Category Archives: Apple

IPhone 5S impressions

Apple, Reviews, Tech News,

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So on Friday I ended up queuing to buy my wife a 5S to replace her ageing 3GS. Her 3gs would not get iOS 7 so she felt it was time to update. She was all geared up for the gold 5S. Alas by the time Apple got to me in the queue only space grey or silver was available. I got 2 tickets. One for the pink 5C and one for a silver 5S. However, even though the 5C looks nicer the pink was a unpleasant salmon pink. So silver it was.

So I have used my wife’s iPhone 5S for 3 days. The last time I had an iPhone was with the 5 back in March before I sold it for the HTC One. Regular readers will know that I have a Sony Xperia Z1.

So on paper the 5S is a 5 with a few extra bits and labelled a 5S and with iOS 7. First up what a shock that was seeing a totally different look. In fact it has taken nearly 2 days to get to grips with the new look.

The 5S screen feels small. Every time I hold the Z1 it just oozes appeal in its screen size and hardware. Shame Sony didn’t spend the time making sure it released its flagship with a camera that could take photos correctly.

And here’s the reality. Yes the 5S has a small screen compared to its competition. But it’s the most powerful and pocketable device out there. It is also extremely comfortable to hold and use in one hand. It is faster to enter text than the Z1 or even my nexus 4. The keyboard is so fast and it’s auto correction is fantastic.

The new features in iOS 7 make a big difference. Background syncing is so overdue. The control centre, spotlight search and notification centre is so well implemented. Apps are far more polished and often slightly more feature rich. What iOS lacks is the full sharing capability of its android phone counterparts. I like seeing badges on my apps. I know at a glance what has activities.

The 5S finger print scanner just works. The improved camera makes the 8mp camera probably the best and easiest to use. It’s auto mode just gets a great shot most times without any effort. Slo Mo mode on video is hilarious. No idea what the improved A7 processor and co processor M7 does for the phone but it’s super smooth and fast with no slow downs. The camera is very fast at taking shots which is where the processor is making a difference.

My Sony QX10 which was meant to be used with the Z1 also works really well with the 5S. And strangely it looks like Sony designed it with the iPhone in mind.

So my summary views on the 5S. It is probably the most polished phone with the best hardware and software integration. Everything just works. But to get the most you need to use Apple’s own services and Eco system. I’m not saying you can’t use Google or a combo of both but more and more if you commit to using the Apple Eco system you will get more from the phone.

The phone is so perfect it sometimes feels mundane. But my wife is happy. She is not a tech person. The phone just works and that is what most people want.

Turn your iPhone 5S into a proper camera with the Sony QX10

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News,

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The Sony QX10 is a hub lens part of its new range of android and iOS compatible lenses.

So how does the QX10 work with the iPhone 5S.  Rather well actually.  To connect it to the Sony QX10 takes a little longer in process than when using the Sony Xperia Z1 which uses NFC to create a one touch connection and also open the playmemories app. On the iPhone you need to go into wifi settings and select the lens wifi network and make sure connected. Then open the playmemories app on your iPhone.  Everything then works perfectly the same as reviewed in my earlier article on the Qx10. Use the Review tab above to find the earlier review.

I actually wonder if Sony designed this more with the iPhone in mind.

Final Thoughts on the cameras of the Sony Xperia Z1 vs iPhone 5S

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News, , ,

Over the last few days, and maybe a few days before that I have uploaded camera samples from both the above phones. They are totally different animals, but here are my thoughts. The good news with both of these phones is that they can both be used with the quirky Sony QX10 hub lens.

Sony Xperia Z1 –

This is a newly released phone for Sony. It has software bugs. The phone has rebooted for no apparent reason about once a day and the camera frozen once too. The photos are focused in the centre of a shot, but out of focus around the edges. Bright days, the photos seems over processed. Low light can be dreadful. It just depends on the type of low light. However, the camera options are extensive. 61 shots in a second and 20.7mp photos too. I am keeping the Z1 because I really like it and I reckon after at least 2 software updates from Sony will be once amazing phone and camera. That probably will take 3 months at a guess. Panoramic photos seem to be low resolution affairs. I don’t understand why that it. I also believe if Sony had included Optical Image Stabilisation, this phone would be unbeatable in the camera department. The photos I have taken show incredible depth as well.

iPhone 5S –

Less is more is the moto here. High quality shots every time practically with no effort. It is just auto mode. Apple offer a square box option and very high quality panoramic photos. The photos show more natural colours too. I have taken some amazing photos of my dogs. There are other options, but not that many. I would call the 5S camera gimmick free just fast quality photos. Currently, in terms of quality I would pip the 5S ahead of the Z1. But I am keeping both phones, so will revisit the camera test as Sony updates the firmware.

In summary, don’t buy the Z1 for its camera

Mega Camera shootout – iPhone 5S vs Sony Xperia Z1 – share you view on the better phone!

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News,

Apple has just released the iPhone 5S with its improved A7 processor and updated camera 8mp. Meanwhile Sony has also recently released its bad boy Sony Xperia Z1, with a huge 20.7mp camera.

They do say size isn’t everything, but how will this pan out in real life tests. Below are 3 sample shots from both cameras. To view the full resolution versions along with all the exif data, additional photos for comparison, go to my special Flickr set http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157635718285964/ .

First up you will notice that the iPhone 5S does not shoot in widescreen 16:9, rather 4:3. The Z1 in superior auto mode shoots in 16:9 and in manual 20.7mp settings is also 4:3. Again, study the photos here and on my Flickr set. And decide which is best. Tomorrow, I will give you my opinions on the 2 phones.

First up inside Costa Coffee with the Z1.
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Now with the 5S.
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Inside the Apple Store Plymouth with the Z1.
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Now using the 5S.
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Ok, lets go outside. It is a grim day with overcast skies. Z1 goes first again.
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And once again same shot but with the iPhone 5S.
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And outdoors again on Dartmoor. It is a foggy day. First up the Z1.
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And lastly, the 5S.
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To see more photo examples including 20mp shots from the Z1, go to my Flickr set http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157635718285964/ .

And leave you views in the comments. They all count. Tomorrow I will conclude with my thoughts on the cameras.

So the new iPhones – my views

Apple, Tech News,

I am just back from the Apple Store Plymouth iPhone 5S/5C event. I am tired but pleased I was able to pick up a new 5S with a green leather case. Well it was green in the Apple store, but it now looks yellow. I must be very tired.

The 5S looks identical to the 5. I have not had time to use it properly, but it does look good with iOS 7 and the finger print scanner works as advertised.

For me the highlight of the event was the iPhone 5C. I really wanted to have the 5S spec but in the C body. My favourite colour was green, with blue a close second. The 5C looks much nicer in real life and exudes quality. But it really should cost less IMO. But this is Apple we are talking about.

The gold 5S looked good, very good, but silver or space grey are equally as good. In fact, space grey is probably the best colour. It looks really smart.

Anyway, once I have used my 5S for a while, I will give you some first impressions. But I have tried the camera indoors in lowish light. It is marvellous.