Category Archives: Tech News

iOS 7 arrives today – have you updated? Issues? iPhone 5S and 5C reviews

Apple, Tech News

The latest iOS software update to version 7 happens today.

So have you updated, and what are your thoughts?

And one last thing.. read the update description on some of the game updates.. support for game controllers has started appearing!

Issues? Are you having problems downloading app updates. Update is showing as available but doesnt download?

iPhone 5S and 5C reviews are appearing. Highlight of top writers views noted here http://allthingsd.com/20130917/inevitable-iphone-review-roundup/

However, Myriam Joire at Engadget has written a fairly balanced review of the iPhone 5S and 5C (www.engadget.com). The 5S review with sample photos from the camera has convinced me if you have a 5 it is not worth upgrading to the 5S just for the camera.

First Impressions and Specifications of the Sony QX10 Lens

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News

Yesterday, I received the Sony QX10 lens. As my Sony Xperia Z1 was not due to arrive until this morning, I gave the QX10 a short blast with my Nexus 4.
DSC00832

The official specifications of the QX10 are –

-Imaging Sensor : 1/2.3″ (7.76mm) Exmor R® CMOS sensor, 18.9mp, Bionz image processor
-Color Filter System : RGB primary color mosaic filters
-AF Modes : Multi Point AF / Touch AF

-Memory Stick Micro / microSD Memory Card / microSDHC Memory Card supported

-Still Image Size 16:9 : L:13M (4,896 x 2,752) S:2M (1,920 x 1,080
-Still Image Size 4:3 : L:18M (4,896 x 3,672) S:5M (2,592 x 1,944)
-Video Mode : MP4: 12M (1440 x 1080, 30 fps)
-Microphone/Speaker : Built-in Stereo Microphone
-Still Image File Format : JPEG (DCF, Exif, MPF Baseline) compliant, DPOF compatible

-Image Stabilization : Optical SteadyShot(TM) image stabilization
-Priority Setting for Face Detection up to eight faces max

-Battery Type : InfoLITHIUM® NP-BN (3.6V)
-Number of Still Images approx 200 images

-Metering Modes : Multi Pattern, Exposure Compensation : +/- 2.0 EV, 1/3 EV step
-Exposure Settings : [Still] Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto, Movie Mode
-ISO : [Still Image] ISO100-3200(iAuto), ISO100-12800 (Superior Auto), ISO100-1600(Program Auto)
-White Balance Mode : Auto / Daylight / Shade / Cloudy / Flourescent White Balance 1 / Flourescent White -Balance 2 / Flourescent White Balance 3 / Incandescent,ISO Sensitivity (Movie) : [Movie] Auto (ISO 100 – 1000 level)

-Lens Type : Sony G® Lens
-Aperture (Max.) : F3.3 (W), F5.9 (T)
-Optical Zoom : 10x (Optical Zoom during movie recording)
-Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : [Still Image 16:9] f = 27.5-275mm [Still Image 4:3] f= 25-250mm [Movie -16:9] f = 27.5-275mm (SteadyShot Standard), f = 27.5-385mm (SteadyShot® Active Mode) [Movie 4:3] f = 33.5–335mm (SteadyShot® Standard), f = 33.5-469mm (SteadyShot Active Mode)
-Lens Construction : 9 elements in 7 groups (including 4 aspheric elements)
-Clear Image Zoom : 10x

-Self-timer : 10 sec. / 2 sec.
-Shutter Speeds : iAuto (4 – 1/1600) / Program Auto (1 – 1/1600)

-NFC : Yes (NFC forum Type 3 Tag compatible)
-Wi-Fi : Yes
-USB Port(s) : USB 2.0 Hi-speed
-A/V Remote Terminal : Multi/Micro USB Terminal, Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0)

-Tripod Mount : Yes

-Dimensions (Approx.) : 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” x 1 3/16” (62.4mm x 61.8mm x 30.0mm)
-Weight (Approx.) : With Battery and Memory Stick_micro 0lb 3.7oz. (105.0g)
-Weight(Approx) (Main unit only) : 0lb 5.8oz. (165g)

The QX10 arrived in a circular box.
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Opening the box revealed the lens itself. As you can see the box is huge versus the size of the actual lens.
DSC00825

Inside the box was a very chunky manual, rather more like a start up guide in loads of languages, several leaflets, a battery, lanyard, micro usb lead and the circular base. First up, you have to put the battery in to the lens as shown. Insert your micro sd card or Sony M2 memory stick in the slot just below. The tripod mount is positioned below the memory card slot as per photo.

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Next connect the circular base plate. This enables the lens to be clamped on to most android or iphones. 75mm is the widest point the clamp can officially open up to. Now the hard part. Go charge the battery using the micro usb lead. It the hard part because the temptation is to try and use it straight away.

As the QX10 works with iPhones or android, you need to download the PlayMemories Mobile app from the respective app stores. Open the app, turn the QX10 on by pressing gently down on the power button. Enter the password which is printed on the quick start user manual and voila. Your phone is now acting as the viewfinder.

So far it has been a blast, but I have only had limited time with it. Also the weather has been constant rain and fog. Photo samples on next article. A full review will appear over the next few weeks along with the Sony Xperia Z1. So far I am very impressed. Makes me wonder just how much better the QX100 will be.

Sample photos from the Sony QX10

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News

Following on from my last post on the QX10, below are a few samples, unedited and taken in the most dreadful conditions.

The outdoor shots were taken with heavy rain and fog, and the photo of my dogs was snapped in very low light indoors. The indoor shot was then cropped to focus on the dogs to give you some idea of the level of detail.

The other fun part of the dog photo, was the lens was left on the table opposite, while I used my Nexus 4 6 feet away to operate it. The scenic landscape was taken using the QX10 without the Nexus 4. This is possible as the QX10 has its own shutter button.

The photo below is at 8 x zoom.
DSC00006

This is the cropped dogs in low light.
DSC00007

And finally taken without the Nexus 4, just using the QX10’s own shutter. Also snapped blind as no viewfinder.
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If you want a full size sample of extreme low light and zoom, go to this photo on my flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/9788380273/

A more indepth review and more photo samples will appear on the next few weeks along with the Sony Xperia Z1.

HTC One goes larger with the HTC One Max

Android, Tech News

More and more information is leaking out regarding the 5.9 inch phablet from HTC, called the HTC One Max. It looks identical to the HTC One, except is bigger in all dimensions.

The HTC One Max has 5.9-inch 1920×1080-pixel display, 1.7GHz processor Snapdragon S4 Pro according to a previous rumours, although it could be a Snapdragon 600 as well, 2GB RAM, 5-megapixel camera with UltraPixel tech, 16GB of storage, a 3,300mAh battery, and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Looking at the specs it seems HTC are selling this somewhat short. All new phones are now being released with the new Snapdragon 800, which not only is more powerful, but has better battery life. In addition, the Max only comes in 16gb, whereas the smaller HTC One has 32 or 64gb. The only increase appears to be a 5mp camera up 1mp from the 4mp found on the HTC One.

There is also a rumoured fingerprint scanner on the rear, although I am not so sure about this being true.

So, is this phone for you?

Apple dates to remember and iOS 7 to do’s

Apple, Tech News, ,

18th September 2013 – tomorrow Apple will update your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad if on the compatibility list to iOS 7. Today, be sure to run a backup and update any apps as required. Then be prepared for all the new look and features of iOS 7. It you are unaware of the new features coming check them out at Apple.

20th September 2013 – This Friday both new iPhones will be available to purchase from an Apple store. The 5S will also be available to pre order online from 12.01am on the 20th, and this should be for the UK too.

Apple stores in the UK are scheduled to open their doors at 8am.

15th October 2013 – This is the day Apple should announce new iPads and any updates to their iPod range.

Pricing and stock differentials

Android, Tech News

As I get closer to buying my new phone, I have been looking around at the various deals and stock due dates.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is a classic example.

Clove Technology is offering the Z1 for around £565. This includes the Sony Smartwatch 2 and £100 of media content from Sony.

Sonymobile part of Sony UK is offering the Z1 for £599 and throwing in free delivery. But no watch and no media pack.

Sony UK is offering the above too but has a different range of accessories for the Z1.

Amazon UK is just offering the Z1 for £599 with no offers and delivery on the 20th September.

Sony and Sonymobile  has delivery for the end of September.

Clove Technology will be posting the black version out today.

OK, so this is the online options. Let’s have a look at the high street stores. My local Sony Centre in Plymouth offers excellent customer service and knowledgeable staff. They were offering the Z1 with a Sony Smartwatch 2 at half its normal price. They then offered me a deal buying the Z1 sim free with £75 voucher for the watch or the QX10 or off the QX100 lens hub. Only one slight problem, they couldn’t tell me the sim free price of the Z1. Just I could get £75 off one of the accessories if I ordered today. Not only that they had no stock demos of the Z1 or QX10.

In several phone shops the Z1 was available to look at and use. So I got to see the white and black version. The O2 stores had the Z1 and a QX10 lens and I got to see both in action. The staff at the Sony Centre were very disgruntled over not having any demo stock. To add insult to injury the Sony rep had been in Plymouth visiting the phone shops leaving demo stock but not Sony’s own centres.

So the moral of the story. Buy from Clove Technology. Have a free smartwatch and £110 worth of media and get the black Z1 posted from today instead of waiting 2 to 3 weeks longer and paying a lot more.

Crazy state of affairs.

Google’s Nexus 4 Smartphone is sold out but ….

Android, Tech News

The Nexus 4 is now sold out completely in the US, and in the UK the 8gb model is too. It won’t be long for the 16gb model to be sold out as well.

I bought the 16gb model, more information here https://play.google.com/store/devices/details/Nexus_4_16GB?id=nexus_4_16gb&hl=en , when the new Nexus 7 appeared in the UK store a few weeks ago. I bought it as a spare device to use while I waited for the next new crop of smartphones to be made available. So in a week or two I should have my next new phone.

Therefore, I will be selling my nearly new 16gb Nexus 4, with receipt, box and contents, official Nexus 4 bumper case and screen protectors fitted front and back for the same price of £199 which will include delivery to the UK.

If you are interested, let me know in the comments or on twitter.

So just to recap – the Nexus 4 was bought on 28th August 2013. You get the phone as new, with box, contents and receipt, the official bumper, and fitted with screen protectors. I should have some spare front and back screen protectors and maybe another case lying around for it too. All of these extras with postage would normally cost £230. But you will only be paying £199 which includes the delivery within the UK.

Upgrade time

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

It’s that time of year and its time for me to decide on my next handset.

This time the choice is great and diverse. On my hit list is the Nokia Lumia 1020, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Sony Xperia Z1 and iPhone 5S.

If I get the Lumia 1020 it is being offered with an amazing bundle in the UK providing a great value proposition for camera biased fans. One app is not as feature rich on Windows Phone, that I use regularly, otherwise it is a strong possibility.

I had no intention of including the iPhone 5S but I cannot ignore the camera quality improvement. I can also use the iPhone with the Sony QX100 for extra special photography. Also iOS 7 helps it too.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is also a camera focused phone. It is also water and dust resistant. And again works even better with the Sony QX100 lens attachment. With the severe wet weather it’s ideal for Dartmoor too.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was partially on my list but nearly removed as it is just that little bit too large or so I thought but it is only slightly larger than the Z1 by 3mm. Also one of my friends is using one, and from a technology point of view is bullet proof for the next 3 years. It also does everything. But the Sony QX10 or QX100 clamp doesn’t go wide enough to fit over the Note 3.

If I got the 1020 I would have just under 32gb memory free. The iPhone 5S could have up to 60gb approx, the Z1 around 11.72gb and Note 3 25gb of free memory. The Z1 and Note 3 also have an option of using a micro SD card for media. But the Note 3 has a decent amount of internal memory, ideal for all my games.

Any of the above would be amazing but I just cannot decide. I need your help. Have I missed a device out?