carry powerful displays and a wide variety of useful applications and programs that for a VERY high cost, can do the same, if not a better job than any Window's computer.

Then, you have Chromebooks; a rather new addition to the PC family.

Chromebooks were released in 2011 as a "Tab-Puter" (or whatever). Basically they have the ability to fully (?) access the web and do basic computer operations, but remain portable and cheap. Of course, this is all done on Google's very own operating system called Chrome OS. It's simple in design, clean and easy to use; basically the computer OS that your grandma can learn to use in as little as 5 min. The design allows for super fast boot up time and since it uses your Google Account to operate, it will sync everything to your device and it becomes integrated into the system. 

For some, the Chromebook is viewed as a simple twig on the tree; in terms of specifications, they're generally weak (there are exceptions) and they carry no compatibility for large scale programs  and applications such as Microsoft Office or other mainstream programs. This is because the operating system that it carries (Chrome OS), uses the web as it's power source. Basically, anything and everything that you do on the Chromebook will be done online, and the theory behind it is that the web can provide infinite possibilities in terms of applications and programing. All you need is a Google Account and you are basically set for the duration of your ride. This in turn can become it's greatest weakness, as it requires a constant connection to a wi-fi hotspot AND a Google Account to use your device in full.

On the other hand, it can do plenty of things that will satisfy the majority of consumers. It can store and play music, play movies, allows for online shopping, can access Netflix and Youtube (among other media services). With Google Docs, you can write documents, create presentations and spreadsheets, etc etc. I have also found that surfing the web is fast and clean. The built in virus protection will protect you from the nastiest of killware, so you need not worry about the many bugs that plague mainstream operating systems. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best damn thing that a young guy such as myself can have. It serves it's worth when it comes to work related projects and it will keep me entertained for as long as I own the device. As far as wi-fi, it isn't hard to find a hotspot these days, especially if you live in a large city.

I can say that Chromebooks are perfect for those who are looking for a cheap computer that can do all of your basic stuff and a little more, yet still have the entertainment power you would find on a normal laptop or desktop. I also see this device as a perfect companion for schools; they're cheaper than the standard Dell package and offer far more than your standard Dell package, and quite frankly, Chromebooks are far superior to anything that Dell can muster up.

So, to summarize; Chromebooks: Good
                                   Dell: Bad
                                   Therefore: Buy a Chromebook!

The (Un)Usual Greetings

There are probably a thousand ways of creating an introduction post, so let's get going anyways!

The name's Sean; I belong to a generation who worships young, feminine boys that sound like someone high on helium. Frankly, the thought that I belong to such generation frightens me. So...unlike a good portion of my troubled brothers and sisters, I tend to enjoy things that are more reasonable to the rest of the human race; such as photography, writing and a small hint of coding and graphic art. My music ranges from orchestral pieces to the finest of classic rock; songs that have more meaning and grace than those that make numerous references to a certain body part which should just remain an unsung object.

I did say I love to write. Writing in my opinion is the ultimate forms of expression, which can provoke different forms of emotions and physical actions taken by our race (see here). As far as what will be written here, it will be pretty much anything: Thoughts on world events, review on tech stuff, display of photos that I've taken, videos with deep meaning (no) and anything else that seems interesting enough to write about. 

I don't have a specific day where I post new content; basically whenever I wish to write, I'll write. I don't expect to have a roaring fanbase with people screaming at me to post new stuff (in all honesty that's just a turn off to write in the first place), though I won't mind the occasional onlooker or two which finds some enjoyment in my writing and perhaps even offers some opinions on what I should write. It's always good to give constructive feedback and opinion on topics that you find interesting; that's the proper way of doing things so let us maintain some form of proper etiquette on this lovely place called the Internet.

As far as that goes, that's pretty much all I have to say. If you like what you see, don't be afraid to follow the blog; you might like what you see!