Category Archives: Android

Apple Watch versus FitBit Charge HR – Editorial

Last year I wrote a review on the FitBit Charge HR using it with MyFitnessPal. My review is here – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/02/17/fitbit-charge-hr-review-including-using-it-with-myfitness-pal/

I used my FitBit Charge HR to monitor my sleep, activity and compete with a few friends to keep me motivated. I also linked my FitBit with MyFitnessPal to coordinate the food intake with my fitness and weight loss. The two pieces of technology together were very successful and a joy to use.

Both FitBit and MyFitnessPal have updated their software to provide a better experience. However, since last year the Apple Watch has arrived and I have linked this up to MyFitnessPal as well.

After several months I will update you with my thoughts on whether the Apple Watch really is a decent fitness device that takes on FitBit and the FitBit Charge HR. My goal is weight loss.

Now don’t scream at the screen and say they are different devices and prices. Of course they are but I want to try and document my thoughts in this process.

Keep tuned and have a good weekend.

My Favourite Photos of 2015 – Plus My Top Phone Winner for 2015

Happy New Year everyone. As 2016 approaches, I viewed all my photos from 2015 and selected by favourites shots below.

For each photo, you can click on it to reveal the original. I have also stated which phone took which photo. At the end of the article, I will reveal my phone of the year award.

Honor 6

Twilight Calls on Dartmoor National Park #Honor6

Samsung Galaxy Alpha

Torquay Harbour and beyond #GalaxyAlpha

Samsung Note 4

Newton Ferrers & Noss Mayo panoramic along the River Yealm #Note4

3 Seagulls discussing "Where did that Big Black Pole"  come from #Note4


Sutton Harbour, Plymouth #mirrored #Note4

Absolutely breathtaking sunset near Princetown, Dartmoor #Note4 #dramatic #golden

Microsoft Lumia 830

Ship Ahoy at The Barbican #Plymouth #Lumia830

Samsung Galaxy S6

Flower Power snapped with the awesome #Samsung #Galaxy #S6

Spectacular view inside Foggintor Quarry, Dartmoor #panoramic

LG G4

George smiles for the camera as Fury flies above, poor Tiggy lags behind #LGG4

Bionic Dog aka Tiggy

At full thrust - George & Fury

Happy Families - Life on Dartmoor #LGG4

Church of St Michael and All Angels , Princetown #lgg4 #hdr

Part of Great Staple Tor, Dartmoor #LGG4

Ancient Predator #Sassy  #LGG4 #Pet #Cat

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Haunted #SonyZ5Compact #Atmospheric

Apple iPhone 6S Plus

Stunning Panorama over Dartmoor #iPhone6SPlus

Sunrise over the summit of Staple Tor, Dartmoor

Out to Sea - Views of Newquay #iphone6Splus

Scary #Haunted #Ghosts #iphone6Splus

And finally, my phone of the year award goes to the LG G4. It just took better photos than anything else I used. Difficult subjects like animals and pets were a breeze. RAW was excellent too. And the pixel detail was ahead of anything else. Plus as its price tumbled quickly you got and still get a lot of phone for your money. Add to the fact you have replaceable batteries and micro sd card support, an infra red blaster and slimport mhl out it out specified most other phones. In second place goes the Samsung Note 5 followed closely by the Apple iPhone 6S Plus or Huawei Nexus 6P. 

However, if the camera was not important to you, most other phones nowadays take decent shots. Honourable mentions go to the Honor 7 with a £210 price point, amazing build quality and some sweet extras like the smart button and its special camera modes for example super night mode. 

On a Tripod – iPhone 6S vs Sony QX10 vs HTC Re Camera

  

As you can see from the photo above, it was a foggy day. The photo above was snapped using a Huawei G8. Below are 3 photos taken of the church from the iPhone 6S Plus, Sony QX10 and HTC Re.

Apple iPhone 6S Plus

  

Sony QX10

  

HTC Re Camera

  

iPhone 6S Plus – 8mp still from 4K video

  

Now what is surprising is how the Sony QX10 and HTC Re have all had several firmware updates since launch, so actually at this point in time are near their optimised state. And this shows in the usage of the cameras as they both performed much better than when I originally had the QX10 and speaking to a tech colleague also confirmed that the HTC Re was now improved since its release.

The 8mp still extracted from 4K video is the same video shown in the previous post.

You’ve eaten a million calories – now check out my reviews on over 15 fitness, smartwatches and wearables devices!

If you have survived the plate of roast potatoes and turkey or whatever combination you had on Christmas Day, you might be sensing your waistline needs trimming. Heck you may even be stuffing yourself today and tomorrow.

Whatever your indulgences over the festive period, 2016 is the time to get healthier. Below are all the reviews I have written covering wearables, fitness trackers, and smartwatches which should help guide you on your way to a new you.

Apple Watch – One Month Review

Samsung Gear S2 – impressions

Huawei Watch – review

Xiaomi Mi Band – First Impressions

LG Watch Urbane – master review

Samsung Gear VR – Virtual Reality Headset – Review

FitBit Charge HR review

Acer Liquid Heap Smartband review

LG G Watch R – review
LG G Watch – 9 Part Review

Samsung Gear S – 9 Part Review
Samsung Gear Neo Impressions
Samsung Gear Fit review
Samsung Gear 5 Part review

Pebble Smartwatch review

If you are buying anything on Amazon, please use the link below. This will help support Gavin’s Gadgets with all the running costs and more and won’t be any different in cost. Thanks in advance.

GavGadgets@Amazon

Not sure what phone to buy on Christmas Day – Catch up on over 80 phone and tablet reviews

Not sure what phone or tablet to buy on Christmas Day. Or perhaps you fancy recapping on some phone reviews instead of stuffing yourself senseless on roast potatoes!

Then choose from over 80 reviews covering mostly phones and some top tablets.

Tablets/Laptops/Chromebooks

Apple iPad Pro, Apple Pencil & Apple Smart Keyboard review
Nexus 9 – First Impressions
Nexus 9 Tablet review
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 Tablet review
Samsung Galaxy NotePro 12.2 – 9 Part Review
Sony Xperia Z Tablet – 12 Part Review
Nvidia Shield Tablet – 7 Part review
Acer V15 Nitro Windows 8.1 laptop review
Acer C720 Chromebook review
Acer Aspire Switch 11 review
Acer Iconia 8 Android Tablet review
Acer Aspire ES1 Laptop review

Acer Iconia One 8 – review 
Amazon Devices

Amazon Fire Phone – 2 Part review

Apple Phones

Apple iPhone 6S Plus – review
Apple iPhone 6 Plus – 24 Part Review

BlackBerry Phones

BlackBerry Passport 10 Part Mammoth review

Android Phones

Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 review

Xiaomi Mi 4i review
Xiaomi Mi 4i – First Impressions
Xiaomi Mi Note Pro -review

Samsung Note 5 – Dual Sim – Mini Review
Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge review
Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge – Hands On
Samsung Galaxy A5 review
Samsung Note Edge – 14 Part Review
Samsung Note 4 – lollipop review
Samsung Note 4 – 17 Part Review
Samsung Galaxy Alpha – 2 Part review
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – 26 Part Review
Samsung Galaxy S5 – 17 Part Review
Samsung Note 3 – 16 Part review
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom – 18 Part Review
Samsung Note 2 – 8 Part review
LG G4 – 4 month review
LG G4 – Full Review plus all 26 additional posts
LG G4 – Hands on and First Impressions
LG G3 review – 31 Part Review
LG G Flex – 3 Part Review

HTC One M9 review
HTC Desire 820 review
HTC Desire Eye – 13 Part Review
HTC One M8 – 11 Part review
HTC One M7 – 20 Part Review

Acer Liquid Jade S – review
Acer Liquid Z220 (Acer Go) review
Acer Liquid J Smartphone review
Acer S55 review – 6 Part Review

Yotaphone 2 – 4 Part review

Oneplus One – review

Huawei Mate S – review
Huawei G8 – my review
Huawei P8 review
Huawei P8 – First Impressions and Camera Shots

Honor 7 – review
Honor 4X review
Honor 6+ – My Review
Honor Holly – 4 Part review
Honor 6 – 12 Part Review
Huawei Ascend P6 Review

Sony Xperia Z5 – camera test
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Lollipop Impressions
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact review
Sony Z Ultra views and Camera Samples
Sony Xperia Z1 – 10 Part Review

Motorola Moto X Style – review
Motorola Moto X Play – review
Motorola Moto X – 4 Part review 
Motorola Moto G – 8 Part review

Windows Phone

Nokia Lumia 830 vs Samsung Note 4 camera
Nokia Lumia 830 – First Impressions / What App Shortages?
Microsoft Lumia 535 review
Nokia Lumia 1520 – 6 Part review
Nokia Lumia 820 – 5 Part review
Nokia Lumia 1020 – 10 Part review
Nokia Lumia 925 – 9 Part review
Nokia Lumia 620 – 7 Part review

Other

ZTE Open Review – Firefox OS

If you are buying anything on Amazon, please use the link below. This will help support Gavin’s Gadgets with all the running costs and more and won’t be any different in cost. Thanks in advance.

GavGadgets@Amazon

Review Catalogue updates plus new section – updates on Gavin’s Gadgets

Every day  several articles or review go live. The back catalogue of reviews and information is extensive. If you want to find if there is information on a particular topic use the search option (magnifying glass icon) near the top right. 

  
Now if you’re browsing on your PC, Mac, iPad or tablet you should see the above screen layout. Tapping on Menu, Reviews will open up the review menu structure. 

Now if you’re using a mobile device like an iPhone , the mobile version is as below. 

  

 As you will see there are now 8 review sections. These have been updated to include all the latest published reviews. A new category has been started called “Photography”. 

In the Photography section will be reviews covering mobile photography accessories and or related camera attachments. There are several reviews in this section already. 

The Audio section covers Bluetooth headphones and systems, headphones of all types, amps, DACs and other cool audio gear. As there are over 30 plus reviews I have reorganised this page to make it easier to find exactly what you need. 

The Phones section covering mobile phone reviews across every operating systems , tablets, laptops and more now has over 80 reviews. 

Smart wearables section is expanding and again there are reviews across a number of different platforms. So far there are over 15 reviews. 

Internet of Things is an expanding review section too. 

Accessories is self explanatory. 

The HTC One M7 and M8 section is a dedicated section which is for all the fans who keep reading this content. 

And if you fancy some nostalgic reviews from the post, take a look at the historical reviews. Some real gems in there. 

Going forward in 2016 there will be plenty more reviews too. 

Thank you all for visiting Gavin’s Gadgets. 

Google Play is offering 50% off any album – details and links

Google Play has any amazing offer that has just gone live for several countries.

Get 50% off Any Album

“Special year-end savings: Get 50% off any one album of your choice. Get and redeem your offer by midnight January 4, 2016. Your discount will be applied at checkout. Must be redeemed on Google Play from compatible Internet-connected devices using a Google account. Limit 1 per user. Age restrictions apply. Valid in AU, BR, CA, DE, FR, GB, JP, MX, RU and US. Nontransferable. No cash value. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or discounts. See Google Play Terms & Conditions”

To get 50% off any album deal head over to GOOGLE PLAY OFFER

HTC Re Camera – The Photos and Video plus initial thoughts – Updated with new Footage

  
I’ve always wanted to try the HTC Re camera but it was initially too expensive. Recently it was available at a price to good to ignore. 

The concept is simple. Grip sensor turns on camera when you pick it up. One handed operation for photos, video and slow motion. Time lapse is possible using the app. The app available on iOS and android allows you to view what you are capturing and act as a remote shutter button. Storage is via a micro sd card. 8gb card included. Waterproof up to 1 metre. However must footage is shot without seeing what you are filming. All the below media is my first attempt. 

There are camera settings in the app. With all the media below I took this with the ultra wide option enabled. This creates a fish eye effect. Personally, I would now keep this option off as it’s fairly aggressive. 

Anyway, enjoy the footage below. I absolutely love using the Re. It doesn’t get in the way of anything and I snapped some superb moments. 

The YouTube video includes all the footage good and bad. I also added some photos from the iPhone 6S Plus to give you a comparison which I added at the end. Also remember all the footage from the Re was taken without a viewfinder. 

  
  
 
  
 
The above shot was straightened and cropped. 
  
The above shot shows how fish eye the ultra wide setting can be. If I had held the Re Camera more level this photo would not look so fish eyed. 

  

Now enjoy all the video, slow mo and photos with some from the iPhone 6S Plus as a comparison. Total time is only 1 min 45 seconds. 

Right I have had more practise with the Re. Below is another video with just photo and video only from the Re. This time I had ultra wide mode turned off. Once again I had no idea of what I was filming. 

HTC Re versus Apple iPhone 6S Plus camera

Just a quick comparison of the camera between the fun HTC Re and the iPhone 6S Plus. 

The shots are taken minutes apart. 

With the HTC Re you have no viewfinder. It’s video, slow motion, time lapse and stills all without a viewfinder. You can also live broadcast to YouTube. My full review will cover more. 

The shot below is from the HTC Re. 

  
This is 12mp at 16:9. It can shoot 16mp at 4:3. 

And now the iPhone 6S Plus. 

  
Which do you prefer? Note there was some mist/fog.