Category Archives: Android

Sony Z1 Compact camera issue

Android, Tech News

Sony’s new Xperia Z1 Compact, is apparently having some issues with the camera flash in low light situations. According to users on Android-Hlife and the Sony Mobile forums, taking pictures at night outside or in dimly lit areas when using the flash causes light bleeding, which distorts the pictures.

It looks like the light emitted from the flash on the back of the phone is refracted back onto the lens, creating washed out images.

The issue seems to impact the lpink and lime models compared to the black and white, which is odd. Hopefully it’s something that Sony can get worked out through a software update.

I can’t take it anymore – Flappy Bird to be removed

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

The somewhat reclusive developer of the hit game Flappy Bird has announced that he “cannot take this anymore” and will be removing the game from app stores in 22 hours, as of 2:02 PM EST today.

Dong Nguyen explained on his Twitter account that the takedown isn’t due to any legal reasons, and that he won’t be selling the rights to the game.

Odd since he is according to the Verge making $50,000 a day from the adverts.

This story is breaking all over the tech world giving even more publicity.

My favourite launcher – Nova Launcher

Android, Tech News

I have bought over time several different launchers including Go Launcher, Nova and Apex. I got fed up with the adverts in Go Launcher so stopped using it years ago. So I kept switching between Apex and Nova. However, with my Note 3 I have decided to use Nova rather than Apex. Nova just seems to have the edge in many places. The good news is that themes for Nova will work on Apex and vice versa.

I have bought and downloaded many themes but below is a list of my personal favourites. All the themes below are currently installed on my Note 3. I have bought others but these are my preferred ones. Links to the Google Play store.

– Google Kitkat – this comes with Nova
– Axis
– Black and Blue
– Black and Red
– Cardstock
– Click UI – currently not available
– Cube Theme for Apex Launcher
– DCikonz RectaN
– DCikonz SimboX
– Flatastico
– Flatbox
– Flow Icons
– Glass Theme
– Lumos
– Mango
– Minimal UI
– Nox
– Pure White Circle
– Pure Black Square
– Stark
– Stealth
– Tendere
– Tersus 2
– Viper
– Vivid 2
– Windroid 8

So instead of buying a new phone, try one of the above themes with Nova Launcher. If you have a recommendation or a personal favourite please drop a note in the comments.

Samsung Galaxy S5 hardware specs – the latest

Android, Tech News

Samsung Galaxy S5 is due to be announced by Samsung in the next few weeks.

It is likely to feature Super AMOLED 5.24 inch screen, QHD 2K resolution of 1440 x 2560, creating a PPI rating of about 560. That’s over 200 PPI more than the retina screen of the iPhone 5S.

Dependant on country if will either have an Exynos 6 processor, or a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, 3GB of RAM, 32- and 64GB internal storage options (most probably expandable via microSD), a 16MP (probably ISOCELL kind) and a 3.2MP camera combo, as well as a 3,200mAh battery powering everything. In reality, don’t expect to see the 64gb version, just the 32gb which will likely only have between 23-25gb free to the user.

The big question is whether this phone will feature the new touchwiz interface, what software enhancements are included and the overall design versus the Samsung S4.

Is this phone on your radar?

Samsung Note 3, Galaxy Gear and Fiio E18 Portable USB DAC/Amp – home entertainment

Android, Tech News, , ,

Just thought I would share a use for the above 3 pieces of hardware.

My Note 3 is streaming music from Google Play Music. The Note 3 is connected via USB , using its USB Audio digital out connection to the Fiio E18. The Fiio E18 translates the digital signal from the Note 3 and then amplifies the sound into my Sennheiser headphones.

The sound on the Fiio E18 is turned up just a little too loud and then using the Galaxy Gear I am now controlling the media and system volume up and down dependant on how loud or quite each track is. The Gear displays the song info as well.

A lovely setup. And incredible sound quality too.

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Samsung Galaxy Gear – if only

Android, Tech News,

The Samsung Galaxy Gear is a great combination with the Note 3.

The attention to detail by Samsung is remarkable high in places. For example, the charging cradle piece, when it charges , it shows the battery level. It then turns the Gear screen off again. But it you lift Gear with charging cradle fitted, the battery icon and percentage appears again. Also the cradle has NFC for the first time setup.

But the charging cradle which clips over front and rear of the Galaxy Gear is also my pet hate. It would have been a lot nicer just to have a micro USB port built into the rear of the Gear. That way you wouldn’t need the special piece of charging it.

And what happens if you were to lose it ?

I’ve also found battery life improves all the time. One week is easily possible if motion option is turned off, otherwise 2-3 days is realistic.