I've Ditched The Face

I have been toying with the idea of ditching Facebook for a year or so and last night I finally deleted my Facebook accounts. The final straw was what I consider to be unethical experimentation. Plus, it seems Facebook lied about when they changed their policy notice on their t's & c's.

I have been with Google+ for a few years and love the feeling of it. It's looking better all the time and I find the level of posts are so much more informative and to my needs. I'm sure I'm going to miss out on so many people displaying their children in fancy dress costumes. I know I'll miss out on my colleagues telling me they've just had a chocolate biscuit or feigning how ill they are so it sounds more true when they call in sick at work. But, I think I will get over it, given the time.

With Google+ I have been able to Hangout with some of the scientists at CERN and join in with Richard Branson discussing the Cousteau Underwater Living Experiment (and I believe Mr. Cousteau gave his explicit authorisation to this).

Now that I've went the whole hog and Googled up, I feel the time is right to only use Google+ for my online social networking. Well, with a bit of Twitter on the side. And of course, Blogger too.

One thing I didn't say on my final Facebook message was, where I was going to. Call me a snob, but I could not suffer the endless crap I have delved into every now and then for years. I hope that Google don't get bogged down with stats and try to make Google+ more "popular" just to ratchet up the users. I like it just as it is. Let Facebook keep their members and let us keep ours.

Chromecast usage on the decline? Not mine.

Market research company Park Associates surveyed more than 10,000 broadband equipped homes in the US and amongst other things about their usage, they found that from those surveyed, they found the percentage of people using their Chromecast at least once a month for web browsing - "casting a tab" - fell from 76% in the months following the devices launch (Q3 2013) to just 57% in the first quarter of 2014.

Personally I have only "cast a tab" twice, as I prefer to view a web page directly on my Chromebook. So, I can see the reason for the drop. The 19% drop is a headline figure that gets your attention. But the main purpose for the Chromecast in my mind is to cast video to my TV. And it does this beautifully.

Parks Associates survey shows that "streaming" did also drop but the figure went from 78% to 73%. That sounds more plausible, as the "novelty effect" wears off.

For myself though, my Chromecast usage has rocketed. And with it, my viewing habits have substantially changed. And, I have discovered some excellent shows I wouldn't have ever found otherwise. Although some recent discoveries came from me getting a Roku at the end of 2013, I now never miss CNET's The 404. Jeff Bakalar and Justin Yu are now TV favourites of 2 of my nephews aged 11yrs and 9 yrs.

Even though Roku introduced me to The 404, I now stream the show via Chromecast as it's quicker and simpler.

Since I "Googled Up" I have also become more interested in keeping up to date on all things Chrome and Android. My latest discovery is "Tech News Today" presented by Mike Elgan from twit.tv/tnt also from twit.tv I have subscribed via You Tube to "This Week in Google", "All About Android" and "Twit Tech News 2Night". The production quality is fantastic. All Cast to my TV from my Chromebook, Nexus 7 and Moto G.

Of course it goes without saying that Netflix is Cast too. And,for those who like it, the BBC iPlayer is available and the Chromecast is better than the Roku for this service. I rarely use the BBC iPlayer as I don't watch much "mainstream" TV. So, I'm really paying my TV Licence to watch Doctor Who when it's airing.

So, here's to more discoveries.

The Chrome Android HP 11 Chromebook Review

As I write this review I have been using the HP 11 Chromebook for 1 month. I received it on 25th May 2014 and from unboxing to having it up and running with the latest updates took 25 mins. And I took to it like a duck to water. But has it all been plain sailing? Let's find out…

For years, my only computing experience has been Windows. XP, then Vista, to windows 7 & 8. I had dabbled with Linux, but as good as everybody tells me it is, it was too complicated for myself. I think that tells you more about me than Linux.

My main usage for computing has been music playing and storage from iTunes and Zune, both very easy to use. Social networking, mainly Facebook until I discovered Google+, then G+ took over. A bit of twitter, but cannot really see the point of Twitter personally. Online banking and browsing made up the next chunk and of course, word processing every now and then. This year I started subscribing to Netflix and my TV viewing has changed forever.

So, with Windows really being my only experience, how could I possibly cope with this Chromebook setup? Ever so easily as it happens.

You do need to get used to a few new trackpad gestures, which only takes a couple of minutes, then you are off and running.

Just think of how long it takes your netbook or notebook to start up. Keep that thought in mind when my HP11 Chromebook is up and running in 2 seconds from standby and within 7 seconds from being turned off completely. That is the first thing I like.

The keys are nice to type with and the trackpad is responsive and smooth. I compare it to the trackpad on my Dell Inspiron 10 which has a texture which feels uncomfortable to me and the cursor seems to have a mind of it’s own. No such gripes with the HP11.

The white colour of the HP11 is really an off white which is pleasing to the eye. Although on paper it sounds cheap looking, having a shiny plastic casing, it looks fantastic in the flesh, so to speak. It does not look or feel cheap. I have not experienced and creaks on the unit as some reviewers on You Tube have experienced.

Take a trip to You Tube and check out videos from DetroitBORG and Chrome Unboxed for a couple of honest reviews. They certainly helped me in making my mind up.

Some users comment on video playback lagging. I have not experienced this. I use Netflix, You Tube, BBC iPlayer and Now TV for video, and everything plays perfectly. The IPS screen is really clear with great viewing angles. The big surprise to me was the speaker quality. It is fantastic. The speakers are hidden under the keyboard and the sound comes up and out at you, rather than being on the side or undercarriage of the device where sounds could get muffled if it was on your lap or in bed. I can hear the sound clearly even if there is a lot of environmental noise nearby. Seriously, if I use my Dell Inspiron 10 in the kitchen, I cannot hear it clearly if my kettle is boiling. Again, no problems with the HP11.

I use a Chromecast attatched to my main TV. So wireless and instant casting of what I’m watching on You Tube, Netflix and BBC iPlayer. A nice feature. No more messing around with an HDMI cable, which is just as well really as the HP11 does not have an HDMI port.

Loading pages is a breeze. I do not doubt there are some devices which load pages quicker, but I’m sure I can wait half a second longer if indeed that is the difference. All I know is that the pages load quickly and I can browse ‘til my heart’s content. Again, on my Dell Inspiron 10 I could have boiled the kettle and made a cup of tea in the time it took some pages to load. I’m exaggerating, but it does take 30-40 seconds loading pages on the Dell. and playback on BBC iPlayer is just a no go.

I typed up this review using Google Docs and it was a good experience. Especially when I know this is viewable on an other of my Chrome and Android devices. I can pick up and leave off anytime I want and edit on any device and the changes are executed in one place. Because it’s in the Cloud! I do not need local storage space.

I know this is a simple review, but it illustrates how I use the HP11 Chromebook and I hope it gets over how much I love this device. You can get caught up in the numbers game but just know, it does more than I need efficiently and it looks great, sounds fantastic and is very keenly priced.

**Two months ago the HP11 Chromebook UK was selling at £229. You can now pick them up on Amazon and Currys in the UK at £179.99 I don’t know how long they’ll be at this price but check around before you buy. Correct price at 13:29 Monday 23rd June 2014.**

Refresh.

I have been working long shifts recently, but managed to get myself a Chromecast three days ago.

I have been debating on whether to get one as I have a Roku 2 XS which I love and use all the time, and when You Tube became available recently on the Roku, I thought I'd give Chromecast a miss. But, going Google and only costing £30 I finally decided to give it a try.

Yes, the Roku allows hundreds of choices. I can view Netflix, BBC iPlayer and You Tube on both devices. I have to admit that even though I have to pay the BBC Licence fee, I rarely watch any BBC TV channel, but it's handy for when my nephews visit, even though they mainly watch Netflix now. And, I discovered CNET TV a few months ago, which I tune into every night now, and I have to watch The 404 on CNET. And, I'm happy to view this online or via the Roku.

There is less choice to view via Chromecast, but I find the Chromecast much quicker loading up the main channels I watch. The You Tube channel on Roku is so clunky and slow and BBC iPlayer on the Roku seems to take forever to search and load and I get a fair bit of buffering playing HD this way.

Even though it took me ages to make up my mind, I'm glad I made the purchase. I also got a £4.99 credit to my Google Play account when I registered my Chromecast at chromecast.com/offers (offer available to UK purchased Chromecasts registered and used in the UK claimed by 15th July 2014).

So, it's looking good for me going all Google so far. I am not a tech expert but I do like things that are useful to me and easy to use. Just waiting patiently for the Moto 360 Watch now.

Thanks for looking in and here's 'til next time!

Hello!

Hello and thank you for dropping by.

I have just finished ridding my life of Apple and Microsoft products. I have replaced all my mobile and internet tech with Chrome and Android. I am now "living in the cloud" and putting my faith in Google.

I did think long and hard about doing this as I do not change my tech products regularly. For the past 5 years I have used an iPhone 3GS and Windows Phone 7 in the guise of an HTC Mozart (and loved this mobile phone). I did toy with and quickly got rid of an HTC Android phone which I found far too clunky and complicated and not that user friendly (it may be my brain working on a different level). I will add now that I did work in a mobile phone store for 7 years and do no think that I am frightened of tech, but my first experience with an Android mobile phone was not positive.

For the last 6 years on the computing side, I have used a Samsung R720 notebook with Windows 7, and a Dell Inspiron 10 Windows XP and a Samsung NC10 Windows XP. I did utilise Windows 8 on the Samsung R720 as part of the public Beta testing and loved the Windows 8 experience.

My main computing needs are browsing, online banking and shopping, a bit of word processing, some video viewing (You Tube, Netflix etc.) and website work using Wix, 1&1 and the likes. Oh, and obviously a bit of blogging, Google+, Twitter and Facebook.

When I heard that Microsoft were ceasing support of XP, I got peeved. I have to replace at least 1 of my netbooks. Not too much of a chore as they are so damned slow anyway, but I don't have the money to just replace things on a whim. So I started looking for alternatives. Linux? Tried it on one of my notebooks before. And although the enthusiasts seem to love it, it is too complicated for little old me. Also, too much work for me to install it on my notebook and net books.

Had Microsoft given me a trade in incentive I may just have stayed with their products. Thankfully they did not. I say thankfully as I discovered my ideal option by searching the experiences of others and found some tech that seemed to suit me.

3 months ago I purchased a Nexus 7 (2013) tablet. Absolutely love it. A few weeks later I purchased a Motorola Moto G, and used it more in the first month than I used my iPhone in the last 5 years. I must add that in my 7 years working in a mobile phone store I never personally used a Motorola handset as I just did not like the software and layout. In fact it was mainly Nokia and a couple of Sony Ericsson handsets that I went for.

But I need something affordable with a decent keyboard. I will not buy a Windows product anymore, and even if I could afford it, Apple leaves a bitter taste in my  mouth. After a couple of weeks watching unboxings, reviews and comparison videos on You Tube, my mind was made up.

A Chromebook.

Ideal for my needs. Had a look at them in Currys and PC World. Checked out prices online. Watched more video reviews.

In store I was close to buying a Samsung as it had a non reflective screen, but the Acer seemed quicker.  I know more Chromebooks are being launched over the next few months but finally decided to get the HP11 and I am totally thrilled with the build quality and speed. But the screen is what does it. Better screen than any budget priced Chromebook available at this time, in my opinion. I love it so much, I'm buying one for my 11 year old nephew too. I may even treat myself to a larger screen Chromebook later on this year.

The main reasons for getting the products I chose was not only the price, but the value for money and the satisfied customer reviews and comments on Amazon.

After shopping around I paid £129 for the Moto G, £199 for the HP11 Chromebook and £199 for the Nexus 7. So £527 got me the lot. It may not be top notch, top spec. But these 3 items are perfect for me. and at the prices I paid for brand new gadgets, I know I could not have got equivalent Windows or Apple products.

Well, that's me. Why I Googled up and why I started this blog. I will keep you updated on my thoughts and experience using my new gadgets, and any further additions.

Yours,

The Chrome Android.

But you can call me Graham.