Nexus 5

Android 4.4 (or KitKat), is a subtle pack of changes (which in the IT world is the equivalent of a Service Pack), that was too impactful to make it less than a point release, but in my mind not large enough for a version bump.

 

To highlight these changes, Google commissioned LG again to develop the Nexus 5. I didn’t have the previous generation (Nexus 4), so cannot make a direct comparison. I did have a Galaxy Nexus, which is effectively the Nexus 3. And from that device to this one, the significant changes are;

1. speed (smartphone processor technology is just moving in leaps and bounds) 
2. screen size (I used to think the Galaxy Nexus was big)
3. LTE support (not a huge deal for me, but a big deal that could improve according to some)

 

Unlike some other similarly sized devices I’ve physically handled, this device feels well balanced in the hand, is extremely light and pocketable. Battery life is still miserable, but understandable given the screen size. And for the price ($350), its a great deal.

 

I will always have a special place for Google and its Nexus line; this phone doesn’t disappoint.

iPad Air

As with my previous Apple product-related blog post, this update too can be summed up as another incremental update. It doesn’t have a better screen, its a little faster, battery life is the same and it doesn’t do anything significantly different from its predecessor (or even its predecessor).

 

The most revolutionary change in the iPad world was the inclusion of the Retina display - that was cool. And the change to a Lightning connector - really reduced the number of inventory parts required. Again, this is a humdrum update which you would be best to avoid completely if you had the iPad 4, or if you had someone to give your iPad 3 to in order to get homogeneity across connectors.

iPhone 5S

In a word, this review can be covered with one word; meh. Its the same form factor as the iPhone 5, except a bit faster, an integrated touch sensor and world-wide LTE band support.

 

To be honest, the band support is the only reason to change, and even then only if you plan to change continents (which I did). Or because someone gives you a stupid amount of money to trade in your old device (which they did). Otherwise, save your money.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (version 2)

The Kindle Paperwhite is an amazing device; I’ve blogged about it before, and have had a chance to use the new generation one for the last month now. Summary : no need to change if you have the previous one, but if you don’t, this is absolutely the e-reader to get (and yes, you need a separate tablet and e-reader).

 

To be honest, this really is an incremental update. No notable changes, except maybe the light source illuminating the page is now so well integrated that you can’t actually tell where the LED lights are.

 

The previous generation was perfect; this one, to be honest, makes a truly brilliant product simply sublime.