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MOBILE PHONES "EH!"
I for one find myself not being the most tech-savvy individual when it comes to mobile phones, and tablets, yet when it comes to the launch of a new iPhone, or Galaxy flagship (don't you just love that word, so fleeting), am at the thick of the frenzy, looking up the latest leaks, specs, and design elements - half of me pretending like I know what I'm reading, the other half, actually flighting on this learning experience; letting new terminology and technological conversation sink in.
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The big conversation coming out of MWC 2015 is, well, has Samsung done enough with their new flagship Galaxy S6, to triumph mobile leader Apple, with their coveted iPhone 6. Now before I attempt to answer such a question, please note, I am not a fanboy of either brand, and can honestly say in the past I've owned both brands' mobile products: currently, iPhone 5s, past, Samsung Impact. So, to the meat of the pie. One feature that had me considering switching over to Android recently is the use of Micro SD cards, for expandable storage, at a fraction cost of Apple's built-in, non-removable storage, yet here we find, with the S6, Samsung has rid of SD cards, for permanent storage. Bugger. If that's not bad, one thing you would expect with a new flagship is innovation, but looking at the S6, whilst an upgrade of the S5, with no more plastic casing, it seems an all too familiar design of the iPhone 6; there lies the problem. The popular opinion is that Samsung has compromised, leaning more in the way of design, from their past, functionality. That said, does this make the S6, and the piece de resistance, the S6 Edge, inferior? No bloody chance. Boasting an equally, if not more powerful processor, at a higher price-point than the S5 launch, but still cheaper in comparison to the iPhone 6, with grand Benchmark scores, with the standard model being at 32GB, it is still very much a flagship to be a player, if not a potential slayer of the iPhone 6, despite the numerous growing users switching from Android to the Apple iOS ecosystem. The reality of mobile phones is, give it a year, and in that instance your current device has immediately become outdated, and so on. So is the hype of a new flagship, most notably nowadays, sporting a brand new feature, otherwise known as a gimmick, over functionality, worth paying out for? No... but that doesn't mean I'm not thinking of swapping in my iPhone 5s, for the S6 Edge. Haha. NEXT-GEN GAMING? WHERE?  | ||||
| Source: http://www.ps4france.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Microsoft_Sony_Nintendo.jp |
So it goes without saying November 2005 - November 2013, proved to be a span of some great gaming in the lives of many. All things considered... the Red Ring of Death for the Xbox 360, the Yellow Light of Death for PS3, the hacked accounts, whereby secure consumer account information was leaked, the odd glitches, overhyped games, both consoles proved to be successful throughout their market relevancy.
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| Source: http://thefusejoplin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Xbox-360-PS3.jpg |
Some of my personal faves from both consoles, which managed to keep me engaged, and enthralled in their respective story-lines included: the Drake: Unchartered trilogy, The Last of Us, Bioshock 2, Tomb Raider (a much needed reboot, which proved to be my game of the generation), The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the one off FIFA, Red Dead Redemption, Gears of War 3, the God of War franchise (barring the sheer rubbish that was GOW: Ascension), and Fable 2.
Here we are, now in the new age of the PS4 and Xbox One, both released in November 2013, 2 years later, reflecting on what's been defined as the "Next-Gen" stage, yet I find myself pondering just how valid this quote is.
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| Source: http://www.enixorigin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/photo-01-lrg.jpg |
E3 has always been a platform whereby developers and the major players in the video game industry are able showcase soon-to-be release products or services. 2013 was nothing but hype with the showdown of finally new consoles being released in the market, yet I for one played the waiting a game, a year to be exact, until law behold, the shock of it all, a white PS4, with the long spoken about Destiny, included, as a bundle. Oh why not indeed, right?
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| Source: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81LZH0euz9L._SL1500_.jpg |
Needless to say, here I am, months later, around $700 out of pocket in total, also down to the fact I was one of those clowns who rushed out and bought a new 1.5TB hard drive, replacing the installed 500GB drive, very much regretting my purchase.
Thus far this wave of next-gen gaming has been nothing but overhyped madness. Games like the much hyped and talked about Watchdogs, Destiny, Assassin's Creed: Unity, Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, Killzone: Shadowfall, Battlefield 4, Farcry 4, FIFA 15, NBA2K15, have been nothing more than glitch-ridden flops, coming under their fare share of scrutiny, many of these games have even been pushed back on their initial release dates. The fact that companies like Ubisoft have had to compensate consumers for unfinished products says a lot.
As it stands, my PS4 pretty much shares the same verdict as my PS3 - a stand alone Netflix player. SONY had one thing right in their ad campaigns leading up to the launch - "Greatness Awaits." Well... I'm STILL waiting.
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SUPER BOWL - WHAT IT MEANS TO ME
Source: https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/super_bowl_xlviii_88167745.jpg
Source: http://www.residentassistant.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/nfl-super-bowl-2015-49-624x3121.jpeg
This year saw the Seahawks return to the big show, against a team that's no stranger to making it all the way the end, in the Patriots. I really can say I've no vested interest in either side as a Bucs fan (yeah... I know... who knows when they'll get to a Super Bowl let alone the playoffs), though many who know of my American Football supporting habits, know me to be your average Tom Brady fanboy, who thinks he's the greatest QB in history. Guilty as charged.
Anyhow, carrying on, I opted to watch the match with a few college mates and some family members. I can honestly say I really don't have much recollection of the entire first half, be it the constant munching on a nacho platter, or playing Cards Against Humanity; disinteresting serves up to be the best prognosis.
What match?
The best part of any Super Bowl gathering, no?
Cue the half-time performance, and pretty much those around me, myself included, had a resigned look on our faces as Katy Perry took to stage. Sorry, but I just didn't get it, and was left thinking of last years half-time show, with Bruno Mars and the amazing Red Hot Chilli Peppers, which in contrast left Katy Perry's performance just cold. I mean when is S Club 7 going to get their big chance? They're on a comeback for gods sake!
The second half was easily the saving grace, as finally my eyes were glued to the telly, this time whilst chomping through some tasty chicken wings, accompanied with one of Canada's finest brews, Moosehead (OK, not the greatest, but it'll do).
I'm not going to act like I know what I'm taking about, and with hindsight on my side, it's always easy to judge the Seahawks decision to run the ball, but seriously, talk about shooting oneself in the foot, though you could say they were extremely lucky in the first place, on that drive, with that insane wobbly catch off the Wide Receiver's (whose name I do not know) leg and foot. As for the MVP call, sorry Brady, Edelman all day mate. You're the poster boy, hence you got it. Real talk.
Priceless reaction from easily the best waffler in the NFL.
Source: http://giant.gfycat.com/SpecificVigilantAdmiralbutterfly.gif
So in conclusion, my Super Bowl experience is best summed up as, a not so American Football dominated night, but more an occasion for spending with mates, some good finger food, and alcohol. Good times.
Lastly, being an Advertising and Marketing student, it's only natural I pick my winning Super Bowl advertisement right? So with commercials based around cute stories told by Budweiser, which I find to be rather boring now, ads bringing problematic issues to light, the usual sex sells ads... Step right on up and claim your award, KIA. That's right, a little bit of wit goes a long way with me, and I for one loved the spin with former James Bond, Pierce Brosnan, and the way the car advert played out. Cheeky. Mildly funny. Well played.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSqqCI0LNHs
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