Category Archives: Tech News

Unlock the full potential of the Samsung Note 4 camera – wow

Android, Reviews, Tech News, , ,

Disclaimer – I am at the early stages of exploring this but so far my results are mixed. This only applies if you are using a snapdragon Note 4.

So here goes the explanation. Samsung use strong processing of any photo taken by the Note 4. Over sharpened and more. It is possible to unlock the potential of the Note 4 camera using a non rooted method and take shots without these effects.

Step 1 – install Snap Camera HDR. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marginz.snap&hl=en . Note most third-party apps can’t make use of the 1/8s (or, in cases, even the 1/15s) shutter speed but max out at either 1/15s or 1/30s, bumping up the ISO used to twice or four times that of the ISO needed at 1/8s. This app according to preview can access the extra control required. It also allows sharpening to be turned off or on the controlled limits.

Step 2 – head over to the developers page on XDA Developers Forum – http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=35633104&postcount=1 and follow the steps to become a beta tester. After installing and paying for the app above, it will be updated to the beta version. None of the magic can occur without the beta version.

Step 3 –

Follow and read the detailed posts on DPReview part 1 . Ultra low light tips and a Nokia Pureview 808 vs Fuju XE-1 and Note 4 – http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3781966

Part 2 – Tips for broad daylight and very high shutter speeds – http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3782300

Part 3 – Tips and tricks shooting HDR – http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3782850

In hindsight, it might be best to start from Step 3 to understand everything.

Happy reading!

So far my results have been mixed. Unsharpened photos do look good but sometimes I prefer the saturated sharpened look from the Samsung app. Also, the default Samsung app has some really good algorithms at play. Snap Camera HDR has some great options but it also seems to have issues focusing at times in poor light. Maybe once the Note 4 gets lollipop the camera and third party apps will be able to have even greater control.

I have also been trying the Google Camera app again with mixed results. I would be interested to see if you are using any other apps yourself. If you are leave a note in the comments.

Three UK in a £9 billion bid for O2 – views

Tech News

“Three UK owner Hutchison Whampoa is looking at buying O2. This would mean even less mobile operators, with the UK mobile market dropping from four three carriers. Hutchison Whampoa, the owners of Three UK is ready at the stage where it is offering a £9 billion bid for Britain’s second-biggest carrier.

This follows BT’s £12.5 billion bid for EE.”

I am not sure this is good news as less competition could mean higher pricing, redundancies, shop closures but maybe investment in providing a better network service (signal, data speeds).

What do you think about this news?

Source – http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-18/hutchison-may-bid-13-6-billion-for-u-k-s-o2-sunday-times-says.html

Noreve cases – my custom Samsung Note 4 case

Android, Reviews, Tech News

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Noreve produce cases for all phones including iPhones and the Samsung Note 4 and Note Edge. You can order off the shelf, decide between different design options eg flip,  book or other.

I quite like the above style. Instead of the standard black, I went for the exclusion leather in sable vintage. This adds about 10 euros to the cost. There are a choice of leathers, colours and other options from adding a belt clip. The most expensive leather adds 100 euros.

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The case comes in a pouch that’s then inside the red box. All very pretty but what counts is the case. The leather is awesome.  With age it will look better but it is meant to mark with ease. But as you can see the power and volume buttons are not covered. I prefer this arrangement as when covered you have more chances of pressing the buttons by accident. The only concern I have is the exposed topside bottom corners. It is also thicker than Samsung’s own protective hard case.

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Some of you may prefer the Samsung type of case. I personally like the Noreve and the vintage leather.

Black Mirror – 15 Million Merits

Tech News,

Welcome to the future. This was a 2011 3 part TV series made for Channel 4. I watched it for the first time on Netflix.

All 3 programmes in Season 1 focus on technology as the angle and are quite provocative too. The first episode combines social media with a terrorist scenario plus a pig and Prime Minister of the UK. Episode 2 called 15 Million Merits takes you into a virtual reality world complete with adverts. This is something I really could see happening. The last episode is all about an implant that records your life.

This series is somewhat weird but compelling. If you have not watched it, I recommend you try and view it.

Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast is now live – Please RT and spread the word

Amazon, Android, Apple, Blackberry, Reviews, Tech News, Wearables, Weather, Windows,

As you know, I co-host a monthly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast.

To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.

Episode 30, Hot Gadgets is now live for your listening pleasure.

If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a 5 star review in iTunes. It helps others find our podcast. Go now and leave a review !

If you have any comments, questions or feedback, please drop a line at feedback@gdtpodcast.com or in the comments below.

And finally, our thanks to Audible as today’s podcast is supported by Audible- get a FREE audiobook download and 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/GavDave . Over 150,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle or mp3 player. No obligation.

Apple Pay is storming the USA

Apple, Tech News,

“Apple Pay launch partner Bank of America on Thursday revealed that nearly 800,000 of its customers had signed up for Apple’s nascent mobile payments initiative, bringing 1.1 million cards to the service in the last three months. Bank of America has 60 million customers.”

This is just one financial institution sharing its success of Apple Pay. What is even more important is that these 1.1m Apple Pay users are more than likely ones that spend money too. Impressive stats.

Source – appleinsider.com

Every unreleased Android Flagship Specs revealed – full details

Android, Tech News,

This is full details of my exclusive “prediction/factual” of every android flagship to be announced shortly. This is world exclusive stuff that every tech website is posting. So here goes the rocket science.

Every phone will feature a 2K screen from the HTC One M9 to Samsung Galaxy S6 to Joe Bloggs. A minimum 13mp Optical Image stabilised rear camera, unless it some Chinese/Korean device that has some odd twin 8mp setup or the new iPhone. The processors used will be a Snapdragon 810. And they will all feature android lollipop out of the box.

Disclaimer – whilst the above is true it is also taking the biscuit too. But in reality expect most new android flagships to have the above as a minimum.

What I do hope is that 32gb storage for a flagship is used plus micro sd expansion. There is no way I could use anything less. Water and dust resistance will feature on many devices too. What could differentiate one flagship from another is the software unique selling points. So who will still the crown this year? Samsung, HTC, Sony, Huawei, OnePlus or another manufacturer?