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.
The exclusive Kindle app for Samsung phones like the S5 has arrived with a free book every month similar to Amazon Prime.
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
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.
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.
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.
The mobile devices that these wearables can connect to include Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3 Neo, Galaxy Grand 2, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 mini, Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy S4 Zoom, Galaxy Mega 6.3, Galaxy Mega 5.8, Galaxy Note 2 and the Galaxy SIII. The list of tablets include the Galaxy Tab 4 10.1, Galaxy Tab 4 8.0, Galaxy Tab 4 7.0, Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2, Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1, Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4, Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition.
Clearly shows Samsung is learning from the first generation and making them more compatible with its devices.
via Sammobile.
Quite simply on the internet there is a huge bust up between the Samsung S5 16mp ISOCELL and HTC One M8 ULTRAPIXEL cameras.
One way to decide is with photographic evidence. So head over to a large selection of photos from each, and then let everyone know your verdict.
HTC One M8 Photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157643265004874/
Samsung Galaxy S5 Photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157643875623354/
And lets get really serious. A huge fight between the HTC One M8 4mp Ultrapixel vs Nokia Lumia 41mp Pureview.
https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/fight-htc-one-m8-vs-nokia-lumia-1020/
So what’s my view on which has the better camera out of the S5 or M8.
M8 – the fastest gun slayer in the west. Not afraid of the dark. Ideal for capturing something quick. Or photographing any moment. Clever tricks with the duo lens, loads of fancy editing tricks too. Automatic editable video highlight produced for each event. Small file sizes makes for quick sharing on social networks. Photos printable up to a max of 9 X 7 before quality drops due to lack of pixels. For many people this camera is perfect. You will take many good shots of your loved ones, friends, kids and pets as well as superb scenic shots. Both the front and rear cameras have a huge field of view (wide angle). And then it has all the manual control including a 4 second shutter speed.
S5 – Less tricks than the M8 but much higher quality results if the lighting is good. Some macros are as large as 8mb. Suffers in low light. Slightly slower than M8. Good quality camera with some incredible outputs. File sizes average 4-6mb so your data plan will get consumed fast if you share a lot when out and about. At first I was very disappointed as it kept blurring photos of my dogs that the M8 had no trouble with. But now I’m bowled over by its delivery.
In reality, 2 different cameras both class acts in their unique design but for me the HTC One M8 is my favourite.
As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast bi-weekly. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.
Episode 12 is a great listen, but I would like to know if you have any questions for our next episode. Both Dave and I have experiences from HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5 so maybe you have a question around these phones. So drop a question below in the comments or via twitter @gavinfabiani or @davidmarkrich
If you get a moment and have enjoyed the podcast, please leave some feedback in iTunes. Thanks.
BGR got exclusive photos on the new Amazon smartphone.
The device without the enclosure removed has five cameras up front (reportedly a sixth out back) and a trio of buttons along the left side handle power and volume. The screen is reportedly of the 4.7-inch variety. The cameras are to produce 3D imagery without the need for glasses.
It will also have 2GB of RAM and an unnamed Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, apparently. Rather than going 1080p, the handset is also said to push 720p.
The big question is how much and what will it’s USP be positioned as?
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 