Category Archives: Apple

Apple iPhone 6S – Apple Watch versus FitBit Charge HR – Part 2

A few days ago I mentioned I was going to try and see whether using the Apple iPhone 6S with the Apple Watch or Fitbit Charge HR would work as a better solution for fitness.

This is an interesting exercise as my wife is using her iPhone 6S and I am using my iPhone 6S Plus. We are both testing the Apple Watch and Fitbit Charge HR to see which one works best.

We are both syncing data from the Apple Watch to the Apple HealthKit app which in turns syncs the steps to MyFitnessPal. My wife noticed that MyFitnessPal under the home tab showed the correct step count value synced across from the Apple Watch. In the Diary tab at the bottom, the number of steps shown was up to 50% inaccurate meaning the total number of extra calories created that day were down by a fair amount. This can make a lot of difference if you needed extra calories for a snack in the evening.

So as I had the same issue, I did some investigation and noticed in the Apple HealthKit app it displayed my wife’s Apple Watch twice. So a call to Apple Support and I was advised to wipe the phone clean and restore from iTunes. What was scary was the guy from Apple Support did not know the to save your HealthKit data you need to backup to iTunes using encryption. Restoring a backup from iCloud will not bring back historical health data. This is not good as not everyone uses a PC/Mac so therefore backing up to iTunes is impossible.

I also emailed MyFitnessPal re the inaccurate steps showing in the Diary tab and whilst I have not had an email back yet from MyFitnessPal it now shows different text in the Diary tab. My wife opened the app on her phone, and it had the previous text entry under the Diary tab. MyFitnessPal had done something to my account.

So how is the FitBit Charge HR going. In one word, it just works and really well. For pure fitness it is far simpler and easier to use. It also syncs really smoothly with MyFitness Pal.

So how does the Apple Watch compare? To be honest it is a totally different device that can do so much from paying for goods, controlling my weather station and more. As a fitness device is works fairly well but it is not perfect. Activity is minus the GPS map tracking. After a workout you can’t read your heart rate scores taken throughout the time exercising. All you get is a heart rate summary. On the other hand I do like how the Apple Watch makes you stand up every hour and also displays your activity.

If I had to choose just one device for fitness, currently the winner goes to FitBit.

It is also worth noting that FitBit has just had a Class Action lawsuit taken against them that alleges that the heart rate tracking in the Charge HR and Surge, are inaccurate and by a significant margin.

CES 2016 – 24 Hours of Crazy Tech Announcements – Best of including My Viewpoints

CES 2016 in Las Vegas is in full swing along with some exciting and crazy tech announcements.

Fridges – Samsung displayed a fridge with an android tablet built in to the front fridge door. Well that’s what it looked like. So now you can read your tweets on your fridge. On the other hand LG decided it would scan your body and if both hands were full, it would automatically open the fridge doors. That’s a bit more useful.

Fitbit – And along came the FitBit Blaze. A smart watch attempt by FitBit. Just a shame they left out GPS. All for $199. The stock market didn’t react well, and knocked 12.5% off the share value. I personally think the shape of the watch is odd.

1 fit

Samsung – not to be left out of the luxury watch market announced 2 new finishes for their Gear S2 Classic. The new Gear S2 classic will be available in Rose Gold case with an Ivory Genuine Leather Band and in Platinum case with a Black Genuine Leather Band beginning in February. If you need to know the price, you can’t afford it!. The bigger news is iOS support is coming for the Gear S2 later this year!

Samsung also announced new sexy curved TV’s and lots more including the TabPro S tablet running windows 10 and not android. It also had a cool keyboard case. The whole affair was rather slim too. The Samsung Chromebook 3 got announced too.

1 tabpro

1 Samsung Gear

Chinese Phones – I lost count of all the mid market and budget Chinese phones being announced. All slight spec bumps of the previous models with more storage and ram, more premium builds, finger print sensors and more. In the end, it just becomes a blur.

Casio – The Casio Smart Outdoor Watch WSD-F10 is its first Android Wear device with sport watch styling and a typical Casio style rugged design. In monochrome mode the battery can last a month. Expect to pay around $500. Ouch!

1 casio

Weird but True News – Facebook sabotaged its android app to crash to see how loyal its users would be. Rumour is FaceBook is looking to leave the Google Play store. Just how significant a blow would this be for android ? Then Twitter announced its looking at allowing up to 10,000 words per tweet. I hope not. 200-300 is enough.

HTC and Under Armour – A partnership with the announcement of the Healthbox. This contained a fitness band, heart rate strap and scales. Functional and well designed too.

Parrot – unveiled the Parrot Disco, a new drone prototype that’s actually a full-blown fixed wing plane that can travel at 50mph.

HTC – HTC Vive Pre – HTC showed off its second generation VR headset. This is really looking amazing. The second generation has built in cameras and new controllers.

Huawei – Huawei held a big press conference and launched the Mate 8 and a new tablet that came with a stylus. New Huawei Watch models designed for women were also announced.

There were hundreds more products released and announced at CES, but the above are my personal favourites. Was there anything else that caught your eye?

Honor – The Honor 5X got announced. A 1080p 5.5 inch display, Snapdragon 615, 3000maH, 13mp rear camera and well built as usual and low cost phone.

1 honor-5x-multi

Snapdragon 820 Phones – LeTV Le Max Pro – this is a beast of a phone from LeTV. A 6.33inch 2K display, 3,400mAh battery, Adreno 530 GPU, 4GB ram, Android 6 with LeTV’s own skin, 21 MP OIS rear camera that takes incredible shots and really fast.

Sources – HTC, Huawei, Parrot, FitBit, Casio, Samsung, LG, AndroidCentral, Pocketnow, Verge, Engadget, Pocketlint

Apple iPhone 6S – Creating Movies in iMovie – Editorial

One of the joys of using an iPhone is using iMovie on the iPhone itself. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus come with a powerful A9 processor that makes light work of editing your own movie. 

Below is a sample video edited and created in iMovie from just a few short video clips and photographs. 

The video filmed in the above movie was recorded at 4K. From the iMovie app itself you can share the 4K content directly to YouTube. In fact, this is the only way to share 4K content to YouTube , via the iMovie app on iOS. Otherwise to upload 4K, you will need to do this from your Mac or PC. 

iMovie for iOS enables you to browse and share videos or just video clips, mark favourite moments to find the later on, create cool Hollywood style trailers with 14 different templates along with some great music, customise loads of different aspects of the trailers, from logos, titles , cast names and credits. 3D Touch is available too to quickly start a project or peek at a movie. Movies have a choice of 8 themes, 10 video filters, speed enhancements from slow motion, fast forward, picture in picture , split screen effects, or create your own soundtracks or sound effects. It is also possible to connect a keyboard and use keyboard editing shortcuts for faster creation. And the above is just a summary of what’s possible and all on my iPhone 6S. 

  
If you do decide to video in 4K you will need to change the iPhone settings for the camera in the main settings app, under Photos & Camera. One minute of 4K video uses 375mb of space. However, recording in 4K does allow for zooming in and removing still photos from the 4K video. To remove photos from the 4K video which will be 8mp shots, I use SnapStill for iOS. Not only does it recommend which are the best frames to extract to 8mp photos but it gives you the option to keep the meta data. The above photo is a 8mp still from the 4K video example. 

All this flexibility of iMovie on the iPhone 6S makes it a superb piece of video editing kit. Now when I consider changing to an android phone,there is nothing of comparison that allows for proper editing on the phone itself. 

Coming back to the iPhone 6S Plus from my LG G4 really has opened my eyes to the extensive video and photo editing apps now available. iMovie is the icing on the cake!

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.

Filming 4K on the iPhone 6S Plus

So you have an iPhone 6S or 6S Plus. 

  

With a tripod and a few extra pieces you can start to get creative. Attached to the tripod is TARION Model TR-S120 Track Slider Stabilizer which in turn has the ShoulderPod S1 Smartphone Grip and R1 Pro.

On the Shoulderpod R1 Pro is the Sony QX10 and HTC Re used for a few stills. The below video shows a shot of the church, taken on the iPhone 6S Plus, HTC Re and Sony QX10. Each photo is labelled. Finally the iPhone 6S Plus is used to film in 4K using the slider for effect.

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

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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