AMAZON ADDS MACHINE LEARNING TO WEB SERVICES

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Amazon, one of the largest purveyors of web services to business and consumers alike, has announced that it will be adding machine learning integration into its web services. Over the years, the company has gotten quite good at suggesting products to you based on your past purchases using their machine learning algorithm. Additionally, Amazon has used machine learning to make Amazon Echo one of the best voice assistants on the market. Now, organizations that utilize Amazon Web Services will have access to a powerful tool to enable them to take their businesses to the next level and increase their bottom line.



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Machine learning is used by banks to verify purchases and by retailers to suggest new products on individual sites and through emails

We are on the cusp of a technological revolution poised to change the way we interact with technology and how products are marketed to us. Indeed, we may soon find ourselves in a shopping experience akin to what we saw in Minority Report. Our ability to create new data points via new products (such as the Echo) and services has allowed us to create and continuously improve data models and consumer products. Since 2010, the term Big Data has seeped into the collective vocabulary of more than data scientists and programmers. Innovations like Hadoop have allowed us to process large amounts of data at speeds never before imagined. But then came the question: what on earth do we do with it all? That is where machine learning comes into play.

While machine learning may sound complex, it is actually simpler than you may think. Machine learning algorithms consist of a set of possible models, a method for testing the models, and also a way to find the best model by running the fewest number of tests. A good example of this is trying to find the best restaurant in an area without going and trying food from each of them. In this example, you would use the menu, prices, the geographic location, and other data to create a prediction. Then, that prediction is tested. The true art of this science actually lies in just how much data to use, for too much data can both slow down prediction and introduce too much bias or error. Though that explanation may be a bit simplistic, the 50 billion predictions that Amazon produces weekly help its customers solve problems and make connections that would have otherwise been buried in petabytes of data. 



While this may not initially affect us consumers directly, businesses already using Amazon Web Services will now have access to add machine learning immediately. This will allow those who classically would not have had the resources necessary for that level of data analytics to better predict what you want to buy and/or how to keep you interested in their products.

Are you ready for more companies to have grocery store-quality data tracking and analytics? Let us know in the comments.

ALLCAST STREAMING SERVICE HITS IOS

AllCast

Attention all Apple users! AllCast, a media streaming service, is now available on iOS. Those who own a iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch can now enjoy the services of AllCast. This discovery was first spotted by Engadget, and has since been topic of discussion amongst Apple owners.

AllCast allows users to beam photos, videos, and music to their television through an AllCast compatible device. These devices include Google%20Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media PlayerGoogle Chromecast, Roku%203 Streaming Media PlayerRoku, Apple TV, Xbox%20360 4GBXbox 360, Xbox%20One Assassin’s Creed Unity BundleXbox 1, as well as select smart TV’s. 

AllCast, which previously known as AirCast, was first introduced in 2013. While the free app only allows you to stream for 5 minutes, you can fork out $4.99 and experience unlimited streaming. 

While Apple has had some streaming services available in iTunes, these services are not nearly as smooth and bug-free as AllCast. Apple users were, in my opinion, stuck with AirPlay. While AirPlay has some great features that AllCast does not currently support, AirPlay has to be used with Apple%20TV MD199LL/A Bundle including remote and High-Speed HDMI Cable (10 Feet) (Current Version) (Certified Refurbished)Apple TV–which is an additional $100. 

AllCast is a great addition to iOS and will allow Apple owners to have a great streaming service without having to buy Apple TV. While I am sure that AllCast will be a little buggy in the beginning, rest assured knowing that AllCast will do all they can to fix any issues users may experience. At least that has been my experience using AllCast on my Android device. 

Check out the video below to see AllCast in action!

[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k_NLVrbxss[/embedyt]

Now I have to disagree with the guy int the video, AllCast is nothing like bacon! Come on, there is nothing in the world like bacon! With that said, AllCast does have some great features and it is easy to use.

What are your thoughts? Are you as excited as my partner in crime Ryan Egan is to mess around with AllCast? Once you have had the chance to use AllCast tell us all about it in the comment section below.

AIRBOARD REVIEW: WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURY OF PERSONAL TRAVEL

Airboard

Remember the Segway, that awkward looking personal vehicle that Weird Al references as the culprit of his “White and Nerdy[ness]?” Of course you do, and you’ve probably only ridden one on a scenic tour where everyone had the opportunity to look awkward together so that nobody is embarrassed. I want you to do me a favor as you read this review, don’t compare the Airboard to the Segway in any way. Despite some technical similarities, the Airboard outpaces the Segway in too many ways to be compared; the most important of which is in style.

I can define the Airboard in two words: intriguing and exhilarating. This stylish skateboard/segway combo captures the attention of anyone that sees it. When we first received the device, I posted a quick video to my social media account. The response was surprising. Friends I haven’t spoken to in years suddenly want to “hang out” because they want a turn with the Airboard. While the Airboard is certainly intriguing, does its performance match its “wow” factor? Read on to find out.

Ease of Use

One of the main questions I received on multiple occasions was, “how hard is it to learn.” I stepped on and was comfortable using the device almost instantly, but I have a background in wakeboarding, skating, skateboarding, and a variety of other balance intensive activities. To get a better idea of how hard it is to learn, I had a number of other people give the device a try while I assessed the learning curve. I’m pleased to say, everyone was able to pick up and feel comfortable with the Airboard within just minutes.

The device is self balancing, so it’s not so much a matter of getting your balance on the device as it is figuring out how your lean controls the device. Leaning forward and backwards accelerates in the respective direction. Stepping on and off the device is the hardest part for beginners. To get an idea of what learning looks like, take a look at the video montage we put together. If you fast forward to 21 seconds, you’ll see Curtis’ first time ever using the Airboard.

While he nearly falls on the first attempt, within seconds on his second attempt he was cruising around the basketball court like a champ; a testament to how easy learning to ride the Airboard really is.



Maneuvering and Transportation

Once you get past the initial learning curve, you’ll find that the Airboard is extremely agile. Not only is it zippy (up to 12 MPH), but it can turn on a dime and even do 360 degree spins. We did learn the hard way, however, that fast turns are the easiest way to get thrown from the Airboard.

The device also has surprisingly good battery life. You can travel between 6 and 8 miles on a single charge depending on how and where you’re riding. Long distance riding is a surprising work out. My longest trip was 2 miles and at the end of it, both my thighs and feet were burning as if I had just finished a P90X workout. You use a surprising number of stabilizer muscles in both your thighs and feet to stay in control. It’s likely that over time you will build up endurance with more use, the Airboard just forced me to use muscles that I haven’t used in a long time. (probably a good thing) As long as you don’t mind getting some thunder-thighs, you’ll love getting around on the Airboard.

From a speed perspective, I was able to travel a mile in around 8 minutes meaning I averaged about 7.5 MPH while comfortably riding. We tested the Airboard’s max speed by riding it next to a vehicle while monitoring speed. While the Airboard can definitely reach speeds of up to 12 MPH, I never felt comfortable going faster than 10 MPH. Any Shift of your weight causes the board to turn. Riding on an uneven street and hitting bumps can cause the Airboard to weave and lose control at high speeds. There were plenty of times where I nearly fell off of the Airboard as a result of traveling at high speeds and hitting an uneven spot of pavement. FOr that reason, I averaged closer to 7.5 MPH in most of my travel. It’s worth noting that my testing of the device was limited to two weeks and it remains unknown as to how comfortable a seasoned rider could become. 

It’s hard to put into words what maneuvering is like on the Airboard. Once you get the hang of it, it feels extremely natural. It really says something about how good it feels to maneuver when you spend the first night with the device watching TV while cruising around your living room for over an hour straight. I simply can’t get enough. Even my wife, who isn’t into technology whatsoever, wants to buy one after giving it a whirl.

Airboard

This sidewalk crack defeated me on multiple occasions

 It’s safe to say that the Airboard is an incredible travel experience, however, it’s not a perfect one. I’ve already mentioned the challenges of high speeds and uneven pavement. The Airboard also does not do well with large bumps. The airless wheels are made of a hard rubber material that don’t absorb very much shock. There were a few times that a severely uneven sidewalk crack threw me from the Airboard. Thankfully, jumping straight forward and running off your speed is relatively easy. Despite all of my “falls” I never went down on the pavement.

Overall, travel on the Airboard is a great experience. Don’t expect to travel a consistent 12 MPH and be careful when going over bumps to ensure you don’t get thrown from the device.



Design and Durability

Design and durability rarely go together in the same category, however, with the Airboard, they are closely related. The Airboard is designed to look very futuristic. The glossy black paint, blue LED lights, and stylish wheels make for a pretty package. In fact, many people who saw my initial videos thought I was actually hovering from the illusion created by the blue LED lights.

Airboard

These scratches are inevitable

The Airboard’s strength in design is also one of its weaknesses. The glossy black paint is prone to scratches and trust us, you’re going to scratch your Airboard the first time you use it. If you ever have to dismount from the device, the Airboard rolls end-over-end on the pavement and scratches the paint on the wheel-wells. Additionally, there is not a lot of clearance between the ground and the bottom of the Airboard. Simply trying to go up a gutter scratched the bottom of the Airboard. While the device would certainly lose some of its sleekness in style, I would have preferred a more scratch-resistant matte paint job. This way only the deep scratches would be visible.

Paint aside, the Airboard can definitely take a beating. Despite falling off multiple times and enduring a number of people getting past the learning curve, the Airboard never stuttered once. Our time with the device was limited to only two weeks, so our durability testing is not comprehensive.

“Smash” Factor

When reviewing devices we like to look for whether it has what we call the “Smash Factor.” This can be earned by either showing incredible innovation or overall outstanding performance. The Airboard achieved both. While certainly not perfect, between the sheer exhilaration of using the device and its inherent “coolness” factor; the Airboard definitely earned the “Smash Factor” award.

You can purchase your own Airboard here for $850 US dollars.  If you want an insider secret, use the promo code walknomore to get a discount on your purchase.

Update: We’ve found that Amazon has various other brands of self-balancing uni-cycle scooters and they are much cheaper than the Air-wheel brand

ADORA: THE EASIEST WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE WORLD

Adora

There is no easier way to give back to the world than by installing the Adora app.


Update: If you’re looking to help donate to Nick and Nate’s cause by downloading Adora, please click here for details.

Have you ever wanted to donate to a charity or cause, but didn’t have nearly the funds you would have liked to provide? A new company/app called Adora (fittingly Portuguese for “love”) is hoping to provide a solution that will allow you to give more to the world simply by installing their app on your phone.

The concept of Adora is simple, the App places advertisements on your lock screen. Each time you unlock your phone, a different advertisement is displayed on your screen. A portion of the advertising revenue then goes towards the charity/cause of your choice. It’s that simple.

Let me repeat that for you, you can donate money on an ongoing basis to the charity of your choice just by downloading and enabling this app. (Not a dime of your money is involved) This is a huge opportunity to give back to the world in a way that everyone with a smartphone is capable! Adora is tapping into a HUGE market (affiliate marketing), inventing a new way to get in front of users, and using the proceeds to better the world. There is no easier way to give back to the world than by installing the Adora app. The boy on “Pay It Forward” would have had a heyday if this app existed.

Now, I can hear the big question on everyone’s mind, “how intrusive will the advertisements be?” I, like most I assume, am willing to donate my lock screen to a good cause as long as it isn’t going to cause me grief.  The answer to the “how intrusive” question is: as intrusive as you want the advertisements to be. You choose the subject matter of the advertisements shown on your screen. Are you looking for the next big travel adventure with your significant other? Choose travel for your ad preferences to show you the latest deals each time you unlock your phone. As far as ad types are concerned, they will consist of images, GIFs, and videos (Silent unless clicked) on your lock screen. I was a bit concerned about video at first, but once one of the founders explained to me that any ad audio has to be enabled, my concerns were put to rest. It’s also worth noting that the company has a strict “family friendly” advertising rule, so you don’t have to worry about a barely clothed Miley Cyrus being on your screen the next time your wife unlocks your phone. 

Adora

This app is available for both Apple and Android devices with a caveat, Apple has strict control over the lock screen and currently hasn’t given developers the ability to show more than notifications and album art on the lock screen. As a result, Adora on the iPhone instead uses a notification system that displays ads at intervals of your choice.

Additionally, Adora continues to learn your preferences over time to provide you with valuable offerings on a regular basis. Each time an ad is displayed, you can up-vote or down-vote the ad to improve the apps understanding of you. Also, you can save ads for later viewing if you’re needing to get to that text message but your interested in checking out the offer at a later time. All in all, the app has a slick interface that gives users control and visibility of what is most important to them: the ads they see, the charity they are donating towards, and how much money their ad interactions have generated for their chosen charity/cause.

Finally, the other most important question is, “how much of the advertising revenue will actually make it to a charity?” According to their F.A.Q. page, they are currently giving 20%, but are working towards increasing that to 50% in the future. This is likely due to the company needing to recoup some of the expenses of the upfront investment in the creation of Adora. If the company can’t keep its lights on, how else are you going to be able to donate to charity so easily?

The Smash

I think the concept behind this app is genius and has an opportunity to make a big impact on the world around us. I had a very refreshing call with one of the founders of the company who said, “Our product is charity work, it is what we’re about.” In that discussion it was apparent that this organization is passionate about driving charity awareness and participation around the world.  

Considering how easy it is to install and choose your ads, you would be a fool not to install this app and begin giving back to the world around you. You can gain access to this app in both the Google Play and Apple’s Appstore. However, the current iteration of the app only provides advertisements through phone notification. A future update will enable lock screen advertising. You can obtain this app and begin giving back to the world today by downloading the app from one of the following sources:

Adora
Adora

Additionally, the app is currently running an IndieGoGo campaign to raise funds and awareness for the further development of the app. You can participate and donate towards the cause here.

What do you think about Adora? Are you willing to give up your lock screen to further health advancements/sick children/world education/etc…? If not, tell us why? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

ADDING FINGERPRINTS TO SAMSUNG GALAXY S6

Galaxy S6

One of the best improvements Samsung made to its Samsung Galaxy S6 is its fingerprint scanner. Rather than swiping your finger on the screen, the scanner is now located on the home button. This new location makes scanning your fingerprint feel more natural, and seems to provide a better scan.



While setting up your own fingerprint is easy to do, I’ve had a few people ask if its possible to add more than one fingerprint. There are many situations where you need to use another finger to unlock your phone due to being in a awkward position or only having one free hand. The good news is Samsung does allow users to enter additional fingerprints, and here’s how! 

1. Go to Settings.

Settings

2. Select Lock screen and security under the Personal section of the settings menu.

Secur

3. Select Fingerprints.

Finger

4. Verify your identity by scanning your fingerprint or typing in your backup pass-code.

5. Select Add fingerprint.

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6. Use the step by step instructions to scan in your new fingerprint. 

There you have it, you have now successfully added a new fingerprint to your fingerprint scanner. Keep in mind, Samsung only allows you to have 4 saved fingerprints, so choose wisely.



As always, if you have any issues trying to create a new fingerprint or need help with something else that you are not able to find on our website, please let us know in the comment section below. 

5 TERRIBLE GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR INSIGNIFICANT OTHERS

We’ve found the un-friend buttons in real life.


It’s Christmas eve and love is in the air. But what if love wasn’t in the air? What would you buy for your loved ones then? (It’s an oxymoronic statement, I know) This article is a guide for two different people in two situations. This may be for someone looking for gifts for someone he or she doesn’t like. It also may be a guide to help you know what not to buy for those that you love. Let’s get started.

Bad Gifts

The HashKey

#DumbestGiftEver! See what I just did there? Mind you, I did it with a regular keyboard on my computer. If you want to talk about solving a problem that doesn’t exist, take a look at the HashKey. I can just hear Mr. Wonderful asking two questions: “Why?” and “How do I make money with this idea?” Somehow 136 individuals have collectively donated nearly $2,500 on Kickstarter for this product. I’m losing faith in humanity if this product takes off….

Bad Gifts

Samsung UN85S9 Framed 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV

I’m sure you’re looking at this TV and thinking, “I would love someone to get that as a gift for me.” As would I, because it would be a symbol of a bond that would never break. I’m warning you of this gift because of its price. This TV is $40,000. The reviews on this TV are hysterical with reports of people selling their children into slavery, cashing in on their children’s college funds and putting them into the Army, and selling off organs to be able to afford the TV. One of my favorites (which has since been removed likely due to a visit from CPS) is below for kicks:

My wife and I bought this after selling our daughter Amanda into white slavery. We actually got a refurbished. It’s missing the remote, but oh well– for $10K off, I can afford a universal, right? The picture is amazing. I’ve never seen the world with such clarity.

Amanda, if you’re reading this, hang in there, honey! We’ll see you in a year.

*****

I just wanted to add an addendum to my review. Since posting it, we have received a flood of responses. People have said some pretty hurtful things–even questioning our values. Let me assure you, this was not an easy decision to make, and we made it as a family. Obviously, it’s very personal. But in light of all the second-guessing, I wanted to explain our thinking.

First and foremost, screen size. I really think you can’t go too big. 85″ may seem huge, but you get used to it fast. Second, resolution. Is 4K overkill? Please, that’s what they said about 1080P! More dots = better. Period. And as far as this being a $40,000 “dumb” TV, people need to re-read my initial post: WE BOUGHT IT REFURBISHED. It was only $30,000.

Some of you may think I’m avoiding the “elephant in the room”-the real reason why this was such a heart-wrenching choice. So let’s just get it out there. Yes, the 120 Hz refresh rate is a disappointment, especially on a 4K. But life is full of compromises. And frankly, we hardly notice. All in all, no regrets.

P.S., as for our daughter, NO ONE has the right to question our parenting. Totally out of bounds. Amanda was going into 7th grade, so it was going to be a transitional year anyway. Now she gets to see the world. How many kids her age get to go to Bahrain? I sure as heck didn’t, but you don’t hear me screaming “child abuse.” Bottom line: MYOB! Seriously.

*****

Has it been a year already? Wow! I guess that’s what 8 hours a day of immersive TV will do for you! Many of you have expressed your eagerness for an update. Well, here goes.

Generally, the Samsung has held up beautifully. We have noticed a little bit of lag, mostly in multi-player gaming–but not enough to cost us any firefights. There have been some issues up-imaging low rez content, but that’s to be expected when you early-adopt–we’re still “waiting on the world to change,” as John Mayer would say (gosh he’s talented.) On the plus side, we feel like we are now officially part of the cast of GOT. The other night Peg almost had to open a window to let Daenerys’ dragons fly out!

And you’ll all be happy to know our darling Amanda is back with us, safe and sound. She has changed a little. She’s less talkative than before (though she had some choice words for me when I asked her to clean her room). And she’s started wearing eye make-up, which has Peg a bit concerned. But welcome to thirteen, I guess. We’re just glad to have her home. And she loves the TV. That’s the main thing. In fact, she spends so much time in front of it lately, you’d swear she owns it.

While I’m sure the TV is of decent quality, I’m including this on the list to make sure you don’t accidentally make a purchase without looking at the price… You’re welcome!

Bad Gifts

Motorola RAZR V3

This phone used to be all the rage. A one megapixel camera, the ability to play MP3s, a speakerphone, and the ability to connect to a bluetooth headset were all revolutionary in its time. The phones design was its biggest “sexy” factor. Now… it’s a flip phone. Let me repeat, it is as flip phone. The most insulting part about this gift is that it still costs more than a number of low-end smartphones on the market and it’s a flip phone. However, this is the perfect gift for your teenager with attitude who needs a new outlook on life.

Bad Gifts

Thanko Keyboard Quiet cover

Here is a gift that is just plain dumb. This is a keyboard sleeve that goes over your keyboard AND your hands. I just hope you don’t have to use a mouse, because getting in and out of this things looks like a nightmare. There ARE plenty of keyboard silencers that are available that go over the keyboard allowing you to type freely. This is the perfect gift if you’re looking for a way to un-friend someone in real life. 

Bad Gifts

iArm Forearm Mount

Have you ever wished you could just mount your tablet to your arm so that you can… hold something else? How about three remotes? Your salad? If you answered yes to any of those questions, this product isn’t for you, I’ve actually just got a ticket to the psych ward for you. In all reality, this isn’t an actual piece of tech. This is a part of a series of boxes known as Prank Packs. You can put whatever gift you want inside, but the boxes have terrible looking ideas on the outside.

Some other noteworthy mentionables include the Crib Dribbler, an infant gerbil water bottle; the Bathe and Brew, a coffee maker that also dispenses soap for use in the shower; and many more terrible ideas. I actually recommend these products just for the sheer enjoyment of seeing people’s reaction. Just make sure you have a camera handy when they open the gift.

There are plenty more bad gifts where that came from, but these are a few that we got a kick out of. We hope you did as well. We do a segment in our weekly podcast, The SmashCast, called ridickitech where we find the dumbest technology out there and tear it apart. We recommend you join us in the action sometime.

I hope all you Smashers have a wonderful and safe holiday. You’ve made 2015 a pleasure to be alive.

Have you seen a terrible tech gift idea? Share it in the comments below! 

FIVE GREAT GADGETS AT MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS

mobile-world-congress

Mobile World Congress is now over. New smartphones have been revealed. Slick new smartwatches have made us salivate. Suitcases have…gotten smarter. (We’ll get to it) To conclude a week of technological greatness, we’re compiling our top five gadgets from Mobile Word Congress. Lets get started!

Samsung Galaxy S6

Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge

Of course this was going to make our top 5 favorite gadgets list. The Samsung Galaxy S6 was arguably the most anticipated smartphone at Mobile World Congress. It was expected that Samsung would make some big changes to the design of their flagship smartphone, but many did not expect Samsung to deviate as dramatically as they did. Samsung did away with their classic plastic body and went with a slick all metal and glass design. For some, these design changes were exciting, but they did come at a cost. Samsung has done away with the ability to expand storage through a micro SD card and remove your battery. We have heard some love these changes and others despise them. The question is, which group are you in?

ZTE SPRO2

ZTE SPro 2 Smart Projector

This year ZTE unveiled their second generation Android smart projector. The SPro 2  was named the ‘Best Mobile Enabled Consumer Electronic Device’ at Mobile World Congress. This incredible smart projector allows you to stream content from a USB stick and HDMI cable, but also allows you to stream content over WiFi from your mobile devices. The SPro 2 provides up to three hours of continuous media streaming, projects HD images up to 120 inches, supports up to eight devices through 4G LTE networks, and has a resolution display of 1280×720. If you’re not excited about this, you’re probably a hermit.

bluesmart

Bluesmart

Bluesmart is the world’s first smart suitcase. Now what is a suitcase doing at Mobile World Congress, you might ask? This smart suitcase will help settle some of our greatest fears when traveling. The smart suitcase comes with a SIM card which allows you to track the location of the suitcase anywhere in the world. Now you can legitimately go postal when you arrive at your destination and see you luggage in Indonesia! Travelers can also take advantage of its remote locking, and self weighing features. The remote locking feature allows users to lock and unlock their bag on their smartphone through a Bluetooth enabled remote lock. Do you think suitcases can get any smarter than this?

HTC Vive

HTC Vive

The HTC Vive was a virtual reality surprise that turned quite a few heads at Mobile World Congress. Not because of its slick design, but due to how real and immersive the VR headset seemed when using it. What the HTC Vive does that other VR headsets (like the Oculus Rift and the Samsung Gear VR) don’t,  is improved ability to track your body. Through positional tracking and the two controllers that you hold in your hand, the HTC Vive provides an experience that is as close to reality as possible. Carlos Rebato of Gizmodo says that the Vive is “a sense that you’re not just seeing a different world, but that your actual body is being transported there. Strap on the Vive and you are somewhere else.” The future of Virtual Reality looks incredible!

Huawei

Huawei Watch

The Huawei Watch was probably the sexiest smartwatch announced at Mobile World Congress. It comes in silver, black, and gold; and runs on Android Wear. The smartwatch has a AMOLED display, and is built with a Sapphire crystal display. What we really love about the Huawei Watch is its customization interface. With over 40 watch faces, you can practically wear a new watch every day of the month. Mark our words, this smartwatch will give Apple a run for its money!

There were a number of gadgets that came close to making the list. We know you might have a different opinion on some of this tech, so what were your 5 favorite gadgets at Mobile World Congress? Let us know in the comment section below. 

2015: IN-DEPTH IPHONE 6 AND 6 PLUS REVIEW

Apple made some drastic changes that shocked many when they revealed the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Deviating from what once was adamancy regarding have the perfect screen size for one-handed use, the company now offers two different iPhone models; both of which are larger than their predecessor. The iPhone 6 Plus is the larger of the two being technically classified as a phablet. While the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have been taking record amounts of market share from Android this time around, how does the phone actually stand up against its competition? Read on to find out our opinions on the matter.

Design and Display

Apple has been notorious for their attention to detail and cutting edge design in their smartphones. The design of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are drastically different from their predecessor. One of the major changes in design are the screen sizes. The iPhone 5S had a measly 4 inch screen. The iPhone 6 has a stunning 4.7 inch Retina Display, bringing it in-line with many of the mainstream Android devices on the market. The iPhone 6 Plus is even larger with a 5.5 inch HD Retina Display.

The screens on both devices are bright, crisp, and stunning. Being a Retina Display is defined by the pixel density going beyond what is visible to the naked eye. This equates to an incredibly crisp and vibrant experience. It is worth noting that the iPhone 6 is 1334 by 750 pixels leaving the pixel density at 326 pixels per inch. The iPhone 6 Plus has an even higher density of pixels at 401 PPI with its 1920 by 1080 screen. The resolution of the iPhone 6 Plus has the same number of pixels as non-4K HD televisions, which is pretty incredible for a simple 5.5 inch screen. The size of the iPhone 6 Plus screen is great for watching movies, viewing photos, and zooming in on those imperfections in your selfies.

One of the big questions on everyone’s mind is how do the phones feel compared to previous models considering their changes in size. The iPhone 6 is the perfect size. It fits well in your hand and is finally a decent size screen without being overly bulky. I wish I could say the same about the iPhone 6 Plus. The 6 Plus is just beyond the realm of comfort in the size department (and no I don’t have Mary Poppins hands thank you very much) It’s slightly smaller than the Galaxy Note 4, so if you’re comfortable with the size of that phone, you should be comfortable with the iPhone 6 Plus. The device is also extremely slippery. Between the slipperiness of the device and its size, using it in one hand is not a recommendable experience; especially if you have small hands. It does, however, fit into jeans pockets. I had multiple people ask me to show them how it fit in my pocket out of curiosity. While definitely a pocket-full, it all fits. Just don’t wear skinny jeans and you’ll be fine. 

As far as BendGate is concerned, or the iPhone 6 Plus bending during regular use; we can confirm that those reports were false. Not only have I not seen any bending with regular use, but even when applying considerable pressure to the sides of the phone I did not see any flex. If this were Mythbusters, consider that myth BUSTED.

Other major design changes to the phones include a massive overhaul to the chassis/body of the device. What once were straight lined bezeled edges are now smooth curves. Aside from the edges of the buttons and camera lens, there is not a jagged edge on this phone. This makes a much safer experience when you feel the need to huck your phone at your friend’s head just for kicks.

The sensors and buttons are all, for the most part, in the places when you would expect them from previous models. The camera lens does protrude from the back of the device. While this is likely required to get the entire camera and lens to fit in an even thinner phone than its predecessor, it does make you uncomfortable when setting the phone down on its back. I’m pleased to report that the lens on the camera is quite durable and has yet to receive any scratches from my setting it on its back in my 2 months with the device.

Overall, the design changes to the device are welcome and needed changes. The market seems to agree that bigger is better despite some of its drawbacks. The iPhone 6 Plus is a bit beyond the size of comfort, but its dazzlingly large screen largely make up for it as long as you don’t mind using both hands with the device.

Hardware and Specs

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are also an upgrade in terms of specification. You can compare the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 5S using the chart below:

 iPhone 6 PlusiPhone 6iPhone 5S
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Dimensions158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 in)138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 in)123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in)
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)129 g (4.55 oz)112 g (3.95 oz)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
 – Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)– Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)– 500 dpi pixel density fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
– Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)– Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) 
TypeLED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsLED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsLED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size5.5 inches (~67.8% screen-to-body ratio)4.7 inches (~65.8% screen-to-body ratio)4.0 inches (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density)750 x 1334 pixels (~326 ppi pixel density)640 x 1136 pixels (~326 ppi pixel density)
MultitouchYesYesYes
ProtectionShatter proof glass, oleophobic coatingShatter proof glass, oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating
 – Display Zoom– Display Zoom 
OSiOS 8, upgradable to iOS 8.1.3iOS 8, upgradable to iOS 8.1.3iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 7.1.2, upgradable to iOS 8.1.3
ChipsetApple A8Apple A8Apple A7
CPUDual-core 1.4 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)
GPUPowerVR GX6450 (quad-core graphics)PowerVR GX6450 (quad-core graphics)PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics)
Card slotNoNoNo
Internal16/64/128 GB, 1 GB RAM16/64/128 GB, 1 GB RAM16/32/64 GB, 1 GB RAM DDR3
Primary8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash,check quality8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash, check quality8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash, check quality
Features1/3” sensor size, 1.5µm pixel size, geo-tagging, simultaneous HD video and image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, HDR (photo/panorama)1/3” sensor size, 1.5µm pixel size, geo-tagging, simultaneous HD video and image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, HDR (photo/panorama)1/3” sensor size, 1.5 µm pixel size, simultaneous HD video and image recording, touch focus, geo-tagging, face/smile detection, HDR (photo/panorama)
Video1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, optical stabilization, check quality1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, check quality1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, check quality
Secondary1.2 MP, 720p@30fps, face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular1.2 MP, 720p@30fps, face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular1.2 MP, 720p@30fps, face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular
Alert typesVibration, proprietary ringtonesVibration, proprietary ringtonesVibration, proprietary ringtones
LoudspeakerYesYesYes
3.5mm jackYesYesYes
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LEv4.0, A2DP, LEv4.0, A2DP
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS
NFCYes (Apple Pay only)Yes (Apple Pay only)No
USBv2.0, reversible connectorv2.0, reversible connectorv2.0, reversible connector
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
MessagingiMessage, SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push EmailiMessage, SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push EmailiMessage, SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email
BrowserHTML5 (Safari)HTML5 (Safari)HTML5 (Safari)
JavaNoNoNo
 – Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic– Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic– Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
– Siri natural language commands and dictation– Siri natural language commands and dictation– Siri natural language commands and dictation
– iCloud cloud service– iCloud cloud service– iCloud cloud service
– iCloud Keychain– iCloud Keychain– iCloud Keychain
– TV-out– TV-out– TV-out
– Maps– Maps– Maps
– iBooks PDF reader– Audio/video player/editor– Audio/video player/editor
– Audio/video player/editor– Organizer– Organizer
– Organizer– Document viewer/editor– Document viewer/editor
– Document viewer/editor– Photo viewer/editor– Photo viewer/editor
– Photo viewer/editor– Voice memo/dial/command– Voice memo/dial/command
– Voice memo/dial/command– Predictive text input– Predictive text input
– Predictive text input  
BatteryNon-removable Li-Po 2915 mAh battery (11.1 Wh)Non-removable Li-Po 1810 mAh battery (6.9 Wh)Non-removable Li-Po 1560 mAh battery (5.92 Wh)
Stand-byUp to 384 h (3G)Up to 250 h (3G)Up to 250 h (2G) / Up to 250 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 24 h (3G)Up to 14 h (3G)Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G)
Music playUp to 80 hUp to 50 hUp to 40 h
PerformanceBasemark OS II: 1222Basemark OS II: 1252 / Basemark X: 15841Basemark OS II: 1077 / Basemark X: 14341

Courtesy of GSMArena.com

The major spec upgrades include the CPU, GPU, battery life, and the addition of the NFC chip. The CPU inside of both models of the iPhone 6 utilize Apple’s A8 chipset. This is a step up from the A7 chip used in the iPhone 5S and provides an approximate 25% boost in performance. Also, the GPU is also upgraded from the PowerVR G6430 to the PowerVR G6450 which provides an approximate 50% boost in graphical processing power. This means games should look and run better. However, some testing has shown that most of this “extra” power is exhausted from outputting to higher resolution screens; especially on the iPhone 6 Plus. 

Disappointingly, there was not an upgrade to the RAM of the device. Utilizing only 1 GB of RAM puts the iPhone 6 in line with a low-end Android Phones. However, you’ll notice that the device is silky smooth in terms of performance. This is for a number of reasons. For one, iOS is optimized for the specs of the devices. Android has so many different devices on the market that it is challenging to optimize for every device. Also, iOS requires less power to operate. While you may have a lower powered lawn mower, the fact that you’re a slim 140 pound man as opposed to a 350 pound wrestler is going to give you better performance than you would expect from only 1 GB of RAM.

Battery life has also seen a huge improvement! I can often get nearly 2 days out of my iPhone 6 Plus without a charge with relatively heavy use. Some days I will just leave the screen on for extended periods of time while working to monitor various things. Even when leaving the screen on for hours at a time, the battery always gives me at least a full day’s worth of use.

iPhone 6 Review

One of my favorite new pieces of hardware on the device is the fingerprint scanner. While I largely considered it a gimmick on past phones and computers due to being a clumsy experience, the finger-print scanner works so well that it’s become one of my favorite features of the iPhone 6 Plus. It is surprisingly accurate and zippy. If you power on your phone with your thumb, a simple half second linger on the button will take you past the lockscreen which is surprisingly more convenient than you would thing. Also, being able to pay for apps and games in the app store by scanning your fingerprint instead of typing your password is extremely convenient as well. I did notice that any moisture on your finger would inhibit the device from being able to read your fingerprint. If you have clammy hands, don’t look forward to using the fingerprint scanner.

Camera and Video

The iPhone has been a photographer’s smartphone favorite for many years. While if you simply compare cameras by megapixel, the iPhone 6 Plus is considerably behind its competition. However, the way in which the camera takes and processes the image as well as the sensor size both play a large role in the quality of the image. The only time megapixels is going to impact you is when you’re blowing your pictures up to extremely large sizes. As long as you’re not planning on displaying/printing the image beyond 20 X 30, the quality of the image should be just fine. 

I don’t profess to be a professional photographer, so I’m going to defer the camera comparison over to our professional photography friends at improvephotography.com. In their testing they found that in many ways the iPhone 6 Plus’s camera actually performed worse than the iPhone 5S. They mention that contrast and burst shots performed considerably better on the iPhone 5S. 

However, in the iPhone 6 Plus’s favor, it performed better in low light settings. The phase detection auto-focus also delivered clearer more focused photos; especially in very noisy environments.

You can view their entire comparison below:

Overall, I’ve been pleased with the quality of the pictures that I have taken with the iPhone 6 Plus. While it is definitely no DSLR replacement, it gets the job done and gives you an accessible camera anytime anywhere. Below are a few examples of photos that we took with the iPhone 6 Plus:

The front facing camera is only 1.2 megapixels and shoots in HD at 720P. While far from the best front-facing camera on a smartphone, it gets the job done for video chatting and low res selfies.

Video on the device also comes with some bells and whistles. While shooting in HD is nothing new for iPhones, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus both shoot at 60 frames per second which equates to smoother video. Apple’s Focus Pixel technology works surprisingly well while changing from one subject to another and remaining in focus. When shifting quickly from one subject to another, there are fractions of a second in which you will notice the camera refocusing, but it performs significantly better than my DSLR’s ability to autofocus while shooting video.

The new slow motion video mode is also an extremely cool new feature. Having the ability to capture video at 240 frames per second allows you to see an entirely new world. While Samsung has had this feature since the Galaxy S4, the execution of slow motion mode on the iPhone is a much better experience. For one, after shooting video, you can choose what portion of the clip you want to show in slow motion. Additionally, when the phone is shifting into slow motion it shifts quickly but gradually giving it an almost Hollywood movie slow-down slow motion effect. Also, the iPhone 6’s slow motion video also captures sound; something the Galaxy S4 nor S5 capture when shooting in slow motion. 

You’ll notice, when using this mode, resolution does go down to 720P. Also, it doesn’t perform well in low-light settings. Our NoPhone Gymnastics video was shot using the iPhone 6 Plus and you can see some minor flickering while playing back the video in slow motion.

In proper lighting however, slow motion shots look crisp. Check out one of our favorites that we’ve found online below:

While a higher megapixel camera would have been welcomed, the camera performs really well in terms of taking pictures and videos with a variety of different features and modes to keep your creativity on steroids. 

APplepay

Apple Pay

With the additional of an NFC chip to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple released Apple Pay; a new form of mobile payment.  The system is slick and works surprisingly well. It keeps track of all of your transactions in tandem with each credit card you have registered with Apple Pay. In my experience with Apple Pay, it does have a few pros and cons.

The setup process was extremely easy. You tap add a card, input the details, and in some cases you have to take a picture of the card. However, once you’re completed with the setup process, it doesn’t give you any kind of indication as to what to do next. In my first test, I didn’t know what to expect. I went to my local Circle K, opened up Apple Pay, held my phone against the sensor, and hoped it would work. Thankfully, it did. I had to promptly scan my fingerprint to finalize the payment process, after which point there was a delay. During this delay was an awkward time where myself and the cashier looked at each other in suspense in wonder whether the payment method was going to work or not. Once the card processed, it indicated success on the screen and I walked away with my goods after proudly paying as if someone from the future.

It’s worth noting that not all cards are accepted. I tried to add my credit union debit card and it said it was not approved for use with Apple Pay and that I would need to contact the Credit Union. This is extremely disappointing. Also, very few retailers have the hardware in place to support Apple Pay and some have even disabled Apple Pay due to relationships with other mobile payment companies. For this to replace my wallet I need two improvements to occur in the near future. All cards need to be accepted and the majority of stores need to have the hardware to support Apple Pay. At this point I still have to carry my wallet which defeats the overall purpose of Apple Pay.

Interface and Operating System

iOS has always been one of the more user-friendly and intuitive experiences out there. Apple has worked hard to keep it that way. Since the release of iOS7, the operating system has been enjoying a much-needed facelift with quick access menus that Android users had been delighting in for years. 

One of the major new features released with iOS 8 was third-party keyboards. Coming from the Android world previously, I was excited to not have to abandon Swype. However, I was disappointed that Swype on the iPhone did not perform nearly as well as it did on Android. Autocorrect on the iPhone was much more strict and less intelligent. If a word is not in their dictionary, the iPhone is going to correct it continuously unless you tell it not to. Whereas on Android, if a word wasn’t found in the dictionary, I could simply type it and the phone was smart enough to know that I was adding a word not found in the dictionary amidst my Swyping. 

Also, I found the third-party keyboard feature to be buggy. Whether the bug resided in the code of the keyboard or the operating system remains unknown, but anytime I would open the text messaging app, it would not load my keyboard. I would have to close out the app and re-open it to respond to any texts. This became frustrating to the point of switching back to the stock keyboard.

Some other highlights of iOS 8 are as follows:

  • On the fly messaging. If you receive a message while within another app, you can quickly respond without leaving the app your using. However, keep in mind that if you get another notification while typing up a message you will lose your message. 
  • Healthkit – This new aspect of the OS allows the iPhone to stay integrated with a number of different fitness tracking devices.
  • HomeKit – Home automation is on the rise with the advent of the smart bulb, smartlock, and more. HomeKit is a new aspect of the operating system that will unify the home automation experience on iOS
  • Siri Improvements – Siri has performed extremely well. I’ve used Siri both in a noisy car over Bluetooth and in quiet rooms simply through the standard microphone. I would estimate around a 95% success rate. You do have to have a solid internet connection in order for Siri to “hear” you. 
  • Family sharing – Now you can share apps, photos, and more with up to 6 iTunes accounts. Just make sure you keep those embarrassing audio journal entries from making it into the family cloud.

Overall, I feel that iOS has caught up with Android in terms of necessary functionality. While definitely not perfect with a bug here and there, the interface is intuitive and it performs really well with the hardware inside of the phone. It’s unfortunate that third-party keyboards don’t work better. Hopefully this will improve over time. 

Overall

In conclusion, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are both phenomenal phones. The new design, added screen size, and crystal clear display make for a fantastic visual experience. The upgraded specs and hardware enable the device to perform well, although we would have liked more system RAM and an increase in megapixels to the cameras. Apple Pay is a welcome addition, although there are a variety of things that need to happen before it becomes a viable wallet replacement. The iPhone 6 Plus is a bit too large, but doable as a two-hander phone. Overall, I highly recommend these devices to anyone looking for a smartphone with a strong portfolio of options and features.

2015: IN-DEPTH IPHONE 6 AND 6 PLUS REVIEW

Apple made some drastic changes that shocked many when they revealed the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Deviating from what once was adamancy regarding have the perfect screen size for one-handed use, the company now offers two different iPhone models; both of which are larger than their predecessor. The iPhone 6 Plus is the larger of the two being technically classified as a phablet. While the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have been taking record amounts of market share from Android this time around, how does the phone actually stand up against its competition? Read on to find out our opinions on the matter.

Design and Display

Apple has been notorious for their attention to detail and cutting edge design in their smartphones. The design of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are drastically different from their predecessor. One of the major changes in design are the screen sizes. The iPhone 5S had a measly 4 inch screen. The iPhone 6 has a stunning 4.7 inch Retina Display, bringing it in-line with many of the mainstream Android devices on the market. The iPhone 6 Plus is even larger with a 5.5 inch HD Retina Display.

The screens on both devices are bright, crisp, and stunning. Being a Retina Display is defined by the pixel density going beyond what is visible to the naked eye. This equates to an incredibly crisp and vibrant experience. It is worth noting that the iPhone 6 is 1334 by 750 pixels leaving the pixel density at 326 pixels per inch. The iPhone 6 Plus has an even higher density of pixels at 401 PPI with its 1920 by 1080 screen. The resolution of the iPhone 6 Plus has the same number of pixels as non-4K HD televisions, which is pretty incredible for a simple 5.5 inch screen. The size of the iPhone 6 Plus screen is great for watching movies, viewing photos, and zooming in on those imperfections in your selfies.

One of the big questions on everyone’s mind is how do the phones feel compared to previous models considering their changes in size. The iPhone 6 is the perfect size. It fits well in your hand and is finally a decent size screen without being overly bulky. I wish I could say the same about the iPhone 6 Plus. The 6 Plus is just beyond the realm of comfort in the size department (and no I don’t have Mary Poppins hands thank you very much) It’s slightly smaller than the Galaxy Note 4, so if you’re comfortable with the size of that phone, you should be comfortable with the iPhone 6 Plus. The device is also extremely slippery. Between the slipperiness of the device and its size, using it in one hand is not a recommendable experience; especially if you have small hands. It does, however, fit into jeans pockets. I had multiple people ask me to show them how it fit in my pocket out of curiosity. While definitely a pocket-full, it all fits. Just don’t wear skinny jeans and you’ll be fine. 

As far as BendGate is concerned, or the iPhone 6 Plus bending during regular use; we can confirm that those reports were false. Not only have I not seen any bending with regular use, but even when applying considerable pressure to the sides of the phone I did not see any flex. If this were Mythbusters, consider that myth BUSTED.

Other major design changes to the phones include a massive overhaul to the chassis/body of the device. What once were straight lined bezeled edges are now smooth curves. Aside from the edges of the buttons and camera lens, there is not a jagged edge on this phone. This makes a much safer experience when you feel the need to huck your phone at your friend’s head just for kicks.

The sensors and buttons are all, for the most part, in the places when you would expect them from previous models. The camera lens does protrude from the back of the device. While this is likely required to get the entire camera and lens to fit in an even thinner phone than its predecessor, it does make you uncomfortable when setting the phone down on its back. I’m pleased to report that the lens on the camera is quite durable and has yet to receive any scratches from my setting it on its back in my 2 months with the device.

Overall, the design changes to the device are welcome and needed changes. The market seems to agree that bigger is better despite some of its drawbacks. The iPhone 6 Plus is a bit beyond the size of comfort, but its dazzlingly large screen largely make up for it as long as you don’t mind using both hands with the device.

Hardware and Specs

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are also an upgrade in terms of specification. You can compare the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 5S using the chart below:

 iPhone 6 PlusiPhone 6iPhone 5S
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Dimensions158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 in)138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 in)123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in)
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)129 g (4.55 oz)112 g (3.95 oz)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
 – Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)– Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)– 500 dpi pixel density fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
– Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)– Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) 
TypeLED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsLED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsLED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size5.5 inches (~67.8% screen-to-body ratio)4.7 inches (~65.8% screen-to-body ratio)4.0 inches (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density)750 x 1334 pixels (~326 ppi pixel density)640 x 1136 pixels (~326 ppi pixel density)
MultitouchYesYesYes
ProtectionShatter proof glass, oleophobic coatingShatter proof glass, oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating
 – Display Zoom– Display Zoom 
OSiOS 8, upgradable to iOS 8.1.3iOS 8, upgradable to iOS 8.1.3iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 7.1.2, upgradable to iOS 8.1.3
ChipsetApple A8Apple A8Apple A7
CPUDual-core 1.4 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)
GPUPowerVR GX6450 (quad-core graphics)PowerVR GX6450 (quad-core graphics)PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics)
Card slotNoNoNo
Internal16/64/128 GB, 1 GB RAM16/64/128 GB, 1 GB RAM16/32/64 GB, 1 GB RAM DDR3
Primary8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash,check quality8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash, check quality8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash, check quality
Features1/3” sensor size, 1.5µm pixel size, geo-tagging, simultaneous HD video and image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, HDR (photo/panorama)1/3” sensor size, 1.5µm pixel size, geo-tagging, simultaneous HD video and image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, HDR (photo/panorama)1/3” sensor size, 1.5 µm pixel size, simultaneous HD video and image recording, touch focus, geo-tagging, face/smile detection, HDR (photo/panorama)
Video1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, optical stabilization, check quality1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, check quality1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, check quality
Secondary1.2 MP, 720p@30fps, face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular1.2 MP, 720p@30fps, face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular1.2 MP, 720p@30fps, face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular
Alert typesVibration, proprietary ringtonesVibration, proprietary ringtonesVibration, proprietary ringtones
LoudspeakerYesYesYes
3.5mm jackYesYesYes
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LEv4.0, A2DP, LEv4.0, A2DP
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS
NFCYes (Apple Pay only)Yes (Apple Pay only)No
USBv2.0, reversible connectorv2.0, reversible connectorv2.0, reversible connector
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
MessagingiMessage, SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push EmailiMessage, SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push EmailiMessage, SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email
BrowserHTML5 (Safari)HTML5 (Safari)HTML5 (Safari)
JavaNoNoNo
 – Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic– Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic– Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
– Siri natural language commands and dictation– Siri natural language commands and dictation– Siri natural language commands and dictation
– iCloud cloud service– iCloud cloud service– iCloud cloud service
– iCloud Keychain– iCloud Keychain– iCloud Keychain
– TV-out– TV-out– TV-out
– Maps– Maps– Maps
– iBooks PDF reader– Audio/video player/editor– Audio/video player/editor
– Audio/video player/editor– Organizer– Organizer
– Organizer– Document viewer/editor– Document viewer/editor
– Document viewer/editor– Photo viewer/editor– Photo viewer/editor
– Photo viewer/editor– Voice memo/dial/command– Voice memo/dial/command
– Voice memo/dial/command– Predictive text input– Predictive text input
– Predictive text input  
BatteryNon-removable Li-Po 2915 mAh battery (11.1 Wh)Non-removable Li-Po 1810 mAh battery (6.9 Wh)Non-removable Li-Po 1560 mAh battery (5.92 Wh)
Stand-byUp to 384 h (3G)Up to 250 h (3G)Up to 250 h (2G) / Up to 250 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 24 h (3G)Up to 14 h (3G)Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G)
Music playUp to 80 hUp to 50 hUp to 40 h
PerformanceBasemark OS II: 1222Basemark OS II: 1252 / Basemark X: 15841Basemark OS II: 1077 / Basemark X: 14341

Courtesy of GSMArena.com

The major spec upgrades include the CPU, GPU, battery life, and the addition of the NFC chip. The CPU inside of both models of the iPhone 6 utilize Apple’s A8 chipset. This is a step up from the A7 chip used in the iPhone 5S and provides an approximate 25% boost in performance. Also, the GPU is also upgraded from the PowerVR G6430 to the PowerVR G6450 which provides an approximate 50% boost in graphical processing power. This means games should look and run better. However, some testing has shown that most of this “extra” power is exhausted from outputting to higher resolution screens; especially on the iPhone 6 Plus. 

Disappointingly, there was not an upgrade to the RAM of the device. Utilizing only 1 GB of RAM puts the iPhone 6 in line with a low-end Android Phones. However, you’ll notice that the device is silky smooth in terms of performance. This is for a number of reasons. For one, iOS is optimized for the specs of the devices. Android has so many different devices on the market that it is challenging to optimize for every device. Also, iOS requires less power to operate. While you may have a lower powered lawn mower, the fact that you’re a slim 140 pound man as opposed to a 350 pound wrestler is going to give you better performance than you would expect from only 1 GB of RAM.

Battery life has also seen a huge improvement! I can often get nearly 2 days out of my iPhone 6 Plus without a charge with relatively heavy use. Some days I will just leave the screen on for extended periods of time while working to monitor various things. Even when leaving the screen on for hours at a time, the battery always gives me at least a full day’s worth of use.

iPhone 6 Review

One of my favorite new pieces of hardware on the device is the fingerprint scanner. While I largely considered it a gimmick on past phones and computers due to being a clumsy experience, the finger-print scanner works so well that it’s become one of my favorite features of the iPhone 6 Plus. It is surprisingly accurate and zippy. If you power on your phone with your thumb, a simple half second linger on the button will take you past the lockscreen which is surprisingly more convenient than you would thing. Also, being able to pay for apps and games in the app store by scanning your fingerprint instead of typing your password is extremely convenient as well. I did notice that any moisture on your finger would inhibit the device from being able to read your fingerprint. If you have clammy hands, don’t look forward to using the fingerprint scanner.

Camera and Video

The iPhone has been a photographer’s smartphone favorite for many years. While if you simply compare cameras by megapixel, the iPhone 6 Plus is considerably behind its competition. However, the way in which the camera takes and processes the image as well as the sensor size both play a large role in the quality of the image. The only time megapixels is going to impact you is when you’re blowing your pictures up to extremely large sizes. As long as you’re not planning on displaying/printing the image beyond 20 X 30, the quality of the image should be just fine. 

I don’t profess to be a professional photographer, so I’m going to defer the camera comparison over to our professional photography friends at improvephotography.com. In their testing they found that in many ways the iPhone 6 Plus’s camera actually performed worse than the iPhone 5S. They mention that contrast and burst shots performed considerably better on the iPhone 5S. 

However, in the iPhone 6 Plus’s favor, it performed better in low light settings. The phase detection auto-focus also delivered clearer more focused photos; especially in very noisy environments.

You can view their entire comparison below:

Overall, I’ve been pleased with the quality of the pictures that I have taken with the iPhone 6 Plus. While it is definitely no DSLR replacement, it gets the job done and gives you an accessible camera anytime anywhere. Below are a few examples of photos that we took with the iPhone 6 Plus:

The front facing camera is only 1.2 megapixels and shoots in HD at 720P. While far from the best front-facing camera on a smartphone, it gets the job done for video chatting and low res selfies.

Video on the device also comes with some bells and whistles. While shooting in HD is nothing new for iPhones, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus both shoot at 60 frames per second which equates to smoother video. Apple’s Focus Pixel technology works surprisingly well while changing from one subject to another and remaining in focus. When shifting quickly from one subject to another, there are fractions of a second in which you will notice the camera refocusing, but it performs significantly better than my DSLR’s ability to autofocus while shooting video.

The new slow motion video mode is also an extremely cool new feature. Having the ability to capture video at 240 frames per second allows you to see an entirely new world. While Samsung has had this feature since the Galaxy S4, the execution of slow motion mode on the iPhone is a much better experience. For one, after shooting video, you can choose what portion of the clip you want to show in slow motion. Additionally, when the phone is shifting into slow motion it shifts quickly but gradually giving it an almost Hollywood movie slow-down slow motion effect. Also, the iPhone 6’s slow motion video also captures sound; something the Galaxy S4 nor S5 capture when shooting in slow motion. 

You’ll notice, when using this mode, resolution does go down to 720P. Also, it doesn’t perform well in low-light settings. Our NoPhone Gymnastics video was shot using the iPhone 6 Plus and you can see some minor flickering while playing back the video in slow motion.

In proper lighting however, slow motion shots look crisp. Check out one of our favorites that we’ve found online below:

While a higher megapixel camera would have been welcomed, the camera performs really well in terms of taking pictures and videos with a variety of different features and modes to keep your creativity on steroids. 

APplepay

Apple Pay

With the additional of an NFC chip to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple released Apple Pay; a new form of mobile payment.  The system is slick and works surprisingly well. It keeps track of all of your transactions in tandem with each credit card you have registered with Apple Pay. In my experience with Apple Pay, it does have a few pros and cons.

The setup process was extremely easy. You tap add a card, input the details, and in some cases you have to take a picture of the card. However, once you’re completed with the setup process, it doesn’t give you any kind of indication as to what to do next. In my first test, I didn’t know what to expect. I went to my local Circle K, opened up Apple Pay, held my phone against the sensor, and hoped it would work. Thankfully, it did. I had to promptly scan my fingerprint to finalize the payment process, after which point there was a delay. During this delay was an awkward time where myself and the cashier looked at each other in suspense in wonder whether the payment method was going to work or not. Once the card processed, it indicated success on the screen and I walked away with my goods after proudly paying as if someone from the future.

It’s worth noting that not all cards are accepted. I tried to add my credit union debit card and it said it was not approved for use with Apple Pay and that I would need to contact the Credit Union. This is extremely disappointing. Also, very few retailers have the hardware in place to support Apple Pay and some have even disabled Apple Pay due to relationships with other mobile payment companies. For this to replace my wallet I need two improvements to occur in the near future. All cards need to be accepted and the majority of stores need to have the hardware to support Apple Pay. At this point I still have to carry my wallet which defeats the overall purpose of Apple Pay.

Interface and Operating System

iOS has always been one of the more user-friendly and intuitive experiences out there. Apple has worked hard to keep it that way. Since the release of iOS7, the operating system has been enjoying a much-needed facelift with quick access menus that Android users had been delighting in for years. 

One of the major new features released with iOS 8 was third-party keyboards. Coming from the Android world previously, I was excited to not have to abandon Swype. However, I was disappointed that Swype on the iPhone did not perform nearly as well as it did on Android. Autocorrect on the iPhone was much more strict and less intelligent. If a word is not in their dictionary, the iPhone is going to correct it continuously unless you tell it not to. Whereas on Android, if a word wasn’t found in the dictionary, I could simply type it and the phone was smart enough to know that I was adding a word not found in the dictionary amidst my Swyping. 

Also, I found the third-party keyboard feature to be buggy. Whether the bug resided in the code of the keyboard or the operating system remains unknown, but anytime I would open the text messaging app, it would not load my keyboard. I would have to close out the app and re-open it to respond to any texts. This became frustrating to the point of switching back to the stock keyboard.

Some other highlights of iOS 8 are as follows:

  • On the fly messaging. If you receive a message while within another app, you can quickly respond without leaving the app your using. However, keep in mind that if you get another notification while typing up a message you will lose your message. 
  • Healthkit – This new aspect of the OS allows the iPhone to stay integrated with a number of different fitness tracking devices.
  • HomeKit – Home automation is on the rise with the advent of the smart bulb, smartlock, and more. HomeKit is a new aspect of the operating system that will unify the home automation experience on iOS
  • Siri Improvements – Siri has performed extremely well. I’ve used Siri both in a noisy car over Bluetooth and in quiet rooms simply through the standard microphone. I would estimate around a 95% success rate. You do have to have a solid internet connection in order for Siri to “hear” you. 
  • Family sharing – Now you can share apps, photos, and more with up to 6 iTunes accounts. Just make sure you keep those embarrassing audio journal entries from making it into the family cloud.

Overall, I feel that iOS has caught up with Android in terms of necessary functionality. While definitely not perfect with a bug here and there, the interface is intuitive and it performs really well with the hardware inside of the phone. It’s unfortunate that third-party keyboards don’t work better. Hopefully this will improve over time. 

Overall

In conclusion, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are both phenomenal phones. The new design, added screen size, and crystal clear display make for a fantastic visual experience. The upgraded specs and hardware enable the device to perform well, although we would have liked more system RAM and an increase in megapixels to the cameras. Apple Pay is a welcome addition, although there are a variety of things that need to happen before it becomes a viable wallet replacement. The iPhone 6 Plus is a bit too large, but doable as a two-hander phone. Overall, I highly recommend these devices to anyone looking for a smartphone with a strong portfolio of options and features.