The recent  announcement of the iPhone 4S was met, pretty universally, by disappointment. People were expecting the iPhone 5.

However, the release of the 4s is quite consistent with Apple iPhone releases.

The initial iPhone (with a monikor) was released in June 2007 and was followed up by the 3G – simply named because it had 3G data capability – in July 2008.

In June 2009 they didn’t release a new version, but improved the 3G and released it as the 3GS.

In 2010 we get the iPhone 4 and this year the iPhone 4S.

This pattern of releasing a new phone one year and then improving it the next is a good idea – particularly when iPhone users are usually on 2 year contracts. If the year after they buy a newly released iPhone they launch another brand-new must-have version then users would probably get annoyed quite quickly. An interim improved phone is the logical conclusion.

So, we have a pattern, which means that the next big iPhone release will be next year. But what about the number?

The 3G was not the third phone. However, the iPhone 4 WAS the 4th iteration (after the original, 3G and 3GS). So that means that next year’s phone will be the iPhone 6. And for a company that works so hard on these intricate details would they really get the numbering wrong? Logically, no. But something tells me the next phone will be the iPhone 5.

Since the Galaxy S2 launched earlier this year no other phone has come near to its capabilities – and that includes, I think, the iPhone 4S. As far as I’m concerned the S2 still reigns supreme.

So, I’ve been excited by the launch of the Galaxy Nexus – the newest release from Samsung, sporting Android 4 as its main highlight.

Other than Android 4, it’s other big thing is the screen – 4.3″ inches at 720×1280. Although the screen physically is bigger the whole device is apparently on a par with the S2 as the screen is taller rather than wider and this extra width takes the place of the buttons at the bottom.

However, ignoring the OS and screen resolution for a moment, when you start comparing the rest of the phone specifications it suddenly starts to look a little more disappointing…

• The Nexus has a Super Amoled screen. The S2 has a Super Amoled Plus screen. There is a difference, and it’s important.
• They both sport a 1.2Ghz Dual Core processor.
• The S2 weighs 116 g, whereas the Nexus is 135 g.
• There is no removable storage option on the Nexus, compared to the Micro SD on the S2.
• The Nexus lacks USB On-the-Go and Wi-Fi Direct.
• The rear camera on the Nexus is 5MP and the front 1.3MP. On the S2 you get an 8MP rear and 2MP front camera. However, the Nexus does give you a twin LED flash rather than the single on the S2.
• The headphone socket is on the bottom. Really? Because when I have a set of headphones plugged in and my phone in my pocket, I really want to have it upside down. No news yet as to where they’ve sited the USB socket.
• It’s a personal preference but the Nexus has more rounded corners, looking like one of its cheaper cousins, and I don’t like it.

One thing I’m not sure about, comparison wise, are the GPUs in the 2 phones which are very different. However, forum discussions would suggest that the S2 might edge it.

One thing that I can find on the Nexus which is better than the S2 is the battery, which is 1750 mAh, compared to 1650 mAh. Extras, the Nexus has a built in barometer. Really.

So, a higher resolution screen, a bigger capacity battery and ability to know if it’s about to rain in the next few hours. But you get a poorer set of cameras, more weight and a load of features missing. Or have I missed something?

This review is part of the 1 Pound Challenge – can you find a decent gadget in a pound shop?

Next up in my quest to find excellent tech for one British pound is the bluefox laptop stand. Available from 99p Stores this is a grey, telescopic plastic stand that sits underneath your laptop, leaning it forward for a better typing position.

Once opened up, it splays in an “X” shape – the rear two legs fit (rubber tipped top and bottom) sit under the rear of your laptop. The front legs go up at the front to snugly hold onto the front of the laptop (otherwise your laptop would unceremoniously slide off each time).

Does it work? Yes – it raises your laptop up by about 3cm at the back, if your laptop is big enough and the underside is flat enough. My wife’s netbook is too small. My Lenovo Edge 11 is just about big enough BUT the underside narrows at the front – this means those upturned front legs have nothing to grip onto. They are about 15mm tall, so if you hold a ruler under your laptop from back to front, you will need the front edge to be no further than 15mm away from the ruler (I hope that makes sense).

I also tried it with a 15″ Lenovo ThinkPad and it worked just fine – certainly a 15″ or bigger laptop should have no problems. 20cm is,  by my reckoning, the minimum depth that you need.

When you’re finished with it the rear legs slide down and the front legs swing round to tuck under them, leaving you with a package just a few inches long.

It’s made by bluefox.

Summary of bluefox Laptop Stand

If you think you have a pressing need to raise the rear of your laptop up for better typing then this works (assuming your laptop is big enough and the underside is suitable). And at less than a pound, it’s another great bargain.

Reviewed by David Artiss on 22nd October 2011.