The Samsung S Health app on the S5 is one of the best pieces of software. You can see from the screen shot above it includes a great number of options.
Now the heart rate monitor measures stress. So let’s see how I did.
Well that looks ok. Not sure how accurate this is though.
LG launched the LG G3 via a live stream on YouTube. However, most of the key specifications had been revealed prior to the launch.
Now that all the juicy info is officially out in the open, below are my brief views. First the key specs –
Android 4.4 KitKat
2.46 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 AC
5.5″ 1440 x 2560 (534 PPI) Quad HD screen
13 MP main camera with laser autofocus module / 2.1 front-facing camera
2 GB RAM / 16 GB storage / 128 GB micro SD support
LTE / Wi-Fi / NFC / BT 4.0 / SlimPort / USB Host & OTG
146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm
3,000 mAh battery – removable
Wireless Charging
Shine Gold & Titanium colours
Price £499
The G3 will have in some markets a 32gb/3gb ram. What I cannot understand is why LG just didn’t opt for a 32gb/3gb ram with wireless charging model as the defacto standard. That really would have made it a killer device. Judging by last years model, the G2 this only became available in the UK as a 16gb version.
The standard out features are the Quad HD 534ppi screen which covers nearly 77% of the front of the device, the 1 watt loudspeaker and the 13mp camera with laser focus and OIS.The camera also has phase detection something Samsung boasted about on the S5. Except LG add laser detection and OIS. So in theory the LG G3 should take good photos in all conditions especially with its F/2.0 and 1/3″ sensor. Having expandable memory via a micro SD card for media is useful too. And whilst the phone looks metal, it is plastic.
On the software front LG have opted for a flatter interface, with Smart Notice and Keyboard along with some other software tricks. With all these software enhancements, the proof is in the pudding. But it does look promising. Smart Notice is rather nifty as it can recommend deleting apps you havent used for in the last 2 months for example. Also LG has removed a number of duplicated apps and even give you the option of uninstalling pre installed apps. And LG has its own health apps.
Accessories. LG have not forgotten this area. They will have a clever QuickCircle Case (this displays your 6 most used apps), Harman Kardon headphones and Wireless charger. These all look superb.
The last stand out feature is the price. The 16gb model will cost £499.
So are there any negatives? It is a solid offering with many USP’s like the Quad HD screen, the 1 watt speaker and solid camera. If you are lucky enough to have the 32gb model then it becomes even more attractive. However, it is as big as the Sony Xperia Z2 and that is just too big for many people. It also is not dust and waterproof, does not have a finger print scanner and heart rate sensor. I know they are features not everyone wants, but specs make it easier to sell to Joe Blogs.
Overall I think LG did a great job improving the phone over and above the G2.
So if you want to preorder, head over to Clove Technology http://www.clove.co.uk/lg-g3
Australia is suffering a spate of iPhone and iPad hijackings at the hands of a hacker called Oleg Pliss—who demands $50 via PayPal to unlock each handset. There’s currently no sign of it spreading to the rest of the world.
You can follow this thread on Apple Support website here.
This is really not a good position with people losing control of their iOS devices.
Apple’s expanded its Reuse and Recycle programme to include iPads.
Now if you have an iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4 and iPad mini can walk into an Apple Store, and receive credit towards a new iOS device. However, Apple will not accept current-generation devices like the iPad Air or iPad mini with Retina display.
As with the iPhone programme, Apple will assess the condition of devices before providing a trade-in value. However, don’t expect a huge return if your iPad has seen better days or is in relative good condition. This is more about convenience.
Unlike Siri, when you asked “Ok Google”, set timer for 10 mins, it previously set the alarm in ten minutes time.
Now it actually sets the timer, and in the case of the Samsung S5, it activates the Clock App , and its timer.
A welcome change, but only at the moment for UK and US customers.
So Samsung let the pre order page go live for the Samsung K Zoom, it’s smartphone with a camera built in. Only one issue is the internal storage is 8gb with probably 3-4gb free for the user. I’m hoping it’s more than 4gb but I don’t know the exact figure yet.
So in preparation, I looked at all the apps installed on my Samsung Galaxy S5 along with the cache file sizes, and created a long list. I recall moving from the Samsung Note 3 with its 32gb storage to the S5, and really struggling trying to install all my apps. Now I am having to scale back again.
The biggest set back will be lack of games that can be installed. On my S5 I have 120 apps installed of which 40 are games. So far I reckon I might be able to install 5 small sized games.
But then I totalled all the apps are would need on the K Zoom and this total came to 3gb. Often it is not the app file size that is the issue, but more the cache. For example Flickr with its cache totals 128mb. Tweetings is 150mb. Google+ is 180mb. Hangouts is 70mb. Chrome is 250mb. Greader Pro is 100mb. And finally Gmail is 181mb. That’s a grand total of 1.059gb just for 7 apps.
Of course, as more and more system apps get updated, available memory will shrink. And the more you use the phone, the larger caches will increase.
Now before anyone says it has a memory card, it does but that memory card cannot be used for app installations. If you are lucky apps may save photos and media to the card, but that is about it.
Somehow, I need to survive with such a critically low memory. If there was going to be one reason why I cannot keep this phone, the memory would be it. Samsung should have at least given this 16gb storage.
The FT.com has reported that Apple is to launch it own app/service to integrate home automation into the iPhone and iPad. Apparently, Apple has been working with select hardware partners.
This is one area that is close to my heart. I already have app enabled accessories that control/connect to my weather station, lights, electric plugs, IP cameras and more. But controlling all these gadgets in to a single interface becomes a little bit more complicated.
If Apple can crack this, home automation could become second nature for many.
Why wait until tomorrow. Below are the screen shots from LG Netherlands showing the specifications in full.
It looks like it’s a only 16gb internal storage instead of 32gb which is a shame.
So here goes the next instalment on the LG G3 from LG.
In addition to the tech blog and local weather updates on Dartmoor, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast bi-weekly. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.
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Episode 14 – Prime Devices vs iPhone 6
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