Category Archives: Tech News

Brando Shopping – iPhone Armband review

Brando Shopping sell a great case for the fitness types or those that like having a case strapped to their arm. Whilst this case is stated as being waterproof I would be careful as rain could come thru from underneath via the flaps as shown on the photos. Showerproof more likely I would have thought.

The official specs are –

Features
Lightweight, breathable neoprene material
With earphone port opening
Ultra comfortable
Keep your device secure while running or workout
Easy adjust to fit your arm
Waterproof transparent plastic cover
Length: 43.7cm

Colours
Black
Pink
Blue
Red

Compatible Models
iPhone 5
iPhone 5c
iPhone 5s

I’ve used this quite a bit whilst walking my dogs and have found it really handy.

Available from Brando Shopping.

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Bill Gates – I’ve done my time

Bloomberg reported Microsoft Corp. (MSFT ▼-0.69% 36.13) Chairman Bill Gates will work on philanthropy full time for the rest of his life and contribute part time as a board member of the software maker, which is seeking a new chief executive officer.

Gates, speaking in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “In the Loop with Betty Liu,” didn’t indicate whether Microsoft’s board was closer to choosing a replacement for CEO Steve Ballmer, who is retiring this year.

Amazing to think Bill Gates has done more good for the world than Apple’s chairman.

Alternatives to LogMeIn – updated

Over on twitter discussions were occurring over LogMeIn alternatives.

Kevin Wright suggested Team viewer.

TeamViewer is a key LogMeIn Pro/Free competitor, TeamViewer still comes in a freebie version for individuals. If you’ve been using LogMeIn, this should be a straightforward rip and replace. Best of all, TeamViewer has clients for Windows, Android, iOS, Windows Phone and even Windows 8/RT. It’s really well-supported regardless of which platform(s) you prefer.

Or you can use Chrome Remote Desktop. This is a chrome Web browser extension and with this you can remote access your PC or MAC via the Chrome Web browser.

Update – I have also found Splashtop. Its not free, but for just over £3 in the Google Play store it is the solution I have now settled on.

Job sorted.

If you have another option please drop a note in the comments.

Brando Shopping – Momax 3,200 Universal Power Pack Plus Battery Charging Kit – review

Brando Shopping sent me the Momax Universal Power Plus kit for the Samsung Note 3. I have to say this is absolutely brilliant. Not only can you charge the spare battery and your phone at the same time, but when you need to carry the spare battery with you it comes with it’s own little protective plastic case as shown in the photos. A neat touch. When you order this you can select which plug adapter you need or buy the whole set if you travel a lot. The presentation and parts that come with this are excellent. Charging the battery couldn’t be simpler. Just insert, and wait for the charging light to change green. The charger then switches to low energy mode. The battery doesn’t have the NFC chip.

Key Features
U.PACK Universal Power Pack PLUS 3200mAh Battery Power – Samsung Galaxy Note 3
One AC Adapter comes with USB Charging Output PLUS Battery Charging Slot
Special Package with Battery Power
Travel, Outdoor and Camping Package
3200mAh Battery Included

Adapter Options:
USA Adapter
EUR Adapter
AUS Adapter
UK Adapter

Package Includes
1 set U.PACK Universal Power Pack PLUS 3200mAh Battery Power – Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Available from Brando Shopping

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Are we safe to have a connected world anymore?

The big news coming out on a regular basis is major retail chains hacked, personal data stolen, major online cloud data ransacked by hackers, personal data on sale over the web and more. It doesn’t matter where you turn it’s happening everywhere.

With the internet coming to thermostats, fire sensors, ovens, fridges, cars, home security, lights and so much more the internet connected home is a reality. But at the same time we leave ourselves and our personal lives and home open to hackers and a major breach of our security and personal data.

But this is only a small part of the chain. Power stations, major companies, major factory lines and more all have computers. And these are getting hacked too with trade secrets being stolen at an alarming rate.

Cyber security researchers have detected viruses in online banking transactions with customers who swipe debit or credit cards at shopping counters as well as companies who stock them. Is anything safe?

Even petrol stations are at risk. Skimming devices, placed on card readers at gas station pumps throughout the southern U.S., recorded credit and debit card data and the data sent via bluetooth to the criminals who didn’t even need to collect the equipment.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg.

I do wonder if we are going so end up being the world as shown in many futuristic films where technology caused the world to implode and we go back to using the Nokia brick phone of 10 years ago!

In other news we might see a glimpse of the sun today.

Samsung pins hope on Galaxy Gear BMW App

Samsung has high hopes for a new app that lets BMW owners monitor their cars vital signs on their Galaxy Gear.

Samsung introduced the BMW app for the Gear last week at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

High-end Samsung smartphones, including the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note product lines, have generated big profits, but the company sells far more budget phones. At £299, the Gear isn’t designed for price-conscious consumers or people in emerging markets. Teaming up with the German automaker could help Samsung reach an audience that can afford the Gear.

Using the BMW i Remote app, the Gear can wirelessly connect to the i3 car to deliver notifications about whether the windows are down, the drivable range and how much electric charge is remaining in the car battery — which, by the way, is supplied by Samsung. Gear users can also tap a button on the watch’s screen or say a voice command to locate where their car is parked, load directions onto the car’s navigation system or pre-heat the seats in cold weather.

Many of these features are also available in BMW’s apps for Android and iPhone, but based on user reviews, they don’t work that well. So it’s questionable whether the software will be any better on a watch.

2 new iPhone’s arriving in new screen sizes

If the Wall Street Journal is to be believed the next iPhone will feature 2 new screen sizes. The Wall Street Journal stated –

” Facing competition from rivals offering smartphones with bigger screens, Apple Inc. plans larger displays on a pair of iPhones due for release this year, people familiar with the situation said.

The people said Apple plans an iPhone model with a screen larger than 4½ inches measured diagonally, and a second version with a display bigger than 5 inches. Until now, Apple’s largest phone has been the 4-inch display on the iPhone 5.

Both new models are expected to feature metal casings similar to what is used on the current iPhone 5S, with Apple expected to scrap the plastic exterior used in the iPhone 5C”

Odd this news appears before MWC and Samsung’s Galaxy S5 press release.

Another rumour which seems impossible to be true is that it will be 3mm thick.