Below are the quick links to reviews I have written from the latest phones available at present. If you click the menu bar above, and select reviews phones, there are another 20 plus phone reviews to read.
All posts by Gavin Fabiani-Laymond
Hidden Gems with the Samsung Galaxy S5 – info
Have a look at the above screen shot.
The S5 will notify me of any emergency in my area.
Gear Fit data is also displayed.
Shortcuts to my 3 most used reward cards. I have many more in the Samsung Wallet. No need soon to carry anything but your phone.
And lastly shortcuts to my favourite twitter app, tweetings.
Bank Holiday announcement – updates – podcast & 17 Smartphone Camera comparison
Just a quick update.
Dave and I will be recording the next Episode of “Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast” tomorrow on Easter Sunday.
Then, on Bank Holiday Monday, a 17 Smartphone Camera Comparison will be published. That’s right, 17 of the latest phones from high end to low end.
Harmon Kardon Onyz Studio Wireless Speaker – Half Price today with code – details
O2 stores in the UK are selling the Harmon Kardon Onyz Studio Portable Wireless Speaker for half price at £99. This started life as a $400 speaker.
More info here Harmon Kardon
This is a bad boy of a speaker. Bluetooth. Powered by mains or battery which lasts 5 hours.
To get this deal you need to be with O2 Priority Moments. Next open the O2 Priority Moments app on your smartphone and the speaker should appear. Get the code. Then head off to your local store.
Amazon Kindle app for Samsung has arrived
The exclusive Kindle app for Samsung phones like the S5 has arrived with a free book every month similar to Amazon Prime.
My favourite Samsung Galaxy S5 photo
This was using the selective focus mode on the S5. The original shot is nearly 7mb for a macro. On a big screen this shot looks stunning. Click on photo to get full size image.
Link to original – https://flic.kr/p/ncymnR
Samsung Galaxy S5 – updated views
I have had the S5 for about a week now, and it has grown on me. The hardware is not as sexy as the HTC One M8, but it is easier to manage as it fits nicely in my hand. I do wish it was marginally slimmer, like the HTC One M8, but you cannot take away the fact it is comfy in the hand.
Unlocking by the fingerprint scanner is a pain in the a*se. So I have now switched it off. Even holding the S5 with 2 hands it was never consistent enough and often took several attempts. Apple really have nailed this particular process.
The complexity of the options actually make it a very good phone with all the settings and options you could wish for. Once you have set up what you want and how you want it to perform, you then can just go about your way enjoying the S5.
It does frustrate me though. The camera is like marmite. You either get blown away with the photos or left disappointed. Talking of camera, somehow the settings got changed from shooting at 16mp to 6mp, and I don’t recall changing them myself.
The lockscreen has coloured dots for my pattern unlock, TV remote controls and camera shortcut. Rather nice homescreen.
Bluetooth Audio – I connected the S5 to my Sony SBH80 stereo headset. Great music clarity and bass. Good voice etc… no issues here.
Clearly the S5 is meant to appeal to everyone and in that regard it succeeds, but if you want something special there are plenty of other options and choices out there.
EBay wants us to come back
eBay says that from May 13th it’ll allow UK users to list up to 20 items every month completely free of charge. Listings can include any item, as long as it’s not a car.
Free listing but then a huge fee after selling and then a commission charge by PayPal. And less protection for sellers against dodgy buyers.
No wonder people are looking elsewhere.
Have a look at PSC Forum where you can sell or swap with no fees. Just your normal postage costs.
Godzilla Mode on the Samsung Galaxy S5
So has your Samsung Galaxy S5 got a “Godzilla Mode” ?
So if you receive a text from a hungry thing, have no fear you can respond really quickly from whichever screen you’re using.
Despite mixed reviews the Samsung S5 appears to be selling like hotcakes – info
Phones 4U has said that launch day sales of the S5 were double that of the S4.
Pre-orders alone were escalating significantly ahead of those for S4 last year ahead of the launch, and the Galaxy S5 made up 40% of all contract sales at the retailer on April 11.
Samsung also achieved moderate queues outside its new Samsung Experience Stores throughout the UK at the early launch on April 10. Just shows how strong the brand is becoming.
Press Release -LONDON, UK, 16 APRIL 2014: We’re thrilled to announce that Phones 4u has seen record success with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S5, with sales on the first day alone being double that of the Samsung Galaxy S4 during the same period.
Since its global unveiling the Samsung Galaxy S5 has continued to thrive at Phones 4u – pre-registrations for the newest Galaxy smartphone reached over five figures ahead of the pre-order launch, with official pre-orders escalating significantly past those of its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S4.
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 