Category Archives: Android

Upgrade time

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

It’s that time of year and its time for me to decide on my next handset.

This time the choice is great and diverse. On my hit list is the Nokia Lumia 1020, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Sony Xperia Z1 and iPhone 5S.

If I get the Lumia 1020 it is being offered with an amazing bundle in the UK providing a great value proposition for camera biased fans. One app is not as feature rich on Windows Phone, that I use regularly, otherwise it is a strong possibility.

I had no intention of including the iPhone 5S but I cannot ignore the camera quality improvement. I can also use the iPhone with the Sony QX100 for extra special photography. Also iOS 7 helps it too.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is also a camera focused phone. It is also water and dust resistant. And again works even better with the Sony QX100 lens attachment. With the severe wet weather it’s ideal for Dartmoor too.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was partially on my list but nearly removed as it is just that little bit too large or so I thought but it is only slightly larger than the Z1 by 3mm. Also one of my friends is using one, and from a technology point of view is bullet proof for the next 3 years. It also does everything. But the Sony QX10 or QX100 clamp doesn’t go wide enough to fit over the Note 3.

If I got the 1020 I would have just under 32gb memory free. The iPhone 5S could have up to 60gb approx, the Z1 around 11.72gb and Note 3 25gb of free memory. The Z1 and Note 3 also have an option of using a micro SD card for media. But the Note 3 has a decent amount of internal memory, ideal for all my games.

Any of the above would be amazing but I just cannot decide. I need your help. Have I missed a device out?

Sony Xperia Z1 is just being released, but here are the Z2 specs

Android, Tech News

The Sony Xperia Z2 will be a 5.2-inch IGZO Triluminous Display with a 500ppi pixel density, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 processor and 3GB of RAM.

The rear-facing camera is expected to be 20.7 MP ,support 4K video capture, and the battery 3200mAh. The Z2 should ship with Android 4.4 KitKat.

Not available for at least another 6 months.

Quick First Impressions of the Sony Xperia Z1 with camera samples

Android, Tech News,

xperia-create-hero-920x800-f741eb37d88c84aa4829434e5ffc2b04

Yesterday, I had 10 minutes with the new Sony Xperia Z1. My first impressions were very pleasing. First it was comfortable to hold in my hand. The original Xperia Z was uncomfortable to hold. The Z1 has rounded edges and felt easy to grip. I compared its size to my LG Nexus 4. It was the same width and a cm shorter in height approximately. But with the power button half way down the right hand edge, using the Z1 was a breeze. The phone was super snappy. Everything just opened effortlessly and very quickly. I had a play with the camera and the full resolution shots are attached below. They might take a little while to appear as a result. If you use Superior Auto it shoots in 8mp. Manual allows the full 20.7mp. I also used the AR Camera mode and had fun with the dinosaurs. Strangely, the sweep panorama mode photos ended up being only 400kb in file size.

The next 3 photos are shot in Superior Auto mode at 8mp.

DSC_0001

DSC_0005

DSC_0008

And now at full 20.7mp resolution. So let me know what you think about the quality of the photos. No flash was used in any of the shots. Personally, I wasn’t convinced by the quality of these photos, despite being taken in tricky lighting conditions.
DSC_0011

My view of the new Apple iPhone line up

Android, Tech News

Yesterday, Apple announced the 5S, 5C and affirmed the 4S would be the current line up of iPhones for the next 12 months.

The Keynote speech was very slick, making the 5S seem state of the art. Faster processor and graphics, lead in turn to a much better camera and a fingerprint scanner that actually is useful instead of gimmicky. Combine this new hardware, plus a new colour gold, with iOS 7 and you have one very slick phone.

In a rather clever move, the current 5 was dropped and replaced by a polycarbonate plastic colour phone. This looks rather funky. It is amazing how Apple has seemingly made plastic cool! The old 4S provides a cheap way to jump on to the iPhone bandwagon.

Personally, I think the 5C will be the biggest seller by miles. I also believe the 5S is a notable upgrade on the hardware front and iOS 7 will make it a really beautiful phone. But it is expensive.

But, look carefully at the technical specs. The battery life on 3G networks and standby time really needs improving. Some people may squeal at the 4 inch screen and comment it is too small, but really what other phone provides such tight integration of hardware and software.

What surprised me about the keynote yesterday is the lack of detail on iOS 7. It features 96 new SKUs. New third party accessory support is significant. But hardly anything was mentioned. There are 200 new features on iOS 7 but only a sample were discussed. As they say, the devil is in the detail and I think only over time we will see what other new options appear.

Unlike previous times, I won’t be pre ordering the new iPhone or standing in a queue for hours. I accept the fingerprint scanner is a great idea, but I want real life proof of the camera quality. If the camera is significantly enhanced then I might consider the 5S.

But I am also going to check out the Note 3, Sony Z1 and Nokia Lumia 1020.

Now will you be buying a 5S or 5C? If the 5C, what colour and why? Or if you are not buying this, why?

Why I am considering the Samsung Note 3

Android, Tech News

I finally sold by old Samsung Note N7000. This was the original Note and despite being a bit slow versus processors of today, it still rocked. This wasn’t my main device, just a second hand 2 year old phone.

The Note 3 seems to take the previous 2 versions and fine tune the hardware and software. In addition, the new S View cover is also available in a qi wireless charging option. That ticks a major box of mine.

It is also features the latest and greatest hardware specification and android 4.3 out of the box. The internal memory is adequate and expandable for media with a micro SD card. In terms of longevity, Samsung will keep this updated for a good few years. If the battery fades, I can just pop a new one in.

It is a little big, but in terms of including everything it really does tick the boxes. Even having USB 3 will mean really fast charging.

My only concern is the high price at launch. So I might just wait a few months for it to settle down.

Are you ready for the Note 3 and what accessories would you get with it ?

The only other phones I am considering is the Nokia Lumia 1020. And that’s due to the camera. And then Sony launched the Z1 and the QX10 and QX100 lenses and I had more ideas…..

Sony QX10 and QX100 attachable lenses for android and iOS

Android, Apple, Tech News,

So there I was thinking about the Samsung Note 3, Nokia Lumia 1020 or Sony Xperia Z1 as my next phone and then Sony launches the QX10 and QX100 lenses.

image

Sony DSC-QX100 £399

Works with any android or iOS  smartphone. Simply mount the smart lens to your phone or hold in your hand or attach to a tripod.

One touch connection with NFC. High-performance 1.0-type Exmor™ CMOS sensor with 20.2 effective megapixels, -F1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens has a wide aperture to allow more light to enter the camera, for easy, creative effects.

Take complete control – use the functions on your smartphone’s touchscreen to compose and shoot, or use the control ring to manually fine-tune zoom and focus. Get close with 3.6x optical zoom – pull yourself closer to the scene and capture the long-distance shot you’re after. Optical SteadyShot reduces the effect of shaky hands for crisp, blur-free images.

Capture your own HD movies – thanks to the large CMOS sensor, the smart lens will shoot high-quality HD movies (30p) with low noise, even in the dark. Shoot fast, shoot clear – the high-speed BIONZ imaging processor powers rapid shooting for quick and clear results.

image

Sony DSC-QX10 £179

Same idea as its big brother but a G lens with 10x optical zoom. Optical SteadyShot reduces the effect of shaky hands for crisp, blur-free photos and videos. An 18MP Exmor R™ CMOS sensor ensures crisp, detailed results in every frame.

No noise, just smooth images – back-illumination technology inside the sensor collects light more efficiently to ensure minimal levels of noise. Capture your own HD movies – thanks to the CMOS sensor, the smart lens will shoot high-quality HD movies (30p) with low noise, even in the dark. Shoot fast, shoot clear – the high-speed BIONZ imaging processor powers rapid shooting for quick and clear results.

image

So with either one of these lenses I could attach these to my Nexus 4 and have a super HQ camera.

Also the lens has its own battery and memory card slot, so not drawing on my phones battery. The lenses can be used without the phone to.

So is this a great idea or a nutty one? Well it is in the top 3 at Amazon!