Category Archives: Android

It’s live – Episode 7 – Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast

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 7 is now live.

Samsung profits decline – should we be worried?

Samsung’s profits declined with a reduced operating profit of 8.3 trillion won (roughly $7.7 billion) on a record 59.28 trillion won ($54.95 billion) of revenue. That’s an 18 percent profit decline since last quarter. However, according to Samsung, the dip wasn’t due to weaker smartphone sales: the company says its smartphones sold well and its tablet sales actually doubled thanks to the company’s latest additions to the Galaxy Tab lineup.

Samsung does say that its marketing budget ballooned a bit during the holiday season, but apparently that’s not the main reason that profits fell. The company primarily blames a negative currency impact of 700 billion won ($649 million) for the decline, and a one-off expense (reportedly special employee bonuses for the 20th anniversary of the company’s “new management” strategy”) for 800 billion won ($741 million) more.

Samsung also says that an oversupplied TV panel market hurt its bottom line, even though Samsung’s own Smart TVs and 60+ inch TVs did better than before. Combined with appliances, the company’s Visual Display and Digital Appliances business made 88 percent more profit than in the previous quarter. On the display panel side, though, Samsung says it’s planning to expand its OLED business into mass-market smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices in the future. The company’s also working on a bendable TV, a smartphone with a wraparound display, and plans to go “back to basics” with its next flagship Galaxy.

So should we be worried. Short answer no. Samsung is still raking in the money. However, the new iPhones released by Apple in September 2013 did hurt Samsung’s bottom line, and Apple’s launch into China won’t help matters. But whichever way you cut it, Samsung is still making a lot of money. It really needs the Samsung S5 to sell millions and I am sure it will but competition is all over the place, so maybe it just won’t sell as many as it would like.

Brando Shopping – Screen Protection – review

Brando Shopping sell a range of screen protection, from the classic screen protector to Tempered Glass Protector.

Brando Workshop 0.2mm Premium Tempered Glass Protector, is designed 33% slimmer yet still provides extremely high protection for your phone display screen. It really is super slim design and offers the LCD a “nude” yet durable protection. Tempered glass protects LCD from scratches, shock or any kind of damages while maintaining touch screen’s sensitivity. It is extremely easy to install, no residue if removed. The ultimate screen protector for your LCD.

Brando Shopping also provide a range of ultra clear protectors and mirrored style too. I’ve used their screen protectors for over 10 years on so many devices I’ve lost count.

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The tempered glass protector is shown above fitted to my Note 3 but if you look at the bottom left hand side it looks like I left smudges. I had several attempts at installing this to get it straight, but I am still keeping this one fitted as in use with the screen on you don’t notice it. I have had no issues with S-Pen either. Superb idea.

At some point in the future I will fit the ultra clear protector by Brando, but based on my earlier devices these have always worked a treat.

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Alternatives to LogMeIn – updated

Over on twitter discussions were occurring over LogMeIn alternatives.

Kevin Wright suggested Team viewer.

TeamViewer is a key LogMeIn Pro/Free competitor, TeamViewer still comes in a freebie version for individuals. If you’ve been using LogMeIn, this should be a straightforward rip and replace. Best of all, TeamViewer has clients for Windows, Android, iOS, Windows Phone and even Windows 8/RT. It’s really well-supported regardless of which platform(s) you prefer.

Or you can use Chrome Remote Desktop. This is a chrome Web browser extension and with this you can remote access your PC or MAC via the Chrome Web browser.

Update – I have also found Splashtop. Its not free, but for just over £3 in the Google Play store it is the solution I have now settled on.

Job sorted.

If you have another option please drop a note in the comments.

Brando Shopping – Momax 3,200 Universal Power Pack Plus Battery Charging Kit – review

Brando Shopping sent me the Momax Universal Power Plus kit for the Samsung Note 3. I have to say this is absolutely brilliant. Not only can you charge the spare battery and your phone at the same time, but when you need to carry the spare battery with you it comes with it’s own little protective plastic case as shown in the photos. A neat touch. When you order this you can select which plug adapter you need or buy the whole set if you travel a lot. The presentation and parts that come with this are excellent. Charging the battery couldn’t be simpler. Just insert, and wait for the charging light to change green. The charger then switches to low energy mode. The battery doesn’t have the NFC chip.

Key Features
U.PACK Universal Power Pack PLUS 3200mAh Battery Power – Samsung Galaxy Note 3
One AC Adapter comes with USB Charging Output PLUS Battery Charging Slot
Special Package with Battery Power
Travel, Outdoor and Camping Package
3200mAh Battery Included

Adapter Options:
USA Adapter
EUR Adapter
AUS Adapter
UK Adapter

Package Includes
1 set U.PACK Universal Power Pack PLUS 3200mAh Battery Power – Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Available from Brando Shopping

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Samsung pins hope on Galaxy Gear BMW App

Samsung has high hopes for a new app that lets BMW owners monitor their cars vital signs on their Galaxy Gear.

Samsung introduced the BMW app for the Gear last week at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

High-end Samsung smartphones, including the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note product lines, have generated big profits, but the company sells far more budget phones. At £299, the Gear isn’t designed for price-conscious consumers or people in emerging markets. Teaming up with the German automaker could help Samsung reach an audience that can afford the Gear.

Using the BMW i Remote app, the Gear can wirelessly connect to the i3 car to deliver notifications about whether the windows are down, the drivable range and how much electric charge is remaining in the car battery — which, by the way, is supplied by Samsung. Gear users can also tap a button on the watch’s screen or say a voice command to locate where their car is parked, load directions onto the car’s navigation system or pre-heat the seats in cold weather.

Many of these features are also available in BMW’s apps for Android and iPhone, but based on user reviews, they don’t work that well. So it’s questionable whether the software will be any better on a watch.