The HTC One M8's screen comes in at 5 inches. Courtesy HTC
The HTC One M8's screen comes in at 5 inches. Courtesy HTC

Big-screen smartphones are big deal, but then there is iPhone



Ignorance is bliss I've always thought. Nothing proved this more than when I recently tried out a smartphone with a big screen.
I have used an iPhone since early 2010. First the iPhone 4 and now the iPhone 5s, which is longer and slimmer than its predecessor. I was happily enjoying the innovation.
Then the nice people at HTC not only flew me to Turin to watch a big football match but also insisted I try out their new HTC One M8.
It is around 20mm longer and 12mm wider than the iPhone, giving it a larger screen presence which at first glance did not seem to be a big deal. But after using the HTC for a couple of weeks there was a light bulb moment - what I really, really want in life is a phone with a massive screen.
It is just better, simply. However, you can't always have what you want because realities kick in.
The HTC is a very good phone at the point of use, maybe a bit better than the iPhone overall and miles better if you factor in the screen size. Yet the HTC is literally a conundrum on the back end.
I couldn't even begin to work out how to transfer pictures or other media to my backup drive. Using the software reminded me of how I was all fingers and thumbs with computers in the early 1990s.
I don't like to feel stupid even if I like being ignorant of many things.
In contrast iTunes is intuitively easy. I am a genius thanks to Apple and they let me remain a delightful ignoramus.
But I have spoiled that now.
I know about the wonder of a big screen but I'm trapped in my gilded cage. The solution is to settle in for the long haul and wait for Apple to catch on.
malrawi@thenational.ae

The Bio

Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”

Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”

Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”

Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”

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The Penguin

Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

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