The AnandTech Podcast: Episode 9
by Anand Lal Shimpi on November 7, 2012 1:51 PM ESTThis past month has been insane thanks to many of our travel schedules. With things finally settling down I was able to get together with Brian and Vivek to record a mobile-update podcast going over all of the announcements we've been covering on the site lately. This is a long one, we go over all of the new Microsoft releases (Surface, Windows 8/RT, Windows Phone 8), the new Google releases (Chromebook, Nexus 4/10) and the new Apple releases (iPad mini, iPad 4, 13-inch rMBP), and more.
The AnandTech Podcast - Episode 9
featuring Anand Shimpi, Brian Klug, Vivek Gowri
iTunes
RSS - mp3, m4a
Direct Links - mp3, m4a
Total Time: 2 hours 8 minutes
Outline - hh:mm
Windows R/RT - 00:00
Surface - 00:05
Samsung Ativ Smart PC - 00:10
Windows Phone 8 - 00:24
Windows Phone 8X by HTC - 00:39
New Chromebook - 00:42
Nexus 4/10 Performance - 00:49
Nexus 10 - 00:52
Nexus 4 - 1:01
Android 4.2 - 1:24
iPad mini - 1:29
iPad 4 - 1:41
13-inch rMBP - 1:47
Element Case - 1:53
Base Station Emulator - 2:00
As always, comments are welcome and appreciated.
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Muyoso - Wednesday, November 7, 2012 - link
Actually, I don't think that version of Chrome changes anything. For some reason the unit they have is thermally throttled, at least while running the GLBenchmark suite, and probably during the browser tests as well.. They ran the test again, but with the phone in the freezer and performance nearly doubled. Its a heat issue. They talk about it a tiny bit during the podcast. Hopefully the final software will fix this issue, but its not as simple as an update to Chrome.tempestglen - Wednesday, November 7, 2012 - link
A15 is a new micro architecture, the software support plays a key role, don't forget chromebook with same exynos 5250 achieved double performance in sun spider/browsemark.2nd Nov.
Chrome for Android Update
The stable channel of Chrome for Android has been updated to 18.0.1025464 for ARM devices and to 18.0.1026320 for x86 devices. The new update includes important stability fixes and support for the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10. Both updates are now available for download on Google Play and in the Google Play Store on your mobile devices. Known issues are available on the Chrome support site.
Kevin G - Wednesday, November 7, 2012 - link
It felt that this pod cast was scrapped together with a much more rigid agenda and focus (mobile) than others in the past that'd diverge between topics based upon the conversation.Surprisingly I didn't hear much about the hurricane in this pod cast. Various launches were affected by this. It would have been interesting to hear how this event affected other scheduling for reviews etc. (including this podcast).
Not covered was AMD's Piledriver chip on the desktop and server alongside the even bigger news of AMD using ARM cores in future Opterons. Similarly no mention of the new 64 bit ARM cores or that MIPs has been bought out by Imagination. These are two shake ups that'll have a long term effects on the industry. i suspect that we'll be hearing about these in the next podcast.
phillyry - Monday, November 12, 2012 - link
They did mention that there was so much this week that other stuff would have to wait until the next podcasts. Especially since They've been away/tied up for so long.noblemo - Thursday, November 8, 2012 - link
Thanks for a great podcast. I especially appreciated your discussion regarding the disruptive nature of the Nexus 4. The following is a comparison of economical carrier plans currently available. The total cost of a 16GB Nexus 4 with 24 months of service is shown in brackets for each plan.- $30/mo ($1070) T-Mobile Monthly4G: 5GB data, unlimited texting, 100 minutes talk plus $0.10 per extra minute
- $45/mo ($1430) Straight Talk on AT&T or T-Mobile: ~2GB data, unlimited talk, unlimited texting
- $55/mo ($1670) AT&T Prepaid: 3GB data, unlimited texting, 250 minutes talk plus $0.10 per extra minute
- $60/mo ($1790) T-Mobile Value Package: unlimited data, unlimited texting, 500 minutes talk
- $70/mo ($2030) T-Mobile Value Package: unlimited data, unlimited texting, unlimited talk
- $80/mo ($2270) AT&T Prepaid: 3GB data, unlimited texting, unlimited talk
By comparison, a 16GB Galaxy Nexus or iPhone 4s would cost $2500 with a two-year Verizon contract including 2GB/month of data, unlimited text, and unlimited talk.
dishayu - Friday, November 9, 2012 - link
Damn, just when we in India were raging about Nexus 4 16GB costing close to $650 unlocked (we have no system of carrier subsidized phones in india at all, all phones are sold unlocked, at full price), we still would end up paying A LOT lesser over 2 years.$650 + $16 per month plan from tata docomo = 1034$ (unlimited text and calls, unlimited data)
We don't even have restrictions on using skype/facetime/google video etc on phone. It's completely unregulated. So,
Earthmonger - Thursday, November 8, 2012 - link
Always enjoy your podcasts.. but.. can we please have one that isn't about mobile devices? Not an area I really care about.That said though, ditch your Element case and get an Abee.
http://www.abee.co.jp/ma/aluminium_jacket/5X02/ind...
phillyry - Monday, November 12, 2012 - link
Noooo!!!!!Don't say that!
This is my new favourite topic (so it must be everyone's, right?).
itsbotime - Thursday, November 8, 2012 - link
You discussed the lack on messaging in WP8 but never mentioned the Skype integration. I think they intend for Skype (and email for document sharing) to cover these needs especially since they announced that they will be killing Microsoft Messenger and pushing those users onto it.phillyry - Monday, November 12, 2012 - link
They're talking about the lack of a well-integrated messenger program that could meet to the needs of a lot of protocols (or something). For, say, sending a full-res photo in a text like fashion, without the need to go into email. Not sure which other restrictions there were but that doesn't dismiss the other pluses.It's valid to say that they should have spoken about the Skype integration plus-side (I'll have to take your word for its usefulness since I have no first-hand experience with it and, as you pointed out, they didn't make it an emphasis).
But again, this is a separate feature and does not dismiss the messenger feature that is left wanting. You should have both and shouldn't need to compensate for one with the other. They should be complimentary.