Education, Linux and the BRIC

Some interesting news this week from Russia, where a Linux pilot may see all Russian schools switching over to the open source by the end of the year

Some interesting news this week from Russia, where a Linux pilot may 
see all Russian schools switching over to the open source by the end of the year.

The project will see three schools trying out Linux, in order to save cash and to limit the use of pirated software, and if the move is successful, reports claim that all schools in the country will switch to Linux and open source software by the end of the year.

Russia isn’t alone in developing economies in adopting Linux in the public sector – in fact it’s the last of the BRIC countries to give official support for Linux in the education sector. China, Brazil and India have all seen government support for Linux, particularly in education, since the middle of this decade.

Government support for Linux may not have made much of a dent in Microsoft’s share of the desktop space, with most counties still showing a continued preference for Windows. But by taking alternative operating systems into schools, a generation of students is being exposed to open source and is learning that there is an alternative to Windows.

There are lots of commercial reasons still to use Windows or Unix if needs be, but for the education sector, even with added incentives for schools and colleges that are offered by many of the big IT vendors to use their products, or include them in the curriculum, you have to go a long way to beat free software.

But of course, it raises the question, of why haven’t any governments in the Gulf shown the same level of support for open source as other emerging markets? There are quite a few projects at individual schools and colleges, but no initiative, that I know of, to favor open source. Perhaps with a tightening of belts and a growing focus on improving the standard of education in state institutions in the region, we might see a change in the situation. Aside from any consideration of 'vendor' preference, to ignore open source in education is to ignore computing skills for students, and takes up budget that could be spent elsewhere.

Nokia Asha 303 Price in India and Specifications Review

Till some time back only local Indian mobile companies were successfull in low cost mobile. Howeever now even Nokia has launched some of its low price smartphones in India. Nokia Asha 303 price in India at Rs. 7,800 has proven this point very rightly. Despite Nokia Asha 303 price being at low level, there is no compromise on features. In fact, Nokia Asha 303 features on certain applications are even better than its competitors in the market. Also to add more fun, Nokia Asha 303 features 3G as well 3.5G connectivity which will ensure its users have access to fast speed download from internet.

 Nokia Asha 303 price has been kept low keeping in mind demand for low cost smartphones in the market. Also this segment will bring highest growth rate in smartphones in coming period in Indian market. Usually people who have been using ultra cheap mobiles and also young professionals are main in this category.

Hence Nokia Asha 303 has both price and features matching the need of these people.

 Nokia Asha 303 features enables its customers to customise home screen by aligning location as well as style of icons. Also users can select icons which they want to keep and remove rest of them so as to maintain efficienct usage. For giving style to home screen of Nokia Asha 303, users can install screen savers and wall papers of their choice which can be from movies, games, celebrities. Another aspect which can be used to customise home screen is MP3 ringtones which can be either downloaded from net or songs from mobile can be set as ringtone.

Nokia Asha 303 price in India and specs are really attractive for its intended customers. Some of the important Nokia Asha 303 specifications are Nokia store which has huge collection of bollywood and other songs and games of different variety. All these will ensure enduring entertainment and fun to its customers anytime and anywhere without any high cost. Also users can install applications of their own choice to make it more personalised.

 In this way, Nokia Asha 303 price is highly justfied in Indian market. Also this smartphone is good buy for its target customers in the market.

Modern Kitchen Design

Sometimes referred to as the heart of the home, the kitchen is a place to prepare and cook food and, depending on the size, can be used to eat and entertain guests. In Ancient Greek homes, this room was a central open air patio but it was not until around 1800 that the stove, which enclosed fire completely, made cooking indoors possible. As technology advances, so do kitchens' design and efficiency. The introduction of the kitchen island has lent more flexibility to the positioning of the kitchen cabinets and kitchen sink, and helped make open plan kitchens and dining rooms a reality. 

Sony Launches SmartWatch: Android-Powered Wristwatch

Today, Sony launched SmartWatch MN2: a wristwatch-like device that allows owners to read text messages, social updates and emails, manage calls, as well as control music that is on an Android smartphone. It promotes easy access to those who prefer to keep their smartphones hidden in a pocket or bag.

The SmartWatch features a 1.3-inch OLED display. It has a selection of pre-loaded apps, including Facebook and Google Maps.In order to alert users for an event or an incoming call, the device simply vibrates.

The wristwatch is made out of aluminum and polished plastic and comes in a variety of colors such as blue, pink, and white. It also comes with a rubber wrist strap that comes in a standard black color.

In order to use the SmartWatch, it must first connect via Bluetooth to a device running Android 2.1 OS or higher.  According to Sony, the product's battery life last about 3 to 4 days under typical usage, and approximately 14 days under standby. In order to charge the device, a user can simply plug it in through a USB connection.

For $150, Android users can purchase the Sony SmartWatch on the company’s store and online marketplace. The wristwatch will be available through other retailers soon. Customers can purchase separate wrist band colors for $20 each.

HTC Says No to Physical Keyboards

 There's bad news for fans of smartphones with physical keyboards: HTC is going to stop making devices that include them.

Claude Zellweger, this company's creative director, said at a press event "As a company, the QWERTY keyboard we're moving away from in general. We feel that putting too much effort into that would take away from our devices."

  Instead, HTC is going to work to improve the haptic feedback that is included with the on-screen keyboards it will use in future handsets.

Touchscreens vs. Keyboards

Many years ago, virtually all smartphones had a physical keyboard, with RIM's BlackBerry line and Palm's Treo models being the most obvious examples. Then Apple experienced huge sales of the first iPhone, which was focused entirely on its touchscreen, and other companies took note.

A few models with keyboards are still released each year, such as the Motorola Droid 4, the HTC EVO Shift 4G, and Samsung Stratosphere, but these are definitely in the minority. Instead, the focus is on ever slimmer designs.

Physical keyboards are usually most popular with businesspeople, as their main focus for their smartphone is generally email. This is part of the reason why RIM has continued to use them, and other companies have followed suit when making devices aimed at professionals.

MG Icon Concept preview

 At the 2012 Beijing Auto Show MG will present the Icon Concept, a midsize SUV with a design inspired by the brand’s classic model.

At the upcoming Beijing Show (25 April – 2 May 2012), MG is unveiling the Icon Concept, which – as the name suggests – adopts a design influenced by MG’s heritage.

More specifically, the front end with the round headlights and chromed grille and the fastback rear end have some reminiscences of the MGB GT of the 1960s.

The interior is more futuristic and features a symmetric dashboard with integrated LCD displays.

Among the main design elements are the metal-finished stripes that run in the door panels and along the lower area of the dashboard and the three circular air vents at the center of the dashboard, visually recalled by the steering wheel center piece.

The rear seats can be folded to leave space for a flat cargo area.

According to the first information the car – developed by SAIC designers – is based on the Roewe 350 and could be launched on the market with a 1.5 liter gasoline engine and a choice between front- and all-wheel drive transmission.

Former BMW DesignWorks designer speculates on the production BMW i8

 BMW DesignWorks former senior designer Sonny Lim has created a set of interesting renders that could preview the upcoming i8 production model, based on the recent spy shots and the i8 Spyder Concept.

The images created by designer Sonny Lim and published on his page on Behance showcase a possible production version of the i8 hybrid sportscar, with a more realistic bodywork, without the LED strips and with less intricate lines.

As reported, the i8 will have a shorter wheelbase and length, a total power output of 399 hp and will have a weight of approx. 1,450 kg, achieved through the extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Lamborghini Urus Concept: first images

The first renderings of the Urus Concept, the high performance SUV that will be unveiled by Lamborghini at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.

We report the first low resolution renderings of the Urus, the new SUV Concept set to debut as a static model at the upcoming Beijing Show.

The design study has an aesthetic language similar to the latest creations of the company, with aggressive, angular shapes and sharp lines.

The dimensions are generous (4.99 x 1.99 x 1.66 meters), and the proortions are close to those of the BMW X6, compared to which the Urus is 11 cm longer, 1 cm wider and 4 cm lower.

The exterior features distinctively sloped shoulder line, complemented by a descending roofline, while the stance is enhanced by the muscular rear shoulders and the 24-inch wheels.

The adoption of the current design language – already expressed with the Estoque and the Aventador, is evident in many details, including the color scheme, the carbon-fiber details, the Y-shaped headlights and the angular front air openings.

Active aerodynamics elements include an adjustable front spoiler, a variable ride height system and an adaptive rear wing.

The interior features four individual seats, a carbon-fiber trimmed dashboard and a touch screen on the center console.

 

The name Urus refers to the ancestor of domestic cattle. According to the first information, the car is planned to be produced in approx. 3,000 units per year.

Best Home Design for Modern Office Design

 Best Home design can be applied both for residential or office, this time I will share you several best home ideas for designing  an office. Most of best office design usually used modern architecture and interior design, but actually the most difficult on designing an office is how to choose the best office goods and then combining the goods with the interior theme.

Office environment usually dominated with goods with similar vendor, such as this best home office design with PCs from Mac. People who use PCs may or may not care about the design of their products. Mac users always care. Apple is known for the innovative design of everything it creates from the iPod to the ultra-thin Macbook Air. Not to be outdone by the creators of the products, Mac users challenge themselves to set up their equipment in creative, aesthetically pleasing ways. In other words, Mac users create home and office setups that reflect just how cool they are for using a Mac.

Wireless Electricity (WiTricity)

 Understanding what WiTricity technology is—transferring electric energy or power over distance without wires—is quite simple. Understanding how it works is a bit more involved, but it doesn’t require an engineering degree. We’ll start with the basics of electricity and magnetism, and work our way up to the WiTricity technology.

Electricity: The flow of electrons (current) through a conductor (like a wire), or charges through the atmosphere (like lightning). A convenient way for energy to get from one place to another!

Illustration of earth's magnetic field

 

 An illustration representing the earth's magnetic field

 Magnetism: A fundamental force of nature, which causes certain types of materials to attract or repel each other. Permanent magnets, like the ones on your refrigerator and the earth’s magnetic field, are examples of objects having constant magnetic fields.

Oscillating magnetic fields vary with time, and can be generated by alternating current (AC) flowing on a wire. The strength, direction, and extent of magnetic fields are often represented and visualized by drawings of the magnetic field lines.

Electric current flowing in a wire creates a magnetic field

 As electric current, I, flows in a wire, it gives rise to a magnetic field, B, which wraps around the wire. When the current reverses direction, the magnetic field also reverses its direction.

Representation of the magnetic field created when current flows through a coil

 

The blue lines represent the magnetic field that is created when current flows through a coil. When the current reverses direction, the magnetic field also reverses its direction.

Electromagnetism: A term for the interdependence of time-varying electric and magnetic fields. For example, it turns out that an oscillating magnetic field produces an electric field and an oscillating electric field produces a magnetic field.

Magnetic Induction: A loop or coil of conductive material like copper, carrying an alternating current (AC), is a very efficient structure for generating or capturing a magnetic field.

If a conductive loop is connected to an AC power source, it will generate an oscillating magnetic field in the vicinity of the loop. A second conducting loop, brought close enough to the first, may “capture” some portion of that oscillating magnetic field, which in turn, generates or induces an electric current in the second coil. The current generated in the second coil may be used to power devices. This type of electrical power transfer from one loop or coil to another is well known and referred to as magnetic induction. Some common examples of devices based on magnetic induction are electric transformers and electric generators.

Energy/Power Coupling: Energy coupling occurs when an energy source has a means of transferring energy to another object. One simple example is a locomotive pulling a train car—the mechanical coupling between the two enables the locomotive to pull the train, and overcome the forces of friction and inertia that keep the train still—and, the train moves. Magnetic coupling occurs when the magnetic field of one object interacts with a second object and induces an electric current in or on that object. In this way, electric energy can be transferred from a power source to a powered device. In contrast to the example of mechanical coupling given for the train, magnetic coupling does not require any physical contact between the object generating the energy and the object receiving or capturing that energy.

A transformer uses magnetic induction to transfer power between its windings

 An electric transformer is a device that uses magnetic induction to transfer energy from its primary winding to its secondary winding, without the windings being connected to each other. It is used to “transform” AC current at one voltage to AC current at a different voltage.

Resonance: Resonance is a property that exists in many different physical systems. It can be thought of as the natural frequency at which energy can most efficiently be added to an oscillating system. A playground swing is an example of an oscillating system involving potential energy and kinetic energy. The child swings back and forth at a rate that is determined by the length of the swing. The child can make the swing go higher if she properly coordinates her arm and leg action with the motion of the swing. The swing is oscillating at its resonant frequency and the simple movements of the child efficiently transfer energy to the system. Another example of resonance is the way in which a singer can shatter a wine glass by singing a single loud, clear note. In this example, the wine glass is the resonant oscillating system. Sound waves traveling through the air are captured by the glass, and the sound energy is converted to mechanical vibrations of the glass itself. When the singer hits the note that matches the resonant frequency of the glass, the glass absorbs energy, begins vibrating, and can eventually even shatter. The resonant frequency of the glass depends on the size, shape, thickness of the glass, and how much wine is in it.

Resonant Magnetic Coupling: Magnetic coupling occurs when two objects exchange energy through their varying or oscillating magnetic fields. Resonant coupling occurs when the natural frequencies of the two objects are approximately the same.

Two idealized resonant magnetic coils

  Two idealized resonant magnetic coils, shown in yellow. The blue and red color bands illustrate their magnetic fields. The coupling of their respective magnetic fields is indicated by the connection of the colorbands.

WiTricity Technology: WiTricity power sources and capture devices are specially designed magnetic resonators that efficiently transfer power over large distances via the magnetic near-field. These proprietary source and device designs and the electronic systems that control them support efficient energy transfer over distances that are many times the size of the sources/devices themselves.

This diagram shows how the magnetic field can wrap around a conductive obstacle

The WiTricity power source, left, is connected to AC power. The blue lines represent the magnetic near field induced by the power source. The yellow lines represent the flow of energy from the source to the WiTicity capture coil, which is shown powering a light bulb. Note that this diagram also shows how the magnetic field (blue lines) can wrap around a conductive obstacle between the power source and the capture device.

Control Elements – Operation and control convenience

We are specialists for cockpit integration solutions. Our service spectrum extends from the development of individual components through to the production of complete cockpits. In the production area we operate within the framework of a joint venture with Faurecia.

Our core competences are to be found in the realization of new HMI concepts and climate control systems as well as in the development of innovative haptic controls and the configuration and delivery of integrated center stacks.

Climate control units – Making a comfortable environment possible

By enhancing driving comfort, today’s climate control systems have a positive influence on driving safety. As an international know-how carrier, we have, for many years now, endeavored to ensure the ongoing physical well-being of motorists and their passengers. Feeling good is important because a relaxed driver is also a more concentrated driver, and therefore a safer one.

We offer sophisticated climate regulation solutions for luxury and mid-class vehicles. These employ manual, semiautomatic, or fully automatic controls. In addition we have versatile and especially economical products for vehicles in the low budget range.

Integrated Centerstacks – More diversity in design and equipment

The cockpit centerstack is an area of rapid evolution in interior design. From the traditional "brick" approach where individual electronic components are stacked upon one another, designs have begun to transform into more integrated systems. Radio and HVAC controls share PCBs and displays, and the controls are separated from the functional "silver box" in order to create more styling freedom and allow for standardization of subsurface components.

 This integration reduces costs by eliminating redundancies in electronics. The compact construction also paves the way for new design possibilities and space-saving concepts. Our products ensure the requisite equipment flexibility, an important factor in view of the increasing diversity of variants that OEM's are bringing out these days.

Small Bathroom Design Ideas for 2012 Modern Homes

Small bathroom design ideas for 2012 modern homes, Ifound several gallery of small bathroom ideas from besthomegallery smallbathrooms. I think all of the bathrooms on that site were great and suitablefor 2012 modern homes. Small bathrooms expect a lot of ingenuity to alter,especially if you want to make them look as open as workable, coin storeroomseat, and still have all the desirable amenities.

 Small bathroom design ideas

So many newer houses were planned with impossiblysmall bathrooms to use as much stun region as likely for other quarters. Afterall, no one surely lives in a bathroom. In adult homes that were built beforeinside plumbing came into style, bathrooms were regularly constructed in closetchairs or small corners of rooms, sandwiched in so as not to influence on otherliving spaces. As a product, many of these owners of adult homes are alsoselling with bathrooms that are almost too small. However, there are behaviorto model a small bathroom so that you can maximize the scope you have andestablish a comfortable part. In another part of this site, You can also readthe article about Tips on How to Make Your Bathroom Looks Bigger, remodelingideas for small bathrooms, and minimalist bathroom ideas for limited space.

The first thing many people think about whendifficult to alter a small bathroom place is to buy a stand sink which takes upfar fewer freedom than most vanities. While a dais sink looks polite and treesthe small imprints, it just isn't handy in a small bath post. After all, thecore thing that it eliminates is the storeroom place the futility offers youand actually wastes the precious area beneath the sink. Instead of puttingSmall Bathroom Design Ideas in a pedestal sink, then, you necessary to look fora compact conceit with as much storage as possible.

 Gallery of small bathroom design ideas

You might ponder an area arrogance if you have anappropriate confront to put it in, because it will take up less cube copy thana traditional rectangular pride. One habit that would give the illusion thatyour bathroom is more spacious than it really is would be to paint, paper, ortile the interim with vertical stripes. This mean will make people think thatthe ceiling is much superior when it's not. Use a light affect-idea, such aswhites or pastels, and keep stuff vital and plain. A lot of confusion andengaged patterns will tend to make the bulwark of the space close in.

Small bathroom design ideas need  an important decoration such as mirrors,Mirrors placed strategically in the room can also create the illusion of ultraspace and consider light making the area much brighter. Of course, nothing youcan do to outline a small bathroom is departing to change the truth that it'ssmall, but you can certainly devise conduct to make it look superior.

Modern Washroom Cubicles By Morgan Sindall

Washroomsusually located near the bathroom or in every place that we will need to mashour hands, in a public spaces such as Hotel, restaurant, cafe or hospitalwashrooms are important. Below pictures are a set of modern minimalist modernwashrooms cubicles, designed by Morgan Sindall. provided a state-of-the-arteducational environment for pupils of the former Park Brow and Cherryfieldprimary schools in Kirby. With its brightly-coloured exterior and modern, open learningspaces, the new Park Brow Primary School is one the community can be proud ofand TBS Fabrications were thrilled to be involved in the £6.1 million project;manufacturing and installing stylish new washrooms throughout.

   ModernMinimalist Washrooms

Acolourful and contemporary new school has been built by Morgan Sindall,providing a state-of-the-art educational environment for pupils of the formerPark Brow and Cherryfield primary schools in Kirby. With its brightly-colouredexterior and modern, open learning spaces, the new Park Brow Primary School isone the community can be proud of and TBS Fabrications were thrilled to beinvolved in the £6.1 million project; manufacturing and installing stylish newwashrooms throughout.

ParkBrow’s infant washrooms were fitted-out with low-level vanity units andcubicles from TBS’ Tots 2 Teens range for children; the perfect specificationfor nursery and primary school projects. Featuring shaped doors and partitions,Tots 2 Teens cubicles guarantee to meet the safety and supervision requirementsneeded for young children, and the vibrant orange colour scheme chosen for ParkBrow results in a creative and inviting washroom environment that the youngerchildren will be happy to use.

ModernWashrooms

Floor-to-ceilingSpectra cubicles were installed within the unisex washroom areas in order toensure maximum levels of privacy for the school’s junior pupils. Featuringspecial height doors and over panels with floor-to-ceiling pilasters andpartitions, bespoke Spectra cubicles with co-ordinating duct panelling andvanity units proved the perfect specification. Manufactured from high pressurelaminate finished with a durable 2mm thick PVC edging, Spectra cubiclesguarantee a stylish, practical and robust washroom solution for educational applications.

TBSalso installed low-level wash troughs for Park Brow Primary School, combiningcontemporary solid surface troughs with HPL under panels and flashgaps.Available in a wide range of colours, solid surface wash troughs offer astylish, easily-maintained, and more aesthetically pleasing alternative tostainless steel troughs or traditional wash basins, and are tailor-made to suitsite dimensions or individual requirements.

House V in Costa Brava Displaying a Practical Layout

House V in Costa Brava was recently completed byBarcelona-based studio Magma Arquitectura and was especially developed to meetthe living requirements of a large family. According to the architects, “theproject is configured as a large stone base, on which stands a large horizontalplatform. The permeable cut of the staircase subdivides the platform into twoindependent bodies. Part of the platform receives the most public and spaciousinterior areas and the exterior terrace and pool that flies over theMediterranean garden below. The large exterior terrace is lateral and runs thelength of the public area, so it receives the southern sun at one end andcaptures the view of the horizon between the sea and the sky. Several porchesconstructed of wood, which also control the sun and privacy, complete thevisual prism of the home“. The interiors are elegant and welcoming, with acolor palette defined by white and plenty of inspiring details for upcomingcontemporary projects.

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G Review: Blazing Fast

 While it may look like another rehash of the old Galaxy S, under the hood the new Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G packs blistering speed, with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and lightning fast 4G. Does the rest of the device measure up? We take an in-depth look.

This model is available exclusively at T-Mobile USA for $150 with a two-year service contract and $50 mail-in rebate. Without the contract it's $450.

 Build & Design

Given its name, you would expect that the Galaxy S Blaze 4G is a rewarmed version of the two-year-old Galaxy S in a new package. Well, not exactly. While it has undeniable similarities, it's clear that the Blaze has been through quite a retrofit, delivering a much more modern experience.

The first impression you get from holding the Blaze is that it's remarkably light, even for a keyboard-less device. There's several reasons for that, including the screen (which we'll talk about in a minute) and the relative simplicity of the design.

This smartphone's design is very minimalist: no clutter, no extra parts, it's pretty much just literally the screen and the battery. Nicely enough, the microSD card is accessible from a side door without removing the main battery cover.

The Blaze probably isn't the most bulletproof device in existence, given how light it is, but there's nothing really to complain about with the build quality. It's simple, it's solid, and northing's going to pop off or go bad too quickly. It's simplicity in action.

Screen

Part of the reason for the Blaze's lightness is its Super AMOLED screen. Displays of this type use a single layer of glowing elements to form the picture, instead of regular LCDs which have one layer to create a picture and another to light it up. This makes Super AMOLED thinner and lighter than other screens, as well as providing better contrast, with black actually appearing as black rather than dark grey. The Blaze uses the same basic Super AMOLED screen seen in a lot of Samsung's older or mid-range models, not as clear and vivid as the ones in the Galaxy S II and Samsung Infuse, but still nice. Even contrasted against your average, more modern LCD, it's going to hold up very well.

Performance

Without a doubt, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G's highest end spec is its processor: a whopping 1.5 GHz dual-core chip gives it as much raw power as just about any smartphone out there, even the higher end stuff. That makes it an ideal choice for games and high-end video for those who don't want to break the bank. Using Quadrant Standard benchmarks, the Blaze earned a whopping 3565 average. When you consider that the Verizon flagship Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX only scores around 2700, that's impressive.

Once you branch out past the processor though, the Blaze is pretty standard mid-range fare. Running on the slightly older Android  OS 2.3 (Gingerbread), it isn't the sort of device I'd expect to see get an Android 4.0 upgrade, so don't count on it. But then, there's as yet very little real advantage using 4.0, as most apps are still designed for 2.3.

A lot of the online spec sheets about the model are wrong: it definitely does not have 16 GB of memory. Instead, it has 4 GB internal (of which 2 GB are available) and is pre-loaded with a 4 GB microSD card. That adds up to a reasonable amount for a middle of the road device, but not nearly so exciting as if the spec sheets had been right.

One unfortunate quality is that the Blaze comes stocked with a lot of T-Mobile branded "bloatware" apps. While it's not quite as bad as some of the Verizon models, the ten -- yes, ten -- T-Mobile branded apps like their own app store, their own version of 411, their own version of caller ID, etcetera, do tend to be tiresome. And they can't be uninstalled, although you can at least remove the widgets that come plastered all over the home screen.

Communication

While T-Mobile is currently the only major provider that isn't deploying an LTE network, that doesn't mean you should underestimate their own high speed internet options. The carrier's souped-up HSPA network is still amply capable of delivering broadband at speeds of 10 to 12 megabits downstream, which is competitive with even Verizon's 4G LTE service. Uploading is slower, but not so slow that it should bother you unless you're sending 50 MB videos on a regular basis.

A nice thing about T-Mobile's service that you can't get elsewhere is their WiFi Calling option. Basically, whenever you're hooked up to WiFi your T-Mobile Android phone will default to running your phone's voice, data, and messaging all over the WiFi connection. This effectively gives you the same thing as native T-Mobile service anywhere you can get WiFi, even if you're way, way out in the boondocks, or buried deep in an office building with no other reception. And unlike the signal boosters offered by other providers, you don't need any special hardware or setup, and it works anywhere.

One slightly surprising inclusion on the Blaze is Near Field Communication, or NFC. This is a means to transmit small bits of information such as URLs, contact information, or other bits of text. This can be device to device, like sharing a contact; picking up a URL from an NFC-enabled poster or advertising display; or transmitting data or an authorization from your phone to another device. NFC hasn't seen much adoption in the US, but Google has been pushing it for use with their "Google Wallet" service, essentially trying to make your smartphone into also being your credit card. Although why you'd want that, I have a hard time imagining.

Productivity

Unfortunately the Blaze doesn't stock over-much in the way of productivity software. Beyond the standard email, contacts, and organization apps, the only other particularly useful thing it sports is a copy of Polaris Office, allowing you to work with Microsoft Office documents while on the go.

Entertainment

There's much more of an emphasis on entertainment with the Blaze, with not just Google's own music, books, and video apps included, but also clients for T-Mobile's version of MobiTV, Netflix, and Zinio. All of which, unfortunately, require paid subscriptions to get the most out of them, but at least they mostly offer free trials too.

Camera

In the camera department, this Samsung smartphone unfortunately hasn't gotten an upgrade from its ancestors. While its 5 megapixel camera is a fairly standard resolution, the optics leave a lot to be desired, giving you fuzzy photos lacking in detail compared to other phones based on more recent designs. Even in good light, you will lose a lot of detail.

Battery Life

Despite being a fairly slim and light device, the Blaze packs a 1750 mAh battery. That's close to standard size if you're talking about devices running on LTE, but for T-Mobile's network it's well above the rest of the crowd, giving the device excellent battery life. It's pretty safe to say that you'll get through the day with this thing even if you're using it roughly with a lot of 4G and the brightness cranked up.

Conclusion

 All in all, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G makes for a fairly good Android phone. Is it worth your $150? I would give it a conditional yes. Of all the major carriers, T-Mobile probably has the scarcest options in terms of good Android devices. Compared to the rest of the carrier's offerings, the Blaze makes a decent mid-point between the newer Samsung Galaxy S II on the higher end, and the truly cheap options like the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G and the Samsung Exhibit II.

That said, the Blaze isn't going to match up with the amount of bang for your buck that you'd get on other carriers. The same price on AT&T or Verizon would net you a better phone -- but also a higher monthly bill than you'll get with T-Mobile. Either way, you get what you pay for.

Although it may not be the best Android phone available for its $150 suggested retail price, the Blaze is still a pretty good device, and it's one of the few "small" Android devices on the market that still has a truly high-end processor in it. That alone may merit some attention. Otherwise though, I would call it a solid mid-range choice for those who don't need the Galaxy S II, and one they'll likely be very happy with.

 

Pros:

Slim and light

Great battery life

Fast processor

Cons:

Other specs are less impressive

Lots of clutterware

Slightly higher price than comparable devices on other carriers

Bottom Line

A decent but not extraordinary device, the Blaze 4G is a good choice for those who want a mid-range device on T-Mobile, or a compact Android phone with a fast processor.