Category Archives: Jan 2013

iPhone Camera Secret

This little secret only applies using iOS 6 and the default camera with GPS tagging switched on.

So, you’ve taken a photo allowing the GPS tagging. Well we all know how that works. But did you know the metadata also reveals the direction you were taking the photo. That’s a really neat little secret and normally only available in DLSR cameras.

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Is the Motorola X to be launched at Google I/O

There is rumblings on the web, that Motorola is possibly going to launch the X phone at Google I/O and it will come pre loaded with android lime pie.

Well great news if it does, but seriously unless Google sort out their customer service for hardware sales, there is no way I would buy anything from them.

Lets see what happens and if the X phone gets lauched, whether or not it is a start of the art device.

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One Month Later and 70 Countries +

My blog now is just over one month old. During the first month I have written over 219 articles. My blog is now read in over 70 countries and receiving in excess of 3,500 views. I am amazed at the spread of countries from here in the UK, across the USA, Norway, Canada, Japan, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Philippines and Australia being the top 10. But as an example there are people reading my blog from Russian Federation, Hong Kong, India, Poland, Israel, Mexico, Italy, Indonesia, UAE, Ukraine, Brazil, Belgium, France, Pakistan, Kuwait, China, Chile, Colombia, Isle of Man and many more. The global spread is unbelievable.

In the first month I have reviewed the following :-

1) Fiio E12 Mont Blanc Headphone Amplifier – this was the first review in the world for this amplifier, and reviewed before its official release.

2) Olloclip 3-in-1 Lenses for the iPhone 5

3) Trident Kraken iPhone 5 case

4) Bluetooth iPad Mini Keyboard Case

5) Glif+ for the iPhone 5

All the links for these can be found using the Index page. If you are using a mobile device, select Menu, then Index. Using the index you can also select Historical Reviews to find reviews I wrote some nearly 10 years ago, including the Virtual Keyboard, USB Drum Kit and Fridge.

Again using the Index, you can sort by android, Apple and RIM. Tech articles brings everything up including generic tech news.

Thanks for all your support wherever you are in the world!

Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2

Samsung is likely to introduce the Xcover 2 at MWC.

Specs being floated for the device, which carries model number S7110, include a 4-inch WVGA display, 5MP camera, and 1700mAh battery, all upgrades from the original Xcover. It will launch with Jelly Bean in Titan Gray and Red/Black color schemes.

It’s should include IP67 certification for the device, the same standard for the original Xcover approving the device for resistance to shock, dust, and dirt. It can also survive submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Now, implement the same sort of resilience in a flagship phone like the Galaxy S4 and then we’re really talking especially since Sony has done this with their new Xperia Z.

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Real Racing 3

This is the sequel to Real Racing 2, and the third instalment is meant to be significantly better. Due for a release next month, here is some of the features.

Real Racing 3 lets gamers compete against friends and rival drivers from around the world. Fans can race on real world circuits with powerful dream cars from all-new manufacturers like Porsche, Audi, and Dodge. With the improvements achieved with Real Racing 2, the team aimed to raise the bar on expectations and continue to give their artists the ability to create the most realistic graphic effects on cars on an individual basis. Including realistic reflections, customizable cars and improved details down to glosses and finishes, Real Racing 3 delivers the unique experience of speeding in some of the best cars on world famous race tracks.

Here is a link to the YouTube promo

Are you excited ?

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Further Impressions of the Fiio E12 Mont Blanc – Review

More impressions of the Fiio E12 Mont Blanc Headphone Amp

Further to my post with my initial impressions I thought I would some more feedback using specific tracks. For this test I am using an iPod Classic with a silver & copper line out cable and a pair of Sennheiser HD568 headphones. My music is ripped at mp3 320 bit rate. I have the E12 bass boost left on as the HD568 seem to sound so much better. The bass boost doesn’t seem to distort the sound, just add when the music needs some very low oomph but not in any way overpowering. Anyway here goes –

Dreams of New Orleans by Wycliffe Gordon – Chinatown – great separation of the trumpets from each side, and clear separation of the other instruments. A superb musical sounding song. The E12 presentation puts you right in the music. I feel like I’m grooving to the beat.

Greatest Hits by Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody – I had to turn the volume down for this track. The E12 did everything as before, even with voices but as the songs attack changes, the E12 seems to scale effortlessly with it. In fact as the track gets louder, the E12 just exploded with attack.

Thriller by Michael Jackson – Thriller – a classic track. At the start there’s great sub bass in the cemetery. The E12 reproduces the song very accurately picking out all the nuances.

Hit The Road Jack by Ray Charles – an old recording but has a superb toe tapping musicality produced by the E12.

Isla by Portico Quartet – Dawn Patrol – this track really defines just how good the E12 is sonically. The plucking of the bass strings, the deep bass, the other instruments all around too just produce an electric performance.

Fantasie by Nicola Benedetti – The Lark Ascending – the violin playing at the start is leaving goose bumps on me. The violin feels so alive. Airy. The E12 is producing a neutral but emotional sound. Mesmerising too.

Love me by Norah Jones – Norah’s voice sounds superb. Another very musical track.

I Heard Love is Blind by Amy Winehouse – Amy’s voice is so real with such precision on the guitar in the background. In fact the realism of the track is excellent.

In summary, the E12 plucks all the nuances from your music, making it sound alive with toe tapping musicality. It also does seem to have improved with low level bass after 3 hours use. It’s accurate, fairly neutral sounding and packs so much energy that your headphones perform magic.

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The Sony Eco System

Sony has just launched the new Xperia Z smartphone and is also bringing out a similar sleek tablet based on the style and specs of the phone.

But what I have found even more interesting is how these new products will increase sales and hopefully brand loyalty by pushing other Sony products. The tablet and smartphone all have special Sony options for NFC with Sony’s new Bravia TV’s and headphones allowing for slick coordination with each other. Use the Bravia TV remote and swipe your Z across it to transfer what’s on your Z to your TV screen. If your listening to music on your Z, swipe it across the new NFC headphones and the music plays through them.

Then there are the new Sony NFC accessories. All in all, the new Z smartphone and tablet is worth more than its initial sales. It could be a financial life saver for the company.

Samsung to Take on The IPad Mini with the Galaxy Note 8

Samsung seems to make a piece of tech to compete at every and any level, be it bottom end phones, mid level or top class smartphones. Not to be outshone by Apple and its iPad Mini, Samsung are very likely to release the Samsung Note 8, a 8 inch tablet.

The likely specs are –

Name: Galaxy Note 8.0
Product numbers: GT-N5100 (Wifi), GT-N5110 (Wifi/3G)
Battery: 4600mAh
Dimensions: 211.3×136.3×7.95mm
Weight: 330 grams
Screen: 8.0-inch Super Clear LCD @ 1280×800 resolution
Data: Quad-band EDGE, quad-band HSPA+ up to 21.1Mbps down, 5.76Mbps up (GT-N5110 only)
Cameras: 5MP rear, 1.3MP front
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 16/32GB options, expandable via microSD card
OS: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

This is likely to be shown at MWC.