Beyoncé made an exclusive deal via iTunes to sell her new album. And it’s clearly paid off, as on 5 days it had sold over 1 million copies.
Category Archives: Apple
Sony QX10 and QX100 are getting some serious love from Sony
I’ve already reviewed both of the above devices. Click <a href="http://Sony QX10/QX100 lens review “>here to recap.
In January 2014, both the QX10 and QX100 lens cameras will receive firmware upgrades that bump their maximum light sensitivity settings to ISO 3,200 and 12,800 respectively making dark scenes even better. They will also support widescreen 1080p video recording, and the QX100 is getting a shutter priority mode (finally) for action shots and long exposures.
Sony’s mobile shooting app, PlayMemories Mobile, just got updated to Version 4.0 for Android and iOS will introduce a quick photo browser that should make it much easier to review recent shots. For iOS users Sony claims that the app should connect to WiFi cameras twice as quickly as before.
Motorola Moto G – review part 2
Today I will look at the camera samples from the Moto G.
The camera samples are ok. Not brilliant and neither terrible. The colouring and pixel accuracy is just average. The shot on the moors was taken as the fog came down. The light was fading but the iPhone 5S took a much better shot which was so much better. See sample below.
The camera app is a simple affair. If you swipe from left edge across to the right this pulls out the settings wheel. Here you have settings for HDR including auto HDR, flash, control focus and exposure spot setting, slo mo video, panoramic (sweep mode) geo tagging, aspect ratio (16:9 or 4:3) and shutter sound on or off. Swiping from the opposite edge reveals the photo library. Swiping up or down activates digital zoom. As you continue to swipe up or down you can increase digital zoom to 4x. The built in photos app has basic editing (crop, rotate) and a choice of 9 filters and frames. If you use Google’s Gallery app instead you get far more editing options (crop, straighten , rotate, mirror, auto colour, exposure, and tons more options.
If you agree to auto upload your camera photos and videos to Google+ you also get the options of auto enhance and auto awesome. This is where Google’s software tries to automatically improve your photos and then notifies you once done. The auto awesome creates a gif of a sequence of photos.
If there was one weakness on the Moto G it is the camera. It is not as strong as more expensive contenders. But if you are sharing to social media and the like you won’t really notice the difference. Photographers best look the other way!
In a few days I will report back with more findings. But one of the Moto G’s strength is battery life. I just can’t get over how good it is.
Electronic Arts starts it’s Christmas Price reductions early on iOS App Store
Electronic Arts has started it’s Xmas sale reducing apps to £0.69 or $0.99.
The link above takes you directly to the iTunes Store.
iPhone Flashlight tip – rather neat this one
I love the control centre in iOS 7. It has some neat settings and apps that I personally find using on a regular basis. It is also great to swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone.
One of the features I use in the Flash Light. So handy too. But after a while the screen locks, so I would imagine if you wanted to turn your flash light off you are at present, unlocking the home screen, swiping up to reveal the control centre and tapping the flash light icon to turn it off.
Well, try this easier method. With the flash light on and the screen locked, just press the home button, then bottom right tap the camera icon and it turns off the flash light.
Rather neat tip.
Apple releases OS X Mavericks v10.9.1 – full release log
The OS X Mavericks v10.9.1 Update is recommended for all OS X Mavericks users. It improves the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.
This update includes:
-Improved support for Gmail in OS X Mail, and fixes for users with custom Gmail settings Improves the reliability of Smart Mailboxes and search in Mail
-Fixes an issue that prevented contact groups from working properly in Mail
-Resolves an issue that prevented VoiceOver from speaking sentences that contain emoji
-Fixes an issue that prevented iLife and iWork apps from updating on non-English systems
-Addresses an issue that may cause multiple prompts to unlock “Local items” keychain
-Addresses an issue that may cause Japanese keyboards to retain a previously used language
-Resolves issue that prevents a Contact group name from populating the address field
-Includes Safari 7.0.1
-Fixes an issue that could cause Safari to become unresponsive when filling out forms on fedex.com, stubhub.com, and other websites Improves Credit Card Autofill compatibility with websites
-Improves VoiceOver compatibility with facebook.com
-Updates Shared Links periodically when open in the Safari Sidebar
Some useful updates in this release.
Angry Birds Go – Race Angry Birds on android and iOS – a game ruined by in app purchases
Rovio has just launched across android and iOS Angry Birds Go, it’s free go kart racing game, supplemented by in app purchases.
Rovio are trying to be honest (pull the other leg) by clearly stating there is in app purchases, a message to parents that the game has social networking links, advertising, product purchases and in app purchases. In fact seeing the warning made me think maybe this game won’t be ruined by in app purchases.
Sadly, it is another game totally ruined by in app purchases. The game loses all fluidity as your characters tire and need time (20 mins) to recharge. This time will increase the more you play the game. But don’t worry you can buy yourself out of this time and recharge straight away. But before you get to this point, you are asked if you want double points for life at £4.99. The cheapest option is £1.99 all the way up to £34.99. And then you go kart isn’t powerful enough. So guess what you can buy yourself out of trouble.
I would pay for this game outright but I won’t be caught playing a game with an unknown cost to finish.
Apple and Google should make developers state what the maximum or typical costs involved for the game. In fact Apple and Google should create a top ceiling allowed for all games. Except they won’t. As they both take a huge cut and make loads of money.
It’s odd that some of my best games on iOS are those before in app purchasing arrived. They are decent games I bought which dont suddenly stop and ask you to cough up more money to keep playing.
I will leave you with my lasting thought on Angry Birds Go. Red Bird is tired and needs a nap. He’s fed up racing down the same slope with marginally different challenges. The first 30 mins were fun but Red Bird is so tired, he has been obliterated off the iPhone!!
Moga Ace Power iOS Game Controller – Review update plus list of games
I’ve had the Moga Ace Power game controller for the iPhone or iPod for several weeks and in that time I’ve got to appreciate its capabilities even more. I have a special folder on my iPhone called “Moga” which stores all my iOS games that work well with this controller.
So far I have the following 24 games installed that work a treat with the Moga –
Asterix
Aztec Antics
Bastion
Bike Baron
Dead Trigger 2
Death Worm
Galaxy on Fire 2 HD
Ice Rage
Lego Lord of the Rings
Lili
Limbo
Minigore 2
Muffin Knight
Neon Shadow
No Gravity
Oceanhorn
PAC-Man
Riptide GP2
Shantae Risky’s Revenge
Silverfish
Space Wars SE
Stormraiders
T.E.C. 3001
Strike Wings
Trouserheart
Whilst the size of the device with the iPhone placed in the middle is quite large overall, it does provide a very firm solid fit. The batteries seem to last for hours and hours. In fact the iPhone needs charging first, which can be done from the Moga itself.
Using the Moga Ace Power controller really adds to the engagement in the game and the overall enjoyment. It really is a pleasure to use and I thoroughly enjoy using it.
And in case anybody was thinking 24 games is a lot of games to have installed, I actually have another 109 games installed on my iPhone 5S.
Update – Angry Birds Go is compatible with the Moga Ace Power Controller.
Smartwatch is dead already, long live the Smarty Ring
The Smarty Ring seems like a great idea and far more practical than a watch.
The Smarty Ring frees you from searching in your bag for your phone, or from reaching into your back pocket, just to find no new notifications. Its bluetooth 4.0 technology lets you always get real time updates.
Incoming & outgoing call notifications, Alerts for Text and E-Mail messages, Real time updates from Facebook,Twitter, Hangout & Skype, Remote control.
Control your phone without touching it, Accept or reject incoming calls, Make outgoing calls to preset numbers, Trigger camera, Control music, Change profile, Clock at your finger tips.
Have a clock capable of checking up to five time zones, and more, in an attractive ring. Not everyone likes watches, so a ring enabled with a clock and more is a fashionable option. Smarty Ring is not only a clock, but a stop watch and countdown timer!
Track your phone, Never forget your phone again AND prevent theft! Alert your phone when you lost in the crowd, Alert goes off even if your phone is in silent mode, Beeps when your phone is more than 30 metres away from you.
The Smarty Ring is a high quality piece of tech-jewelry made from allergy free, surgical quality stainless steel. The simple elegance of this piece makes it suited for both men and women, at an occasion.
The exterior of the Smarty Ring is not only fashionable – but waterproof. Take a Smarty Ring anywhere – even where your phone can’t go! Perfect for humid climates or to stay connected on vacation. This makes a great companion for a business professional on vacation who needs lives updates even while swimming!
The dazzling LED display is great for day and night use. Not only is it a charming conversation starter, but you’ll have your friends gawking at this cool gadget!
Charge your smart phone and Smarty Ring at same time. No plugin hassles, just place your Smarty Rings and smart phone over the charger to get it charged!
Damn this looks such a cool concept. Let’s hope this gets built.
Apple 12 Days of Gifts – available now and for US customers
Apple today released its annual “12 Days of Gifts” app for iOS devices, setting the stage for the actual giveaway of free content from the company’s various digital stores from December 26 through January 6. Apple has offered the giveaway for several years in Europe, Canada, and several other countries, and in 2013 U.S. customers will have access for the first time.
From 26 December – 6 January, you can download a gift each day—songs, apps, books, movies, and more—with the 12 Days of Gifts app. Each day’s gift will only be available for 24 hours, so download the free app to make sure you don’t miss out. Please note: Not all content is available in all countries.
So head over to the App Store or click here. It will be interesting to see what Google and Amazon and others offer this year.
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 