Category Archives: Apple

Does Size Matter

February 4, 2013Android, Apple, RIM, Tech News, WindowsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

At the moment there are two operating systems in the lead, iOS and android. The iPhone is a 4 inch pocketable powerhouse. The size appeals to the vast the majority. What it isn’t is a compromise.

On android the top android manufacturer is Samsung. Their strategy is large screens. Take the Note and Note 2. The S3 is huge. But then they make the S3 Mini and scale down the components. Why can’t android make a top flight phone that isn’t around the 5 inch mark.

So if Google went hell for leather and made a state of the art 4 inch android phone, then Apple might have a real nightmare.

I hear some of you say, what about the new Blackberry Z10 or HTC Windows 8S. These are both around the 4 inch mark and probably are helping draw crowds in to them because they are not Goliath phones but manageable handsets. Actually I like both of these for the comfort and fit in the hand.

What do you think? Should there be a top end 4 inch android or should everything top end be around 5 inches?

And here’s a more lunatic case

February 4, 2013Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

If you thought the last case was extreme, let me introduce you to the Lunatik Taktik Extreme case.

This features protection from impact, drops and screen damage as well as water and dust ingression. Featuring an industry-first Corning® Gorilla® Glass Impact Lens For Screen Protection, High Impact Ballistic Bezels, 9mm Patent-Pending Impact Truss, Water + Dust Resistant Membranes, Sealed Audio & Charging Ports, Secure Screw Closure, Direct Access To All iPhone 5 Ports & Features and a neat Ringer Silencer Switch.

To give you an idea of the protection, check out the photos below. All this for $125.

Move Over Otterbox Defender

February 4, 2013Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

So you think you have seen the case of all cases. Well check out the Lifeproof fre iPhone 5 case with the optional lifejacket.

The Lifeproof case without the lifejacket claims to be the thinnest Lifeproof case. The design of the case boosts the sound through the case’s ports. The full specs are –

Dimensions: 5.4” x 2.6” x 0.5” / 137.5 mm x 67.1 mm x 12.2 mm*
Weight: 1.05 oz / 29.8 g

Water Proof: Fully submergible to 6.6’ / 2 m for 30 minutes

Dirt Proof: Sealed from dirt & dust particles – meets or exceeds IP-68 Ingress Protection Rating

Snow Proof: Sealed from snow & ice – meets or exceeds IP-68 Ingress Protection Rating

Shock Proof:Withstands drops from 6.6’ / 2 m – meets or exceeds MIL STD 810F-516

And if that’s not enough, just add the lifejacket as shown below.

Apple in 7th Place

February 4, 2013Android, Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Uswitch has just released data for January showing that the iPhone 5 ranked 7th in the UK.

In first place was the Samsung Galaxy S3, then the mid-range Samsung Galaxy Ace and thenSamsung Galaxy S2, all outselling Apple’s flagship handset.

In a surprising turn, Nokia’s Symbian-based Nokia 100 and C2-01 were in fourth and fifth place, ahead of the Windows Phone-running Lumia 800 and 610 – which were eighth and ninth respectively.

LG’s Google Nexus 4 phone also topped the iPhone by taking finishing sixth in overall sales, according to uSwitch.

Maybe the iPhone 5’s high price is damaging sales, in other words price does count especially as the S3 is cheaper and does more in some ways. In addition, UK shops and pushing Samsung as the better phone over the iPhone.

Whichever way the cookie crumbles, competition is healthy.

What Would a 5 inch iPhone look like

February 3, 2013Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Marco Arment, the developer of Instapaper, has drawn up a mock image of what a 5 inch iphone would look like, more specifically it would be 4.94 inches.

Marco Arment used the resolutions of the iPad and iPhone to arrive at 4.94 inch screen. The photo below shows how a larger iPhone would compare to other devices. The bezel would be thinner.

I am not sure Apple will release a large iPhone this year, but whether they do is anyone’s guess, until it actually happens.

I really hope they do produce something larger, and with iOS 7 offering something fresher on the look of notifications and the status bar. A new home screen look too.

Split & Dock Options on the iPad Keyboard

February 2, 2013Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Following a discussion with my twitter friends Trevor and Donald, I learnt something new about the iPad keyboard.

I knew you can split the keyboard by pulling your thumbs apart from the middle, but you can, float or dock the keyboard too. Press and hold on the bottom right keyboard key and you will get a few more options.

As per screen shot below.

50m downloads

February 2, 2013Android, Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Temple Run 2 has hit 50m downloads across all platforms. In such a short space of time this has beaten the record set by angry birds.

That’s a very impressive number and shows that if you create a great game that’s easy to pick up and play, along with stunning visuals, success is possible.

Even more incredible in the fact the game is produced by 2 people.

iOS iPad Apps

February 1, 2013Apple, Jan 2013, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Same idea as last post but for my iPad. What’s on yours? Any good ideas?

iOS iPhone iPod Apps

February 1, 2013Android, Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Following on from my last post about Apple edging android in the app contest I thought it a good idea to re post the what’s on my iPad and iPhone articles. So first up is what’s on my iPhone. Now I will clarify that I don’t put all the apps I own on the iPhone. If I did I would need 5 more screens of folders.

Below is the screen shots. Any questions let me know. As you can see a reasonable variety.

Since posting this @shongum recommended Marine Transit for ships.

Apple vs Android Apps

February 1, 2013Android, Apple, Jan 2013, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Much has been written about the Apple iOS Apps vs the Android Apps available and which is better and which has more. This number of apps is only a guide. The quality, depth and breadth is more important.

I have spent a considerable amount of time looking into the different apps on the operating systems and included my own experiences too. I have purchased nearly 1,500 apps on iOS and 700 now on android, just as a reference. I have owned and used the latest of both operating systems from the iPhone 5 which I use currently and the Samsung S3, my last phone. Before the S3 I had the Note and prior to that the iPhone 4S. I have used both size and owned both size iPads and Nexus 7.

I am going to start this article with the conclusion and then explain why. So in conclusion the iOS app selection tops android. With the tablet configuration iOS wins hands down. With smartphones whilst the number of apps on both platforms is huge, it is the breadth and depth where IOS really has a larger edge over android. However, android does have a win over iOS in terms of game emulators. On iOS they do not exist really, but on android they are several superb options. Also on the android platform you can use play station or other game controllers to play some of these games. That’s more to do with the open aspect of android hardware and software. The other aspect where android apps have an edge over iOS apps is the ease of sharing data throughout the system, with better use of background multitasking. The other consideration is Google apps and services. Google is really trying to create a superb user experience.

Now, I know some of you are going to say my favourite apps are on both platforms. That may be the case, but it is often updated or available first on iOS. Another challenge is that whilst that app is not available on android, there is an android equivalent that is just as good. And that’s a fair challenge.

But look at the the categories available on both. Then think about apps for women, apps for men, for children, for specialist interests and so on. What you will find is that on iOS the offerings are far greater with more depth, quality and breadth. This isn’t a question of looking at the top 50 in both app stores, this is about going deeper into sub categories of sub categories. Previously when I did this comparison, I only looked at my apps and were the equivalent available on both operating systems. This time I went far deeper in to the types and quality of the app offerings. I must admit, I really thought iOS wouldn’t have a clear advantage but overall it really does and if I am being honest by a decent margin except for apps that are game emulators or share data.

What I do believe is that this gap will totally close and the offerings will be down to personal preference and the services the two operating systems offer.

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