{"id":58271,"date":"2015-08-06T10:44:35","date_gmt":"2015-08-06T02:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=58271"},"modified":"2025-01-13T15:30:13","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T20:30:13","slug":"review-stand-alone-gadgets-trump-all-in-one-devices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2015\/08\/06\/review-stand-alone-gadgets-trump-all-in-one-devices\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Stand-alone gadgets trump all-in-one devices"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"When<\/a>
When Apple announced new iPod music players a few weeks ago, many people asked why anyone would need iPods when smartphones can play music and more. (Photo from Apple<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NEW YORK \u2013 When Apple announced new iPod music players a few weeks ago, many people asked why anyone would need iPods when smartphones can play music and more. I had that question myself – until I remembered I’ve been carrying an iPod almost every day, mostly for my runs.<\/p>\n

There are times a stand-alone device such as an iPod works better than a jack-of-all-trades like a smartphone. A stand-alone device does one or two things, but does them really well.<\/p>\n

Of course, this means one more thing to buy and carry, so the phone is often simpler. But here are ways you might find a stand-alone device preferable.<\/p>\n

Music players<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sure, I can listen to music on my smartphone, but it’s not convenient on a run. The iPod Nano is much easier to carry, and all the music and podcasts on it doesn\u2019t eat up space on my phone.<\/p>\n

Apple just updated all three iPod models, but only the iPod Touch changed significantly. The Touch is essentially an iPhone without the cellular connection, so it isn\u2019t really a stand-alone music player. The ones that are \u2013 the Nano and the Shuffle \u2013 got only minor updates, namely in the choices of color.<\/p>\n

Then again, as a device designed to play audio, neither needs a super-fast processor. The $49 Shuffle is cheaper than the $149 Nano, but the Shuffle lacks a display and gives you fewer options to choose songs, forward or rewind. The Nano also has an FM receiver and fitness-tracking capabilities \u2013 though a stand-alone fitness device is better for that.<\/p>\n

Fitness devices<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve worn smartwatches like the Apple Watch and general-purpose fitness trackers like the Fitbit. I\u2019ve also used my phone and the Nano to track my workouts.<\/p>\n

None of that beats my Garmin GPS sports watch, which specializes in tracking running, cycling and swimming workouts.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say the other devices aren\u2019t good. The Apple Watch is quite accurate when you have an iPhone with you, as it borrows the phone\u2019s GPS.<\/p>\n

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The high-end Fitbit Surge model comes with GPS, as does Sony’s SmartWatch 3 and Microsoft\u2019s Band.<\/p>\n

But the Garmin watches I’ve used do a lot more. You can record splits, such as the time it takes to complete a lap. For pace, you can choose to display current pace, average pace for the whole run or average pace since the last split.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

The model I currently use, the Forerunner 310XT, is bulky and isn\u2019t meant for all-day use.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s no touch screen or anything fancy. But it\u2019s great for what it’s supposed to do. Plus, because it\u2019s an older model, you can find one for well below the $250 suggested retail price.<\/p>\n

E-book readers<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a stand-alone reader, I\u2019m not constantly tempted to check email and Facebook, as I am reading on a tablet. In addition, e-reader screens are typically better than tablets outdoors because they have to be only good for displaying black-and-white text \u2013 not colorful video, photos or magazines. With tablets, you have glare.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve found Amazon\u2019s Kindles among the best e-readers. They tend to be slimmer and lighter than other readers, and they have reading-related extras, such as more information on characters, places and terms in a novel.<\/p>\n

The $119 Paperwhite model will be adequate for most people. The Voyage has conveniences such as auto-brightness for the screen, but it\u2019s also $80 more.<\/p>\n

Digital cameras<\/strong><\/p>\n

I used to shudder when I saw people rely on smartphones for their precious digital memories, as stand-alone cameras were much better. But these days, I usually leave my stand-alones behind, too. Smartphones have improved tremendously and even outsmart point-and-shoot cameras sometimes with advanced software.<\/p>\n

Stand-alone cameras still excel in two ways:<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re zooming on a phone, you\u2019re getting a software adjustment that\u2019s akin to cropping. The zoomed images won\u2019t be as sharp as what you get with either point-and-shoots or full-bodied, SLR cameras. Phones are too thin to have the lens itself do the zooming by projecting out.<\/p>\n

SLR cameras have larger sensors, which can pick up light better. In low-light environments, the phone camera\u2019s shutter has to stay open slightly longer to let in enough light, a technique that introduces blur. Better phones have image-stabilizing technology to counter that, but it\u2019s not the same as getting enough light to begin with.<\/p>\n

Usually, a good phone camera is good enough, but it\u2019s no match for a stand-alone camera, particularly an SLR, for those special moments.<\/p>\n

When phones are better<\/strong><\/p>\n

Navigation is one area where a phone will do just as well \u2013 perhaps even better \u2013 than a stand-alone GPS device in a car. A mapping app on a phone is more portable, for starters, and can be used for walking and transit directions, not just driving.<\/p>\n

A stand-alone GPS device can be mounted on the windshield and won\u2019t drain your phone\u2019s battery, but you can counter that with a mounting accessory for your phone and a charger that plugs into the car\u2019s cigarette lighter.<\/p>\n

As much as I like stand-alone gadgets for many tasks, I don\u2019t see navigation as one of them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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