Hello Galaxy, Part 2

After my previous post, a few other things have popped up regarding my Galaxy S3:

• [B] Unable to view/find any 5Ghz wireless networks.  I have a Linksys E4200 with  Firmware: DD-WRT v24-sp2 (06/14/11) mega installed.  I have 3 networks broadcast.  1 for BG mixed, 1 for N only (5Ghz) and 1 for guests.  
• [B] Cannot connect via USB to browse files.  Apparently I need to install Samsung Kies.  If you've ever done that in the past ( i have ... ) You'll know that is the worst decision you could ever make -- Kies is HORRIBLE.  I've resulted to ejecting the MicroSD card from the phone, and reading it on my laptop to write files that way....

Hello Galaxy.

2 years ago, in a country far far away (Qatar) I purchased my first Samsung Galaxy S.  At the time, I thought it was one of the best phones I have ever had.  I had a blackberry before and this was a world of difference.  Sleek, feature rich and fun.  Capturing some great moments, like Jack growing up, were so easy and the Android experience was pretty awesome.  Take a photo, or video, and upload it to picasa or youtube without any hassle.  Compare that with a blackberry experience -- there was no comparison.

Fast forward 23 months (last week) and I have purchased and received the new Galaxy S3.  We didn't just purchase one.  We being the family -- we purchased 2.  Lucy had a Samsung Ace.  A white one and a "pebble blue" one.

Lucy received hers near on 2 weeks ago.  Maybe more.  What a difference!  The Ace was archived immediately.  Her experience with Android went up 300% -- and she's non-tech.

I on the other hand, received my mobile some 40 days after ordering it .. near on 2 weeks once they started shipping in Europe.  Pebble Blue.  After using it for the past 4 days, my thoughts:

• [G] Best phone I've ever owned.  The Galaxy S was super quick compared to the Ace.  The Galaxy S3 shows me how slow and HEAVY the Galaxy S is/was.  
• [B] The power button on mine has "stuck" once -- forcing the phone into a reboot cycle.  Not sure if it's the case or something more sinister.  It's only happened once.  Could be, the Galaxy S3 is a bit more fragile compared to the Galaxy S.  A bit more finesse and loving touch, and the problem hasn't resurfaced.
• [B] There is a slight defect on the back cover.  If you read about the pebble blue delays, you'll know that these were all redone due to quality issues.  The defect, although very slight, you can still feel it.  It is similar to a Braille character.  I'll live with it and doesn't bother me.  
• [G] Battery life is pretty nice compared to the Galaxy S.  On a normal day, with 3G enabled, playing music and using it -- I consume about 40% of the battery.  With the Galaxy S, I consumed 100% in the same amount of time.
• [G] Over the wire upgrading works.  This feature never worked for me on the Galaxy S.  When I started up the S3, I was notified about a software update -- and it worked!  
• [G] I'll mention the camera.  When buying a new phone, the expectation is that it is better than the last.  The camera (video and still images) is far superior to the previous versions -- as expected.

Still getting used to it, but overall, as in my first point, it is the best phone I've ever had.  It pushes the iPhone now to grow up.  This is lighter, brighter and nicer ... 

2012, bring it.

2012 is here.  Lucy and I celebrated our first New Year's Eve in Zurich with Chinese take-away and  Luxemburgerli from Lindt & Sprüngli -- The only kind we had purchased were the Champagne ones.

The Chinese take-away was by far, one of the better ones we had had.  However, when comparing the price of it to what it costs in the UK, or even back home in Canada ... not sure the value was there.  Still, this is where we decided to live ... so this is what we live with. $125.00 for two people.  We didn't have a lot of food ... !

Jack's blog is up to date with some new photos ... It's now 1300hr on New Year's Day and I'm taking Jack to Thalwil for his 2nd go at ice skating.  His last attempt, on Christmas Eve was excellent.  He managed to pull himself up off the ice and stand up on his own ... and waddle along like a penguin.

2012 is exciting for us.  Jack will turn 3.  My Grandmother and Lucy's Nan will turn 94 and we have the wedding of Ninj to see to .. all 2 of his weddings.  So far, the first quarter of 2012, even with the extra day, will be super busy with fun things!

Happy new year to you and yours ... from the Dolgy's in Switzerland.