Chase Bonar

Contributing Editor

Chase is a contributing editor for PhoneDog and is new to the mobile industry, but not to writing. When he's not flashing a new ROM, or reading specs of the latest phones, he's probably lurking Craigslist for a new phone, tablet, or crazy deal. Outside of the mobile universe, Chase is an F1 fan and dachshund enthusiast. When completely disconnected from society, you can find Chase biking, running, or working on his money-pit E46 330xi.

Chase's latest articles, videos, reviews and more...

Reader reactions

Hey, text message: Grow up

Lifestyle Alternate messaging platforms have been the cat's pajamas of 2013, and I see no sign of the trend letting up. Like a bull on a parade, software companies have decided its time that the traditional text message underwent a facelift, and...

19 hrs ago by Chase Bonar 10 7 Reactions

Updated

A Microsoft Surface RT Mini could work, here's why

Microsoft As the tablet market matures, many manufacturers across varying operating systems are vying for a share of the pie, and no matter your OS preference, there are varying screen sizes beckoning you. Well, that is if you prefer Android and...

yesterday by Chase Bonar 28 23 Reactions

Updated

Google I/O 2013 is a lesson in appreciation, not disappointment

Android The opening act of Google I/O 2013 has come and gone without any major software overhaul or hardware announcements, but I'm thankful anyways. Many were expecting something of the Mountain View company to sweep them off their feet like past...

2 days ago by Chase Bonar 23 21 Reactions

Reader reactions

Do Nokia's Lumia flagship smartphones even matter?

Business And Money The rumored Nokia "Catwalk" which became infamous around the Web for its aluminum chassis and svelte profile just became a reality. Nokia launched the Lumia 925 at their big event in London earlier today putting to rest the tagline of...

4 days ago by Chase Bonar 50 37 Reactions

Updated

To the distracted drivers of the Web

Lifestyle According to the Cohen's Children's Medical Center of New York, texting and driving has just surpassed drunk driving as the leading cause of death in teenagers behind the wheel. Last year, more than 3,000 teens died as a result of sending...

5 days ago by Chase Bonar 8 6 Reactions

Reader reactions

Here's why the HTC One's software update is super important

Android Some would have argued that HTC's main hurdle to overcome with their new flagship, the One, was marketing the device on all carriers and ensuring adequate supply kept up with demand. Both feats have plagued the Taiwanese company in the...

6 days ago by Chase Bonar 150 73 Reactions

Updated

OEMs, please make sense of these smartphone names

Lifestyle Google's Nexus devices have attacked the affordable gadget market by storm. From the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10, you're likely to find a device at the right screen size, or whatever it is that you desire. But rumors have starting...

1 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 16 2 Reactions

Reader reactions

Two ways the Windows Phone war is heating up

Lifestyle The mobile market has heavily favored high-end specifications the past three years, but that's not to say it's been in vain. Consumer demand for these devies has urged manufacturers to bring them to the masses in the first place....

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 26 15 Reactions

Reader reactions

Why LG's actions in mobile resonate now more than ever

Android It's likely that when LG announced the Optimus G a year ago, you brushed it off with ease. The Korean company capable of producing high quality electronics, including smartphones, is often overshadowed by its overzealous countryman,...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 20 8 Reactions

Exclusive

What's in your pocket, Chase Bonar?

Lifestyle My pants pockets are always full...of phones. I've owned way too many over the years, and I probably still own one too many today. So, without further ado, here's what could be in my pants pockets right now , ya'll. The eldest...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 24

Reader reactions

Here's what the Motorola X Phone needs to do to be a hit

Android At first mention of Motorola's X Phone, it's difficult not to ask a follow-up question. "What's special about it?" "Will it be available on my carrier?" "It's not a Galaxy...why would I want it?" Thus, it has become crystal clear that...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 20 12 Reactions

Reader reactions

Why are smartphone bezels going the way of batteries?

Lifestyle Every new smartphone concept has gradually shed body mass to outline design. There's a certain sense of sexiness that manufacturers strive to achieve with each new form factor. Often times, the display grows into its own by taking up more...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 42 23 Reactions

Reader reactions

Can low-light camera performance sell a smartphone?

Lifestyle Camera quality ranks high on my list of requirements for a smartphone to be considered a true "hero" device. Since I do not own a traditional point-and-shoot camera, I rely on my smartphone every time to capture the moment. I also rely on...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 41 32 Reactions

Reader reactions

Microsoft, where are your phablets?

Lifestyle There is no limit to display size on Android as evidenced by the Asus Fonepad. There is no differentiation between iOS on the iPhone and on the iPad. So, why has Windows complicated the gadget market with multiple versions of a single,...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 28 19 Reactions

Reader reactions

How do you increase the battery life of your smartphone?

Android When it comes to smartphones in 2013, battery size is all the rage. No matter your mobile OS, the amount of time you can spend away from a wall outlet is easily one of the most important reasons to choose one handset over another. But...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 84 58 Reactions

Reader reactions

Is Google up to something?

Android Google! At this point last year we had already heard rumblings of what you'd announce at your annual gathering of developers and fans, Google I/O. The Google Nexus 7 made by Asus was announced by Asus earlier in the year, disappeared, and...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 13 7 Reactions

Updated

Apple isn't going anywhere, and that includes iOS 7

Business And Money It can be said that Apple was once the world's most advanced mobile operating system. The original iPhone (and its four successors) sported a 3.5-inch touch screen, an Internet browser, and a multitude of native apps. iOS was quite simply...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 79 62 Reactions

Updated

Google Now on Android needs a set of standards

Android Google's bread and butter of Android are services like Google Drive and Gmail. Likewise, the company hailing from Mountain View also found a market with Google Now, and it's easily my favorite feature of any Android smartphone. I cannot...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 56 22 Reactions

Updated

What are your initial thoughts of the HTC One?

Android It's been five whole days since I received my HTC One on T-Mobile, and I'm pleasantly surprised by HTC's end-game. The One is a well-crafted piece of art that leaves little else to be desired. Build quality bests every Android device on...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 161 87 Reactions

Updated

The thought of a durable Samsung Galaxy S 4 has won me over

Lifestyle I once ran over my smartphone with a car. It was the Motorola Backflip courtesy of AT&T - the first Android device on Ma Bell. Although this sort of incident is usually a catastrophic failure on the owner's part, it was premeditated. But...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 48 35 Reactions

Reader reactions

Is the flexible display dream inching closer to reality?

Lifestyle For the better part of three years, manufacturers have been toying with the idea of flexible smartphone displays. The thought of a display that can bend and twist at our will would be an interesting feature, no doubt, but the mobile...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 37 34 Reactions

Reader reactions

Has Samsung's TouchWiz become too complicated?

Android There are many software features that add value to a smartphone's interface. The ability to share apps and photos through NFC and SMS first come to mind. The same goes for a battery icon that displays your actual battery percentage. But...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 35 26 Reactions

Reader reactions

It's officially HTC against the world

Android The good and the bad of the new flagship from HTC has been divvied out in proportionate batches. The majority of positive publicity surrounds the One's build quality and marketed features. But the negativity is becoming increasingly harder...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 68 26 Reactions

Reader reactions

Here's why an improved Nexus 7 could unleash the new Android

Google We're right around the corner from Google I/O and there are plenty of rumors to be excited about. Yesterday, Ms. Anna Scantlin elaborated on a rumor that the new Nexus smartphone from Google could be a modified Nexus 4 boasting LTE and...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 15 5 Reactions

Updated

Samsung could make mind control the next big thing

Lifestyle Samsung recently unveiled Air View and Air Gestures with the latest version of TouchWiz UX on board the Galaxy S 4. This feature utilizes touchless touch screen technology to reference inputs as normal touch points do without actually...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 1

Updated

When disaster strikes, the smartphone prevails

Lifestyle Running, analyzing, and cornering the Boston Marathon bombing into a stream of comprehensible data has proven difficult over the past week. There is just so much information to comprehend and every bit of it has proven useful in one way or...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 32 29 Reactions

Reader reactions

This budget iPhone image brings back fond memories, and I'm sold

Ios Just a few months ago, I asked you what features a cheaper iPhone could do without. Suggestions included a smaller screen with a lower resolution, a lesser camera, and a polycarbonate shell in place of the aluminum on the iPhone 5. It...

5 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 65 32 Reactions

Reader reactions

Android smartphones deserve software updates, says the ACLU

Android If you've ever been stuck in a two-year commitment with an Android smartphone that isn't receiving the latest software update due to your carrier taking their sweet time in issuing it, the ACLU is trying to help you out. In a complaint for...

5 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 63 50 Reactions

Reader reactions

Facebook, do your homework before expanding to iOS and Windows Phone

Android Facebook Home shunned iOS and Windows Phone in favor of Android and it's been a rough start for the social media company so far. For the few Android devices which are officially supported by Facebook, Home has taken quite a blow as...

Apr 16th by Chase Bonar 49 42 Reactions

Updated

The fingerprint scanner: Apple's Ace for the next iPhone?

Ios Rumors of the iPhone 5's successor are ramping up to unprecedented levels and a new job posting by Apple only adds fuel to the fire. Apple listed a job posting for a software engineer to join its Melbourne Design Centre team in Florida,...

Apr 14th by Chase Bonar 101 74 Reactions