Alexis Philippides

Email: alexis@stuff-review.com

Profile: Alexis is the founder of Stuff-Review and the primary editor. He's a blogger, an engineer and a web entrepreneur. Alexis has been building and managing websites for over 12 years. An eternal sufferer from gadget lust, he tries to keep his passion in check by writing overly lengthy pieces on technology and consumer electronics. Soft spots include digital cameras, high-end audio separates and portable devices. At times, his electrical engineering background peers out in technically convoluted articles, but otherwise he provides down-to-earth reporting.

Latest posts by Alexis Philippides:

Windows 8 to have a smaller memory footprint be able to run on just 1GB of RAM

News

October 7, 2011 at 12:46 pm

Windows 8 will do things better, faster and look nicer than Windows 7. The good news is that if you’ve bought a PC in the last couple of years you will probably be able install and take advantage of Windows 8 — note you can download your preview copy to give Windows 8 a try now. Microsoft has already said that Windows 8 will be able to run on previous generation machines, even an ATOM-powered netbook with just 1GB of RAM.

Well today Microsoft is showing us how it was able to reduce the system footprint, in order to be able to get Windows 8 to run smoothly on such a low-end netbook, while leaving memory available for other applications to run. In the image above you can see task manager memory usage on the same system, in Windows 7 SP1 on the left and Windows 8 on the right. To achieve this reduction, Microsoft has made hundreds of specific changes to minimize OS memory use in Windows 8. Hit up the link after the break for the full lowdown by Microsoft’s Bill Karagounis on the Building Windows 8 blog.
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Google and Samsung postpone the announcement of Android 4.0 and the Nexus Prime

News

October 7, 2011 at 7:41 am

Just as we were getting warmed up for the release of the Nexus Prime and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on October 11th at the Unpacked event, Samsung and Google have come out with an announcement postponing the unveiling of the new product. The official word is:

Samsung and Google decide to postpone the new product announcement at CTIA Fall. We agree that it is just not the right time to announce a new product. New date and venue will be shortly announced.

The companies haven’t given a reason for the delay. We could speculate that the announcement was initially hurried to beat the shipping date of the new iPhone. Since an iPhone 5 hasn’t made an appearance, pressure for the two companies has eased leaving them some time to put any final touches to the device and software. But that’s only our own speculation.

In the meantime you can enjoy a video showing-off both the Nexus Prime and Android 4.0.

UPDATE: The two companies have now elaborated in a new statement that the postponement is out of respect to Steve Jobs: We believe this is not the right time to announce a new product as the world expresses tribute to Steve Jobs’s passing. Speculation now calls for rescheduling of the event for October 27th in London this time; clashing with Nokia World 2011 and the release of Nokia’s Windows Phone 7.5 Mango devices.

Samsung Nexus Prime running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich caught on video

News

October 7, 2011 at 6:36 am

You know that a new product launch is getting near when you have all sorts of leaks happening left and right. If you didn’t already know, the big news coming your way on the smartphone front is the announcement of the first Android 4.0 handset, rumored to be Samsung’s Nexus Prime (a.k.a. Galaxy Nexus) and happening at the next Unpacked event on October 11th.

The latest leak comes from the land of Dracula, mobilissimo.ro has posted a video of the Nexus Prime showing off the AMOLED HD beauty and most importantly Google’s latest Android build. A series of screen captures of the new OS are waiting for you together with the video after the break. Ice Cream Sandwich surely looks sweet!
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You can now pre-order the iPhone 4S

News

October 7, 2011 at 3:40 am

Smart shoppers pre-order early, especially considering the potential demand for Apple’s newest smartphone. Apple has stated that the iPhone 4S will be available for pre-order starting October 7th; and true to its word, you can now pre-order the phone online, either directly from Apple or your carrier of choice.

In the US, Apple’s latest phone will cost you $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB and $399 for the 64GB version, with a two-year contract. To pre-order the iPhone 4S directly from Apple in US head here, and for AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.

UK nationals can pre-order their sim-free iPhone 4S directly from Apple here, for the tidy sums of £499, £599 and £699 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions. Vodafone UK and T-Mobile have also made the iPhone 4S available for pre-order, while you can register your interest for Orange and O2.

Sony Alpha A65 release date pushed to November, A77 might also be facing delays

News

October 6, 2011 at 3:46 pm

Sony has announced today that it’s pushing the release date of the Alpha A65 digital camera to November, instead of the previously announced October date. The A65 is Sony’s next generation mid-range single-lens translucent (SLT) camera sporting a newly developed high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder. The delay is related to production of the camera and will affect all versions of the A65, i.e. single and double-zoom lens kits.

Also, according to Sony Alpha Rumors, the higher-end A77 SLT camera might also be facing delays, as shipping dates on various official Sony online stores have been removed. We’ve done our own little investigation; several shoppers have already been able to get hold of the A77 from Hong Kong. Sony Hong Kong is still selling the A77 body for HK$9,990, although the lens kit is out of stock. If you are in a hurry to get hold of Sony’s latest camera you can try ordering it over eBay from Hong Kong. Note that both cameras are still available for pre-order on Amazon.com: A77 and A65.

UPDATE: Some early pre-orders are already shipping out, very limited availability still possible.

Samsung Nexus Prime a.k.a. Galaxy Nexus specced, teased in video — Something big is coming

News

October 6, 2011 at 2:40 pm

Next Tuesday, 11th of October, Samsung has another Unpacked event scheduled, this time headed for San Diego, California. The big news is that, this might be one of the most important moments for the Android ecosystem, the unveiling of the first Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich” device: the Nexus Prime. Samsung has released a teaser video for the Unpacked event (which you can find after the break) showing a curvy smartphone with docking pins, citing “Something BIG is coming” and a Google logo making friends with a Samsung logo.

We’ve already reported on the rumored specs for the Nexus Prime, i.e. the device could sport a 4.6-inch Super AMOLED 1280×720 HD resolution display, 1.5GHz Processor, 5MP back and 1MP from cameras and shoot 1080p HD video.
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Amazon’s 7-inch Kindle Fire tablet announced: IPS display, dual-core processor, pre-order for $199

News

September 28, 2011 at 4:33 pm

So, it´s here; Amazon has officially entered the tablet wars with a bang. Jeff Bezos announced today Amazon’s 7-inch tablet, which will be priced even lower than what was initially expected. The Kindle Fire, can be pre-ordered now for $199, $50 less than the Nook Color and less than half the price of most other Android tablets and the iPad 2.

Despite the price however, the Kindle Fire, is a solid device, if not a bit barebones. A 7-inch IPS display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, dominates the front, featuring Gorilla Glass protection. The Fire runs a TI OMAP4 dual-core processor (but no specifics on speed), it also has 8GB of built-in storage and the battery is advertised to last for eight hours of reading or 7.5 hours of video playback. As rumored, the device is very similar in design to the BlackBerry Playbook, measuring 7.5 x 4.7 x 0.45 inches (190 x 120 x 11.5mm) and weighing 14.6 ounces (413g).

There is no camera, no microphone, no GPS, no Bluetooth and no card reader. The Kindle Fire only has a 3.5mm headphone jack, a charge port and a pair of stereo speakers. The back is rubberized, like the Nook Color and the Playbook.
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Amazon’s 7-inch tablet a.k.a. Kindle Fire to be announced this Wednesday

News

September 27, 2011 at 11:28 am

We first reported on an upcoming Android tablet from Amazon a few weeks ago, to be announced and released this fall. Well, Amazon has been sending out invites for a media event this Wednesday, 28th; definitely a ripe time to announce their rumored 7-inch tablet (see our mockup above).

Obviously, a new Android tablet is not big news nowadays. The big news, would come in terms of pricing, with the Kindle Tablet — or Kindle Fire as reported by TechCrunch — selling for around $250 in order to undercut the competition; while putting it in direct line of fire to the B&N Nook Color.

See What You Print touchscreen concept printer, how I wish printers would work (video)

News

September 25, 2011 at 7:02 am

Here is a concept printer by Artefact that would make me want to print just for the experience of experimenting with its interface and watching it roll out the printed copies. Taking a cue from the tablet/touch explosion, the entire top is occupied by a touchscreen hosting a friendly user interface (reminds me a bit of Microsoft’s Metro typographical UI).

Currently, when you hit print on your computer/device you are hopping that things will come out the way it should, which is not always the case. What I love about this concept is that, what you see on the screen is exactly what you are going to get. The million dollar part is when images slide off from the screen while the printer paper slides out.

Epson, Canon and HP, please take note! Video is of course after the break.

HTC Raider 4G LTE 4.5-inch 1.5GHz Android smartphone busted taking a ‘Holiday’ in South Korea

News

September 21, 2011 at 2:22 pm

We know it when we see a familiar face. A new Android handset has just been announced by HTC for South Korea, the HTC Raider. The handset is the same, at least externally, as the rumored Holiday said to be released on AT&T. Following the trend of going bigger and faster, the Raider features a qHD (960 x 540) resolution 4-5-inch screen, running a 1.5GHz dual-core processor (our rumors pointed to a 1.2GHz processor for the Holiday, but that might have changed on the way).
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Official: Windows Phone 7.5 Mango update coming in 1-2 weeks

News

September 21, 2011 at 1:33 pm

Microsoft decided to end any speculation and just announced that Windows Phone 7.5, code-name Mango, will be rolling out to existing Windows Phone 7 handsets in one or two weeks. Obviously not every country, manufacturer and carrier will be getting the update as the same time. Microsoft will be keeping us up to date on the roll-out, at “Where’s my phone update“.

In order to get the update be sure you have the latest version of the Zune software for Windows PCs and Windows Phone 7 Connector for Macs.

Microsoft’s Eric Hautala is also warning users:
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Tim Cook to unveil iPhone 5 at Apple event on October 4, say sources

News

September 21, 2011 at 10:30 am

AllThingsD is reporting that Apple will hold a big media event on the 4th of October to announce nothing less but the next version of the iPhone. Apple’s new CEO, Tim Cook, is said to take the stage and present the iPhone 5 to the world. This certainly confirms the timing we’ve reported previously for the launch. Other rumors suggest that Apple might not have just one, but two smartphones in the pipeline; the second being a souped up version of the current iPhone, named the iPhone 4S.

Now what will the iPhone 5 look like? Well, everything is pointing out to a larger, thinner device, hosting a larger display, measuring 4-inches.

So, start the clock. Just two weeks left to go.
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Nikon V1 and J1 mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras revealed: 10.1MP 2.7x crop factor, shipping October 20th (pictures, video, price)

News

September 21, 2011 at 8:57 am

Nikon has finally revealed its duo of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the V1 and J1. We can’t say that the world has been holding its breath for this, as there are already a lot of good choices when it comes to MILCs, but lets take it back from the beginning.

First is the introduction of a new CX sensor/mount (against Nikon’s already existing DX and FX sensors). The CX sensor measures 13.2mm x 8.8mm leading to a 2.7x crop factor; the sensor is smaller than the already established Micro Four Thirds 17.3 x 13.0mm (2.0x crop factor) and Sony’s E-mount 23.5mm x 15.6mm (1.5x) sensors. The smaller sensor size is a bit underwhelming, as the Nikon cameras would potentially have worse low-light performance than what’s currently on offer, but would allow Nikon to keep lenses and overall system size smaller than competitors. Although Panasonic holds the reins with its new power zoom Lumix G X 14-42mm.
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Meet HTC Rhyme, the new 3.7-inch Android smartphone with female sensibilities coming to Verizon, Europe and Asia (video)

News

September 20, 2011 at 5:21 pm

The HTC Rhyme (a.k.a. HTC Bliss) is now official. The Rhyme is a 3.7-inch, 480 x 800 resolution, Android smartphone with a 1GHz single-core processor. The HTC Rhyme will be landing on Verizon, for $199, by the end of the month sporting an elegant, and undeniably female friendly, purple tone. It should also reach European and Asian shores in October and perhaps also adopt champagne and teal color looks.

The smartphone will be shipping with HTC’s new Sense 3.5 UI and Android Gingerbread, have a 5-megapixel back and VGA front-facing cameras, 768MB of RAM and 1GB of available built-in storage. HTC is also launching a series of matching accessories: Purple earphones and Bluetooth headset, a white car speaker and a “charm cable” which glows in purple on incoming calls and messages so you can be alerted discretely. There will also be a docking station which can charge your phone while tuning it into a bedside alarm or music center.

Check out more photos and video after the break.
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