Category Archives: Apple

Shot on an iPhone 7 Plus – Bellever Forest – Dartmoor National Park

Apple, Photography, Tech News,

This morning, I went out on a bitterly cold morning to Bellever Forest Dartmoor. The temperature never rose above 2ºC, and in the wind it was sub zero. Apart from the temperature, it was foggy and raining.

So despite the weather and visibility, I managed to capture the beauty and wonder of Bellever Forest, Dartmoor National Park using my iPhone 7 Plus.

Forest Walks, Bellever Forest, Dartmoor

Along the forest path at Bellever. Lovely views and colours.

Ancient Trees at Bellever Forest, Dartmoor

Along the path, the trees and plants look fantastic.

The Forest is Alive - Natural Colours of Bellever Forest, Dartmoor

I really like all the greens, browns and red tones.

Ancient Circle - Bellever Forest, Dartmoor

For one minute, it looks like a row of stone seating.

Up High on a Foggy Day at Bellever Forest, Dartmoor

Up high, and you can really get a sense of the visibility or lack of!

With the rainy conditions, I was so happy to have my iPhone 7 Plus which is water resistant. And I love the photos the camera captured too.

It’s Official – Apple Store is back online – New Red iPhone, iPad Watch Straps & ALL Changes – Updated

Apple, Tech News

After about 5-6 hours offline, the Apple Store is now back online revealing the new iPhone. 

This is the product Red iPhone. 

Same iPhone just a different colour. Personally, it is a shame the front wasn’t red as well. Of course, once you fit a case, the colour is irrelevant;)

Also Apple has released a cheaper iPad and new watch straps and for the first time you can buy the Nike Watch Straps too. The Apple Watch is no longer offered bundled with leather, nylon or link straps.

The new iPad essentially replaced the iPad 2. It is also thicker than the iPad 2 and now is the same dimensions as the iPad Air.

There are new iPhone cases to match the new straps too.

The iPhone SE now comes in 32gb and 128gb storage. The iPad mini is now available with 128gb, with 32gb model discontinued.

Shot on an iPhone 7 Plus – Soussons Stone Circle and Forest on Dartmoor National Park

Apple, Photography, Tech News,

As with all UK weather, it was fabulous during the week and come the weekend, the rain and fog descended on Dartmoor. Snow is forecasted later this week too.

Anyway, below are photos taken on my iPhone 7 Plus of Soussons Stone Circle and in around the forest on Dartmoor National Park.

Happy Hounds #Soussons #dartmoor

Above, Tiggy is very happy to be in the lead. The shot is taken in Soussons Forest, Dartmoor.

Mystic Walks thru Soussons #dartmoor

There are so great trees too. With walkways in between.

Soussons Stone Circle #dartmoor

This is the Soussons Stone Circle, comprising of 25 stones. Dartmoor seems to have many sites with stone circles.

Logs #Soussons #dartmoor

Abandoned logs. Did someone forget to collect these? Also a great place to find beetles.

Happy Hounds #Soussons #dartmoor

George happy as always.

Happy Hounds #Soussons #dartmoor

Fury, she is doing the side step dance, somehow.

Soussons Forest #dartmoor

The weather was awful during the walk around Soussons. Rain, fog and strong winds. Fortunately, the trees provided some shelter, and it times like this you appreciate having a iPhone that is water resistant!

Sunset on Dartmoor – Shot on an Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Apple, Photography, Tech News,

Sometimes timing is everything as well as skill of course 🙂

The below shot captured the ponies grazing just as the sun was disappearing behind a Tor. A minute before the sun was too bright and a minute later the sun had vanished.

To help capture this shot, I used my iPhone 7 Plus and Adobe Lightroom mobile to snap it in raw. When I capture photos like this, I cannot see the need of carrying a DSLR!

Cracking sunset on Dartmoor

AirPods vs BeatsX – My Final Verdict

Apple, Audio, Headphone, Reviews, Tech News

AirPods vs BeatsX – Which headphone is my favourite?

I have now had and used both of these headphones for a while. Both contain Apple’s W1 chip that allows for a seamless connection. Once paired it is connected via iCloud to all your other Apple devices too.The faultless bluetooth connection continues over a vast distance.

These two headphones are vastly different to each other. The BeatsX have more sound isolation and consequently greater bass and depth. They can last 8 hours on a charge. The AirPods allow you to wear them for 5 hours and then the case will recharge them to get up to 24 hours usage in total, by using the case. Both headphones have a 5 or 10 mins quick charge option.

In terms of fit, the BeatsX fit inside your ear canal, whereas the AirPods sit in the ear, but they are not ear canals. For some strange reason, the BeatsX fall out unless whereas the AirPods never fell out. In terms of comfort the BeatsX takes the trump card.

If I had to choose a single pair, it would be the AirPods. I like the fact I can carry on a conversation and hear what someone is saying. I also like the wire free design which do not fall out.

What would be great is if Apple brought out the over the ear Beats headphone with the W1 chip. That would be ideal!

BeatsX Wireless Headphone Review

AirPods review

Useful Links

Latest info and pricing on AirPods
Latest pricing and more info on the BeatsX

Apple iPhone 7 Plus – My Favourite Photos from Sunday – Shot in RAW & Pano Mode

Apple, Tech News,

Yesterday, I took my iPhone 7 Plus out in some seriously cold and wet conditions and took landscape shots in RAW and also used the panoramic mode on the default camera app.

The panoramic shots are all over 60mp in size. To view any full size, click on the photo, then select full size.

Shot in RAW

Part of Staple Tor - Natural granite formation - Dartmoor National Park

In the storm - Great Staple Tor - Dartmoor National Park

Dramatic view of Great Staple Tor - Dartmoor National Park

Staple Tor in a hail storm

Shot in Panoramic Mode

70mp Panoramic shot of all the Staple Tors on Dartmoor

Sony Xperia XZ vs Apple iPhone 7 Plus – Camera Comparison

Android, Apple,

On Saturday, I took the Sony Xperia XZ and iPhone 7 Plus out on Dartmoor. My goal was to be a tourist and see which phone would take the best shots, reliably and consistently too.

The Sony Xperia XZ has a 23mp rear camera and the iPhone 7 Plus has 2 x 12mp rear cameras.

Below are the results – Click on each photo, then select the full size version for the ultimate pixel peek.

iPhone 7 Plus

View towards Kings Tor, Dartmoor #iPhone7Plus

I really like the above and below shots from the iPhone.

Stormy weather over Little Mis Tor , Dartmoor #iPhone7Plus

Stormy weather heading up to Great Mis Tor , Dartmoor #iPhone7Plus

Above and below, both taking with the telephoto lens. The 2 x zoom does make a difference to shots like this.

Stormy weather at Little Mis Tor , Dartmoor #iPhone7Plus

Sony Xperia XZ

Storm over the Tors #dartmoor

I found the Sony made even the most stark landscape shot more interesting due to its saturated look.

Sun & Stormy Weather - sub zero, bitter winds & heavy rain all at once

The above shot is my favourite of all the photos from both phones. It was freezing cold, with sub zero temperatures, hail and rain, and then the sun appeared.

In a line - Fury, George & Tiggy sprinting up to Great Mis Tor

Little Mis Tor - Standing strong in the stormy conditions

When you compare the shots above and below from the Sony with those from the iPhone, there are fairly close in quality.

Little Mis Tor & Great Mis Tor - High up on Dartmoor in stormy conditions

I also liked the above shot from the Sony Xperia XZ.

Conclusion

Whilst the Sony Xperia XZ did a reasonable job, and IMO managed to capture the most memorable shot, in further testing that I have carried out, the iPhone 7 Plus is able to take better shots, that are sharper, more accurate and consistent across all lighting conditions. The Sony Xperia XZ lacks OIS, and seems to fail to take a good focused shot quite frequently.

The Sony Xperia XZ does have a lot of positive aspects, but even though most phones, including the best flagships, have Sony camera sensors, Sony has not managed to optimise the camera software in its own phone to the same consistent standard. I find this infuriating as the sensor in the Xperia XZ is top notch!

My full review of the Sony Xperia XZ will be coming soon.

My thanks to Vodafone UK for the loan of the Sony Xperia XZ.

LG G5 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Huawei Mate 9 – Camera Comparison

Android, Apple, Tech News, , ,

Good morning everyone. I decided for this post to take 3 phones – the Apple iPhone 7 Plus, Huawei Mate 9 and LG G5 and see which one could take the best shot of an aerial view of Exeter High Street.

Unlike other comparisons, I have stuck all the photos taken through Adobe Lightroom to see what was the best final result that could be obtained.

LG G5 Shots – Normal and Wide Angle

Shot on the LG G5

Shot on the LG G5

I really like the extra width of the LG G5 wide angle shot.

Huawei Mate 9 – Normal and Monochrome

Shot on the Huawei Mate 9

Shot on the Huawei Mate 9

I do like the images from the Mate 9.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Shot on an iPhone 7 Plus

The iPhone takes a well balanced shot overall.

So which phone do you prefer and why? Just a quick shout out to Vodafone UK for the loan of the LG G5.

Useful Links

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Vodafone Shop

Apple iPhone 7 Plus – Camera Showcase

Apple, Tech News,

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Apple iPhone 7 Plus camera showcase. This week I released a video showcasing the Huawei Mate 9 camera and I was asked by several people if I could create a similar video for the iPhone 7 Plus. So I did.

The video includes a range of photos, shot using various different modes, and a selection of photos shot in raw using ProCam 4 app. Other apps used for long exposures included Nightcap Pro. Details of the modes, if raw used and apps are noted on the photos too.