Category Archives: Tech News

Samsung Galaxy Gear – just what are the true sale figures?

Android, Tech News,

Yesterday I reported that the Samsung Galaxy Gear had only sold 50,000 units. However, Gavin’s Gadgets reader Lee Jones added a comment that Yahoo were reporting sales were actually 800,000. That is a vast difference. And then reader Jah added additional commentary that 50,000 in itself is still a remarkable number considering it has only been on sale for a limited amount of time and has been compatible with only one phone.

So what are the true figures and where did the initial sales estimate come from.

Firstly, BusinessKorea reported that Samsung had sold less than 50,000 units to date. This seemed a fairly reliable source and based in Samsung’s home territory. Then the story developed further.

Samsung quickly tried to spin the bad news by saying that it had in fact sold 800,000 units, making it the “most sold wearable watch available in the market place.” And if you are being honest, any company would want a more positive news story than the first version.

However, let’s pause for a moment. The only problem is that Samsung later confirmed that the 800,000 number was actually for units shipped, not sold, which is a big difference, and being unbiased in the only figure Samsung can report as it doesn’t sell the watch direct to the public.

So exploring the numbers further, BusinessKorea’s sources said that the Galaxy Gear’s daily sales are under 800-900 units. On top of that, a leaked internal memo from Best Buy revealed that around a third of buyers are actually returning the Gear which means a lot of unopened Gears sitting on store shelves.

The £299 smartwatch received overwhelming negative reviews when it launched last month from many top news sites including Engadget and New York Times. One has to realise this was the first generation watch from Samsung and it did try and offer an awful lot on a wrist.

So what are the actual sales figures. I would estimate that if 800,000 got shipped and there is a 30% approximate return rate! that leave just over 500,000 actually sold. That is very impressive. But what if the returns are higher and 50,000 is the correct figure. Well, let’s put 50,000 in perspective. That’s 50,000 watches for just one Samsung phone the Note 3. Samsung will be making the device compatible with more of its phones so expect to see sales increasing. And 50,000 has been achieved in just over a month. As a comparison, Pebble Smart Watch which sold 250,000 units in a year, but is compatible with iPhones and multiple android smartphones.

So you decide. Is the Samsung Galaxy Gear a success or the start of the new era of tech wearables?

Will Nokia release it’s Music app for iOS and android?

Android, Apple, Tech News,

Nokia is potentially looking to roll out its Nokia Music application to iOS, Android, according to a leaked internal document reported by Phone Arena.

The radio streaming service offers Nokia Lumia users free access to genre-themed stations and specially-curated playlists, while for a monthly fee users can also save tracks for offline playback. So will Nokia charge the same fee as it does on its windows phones.

And do you think it will undercut the competition or even release it’s service ? I think it will release it, and I hope is cheaper than Google and Apple.

Reminder – podcast episode 2 is live

Tech News

As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast every 2 weeks. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.

Well, on Sunday Dave and I recorded episode 2. So if you have not had a listen, please do and don’t hesitate to leave any comments, good or bad.

Sony Centre closes

Tech News

I’ve received the following email. Sad to see this store close as one of the better examples of a shop having plenty of stock and excellent product knowledge.

“Dear Mr Fabiani-laymond

CLOSURE OF EXETER SONY CENTRE

I am contacting you as one of our valued customers to advise you that sadly, as of Saturday 9th of November 2013, our Exeter Sony Centre closed down. It is with great regret that I make this announcement – unfortunately the retail environment has changed significantly over the last 4 years since we opened the store and this, coupled with escalating rent and rates, meant we were simply unable to continue to operate the store as a viable business entity.

Firstly, from everyone at the store, we would all like to thank you for your custom. We really appreciate your loyalty. We hope that you were satisfied with the level of service that you received, and just as importantly, we hope that you are happy with your purchase.

I would like to reassure you that although our Exeter store has now closed, our Sony Centre in Plymouth will be taking care of all our existing customers and providing the same high standard of backup and customer service that we offered during our time open in Exeter.

Store Manager Neil Simm and his team will be more than happy to assist in any way possible. I have included the contact details for the store below. Should you require any assistance or support, please do not hesitate to get in touch:

Sony Centre
62 Cornwall Street
PLYMOUTH
PL1 1LR

Telephone: 01752 251155
Email: plymouth@sonycentres.co.uk

I would very much like to take this opportunity to once again say thank you for your custom and I am confident that our team in Plymouth will be able to assist you in the future.

Yours sincerely

Nigel Facey
Store Manager”

Toq Smartwatch

Android, Tech News

20131118-195420.jpg

Qualcomm announces that their Toq Smartwatch will go on sale on December 2nd aka Cyber Monday. The device will sell for $349.99 and will only be sold directly by Qualcomm. The Toq features a Mirasol low power display that will be capable of running for several days between charges despite being always on. The device can be paired with an Android device running at least Android 4.0.3, although 4.3 Jelly Bean will work better. The Toq will come loaded with weather and stock apps from AccuWeather and E*TRADE respectively to go along with the apps providing the ability to accept/reject calls, view text messages, get meeting alerts and receive other notifications.

For more information, head over to toq.qualcomm.com to sign up.

Episode 2 – new podcast now live

Tech News,

As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast every 2 weeks. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.

Well, yesterday Dave and I recorded episode 2. So have a listen and don’t hesitate to leave any comments, good or bad.

iPad Air vs iPad Mini Retina – so there is a significant difference between the two iPads

Apple, Tech News,

Anandtech have written a fabulous review comparison of the iPad Air and iPad Mini Retina.

“When I concluded our iPad Air review I assumed the iPad mini with Retina Display was a true no-compromise, smaller alternative to the iPad Air. In many senses that’s true. Wireless connectivity is identical between the models, battery life is pretty much the same as well. Peak performance is close and you no longer have to accept a lower resolution display. Last year’s iPad mini was easy to recommend, and this year’s is even easier. To my surprise however, the iPad Air continues to hold some advantages that may resonate well with some users.

The biggest in my eyes is the iPad Air’s wider gamut display with full sRGB coverage. The mini’s Retina Display is good, the Air’s is just better. There’s also more thermal headroom on the iPad Air, which can come in handy if you’re doing compute intensive work on it. If neither of those things matters to you, then the decision becomes one of usage model and portability. I believe the iPad Air does a better job of approximating a primary computing device, particularly in its ability to give you a reasonable sized virtual keyboard to work on. The iPad mini on the other hand is substantially more portable. Although the iPad Air is light enough to come along with me more than any prior iPad, the mini’s form factor makes it even more likely that’ll I’ll bring it with me (the best tablet is the one you have with you?).”

If you read one review of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, this is the one to read.

Day 5/6 with the Nokia Lumia 1020

Reviews, Tech News, Windows

It’s interesting how since using the Nokia Lumia 1020 over the last 6 days how it has completely changed my mind on the phone. In the beginning I couldn’t quite grasp the real and full benefit of the hardware. But as soon as I removed the Pureview 34mp hi resolution photos of the 5mp I had previously viewed, it was then that the full magic of the 1020 hardware came to light. Have a look at my flickr photo stream to see full res samples. Click here.

And then you have all the manual control settings to produce some even more remarkable end results. But I will say that if all you do is share photos on social media and nothing else, then the 1020 is overkill.

I have started to post edit some of the 34mp photos and because the photo has so many pixels it has allowed some huge improved post processed photos.

In fact the fun really begins using the pro features on the 1020 and then after you remove the 34mp version. I don’t think I can say much more since the remainder of the 1020 is based on the Lumia 925 which I have written and reviewed extensively.

If photography is your hobby or interest, then the Lumia 1020 should be on your wish list.

But I have one frustration, and that’s in my other article for today.

Nokia’s Refocus App – genius software

Tech News, Windows

The Refocus app from Nokia is now available and it allows you to basically snap a picture now, without worrying about focus, and focus on objects later, again and again.

In order to get the best results, you need to capture scenes with a great contrast in the depth of field, like macro shots. The way this works is simple: Nokia Refocus captures two-to-eight independent images of the scene, each at five megapixels, while setting the focus on different objects; then it’s all “be aligned and forged together to make one image”. In addition to playing with the focus you can have a lot of fun and explore your creativity with the Color Pop feature.

You can share your images via SkyDrive, SMS, or Facebook. The app is compatible with Nokia-made PureView smartphones running the Amber update, like the Lumia 920, Lumia 925, Lumia 928 and Lumia 1020.

My initial experience with the app on my Lumia 1020 is that is does exactly what it says on the tin.

Finally Samsung clarifies the SIM regional lock

Android, Tech News

When the Galaxy Note 3 launched, many people were up in arms over a SIM Regional Lock policy that Samsung implemented, which made it difficult for people to import the global version. At first, it appeared the Note 3 would only work with the SIM for the country that the particular model was intended for. Then it was later clarified that if you powered on the phone with the proper SIM (from the country it was intended for), then it would be unlocked and could be used anywhere. However, many people found this wasn’t the case.

Now Samsung has added more clarification on how it works. There is one more step that needed in order to free the phone of the Regional Lock: Once the phone is powered on with the proper SIM, you will need to make or received calls for a total of 5 minutes. Once that is completed, the Regional Lock will be removed. Now if you have no way of doing this because you’re in the U.S. with a European model, you can still go to a Samsung Care Center, and they will unlock it for you.

It is also worth noting this new “feature” is tied to Android 4.3, which means all phones that get the 4.3 update will get the Regional Lock. This includes the Galaxy S 4, the Galaxy S III, and the Galaxy Note II. It’s very possible that if you imported one of these models, you phone could very well be locked after the update.

But in all honesty, this was a lot of hot wind over nothing. However, Samsung should have been clearer from the start.