John Lewis is selling the new range of Samsung tablets with a £100 Google Play voucher which can be used for apps, music and videos.
Category Archives: Android
The Amazon Smartphone – or is it an iPhone?
From http://www.bgr.com .
“The Amazon Smartphone is a 4.7-inch display with 720p HD resolution, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, six individual camera modules and a highly customized version of Google’s Android operating system similar to the one seen on Amazon’s various Kindle Fire tablets. It will rely on Amazon’s own mobile app store for third-party software distribution.The first Amazon smartphone will also feature a novel interface with 3D effects enabled by four front-facing infrared cameras that track the position of the user’s head in relation to the device’s screen. Coupled with some additional sensors, these cameras also facilitate unique gesture-based controls used to access menus and additional information.One of the handset’s key selling points will be a special data plan Amazon refers to as “Prime Data.”
Look like an iPhone clone. Maybe we will see thermo nuclear war between Amazon and Apple.
First Impressions of the Sony Xperia Z2
Firstly, I would like to thank my neighbour who lent me their new Xperia Z2, for a temporary swap for my Samsung Galaxy S5. I had a day with the Z2, at the end of which my neighbour was so relived to get back his phone and return my S5. And in one day, I can fully understand why.
So, for me the differences between the S5 and Z2 are huge. The Z2 is speedy to use, no lag like the S5. Great camera that does need software optimisations still, but its starting base is so much better than the Z1 and Z1 Compact. I used the Z2 is auto mode and also switched to manual to see what more I could tweak out of the camera shots. The photos were generally all very impressive and if you were to ask which phone had the best camera the S5 or Z2, it really is a close call. But my winner is the S5 for more natural looking shots, a great HDR mode and 16mp shots as standard versus the 8mp Sony Z2. But it really is a close call, and at times the Z2 took the better shot.
The industrial design of the Z2 is superb, much nicer than the S5. But a fingerprint magnet. The screen was gorgeous, but weirdly I preferred the S5 screen. The Z2 has a much better loudspeaker, in fact it has stereo front facing speakers. Also whilst the S5 is water and dust resistant, the Z2 is water and dust “proof”.
Sony’s software skin is gorgeous on the Z2 and there is a lot to like when using this phone. It makes me feel engaged and happy to use it. The S5 inflicts no emotion whatsoever although it is technically superior and ultimately that wins the day for me.
I really enjoyed using the Z2, and I just cannot get over how much faster it is to use the the lag fest Samsung S5. In reality, if you did not have another phone to compare the S5 to, it is fine but at times it seems to lag too much. Maybe that’s why Sony fitted 3gb of ram, whereas Samsung only has 2gb in the S5!
Samsung Galaxy S5 Free Gifts Issues – Latest Update
See previous posts by click here https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/free-samsung-s5-galaxy-gifts-update-on-more-gift-claiming-issues-and-via-samsung/ .
There are 3 aspects to this Free Gift Saga.
1. Different deals from wherever you purchased the Samsung Galaxy S5. Certain networks or stores might have their own special deal on top of Samsung’s Galaxy Gifts (apps). For example if you bought the S5 from Carphone Warehouse between 21st April – 30th April you would have been entitled via Samsung’s website to claim a free gift on top of the free app offers. But you would get nothing as a free gift from CPW if you bought the S5 on launch on 11th April.
2. Let’s knock Dropbox on the head straight away. Simply, if you have ever redeemed free storage on your account “2 years free 50gb storage”, you cannot redeem this offer again. So the only option as suggested by Dropbox themselves was to use a different email to register. The only issue you might have is if you already had fixed amounts of storage with dropbox.
3. Samsung Galaxy Gifts. If you login via Samsung Apps on your PC or via the Samsung Apps app on the S5, categories , Galaxy Gifts, you will find around 10 offers worth supposedly £500. Some of these are limited subscriptions, and maybe worth a shot. For example Deezer provides 6 months premium music streaming. The terms vary from 3, 6 or 12 months, and some apps are included free of charge. As a side point it is worth pointing out the other category in Samsung Apps, Galaxy Essentials. There are a few nice pieces of software in this section. Anyway, back to the free offers of which 2 are not working. These are Box and the free 10gb of data for 2 years and a 6 months free subscription to the Wall Street Journal.
I made contact with Samsung and Wall Street Journal. In the end WSJ asked me to contact Samsung to resolve. Samsung have spoken to me several times trying to resolve this. Apparently, the WSJ offer is only for US residents. So I asked them why it’s showing as available in the UK? The saga continues.
The issue with not receiving the free storage with Box is unresolved, but I think it is a similar position to Dropbox. When I joined Box via my iPhone I got 50gb for life so maybe you can’t redeem any more free offers on that account.
More soon hopefully.
Screen Brightness – does it matter?
Its a bright sunny day. You need a bright non reflective screen to see your phone screen.
Or its 4am. You want to read a book on your phone. Then you need the opposite.
And that’s what I like about the S5. It goes ultra bright for sunshine and really dark for bedroom reading. In fact if using auto brightness it reaches 600 nits bright and 2 nits darkness.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Wireless Official Charging Cover – Review with Samsung Charging Pad- updated
Above is my Samsung Galaxy S5 fitted with the official Samsung Wireless Cover and charging on the new Samsung Wireless Charging Pad.
In the box you get a manual and the cover itself. Picture below is the Wireless Cover on left next to the standard cover on right. Shown both ways.
Now lets have a closer look at the camera cut out on the Wireless Cover. Note the camera is now recessed slightly as well as the flash and heart rate monitor.
So what are the differences between the Wireless and Standard Cover ?
Weight – The S5 with the Wireless Cover weighs 160g and with the default non wireless cover 142g.
Depth/Thickness – The Wireless cover is a few mm’s thicker. It actually makes the phone more comfy to hold as it has a better curve now on the rear.
Cases – none fit that I have at present with the Wireless Cover.
When the phone is placed on the pad, a message appears across the screen to say charging wirelessly. Overall I am impressed that I now have QI Wireless Charging on my S5. It also feels much better in the hand to hold.
Update – I’m having issues with the Samsung Charging Pad. It keeps flashing orange after a while so I will be returning this pad and another one I ordered as well. Once I get my refund on these I will try a Zens pad which is a brand I have used before with a Nexus phone. If that doesn’t work, then it’s the wireless cover that doesn’t work properly.
Update – I got a replacement Samsung Charging pad and it works just fine. No mad flashing orange light.
Why would you buy the new Samsung Galaxy K Zoom smartphone?
It has been a few days since Samsung announced the Galaxy K Zoom, a 20.7mp camera centric smartphone.
But these are the reasons why you should think about before your purchase.
1. The K Zoom comes with 8gb storage, which has 5gb usable plus expansion for media/photos using a micro sd card. Bear in mind of that 5gb, burst mode will save to that memory and not the micro sd card. Plus you will need to install apps and games within that allowance and it will be very tight. This really should have been 16gb out of the box, like the S5. The previous model, the S4 Zoom also only had 8gb so I would have thought this would have at least been increased this year.
2. The K Zoom has a 20.7mp ISOCELL lens, but it is the same pixel quality as the S4 Zoom which costs half as much, albeit just 16mp. So maybe save some money and buy the older model.
3. The K Zoom has AE/AF separation to the auto functionality making it more flexible with shots.
4. The K Zoom Pro Suggest smart mode gives you different picture options depending on the photo you are about to take. This will help you take better pictures. You can also download many more shooting modes and those created by other users too. You can also save your own modes. For amateurs this really might allow you to create a great photo.
5. K Zoom can record at 1080p video at 50/60 frames per second which is better than the Galaxy S4 Zoom manages only 30fps. Neither record at 4K.
6. Shape. The K Zoom is a much slimmer and more desirable shape versus the S4 Zoom.
7. Screens. The Galaxy S4 Zoom has a 4.3-inch 960 x 540 super AMOLED screen, while the Galaxy K Zoom has a 4.8-inch HD 1280 x 720 super AMOLED display. 256ppi versus 306ppi on the K Zoom.
8. The Galaxy K Zoom has a Samsung-made Hexa core Exynos processor (1.3GHz quad-core and 1.7GHz dual-core processors combined). There’s 2GB of RAM on board too. The Galaxy S4 Zoom has a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 1.5GB of RAM.
So all in all, the K Zoom is improved, by the optics still have smaller pixels which are actually the same size as the Sony Xperia Z2. It is odd that Sony has a 20.7mp lens the same as the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom. Coincidence? Not really. Most cheap point and shoot cameras have this size of lens.
Google releases Google Docs and Sheets for iOS and Android
Google has just released Docs and Sheets for android and iOS. Powerpoints will be covered off in a separate app soon to be released, called Google Slides.
Docs and Sheets can work offline and confuse the world out of most people as to Google’s strategy. Google already has Quickoffice in the app store which –
With Quickoffice and a Google Account you can:
– Create and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files
– Access files in Google Drive and on your device
– Open and view PDF files
– Share files through previously shared Google Drive folders
– Attach files to emails
So Google Docs or Sheets does – (change docs for sheets)
Create, edit & collaborate with others on documents from your Android phone or tablet with the free Google Docs app.
With Google Docs you can:
– Create new documents or open and edit any that you started on the web or another device.
– Share documents and work together with others in the same document at the same time
– Get stuff done anytime–even without an internet connection
– Add and respond to comments
– Never worry about losing your work–everything is automatically saved as you type
So, if you go to open a word file on Google Drive, it won’t choose Google Docs to read or edit file. It won’t even offer you the option, only Quickoffice if you have this installed.
All I can say is at the moment it is a mess. Why didn’t Google just update Quickoffice to allow offline mode and rename it Google Office or something else. And currently the new apps lack a lot of functionality. Makes Apple’s offerings of Pages and Numbers and Microsoft’s Office seem so superior.
Who is OnePlus?
In the press there has been comments that OnePlus is actually owned by Oppo.
So far we know for sure that the phones will be manufactured by Oppo and OnePlus is headed up by an ex Director of Oppo who went off to do his own thing. Well, according to legal documents, OnePlus is owned by Oppo.
So what did Oppo have to say on the matter?
“…OnePlus is a separately run company that does share common investors with OPPO. One of those investors is OPPO Electronic. OPPO Electronic is an investment company and is not the same as OPPO Mobile. OnePlus is also in talks with other investors.”
Well, that answers everything, doesn’t it?
Question is, does it really matter?
Samsung, Apple and Google – Losers and Winners
Over the last few days there have been some interesting stats emerging from smartphone sales.
First up, following Samsung’s first quarter results it has lost market share to competitors. Samsung also suffered a 3.3% fall in profits. Consequently its share price has fallen.
Meanwhile Apple sold half the total amount of phones as Samsung, yet made twice more profit.
Google recognises it does not have a proper “Google” high end offering(s) to challenge Apple’s complete iPhone software and hardware package. So Google wants to have a Silver phone program, whereby manufacturers will have to adhere to strict guidelines on apps and the experience. These are to be high end quality finished phones to head straight on at Apple.
One thing is for sure, competition is healthy and maybe everyone will have to up their game.
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