Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 - Introduction

Just completed a season of English League in Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (PES 2012) on Android. Here's an introduction to what is in the game.

How did the game fare?

Gameplay- 4/5
Quite realistic play. After a player has learnt the controls, it is not difficult to score in regular mode. However, it doesn't mean that it's a free scoring game. Keepers keep out shots and other players will tackle for the ball. Don't expect to run freely, the opponents will keep close and try to take the ball away. Dribbling at will is difficult and passing the ball accurately becomes crucial to score.
The system has a community network. Players would accumulate score and be part of a global ranking. Players could also link up with friends and play online. Have not tried the link up play though.

The only minor bad point is that some of english teams' names are not the usual names used. In fact, I think only Tottenham Hotspur names is correct. Most probably due to licensing issues. But this is a minor issue as the players should be up to date. Didn't notice this issue with the other leagues' teams though (Dutch League, French League, Italian League, Spanish League etc).
I can't seem to find PSV Enidhoven though...

Graphics- 4/5
Nice playback. Well, players' features are not discernible on the phone's screen but this is a minor point. Graphics are nicely done.
After scoring a goal, the system will play back the scoring moment. Players could zoom in and out, change the viewing angle by pinching and touching the screen. Nice! (See screenshots below).

First transfusion of lab-grown human blood succeeds

photo: Red blood cells on a glass slide. (MDougM/Wikimedia Commons)


First transfusion of lab-grown human blood succeeds : Link to the article here

Carbon Footprint of Santa Claus

What's the carbon footprint of Santa Claus?


via Ethical Ocean - eco friendly products, fair trade and vegan shopping.

Time for a power walk

Time for a power walk
Deformed droplets offer step-by-step way to charge up personal electronics.

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110823/full/news.2011.493.html

Out in the wild with an Android phone?

Read this article CNET. Going out in the wilderness with an Android phone. What apps are helpful for navigation? How to manage the battery life?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20066538-1/hit-the-backcountry-this-memorial-day-android-style/?tag=mncol;txt

HTC allows bootloader access to consumers

HTC allows users to access users to access bootloader features.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20066896-251.html?tag=centerColumnArea0.0

Battery Usage- Save Energy

I wanted to see how far the battery can last with my normal, essential usage. To my pleasant surprise, it lasted more than 2 days!

Here's what I used for the 2 days:

1. Connection is via 2G network, data always on
2. Brightness of display set to quite low, auto brightness switched off
3. Apps running:
• Whatsapp
• LG Home UI
• Facebook widget
• Time and weather widget
• Gmail app
• Battery Monitor Widget
4. Frequent usage of Advanced Task Killer to kill apps that auto launched itself
5. Occasional Calls

The battery was at 20% power after 2 days and 2hours. I decided to zap the remaining power by switching to 3G network and download Asphalt 5HD (about 100+MB). About an hour later, the battery fell to 4%.

 To make a comparison, the usual time which the batt lasted (with usage of internet on 3G network) is about a day.

Snapshots of the battery stats below.

Previous day usage (2 May to 3May morning).

Full charge by 12pm on 3 May.

 Battery still going strong on 4 May.

 Battery still going strong on 5 May.

Throughout this 2 days, I felt that hey, i only required those apps daily. I don't really need to access the web that often.
I think it's helpful to switch to 2G network, minimise the apps running (just use the really essential apps) and use your phone only when necessary when you are abroad or handling some important work (eg. an event). This would help the battery to last longer so that you won't get into a situation whereby the batt fall flat when it's crucial moment!
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Guiness World Record for LG Optimus 2X

Woah! LG Optimus 2X has gotten the Guiness World Record for being the first smartphone with Dual Core Processor!

Read the reports here:
http://www.androidcentral.com/lg-optimus-2x-gets-guinness-record-first-dual-core-smartphone
http://www.swedishtechreport.se/?p=5819

Snapshots 1 (User Interface)

Here are some snapshots of the LG Optimus 2X user interface. and of course, my homescreen. :)
This is the default "LG Home" type of user interface (UI). There are other UI out there and I have installed another 2 (Go Launcher and Launcher Pro). I will show screen shots of the other 2 UI later.


Screenshot of the standby screen.



















The Weather and Time widget comes with animation. Captured these image while the animation is going on. So when it's raining real-time, rain drops will start falling from the screen (see screen shot) and when it's sunny, there will be a moving Sun. :) Nice work. The weather information is from Accuweather.

However, the clock doesn't flip, the number just changes.



Pinching the screen will zoom out of the screen and show all 7 screens (Android 2.2 allows up to 7 screens for your to populate with widgets and shortcuts etc). :) This zooming out using pinch gesture is similar to that found in HTC' Sense UI.



Note:
1. User Interface (UI)- In computer science and human-computer interaction, the user interface (of a computer program) refers to the graphical, textual and auditory information the program presents to the user, and the control sequences (such as keystrokes with the computer keyboard, movements of the computer mouse, and selections with the touchscreen) the user employs to control the program. (Wikipedia)

First Post

Took me sometime before getting this blog up. :)

Why did I decided to start this blog? Well... simply to capture my thoughts about technology, my experience with my Android phone and useful technology which I came upon.

Which phone am I using now? It's none other than the world's first smartphone with dual core processor- LG Optimus 2X running on Android 2.2.

It took me sometime to decide on the phone. Was comparing several phones and OS before finally deciding to choose Android over the other 4 OS. Why did I do so?

1.) I needed a phone which could also be a modem without going through a 3rd party software on the laptop. This effectively rules out iOS and Windows Phone 7 (WP7). When I bought the phone, iOS has to go through iTunes to be able to share data. WP7 didn't even have the option.

2.) Specs and price. LG Optimus 2X is one of the top end phones currently and it is affordable.

3.) I tried it at an IT show. Really smooth scrolling!

Ha. I'm surrounded by friends who are using iPhone. But nevertheless, I have seen the Android system. I don't see major difference between the 2. Yes, iOS might have more apps than Android. But please... how many apps do one really need?

Wait. Before you go away thinking I don't like Apple products, don't get me wrong. I like the minimalistic and user-friendly approach to Apple's product. But just that Android does it well too.

Here's a link to the LG page about the phone: http://bit.ly/optimus2x.

Will post images soon. :)