Category Archives: Apple

Apple Keynote – Highlights and My Thoughts on Apple’s Blockbuster Sales Pitch

Apple, Tech News,

So Apple held their spring keynote speech yesterday and it was one monster of a sales pitch.

The key points –

– iPhone SE announced – the iPhone 5S with iPhone 6S specs. 16gb starts in UK at £359. 64gb is £439.

– iOS 9.3 launched – Night Shift, Touch ID for Notes, improvements to News, Car Play, Apple Health and other smaller bug fixes and tweaks for various apps

– iPad Pro – this time at 9.7 inches. 32gb, 128gb and 256gb versions.

– Reduction in pricing for Apple Watch and new bands

– Siri search for Apple TV 4th Gen plus tvOS update

– Apple Watch update allows pairing more than one Apple Watch to an iPhone

– Details on environmental policy and progress

– Carekit

On the face of it, the Apple Keynote could have seemed quite boring but actually it was a stroke of genius. Here’s my thoughts why –

– Apple now have a fully featured flagship specced iPhone for sale at £359 in the UK. That is really going to so many other brands. On contract, this phone is likely going to be free. Despite the trend towards larger phones, many will opt for this. Also, Apple now have a new iPhone to buy mid year and prior to the launch of the new iPhone release in September 2016. This will push iPhone sales even higher.

– Price reduction on the Apple Watch just as you allow more than one watch to be paired with an iPhone. Plus new bands. This will create repeat sales and bring people to the table who haven’t got an Apple Watch due to the lower price point.

– iPad Pro 9.7 inch. Apple repeatedly told everyone that the iPad Pro 9.7 inch was the perfect upgrade for you with your 5 years old windows pc and for those with ageing iPads. Apple kept repeating this was the iPad upgrade that was worth upgrading too. In addition, Apple included a 256gb storage option to help rake in the money.

So there you have it. A great sales pitch by the best marketeers in the business!

Controversy – Which is better – Android or iOS? – Editorial

Android, Apple, Editorials, Tech News,

Before I start, I want to make something quite clear. This is not a platform bashing editorial, it is a more down to earth look at how I now perceive the two largest mobile operating systems.

I am certain some of you will disagree, rage, cry, smile or weep. But whatever you do, if you leave a comment keep it constructive and factual. As the moderator, I will use my powers if necessary. Hopefully this won’t be necessary.

The background behind this article. To support iOS, I am using the iPhone 6S Plus, Apple TV 4th Gen, Apple Watch, iPad Air and Macbook. To support android, I am using the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Gear S2, Gear VR, Level One Pro Bluetooth headphones and Macbook.

So lets look at iOS first. My observations are tighter integration within the hardware and software across all Apple devices. Apps on the iPhone look better and there is a much wider range of apps across many categories. iMessage and FaceTime are integrated across all Apple devices. Receive a SMS on your phone, reply on your MAC. You get the picture. Seamless. Handoff is another nicety. Viewing a website on your iPad, move to your MAC and continue reading the same page. Other aspects of iOS is Apple Pay. In the UK there is still no other option. 3D Touch is handy on the iPhone.

So now lets look at android. Google services are better integrated as expected. Hardware is leap years ahead. QHD screens, curved screens, ultra battery saving modes, wireless and fast charging, fast wireless charging and much more. No special cables needed for connecting to the phone. Eg for USB On The Go. Connecting cameras, USB sticks and more is standard. Miracast, DNLA and bluetooth and more are not restricted in capabilities as on iOS. iOS will often need apps or workarounds. Background services actually work on android without being stopped after 10 minutes e.g. uploading to flickr or Google Photos. Android flagship phones now take the lead with camera quality especially LG G4 and Samsung S7. Bluetooth audio includes APT-X on phones. This produces a better quality music playback via compatible headphones. Apple include this on the macbook but not iPhone. But then APT-X High Definition is now available. So music playback via headphones is ahead. Virtual Reality has arrived. Where is Apple? The Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch is so fantastic to use. The mode of operation is a breeze and far more logical than the Apple Watch. However the Apple Watch is streaks ahead in developer support and apps. So that means with the Gear S2, so long as it does what you want from day 1 you will be fine. However, neither watch is perfect.

And now lets cover off the subject of apps. I have come to the conclusion if you live on iOS you tend to have more apps. On android you don’t need as many apps. The app gap on popular apps has gone. Speciality apps are still king on iOS. But there are apps on android that don’t exist on iOS and offer more functionality. I was surprised to find that Flickr on android is better than the iOS version. You can add your photo to as many groups on android at once, on iOS it only allows one group at a time.

Gaming. iOS has a better selection of games. BUT you can’t play game emulators on iOS but you can on android. I have bluetooth game controllers for both iOS and android. iOS support is lacklustre at best, whereas on android it is way ahead. This is mainly due to the fact android has better support for bluetooth profiles.

Cloud services goes to android. Even Apple knows how good Google are at the cloud, to the point where Apple are going to start using Google’s cloud service.

So you could say if you want varied hardware designs, want to listen to music in higher quality, experience virtual reality, view everything on the best phone displays in the world, take photos with the best camera, game like a gamer with proper support for game controllers, then use an android flagship phone.

Or if you want polished apps, lots of apps, Apple Pay (UK), 3D Touch, speciality apps, universal use of iMessage and other integrated Apple Services, then use iOS.

At the end of the day it does boil down to personal preference. And sometimes, even if its not the best choice, it might be you’re using a phone that you know how to use and are comfortable with its operation.

There is one last point that for many is really important and that is after sales support and service. This is a one horse race that goes to iOS. Nobody currently beats the Apple after sales support and simultaneous software updates.

So that’s my viewpoint. As to which is better? Depends…

Apple iPhone 6S Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – Sound Quality Comparison

Android, Apple, Audio, Reviews, Tech News,

This should be a simple test but actually it could be if I made it simple but I’m not going to do that.

I have some early impressions of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge audio quality using the speaker, headphone jack, bluetooth and USB Audio. However, before I give it my opinion I also want to test third Party apps being like Poweramp and USB Audio Player Pro as well as the default music apps on the phone.

For the Apple iPhone 6S Plus I will be using Onkyo HF Player, Audio Gate Player and Neutron Music Player apps. I will also be testing the sound quality via the loudspeaker, bluetooth and USB Audio.

Equipment. Headphones will include a selection of in ear, bluetooth and wired over the ears. In my review I will list all the headphones used. I will also be using a number of portable DACS, Oppo HA-2, Fiio Q1 and iBasso D-Zero MK2.

If there is anything you would like to know, let me know and I will try and answer it in my sound quality review between the two phones.

Apple iPhone 6S Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – Low Light & Night Camera Shootout – Be Surprised

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News, , , ,

This is my final part of my camera shootout / comparisons with the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge camera. This is the part that surprised me the most. The photos were taken just before light disappeared and then at night. All shots were on a tripod.

For these tests I used the best apps on iOS to help the Apple iPhone 6S. Sadly not a single third party app on android works yet with the new Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge camera. 

iPhone 6S – ISO 200 1/4s – Default Camera App 

  

Same shot but using LowLightMode+ on ProCamera+ for iOS which combines upto 64 exposures into 1. 

  

ProCamera+ makes a huge difference, so now it’s time to try Nightcap Pro for iOS. See below. Nightcap Pro does a great job too. 

  

Ok so now over to the Samsung Galaxy S7. First shot below is in auto. It chooses an ISO 1250 and a shutter of 1/10s. However, I imagine it’s done multiple exposures as the noise level seems low. 

  

 So now to using the Pro mode in the S7 Edge. Shot below is ISO 100 and a 2s exposure. 

  

So same ISO 100 but now 4s in Pro Mode for the Samsung S7 Edge. 

  

So let’s go back to the iPhone 6S Plus. It’s a lot darker now. 

The default iPhone camera app picks ISO 160 and 1/4s exposure for the shot below. It’s really dark now and the default camera app shows it that way. 

  

So next I tried ProCamera+ for the same shot. See below. And it does a much better job. 

  

So it’s only fair to now try Nightcap Pro for iOS for the same shot again. This was a 22s exposure. 

  

Ok so that was the iPhone.  Now let’s switch back to the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Below is auto mode. Now remember it was getting darker all the time so the S7 always had the short straw. In full auto it was too dark so I just used Pro Mode. Shots are in order of exposures at 100 ISO. First 1s, then 2s and finally 4s. 

  

And now 2s. See below. 

  

And finally 4s. See below. 

  

Ok let’s try some light trails. First up iPhone 6S Plus using Nightcap Pro. Light trails cannot be done using the iOS default camera app. 

  

And now let’s try with the Samsung Galaxy S7 using Pro Mode. See below. 

  

Right let’s try a night shot with strew lamps. First up the iPhone 6S Plus. Using the default camera app, ISO 1,600 and a 1/4s exposure is selected. Shot below. 

  

Let’s try ProCamera+. Shot below. As you can see it does a better job in its lowlight+ mode. 

  

And finally on the iPhone I used Nightcap Pro. Shot below. 

  

So let’s switch back to the S7 Edge. In auto mode it choose ISO 1,600 and 1/7s. Shot below. 

  

I didn’t use Pro Mode as it started to rain so I had to abort. But I don’t like the yellow effect from the S7 auto shot. Also when zooming in the details were not as good as those from the iPhone. 

So which phone is your winner and why? 

Apple iPhone 6S vs Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – Camera Shootout – Part 1 

Android, Apple, Tech News, , ,

The million dollar question. Just how good is the camera on the new Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge? If you want to read my first impressions, that comes tomorrow. 

And how does it compare to the Apple iPhone 6S Plus?

So for part 1 of my camera comparison, all shots were hand held. Each shot is the first shot except in a few cases where I needed a second shot for the red berries. It was a dull rainy day with mist. 

At the end of the article, I have provided a link to the originals. You will notice that despite both phones having 12mp cameras the file size of each photo is a lot larger on the S7 Edge. 

The sequence is iPhone 6S Plus first then the S7 Edge photo. 

So below is the shot from the iPhone. 

 
 Next up the same shot from the S7 Edge. 
  
The differences between these two shots are minimal and most people would be content with either although the S7 is brighter. 

So let’s start again with another shot from the iPhone. 

  
And now the same shot from the S7 Edge. The S7 looks more saturated but again is brighter and has more detail. 

  
Back to the iPhone. A close up of a tap. Looks ok. 

  

Well it looks ok until you see the shot from the S7 Edge. To emphasise the level of detail I have included a crop as well from the S7 Edge. 

  
And now for the crop from the S7 Edge of the tap. 

  

Ok let’s go back to the iPhone. Some red berries. I had to take several shots to get the one below. 

  
So how did the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge perform? Much better. 

  
And to emphasise the difference in quality I took a crop from the iPhone. See below. 

  
So now let’s look at the crop from the S7 Edge. See below. So much better. I couldn’t dream of getting anything close like this shot below from the iPhone despite my best efforts. 

  
Another photo from the iPhone 6S Plus. Looks like a reasonable shot. 

  
And now from the S7 Edge. See below. Again the level of detail from the S7 is better. 

  
Remember these are real life photos, not staged shots. These are photos you could end up taking. 

So back to the iPhone 6S Plus. Again the photo looks good but it’s not on par with the S7 Edge. 

  
Below is the S7 Edge photo. I have noticed with this shot that it’s heavily sharpened probably too much for my liking. This could be resolved shooting in raw and then post processing it yourself. 

  
And finally, just to highlight the quality from the S7 Edge again. My dog Tiggy was moving around at home in lowish lighting. Here’s a crop of her face. 

  
I have to say that based on my preliminary tests, if you want a camera that takes good photos in all conditions, the S7 Edge really does a great job. 

Not only that, it’s focus speed is near instant. This means kids and pets will be so much easier to snap in focus quality shots. 

I have plenty more content on the S7 Edge, it’s camera , audio and more. I will also be pitting it against the LG G5. 

And one last thing. Remember there’s more to a phone than just its camera 🙂

Google Photos just received 2 updates when specifically for iOS users – details

Apple, Tech News,

Google really is pushing the cloud more and more. Now with the last 2 updates to Google Photos, there really is some compelling reasons to use Google Photos instead of Apple iCloud Photos.

Now with Google Photos, you can edit your pictures in the cloud, using cloud photo editing. But even more interesting is the fact that Google now lets you upload Live Photos on iOS and then view the Live Photos afterwards.

I personally didn’t have much luck with Apple iCloud Photos so have been using Google Photos instead. Photo editing in the cloud doesn’t interest me but being able to upload and view Live Photos is a great update.

Shot on an Apple iPhone 6S Plus – Video and Photos using the best iOS Apps

Apple, Tech News, ,

My goal at the weekend was to take my iPhone 6S Plus and record video and snap a range of photos. In addition, I wanted to use the best iOS Photography and Camera apps that I have discussed over the last month along with a few other apps that I have yet to review. I didn’t use Nightcap Pro as it wasn’t needed for this video, but it is definitely an app to include in any collection.

So the apps used were –

– Default iPhone Camera app
– ProCamera+ HDR
– Filmic Pro
– iMovie
– SnapStill
– Photos for iOS

All footage was captured hand held, that is no tripod was used. The more dramatic looking landscape photos were taken using ProCamera+. The photos below were taken with ProCamera+ and are unedited.

Dramatic view of Dartmoor #Princetown #iphone6splus

Dramatic Princetown #Dartmoor #WintersDay #iphone6splus

The default camera was used to shoot in 4K video and take burst photos of my labradors. Filmic Pro was also used for video recording. Below is a burst shot using the default camera app.

Fury & George out for a sprint on Dartmoor #Princetown #iphone6splus

Next I examined the content, and using the default Photos app I shortened the video clips to just have the action and remove any boring aspects. With some of the photos of the dogs, especially Fury (black) and Tiggy (brown) I used the Photos app again to brighten the shadows as the 2 dogs looked too dark.

I then imported everything into iMovie on the iPhone 6S Plus and produced the following 90 second video.

Now there is an importance to why I created this video. I am going to use this as the video to compare the new flagship phones. This will include the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, LG G5 and others. The aim is to use the respective flagship phone to edit and master the movie just like I did on the iPhone 6S Plus and see how the final result compares!

Apple iPhone – How to edit RAW photos on your iPhone or iPad

Apple, Tech News, ,

Dramatic view of Sharpitor, Dartmoor #iphone6splus #LongExposure

Following on from some of my photography posts, I thought I would list some apps I use to edit RAW photos. The RAW photos could be photos taken with your iPhone using apps like Nightcap Pro or Camera+. The above photo was originally shot in RAW using Nightcap Pro. Of course it could be you’ve also imported RAW shots from your DSLR. Whichever method you have used, it is a simple affair to edit the photos.

On iOS there is such a wide choice of apps. Below are some of the apps I use –

– Snapseed for iOS – A free photo editor that also allows editing of RAW photos
– Photogene for iOS – A decent photo editor which I have used for years and years.
– ProCamera+ HDR- a rip off priced app which needs you to spend around £11 in total when you include the in app purchases needed, but it is still a great functioning app with no competition. Not only does it take stunning photos, but you can edit them with filters and more, along with RAW.
– Adobe Lightroom – Another free option, but not a patch on the full PC or MAC versions

So the above are my preferred 4 apps for editing RAW photos on iOS. Do you have any others worth recommending?

Apple Pay – What is the maximum amount you can use it for in the UK? – Details

Apple, Tech News,

From Day 1, I had always thought that Apple Pay was restricted to £30. The £30 limit is the same restriction applied to bank contactless credit cards, with a maximum of 3 transactions per day.

But Apple Pay has moved on.

Morrisons Supermarket has a £30 limit on the bank contactless credit cards but with Apple Pay there is no limit. I had some unpleasant dental work completed last night, and to my surprise the dentists allowed me to settle my bill using Apple Pay.

So does the £30 limit still apply to Apple Pay. Sadly in some places it still does, so the only way you will find out if your local shops and supermarkets do allow unrestrictive payments is by asking them. What I have found is more and more places have dropped the max £30 requirement and that makes Apple Pay more useful.

And the coolest part of Apple Pay, is using your Apple Watch to pay for the goods.

Fiio Q1 Portable DAC and Headphone Amplifier – review

Android, Apple, Audio, Reviews, Tech News, Windows,

Welcome to my review of the Fiio Q1 Portable DAC and Headphone amplifier.

  
The Key Specifications

– Weight 100 g
– Dimensions 97mm x 56mm x 13.1mm
– Audio Input Micro USB/3.5 mm Jack
– Headphone output 3.5 mm stereo jack
– Volume Control TOCOS Potentiometer
– Bass Boost Switch
– Recommended Headphne Impedance 16~150 Ω (Recommended)
– Power Input DC5V 1A recommended
– Battery Capacity 1400 mph, Battery Life ＞30 h
– Output Power ＞190 mW (32 Ω/THD+N＜1%),＞75 mW (150 Ω/THD+N＜1%) Charge Time ≤ 4 h
– THD+N ＜0.005% (1 kHz), Output Impedance ＜ 0.3 Ω
– Frequency Response 20 Hz~20 kHz
– SNR ≥107 dB
– Input Sensitivity 4.3 V (GAIN=L),1.5 V (GAIN=H) Max Input Level ＞4 Vrms
– Crosstalk ≥75dB(1 kHz) Channel Imbalance 0.2 dB
– Gain AUX IN:-7dB/4.5dB
– USB IN:-3.5dB/8dB
– Bass Adjustment Range 0/5dB
– MAX output voltage 7.2 Vp-p, MAX Output Current ＞75 mA

  

The Hardware

The Fiio Q1 costs £59.99. And for £59.99 you get a beautifully constructed brushed aluminium AMP/DAC. Comparing this to the iBasso D-Zero MK2 that I reviewed recently, the fit and finish on the Q1 is streaks ahead. Inside the box you get a micro USB cable, a tiny right angle 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, a silicone mat to stop the device scratching when stacked. The Q1 has a 1,400mAh battery that provides 15 hours of playback.

The Audio Quality and Sound Experience

The Q1 uses a Texas Instruments PCM5102 DAC chip and a Maxim MAX 97220 for amp section. This means 24/95k decoding is possible from most codecs delivering around 190mW load into 32ohms. OTG support as a DAC is not officially supported but does work using apps like Onkyo and USB Player Pro. Using the usb camera connection adapter from Apple, I was able to use the Q1 with my iPhone 6S Plus. Another benefit for me is that because it uses micro USB, I can use my special red coloured Lavri Lightning Camera Connection Cable (shown in photos under official Apple CCK). The sound produced by the Q1 is fairly neutral with some warmth. Treble is slightly bright but not too bright. The Q1 also has a bass boost button which is ideal for some bass lacking headphones. Even if your headphones have decent bass, sometimes the bass boost can provide a slightly lift that adds some drama to the music. Fiio recommend headphones up to 150 ohms. I would say that is fairly accurate but again if you use 100 ohm or lower headphones you will gain some more benefit from this little baby.

Comparing the Q1 to the iBasso d-zero MK2 that I reviewed last week, the Q1 is better built and looks classier but when it comes to the music in my opinion the iBasso is another league. This becomes more apparent the longer you listen to the iBasso. However bear in mind the cost difference. The Fiio Q1 costs £59 and the iBasso D-zero MK2 is £99. 

Conclusion

Say again, just £60 for this little amp/dac from Fiio. The Fiio Q1 pound for pound offers amazing value. Sure its not as refined as some £100-£500 devices but for most people this will be good enough to get them enjoying their music that little bit better than before.

More info and deals on FiiO Q1 DAC and Headphone Amplifier

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