Screen shot of the Google Now Launcher on the Samsung Note 4.
First up you get enlarged icons and only 4 icons per row except bottom row. Then there is loads of spacing. Swiping to the left reveals the Google Now cards.
So what’s your view. Out of place or ok or something else.
Reason for doing this was simply that I got bored with Nova and Apex Launcher.
Update – reset up Nova from scratch. So which do you prefer. Nova below.
Samsung’s Experience Stores received display stock of the new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Unfortunately, they are not allowed to display them until Saturday.
So if you’re near one of the Samsung Experience Stores this Saturday and thereafter, go have a play with the new phones. You next decision will be deciding on which version, edge of straight and then the colour.
Source – Samsung Experience Stores, Bristol
Apple announced the new MacBook and very quickly major PC companies were quick to remind Apple and everyone why it wasn’t so special or the fact it was twice as expensive as something similar they produced. Of course, the MacBook is the only computer that runs OSX that allows seamless integration with all Apple devices.
Our #DellXPS 13’s virtually borderless infinity display has 5.7M pixels – that's 2M more than a 12” retina display. http://t.co/mrT9uwo7C2—
Dell (@Dell) March 10, 2015
ZenBook UX305 is even slimmer than the new Macbook. It's also about half the price. #Incredible http://t.co/ATSENGVMIi—
ASUS North America (@ASUSUSA) March 11, 2015
WE SEE YOUR thin laptop (#SoLastYear) & raise you 3 modes, 2 USB ports & a higher-resolution touch display. http://t.co/vm3K08YCpt—
Lenovo (@lenovo) March 10, 2015
Source – Dell, Lenovo, Asus
Welcome to my review of the Microsoft Lumia 535. The Lumia 535 has a 5 inch IPS 960×540 screen, 9mm thick, 140x73x8.8mm and weighs 146g. The screen has 220ppi and is covered with Gorilla Glass 3. Microsoft include a quad-core Snapdragon 200 CPU running at 1.2GHz with 1GB of RAM. 1gb of RAM on a Windows Phone is plenty for most tasks as the operating system is not resource heavy. You get 8GB of storage with just over 4GB user available, but expandable with a micro SD card by up to 128GB. Finishing off the specs, the 535 has 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, GPS, ambient light and proximity sensors but just 3g coverage. There is no 4g.
Windows Phone has many strengths. It has now been over 14 months since I last had a Windows Phone. Since returning to the platform I have noticed a number of improvements which now make this phone and the platform so much better to use. The first pleasant surprise was being asked would I like to restore from my last backup some 14 months ago. I opted to go down this route and all just like that I was back in business. I have always liked the home screen tiles, that display all your information at a glance. But now there are home screen folders, a notification centre, Cortana, Skype baked in, and all the usual Microsoft Office, OneDrive, Here Drive offline navigation and more. Cortana really is a clever piece virtual assistant that so far has been marvellous. The 535 has 5mp cameras front (wide angled) and back and in good light they are able to capture some lovely shots. See samples below.
I did find the shutter speed not to be the quickest but I was surprised by the output. The phone comes with the Lumia Camera app which squeezes everything possible out of the optics. Manual modes are present too. Additional camera modes or lenses include Panorama, Refocus, Selfie, Storyteller and for editing you have Lumia Creative Studio. Other included apps are FM Radio, Microsoft Health & Fitness, MixRadio, Podcasts, Microsoft Sport, Travel, Weather and News. A Wallet app is included for keeping track of boarding passes, tickets, deals and more. The auto brightness did not adjust the back light enough in bright sunshine but manually adjusting brightness to max made the screen readable.
The loudspeaker is ok. It goes loud but is a little tinny. The speaker grill is located on the back of the phone. Sound via the headphone socket was above average and had a decent volume too.
We all know Windows Phone has fewer third party apps than android or iOS , but this time with the improved software and services, new apps to the platform and decent third party alternatives, I managed just fine with day to day activities on the 535. It was great to see Fitbit had arrived, along with BBC iPlayer, 4oD, ITV Player, Demand 5, Domino’s Pizza, and instagram. Even more specialist apps I use like Netatmo and WordPress were available. Microsoft have a page where they highlight some of the key apps for Lumia – http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/mobile/apps/lumia/
The Microsoft Lumia 535 is currently available for £59.95 on Pay as You Go, which for some will be ideal.
Google has widened its plans to sell more hardware accessories and devices by creating a dedicated website at https://store.google.com/ .
The UK storefront is selling phones, tablets, chromebooks, TV & Video, Android Wear, accessories and Nest products.
Of particular interest is the fact that the Asus ZenWatch is being sold on the UK store front for £199, and the new Pixel Chromebook will be available soon.
At MWC, Asus were showing off its Zenfone 2, a phone which is offering amazing value with huge specs. It it home territories, it is selling fast. Asus has now put this stunning video together to tempt you with all its power, camera and more.
Google has opened its first-ever branded shop, choosing the Currys PC World on London’s Tottenham Court Road as the location.
The store, to be called The Google shop, will sell the company’s range of Android phones and tables, Chromebook laptops, and Chromecast TV services. The shop will hold tutorials showing consumers how to use the devices and hold demonstrations showing off key Google apps. It will operate as a “shop in shop” within the Currys PC Word. Google plans to open two further areas within Currys PC Worlds in Fulham, west London, and Thurrock, Essex.
The shop will host regular classes and events. These will include tutorials about online security as well as how to use Google devices. It will also hold “Virtual Space Camps” to teach children the basics of coding, and “Open House” events where teachers can test potential educational tools.
Source Telegraph
Twitter user @onleaks have been revealing a number of apparent renders of the upcoming new LG G4. The new flagship from LG is meant to feature a metal based body, slightly curved and a overhaul of the LG software package. Some dimensions were also shared, with the LG G4 coming in at 148.9 x 76.5 x 9.9mm. The LG G3 is 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm meaning the LG G4 is larger than the outgoing LG G3. Also the camera looks significantly larger, maybe a 20mp affair.
So based on the photo renders, would you prefer this to the Samsung Galaxy S6 or HTC One M9?
On the official Android blog, Google stated that the 5.1 Lollipop update has began.
New features are native dual SIM support, joining Wi-Fi networks and controlling Bluetooth settings directly from the quick settings menu, and HD voice calling. Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 get a new Device Protection feature built in, ie. a kill switch.
Just a shame my Samsung Note 4 (UK official version) is still on Android 4.4!
Source -www.androidpolice.com
Based on the extensive news coverage yesterday, Google’s Android Wearable advert got lost in space. But here is there new android wearable advert.
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 