Saturday, 11 July 2015

Product Review - @SonyXperiaZA SmartWatch 3 - SWR50

Hi Guys,

Sony SmartWatch is now in it's third edition and there has been significant improvements with time in this  day to day smart watch. A lot of focus by all the manufacturers is on the fit bands, activity trackers and smart watches. Every one of them seems to capture a lot of details about your lifestyle and tracks you all the time. It's like some powerful genie of sensors making a note of all your stuff and then presents it to you via several apps on your smartphones. 

Sony SmartWatch 3 is definitely a great device which comes feature packed from the house of Sony. I really wanted to use the same since the first avatar was launched as I have always been on the Android ecosystem since 2010. All these devices are powered using the Google's Android Wear platform which gives them access to Google Now and various other apps from the Google Play store. A lot of new apps are launching everyday as this market continues to flourish and analog watches will soon be a history unless you are wearing something worth thousands of dollars on your wrist or have some emotional attachment with the watch given by dad or mom or anyone who loves you. 
I got this review device for some days and instantly got connected with the same via my android smartphone. The battery life of this watch is 2 days in normal use if you are not getting enough notifications and calls. The battery placed inside the watch is 420mA and gives you a complete day of notifications, vibrations alerts to calls, twitter feeds and many more functions if you using anything above 4.3 release of Android OS. 
Sony SmartWatch 3 is powered with Quad ARM A7 clocked at 1.2 GHz along with 512MB of RAM and 4GB eMMC ROM. This is sufficient to take care of all the stuff you can do with your smart watch. The watch got updated on my wifi network to the latest edition for Lollipop updates and I got access to a lot more features. The best thing about these watches is the display which is 1.6" transflective meaning it can be seen from all the angles and under direct sunlight too. The pixel density is 320x320 but can be improved in subsequent releases to have retina display. 
I loved the ever changing display of watch faces on this device and never I had to see the same again in many days. You can also buy watch faces from the Google Play Store. The notifications from whatsapp, twitter were easy to follow even while driving a car as you hand remains on the steering wheel and eyes on the road. The watch weights only 45 grams and can easily replace your existing analog or digital watch to bring you much more functionality. The packing contains the SmartWatch along with a micro-USB cable to charge the device.
Sony SmartWatch 3 is waterproof (IP68 rated) meaning it can easily sustain water and dust under certain conditions. The only port is at the back of the watch which is covered by silicon strip to charge the device via a micro-USB cable. It takes around 2-3 hours to fully charge the device. The wrist straps are available in many colors and variants but I received this device with the sports band in black color. The strap is adjustable to any wrist size within normal range. 

Sony SmartWatch 3 takes your voice commands via "OK Google" as well as touch and gesture input. There is a single button to wake up/on/off the watch on the right hand side of the watch. Dragging the notifications on one side of the watch removes them from the watch. The more you use the same with compatible apps the more statuses/notifications/reminders/weather you will get on the watch.

SmartWatch 3 has GPS to keep track of your daily runs/jogging via certain apps as you no longer need to carry your smartphone. Also the device's internal memory (4gb) can be filled with your favorite songs which can be accessed via bluetooth earphones/headphones and you are sorted for life for all your fitness activities and no longer need to worry about big screen smartphones display cracking in the gym or phone falling out from the pockets. 

In the end, this was my first smartwatch review as earlier I did fitness trackers only but I really loved the same and it made the access to notifications so easy that I never have to open my phone until the battery dies on this device. If you are looking for something that gives you all these features on your wrist, try this one from Sony. 

Cheers!!!

Follow me on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway
Email - thelifesway@gmail.com for invites to launch events / sponsored posts and product reviews!
Checkout my Instagram (araijain) page

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Friday, 10 July 2015

@HuaweiZA P8 - Designed to Enhance Creativity #IgniteP8 #Johannesburg

Hi Guys! 

Design took centre stage in Johannesburg on Thursday, 02 July when Huawei introduced its latest masterpiece, the P8 smart phone at the Johannesburg Country Club. Building on the success of its predecessors, the P8 embodies classic yet inspiring design, class-leading technology and ease of use that is bound to amaze and inspire its users. The P series is focused on beauty and the Huawei P8 epitomizes this in all aspects, from the phone’s design, the user interface and including its packaging. The Huawei P8 is undoubtedly “superlatively fashionable”.
The phone’s design inspiration comes from the ancient tradition of libraries throughout the ages, where knowledge is curated on mahogany bookshelves, and is steeped in history and a respect for culture. This is reflected in the design that aims to enhance comfort and elegance, with the phone’s curves inspired by the spine of hardcover books that offers outstanding comfort. The packaging of P8 also is based on this design inspiration and I am waiting for the day to unbox the device myself.

The P series is recognized for its minimalist aesthetics including: a flat screen, frameless front and pure back design. Similar to the screen, the camera lens has a flat surface, which reflects the pursuit of a minimalist feel and form. Catering to the fashion conscious consumer who delights in choice, the Huawei P8 is available in silver, gold, black and grey. The P8’s 5.2’’ full HD display with a 1080p resolution completes the design of a handset that redefines elegance and a fully immersive experience. The sleek design combines comfort and ease of use, with the beveled body measuring a mere 6,4mm in height and weighing only 144g.

The P8’s outward appeal lies in its sleek, classical design that reflects its users’ sense of style and appreciation of performance and usability. Combining elegance, craftsmanship and durability, the P8 is manufactured using the latest nano-injection moulding technology to deliver a one-piece aluminum body.  Also the Huawei P8 comes with Huwaei Select giving you 24 months of warranty for free screen and liquid damage repair. 
Creativity knows no bounds with the introduction of the P8’s enhanced video and photography options that are built on Huawei’s revolutionary philosophy for camera design that leverages hardware, software and proprietary algorithms. 
Captured through the 13MP camera, the P8 redefines artistic expression to deliver images of the highest quality - no matter the conditions. The world’s first four-color RGBW sensor enhances brightness in high contrast lighting situations, and reduces it in low light environments. This means that clear, sharp and noise-free images can be captured in even the most trying low-light conditions. 
This device has a dual SIM slot that alternatively accepts a second SIM card for storing all your extra photographs, documents or anything else that ignites creativity. The Huawei P8 is optimized for 4G/LTE data connections as well as enhanced network roaming - which is performed nearly three times faster than competitor phone models. 
The Huawei P8 is undoubtedly the smart phone of choice for the fashion-conscious, visually-stimulated modern user. The P8 will be available in South African stores and through all network operators from the second week of July. Vodacom has already announced some deals for first 2000 customers who buys P8 will receive 1TB HDD along with the phone. Other telecom partners will have their own plans and deals for their respective customers. I am waiting for the device so that I can review the same soon on my blog.

Cheers!!! 

Follow me on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway
Email - thelifesway@gmail.com for invites to launch events / sponsored posts and product reviews!
Checkout my Instagram (araijain) page
Checkout my photo blog - www.photoyatra.blogspot.in
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Wednesday, 8 July 2015

A Memoir - This Month Last Year - Jul 2014

Hi Guys,

July is always special for me as it's my birthday month and last year I received my Samsung NX300 Mirrorless camera by virtue of winning #MissionSamsung Bloggers Community Challenge which gave me wild card entry into the finals of the same. 

This was my first attempt to make a poem parody and I was happy to write the same too. 

2. Launch Event - AUGUSTINEGold @ 26 June 2014 - http://www.thelifesway.com/2014/07/launch-event-augustinegold-26-june-2014.html This was the first event party that I attended in Johannesburg from any other brands and I really liked the view from the top of Reef Hotel Elevate club.

3. South African Bloggers - Meet #MissionSamsung Community Challenge Winner - http://www.thelifesway.com/2014/07/south-african-bloggers-meet.html This was the interview that got published on WeBlogForLove - Sandile Nene's esteemed blog and I really loved answering the questions. I am still looking for sponsors to my blog and can give then numerous tweets/mentions and posts for their gadgets or sponsorships.

4. Fly in the Rain - http://www.thelifesway.com/2014/07/fly-in-rain.html Another attempt at the poem after which I don't think I have ever tried it again till now. 

5. Movie Review - The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman (2014) - http://www.thelifesway.com/2014/07/movie-review-necessary-death-of-charlie.html Thought the film didn't do well on the box-office but I liked the movie a lot. It was an adventure journey in some part of Europe and I really enjoyed watching the movie. 

Life is full of surprises and your thinking  keeps on changing from time to time but the values which you adore/admire hardly changes. As I complete my 35 years of existence on this planet Earth, I have enjoyed myself and tried to enjoy every momemt as it came. I am hopeful and celebrate life as I start the next part of my journey with full vigor and enthusiasm. I love my friends, family and parents thought this first part, I have never told them so but in the next half I will do so a lot.
Cheers!!!

Follow me on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway Email - thelifesway@gmail.com for invites to launch events / sponsored posts and product reviews! Checkout my Instagram (araijain) page Checkout my photo blog - www.photoyatra.blogspot.in Like The Life's Way Page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLifesWay

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

@HuaweiZA P8 - Making Memories Count #IgniteP8 #Johannesburg

Hi Guys,

2015 Smartphone technology is changing – a phone is no longer simply a phone. It serves a wide array of functions, one of which is making memories with a built-in camera and much more from the front camera in the form of selfies. Huawei is committed to delivering consistent, positive experiences and has recently developed a revolutionary light painting smart phone to help do this – the Huawei P8. The P8 breaks new ground by combining the best of fashion and technology to give consumers the perfect blend of technology, sleek styling, usability and revolutionary low light camera features. The P8 embodies a new philosophy for camera design that leverages a combination of hardware, software and proprietary algorithms to help users capture beautiful photographs, even in the worst lighting conditions. The P8 smartphone has 13 MP main camera with OIS and f2.0 and 8 MP front camera to take selfies etc.

Eight awesome camera features that you can look forward to with the Huawei P8:

1. No more fuzz: Industry-leading Optical Image Stabilizer technology up to 1.2°, enabling high-quality photos and videos, and managing camera shake so images are consistently sharp. It takes the images really sharp which I tested with the smartphone models on display.

2. Perfect lighting: The world’s first four-color RGBW sensor enhances brightness by 32 percent in high contrast lighting situations, reduces it by 78 percent in low light environments. DSLR-level independent image processor enables noise reduction when shooting and intelligent detection of a high-contrast lighting environment.

3. Your own virtual studio: Four professional quality low-light shooting modes giving users access to a virtual photo and video studio to capture artistic inspirations. That's a thought if we have 3 other people using the same camera then only we can try to do this feature. This can only be tested under an #instagram walk by the brand where they give everyone the same phone.

4. Playful painting: The P8’s ‘Light Painting’ mode, one of the four professional quality low-light shooting modes, leverages the manual camera shutter to capture broad swaths of light. Light Painting mode can capture a rolling ferries wheel at night, showing the circular streams of light in an artistic photo. You can also “light paint” your own freehand pictures using a small torchlight in the dark. This is something which helps you create your own canvas with light. My understanding of the same is that it records the video for some seconds and then merges the same into a single image to give you an awesome photograph. I have so many ideas to try this feature out and create my unique canvases.

5. Preview functionality: Another industry first low with this light technology is the ‘Light Check and Preview’ mode. By giving you a preview of what the shot will look like, the device makes it easier to experiment creatively with light sources in the dark. This is amazing as you can think of carrying on with the shot or changing to take a better one.

6. Professional filming: The Huawei P8’s ‘Director’ mode is the industry’s first professional-level video capture function on a smart phone. It allows you to direct and control up to three other Android phones when shooting a video scene from four angles simultaneously, while also synchronizing video clip editing. If this can be done using any other brands Android camera also where P8 controls them, then it will be amazing.

7. Dual-color flashlight: Separate regulation of individual LEDs provides versatile control of flash lighting and optimizes the AWB effect.

8. Super Selfies: The P8’s ‘Perfect Selfie’ mode utilises face recognition and pre-set custom enhancement selections so you can now get the perfect selfie. This is really cool feature to always look great in all your photographs.

The Huawei P8 delivers a new level of usability for applications impacting everyday life – at work and at play. With craftsmanship that pushes the bounds of possibility and new revolutionary light painting modes, the Huawei P8 provides consumers with an inspiration for creativity. Looking forward to actually use the phone and post a lot of photographs on my instagram channel.

Cheers!!!
Follow me on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway
Email - thelifesway@gmail.com for invites to launch events / sponsored posts and product reviews!
Checkout my Instagram (araijain) page
Checkout my photo blog - www.photoyatra.blogspot.in
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@HuaweiZA P8 - The Real SmartPhone Experience #IgniteP8 #Johannesburg

Hi Guys,

Style and glamour took centre stage in Johannesburg on Thursday, 02 July when Huawei introduced its latest masterpiece, the P8 smart phone at the Johannesburg Country Club. Johannesburg is the latest stop in a worldwide tour that has included stops in Bangkok, Singapore, New York and London, with newly appointed GM of Huawei Consumer Business Group SA, Charlene Munilall unveiling a smart phone that flawlessly balances artistry and creativity.

“The goal of the Huawei P8 is to become the most user-friendly smart phone for consumers globally. Huawei seamlessly combines the best elements of style and durability in this device, delivering a revolutionary and premium user experience. The device symbolises our continuous commitment to provide customers with access to premium quality products” said Charlene Munillal, GM of Huawei Consumer Business Group SA. 

The P8 embodies classic yet inspiring design, class-leading technology and ease of use that is bound to amaze and inspire its users. The P8 will be available in South African stores and through all network operators from the second week of July. The P8’s outward appeal lies in its sleek, classical design that reflects its users’ sense of style and appreciation of performance and usability. Combining elegance, craftsmanship and durability, the P8 is manufactured using the latest Nano-injection moldings technology to deliver a one-piece aluminum body.

The sleek design combines comfort and ease of use, with the beveled body measuring a mere 6,4mm in height and weighing only 144g. Catering to the fashion conscious consumer who delights in choice, the Huawei P8 is available in silver, gold, black and grey. The P8’s 5.2’’ full HD display with a 1080p resolution completes the design of a handset that redefines elegance and a fully immersive experience.

These physical attributes that perfectly blend human-machine design are enhanced by clarity of thought and ease of use in the user interface that delivers a new level of usability for applications impacting everyday life – at work and at play. This is by virtue of Huawei’s Emotion UI 3.0 (EMUI) user interface that redefines the user experience. Built on top of the Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system, EMUI offers what can only be called a containerized solution: it’s a look, feel and set of features unique to Huawei.

Android Lollipop 5.0 on the P8 features a bold design that is responsive and allows for quick ways to view and respond to messages directly from the locked screen. It comes with automatic encryption to help protect data on the device if it is lost or stolen. The inclusion of SELinux running on all applications allows for protection against vulnerability and malware. Another great feature that comes part of the Operating System is when the screen is off, simply utter the words “OK Google” to access the full Google offering.

This attention to usability detail is taken a few steps further with the ability to increase the volume by up to 58 percent above normal level in noisy environments, as well as the ability to cut out 90 percent of wind noise when using a headset or earphones with a single mic. Add to this the super hands-free functionality that enables clear hands-free speaker calls within two meters, and the built-in independent audio decoder chipset that doubles the music volume without sacrificing audio quality.

All these features and functionality are powered by Kirin 930 Octa-Core 64-bit chipset, delivering outstanding performance that outpaces the smart phone market by 20 percent. The 2680mAh battery has been optimized through extensive research and development in the Huawei laboratories and offers 24 hours of standby power when only 10 percent battery power remains.

This has been achieved by also applying Huawei’s unique battery management technology that includes features such as balancing brightness and energy consumption that provides 20 percent higher efficiency than comparative phones. The P8 is available with either 16GB or 64GB on-board memory, which can be supplemented with a micro SD card up to 128GB that fits into the dual SIM slot that alternatively accepts a second SIM card.

The Huawei P8 is optimized for 4G/LTE data connections as well as enhanced network roaming - which is performed nearly three times faster than competitor phone models. By the same token, voice quality has been given a boost with Huawei’s Signal+ technology that provides seamless network connectivity, even when users are travelling on a train at a speed of up to 300 kilometers per hour.

How the P8 handset performs and how it matches with the all the details mentioned above will be reviewed once the device reaches my hands? The P8 launch was amazing and grand and brought all the media from South Africa and other parts of Africa also to see the smartphone. 

Cheers!!!

Follow me on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway
Email - thelifesway@gmail.com for invites to launch events / sponsored posts and product reviews!
Checkout my Instagram (araijain) page
Checkout my photo blog - www.photoyatra.blogspot.in
Like The Life's Way Page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLifesWay