‘Reviews & Thoughts’ Articles
Written by JMarsden92 on 27 August 2010
We were recently given the opportunity to test out the newest member of the Sprint phones, the Samsung Epic 4G. I have been using a HTC Hero for the last 8 months, and this has been a real treat.
What’s in the box…
- Samsung Epic 4G
- Lithium Ion Battery
- AC Phone Charger
- USB Cable
- Headset
- MicroSD Card (2GB)
- MicroSD Adapter
- Manuals
I originally wanted a phone that was touchscreen, and small. After trying out the Epic for the last 2 weeks I find that it is better to wait for better things when shopping. This phone has a 4″ AMOLED screen. One thing that I found amazing was the fact that the phone has “Live Wallpapers.” These wallpapers interact with the user. This phone also has a sliding door that covers the charging connector. This is nice because I hate those rubber connectors that you need to move whenever you are charging. They seem to get in the way considerable amounts of time.
Currently the Epic only has Android 2.1 installed, but it is well known that this phone will get Android 2.2, and will also be able to get Flash 10. The Epic features a full QWERTY keyboard that slides out. The phone also supports TTY devices. The phone has standard Bluetooth, and WiFi capabilities. **This is the second phone from Sprint to have a WiFi “Hotspot” built into the phone. This is also the second 4G phone from Sprint. The touchscreen isn’t as touchy as other phones that I have tried. The integration with Google has made life easier, and I can only imagine that it will continue to get easier. Google is a part of the phone whereas your contacts are stored in a Google contacts listing, and the phone retrieves them as necessary.
The front facing camera makes it possible to have video conferencing. For those that like to see their phone pictures, and such on a tv there is a capability of streaming your items from your phone to items like the Sony PS3. I use a Exchange Server for my email. On other phones the Exchange capabilities are very weak. The Epic stunned me with the capabilities of using of an Exchange Server. Packed into the system settings is an option to configure a VPN connection. This is handy for corporate users. Another great feature that this phone has is the six-axis controls. This makes playing games on the go even more fun. One feature that is not working yet is the Samsung Media Hub. This is going to be the first on-demand movie, and TV store that works over 3G, and 4G networks as well as WiFi. One of the last big features that this phone has is the “Swype” keyboarding. This makes it so that you basically drag your fingers from key to key without lifting your finger.
**An additional $29.99 per month charge for this feature.
The phone retails for $349.99 before any discounts.
I give the Samsung Epic 4G a 10 out of 10.
For more information click HERE to go to the official site for the Sprint Epic 4G.
Keep watching our site, as we may be running a contest to win one of these spectacular phones.
We were given a Epic 4G to review. Receiving this phone did not have any reaction to our review. As always this review is our honest opinion.
Tags: Android, Droid, Epic, Galaxy S, phone, Samsung, Sprint
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Written by JMarsden92 on 09 August 2010
Last year we stayed at the Jellystone RV Park in Mays Landing. We had a ok time, but there was a lot that we just didn’t like. There were “children” running most of the activities, and the park was in disarray. The pool wasn’t upkept like it should have been, and there seemed to be no life to the park. This year we heard that the park had changed management, and theme so we decided we wanted to check it out to see if we would be happy going there. The new theme was Nascar.
We pulled the camper in at @6:30pm on Friday. For the most part the park had a lot of seasonals there, but not many casual campers. While we were setting up we heard that there was a dj at the main tent. They also had a “bouncy bounce” blown up for the children. On Saturday we had some company come down for the day. Big “L” was the first to arrive. When my bro-in-law “T”, and his family showed up we were invited over to play some horseshoes. The seasonal campers are quite nice. During the horseshoe game the FIFA soccer matches were being shown on the bigscreen that is setup under the main tent. Our little one went off to the pool for a bit, and bounced around with her cousin. After horseshoes the adult all went swimming. At 7pm they had “Candy Bar Bingo” for the kids. Sunday was a very hot day. We had Big L come by again, and we went out to lunch. Prior to leaving for lunch an announcement was made about a game for the adults. We got to pick 2 numbers from a cage of other balls, and the numbers paired up with a sheet of racecars in the days race. The person who happened to have picked a winning car would win a prize. My wife won a FREE night when we book again, and I won a FREE snack which I gave to the little one. When we came back our little one went swimming with some kids she met. We sat around, and played dominoes while we battled the heat. It was very comfortable in the camper with the air conditioning going. It was so cold at times that there was no need for any heated mattress pads like we used once before when it was getting a bit chilly.
We just returned from another week at the resort. We enjoyed our time away as usual. At the end of the weekend we decided to take advantage of a $150 special that they were running. We will get to stay in the rental trailer that houses @10 people for 3 nights / 4 days. During this trip my neighbor, and his wife also stayed there in a vacation cabin at the resort. They said the cabins were nice. They have a tv, microwave, refrigerator, bunk beds, and a regular queen size bed. They enjoyed themselves so much that they booked a rental trailer as well.
The park has changed considerable. This trip I noticed that the dj was onsite on Saturday this time, rather than on Friday. There are activities for the children, and adults. Some activities cost. There is a volleyball net, and more horseshoes setup by the main tent. I would definitelly camp there again. Bags of ice cost $3, which was a bit steep. We went to the local store for ice when we needed it. The only thing that I found a bit annoying was the cats that kept coming around, and attacking our garbage bags. I will definitelly tell others, and my family because they love Nascar. I am not a racing person, but camping is just fine.
Find out more by going to their site http://www.mayslandingrvresort.com/.
Tags: Mays Landing, Nascar, NJ, resort, review, rv
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Written by JMarsden92 on 15 July 2010
We were given the unique opportunity of reviewing the Medievel Times dinner show in Lyndhurst, NJ last week on Saturday the 10th of July. We were attending the 4pm show. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the door. Some promotions are available to online purchasers only.
We ended up upgrading to Royalty for $10 per person. There was another option to have guaranteed front row seats for $20 per person. The Royalty that we purchased allows the guests to be seated within the first 2 rows of the seating areas. You also receive a DVD, banner, and a souvenier program. We noticed a sign to view the “Dungeon”, but declined because of our 10 year old daughter.
The "Real" Princesses
Upon entry you are greeted, and given “Crowns” to wear. After receiving your crowns you are then stopped to take a photo with the king. These photos are available during the show. You will then be shown into the main hall. In the main hall you will find various shops to purchase souveniers, and more. During our wait we watched “Honored Guests” get called to be “Knighted” by the King. Shortly before the show they begin calling colors of seating. After being seated you meet up with your server.
The table had our banner, program, and DVD. On the table was our plate, cup, and bowl. There was a napkin with the nights menu on it. The server took our drink orders, and told us that we could have up to “2″ refills. The show begins, and throughout the show food arrives. First we received tomato bisque, and garlic bread. Then came the roasted chicken, spare ribs, and the roasted potato. Our daughter had an issue with the chicken because it was served with the wing still attached. Mom detached the wing, but we all loved the food.
For dessert we received apple turnovers, and we got coffee to go with it.
Throughout the show you can purchase alcoholic beverages.
She Got A Flower From The Knight.
During the show the knight winners of the tournaments threw flowers to the people in the crowd. Our daughter was overjoyed because she happened to get one.
Keep in mind that gratuity is not included in your charges. You will have an opportunity to tip your server.
The show let out just before 6pm.
My daughter enjoyed the show so much that she asked us if we could take her there again for her 11th birthday in October. We gladly told her we would.
The only thing that we found a bit off was the fact that you are only allowed 2 drinks.
Receiving tickets to Medievel Times had no result on our review. We were given the tickets so as to review the show, and give our feedback.
Tags: Lyndhurst, Medievel Times, NJ, review
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