Finally some while after the BBC sports app launched on iOS it has finally come to android. The App will support android version 2.2 and upwards and also has been designed to work with 7 inch android tablets.

However I do not personally understand why we have BBC apps for news and sport when if you browse the BBC website on an Internet browser it simply comes up with a mobile version that is actually better than the app.

I detects perhaps some conflict within the BBC over having an app and a mobile web version of their website. Which version would you prefer, an app or browsing via the browser.

Belkin have finally released a beta app for their WeMo app that has been exclusively on iOS.

It’s for android version 4.0 upwards and at the moment has only been tested by Belkin on the Samsung S3.

The Belkin WeMo is a fantastic product which I use to control lamps and other electrical items. This was one app I really needed on android if I was ever considering switching.

Every time you purchase an app from Google Play, Google sends your email address, your town and in many cases your full name to the app’s developer.

This happens because every transaction is carried out via Google Wallet. Google tells the developer not to use the data for marketing. That’s fail safe, not.

Makes you wonder how much Google knows about you and your habits, and how much of this is sold on. This doesn’t infuse confidence in my book.

What’s your view on data privacy?

You’ve heard the media event marketing nonsense but here is the actual specs –

Android 4.1.2 with HTC Sense 5
Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600, quad-core, 1.7GHz
Total storage: 32GB/64GBi, available capacity varies
RAM: 2GB DDR2
Battery: 2300 mAh embedded rechargeable Li-polymer battery
CAMERA

BSI sensor, Pixel size 2.0 μm, Sensor size 1/3′
Dedicated HTC ImageChip™ 2
F2.0 aperture and 28 mm lens
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
Smart Flash: Five levels of flash automatically set by distance to subject
Front Camera: 88 wide angle lens with HDR capability
1080p Full HD video recording for both front and back cameras
HDR Video
Continuous shooting and VideoPic
Slow motion video recording with variable speed playback
HTC Zoe™ with highlights and HTC Zoe™ Share
Retouch with Object Removal, Always Smile, and Sequence Shot
CONNECTIVITY

3.5 mm stereo audio jack
NFC capable
Compliant with Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX™ enabled
Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n
DLNA® for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to a compatible TV or computer
Support consumer infrared remote control
micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port with mobile high-definition video link (MHL) for USB or HDMI connection (Special cable required for HDMI connection.)
HTC BOOMSOUND™

Dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers
Studio-quality sound with Beats Audio™
HDR Microphone
Sense Voice
NETWORK

GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
WCDMA (1900/2100 (B2/B1) MHz)
CDMA (800/1900 BC0/BC1/BC10, Sprint)
LTE (1900 (B25, SPCS)
Frequencies will vary by region/operator
SENSORS

Gyro sensor
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
LOCATION

Internal GPS antenna + GLONASS
Digital compass
AC ADAPTER

Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
DC output: 5 V and 1 A

This is LG’s phone with a 5.5 inch screen to take on the Note 2. It features kitchen sink specifications but no Wacom stylus. So why buy it?

Well it looks good, sort of, so that is a good enough reason. Yes. What do you mean it’s not. I forgot to tell you of it’s unique feature. You can record with front and back cameras simultaneously. Now I’ve always wanted to do that! Not.

Manufacturers need to realise like Samsung, Sony and Apple do, that you need special software and hardware Eco integration to make a phone different. The LG just seems like the next high spec phone.

Or do you disagree.

Archos has released new iPad looking tablets. But as Tim Cook recently said its about the user experience than the specs.

Anyway here’s the press release.

ARCHOS Introduces the New Platinum Range
The Platinum tablets are amongst the first Android tablets to offer a super high resolution IPS screen combined with the performance of a Quad-Core CPU

Denver, CO – February 14, 2013 – ARCHOS, an award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, introduces the Platinum range, a new line of tablets that feature a sleek aluminum design combined with the best high definition IPS displays, quad-core processors and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. There will be three tablets in the range including an 8-inch, 9.7-inch and 11.6-inch all of which deliver true vivid colors, sharper text and amazingly fast performance.

The entire Platinum range will all share the following features:
• High-Definition IPS display with capacitive multi-touch screen
• QUAD core CPU at 1.2 GHz with 8-core GPU, with 1080p video decoding
• 2 GB RAM
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
• Full access to the 700,000 applications
• Archos Media Center applications
• Front and Back Cameras
• Mini-HDMI and Micro SD ports

The ARCHOS 80 Platinum, an 8” tablet, features a 1024×768 resolution IPS screen and when compared to the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 it is almost twice as fast, has double the RAM and has a back camera for a fraction of the cost. The 80 Platinum will be available in February for $199.

The ARCHOS 97 Platinum HD, a 9.7” tablet, features a stunning 2048×1536 resolution IPS screen, which is comparable to the Retina display found in the iPad, but is 40% less expensive.
The 97 Platinum HD will be available in February for $299.

The ARCHOS 116 Platinum, an 11.6” tablet, features a 1920×1080 resolution IPS screen, unlike anything currently on the market. The 116 Platinum will be available in April for $349.

Google has announced it is to open retail stores to compete with Apple.

All I am going to say is that they need to sort their dreadful online service experience first before branching out.

Otherwise it will likely fail and send customers into the Apple stores.

The below photos are meant to be screen shots from the unannounced Samsung Watch.

Skeptical comes to mind. And the finished article really does matter. Lets hope it’s not a plastic build.