HowWouldYouChange
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How would you change Dell's Venue?
Sure, it's lacking the Pro moniker, but it's also lacking a built-in keyboard. A fair trade, we suppose. Dell's Venue is actually nothing at all like the once-titled Lightning, boasting a slate-style form factor and Android 2.2 in place of Windows Phone 7. To this day, it remains one of the few unlocked phones available for sale in the US with support for AT&T's 3G bands, and for those who missed out on the Nexus One (or just opted for this for any number of other reasons), we're curious to see how your experience with the Thunder has been. Were you impressed / let down by the Stage UI? How'd you manage the heft? Would you have tweaked the build materials any? Opted for WP7 over Froyo? Kept the Thunder name? We're guessing that Dell's still squarely in the learning phase when it comes to handset making, so go ahead and get real honest in comments below. Honestly.
How would you change HP's Fusion-powered Pavilion dm1z?
We know you -- you're that guy (or gal!) who simply can't resist dipping your toes into whatever's next, and in the case of AMD's Fusion, you almost certainly went out and grabbed up an HP Pavilion dm1z as soon as it hit the market. Nah, we aren't clairvoyant, just rational guessers. At any rate, now that you've had a solid two or three months with your Zacate-backed ultraportable, we're eager to know how you'd change things if given the golden key. Are you satisfied with the build quality? How's that heat? Feeling any jealousy for those who opted for Atom-based rigs? Are the keyboard and trackpad things you actually look forward to using? Go ahead and vent in comments below; it's Friday, it's your birthday, and HP's got an awfully thick coat of skin.
How would you change OnLive's MicroConsole game system?
The concept of a streaming console has been around for ages, and while Phantom Entertainment never could quite pull it off, the folks at OnLive seem to be onto something. 'Course, only time will tell if that "something" is a legitimate enough business to make sustainable, but at least it has moved well beyond the point of vaporware. Now that the MicroConsole has been raiding living rooms for a few months, we're curious to know your thoughts on things. Have you been able to try one out? Are you still reverting back to your conventional consoles? Are you pleased with OnLive's performance given your ho hum cable connection? Would you have inked deals with a few more game publishers before pushing it out? Go on and get really real down in comments below -- given the small size of the company, there's a better-than-average chance it'll be listening to what you have to say.
How would you change Samsung's Nexus S?
The first phone to ship with Android 2.3 has been kicking around for a solid quarter now, which means it's just about time to roast it here on How Would You Change. The Nexus S didn't provide the same system shock as did the Nexus One, but bringing a curved display, Gingerbread and an embedded NFC chip to US airwaves definitely made an impact. 'Course, we're still waiting for a version to ship with support for AT&T's 3G bands, but we're confident that quite a few T-Mobilers have bit the bullet by this point. You've heard our thoughts on the matter, and now it's your turn -- if you were in control of dictating the second-ever Nexus phone, how would you have done things differently? Would you have stuck with HTC rather than heading over to Samsung? Shipped it on a different carrier from day-one? Thrown in a white version just to rub things in? Get creative down in comments below -- there's no telling how your nuggets of wisdom will shape the inevitable Nexus T 2.
How would you change Dell's Inspiron Duo?
We aren't ones to knock a company for throwing convention to the wind, and frankly, we were downright excited to see how Dell's Inspiron Duo would revolutionize our mobile lives. During our own review, we found the design to be top-notch and the build quality to be world-class, but the sluggish performance, annoying software overlay and lackluster UI didn't exactly earn it any brownie points. Enough about us, though -- this is your time to shine. If you bit the bullet and picked one of these multifaceted laptops up, we're interested in hearing how you'd change things. Would you ditch the swiveling LCD? Would you prefer a dual-boot setup as found on the ViewPad 10? How's the hardware standing up over time? Would you have rather seen AMD's Fusion platform take the place of Intel's Atom? Speak out in comments below, won't you?
How would you change Jolicloud's Jolibook?
Jolicloud's Jolibook may not be the hottest selling netbook in the universe (or maybe it is, and we just don't know it), but regardless, it's certainly quite the eye-catcher. For those who diverted from the paths more beaten and picked one up, we're keenly interested in finding out how things are going for you. Are you content with the overall design? Would you have changed anything about the operating system? What about that bulging battery? Would you have rather it ran Windows after extended use? Tell all in comments below, and remember -- no matter how sour you get, you'll always have one bodacious looking lid.
How would you change Panasonic's Lumix DFC-GF2?
We're drowning in interchangeable lens options, but that's far from being a bad thing. For those that finally caved and picked up Panasonic's Lumix DFC-GF2, we're interested to see how you'd change things if given that golden opportunity. Are you satisfied with the size, weight and design? How's the low-light performance? Would you alter anything about the lens selection? Introduce a version that changes colors with the seasons? Go on and get creative in comments below -- the GF3 needs some ideas, you know?
How would you change D-Link's Boxee Box?
Yeah, Boxee just gave you all what you've been asking for, but here's the real question: what else does your little heart desire? D-Link's Boxee Box has most certainly shaken up the industry, providing a killer UI and a not-so-AV-cabinet-friendly design. You've got more media streamer options than ever before, and if you held out to buy the D-Link-built box, you've a right to throw your opinions in comments below. Would you have made the chassis a bit more typical? Changed any of the outputs? Added any hardware features? The floor's wide open, so don't let this chance go to waste. You know what Lee Ann Womack says about getting the chance to dance... don't you?
How would you change Barnes & Noble's Nook Color?
Now that you've had ample time to get through a few novellas, we're keenly interested in finding out how you'd change Barnes & Noble's Nook Color if given the opportunity. For an e-reader, it's deliciously hackable, giving you a way to blow off steam after a hard day's night... of soaking up information, that is. We found it to be amongst the top of its class when we reviewed it back in November, but this space is all about you. Would you overhaul the user interface? Ship it with a fancier build of Android? Boost the battery life? Go on and get opinionated in comments below -- we promise we won't judge.
How would you change Logitech's Revue with Google TV?
Remember Google TV? It's still kickin', but El Goog still has quite a few content distribution quibbles to solve before it can be taken seriously -- at least in our estimation. Logitech was one of the first outfits to buy into Google's scheme to take over the television, with the Revue first out of the gate to provide Google TV access to existing sets. We had our fair share of gripes with the box, and while it definitely enabled quite the unusual videocall in a prior episode of The Engadget Show, we were never convinced said fun was worth the price. Enough about us, though -- how's your Revue treating you? Has it revolutionized the way you consume television content? Anything you'd change about it? Tweak the user interface? Broaden compatibility? Change up the keyboard? Let us know in comments below -- something tells us Google's still listening up for input.
How would you change Apple's 11-inch MacBook Air?
Apple may not be much on the idea of a 7-inch tablet, but an 11-inch ultraportable? Now that's an idea even the engineers in Cupertino could dig. When we reviewed the 11-inch MacBook Air, we found an awful lot to love -- that all-Flash design is definitely a boon, and the more-mobile-than-mobile design is sure to be loved by road warriors and light packers everywhere. But it's still (comparatively) sluggish, and it's lacking a backlit keyboard. Enough from us, though -- we're here to hear what kind of changes you would make. Would you have thrown a faster chip in there at the expense of the case? Boosted the screen resolution? Added an SD card slot? Bit the bullet and tossed in USB 3.0? Comments are open below -- dive on it!
How would you change Windows Phone 7?
Fair's fair, right? The last time we spoke, we gave you all ample opportunity to tell webOS' new owners how revision 2.0 should be changed, and now that Microsoft's latest and greatest has been on the open market for a few months, it's time to do the same with Windows Phone 7. It's obvious that WP7 is a huge, huge leap forward over Windows Mobile, but as a fledgling mobile OS, there are naturally quite a few areas where improvements could be made. If you were blessed with the ability to magically wave a wand and change anything about Windows Phone 7, what would it be? Would you tweak how the email notification system works? Alter how the tiles are laid out? Make it just a bit more like the Kin? Go on and spill your heart below -- you're an early adopter, you've earned the right.
How would you change webOS 2.0?
Earlier this year, we asked how you'd change Palm's Pre Plus and Pixi Plus, both of which were launched with webOS 1.x. Needless to say, a lot can happen in three calendar quarters. Since, HP has swallowed Palm up, and webOS 2.0 has hit the wilds of our wondrous planet. The Pre 2 wasn't exactly the most enthralling device to launch the OS on, but it is what it is. And now, we're curious to know how you'd overhaul it if given the seat that Mark Hurd once resided in. Have you grown annoyed by any specific thing within webOS 2.0? Would you have tweaked the distribution process? Are you satisfied with developer participation? Would you alter certain things knowing that a nondescript webOS tablet was on the horizon? Go ahead and spend your last moments of 2010 in comments below -- who knows what the next year holds for this gem of a mobile OS.
How would you change Nokia's N8?
There's no need to tell you that a lot was (and still is, in a way) riding on Nokia's N8. It was said to be the outfit's first dead-serious smartphone to rival the giants of today, and it was also Nokia's first chance to truly reveal Symbian^3 to the world. We've already churned out our two pennies on the matter, but for those of you who bought in, now's the time to get really real. Are you satisfied with where Nokia's going with the N8? Do you seriously see a long and lively future when looking at Symbian^3? If someone (read: UPS) accidentally delivered the keys to the Finnish kingdom to you, how would you go about tweaking and / or reshaping the N8? Would you have selected a different operating system? Added a few more hardware buttons? Thrown in a different processor? Made it available on your carrier of choice? Let us know down in comments below, and keep it sensible -- it's Christmas Eve and all.
How would you change the T-Mobile G2?
Outside of the Nexus One (and recently-launched Nexus S, of course), T-Mobile's G2 is about as close as one can get to stock build of Android. 'Course, it's now a point release behind Gingerbread, but we're hoping that'll be remedied in short order. Outside of that, we're curious to know how you'd change the slip-sliding Android phone if given the schematics and the ability to start over from scratch. By and large, we felt that HTC nailed the design, but of course, everyone's capable of seeing things in a slightly different light. What would you tweak about the G2 if given the choice? Change up the keyboard? Offer it on AT&T or a CDMA carrier? Throw in a row of LEDs along the left edge, just for kicks? All (reasonable) ideas are welcome in comments below -- you never know who'll be tuning in.
How would you change the second-generation Apple TV?
No one said that hobbies were easy to throw away, and it's pretty clear that the Apple TV still holds a dear piece of Cupertino's heart. In fact, we'd argue that the box's streaming abilities now tie into Apple's overall mission more than ever before, and with iOS 4.2.1 for the iPad (and the accompanying introduction of AirPlay), it's feeling less like an afterthought and more like a focal point. That said, we're curious to know if early adopters feel satisfied by their $99 box. Have you found it to function as-advertised? Still fuming over those output and / or color issues? If you were given the keys to the design kingdom, how would you turn the Apple TV into your perfect media streamer? Ditch the iTunes integration? Offer access to more content portals? Paint it pink and line it with LEDs? It only costs $0.02 to play, and the deposit slot's just below.
How would you change Roku's XDS media streamer?
2010 may arguably be the year of the tablet, but darn if media streamers aren't breathing down their neck. This year, we've seen an explosion in the quantity and quality of media streamer options, with even the mighty Google buying in via its Google TV solution. One of the earlier birds, Roku, decided to dole out an updated box just a few months ago, and now it's competing against the Apple TV, a few WD TV Live units, D-Link's Boxee Box and scores of integrated options within HDTVs. At $99, there's an awful lot of choices on the market, but we're curious to know how XDS early adopters would tweak and / or overhaul things if given the golden opportunity. Would you change the exterior at all? How about the user interface? Add any content partners? How's the remote control situation treating you? Think of comments below like you would an AA meeting -- speak your heart and wait for nods. We're all one in this brainstorming bubble.
How would you change Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 Beta?
It's not often that a web browser makes into our HWYC lineup, but it's also a rare occurrence for Microsoft to issue an entirely new web browser. Internet Explorer 9 Beta has been in the wild (and thus, on your PC) for a few months now, and seeing that the browser wars are raging harder than ever these days, we felt it prudent to ask how you'd change things in the world of IE. After all, being that this is a beta, there's still plenty of time for Microsoft to actually heed your wisdom and implement changes prior to the full, final, non-beta release. So, have you been pleased with performance? Tab layout? Any tweaks you'd make to the user interface? Compatibility? Go on and get sophisticated down in comments below, won'tcha?
How would you change Apple's iPod nano (2010)?
Without question, Apple's latest iPod nano is its most interesting one yet. And considering that it's the first nano with a color, multitouch LCD slapped onto it, it's also one of the most multifaceted. The engineers in Cupertino certainly cut away from the nano's past in order to create this new shuffle-like form factor, and it's expectantly drawn quite a bit of heat from both side. Now, let's say you were allowed inside the Apple lairs, and told that you could revamp the nano in any method you pleased. Aside from figuring out if it would blend or not, how would you go about tweaking the new nano? Enlarge the device (and thus, the screen) just a bit? Throw a second display on the rear for kicks and giggles? Throw in a pair of Bluetooth headphones? Talk to us in comments below.
How would you change Sony's PlayStation Move?
Is it Sony's play against the Wiimote, or the Kinect... or both? Hard to say exactly, but there's no question that the PS3 is no longer on the outside looking in when it comes to motion gaming. Now that it's been on the market for a few months, we're looking to hear from early adopters -- have you enjoyed your time with the Move? Has it lived up to your expectations? Any quirks with gameplay that you'd iron out? Any particular games that you'd prefer to see play nice with the apparatus? Set yourself in the mindset of a SCEA designer for a tick and let us know how you'd do the Move differently down in comments below. And yeah, sticking with "Arc" is totally an acceptable suggestion to make.
