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As Seen On, Smartphones

Nexus 5 vs OnePlus One: Killer Specs With Cheap Prices

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Nexus-5-vs.-OnePlus-One-4

With the rumored Nexus 6 or Moto Nexus X or whatever its being called these days on the horizon, I thought we’d take a look back at the Nexus 5 which for the great specs it presented was pretty affordable. While doing that we’d pit it up against another smartphone that is high in specs with a cheaper price as well which is the OnePlus One. In a land of expensive smartphones pushing the retail pricing of $800+ such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, there are still some out there that can’t afford these devices but still want something superior and can take them through everyday use. Which is able to give a great Android experience and not break the wallet?

Style

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Like the OnePlus One vs. HTC One M8 battle before, the Nexus 5 and OnePlus One greatly differ in design. The OnePlus One has 5.5″ 1080p display with 401ppi while the Nexus 5 is at 5″ with a 1080p screen and 441ppi. The Nexus 5 seemed to produce a brighter screen while the OnePlus One was slightly sharper.

Interesting tidbit about the Nexus 5 and OnePlus One is their different color models have been created with different materials. The white Nexus 5 has more of a smooth plastic feel while the black version is a rubbery plastic. The gray or sandstone version of the OnePlus One has a feel like its name of sandstone which feels rough but provides some grip on the device. The silk white version is a smooth plastic like the white Nexus 5. My favorite design would be the Sandstone of the OnePlus One. While some may consider a gimmick, the look and feel is just something you don’t normally feel on a smartphone or any device in general.

Specs

In the hardware department OnePlus One being a newer device has a One-up on its competition. While they both have Adreno 330 GPUs, the Nexus 5 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip whereas the OnePlus One is using a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset. RAM is higher on the OnePlus One with it going with 3GB while the Nexus 5 sits at 2GB. Storage wars are vastly different with the Nexus 5 having options of 16/32GB and the OnePlus going with the small 16GB to the high 64GB. Neither one has options for expandable memory and the OnePlus’s higher 64GB runs for $349.99 trumping the Nexus’ highest 32GB capacity by $50(32GB is $399.99).

There isn’t too many bad things to say about the Nexus 5 but one thing you wont like is one of its most important. That would be its battery life which uses a 2300mAh battery. It’s weird as the battery will fluctuate from having life ranging from 4 hours to up to 8 hours. No matter what you try to do it’s just bad. I have had some colleagues state the Android L leaks have helped the battery life some. The OnePlus One on the other hand comes in with a 3000mAh battery. This battery is a beast by all means. I rarely keep it attempted to the charger as I’m able to go well over a day with it and when it does need juice it charges back up fast within an hour or two.

Great thing about both devices is they are both unlocked and can be used with just about any GSM carrier or if you are in the US they would be AT&T and T-Mobile. I have tested both the OnePlus One and Nexus 5 on both carriers here in the US and have gotten the advertised speeds and network coverage without any issue.

Software

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Best thing going both of these devices is they aren’t being held down by any 3rd party skins. Which means no Sense from HTC or god awful heavy TouchWiz by Samsung. Not saying they are the worst things in the world and they definitely work for those that don’t like to customize their devices but I always been a fan of stock. With the Nexus 5 its running pure Android stock while the OnePlus One is using a modified version of CyanogenMod 11S. The OnePlus One has some great modifications from CyanogenMod 11S as it has taken the best from different Android OSes and combined it into one. OnePlus One even has its own themer so you can add icons and such without needing any launcher. The Nexus 5 on the other hand is just stock out the box but it runs the smoothest out of any Android device including the OnePlus One up to this day even a year later after its release. Either way you can’t go one and if you like to customize your smartphones to your liking these are both good options to use.

Since the Nexus 5 is from the Nexus line, it is always the first to get the latest versions of Android before others. OnePlus One has been good at keeping tabs on this as well and making sure modified updates of the latest Android OS hits their OnePlus One in a timely manner as well. Both right now are up to date with Android 4.4.4 and both will most likely be some of the first devices to get Android L when it is released any day now.

Camera

While I had mentioned the battery is the worst thing on the Nexus 5, the camera is a close 2nd. It has a 8MP camera and while that isn’t all that high it just takes really crap shots. Using the Nexus 5 camera I always opted to use HDR to even get an impressive picture. Software updates have improved it slightly but don’t expect much out of it. The OnePlus One on the other hand has a 13MP shooter which takes some great shots and gives you various camera modes and options out the box. Even better it has a 5MP front facing camera just like the HTC One. OnePlus One pretty much destroys the Nexus 5 in this department. Now not saying the Nexus 5 is the worst camera on the face of the earth but there is better out there. Check the galleries below and I have some more Nexus 5 shots if you check the Flickr link as well.

Nexus 5 Gallery 

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Click for Nexus 5 Flickr Gallery

OnePlus One Gallery

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Money Saver

Both the OnePlus One are great at helping you some money if you are looking for a smartphone with high specs but don’t want to break the bank. Each have great processors, run smooth as hell and have nice displays. The OnePlus One wins over the Nexus 5 with battery life and camera while the Nexus 5 may be more suitable for those that don’t want a huge screen and its Android OS runs slightly smoother. Also pricepoints are better on the OnePlus One with options of $299.99 for 16GB or $349.99 for 64GB which are $50 cheaper than the Nexus 5’s 16GB at $349.99 or 32GB at $399.99 comparisons.

Sadly the real problem with OnePlus is availability. To get a OnePlus One you have to get an invite which isn’t fairly easy to obtain. While the Nexus 5 you can go to their website and purchase one or even get one through T-Mobile’s website if still available.

If you can get your hands on a OnePlus One you wont regret and as said the Nexus 5 is a great device in itself. Both are priced cheap and either one can leave you a winner in the wallet.

Original published on G Style Magazine

As Seen On, Headphones

Win a Pair of V-MODA XS Headphones on G Style

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If you are interested in a pair of great sounding headphones G Style Magazine is giving away a pair of V-MODA XS Headphones in a color option of either White Silver or Matte Black. They are a great pair of headphones as they sound awesome and are very compact. I use them alot and love how I could easily throw it in a coat pocket or during the summer my shorts.

To Enter for a pair of V-MODA XS follow the rules below and then click here as a winner will be chosen this Friday on G Style!

 

Giveaway Entry Rules:

1. Follow them on at Twitter @GStyleMagazine or Instagram @GStyleMagazine.

2. After following them, leave a comment with your Twitter or Instagram name on the conest page and telling them if you prefer over-ear, on-ear or just earbuds and why.

3. Winner will be selected this Friday October 17th

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Don’t forget to keep showing support or staying updated by:

Following me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JMillionNYC

Checking out the latest tech on Instagram: www.instagram.com/JMillionNYC

 

If you’re on Google+ I’m on there as well: +JasonMillion

Food, News

Crumbs Bake Shop Has Made its Last Cupcake

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One minute you’re enjoying some cupcakes and the next minute they are gone. That was how one of my favorite cupcake spots known as Crumbs Bake Shop or just Crumbs for short ended up Monday evening. It started out as a mom and pop shop back in 2003 and has since grown into one of the biggest cupcake chains around. I remember more when they had lesser stores and people were unaware what they were. I have had a few from the Cookie Dough, Red Velvet, Vanilla, and Carrot Cake flavors to even eating some of their brownie flavors. One of my faves would have to be the fudge brownie/cheesecake combo.

But yeah unfortunately within the past couple of years a lot has come about to cause the chain to dwindle and lose money. There has been emerging mom/pop shops such as Baked By Melissa, Georgetown Cupcakes, Sprinkles, Magnolia Bakery and various others. Other killer was Hurricane Sandy which did in a bunch of smaller businesses in the NYC areas. Crumbs tried to cut losses by closing stores that were doing bad but that didn’t help. The latest hit on the NASDAQ causing them to default and their debt to show was the end. They closed doors, no going away party or anything.

Crumbs Cupcake

Sad to see them go and now I have to find a new cupcake to feed my inner fat kid at times of need.

 

WSJ

Random

Reflections of 2013

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2013

The way 2013 started and the way its going out has been a tremendous year in regards to everything that has gone on. I still have my same job which I have gone on with for 4 years now and thats great because nothing is better then job security. Especially being in New York City and the state of the economy in general. It has gotten better but its nothing to sleep on though..

Another plus in 2013 was seeing my progression with writing for G Style Magazine. We have had our ups and down, from fall outs to disagreements and different views but shit things happen right? In the end we have rebuild and I think we are continuing to strive and head into 2014 with a better outlook then previous years. We have a strong team and I’m glad to be apart of it and help keep putting it forward. I also appreciate being given the opportunity to hone my writing on another tech outlet which was Evolve Ent. It has given me a different perception of things and helped continue to mold and switch up my writing style a bit.

I’d have to say friends and family have played a role in alot thus far being there when things were down and showing support then things felt grim at times. I love my people for that.

2014 i think know will be even better then this year as the brand of G Style will continue to grow and build. Also there are some ideas I have brewing in my mind that will be unleashed and fulfilled to fruition one way or another.

So to everyone Happy New Year!

Any plans you have for 2014? Plan to keep the same as 2013?

Movies, News

Status of Fast & Furious 7 and Should They Make a Fast 8?

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Paul Walker

With the unfortunate death of Paul Walker(as well as friend Roger Rodas) on November 30, it leaves various questions on where they will take the character of Brian O’Conner and how they will send him off. There have been talks of rewriting the script which seems highly unlikely as Universal has put in $150 million into the film and most of it is already done, or there are options of “retiring” Paul Walker’s character. Some are saying to have him die off-screen and I cant imagine them doing some type of car crash as it maybe a bit sensitive as how he died in real life. But then again the Fast franchise has been about its crazy car stunts and killer sequences and even his family doesn’t want him written out the Fast 7. Universal had shut down production shortly after the horrific accident occurred in respect of the friend and family of Paul Walker and just recently has been having meetings to figure out what to do to keep the movie going as well as the Fast franchise.

 

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The most recent of ideas has been to cast his lookalike brother Cody Walker who actually does stunt work in the movie industry to step in and do either far away shots where needed or CGI for close up shots. While they definitely dont look like twins it would be nice to pay homage to his brother and finish up the movie on his behalf. And even though it may look weird I think the audience will understand and accept it rather then see the whole project scrapped and delayed another year. I mean at this point everyone knows about what happened with Paul Walker and the circumstances surrounding the film.

Fast & Furious 7

So after Fast 7 is finally completed and hits theaters it begs the question,should they continue with the Fast franchise with talks of 8 and 9 being planned out? I personally don’t think they should stop the franchise because of what happened with Paul and he would love to see it live on especially with him having signed on to those future projects. But I guess it ultimately all depends on factors such as how well Fast 7 does in theaters(which I see may break box office records) and how the audience reacts with the turnout of the film and they would want to see it any additional sequels gong forward.

Any thoughts of what you think should be done with the character and also about making Fast 8 or 9?

News, Random, Smartphones

Qualcomm does Bullet Time with 130 HTC Ones for the Craziest Smartphone Photo Booth

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What happens when you rig together 130 HTC Ones? You get to create Bullet Time Style Matrix Videos and Animated GIFs. Qualcomm was taking regular folks and letting them whatever they wanted to create some bugged out illusions. Got to love the power showcased from those lovely Snapdragon processors.

I was impressed at some of the things they thought of. Would you go to one if Qualcomm brought the Photo Booth to your area? You do have the opportunity to vote for locations at the link below. Hey who knows maybe you can be in the next video.

Snapdragon - HTC - Qualcomm

Check out more at the #SnapDragonBooth

News, Uncategorized

9/11. 12 Years Ago.

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12 years ago today I was in high school in the cafeteria and heard some comments going around about the World Trade Center, I thought maybe people were referring to the prior bombings. Got to my Biology class and my teacher was sitting there glued to the radio in disbelief. He didn’t care what was going on in class and we realistically didn’t know what to do.

I walked over to the faulty room with other students and saw as all the teachers and staff were staring into the TV watching what would go down as the craziest thing in our modern day American History to happen. They didnt even care we were in there as other days they always shoo us out of there. All of a sudden.. the 1st tower cumbled to the ground and was gone, Then the 2nd tower alittle bit after. It was sad as hell to see. Especially LIVE.

9/11. Never Forget.

Music, News

Take a listen at new Eminem’s 1st single “Berzerk”

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EmBez

After being teased in a Beats by Dre commerical during the MTV Video Music Awards last night, Eminem releases his 1st single “Bezerk” off MMLP2 aka Marshall Mathers LP 2 on streaming radio station Shade 45.

It reminds me of the old days of Slim Shady, rapping in a crazy sick flow over some twisted beats. It does remind me of something that the Beastie Boys would rhyme on. Take a listen below and let me know how you feel about the new track. Making it eager for MMLP2 or should Slim Shady hang it up?

http://www.sharebeast.com/3dlzr4l63of1

Music, News

Eminem’s newest album MMLP2 set for Nov 5. Berzerk this Tuesday

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MMLP2

Its been three years since his last solo studio effort “Recovery”. Fans have been eagerly anticipating for some new music from Slim Shady himself. We thought we were going to hear some new tracks from his rumored album at the G-Shock “Shock the World” event but instead took us down memory lane going through various tracks off all his past albums.

Eminem went on to debut a track called “Survival” for Activision next version of COD titled “Call of Duty:Ghosts”, but we started to hear about him more today leading up to this promo commerical with Beats By Dre. Set to release on November 5th, we see the letters MMLP2 which looks to stand for “Marshal Mathers LP 2” and hopefully he can recapture the magic and grittiness he had on that album as it is one of his best to date. With hits like “The Real Slim Shady”, “Stan”, “The Way I Am” and one of my personal favorites “Amityville” I think its all go all out or go home.  MMLP2 is slated to have production from Dr.Dre and also Rick Rubin

Are you excited for the next chapter in the music of Eminem? “Berzerk” the first single off the latest album is set to debut this Tuesday.

 

Movies, News

Is Ben Affleck being the next Batman really a bad idea?

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benaffleck

Unless you been living under a rock or a fake Batman fan, you would of heard yesterday Warner Bros announced that Ben Affleck would be donning the cape and cowl to become billionaire playboy aka Batman. It actually may come as of a surprise as there were so many rumors thrown in the hat that would play Batman from Ryan Gosling, Ethan Hawke (dear God no!), Josh Brolin and even extending the hand back to Christian Bale who has played him three times already in the sleeper hit Batman Returns, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. All which reinvigorated the Batman franchise brought it back in the public eye that it is today.  There were even rumors as of recent that he would take a $30-50 million paycheck for the next Batman flick.

Now no one seen or even had on their radar that Ben Affleck would be Batman but was it really a bad decision? Warner Bros hasn’t done bad with casting for the prior Batman flicks even though at the time we thought it would be. Remember Heath Ledger? When Heath Ledger was originally announced the comic  book universe went crazy and the hate went through the blogs and media at the time. People were like “How can the star of Brokeback Mountain be the villainous Joker?” Whether it was his untimely death or what but he seemed to down the naysayers and can be dubbed one of the best Jokers of all time.

ledger joker

Also this isn’t failed Ben Affleck of the mid 2000s. Where he did such horrible films as Gigli, Paycheck and others.  Ben has gone on to star and even direct great films of recent memory such as bank robbing heist “The Town” and Academy Award winning “Argo“.  When I first heard of it I thought the same, but we know it will be 10x better then his role in Marvel’s DareDevil I can fathom.  Warner Bros was looking for a more mature Batman that would fit good alongside Henry Cavill aka Superman for their mash-up that will take place on July 17, 2015.

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Hopefully Warner Bros picks a good setting for the film and also we maybe see some new faces as far as villians they can take on together. Also I think if he cuts down that horrible Batman voice Bale would do in the prior flicks we may already have a winner.Do you still think its a bad idea or Ben Affleck can take the Batman character to another level maybe heights Christian Bale couldn’t do?