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...

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Jolla's smartphone already has an edge, but is it enough?

Business And Money It feels like an eternity since a band of MeeGo engineers left Nokia to carry-out their very own endeavour dubbed Sailfish OS, a continuation of MeeGo OS gracing such smartphones as the Nokia N9 and N950. The group of ex-Nokian's...

3 hrs ago by Chase Bonar 3

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5 ways Apple can refresh the iPhone

Ios Many are quick to judge each successor to the iPhone without giving it a fair chance. As we currently stand, Apple presumably has their hands full in delivering a product that truly surprises. Whether from a hardware or software...

yesterday by Chase Bonar 12

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What does Android really need?

Android There are many reasons to oppose Google's Android mobile operating system, but one of them is not stagnation. Since inception six years ago, Android has been on a fast-track towards eclipsing all other mobile interfaces on many levels....

2 days ago by Chase Bonar 95 41 Reactions

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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...

3 days ago by Chase Bonar 13 7 Reactions

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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...

4 days ago by Chase Bonar 31 23 Reactions

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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...

5 days ago by Chase Bonar 23 21 Reactions

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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...

1 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 50 37 Reactions

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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...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 8 6 Reactions

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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...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 151 73 Reactions

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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...

2 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 16 2 Reactions

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 42 23 Reactions

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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...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 41 32 Reactions

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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,...

3 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 28 19 Reactions

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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

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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

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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 80 63 Reactions

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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...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 56 22 Reactions

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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...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 161 87 Reactions

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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...

4 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 48 35 Reactions

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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

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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

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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

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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...

5 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 15 5 Reactions

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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...

5 weeks ago by Chase Bonar 1

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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...

Apr 19th by Chase Bonar 32 29 Reactions

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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...

Apr 19th by Chase Bonar 65 32 Reactions