HowWouldYouChange
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How would you change Sony's PlayStation Vita TV?
It's a PlayStation Vita that you can connect to your TV, but that doesn't mean you should automatically go out and buy one. When we reviewed the hardware last year, we found that the low price and ability to play retro games were great, but the media streaming let the side down. That said, it was a much better crafted piece of hardware than some Android-powered consoles our reviewer could have mentioned. So, what we want to know is do you like your Vita TV and if so, why? Hop over into our forum and share the love, the hatred and everything in between.
How would you change Maingear's Pulse 17?
When Maingear's Pulse 17 launched, it was famous for being the world's thinnest 17-inch gaming laptop (not that that's a big achievement) and its sports car paintjob. Jam packed with top-of-the-line hardware, the Pulse 17 was an easy device to fall in love with, except for a few minor gripes that knocked some of the sheen of the experience. After all, if you're spending $3,000 on a laptop, you expect a working keyboard, right? Still, now we turn the question over to you, so head over to our forums and talk about what you loved and loathed about this device.
How would you change Nokia's Lumia 1320?
Nokia's Lumia 1320 was the underpowered sibling of the 1520, which had the same screen and battery but little else. If you wanted a 6-inch device but couldn't afford the premium edition, then you were stuck with this device, but was that a problem? According to our Brad Molen, it stood in no man's land, not cheap enough to really entice you, and not premium enough to justify buying this over the 1520. We imagine that some of you did splash out, however, so why not head over into our forum and tell us what life has been like with this device?
How would you change Sony's Xperia Z1?
There's a familiar theme whenever Engadget reviews a Sony smartphone, which is that the hardware's great, but not compelling enough to make you buy one. When Sharif Sakr got his hands on the Xperia Z1, he found that the headline feature -- that 20 megapixel camera -- wasn't strong enough to compete with the Lumia 1020. That said, we imagine that some of you did splash out on this handset, so why not come to Engadget's product forums and spill your brains as to what you liked, and hated, about the Z1?
How would you change Sony's QX10?
Sony's WiFi lens camera, the QX10, was one of the oddest and most brilliant devices we saw at IFA two years ago. Once the hardware was dropped into Zach Honig's lap, he found that the gear was, in his words, "pretty accomplished." Given that it's both a little better than a point-and-shoot and is a handy add-on to your existing smartphone, we imagine a couple of you picked one up. So then, what did you think of it? Why not hop over onto the forums and tell us your feelings.
How would you change Sony's Xperia Z Ultra?
When Brad Molen described Sony's Xperia Z Ultra as "the best phone you'll probably never buy," it was probably true of most Sony smartphones. The 6.44-inch device had a beautiful design, good build quality, had a fast engine and could withstand water, much like every other Sony smartphone you see. The downside to that, of course, is that it's a Sony, and that seems to have been enough for buyers to take their money elsewhere. But what did you, oh people who bought one, actually think of it? Head over to our forum and talk about what you liked, what you hated and what you wanted to change.
How would you change Vizio's Thin + Light (14-inch, 2012)?
When Vizio announced that it was making laptops, people flooded our inbox demanding we review the Vizio Thin + Light (14-inch, 2012). After all, the company's reputation for undercutting rivals with quality hardware meant that its debut entry had to be taken seriously. Out of the gate, it won points for us for its cracking build quality and amazing display, but lost marks for a bad trackpad, keyboard and short battery life. In the end, we couldn't recommend this device, but we bet plenty of you went for it anyway. In which case, you'll be expertly placed to tell us, after a few months of use on this thing, what would you change about it?
How would you change Parrot Zik by Starck?
Here on How Would You Change, we rarely delve into the complex world of audio, but for the Parrot Zik by Starck, we're relaxing this policy. Considering its illustrious creator and bundled technology, this isn't your average pair of Bluetooth cans. When we reviewed it, we found that imperfect audio and limited Bluetooth functionality stopped us showering it with praise, but the two editors who reviewed it both ran out and bought their own pairs. What does that say to you? Let's imagine that Philippe Starck took ill and they drafted you in to design version two: what would you do differently?
How would you change Acer's Aspire S5?
Were Acer's Aspire S5 an episode of Friends, it'd be "The One With the Motorized Port Cover," and if you've ever seen an episode of Thunderbirds, then you'll know how satisfying it is to watch the mechanized housing in action. Still, was this device worth $1,400 just for the excuse to hum this music while you wait for a USB slot to become available? When it was placed in front of our reviewer, they found that Acer had spent all of its money on gimmicks instead of good build quality, a better display and a better battery life. But for all of you out there, what is your take on this hardware? What did you like, what did you hate, and if the company wanted to hire you to be its next laptop designer, what would you change?
How would you change Samsung's Series 7 Gamer?
Can mainstream companies produce hardware that'll compete with specialist game rigs? That was certainly the idea behind Samsung's Series 7 Gamer, a laptop designed to muscle in on Alienware's patch. When we reviewed it, we found that performance more than lived up to the hype. Even its average speakers and tiny trackpad couldn't detract from that, or its "gorgeous" display. Still, did you own one? If so, share your experiences on it, you never know -- Samsung might even be reading.
How would you change Motorola's Atrix HD?
It's that time of the weekend when we encourage you to settle down with a strong pot of coffee, grab a pencil and pretend that you're a smartphone designer. This week's entrant is Motorola's Atrix HD, a $99 bargain-basement device that launched on AT&T before Motorola's Google-infused revolution. With solid performance and RAZR-esque hardware, it looked like a slam-dunk for budget customers, but were they turned off by its meager 5-hour battery life? More than likely. So, what would you have done differently had you been sat in the driving seat? Share your ideas with us below.
How would you change LG's Optimus Vu?
When Samsung's Galaxy Note launched, it was treated as an enthusiast device, which would never gain mainstream popularity due to its hulking size. Of course, given the staggering popularity of the device (and its successors), it wasn't long before other companies sought to steal a piece of the action. LG's Optimus Vu was one such contender, packing a 5-inch display and a stylus but, and it's a big but, was hobbled from the get go. You see, LG didn't bother to integrate the stylus into the software, didn't offer an internal holster for the wand and committed the cardinal sin of shipping a 2012 smartphone with Gingerbread. What we want to know is: did you buy one? And if so, what, if anything would you change?
How would you change Lenovo's IdeaTab S2109?
In stark contrast to its PC lineup, Lenovo's tablet offerings are often the wrong side of exciting. The IdeaTab S2109, for instance, arrived with little fanfare or enthusiasm, and little to make it stand out from the rest of the mid-range 10-inch tablet crowd. Unfortunately, the day-to-day experience was similarly underwhelming, thanks to its middling chip, short battery life and dodgy design decisions. So, instead, let's close our eyes and imagine what we'd have done if Lenovo had asked us to craft its next tablet. What would you do? Tell us in the comments below.
How would you change Sony's Vaio T13?
When a company first enters the Ultrabook space, you don't expect perfection, but you'd hope a company like Sony could deliver. The Vaio T13, the company's first Intel-approved thin-and-light, was priced at under $800, blending a low price with a sturdy chassis and reasonable performance. However, (you knew one was coming, right?) the Vaio's flat keyboard and odd spacing made our reviewer's fingers ache -- and that's not what you need from any laptop. This, therefore, is How Would You Change, a strand where you get to play amateur device designer and share your thoughts on what you'd have done better.
How would you change LG's Optimus 4X HD?
A year is a long time in technology, and reading back through the reviews of LG's Optimus 4X HD, it's clear to see a company in transition. Spool forward a few months, and the Optimus G and Nexus 4 has pushed the Korean giant back into the ascendancy. Still, we need to grapple with the 4XHD, which we said had a frustrating camera, underwhelming display and poor battery life. You've had several months to toil away at this device now, so it's time to ask -- did we get it right? That's what How Would You Change is all about.
How would you change Nintendo's 3DS XL?
Nintendo's 3DS XL had a bigger screen, was more comfortable to hold and doubled its internal storage. What did it lack? No secondary analog stick, a compelling digital content offering and any sort of oomph under the hood. Those three were nearly deal breakers for our reviewer, who said the handheld was good, but not enough to convince you to upgrade. But was our own Mr. Smith right to damn the console with his faint praise? Share your experiences of owning this device with us in the comments below.
How would you change Samsung's 13-inch Series 9?
It's rare that a device gets the personal seal of approval from our reviews chief, but that's the the hallowed ground that Samsung's Series 9 gets to stand upon. It earned praise for its excellent build, battery life, display and performance, and our only gripe was a trackpad that needed a software tweak or two. The question is, outside of our testing laboratory, did it hold up to scrutiny? Did you buy one on our suggestion, and if so, how have you found it? Welcome to How Would You Change.
How would you change LG's Optimus L7?
When we reviewed LG's Optimus L7, we compared it to BMW's 328i, saying that it was pitched as an entry-level car that could satisfy power-hungry buyers -- but really, that was very unfair on the vehicle in question. The problem with this particular phone is that while it promised to be a stylish low-price handset, the hardware inside didn't match its sleek exterior. Poor performance, bad voice quality, flaky touchscreen, slow data transmission and a lack of 3G bands for roaming meant that we suggested you look elsewhere. Still, what we want to know is did you agree with our reviewer? This is How Would You Change, so share your technical insight with us all.
How would you change Amazon's 7-inch Kindle Fire HD?
Yes, it's basically a trojan horse, convincing you to buy stuff from Amazon's online store, but at least it's beautiful. HD display, stereo sound and decent hardware propelled the Kindle Fire HD to second place when it first came out, right behind the original Nexus 7. Still, this is "How Would You Change," where we ask you to pretend that Jeff Bezos is listening to your ideas and show the world your innovative ideas on where the company can improve matters for generation three.
How would you change Toshiba's Satellite U845?
We feel for engineers who have to build budget machines. After all, with a limited component budget, do you splash out on a long battery or a better keyboard? Toshiba's Satellite U845 was designed to navigate those pitfalls, doing "just enough" to combine a reasonable battery life with decent performance and unspectacular build quality. The results is a dependable and solid device for a cash-strapped back to school type, but was it the one for you? Did you think that Toshiba made the right calls here? Welcome to How Would You Change, where you get to lob suggestions over the company's garden wall and see if they listen.
