Category Archives: Tech News

Google Play Music coming to iOS later this month?

Android, Apple, Tech News,

The internet is abound with talk that Google is to release its Google Play Music app on iOS later this month. If this happens, this will be the last piece of the Google apps needed to complete its library of apps that are also on android.

iOS apps like gmusic and its new gmusic 2 will sadly become unnecessary unless they offer a more refined experience.

Since iOS 7 using Google on an iPhone is really no different than on an android phone. In fact, I would even say it is a better experience as the iOS apps now talk to each other. Sign in on Google+ and the other Google apps are aware of this.

HTC reports dismal Q3 – more info

Android, Tech News,

HTC has just released its preliminary unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2013, and the company has posted an operating loss of over $101 million (NT$2.97 billion). Just as it warned back in July, this is HTC’s first operating loss in company history and it wasn’t even close to breaking even. Here’s how the quarter’s financials break down:

-Total revenues of $1.6 billion (NT$47.05 billion)
-Operating loss before tax of $119.4 million (NT$3.50 billion)
-Operating loss after tax of $101.3 million (NT$2.97 billion)
-Earnings per share after tax of -$0.12 (-NT$3.58)

It seems even after releasing one of the best phones this year, the competitive forces are proving a struggle for it to compete with. Lets hope this isn’t the next BlackBerry.

Right on cue prior to an Apple Keynote, product shortages are declared

Apple, Tech News, ,

In about 2 weeks time, Apple is due to hold another Keynote speech, in which new iPads are rumoured to be launch.

And surprise surprise, the likely most popular model, the iPad Mini with a retina display, will be in short supply as commented by Reuters.

Call me skeptical, but every year just prior to a Keynote Product launch, there are stories in the press stating there will be shortages on the new devices. Apple just did it with the gold iPhone 5S and 5S generally. The shortage created queues outside of their stores.

However, if you order on line, your new shiny device will arrive in a week or two. Shortage, I doubt it. Good marketing. Most definitely.

Got an iPhone and Apple TV – time for some serious gaming

Android, Tech News

I have loads of games on iOS, more than any other operating system.

What gets even more fun is using your Apple TV with your iPhone and Airplay.

So if you have all the above, I would recommend trying out the following games that I love to play –

– Real Racing 3

– Asphalt 7

– Sky Gamblers Storm Chasers

– NOVA 3

Can you recommend any other games that work this way. It is works using an iPad.

Samsung announces a milestone for its ChatOn service

Android, Apple, Tech News

If you buy a new Samsung smartphone, or visit the appropriate app store, you will see Samsung has it is cross platform messaging service called ChatOn. It is even available on the Apple AppStore.

Well Samsung just announced it had reached 100 million users for its service. A reasonable number but not at the level of rival service WhatsApp which currently has 300 million users and growing rapidly, or even Apple’s own iMessage.

I suppose all Samsung has to do is buy WhatsApp to solve the number of users, and then integrate it into the SMS app.

I wonder, do any of you use ChatOn, and if so how reliable has it been for you?

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 reviews are out and they are confusing

Android, Tech News

All the major US websites have released their reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I doubt many of these website spent detailed time with the device or used it exclusively as their main phone.

If you want to see a proper review, scroll back to Tuesday for the review and unboxing.

First up Samsung has introduced region sim locking with has angered many customers even though they thought they were buying sim free unlocked phones. Samsung still hasn’t completely clarified the position on this.

Next up the reviews are very conflicting although there are some consistencies. Lag was confirmed as present in all reviews. All agreed the screen was excellent. Some said battery life just managed to 8pm, others said 2 days with ease. Call quality was shocking apparently. Mind you who uses this type of phone for calls. Camera was said to be excellent in good light but due to its large size it was easy to cause blur. The Verge made the point that actually it took longer to enter tasks and data using the stylus. Other comments noted some bugs and pointless features. Overall it was the best Samsung phone.

I must admit reading the various reviews and sometimes different opinions leave me none the wiser as to whether this is a phone or phablet worth adding to my collection.

New phone dilemmas – do you suffer ?

Android, Apple, Tech News,

Apple launches new iPhones. Samsung releases it’s new phablet. LG, HTC and more all coming out with their next great phone.

And as these phones come out you wonder if your phone you just bought was the right decision. Or are you the sort of person who buys and doesn’t worry about the next big thing.

So here I am looking at my iPhone 5S and am wondering whether I should use Apple’s 14 day return with no obligation and get the Note 3.

I have tried to draw a pros and cons list. And fundamentally it’s a spec vs apps vs one hand vs screen argument. The Note 3 is state of the art. But the apps on iOS are more advanced and function better. But the the Note 3 is probably future proof. But then you could say when will you ever use all those hardware specs?

Watching the YouTube review posted yesterday made me crave the Note 3 even more. So with 2 days to decide what would you recommend ?