Category Archives: Apple

Headphones that connect via the iPhone/iPad lightning connector

Apple, Tech News

11528-4520-NC1L_std_angle_01_neutral_v2_white-l

Above is a photo of the new Philips’s Fidelio NC1L Lightning-connected headphones. The NC1L features a 24-bit DAC and adds active noise cancellation which is powered by the Lightning connector. This will retail for around $300.

This is just one of several headphones that were announced by a number of companies at CES 2015 that would work via the lightning port on an Apple device. The lightning port in theory and hopefully in practice should be able not only to power the noise cancellation circuitry but also provide a much higher quality audio output then just using the headphone port.

Whilst I do not have an iPhone I most certainly would love to try one of the new headphones and see if the connection via the lightning port makes a large difference.

Of course the negative side to buying a headphone this way is it is tied to the Apple ecosystem.

So would you buy one of these bespoke headphones?

Source – appleinsider.com

PS. If you are likely to shop on Amazon please help with the running costs and use my affiliate link – details here. Thanks in advance ☺

Apple raked in $500,000 or Half a Billion Dollars – side effects

Apple, Tech News

Via Apple.com

“Apple announced that during the first week of January alone, customers around the world spent almost half a billion dollars on apps and in-app purchases, with New Year’s Day 2015 the single biggest day in App Store sales history.”

Developers made $10 million. Monumental success.

What would be interesting to know is how that $500m was split between the major developers and independents and the position the apps were in the charts. I also wonder if it is just the top 100 apps that make most of the money.

And clearly this shows a few things. More people were buying Apple devices and then spending money on apps. Also, TV scheduling was dreadful so people had more time to play with their new toys.

Has the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus smashed all iPhone records for the last quarter of 2014?

Apple, Tech News

Via Appleinsider.com

“According to the latest research from UBS, it believes Apple sold a massive 69 million iPhones in the just-concluded December quarter — a sum that would obliterate the company’s previous all-time record.

Using its proprietary UBS Evidence Lab iPhone Monitor, the investment firm told investors on Wednesday that it now expects Apple to have sold a total of 69.3 million iPhones in the December quarter. That’s beyond Wall Street consensus of 65.5 million units for the three-month span.

To put the estimates in perspective, Apple’s previous all-time record came a year ago, when the company sold a massive 51 million iPhones in the holiday 2013 quarter. An increase of 18.3 million units would amount to nearly 36 percent growth in iPhone sales from the year-ago quarter.”

There is no doubt in my mind that Apple has destroyed all previous sales records. The Telegraph reported yesterday that according to its research android users migrated in their droves to iOS. A position mirrored across Europe. And being honest the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus is a VERY competent handset.

If you are likely to shop on Amazon please help with the running costs and use my affiliate link – details here. Thanks in advance ☺

CES 2015 Las Vegas – Apple is not exhibiting yet has a huge presence – HomeKit, Cases and more – details

Apple, Tech News

It just shows you how popular and powerful the Apple brand is, that is if you needed reminding of that fact.

CES 2015 Las Vegas has had more accessories for the Apple brand than any other being announced. Cases, power battery cases from Otterbox and Mophie, MFI accessories, and now the biggest leap into the Apple approved HomeKit accessories.

From your iPhone, with the respective HomeKit compatible hardware, you can now ask Siri to dim the lights, open the door, turn off or on devices and so much more. Siri in my opinion is less about searching and more about being a personal assistant. It is one of my favourite aspects of owning an iPhone. Some of the HomeKit devices announced so far include

– Schlage’s Sense smart lock (above) is the company’s first HomeKit-compatible keyless lock.

– Insteon’s Hub works alongside a compaion Insteon App to allow Apple device owners to control Insteon switches, outlets, thermostats, and light bulbs via HomeKit

– Incipio’s Direct line of “connected home” accessories includes a smart outlet, light bulb adapter, and power strip.

– Elgato Eve Energy, Eve Door and Window, and Eve Water. Eve Energy is a smart electrical plug unit that connects directly to a power outlet to measure energy consumption over time, while Eve Door and Window detects when a house door or window is ajar. Eve Water is an inline water sensor that measures temperature and consumption.

The above is only a taster of what is available. It is starting to look really impressive.

How to use and setup the Samsung Gear S with any phone including iPhone 6 (Samsung phone not needed)

Android, Apple, Tech News, Wearables

Many people believe it is not possible to use the Samsung Gear S without first needing to use a compatible Samsung handset to enable the initial setup process. Well it is possible and rather simple too. In fact, the Gear S can work with any phone including an iPhone or any Android.

See this great video on how to set up the Gear S.

Looking back to 2014 and my favourite top 10 photos – all taken on a phone

Android, Apple, Blackberry, Tech News, Windows

I was having a look at photos taken last year. The photos are all taken using the camera on a smartphone. Some of my favourites –

I like the one below as it’s created a nice bokeh and captured the cold and sunshine well.

image

This is so good a shot. Fury and Tiggy (Fury is the black labrador ) are crashing through the water. Splashes everywhere but frozen in time.

image

Below is using one of the fancy modes whereby you capture the action. Same horse but at different stages of the jump.

image

The architecture below looked dull, but using the inbuilt stock camera and photo filters became more fascinating. Love the architectural lines in this shot.

image

Symmetry at its best. A world famous street too.

image

The long bridge captured well. This phone might surprise you.

image

Logs, trees, vivid colours and a lovely shot by a solid performing phone.

image

Merrivale stones on Dartmoor. Liked the scene probably more than the shot itself.

image

A real classic Dartmoor shot with the sheep and landscape.

image

Can you guess which phones though?

And lastly this is the most popular photo from 2014 from my flickr account with 14,211 views currently. I have no idea why it’s so popular either. And again which phone took this?

image

Update. The answers. Top to bottom.

Samsung Note 4 – HDR
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – burst mode
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – Shot and More , drama

IPhone 6 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S5
BlackBerry Passport (bridge photo)
Samsung Note 4
IPhone 6 Plus (Merrivale stones)
Samsung Note 3

And the last one is HTC One M8, hdr mode.

Mont Blanc announces new wearable device – details of the e-strap

Android, Apple, Tech News

Montblanc-Timewalker-urban-speed-e-strap-watch-2

Mont Blanc has announced the e-Strap. This combines a smart wearable device with a stunning mechanical watch. This will feature in the Mont Blanc “Timewalker Urban Speed Collection”. The e-Strap features a high-end leather strap that has a carbon fiber texture to it that Montblanc calls “Extreme Montblanc Leather” made in Italy. Sitting under your wrist is an electronic module made from DLC (diamond like carbon) coated steel or in gray steel.

Montblanc-Timewalker-urban-speed-e-strap-watch-3

Montblanc-Timewalker-urban-speed-e-strap-watch-4

The specs. The e-strap has a 0.9 inch monochromatic OLED touchscreen display 128×36 pixel resolution. Notifications will be shown for calls, texts, e-mails, calendars, social media, and reminder notifications, function as an activity monitor/tracker with a pedometer and accelerometer with data that feeds into either the android or apple app. Vibrations alert for notifications are included.

And its strongest selling point on top of the classic design is 5 days battery life. Not only that it recharges via micro usb. The watch with e-strap is around 4,000 euros. The strap by itself is 250 euros.

I do like this idea of combining watch style with technology. That watch looks stunning.

Source – http://www.ablogtowatch.com/montblanc-e-strap-combines-smart-wearable-device-mechanical-watch-timewalker-urban-speed-collection/

Samsung S Health – main activity page

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News

Below are screen shots from my S Health app taken off the Note 4. If I had updated my weight the measurement would be added to the activity page. I have also included screen shots from the other options available.  Whilst S Health does tie you into the Samsung eco system it does work for me.

image

image

image

You can use the app with or without a Samsung wearable. Naturally I am using my Gear S.

I hope Samsung opens the app more to third parties as it has potential but needs to improve as Apple Health kit is leagues ahead. But this app does what I need so I am happy at the moment.

Belkin WeMo Smart Light Bulb starter kit – review

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News,

image

The Belkin WeMo Smart Light Bulb starter kit arrived several days ago. Opening the box reveals 2 light bulbs and a wireless module. See below.

image

As you can see a fairly minimalistic box. Belkin promote the wireless kit as follows –

– WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set includes 2 x WeMo Smart LED Light Bulbs (B22) and 1 x WeMo Link
– Connect up to 50 WeMo Smart LED Light Bulbs and control them individually or as a group.
– The set works with the entire family of WeMo products.
– Modular system. You can add additional WeMo LED Light Bulbs easily, any time
– Turn lights on, off, dim or create custom schedules.
– Simply plug WeMo Link into a central outlet in your home, replace your old light bulb with a WeMo LED bulb, and download the free WeMo app to any smartphone or tablet
– WeMo keeps you connected to your home lighting anywhere you are over Wi-Fi, 3G, or 4G networks
– Bright, warm light similar to a 60W incandescent bulb. WeMo Smart LED Bulbs have a 23 year life expectancy

Setting up the system is a breeze. First take the WeMo Link and plug it into any electrical socket, preferably centrally situated in your home and where it can get 2 bars wifi strength from your router. Next replace your bulbs with the Belkin bulbs. I bought the Bayonet version but you can also got the screw style bulbs. Turn the light switches on. The Belkin  bulbs should turn on.  Now keep the bulbs on. Download the WeMo app. Go to your phone’s wifi settings and connect to the Belkin wifi network. A firmware update occurred. This took 5 mins. Next it asks you to select your router and enter its password. The setup completes including remote access over 3g/4G.

image

Once the setup is complete the light bulbs show separately.  In the edit device menu I just slid one over the other to join them as a group.  They are now controlled together. The basic menu gives you an on /  off button. Options include brightness and sleep timers. With the advanced settings you can creates rules as to when the lights come on and off eg sunset and sunrise.

The WeMo app also controls my other WeMo products too.

In use. I placed the WeMo Link upstairs and used both Belkin bulbs in the lounge. Now, I can’t walk in and just turn the lights on, I now have to open the app, wait a few seconds for it to register and then I have full access and control. Or so I thought. If your lights are off, if you use your normal light switches to turn them on, the Belkin bulbs will turn on at full brightness. If you turn them off with the wall light switches, you won’t be able to use the app to operate them until you turn the power back on from the wall light switch. So for ease. I find it easier to remember to turn them on from the wall light switch, sit down and then adjust the brightness or even use the app to switch them off if convenient. The great part is that you have a choice and don’t lose the convenience.

Everything works as advertised but is it worth the £80 and then £25 per bulb? If you like cutting edge, maybe, otherwise it’s expensive. It is worth noting that Belkin sell both bayonet and screw type bulbs fittings whereas Philips Hue light bulbs are screw type only. Another point, once you’ve setup the app on one device, installing the app on another one of your devices, you will find it is already setup for you.

IF you are interested in buying please use the following Amazon affiliate link. Every penny counts <a href="Belkin WeMo Smart Bayonet Fit B22 LED Light Bulb Starter Kit
“>Belkin WeMo Smart Bayonet Fit B22 LED Light Bulb Starter Kit