Category Archives: Android

LG G Watch – update 2

July 10, 2014Android, Tech News, WearablesLG G Watch, part 2, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

So day 2 with the LG G Watch. Battery performance was marginally better, ending at 56%.

I made a few errors with the notifications, dismissing them in the process meaning I couldn’t reply to some messages. There were some other oddities occurring which confused me, so I am going to read over the manual again just to make sure I am not doing something wrong.

At the moment if I get a text message I can only view not reply to it. Yet hangouts allows replying. I hope LG fix this ASAP. I mean LG phone and a LG watch how difficult can that be!

The G Watch is recording my steps. But this data is not syncing with anything, not even the LG Health app on the G3.

On the app front, Google has released an update to its Google Camera app that adds a remote trigger functionality via the watch.

I also had some errors with Google voice meaning I sent incorrect messages to a few people. The jury is out still on this device. More tomorrow.

Flying then make sure your phone/tablet or laptop is charged – or face the consequences

July 10, 2014Android, Apple, Tech News, WindowsCharge your devices or face a banGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Via the Telegraph – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/10950196/Mobiles-could-be-barred-from-flights-if-not-charged.html

“Mobile phones and laptops will be banned from planes heading for the US if they are not charged up, amid heightened fears of an imminent terrorist attack.
Travellers will have to turn on their gadgets at the security gate to prove they are real, after the American government warned electronic devices could be used to conceal bombs.
The move comes as airport security in the UK, America and other countries is ramped up amid concerns that al-Qaeda extremists based in Yemen plan to use British and other Western jihadists fighting in Syria and Iraq as suicide bombers.
Laptops, tablet computers and other electronic devices will also be banned from planes if they cannot be turned on.

US officials have singled out smartphones including iPhones made by Apple Inc and Galaxy phones made by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd for extra security checks on US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

Safer not to fly!

Fight – LG G3 vs Samsung Galaxy K Zoom camera

July 10, 2014Android, Reviews, Tech Newslg g3 camera versus samsung galaxy k zoomGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Surely a camera centric device is going to obliterate the LG G3 with its 10 x optical zoom and xenon flash. And in certain conditions it will as you cannot beat optical zoom or xenon flash.

But have a look below at the camera samples, and decide which one is which and post your comments below. The first 2 are from the K Zoom and the last 2 from the G3. These are full resolution versions, so click to open up.

With these particular camera shots I prefer the ones from the G3.

LG G Watch – update

July 9, 2014Android, Tech News, WearablesLG G Watch, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

It been a busy day again, and I’ve not really get a chance to tweak the G Watch. All I did do was actually use it. Replying via Google Voice in a number of apps worked really well including text messaging, hangouts and twitter.

The notifications were excellent but that is no surprise as its using Google Now. But battery life is one day. From 100% to 30%. Only good news is it’s a very quick recharge. But still just one day is poor. So I charged it to 100% before I went to bed, and this morning it was down to 87%. Part of the issue is that I have the LG G Watch display to always on, but it was disconnected overnight.

However, I like the G Watch a lot. As I said yesterday, it is comfortable to wear and I like the appearance. At the weekend, I will have some more time to explore it properly. There are even custom roms for it now!

Do we need flagship phones anymore ?

July 9, 2014Android, Apple, Tech News, Windowscheap phones versus needs for a flagship, do we need flagships anymoreGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Having spent just over a month with the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom, it has made me wonder if we really need flagships. Why you may ask? Well the K Zoom is a camera centric smartphone but with only 8gb storage (4.6gb free to user) and a mediocre processor versus a flagship phone which will have the latest snapdragon 801 processor or higher. A flagship will also have bells and whistles features and more storage.

But with the android operating system being designed to work with low cost hardware, you can buy phones like the Moto E for under £99 and still get a reasonable experience. The K Zoom is a mid range device and like its cheaper alternatives still performs fairly well. In fact, in many ways it outperforms it’s more expensive flagships.

The other issue with flagship phones is the huge depreciation. If you spend less you don’t lose as much.

So really, if you want the latest and greatest, the extra £200 plus premium , really is a premium charge.

Sometimes though we buy new devices without any consideration for the above – we just want the best.

LG G3 – First impressions

July 9, 2014Android, Reviews, Tech NewsFirst Impressions, lg g3, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The LG G3 arrived yesterday. Going from the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom’s 720p screen to the G3’s Quad HD’s is light being punched in the face, such is the huge difference in the screen panels. The G3 is all about the screen. It is stunning.

The design of the G3 also means it is comfy to hold, and I am finding one handed use possible even though its 5.5 inch screen does make it a big device.

The other big difference over the K Zoom is storage (memory). The K Zoom came with 8gb (4.6gb user accessible) storage. My G3 is the 32gb/3gb ram model. It came with over 24gb user accessible. I left it downloading ALL my apps and ALL my games overnight. Well, nearly all. Some of my apps eg netatmo and the Amazon shopping app are not yet compatible for the high res screen resolution. This applied to a few games as well.

There is a lot to like about the G3 and an awful lot to take it as it has many many options. Simple it is not. Smart it is. More tomorrow.

Google starting to pass the blame to ISP for poor YouTube experience

July 9, 2014Android, Tech NewsGoogle advising people on ISP internet speedsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Google has started informing people who they should blame when YouTube videos streaming fail to stream smoothly.

A new pop-up bar appears “Experiencing interruptions? Find out why” . Clicking on the bar takes users to Google’s semi new Video Quality Report page, which provides information on internet service providers, including details on video streaming performance. The page also offers a comparison between other ISPs in your area, and it ranks providers as either “HD Verified,” “Standard Definition,” or “Lower Definition” based on the average performance they achieve on YouTube.

So would you change provider based on the performance of video streaming? Or have you already?

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – official Samsung Protective case

July 8, 2014Android, Reviews, Tech Newsofficial samsung protective case, Review, Samsung Galaxy K ZoomGavin Fabiani-Laymond

A few days ago, I showed you a few cases from eBay that I had for the K Zoom. Well finally, I have from Samsung their official protective cover case. It costs £20 so is not cheap but it is so much better than the previous 2 cases I had.

First up, the case seems to make the K Zoom seem slimmer. Not by much but every little bit helps. Second the edges are grippy rubber. The zoom lens is slightly protected by the case due to it covering the very edge of the mechanism. The same protection is offered for the screen. The power and volume buttons are covered, but the 2 way camera button is uncovered. All other cut outs for the other parts of the phone are exactly aligned.

I will say this is the best case you can get for the K Zoom. Well, it is if the Samsung ever get more in stock!

Samsung Gear Fit heavily reduced to $99

July 7, 2014Android, Tech Newsgear fit reduction, samsung gear fit reducedGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Before Google announced android wear, and prior to the first release of wearable hardware, Samsung launched ahead with its own plans, releasing two generations of smart watches and the Gear Fit, fitness band.

Well Amazon as of yesterday we’re selling the Gear Fit for a low price of just $99.

The wearable market place is heating up now Google has entered the ring. Just need Apple to go public with its plans.

Shoulderpod S1 – Smartphone Rig/Tripod Mount – Review

July 7, 2014Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News, WeatherShoulderpod S1 reviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The Shoulderpod S1 ,http://www.shoulderpod.com/shoulderpod-s1/, is the first smartphone rig/mount that I have used that secures my smartphone properly to my tripod. No wobbles, no more phones falling off my tripod in the wind. The most recent photos on my flickr account were taken using the S1. The shots are on my flickr account photostream https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/ . The Shoulderpod S1 costs Euro 29.90 which in my mind is excellent value as it has 3 different uses – a tripod mount, stand and film maker grip. Opening the box you are met with chunky pieces of apparatus which gives the immediate impression of quality. Compared to my previous mounts, the S1 is leaps ahead in terms of strength, construction and desgin. It really is on a different league to my previous equipment.

The S1 main tripod attachment piece is adjustable as shown above and comes complete with rubber inserts to protect your phone. It also fits a large number of phones too.

When attached to my tripod it provides a strong and secure fit. No longer are the strong winds on Dartmoor an issue. Or having the phone at an angle on the tripod is just as safe as being horizontal now.

Apart from the tripod mount, you can use it in the film maker grip mode, using the supplied strap. In fact, being a bit creative you can hang the strap over a branch to take that special shot. In addition, once you have finished taking your photos, just attach the weighted bottom piece and use it as a stand as shown.

The Shoulderpod S1 is so much better than my previous setup as shown below. with my old clamp, it was simply spring loaded with just a few areas lightly holding the phone to the clamp. Sometimes, this would mean the phone could fall out of the attachment. With the S1, you turn the thread screw at the top to widen the arms, and then turn the knob in the other direction to secure. This provides a superb clamped fit.

I have been using the Shoulderpod S1 for a while now and I am still just as impressed by it, as I was on the first day I received it.

Recommended!

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