Twitter user @evleaks has revealed the first photo of 2 new Galaxy Gear although it’s not very easy to see clearly.
If this is the next generation it doesn’t at first glance seem much different from the first generation.
Category Archives: Android
The All New HTC One – photos of the new colours
The phone isn’t due to be announced officially until 25th March so look away now if you don’t want to see the new HTC One.
The phone will also be available in black. Notice the 2 camera lenses on the rear, different flash , larger screen with thinner bezels. The guts will have had a slight bump in specs too.
Disappointed or are you pleasantly surprised?
Huawei at MWC – video
Not sure what planet Huawei advertising executives are from but this is a terrible video. I’m sure the new hardware on offer will be fine though.
Samsung Galaxy S5 – video teaser
So Samsung released the below teaser. A lot of emphasis is made on the camera and waterproof potential of the S5.
Looks promising. But is it enough?
Google I/O 2014 scheduled for June 25-26 – details
Android head Sundar Pichai has just announced the dates for the 2014 Google I/O developers conference which will be on June 25 and June 26.
Despite being later in the month it is still at Moscone West, and like recent years the events will be lived streamed for everyone to watch. Google has however changed the registration system.
This time around, developers will be able to express their interest and selected participants will be chosen and notified.
Samsung NotePRO 12.2 impressions
The Samsung NotePRO 12.2 tablet first impression is simply, it’s huge. It makes the iPad Air and Samsung 10.1 2014 Note Tablet seem small !
The rear of the NotePRO is a fake leather back, identical to that on the Note 3.
In fact everything about the tablet is very similar to the Note 3 just on a grander scale. But it does feature the new Magazine UI launcher instead of Touchwiz. The new launcher isn’t as in your face as touchwiz and appears slightly lighter in weight.
The screen allows 4 apps to be open at the same time as well as using floating apps. There is a much wider choice of floating apps versus the Note 3 selection. And as I said before its otherwise identical to the Note 3 just a lot larger.
The built in keyboard is excellent but at present there are no smart cases which would really be needed for a device like this. I would rate it higher than that found on the iPad as it includes the numbers and other keys permanently.
Weight. It’s heavier than the iPad Air and this is noticeable even after an hour worth of use. Strength. It doesn’t feel as solid as the iPad Air. But then again nothing does. It feels a little flimsy even though it’s well made.
Photos. The 8MP camera does a reasonable job but is not going to set the world alight for photography.
Screen. It looks great. It’s not the biggest resolution available but 12.2 inches doesn’t hurt ones eyes. In fact Web browsing is so enjoyable it begs the question whether you would even bother with a home computer if you had this tablet.
At £649 for the wifi only model it isn’t cheap. And that will be one of the reasons it doesn’t sell by the bucket load.
Question is, would you buy one?
As MWC approaches more leaks on the Samsung S5 appear – more details
Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S5 will be water and dust proof, local sources told ZDNet Korea Wednesday. That’s the standard S5, not as special model.
Users can also swipe the home button to unlock the phone using fingerprint recognition technology, they said.
There is also meant to be a hidden button on the side of the phone which tapping it will act as a camera shutter button.
The standard model for the Galaxy S5, expected to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Spain next week, will have the same water-proof capability as Samsung’s previously released outdoor handset, the Galaxy S4 Active.
If this rumour is true clearly Samsung are looking to compete with the Sony Xperia Z2 which also is waterproof and dust proof.
Microsoft Skydrive becomes OneDrive with new features and storage limits
Microsoft Skydrive is now called OneDrive. In addition to the name change Microsoft has added some new features.
Microsoft is introducing a referral bonus of up to 5GB, which is made up of 500MB for each friend you refer to OneDrive, up to a maximum of 10 friends. OneDrive users will receive the free storage for referrals, and friends who sign up to the service will also get 500MB each. You can also earn 3GB of free storage by enabling the camera backup feature in Windows Phone or the iOS and Android apps. In total, OneDrive will offer up to 8GB of additional cloud storage on top of the 7GB free default allocation. If that’s not enough storage then Microsoft is also introducing monthly payment plans for OneDrive to boost the overall storage.
Microsoft is also updating its OneDrive Android app with the automatic camera uploads, allowing Android users to take advantage of the new 3GB of free storage offer. The new app works largely the same as the iOS version, backing up photos to the OneDrive service, with an option to upload videos too. It also has a slightly redesigned UI to match the other apps across Windows and iOS. The newly designed Android app is available in the Google Play Store, alongside a refreshed onedrive.com site today.
Facebook buys WhatsApp – my views
When this hit the internet last night I. was not happy. I don’t and won’t use Facebook but now it seems another great app succumbs to a large corporate.
Sadly, my kids use this app so for the foreseeable future I will still have to use it. I don’t like Facebook and don’t use it either so this is a disaster in the longer term.
How long before you will need a Facebook account to use the service or will Facebook just integrate it into their platform.
What’s your view?
Press release –
MENLO PARK, CALIF. – February 19, 2014 – Facebook today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire WhatsApp, a rapidly growing cross-platform mobile messaging company, for a total of approximately $16 billion, including $4 billion in cash and approximately $12 billion worth of Facebook shares. The agreement also provides for an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApp’s founders and employees that will vest over four years subsequent to closing.
WhatsApp has built a leading and rapidly growing real-time mobile messaging service, with: Over 450 million people using the service each month; 70% of those people active on a given day; Messaging volume approaching the entire global telecom SMS volume; and Continued strong growth, currently adding more than 1 million new registered users per day.
Sony Xperia Z2 – revealed in all it’s glory over 12 minutes
Below is a YouTube video of the Z1 replacement , the Xperia Z2.
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