Category Archives: Tech News

Google Music All Access – What are Google thinking? Users furious with new update

July 6, 2015Android, Tech Newsgenres removed, Google Music All Access, Google ruins serviceGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Notice anything unusual. In the new update Google Music no longer has all the genres like jazz and classical. They have removed them.

No option in top charts or new releases. Apparently, you’re meant to access other genres via the radio channels which remove the ability to properly choose a new album or song other than the genres shown in screen shots.

If this is the new Google Music when my trial is over I won’t be renewing.

I’m not alone. Brace yourself for some very upset users – https://productforums.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/play/i9meVyGV2so

Is Google offering another free 6 months Google Music All Access trial ? Read how you could get another 6 months?

July 6, 2015Android, Tech Newsfree trial for 6 months, Google Play Music All AccessGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Something odd happened yesterday.

I was perusing through the settings on my LG G4 within the Google Play Music app, tapped my email address, this brought up another screen with an offer to try All Access on a trial basis for free for 6 months. It had some text re being a Samsung phone which was even weirder.

Previously, I have had 2 free trials from Google Play Music All Access, and have not been able to redeem any offers on my account since.

Since I discovered this I am aware of a few others who have also been able to activate the trial. So maybe it’s worth checking your own android phone now.

LG G4 vs Xiaomi Mi Note Pro – Camera Shootout

July 6, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newscamera shootout, LG G4, Xiaomi Mi Note ProGavin Fabiani-Laymond

2 flagship phones in a classic and simple camera shootout. All in auto hdr mode, so which phone do you prefer the shots from.

It is worth noting the G4 is able to use all its 16mp at 10:9 aspect ratio, whereas the Mi Note Pro ends up at 10mp.

In every comparison shot, it is the LG G4 first, then the Xiaomi Mi Note Pro.

And again the G4 first, then Mi Note Pro.

Ok same again. G4 first.

G4 first again.

So which do you prefer?

Xiaomi Mi 4i, Mi Note Pro, Mi Band and Mi Headphones – Updated

July 5, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsMi 4i and Mi Band, Mi Note Pro, software updates, XiaomiGavin Fabiani-Laymond

I am currently testing 4 products from Xiaomi.

I have only had these for about 2 weeks or less and what I have noticed is something over manufacturers like Samsung and LG seem to omit – regular software updates.

3 devices have received updates. The Mi 4i has had 2 over the air firmware updates. The Mi Note Pro is receiving and updating as I type this. The Mi Band had an update yesterday. Obviously the Mi Headphones don’t receive firmware updates.

Xiaomi also seems very active in their forums as are the fans.

All 4 devices will be reviewed over the coming weeks with small post updates before the main review.

Xiaomi Mi Band – First Impressions

July 4, 2015Reviews, Tech News, WearablesFirst Impressions, Review, Xiaomi Mi BandGavin Fabiani-Laymond

I’ve been using the Mi Band for a few days now. I have the Mi Band on my left hand and my LG Watch Urbane on my right hand.

The Mi Band and app both have received recent updates too.

But the stand out feature is battery life. 3 days in and still over 90%!

More soon.

If you are shopping on Amazon, please use this special link, it costs you NOTHING but really helps Gavin’s Gadgets – Pls RT

July 4, 2015Amazon, Tech Newsshopping on amazonGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Can you help Gavin’s Gadgets? Actually you can. If you decide to buy anything on Amazon, please use the special link below to visit Amazon UK. By using this link, you will help support Gavin’s Gadgets with all the running costs and more, and yet it won’t cost you anything when you shop on Amazon UK. That’s right the price you pay at Amazon is the same whether you use the link below or not.

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LG G4 – Why you need a phone with a removable battery

July 3, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsLG G4, thoughts on the batteryGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The above screen shot is from my ViewRangerGPS app. The gold circles were my POIs that I walked yesterday early morning.

About 8 miles in total across some very steep gradients and high altitudes.

I then decided to walk another route across Dartmoor, taking 5 more hours.

When my LG G4 battery started to drop to 5%, I removed the back cover and slipped in my spare battery. And voila back to 100%. That’s faster than any Quick Charging 2 technology as well!

Integrated batteries are ok, but sometimes you can’t beat having a spare in your wallet. Also negates the need to carry power banks that are normally a lot larger than a spare battery!

LG G4 – The Default Launcher is actually better than you thought

July 3, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech News7 icons in the G4 dock, home launcher, LG G4, suits themeGavin Fabiani-Laymond

This is the LG launcher screen shot from my G4.

The free theme from the LG store is called Suits which improves the look dramatically.

The next item I discovered yesterday is the dock allows 7 icons and resizes them smaller the more you add.

A call that a result!

60 Reviews covering Smartphones from all Platforms, Tablets, Laptops and Chromebooks

July 3, 2015Amazon, Android, Apple, BlackBerry, Firefox, Reviews, Tech News, Windows60 Reviews of Smartphones, Amazon, android, Apple, FireFox, windowsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The reviews pages often get unnoticed, but this is where you will find my reviews on smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables, internet of things, accessories, headphones, DAC’s and power amps. There are also historical reviews covering some popular classic smartphones. Whatever device you’re browsing on, just click menu, reviews, or if on a PC web browser, reviews and then choose the sub category.

Tablets/Laptops/Chromebooks

Nexus 9 – First Impressions
Nexus 9 Tablet review
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 Tablet review
Samsung Galaxy NotePro 12.2 – 9 Part Review
Sony Xperia Z Tablet – 12 Part Review
Nvidia Shield Tablet – 7 Part review
Acer V15 Nitro Windows 8.1 laptop review
Acer C720 Chromebook review
Acer Aspire Switch 11 review
Acer Iconia 8 Android Tablet review

Amazon Devices

Amazon Fire Phone – 2 Part review

Apple Phones

Apple iPhone 6 Plus – 24 Part Review

BlackBerry Phones

BlackBerry Passport 10 Part Mammoth review

Android Phones

Xiaomi Mi 4i – First Impressions

3 Way Camera Shootout – Xiaomi Mi 4i vs LG G4 vs Huawei P8 – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/06/30/3-way-camera-shootout-lg-g4-vs-huawei-p8-vs-xiaomi-mi4i/

Xiaomi Mi Note Pro (Xiaomi’s Flagship Phone) – Main review coming soon. In the meantime, 19 camera shots – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/07/02/xiaomi-mi-note-pro-camera-shots/ and First Impressions https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/06/29/xiaomi-mi-note-pro-first-impressions-and-photos-the-flagship-from-xiaomi/

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge review
Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge – Hands On
Samsung Galaxy A5 review
Samsung Note Edge – 14 Part Review
Samsung Note 4 – lollipop review
Samsung Note 4 – 17 Part Review
Samsung Galaxy Alpha – 2 Part review
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – 26 Part Review
Samsung Galaxy S5 – 17 Part Review
Samsung Note 3 – 16 Part review
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom – 18 Part Review
Samsung Note 2 – 8 Part review

LG G4 – Full Review plus all 26 additional posts
LG G4 – Hands on and First Impressions
LG G3 review – 31 Part Review
LG G Flex – 3 Part Review

HTC One M9 review
HTC Desire 820 review
HTC Desire Eye – 13 Part Review
HTC One M8 – 11 Part review
HTC One M7 – 20 Part Review

Acer S55 review – 6 Part Review

Yotaphone 2 – 4 Part review

Oneplus One – review

Huawei P8 review
Huawei P8 – First Impressions and Camera Shots
Honor 4X review
Honor 6+ – My Review
Honor Holly – 4 Part review
Honor 6 – 12 Part Review
Huawei Ascend P6 Review

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Lollipop Impressions
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact review
Sony Z Ultra views and Camera Samples
Sony Xperia Z1 – 10 Part Review

Motorola Moto X – 4 Part review
Motorola Moto G – 8 Part review

Windows Phone

Nokia Lumia 830 vs Samsung Note 4 camera
Nokia Lumia 830 – First Impressions / What App Shortages?
Microsoft Lumia 535 review
Nokia Lumia 1520 – 6 Part review
Nokia Lumia 820 – 5 Part review
Nokia Lumia 1020 – 10 Part review
Nokia Lumia 925 – 9 Part review
Nokia Lumia 620 – 7 Part review

Other

ZTE Open Review – Firefox OS

If you are buying anything on Amazon, please use the link below. This will help support Gavin’s Gadgets with all the running costs and more and won’t be any different in cost. Without your support it will be difficult to continue. Thanks in advance.

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Xiaomi Mi Note Pro – Camera Shots

July 2, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newscamera shots, Review, Xiaomi Mi Note ProGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The Xiaomi Mi Note Pro is similar to the Mi 4i that I currently own. The camera app follows a similar path except it has HDR Auto mode and a few other tricks. Below are some camera shots from the Mi Note Pro.

I noticed that panoramic shots are rather small in file size. Overall, the photos look fairly reasonable. However, the camera performance in my opinion not in the same league as the LG G4.But what do you think?

I will cover off more aspects of the Mi Note Pro when I post my full review as it does have some true flagship winning aspects.