All posts by Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

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About Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

President, CEO & Editor of https://gavinsgadgets.com Reviews & News of Technology

The Apple jail – the issues of trying to move to the dark side

Yesterday I attempted to buy a Samsung Note 2 to replace my iPhone 5. It didn’t happen due to Three UK’s local store insisting on only offering it on contract only not pay as you go, which is clearly advertised. Most annoying at the time as scandalous service by 3.

And then I got home and Letterpress notified me on my iPhone that it was my turn. This is an online word game that you play against your friends or an unknown person. I normally have 3-4 games on the go. That got me thinking. If I moved to android I would lose this as android doesn’t have a Game Center system. The gaming experience and selection of games on iOS is currently unbeatable.

I was also considering the Xperia Z and maybe the HTC One both of which are meant to have better cameras that the iPhone 5. From early testing this is not the case and the iPhone 5 is still able to hold its own.

Then I thought about the size of the Note 2. No more one handed use. And I would have to make sure I wore clothing with large pockets to accommodate it.

And then I thought of all the iOS apps I have and how well they work on the iPhone. 120 apps (not games) that I can flick open with one hand on the home page. Trying do that with the Note 2.

Don’t get me wrong, android and the phones are very good but also very different. It then got me thinking that what if Apple did release a phablet. Would that destroy that market segment?

So here I am pondering my next move. Well I’m going to see if there is anything special about the Samsung Galaxy S4 when it’s announced on the 14th March. Part of me reckons that following the S4, both the Note 2 and S3 will reduce in price due to everyone upgrading and an over saturation of phones for sale. In turn this will put pressure on Sony and HTC, again reducing their phones.

Of course, the unknown is what Apple will do for certain!

The result of Sony slashing 1/3 off the PS Vita

Sony recently slashed a third of the price of its amazing PS Vita in Japan.

The result has been a four fold increase in sales. Clearly the price was a sticking point.

It’s a shame the PS Vita doesn’t sell as much since as a gaming experience it is second to none. Plus you can download via its online store ps one classic games many of which are better than today’s iPhone game offerings and without the stupid in app purchasing.

Amazon Kindle Fire’s reduced at Carphonewarehouse

At Carphone Warehouse the price on the entry-level Kindle Fire has been lowered tojust £89, and the 16GB Kindle Fire HD has been reduced down to £139. But remember this is not the traditional Android tablet experience. However, the Kindle Fire is still a great casual tablet and media consumption device.

Once again it seems the only way android type tablets can compete with Apple is buying selling them cheap and cheerful. The iPad reigns once again.

T-Mobile in Prague selling the Xperia Z using models in showers

One of the features of the new Sony Xperia Z is its water resistance. How best to demonstrate that is to stick a few showers inside a mobile phone store and have some attractive models texting away with the shower on.

Sounds far fetched by that’s what T-Mobile in Prague are doing. It’s has certainly been drawing the crowds and bumping sales of the Xperia Z upwards.

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Google improves UK Street View

Just to prove a point at how good their maps are Google has updated their UK Maps with improved Street View imagery in several major UK cities, while adding areas previously unchartered by its cameras.

The cities London, Cardiff, Manchester and Glasgow have been re-traced. Impressive. In addition landscape in parts of East Anglia, South Wales and the Scottish Coastline have been photographed the first time.

Bulgaria for the first time has been added and 200 new towns and cities in Russia are also included.

Google Maps is so far ahead of everyone else.

Technology applications in luxury cars

The £225,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith, set to be a star attraction at the Geneva motor show, can read areas that haven’t even come into the driver’s vision yet.

Using GPS mapping it chooses the right gear, even when faced with obstacles including roundabouts and motorway junctions.

Now I think the use of GPS technology in this manner is excellent, just one small sticking point, I haven’t got £225,000 spare at present nor will I likely ever have. However, if you each donate £100 I will have enough to buy one. Then there is the issue of refilling it with fuel. For that I will create a monthly subscription 🙂

I like the concept though and the car.

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