Smartphones can be complex beats. Thankfully LG has created a superb easy mode home screen as shown above. When selecting this mode, large fonts are also used.
Category Archives: Reviews
Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast – Episode 19 is live – Please RT
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 19, is now live for your listening pleasure.
WOW – 20 SMARTPHONE CAMERA SHOOTOUT – iPhone 5S, LG G3, HTC One M8, SAMSUNG S5, K Zoom & Note 3, SONY, NOKIA, NEXUS & HUAWEI
Not sure about which phone or brand takes the best photos, then have a look at this super sized collection of photos from all the best and latest smartphones and some budget phones as a comparison.
LG G3 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157645618979801/
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644532639249/
HTC One M8 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157643265004874/
HTC One M7 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644039700054/
Samsung S5 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157643875623354/
Samsung Note 3 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644034132513/
LG G Flex – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644114354349/
Samsung S4 Zoom – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644039495565/
Apple iPhone 5S – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644035336913/
LG Nexus 4 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644039660933/
Sony Z1 Compact Z1 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644028694521/
Sony Xperia Z1 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644039246935/
Sony Z Ultra – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644083052095/
Sony QX100 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644035811453/
Sony QX10 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644035335185/
Huawei Ascend P6 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644028833151/
Nokia Lumia 1520 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644035105534/
Nokia Lumia 1020 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644035516523/
Nokia Lumia 925 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157634991010769/
Nokia Lumia 620 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644083348093/
To see the sets in one indexed page click here – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/
So which phone is your winner?
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom software update – includes camera too
I was greeted this morning with the first software update for the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom. It’s installing now, so let’s hope my Bluetooth music streaming is fixed and the camera is tweaked in auto mode. I will report back tomorrow. Update. Camera firmware has been updated.
Also, the Samsung Apps app is now Galaxy Apps. New icon and interface.
Fight – LG G3 vs Samsung Galaxy K Zoom camera
Surely a camera centric device is going to obliterate the LG G3 with its 10 x optical zoom and xenon flash. And in certain conditions it will as you cannot beat optical zoom or xenon flash.
But have a look below at the camera samples, and decide which one is which and post your comments below. The first 2 are from the K Zoom and the last 2 from the G3. These are full resolution versions, so click to open up.
With these particular camera shots I prefer the ones from the G3.
LG G3 – First impressions
The LG G3 arrived yesterday. Going from the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom’s 720p screen to the G3’s Quad HD’s is light being punched in the face, such is the huge difference in the screen panels. The G3 is all about the screen. It is stunning.
The design of the G3 also means it is comfy to hold, and I am finding one handed use possible even though its 5.5 inch screen does make it a big device.
The other big difference over the K Zoom is storage (memory). The K Zoom came with 8gb (4.6gb user accessible) storage. My G3 is the 32gb/3gb ram model. It came with over 24gb user accessible. I left it downloading ALL my apps and ALL my games overnight. Well, nearly all. Some of my apps eg netatmo and the Amazon shopping app are not yet compatible for the high res screen resolution. This applied to a few games as well.
There is a lot to like about the G3 and an awful lot to take it as it has many many options. Simple it is not. Smart it is. More tomorrow.
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – official Samsung Protective case
A few days ago, I showed you a few cases from eBay that I had for the K Zoom. Well finally, I have from Samsung their official protective cover case. It costs £20 so is not cheap but it is so much better than the previous 2 cases I had.
First up, the case seems to make the K Zoom seem slimmer. Not by much but every little bit helps. Second the edges are grippy rubber. The zoom lens is slightly protected by the case due to it covering the very edge of the mechanism. The same protection is offered for the screen. The power and volume buttons are covered, but the 2 way camera button is uncovered. All other cut outs for the other parts of the phone are exactly aligned.
I will say this is the best case you can get for the K Zoom. Well, it is if the Samsung ever get more in stock!
LG G Watch – immediate first impressions
It’s BIG but surprisingly comfortable. Compared to the Samsung Gear and Samsung Gear 2 smart watches I’ve owned already, I prefer the style of the LG G Watch. I am so pleased I didn’t choose black as that probably would have been too heavy looking. But you may disagree.
Setting up was a breeze. Download the Android Wear app from the Google Play store and install on your phone. Next charge the watch. It has a magnetic piece that aligns over the entire back of the watch. So it just snaps into place and is held together via magnets. Next with the supplied micro USB cable plug it in and charge away. You have to select your language on the watch and confirm pairing with your phone and that is it.
I’ve been very busy with my day job, so at the moment I’ve not had much time to configure it further. I do like the fact that it’s powered by OK Google commands which on the whole work so far well. I’m trying a few tricks out, like when I get within 10 metres of home, the hall light turns on.
It’s really early days so I will give it a week or so and update you further with my views.
Shoulderpod S1 – Smartphone Rig/Tripod Mount – Review
The Shoulderpod S1 ,http://www.shoulderpod.com/shoulderpod-s1/, is the first smartphone rig/mount that I have used that secures my smartphone properly to my tripod. No wobbles, no more phones falling off my tripod in the wind. The most recent photos on my flickr account were taken using the S1. The shots are on my flickr account photostream https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/ . The Shoulderpod S1 costs Euro 29.90 which in my mind is excellent value as it has 3 different uses – a tripod mount, stand and film maker grip. Opening the box you are met with chunky pieces of apparatus which gives the immediate impression of quality. Compared to my previous mounts, the S1 is leaps ahead in terms of strength, construction and desgin. It really is on a different league to my previous equipment.
The S1 main tripod attachment piece is adjustable as shown above and comes complete with rubber inserts to protect your phone. It also fits a large number of phones too.
When attached to my tripod it provides a strong and secure fit. No longer are the strong winds on Dartmoor an issue. Or having the phone at an angle on the tripod is just as safe as being horizontal now.
Apart from the tripod mount, you can use it in the film maker grip mode, using the supplied strap. In fact, being a bit creative you can hang the strap over a branch to take that special shot. In addition, once you have finished taking your photos, just attach the weighted bottom piece and use it as a stand as shown.
The Shoulderpod S1 is so much better than my previous setup as shown below. with my old clamp, it was simply spring loaded with just a few areas lightly holding the phone to the clamp. Sometimes, this would mean the phone could fall out of the attachment. With the S1, you turn the thread screw at the top to widen the arms, and then turn the knob in the other direction to secure. This provides a superb clamped fit.
I have been using the Shoulderpod S1 for a while now and I am still just as impressed by it, as I was on the first day I received it.
Recommended!
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – cases
If you are lucky enough to have a Samsung Galaxy K Zoom, you are also unlucky in that accessories for this device are scarce at the moment.
You can buy a £2-3 wave silicone style case as shown quite easily but in my opinion it is ugly. There are now a few more styles, a yellow back style that provides less protection and when in stock Samsung have their fake leather looking case. The official fake leather Samsung case is in transit, and photos will follow shortly. There are other styles coming soon along and hopefully spare batteries which for a camera phone are needed.
The yellow back case shown , is more stylish than the black silicone case but does offers less protection. The top and bottom of the case is open and the buttons are exposed as opposed to the black silicone wave style where everything is covered and offers a lot of protection. Also, this case is too slippery. So even though the black case looks ugly it provides better grip and protection.
One other style of case made by Araree is Autopop, where even the lens is covered on the K Zoom, and pops open when you activate the camera.
Hopefully, I will be able to get hold of a number of different styles and do a quick comparison between them.
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 