Category Archives: Tech News

Sony Xperia Z2 specs

January 21, 2014Android, Tech Newssony xperia z2 specsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

It’s that time of year when all the next round of handsets are due to be announced so rumours are flying.

It’s the turn of the Sony Xperia Z2, the replacement for the Z1. The Z2 will come with a 5.3-inch display and a 23MP rear camera and a 2560 x 1440 display, 3GB of RAM, and a 3,700 mAh battery.

All I would like Sony to do is fix the Z1 camera by adding optical image stabilisation and make it take in auto mode the best photos on the planet. That’s all it really needs. But sometimes specs are bumped for the sake of it.

The replacement for the HTC One – Bloomberg adds to specs

January 21, 2014Android, Tech Newshtc one 2014Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

Bloomberg confirmed there will be a new version of the HTC One released at the end of March. The phone will retain the first One’s well-received design, a source said, but offer some changes both inside and out.

The screen will be five inches, powered by a more recent flavor of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor, but what is more interesting is the aspect that the phone will use 2 sensors to cope better with enhanced focus, depth of field and image quality.

Whatever the final hardware and software of the new HTC One is released, it really needs to win the mindset of consumers over Samsung’s Galaxy S5.

It’s going to be a touch call.

Nokia’s Normandy android phone – seriously

January 21, 2014Android, Tech News, WindowsNokia Normandy android phoneGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The internet has been awash of the Android Nokia phone codenamed Normandy. Rumours keep saying this might get released by Nokia.

Considering Microsoft bought Nokia there is no way this will ever see light of day.

But what it is doing is giving Nokia free advertising across the Internet. Maybe, Nokia designed this deliberately to get Microsoft to commit to buying their ailing company and then thought, hey let’s leave a few photos lying around and get some free publicity. Sure is working.

The successful iPhone 5C – no matter what you think it’s a money cow for Apple

January 20, 2014Apple, Tech NewsiPhone 5CGavin Fabiani-Laymond

And here’s why?

– the 5C is last year’s model sold in colourful polycarbonate. It gives buyers something different to buy but also differentiates it between the 5S.

– despite sales not being as high as anticipated it still is selling more than the 4S in the same period of its life cycle.

– it costs less to make than the 5 in metal so lines Apple’s bottom line even more.

– but what the 5C has done is create fever pitch sales of the 5S creating even more cash for Apple.

Result.

Naughty – Google Chrome on android is adding adverts

January 20, 2014Android, Tech Newsadverts, bandwidth management, Google Chrome on androidGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Google Chrome on android got updated recently with a bandwidth management option that saves up to 50% data usage.

Just one catch. This function adds adverts even on non commercial websites like the BBC.

Screen shot below.

It has an advert for the Nokia Lumia 1020 at the top.

Not sure I’m over happy about this but how do you feel?

Wall Street is unfollowing Twitter

January 20, 2014Tech NewsWall Street is unfollowing TwitterGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Wall Street is unfollowing Twitter (TWTR). With the stock up 124 percent since a Nov. 7 initial public offering, only one in five analysts now rate it a buy.

It’s expensive, says Cantor Fitzgerald’s Youssef Squali, “even compared to other highflying Internet IPOs.”

Twitter needs to monetize itself fast it seems and that can only mean more advertising and selling of data.

Brando Shopping – Desktop Connection Kit for Samsung Galaxy S4, S4, Note 2 and Note 3

January 19, 2014Android, Reviews, Tech Newsbrando shopping, desktop connection kitGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Brando Shopping sent me a desktop connection kit which I have been using for my Note 3. The item is now discontinued as there is a newer version in the pipeline which will output 1080p instead of a lower resolution of this item.

So what this kit allowed me to do with my Note 3 was add a keyboard and mouse, connect to my TV and bolt on a flash drive. Who needs a PC.

Thanks to Brando Shopping for sending this item even though it’s now discontinued. As soon as I get details of the new version I will let everyone know.

Warning – Samsung Note 3 KitKat update and unofficial S-View cases

January 19, 2014Android, Tech Newssamsung note 3 kitkat update and unoffical casesGavin Fabiani-Laymond

When you update your Samsung Note 3 to KitKat, you might get a nasty surprise if you are using an unofficial Samsung S-View Cover Case. This includes the basic S-View Cover, Premium Cover and Wireless Cover. If it’s not the official Samsung case, it will no longer work with KitKat.

Samsung have added additional code into the firmware to make this happen.

DoubleTwist’s New Android App Lets You Rip Songs From iTunes Radio

January 19, 2014Android, Tech Newsdouble twist android air recorderGavin Fabiani-Laymond

DoubleTwist, the company that has long been helping Android-powered devices work harmoniously with iTunes, today released a new Android app that lets users rip songs from iTunes Radio. Called AirPlay Recorder, the app turns your Android device into an AirPlay receiver, then records all the audio that you play through it.

I just wonder how long before Apple send a cease and desist letter.

Brando Shopping

January 19, 2014Android, Apple, Firefox, RIM, Tech News, Windowsbrando shoppingGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Over the next week or so I will be reviewing some mobile accessories from Brando Shopping .

Brando Shopping supplies a whole range of accessories for your phone and tablets. I have bought my accessories from this online store for nearly 8 years now.

In the index page, I have now created a page called Shopping, to provide links to places where I buy my gadgets from. This will be expanded over the coming months.

Have fun.

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