Category Archives: Tech News

The M7 co-processor in the iPhone 5S is genius

Apple, Tech News,

Not much has been revealed of the true potential of the M7 processor that resides inside the iPhone 5S.

But if you want an idea install Argus a free app. Link to AppStore.

Quickly sign up and as if by magic up to your last 7 days steps are shown in the app. The M7 processor stores your data for up to 7 days.

And the other aspect. It uses no battery.

Here’s a look at a few days from my activity.

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And if we look at a specific day it show a the time of activity too.

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All you now need is a little something on your wrist. Maybe an iWatch.

Are Smartwatches the next big thing?

Tech News

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Gear, Sony the Smartwatch v2 and Apple is rumoured to have the iWatch ready to go soon.

But I look at my wrist and it hasn’t had a watch on there for years. If I want to know the time, I check my phone as do millions of other people. I tried the Pebble Smartwatch and hated it.

So, I just don’t understand why companies think a watch is the next big thing? Maybe, they realise they cannot revoutionise the phone any further so need to create a new sector and get everybody wearing wearable tech on their wrist. Or does Apple have a different take on this?

What do you think? And do you or would you wear a watch?

HTC One Max arriving in a month

Android, Tech News

HTC’s phablet is due to be announced on 15th October. Based on the HTC One, the 5.9 inch screened phone will be huge with front facing speakers.

But will front facing speakers make it too large? I think this will be a challenge on the size front and I am concerned that HTC might be using the same processor as used on the HTC One which is nowhere as good as the new S800 Qualcomm processor.

Fortunately, it won’t be long to find out.

Apple next iPhone screen size thoughts

Apple, Tech News

This year Apple released the iPhone 5S and reincarnated the iPhone 5 as the iPhone 5C.

But in a surprise it still kept the 4S and it’s 3.5 inch screen on the inventory.

But I think this made sense. The iPhone 6 should have a screen size of around 4.5 inches and without increasing the overall physical size of the current iPhone. When this comes out the 4S won’t be available for sale. This means only 2 phones screen sizes will still only be offered. The new 4.5 inch screen and the older 5S and 5C with its 4 inch screens.

What will be interesting is seeing how many people will jump ship when Apple release a larger iPhone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 impressions

Android, Tech News

Last night I spent some time using the Note 3. Luckily, one of my neighbours picked one up and knew I would be interested in having a play.

First up this is Samsung’s best phone regardless of size. It is well designed and full of kitchen sink tech. You can read all the spec goodness on Samsung’s own website.

Picking the phone up it looked gorgeous. Black is much better than white. The rear fake black leather cover looks more realistic. The Note 3 looks slim and professional. Turning on the screen powers on and it is a total wow moment. It really has a phenomenal real estate. Using the new s-pen was excellent. Very responsive and was recognising my dodgy handwriting with ease. I tried all the various s-pen tricks and they all worked as advertised. I messed around with the camera and I must say Samsung really have a great camera app.

Available internal storage was 25.62gb. That’s a decent amount for apps and games with media going on a micro sd card.

Having had the Note 2, the Note 3 felt different and far more polished. However, the Note 3 is not a one handed device. You can either cope with its large screen and dimensions or you can’t.

In my mind if you want a top flight phone it is a decisions between the iPhone 5S and Note 3 depending on your preference to screen size and one handed use.

So one question you may be thinking. Does a 3gb ram phone have lag? At the moment it does at times. I would imagine software updates will improve this situation.

Would I want one. Actually not at the moment since using iOS 7 provides a much better feeling and function on the new iPhones.

Blackberry results severe but still cash in the bank

RIM, Tech News

Blackberry’s has disclosed its second-quarter earnings report after announcing layoffs for 4,500 employees.

Revenue for the quarter was $1.6 billion, as BlackBerry had indicated it would be in last week’s guidance. However, it suffered an adjusted loss from continuing operations of $248 million, or 47 cents a share, which was on the low side of the 47 cent-to-51 cent range that Blackberry had warned of last week. Wall Street Analysts had been expecting, on average, a lost of 49 cents a share.

However, it’s revenue was dampened by a loss on the Z10 of $935m.

I don’t won’t to sound pessimistic but it is going to take a miracle for the company to come back from this.

And after Google Maps comes Google Search on iOS 7

Android, Apple, Tech News, ,

So, what app on iOS 7 from Google could also be better than the equivalent on android. Yep, its Google Search which just got an update to receive notifications for Google Now.

The timing of this update is uncanny, as I was thinking the other day how useful it would be if Google Search had notifications for Google Now.

Again, using the banner system and badge count will make this app more in your face with information you need.

It is not a big change, but it is one that will make the app slick. So do you agree?

Google Maps is better on iOS 7 than android – false or true?

Android, Apple, Tech News, ,

I have been using iOS 7 for a week nearly on a iPhone 5S, and it has rather surprised me. Prior to iOS 7, using Google services and apps on an iPhone was rather painful, but now sign in to Google+ and the other Google apps can sign in automatically too.

But one app that I used a lot on an android phone was Google Maps. And I hate to admit this, but on iOS 7 it works better.

Why?

Simply, the way iOS 7 does notifications, if you are in another app with Google Maps running in turn by turn navigation mode, not only does the phone speak the next turn, but it displays a large enough banner at the top of the screen with the written instructions too. This makes it really useful to use and a feature that is missing on android.

Sometimes, you wonder which operating system is more important to Google.

Poor Quality Control and Hidden Information

Tech News

What is it with technology nowadays. It seems manufacturers deem it acceptable to release a new phone or tablet complete with bugs or not revealing the true secrets of the phone prior to release.

The Samsung S4 had limited internal memory available and was the flagship model. The Samsung S4 Zoom could not take high resolution panoramic photos and yet was a camera phone, my S4 screen failed too, the Huawei Ascend P6 consistently overheated and stopped charging and the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has a regional sim lock.

Oh, and lets not forget the Sony Xperia Z1 with the worlds best camera on a smartphone. Except it is not. That honour goes to the Lumia 1020. Even worse Sony released this phone will poor camera taking abilities.

Why do we have to be guinea pigs for the first 3-6 months? Don’t you think that it is time for manufacturers to release a phone in the best state possible?