Category Archives: Apple

All the Latest Reviews, News, Podcasts by Gavin’s Gadgets – Please RT

Android, Apple, Historical Reviews, Reviews, RIM, Windows

It’s Sunday, so put your feet up, and catch up on all the reviews of the latest phones.

The HTC One M8 review is already at part 4. Click here for all the sections written so far.

Of course you may be wondering how the new HTC One M8 compares to the original HTC One. Well, I’ve got that covered. Click here for my 20 part review!

Still want more. Well catch up on the reviews of over 25 phones by clicking
here. Reviews include the new Sony Z Ultra, Sony Z1 Compact and Samsung Note 3 and many more.

Still want some more. Click here for reviews on the new wearables – Samsung Galaxy Gear and Pebble Smart watch. Also read the new Sony SBH80 Bluetooth NFC headset review, along with reviews for many other headphones and accessories.

Eyes feeling tired now. I’ve got that covered. Go and listen to all 11 episodes of my podcast I co-host with Dave Rich. Click here.

And if you feel like knowing the weather for Princetown, Dartmoor, Devon then head over to the dedicated weather page. Click here.

And for your tech shopaholics check out a few companies I recommend. Click here.

So I hope you had a good weekend. See you all tomorrow.

Microsoft Office arrives on the iPad – is it too late?

Apple, Tech News, Windows

Via Re/Code – Microsoft revealed it is using the so-called “freemium” sales model with the suite of productivity apps. In the case of Office, users can download the software for free, but will need to stump $99 per year (or pay a recurring $9.99 per month fee) for a Office 365 subscription if they want to edit documents.

In a statement to Re/code, Apple confirmed it will take the usual 30 percent cut of all Office 365 subscriptions purchased from any Office for iPad app. Apple does not profit from customers who use an existing subscription, or purchase a new subscription from Microsoft’s website, to access the Office apps.

Apple’s charge to publishers for all in-app sales was thought to be one of the major roadblocks in Microsoft’s launch of Office for iPad.

Microsoft on Thursday introduced the long-awaited Office productivity suite for iPad, which includes custom-built versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Now this might be a blessing for corporate users but Apple provide their own apps for free. Or you can use Google Docs for free. In my mind it just shows how the tables have turned and that Microsoft is desperately changing is business model to try and make money.

And now the android and iPhone versions are free for personal use.

Twitter goes more social

Android, Apple, Tech News

Twitter has just updated its iOS, Android and website.

So from now on you will be able to tag up to 10 people in the photos you upload without it counting against your 140 character count. In addition you’ll soon be able to attach up to four photos to each tweet. When you upload multiple pictures a thumbnail collage will automatically be created and you can tap on it to swipe through the images in full size. That update is hitting iOS devices first and coming soon to both Android and the website.

Looks like a good update.

Netflix Shares Fall – due to new rumours on the new Apple TV

Apple, Tech News

Reuters reported that Netflix shares slumped more than 7 percent on Monday after a report about a new television streaming product that Comcast and Apple were working on together.

Netflix shares fell $31.49 or 7.78 percent to $374.67. The drop came a day after a story that first appeared in the online edition of The Wall Street Journal said Comcast and Apple were in talks about teaming up for a new TV product that stores programming in the cloud and would replace clunky cable boxes in people’s homes.

Apple and Comcast have declined to comment on the report but a source familiar with the matter told Reuters the discussions were at an early stage and there are a lot of hurdles to be crossed before any agreement is reached.

Apple also wants the TV service’s Internet traffic to be separate from public Internet traffic and would be looking for special treatment from Comcast’s cable pipe to give customers a better experience, the newspaper said.

Arris Group Inc, a company that makes set-top boxes for the cable industry and paid Google $2.35 billion for Motorola’s cable box unit last April, also saw its shares fall 6 percent on fears that an Apple-Comcast partnership could hurt sales of traditional set-top boxes.

I think Netflix has a strong brand already. Maybe Apple should just buy Netflix. It is already an app on the Apple TV, so would make a good fit.

Smartphones versus DSLRs versus film: A look at how far we’ve come

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

In tech-speak, the iPhone 5S gets the same depth in focus as a full-frame DSLR at f/18. With a phone, you can freeze everyone along the length of a candlelit Christmas dinner table, and keep them all in focus. None of these DSLRs can do that, as f/18 and short shutter speeds don’t mix in candlelight.

Digital Photo Review have a brilliant article and I highly recommend heading over to read the rest.

Reminder – Episode 11 – Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast is live – Please RT

Android, Apple, Tech News, Wearables, Windows

As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast bi-weekly. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.

Episode 11 is now live.

If you get a moment and have enjoyed the podcast, please leave some feedback in iTunes. Thanks.

Episode 11 – Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast is live – Please RT

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast bi-weekly. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.

Episode 11 is now live.

If you get a moment and have enjoyed the podcast, please leave some feedback in iTunes. Thanks.

Apple – where art thou new products?

Apple, Tech News, Wearables

Something is strange in 2014. By now Apple would have held a keynote speech,  normally in the first week of March.

But this year there is nothing.

One could argue Apple doesn’t need to do anything. The iPhone 5S is selling like hotcakes,  the iPad Air is the best tablet on offer and you can buy the new Mac Pro if your wallet allows.

On the other hand,  the competition is hotting up with the new phone releases. Google, Samsung,  Pebble and others are getting heavily into wearables. Apple has yet to reveal its hand.

So 2014 could be the year Apple either stuns the world with a gorgeous new iPhone,  wearable tech and new ipods.
Or it fails to deliver. Personally I’m going with the first option but I think we will only start to see the new devices from summer onwards.

Has Apple lost the plot – iPhone 5C 8gb vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Windows Phone

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

Yesterday Apple quietly launched the iPhone 5C with only 8gb of storage at a cost of £429. Clove Technology sells the Samsung Note 3 for £433.20 which is a comparable price. In this article I am going to show how Apple has totally lost the plot by comparing the 5C to the Note 3.

Of course I could have picked from a number of other phones that are available for less than the iPhone 5C. These include the Nexus 5, LG G2 32gb, Motorola Moto G or Moto X, Nokia Lumia 1020 or 925 or 1320, Samsung S4 and HTC One. These phones are as much as £329 less than the iPhone 5C. There are many other phones cheaper than the 5C as well. I selected all of the above as on the whole all of these phones trash the 5C in every specification from camera to storage to features except one area. One handed comfort and usage.

So let’s compare the iPhone 5C to the Note 3. They cost the same. I know what you’re already thinking. This is not a fair comparison. The Note 3 is at the cutting edge of technology and has hundreds more advantages over the 5C. And it does. And this illustrates how Apple have lost the plot. But let’s list out a few –

Camera – Note 3 wins with its 13mp camera vs the 8mp on the 5C

Screen – Note 3 wins with a 5.7 inch screen vs 4 inches on the 5C. Also I prefer the colour and clarity on the Note 3.

Storage – Note 3 wins again with 32gb vs 8gb on the 5C

Misc – the Note 3 has a stylus for handwriting input, NFC, USB mass storage, replaceable battery , micro sd slot for expanding the storage, USB 3, wireless charging, multi windows, small apps, one handed use, proper system sharing, selecting of default apps, easy customisation, widgets and theming and so much more. The iPhone 5C has none of the above.

So does the 5C have any winning areas over the Note 3? Yes. iCloud backup and restore is simply the best solution, and the simplest. iOS Apps. I don’t care what anyone says, they always are the most polished. iOS control and notification centres are extremely well designed. One handed use is the best. Also it will become the cheapest option for people to get an iPhone on contact. And anything else is not an iPhone and people want what they can’t afford.

But really is it worth all that extra money? Especially when you can buy a Samsung flagship phone or a number of top performing windows and android phones for considerably less!