Category Archives: Tech News

Why the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom is winning

Android, Reviews, Tech News,

With the LG G3 in the house fighting for top spot, I have been wondering why the K Zoom is winning.

For a start it has issues. Less since the software update. But it is fat and needs to go on a diet. It has a bulge sticking out for the zoom lens.

And yet I have no desire to sell or return the phone to Samsung, not that I can anymore either.

So why is it front of house? Simply, it is running android which has an excellent selection of apps. Samsung include a superb array of editing apps too and a huge selection of camera shooting modes to ensure you always will photograph the view in front, from action shots, panoramic, HDR, creative shots, waterfalls, light traces, fireworks and more. It takes the pain out of any guesswork.

But what else, well it has a full suite of connectivity options from WiFi, Bluetooth, DLNA and more. It is also a phone. The photos it takes are not class leading, but they are on the whole really excellent and shots I would not have been able to shoot on any other smartphone.

So the K Zoom is a winner.

LG G3 in harmony with the LG G Watch

Android, Reviews, Tech News, Wearables, ,

Just a quick update on my experiences of the 2 devices from yesterday.

It was a good day. Both devices got used a lot and I started to find more uses for the LG G Watch. My notifications were less, so battery at 8pm was around 51%. Still really a daily charge for this wearable.

The LG G3 really is outstanding. With the screen off, music playing and all the other apps running in the background, it hardly uses the battery. So much so, that my work BlackBerry Curve (due to high security this is a mandatory use device) was the one that needed the car charger!!

So referring back to my other post today, do I keep the LG G3/G Watch combo or the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom?

Answers on a postcard please 🙂

Apple’s “It just Works” – A Load of Nonsense

Apple, Tech News,

I used to love my Apple products, from my first iPhone, the iPhone 4, iPad, Mac, iPod Touch and Classic, all seemingly working in harmony. And then there was the bounty of apps and great games. In app purchases did not exist.

Move forward to 2013 and 2014 and Apple devices are more complex in features, which in turn means there is more things to go wrong. My iPhone 5 for example would losse reception, never to reappear unless the phone was rebooted. My iPad Air battery life recently fell by 50%. And this is the tip of the iceberg.

Roll forward to the current time, and I was wondering why my parents iPhones and iPads weren’t allowing FaceTime or iMessages. My dad had everything configured correctly and my mum had somehow had all the settings for iMessage and Facetime switched off. She had no idea how that had happened. Anyway, with both parents on the same network, and everything all on, my mum could still not send my dad an iMessage. It kept going to send the text as an SMS. I advised them in many different ways, but in the end “it just didn’t work”.

The cure was for my dad to send an iMessage to my mum. And then for her to reply to that message. Somehow that corrected everything.

Regardless of the issues, Apple still have the best eco system and still manufacture some of the most desirable hardware. Lets hope iOS 8 improves matters and that the new iPhone has a long battery life.

LG G Watch – update after a few days

Android, Reviews, Tech News, Wearables, ,

I’ve had the G Watch after a few days. I’ve been out in public with several people asking if it’s a smart watch. And everyone asked if it was a Samsung. Nobody had heard of LG.

I’ve started to use it a bit more in its natural format. I was shocked to find at 6pm a low battery card. The battery was at 14%  – the watch wasn’t even going to make it till the end of the day!

Unless some decent updates arrive soon I just worry that it’s battery life will hamper its usefulness.

In summary at the moment it’s an expensive bit off plastic with potential. 

LG G3 – quick thoughts

Android, Reviews, Tech News

I’ve been really busy so not had as much time yet to spend with the G3 as I would have wanted.

My thoughts so far. 32gb storage available on my phone is bliss. I have endless space.

The camera. So far it’s been ace. Lots of indoor shots with people and really smashing results. Outdoor shots are equally good. Even low light. I still want more time with the camera though to give my final verdict.

The feel and software. The LG feels different to everything I’ve used in a long while. Consequently, I need to experience it’s character for longer to come to any conclusions. But I’m liking the experience more than the Samsung Touchwiz.

My main dilemma is still would I chose the G3 over the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom. Answer. No comment. 

Vertu and Bentley join forces to make a $10,000 phone

Android, Tech News

vrtu

Android Central (www.androidcentral.com) has reported that Bentley and Vertu have teamed up in an exclusive five-year partnership to produce a new series of luxury smartphones. The first handset will launch in October and will be followed by a further four units, encompassing authentic Bentley design elements. Since Vertu has done Android in the past, it’s not far-fetched to imagine the company releasing rather extravagant Google-powered devices.

“Exclusive Bentley content will appeal to drivers, travellers and brand enthusiasts, through a partnership that delivers on both technology and touch. Today, we see the marriage of two great brands with an international presence and quintessential British heritage and character. The unique experience of luxury and performance inherent in every Bentley has now found further expression in the world’s most desirable mobile phone.”

I would have ordered one of these new phones, but feel I should ask you my readers to contribute towards my Bentley and Vertu fund 😀

Samsung Galaxy Tab S – Impressions

Android, Tech News,

tabs

Samsung have just launched a week or so ago another tablet. I must admit their range of tablets is rather confusing, but as of today’s date the Tab S is their flagship tablet, coming in 2 sizes, 8.4 and 10.5 inch screens. Each size has the option of white/gold or bronze/gold and with wifi only or wifi plus cellular. Apparently there will be 2 storage sizes, 16 and 32gb plus a memory card slot.

So what is all the fuss about this new tablet. Its the new amoled screen and its 6.6mm thickness.

I have not bought one of these tablets, I merely spent some time in a store using both the 10.5 and 8.4 inch versions. Firstly, the bronze finish is fantastic. I would not waste my time with the white colour unless white is your fad. It is incredible thin, and the overall profile is stunning. And then the screen. Everything does pop out at you. Luckily, the iPad Mini retina was next to it so I could compare the screens. And you know what, despite the Tab S clearly having a more saturated screen and looking better when you first use it, the iPad Mini screen felt more natural to look at photos, and even though the Tab S had a better pixel resolution, the iPad screen just looked more natural and overall the difference was minimal.

In fact, whilst the Tab S is impressive, I was a little disappointed. Now if this had the stylus, then this is a unique USP for Samsung. Sadly, this is not the case with the Tab S. It’s a good offering from Samsung, but it is not leap years ahead of any iPad. In fact, due to iOS iPad specific apps, it is probably still wiser to purchase an iPad for the broader range of tablet apps.