A recently posted article on PCWorld discusses the reality as to whether the the new iPhone 4S can capture still images and videos better than the latest and best Android smartphones. The iPhone 4S was put to the test against the Samsung Galaxy S II, the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide, the Motorola DROID Bionic, the HTC Sensation 4G, and the Nikon Coolpix P300. How do they stack up?

To compare the camera of the smartphones, each device was fixed on a tripod and used to capture three images and videos from the same location and under the same lighting conditions After the photos and videos were taken, they were shown (unlabeled) to a panel of five judges.

The criteria or basis of the judging were as follows: exposure — 25%, color — 30%, sharpness — 30%, and distortion — 15%.  The results were tallied for the overall rating and score of each device.

Image Quality Results (courtesy of PCWorld)

In the results for overall image quality, the T-mobile myTouch 4G Slide ranked on top of the other phones, but the Samsung Galaxy S II was not far behind with a differential of only 0.7 points followed by the Apple’s iPhone 4s which is only behind it by 0.3 points.

Image Quality Category Results (courtesy of PCWorld)

The images were also evaluated based on quality categories for still image quality. The T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide had the sharpest and most accurate shots; the Samsung Galaxy S II had the most evenly exposed pics (without using flash), and  the iPhone 4S captured photos with no distortion and has balanced scores in other criteria. This proves that the automated white balance feature of iPhone 4s is very accurate.

Video Quality Results (courtesy of PCWorld)

Also here’s some 1080p video comparison:

(iPhone 4S, Galaxy S II and Droid Bionic 1080P test from Matthew Panzarino)

Video Tests from PCWorld

Samsung Galaxy S II

Nikon Coolpix P300

HTC Sensation 4G

Apple iPhone 4S

Motorola DROID Bionic

Apple iPhone 4

T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide

In the Video Quality test, the Samsung Galaxy S II beat the other phones to the top followed by the HTC Sensation 4G. The iPhone 4s has been consistent though, as it still in the third place, as it had solid scores for bright-light and low-light video. Even though the iPhone 4S did not top the categories, it was consistent in its ranking–whether in video or image quality.

Yet, the Samsung Galaxy S II is definitely better than the iPhone 4S in both aspects, leaving the iPhone just behind it.

So, if you are to choose between a Samsung Galaxy S II or and iPhone 4s what would you choose?

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In the category of the OS, the Ruby will sport one of the latest versions of Android 2.3+ Gingerbread. However, since this is an HTC phone, Sense 3.5 will be smothered all over this sweet Gingerbread cookie. And as if everything mentioned already was not enough, we can expect to see an 8 MP shooter on the back of this superphone. As for front-facing we are still a little unsure. But, rumors suggest that the Ruby will have a front-facing camera too, as is the standard these days, and most likely a 2MP one at that. Finally, with new technology on the rise, we highly doubt HTC will leave out a NFC chip.

By the way, if you can’t take my word for any of this, feel free to take a look for yourself at the above image. But if you can’t read that, then your going to have to trust me.

With their recent smartphone releases, HTC has produced official press shots and soon after, released the new device entirely. Just as stated before, rumors suggest that the HTC Ruby will be making it’s debut on October 6th. This release date could possibly be an effort to cut into iPhone 5 sales, and the sales of the soon to be omnipresent Samsung Galaxy S II. Remember, the newest version of the iPhone is rumored to be announced and in store sometime in October.

If your still not sold on the Ruby, take a look at what HTC and Dropbox are delivering for free.

Thoughts?

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Customization Apps

1. Free Advanced Task Manager

As the name says, this program enables you to accomplish the basic routines quickly without eating up your phone’s resources. These tasks include viewing system information, monitoring battery power and memory usage, and closing and uninstalling programs.

2. Linda Manager

This app can be called the Android version of Windows Explorer as it provides similar file management functions. The phone will feel like a PC as you copy, paste or rename files and folders, change folder views, and navigate through directories.

3. PhoneWeaver

Profiles allow you to centralize control of your phones basic features such as those for volume, ringtone, and connectivity. With this app you can set up various profiles and manually or automatically shift to any them. Automatic profile changes can be triggered by time, battery life and even location.

4. Backgrounds

Most task manager types of apps provide a way to change the wallpaper but rarely do any of them provide a stock of excellent high-definition images. Consider this app if you’re the kind of Android user who values personalization tweaks on his phone.

Communication Apps

5. Opera Mini

If you want to save some money on your data subscription then you’ll need a fast loading web browser on your phone. Opera’s browser for mobile platforms does the job quickly because it uses their servers to compress web pages.

6. Google +

This is actually a packaged set of apps for sending instant messages, sharing videos and photos, and updating designated social groups via Circles. It’s Google’s official mobile social media platform.

7. WhatsApp Messenger

This is another communication tool geared towards social networking that allows you to sidestep SMS and MMS limitations, particularly the hidden and international charges.

Camera Apps

8. Camera360

Imagine combining the visual effects and the color and resolution modifying features of an image editor with your phone’s camera and this app is the impressive result. Photos you take with this app won’t look like they come from a phone’s camera.

9. Barcode Scanner 

Some retailers use barcodes that don’t just give the price but also tell you where to find product-related online resources as well. You can use this app with your Android phone to get both types of information by scanning barcodes and QR codes. The program is a two-way street as it also allows you to share files through QR codes.

10. CamScanner

You can basically turn your Android phone into a pocket-sized scanner with this app. Aside from digitizing photographed documents, the app enables you to turn the file into PDFs and then upload to a cloud account like Dropbox.

Entertainment Apps and Games

11. PowerAMP

This app has all the features you would expect of a media player. It supports a wide range of audio file formats, comes with an equalizer, arrange playlists, set specific audio as ringtones, and even download album art. Just like typical PC media players, you can also re-skin this app to add a customized look.

12. Ant Smasher

You press on the touchscreen to squash the ants. Most addictive games usually have surprisingly simple mechanics but engaging gameplay. This is one notable example as the game has currently garnered around 10 million downloads. The developer has even added a social media element by allowing you to squash shared pictures from your friends.

13. Army Sniper

First person shooters are always a popular choice. The phone tilting controls sets this apart from the usual sniper-themed games.

14. Talking Ben The Dog

Virtual pets are another type of interactive entertainment that has its own popular niche in the mobile game industry. As a retired chemistry professor (who happens to be a dog) Ben is not so much a pet as a companion.

Security Apps

15. Anti-Virus Free

This is AVG’s mobile security offering for Android phones. Like its PC counterpart, it’s a free security program that comes with relatively robust scanning and cleaning features.

16. History Eraser

Keeping your phone and browser history clean is one of the standard methods for avoiding malicious intrusions and security threats. This app can keep your Android phone spotless of any trace from logged calls to search histories.

17. Where’s My Android

Losing or misplacing your phone is not an uncommon accident. The typical attempt of calling it from another phone usually works unless the lost phone’s in silent mode. This app can bypass that setting and simultaneously turn the ring volume to maximum. It also allows you to locate your missing phone via GPS.

via slodive

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For instance, when I attempt to shoot a self-portrait photo, I constantly run into trouble with touching the onscreen camera shutter button precisely with my finger. Since the primary camera of most smartphones are rear-facing, and the virtual camera shutter button is displayed on the touchscreen opposite the rear camera, it’s impossible for me to tap the button with exact precision all the time to take my self-photo.

That was the quandary that I used to frequently find myself in whenever I had to take self-photos. Thanks to the Big Camera Button Lite app, all of that trouble is now gone for me.

The Big Camera Button Lite app is exactly just that–an app for a big camera button. Actually, it turns the whole touchscreen into a big camera shutter button. With a virtual shutter button that huge, I can now press any area of the touchscreen and take self-pictures with ease.

Big Camera Button Lite is a free app available on the Android Market. I’ve used and tested it for some time already and have encountered no problem worth complaining about. It simply does what it was developed to do. From what I can tell, the app does not lack in camera settings or quality either.

See the app in action:

If, like me, you want to take self-photos without having to go through the trouble of positioning your finger on a small shutter button on the touchscreen, then Big Camera Button Lite just may be the perfect app for you.

Have you tried this nifty app? What do you think of it?

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Other websites are claiming that there is no news on release date, but as far as we’re concerned there is; we expect the DSTL1 to go on sale in the U.S. and in parts of Europe at the end of this month (June). Also, if the camera is a deciding factor for you, head over here to take a look at these sample 5MP photos. Check out this French website for more images of the DSTL1 at Computex.

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