Category Archives: Tech News

LG QuickCircle Cover Case for the LG G3 – review

Android, Reviews, Tech News,

20140805_102133
I have already reviewed the official LG Premium Hard case in Tan https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/lg-g3-premium-hard-case-in-tan-review/ for the LG G3, but now lets have a look at the QuickCircle case.

20140805_102120

First be careful when you order this case. There are different versions. First make sure you get the version for the G3 D855 and not the G3 F400. The F400 is the Korean model which has different positioning for the Qi charging pins and a cutout for the TV antenna.

20140805_102232

The version I am reviewing actually replaces the back cover and has the Qi charging pins. This is the better version as it offers the slimmest design as the G3 back cover is removed before fitting this case.

IMG_2478

First up this case fits like a glove, is slightly larger than without a case, but is also super cool. With a range of clocks which look smashing through the circular cutout, you also get access to the notifications icons. Sliding across the clock reveals the apps chosen to be displayed. So you can take a photo which is full screen unlike the Note 3. The “circle” is activated by either pressing the rear power button or double tapping in the “circle” area. You can double tap to turn off too.

IMG_2479

All the clock faces look classy.

IMG_2481

The rear of the case looks nearly identical to the original back cover.

IMG_2485

The only difference is on the top and bottom edges.

IMG_2486

In terms of operation, it is very easy to use and offers a cool factor too. You can take a call with the cover closed and you can still see the notification led. This case works fine with the LG Qi Wireless charger. There is even a game for the QuickCircle window and other apps are arriving all the time.

So far this in my favourite case for the LG G3. I still have the Slim Guard case to review.

Apple – the world awaits as the date is set – 9th September 2014 – here comes the new iPhone and more

Apple, Tech News, ,

On the 9th September 2014, Apple is holding a big media event. In fact I reckon it will be fever pitch. The new iPhone or iPhones will be announced. New software too. And one more new thing at least.

In other Apple news, iOS 8 beta 5 got released with more tweaks and bug fixes. Apple’s App Store had the best month ever in July 2014.

Is Apple going to show the world how to operate and create a health app along with slick hardware and software. Perhaps fitness bands or watches. New iPads too. New software integration with macs and iPhones and iPads. It really is about to get red hot in the Apple arena.

Of course, if the products are dull, then Apple will be doomed of course 😉

Breaking News – Apple and Samsung drop all patents disputes outside of the USA

Android, Apple, Tech News

Apple and Samsung have decided to drop all patent litigation in courts outside of the U.S. The decision ends cases that are open in Australia, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Netherlands, the U.K., France, and Italy.

Disputes over intellectual property related to the iPhone and Samsung phones will continue stateside, and neither party has agreed to a licensing arrangement of any kind.

“Apple and Samsung have agreed to drop all litigation between the two companies outside the United States,” the two companies said in a joint statement. “This agreement does not involve any licensing arrangements, and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts.”

This is a huge development and hopefully will lead to better innovation. Ironically, it is now Samsung who is being sued by Microsoft for non payment of patent royalties.

Samsung Note 4 and Samsung Galaxy Alpha F (the metal one) updates

Android, Tech News, , ,

Samsung has sent out invites for its unpacked event for IFA UNPACKED event next month in Berlin. The UNPACKED event will take place on September 3, and Samsung will take the stage at 2 PM to announce its fourth-generation phablet flagship.

The Note 4 is expected to feature a 5.7-inch QHD (2560×1440) display, an Exynos 5433/Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 16-megapixel with a Sony IMX240 sensor and optical image stabilisation and an ultraviolet sensor.

In other news leaked images of the metal Samsung have got leaked. Full photos covering all angles at http://www.sammobile.com/2014/08/04/leaked-photos-show-samsung-galaxy-alpha-in-white/ . The alpha is not meant to be a flagship beating phone as its screen will only be 720p and storage will be fixed at 32gb.

Review updates – What’s Coming Around the Corner

Android, Reviews, Tech News

Another quick update on the upcoming reviews.

The LG G3 review is nearly completed with just a few more parts to complete. The LG QuickCircle and Slim Guard cases are still to be reviewed, with the Quick Circle review landing this week, and next week or sooner for the Slim Guard case. The case reviews have got delayed due to matters outside of my control.

AKG K845 Bluetooth headphones review is in draft. This should be live soon.

Moga Game controllers as mentioned in the previous post.

LG G3 – Review – LG Health

Android, Reviews, Tech News, ,

20140803-195118-71478455.jpg

The LG Health app on the LG G3 can only be accessed by swiping to the right on the home screen. Above is the screen shot. If you have smart tips enabled then the health app takes up only half of the page with smart tips on the lower half of the screen. Tap on the LG Health button top left and you are taken into the app for further options.

20140803-195351-71631590.jpg

Here you can see your activity so far. Note this doesn’t record automatically. You have to on the recording tracks option as shown below.

20140803-195450-71690665.jpg

Here you can select a number of exercise options. For the purpose of this review I chose walking.

20140803-195557-71757955.jpg

You also have options to view your activity over a day, week, month and year. So yesterday I did a walk with my dogs over Dartmoor. I was also taking a number of photographs so I did stop periodically as well. After the walk you can view details of the walk as follows.

20140803-195819-71899425.jpg

20140803-195819-71899661.jpg

20140803-195819-71899871.jpg

20140803-195820-71900107.jpg

20140803-195820-71900302.jpg

The LG Health app is not as comprehensive as that found on the Samsung Galaxy S5. The S5 health app is phenomenal. But what you do get is a decent app with enough information to help you with your fitness.

In the 2 hours walk, the G3 battery dropped 9%. This also included taken 75 photos.

Tomorrow, I will look at some more features of the LG G3. Once again, any questions please ask.

LG G Watch – corrosion update

Android, Reviews, Tech News, Wearables, ,

Last week I posted an article detailing the corrosion on my LG G Watch charging pins. See here https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/lg-g-watch-review-update-design-disaster/ for further details and photo of corrosion.

According to a number of sources (android police, techradar and talk android ) LG is due to issue a software update to fix a hardware fault. Hmmm. Apparently, the software update with deactivate the pins unless sitting on the cradle. I remain skeptical.

I also have chased Google Play support twice now for an update and as of today’s date there has been no proper response. Poor show really.

Apple Stores conned out of $309,000

Apple, Tech News,

This story is unbelievable. The con was so simple yet so effective. Well, effective until the guy got caught.

Each Apple Store got conned out of around $7200’s worth of kit using a closed debit card account. Surely that’s not possible but that’s what a 24-year-old fraudster is alleged to have done not once but 42 times – value of con being $309,768!

The Tampa Bay Times reports that the East Tampa resident Sharron Parrish used an absurdly simple method to persuade Apple Store staff to override payment terminals after his transactions were declined …

When a card transaction is declined by a bank, sales clerks have the option of phoning the bank to see whether they will authorize the transaction. If the bank agrees, they issue the clerk with an override code they can tap into the terminal to allow the transaction to go through.

The problem is: the system doesn’t check this code – only the number of digits. This crazily lax-sounding security shouldn’t normally matter, as the clerk should only ever override a declined transaction after speaking with the bank on the phone. But what Parrish did was to pretend to call his bank, then tell the clerk they’d okayed it and asked them to tap in the code – which Parrish simply made up.

Some Apple Store staff refused to do it, and Parrish left other stores without any goods when staff grew suspicious, but on 42 occasions the clerks did as asked and forced the transaction through.

I still cannot believe this was allowed to happen.

Source – 9to5mac.com