Category Archives: Tech News

Pre-Order the Samsung K Zoom – Price and Opening Offer – updated

Android, Tech News

This morning, I awoke to an email from Samsung advising the Samsung K Zoom is available to pre-order from Samsung’s UK Store for £400. This is much lower in price than expected. If you pre-order, you also get a free case. It appears the pre order info is only available via the link.

Link to Samsung UK Store – http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/mobile-devices/smartphones/android/SM-C1150ZKABTU?cid=uk_email_k-zoom-preorder-find-out-more-first-button_20140521

Details of specs and video, click here for my first post on this phone https://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/introducing-the-new-samsung-galaxy-k-zoom-video/

And I will be reviewing this phone 🙂

If you want 10% off via the Samsung store use this code NPR-14G-QKY-WSZ while it lasts. That makes the K Zoom £360.

eBay has been compromised – change your password NOW

Tech News,

If you haven’t already heard ebay has been compromised or hacked a few months back. Sensitive data was obtained and as a precaution eBay is asking all members to change the password asap.

As a guide, don’t use the same password or something very similar to other website passwords. Make sure your password is 8-10 characters long, contains upper and lower case letters, symbols and numbers. Do not used “Password1234” or anything like it.

The worst part is I still have not heard anything from eBay. It is however, all over the news and from all the credible news websites. Even worse is that the actual data stolen is enough for a villain to perform identity theft.

Just makes me wonder if any online site is safe and will we reach a time when the internet becomes less online due to out of control theft.

Moto 360 – Motorola’s Smart Watch – more info

Tech News, Wearables

moto360

According to Techradar, the Moto 360 will charge wirelessly via magnetic induction. No more mysteries as to its charging method.

The information was given to Techzine and translated for TechRadar. The publication says it spoke to Motorola programme manager Philip Worth, who confirmed suspicions that the watch would use a wireless method for juicing its battery.

Wireless charging is currently used on a number of smartphones, but the Qualcomm Toq is the only major smartwatch charging without wires right now.

The Moto 360 is rumoured to be arriving this July with a price of around £200/$340/AU$365.

Hackers Devise Wireless Methods for Stealing ATM Users’ PINs

Tech News

Hackers Devise Wireless Methods for Stealing ATM Users’ PINs. Clearly Hackers are moving with the future tech.

Pilfering the personal identification numbers of financial accounts, a potential jackpot for hackers, is tougher to pull off thanks to data encryption and other security technologies. Yet the arms race continues: Hackers are devising more creative methods to intercept PINs at ATMs, the clearest path to instant cash. “It just blows you away how sophisticated these folks are in thinking this stuff up,” says Bryan Sartin, director of the team at Verizon Communications (VZ) that investigates data breaches.

Schemes to steal PINs from ATMs and similar machines now include Hollywood-style corporate espionage, Sartin says. Crooks have long fitted ATMs and gas pumps with phony number pads and card readers to retrieve debit card PIN data. That was a risky approach, because they had to set up the equipment and then come back to remove it without getting caught. Now, with banks using wireless Internet connections to monitor ATM cash flow and update software, hackers can filch PINs remotely, according to a Verizon report. Fraudsters are also taking an Ocean’s Eleven approach—getting jobs with technical-support companies that give them access to ATMs, then installing malware that can transmit PIN data to an e-mail address or a phone.

A great article from BusinessWeek. Read the rest of the article here.

Even More info on the HTC One M8 Prime

Android, Tech News,

Yesterday, I mentioned the M8 Prime will have the following –

– waterproofing
– Cat 6 LTE radio – very fast
– Snapdragon 805
– 5.5 inch WQHD screen
– 3gb ram

And the best part is its material. Not aluminum but an aluminium silicon carbide composite. This is a material of silicon carbide particles dispersed in a matrix of aluminium alloy.

And now @evleaks revealed the photos of the rear camera. Note how the rear camera now protrudes. It will be interesting to see what mega pixels this new sensor has become.

prime m8

prime-m8-2

My only concern about this device is its potential size. The current HTC One M8 is in phablet territory and this is certainly looking even larger.

Microsoft launches the Surface Pro 3 – Video and Views

Tech News, Windows

So yesterday, Microsoft launched the Surface Pro 3.

The Surface Pro 3 incorporates a kickstand on the device, which is multi-stage. It is 9.1mm thick and weighs 800g.

“This is the tablet than can replace your laptop,” claims Panay. Microsoft has moved to a 12-inch screen on the Surface Pro 3 with a 3:2 aspect ratio and HD display, but the new tablet also has thin bezels with a silver and black design. Microsoft will start accepting pre-orders on the Surface Pro 3 tomorrow starting at $799. That price does not include the new Type Cover keyboard which costs a $130.

The new Type Cover keyboard cover features a new touchpad that includes backlit keys. The keyboard can magnetically attach itself to the front of the Pro 3 to offer improved stability while on your lap. Neat. Also unveiled was a $200 docking station to use the new Surface as a makeshift desktop. This allows for three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0, Ethernet and audio to the device. The dock also lets you output video at 4K through its Mini DisplayPort.

So Microsoft claim that with this device you won’t need a tablet as well since this will replace your laptop. Only one issue is the high price, and for some tasks it is totally possible to use a tablet in a business environment at 50% or more less expensive. But for some needs this device looks great.

The real test will be the real user reviews. What do you think?

Nokia Lumia 630 goes on sale in the UK for £89 – includes Bing Health and so much more

Tech News, Windows,

Microsoft are clearly aiming the Nokia Lumia 630 squarely at the Motorola Moto E with its launch price of £89. Seems like a good deal, especially considering all the extra Nokia software that comes with this phone. I previously reviewed the Nokia Lumia 620 and really liked it, but this is being launched at nearly half the price. It also comes with Bing Health, so this certainly will be worth obtaining to see how it performs for its price point and that it comes with Windows 8.1 out of the box! Available from the 29th May 2014.

630

Press release –

Microsoft Devices today announced that the new Lumia 630 will become available in the UK on 29th May 2014. The most affordable Lumia smartphone to date delivers an unrivalled smartphone experience, boasting a quad-core processor and large screen at an exceptional price point of only £89.95. The Lumia 630 also features the award-winning design and experiences found on high-end Lumia smartphones and is the first device to launch with Windows Phone 8.1.

A quad-core Snapdragon processor to deliver a lightning fast experience with Word Flow, Internet Explorer and social apps like WhatsApp, WeChat and Instagram.

The Lumia 630 showcases a new matte polycarbonate design with changeable shells available in a range of fashionable and bold new colors.

Better entertainment with Xbox games, free music streaming and unique picture applications like Storyteller which really come to life on the 4.5” screen. The ClearBack screen offers great viewing angles and visibility – even in bright conditions.

Simple features make the phone a joy to use, for example, just one swipe will show notifications from email, social apps, texts and calls. There is also the new Microsoft Enterprise feature pack, Microsoft Office, OneDrive, Camera, and HERE Maps and Drive+, all of which work seamlessly to make the Lumia 630 a great tool for both the boardroom and the lounge.

New SensorCore technology also brings low power motion sensing to accessories to help people track their activity – perfect for exercise and exploration using apps like Bing Health and Fitness.

A large 1830mAh battery means the Lumia 630 can keep up with you all day.

A wealth of storage is available, with memory expandable by up to 128GB via memory card, supporting easy saving and the ability to switch locations where you keep your pictures, videos, music, maps and apps.

The Lumia 630 goes on sale in the UK with Carphone Warehouse, EE, O2, Tesco and Amazon. It will be available in a range of colours including bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, white and black.

Samsung Music Hub – ending – details

Android, Tech News

I reviewed the following email from Samsung –

“Dear Samsung Music (Music Hub) customers,

As of July 1, 2014, Samsung Music will no longer be available. We will be in touch to provide you with details on how to continue your music experience with Samsung.
We ask that you please take the time to download all purchased content and use any remaining vouchers for Samsung Music before July 1, 2014 – after that date they will no longer be available.

We appreciate your understanding, and our Customer Support team will be available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. (http://help.content.samsung.com)

Thank you,
Samsung Music Team ”

So it seems Samsung is really starting to ramp down its own Bloatware.

Polarized sunglasses with Xperia Z2 don’t mix – now HTC One M8

Android, Tech News,

Xperiablog is reporting sunlight and polarised glasses don’t work with the Sony Xperia Z2.

” If you are someone that wears polarised sunglasses and are interested in the Xperia Z2, then you should know that due to the polarisation of the display, the Xperia Z2 is not viewable in landscape mode. This means that if you wanted to take pictures, for example, you would need to remove your sunglasses.”

Surely this is an oversight by Sony.

Updated – according to Paul O’Brien of Modaco the HTC One M8 is also affected.