SYNAPSE CIRCUIT MOTO X 2014 REVIEW

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
MOTOROLA MOTO X 2014, THE SYNAPSE CIRCUIT REVIEW

#Motorola #MotoX2014 #MotorolaLenovo #Lenovo #AndroidLollipop #Android #Google

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers. How’s it going? I hope is well with you and yours! I also hope that you are making the most of your tech!

Are you thinking of getting a new handset for Christmas? Read on...

“X” MARKS THE SPOT

THE SWEET SPOT
WOW! That’s my reaction when I took the Motorola Moto X 2014 out of the box! The handset is sleek and beautifully put together. It’s a bigger and refined Moto G 2014 featuring a 5.2” HD screen and a 13MP main camera. Holding it felt sublime... ...there is no doubt that the Moto X (2014) is a premium handset! I have to stress that to iPhone extremists! Hahaha! Seriously, when I look at the latest iPhone models it’s as though it was made by Chad Valley or something... The beautiful front-facing speakers look so futuristic it is unreal! Oh, be aware that it’s not a stereo deal with the speakers... The receiver does not double up to form a stereo experience like the Moto G 2014 – that handset is LOUD! However, the Moto X (2014) is loud enough; the sound is nice and clear but not quite as tone rich as the latest Moto G!

MOTO X 2014, 16GB. PRICE: £419.99
The Moto X 2014 is comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 as they both feature a nice metal trim around the edges. Despite being 5.2” the handset appears smaller; it is only when compared directly to the iPhone 6 you notice how comfortably big it is. The 1080p 5.2” screen of 424 ppi pixel density just laughs at the iPhone 6 4.7" 750 x 1334 pixels, 4.7 inches (326 ppi pixel density) screen! Watching video, playing games and working with the Office equivalent is just a lovely experience. Not to upset iPhone users too much but since the advent of the larger screen us Androids can go for days without using the PC and working with the Moto X (2014) is no exception!

IN USE: GENERAL
I must say that I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked with the Moto X (2014); there is simply not enough time in the world as a reviewer with a handset of this calibre. Anyway, in use I found the Moto X (2014) to be indispensible: the size is perfect in my hands (although a little slippery) and the voice operation features are outstanding!

I also enjoyed using music making apps such as G-Stomper Studio as the sound coming from it is very pleasing compared to that of the ASUS Fonepad 7 ME372CL model that I reviewed a little while ago!

One downside is that you cannot expand the storage via a microSD slot because there isn’t one! I do think that by now 32GB ought to be the minimal standard for premium handsets. That’s just me!

IN USE: CAMERA
You’d expect the 13MP camera to produce results comparable to that of handsets in its league: iPhone 6, Galaxy S5 and the G3, etc. No. The Moto X (2014) 13MP camera produces average photos and videos can go in and out of focus due to ambient light changes i.e. moving objects, clouds and shimmering sunlight. I would say that the 8MP camera on the Moto G (2014) takes better pictures and video. It records 4K video too!

The key to the Moto X (2014) camera is lots of light! Indoor photography is hit and miss which is a shame as the quality of the photos can make all the difference to a serious handset connoisseur.

CONCLUSION
I think the Moto X (2104) is a great handset that is let down by the average camera and no microSD card slot! For me this would make for a third handset to my Galaxy S4 (which will likely become an S6 come 2015) and my Galaxy Note 4!

At the moment I have yet to see the Moto X (2014) available on any UK network and therefore you can, as far as I am aware, buy it direct from the Motorola website. If you are looking for a solid handset with an all round multimedia performance and reasonable battery life (it lasted a day from heavy Facebook checking, web surfing and video watching) and you aren’t so much into mobile phone photography then this handset could be for you! You can also customize it which will no doubt raise the price of the handset but then you can have a leather back, for example, but the front is limited to black or white and you can even have it engraved (at the back) and more besides!

I was hoping for the Android 5 Lollipop upgrade but it didn’t Materialize (get it?); I would have loved to have tested the Moto X (2014) with Android 5 as I reckon it could have improved upon the battery life! Never mind!

SCORE: GOLD
As you would expect the Moto X (2014) supports 4G LTE for rapid Internet speeds which makes watching YouTube and catch-up TV apps such as BBC iPlayer, 4OD, etc. Yes, it is a healthy Gold score! If you prefer to buy your handsets outright then this is definitely one to consider.

I do LOVE the design and feel but there are little odd things that prevents the Moto X (2014) from having the perfect Platinum score:-

No microSD card slot.
Average camera.
Non-removable battery.
The front-facing speakers are not stereo.

I guess that most people don’t mind the above niggles – especially if they are used to the iPhone. I don’t think too many out there are perfectionist with regards to mobile phone photography if all that’s done on it is to update social network accounts.

SPECS:-
Operating system

Android 4.4.4, KitKat®

System Architecture / Processor
Motorola Mobile Computing System including 2.5GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 801 with quad-core CPU (MSM 8974-AC), Adreno 330 @ 578 MHz GPU, Natural Language Processor, Contextual Computing Processor

Memory (RAM)
2GB

Storage (ROM)
16GB & 32GB

Dimensions
Height: 140.8mm (5.54 inches)
Width: 72.4mm (2.85 inches)
Curve: 3.8-9.9mm (0.15- 0.39 inches)
Weight: 144 grams (5.08 ounces)

Display
5.2" AMOLED1080p FULL HD
423 ppi
Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3

Battery
2300 mAh
Mixed usage up to 24 hours*

Water Resistant

Networks
GSM / GPRS/ EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+, 4G LTE
Bands: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100 MHz)
4G LTE (1, 3, 7, 8, 20)

Rear Camera
13 MP
f/ 2.25 aperture
Quick Capture
Tap anywhere to capture
Ring flash with dual LEDs
4K UHD video capture
1080p HD video (30 fps)
4X digital zoom
Slow motion video
Burst mode
Auto HDR
Panorama
Tap to focus

Front Camera
2 MP

SIM Card
Nano SIM

Connectivity
Micro USB, 3.5mm headset jack
Bluetooth® Technology
Bluetooth version 4.0 LE
Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/b/n/ac (dual band capable)

Speaker
Front-ported

Video Capture
1080p HD and 2160p Ultra HD Video, 30fps (MPEG4, H.264)

NFC

Location Services: GPS

Base Models**
Black
Black with Black Leather
White with Bamboo

Backs**
Choose from 25 different backs (17 colours, 4 woods, 4 leathers).

Accents**
Choose from 10 accent colours on the back and now the front too.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT APPLE TALK 11 KEEP CALM iPHONE 6 AND iPAD AIR

CEX CHANGE: iPhone 6 and Plus.

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
APPLE TALK 11:

APPLE...
...KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!

What’s going on with Apple? Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! I hope that all is well with you and that you are making great progress with your projects! Send me a link via G+! I am very interested in what you are doing!

Do you know what to make of Apple these days? Me? I am not so sure... I know, I know... ...you as an Apple fanatic is thinking, ‘Let the Apple bashing begin...’ But I can honestly say that I don’t get Apple at all. Here are my latest thoughts on Apple...

#Apple #Samsung #Google #SteveJobs #TimCook #iPhone6 #iPhone6Phablet #iPhone6Plus #AppleWatch #GalaxyNote4 #GalaxyAlpha #GalaxyNoteEdge #GalaxyTabS #Nexus9 #iPadAir2 #iPadMini3

PRETENCE?
As someone who appreciates technology I can see that the latest iPhones aren’t as advanced as expected. As someone who appreciates design I can see that the iPhones aren’t exciting where design is concerned. Believe it or not I am always looking for a reason to buy into other competing technologies outside of Android and I’ve yet to see an iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows handset that make me say, “I must have this!” One of the Nokia Windows handsets almost had me there!

I UNDERSTAND...
Yes, as an Apple fan I expect you to upgrade your iPhone despite the lack of advancement – barring the 64-bit processor – that is prevalent upon the Android platform. C’mon, whether you hate (and ‘hate’ is a strong word) Android and the various manufacturers you have to admit – at least to yourself – that Android handsets and tablets are better designed and the technology is constantly getting better what with 64-bit processors coming to Android devices this year notably the Google Nexus 9 tablet manufactured by HTC! Just looking at the high-end Android devices from Samsung, Motorola, LG, HTC, Huawei, etc you can see instantly that so much work as been put into the design of such great handsets:-

Galaxy Note 4
Nexus 6
Moto X 2014
Ascend Mate 2
G3
One M8

BUT IF YOU HAVEN’T BOUGHT INTO APPLE...
In other words you don’t have a MAC computer and you want to own what is arguably the “best” easy to use smartphone in the world and you’ve opted for the iPhone 6 range. Upon closer inspection you notice some discrepancies that you can’t tolerate and that’s why you’ve gotten rid of it. Discrepancies such as the cheap feel of the build – it doesn’t look or feel “premium” and the problems that have come with iOS 8.

UNPRECEDENTED
These are austere times and we can forget this fact upon the release of a new device. We quickly jump on the bandwagon and it quickly becomes apparent it’s a device one can do without, so it’s ‘Hello pawnshop’! And, of course, we sometimes purchase a device only to discover that it’s a disappointment.



 However, it is unprecedented that there are so many iPhone 6 and Plus models in the Computer Exchange stores in London. A few weeks ago I got a shock to see so many on display! Only days after the iPhone 6 models were available in the Apple stores many of them have ended up in these secondhand / pawn shops!

What’s going on? When I read and watch the reviews on the iPhone 6 models the reviewers seem less than satisfied with the overall experience. Reviewers all seem to be saying that the best improvement is the battery, camera and media consumption on the bigger screen. And when the iPhone 6 Plus is compared to the Galaxy Note 4 many reviewers foolishly state that the multi-screen functions is “difficult” compared to the simplicity of the way the iPhone works. Seriously! What was the point in such reviews? The Galaxy Note 4 is so very easy to operate that you must have had a lobotomy to not be able to figure it out! These so called reviewers mask out the negatives of the iPhone 6 models by creating problems that do not exist with the competition i.e. (the aforementioned) Galaxy Note 4. Sure, when it comes to the quality of the iPhone 6 camera it may still hold its own against the premium Android handsets but in some of the tests that I have seen the reviewer doesn’t appear to have used the camera functions / settings on the competing handsets beyond HDR. Again, the iPhone biased reviewers concentrate on the iPhone 6 and Plus cameras to mask the fact that the competing Android handsets have more to offer all-round! For example, the S Pen on the Galaxy Note 4 makes it one of the most versatile handsets on the planet! The Galaxy Note 4 goes beyond being “big”.

iPAD UP IN THE AIR
Just last week Apple announced the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 and the iMac with the 5K Retina display! I can understand why Apple felt the need to whack a whopping 5K on its new iMac because “Retina” had lost its value where the Android premium handsets and tablets are concerned; a 5K screen is one way to try and revive the Retina concept.

The notion of “Retina” on the iPad mini 3 seems like a waste of time as does the iPad Air 2 for the simple fact that the iPad has lost its commercial appeal; people aren’t in a hurry to replace their old iPad models because it’s not necessary. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! The latest iPads doesn’t bring anything vital to the proceedings! This is one reason why the iPad market is in decline.

Other reasons for the iPad tanking is that it cannot compete with many ranges of Android tablets on the market today – some of which offers 4G LTE at such an affordable price! Some 7” Android 4G / 3G enabled tablets allows you to make and receive phone calls! Gosh!

And for the Apple fanatic, the iPhone 6 Plus will certainly eat into iPad sales! I would imagine that the money saved will go towards the iMac! It makes sense to me!

Then when you look at the overseas emerging markets i.e. Third World countries the iPad just isn’t cost effective and loses out to Chromebooks and cost effective Android tablets!

It remains to be seen if the iPad will find a new lease of life as a business accessory as some of the Android tablets have.

There you go!

That’s something to think about!

THANKS FOR READING...

Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

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Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com