Category Archives: Tech News

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?

Phone releases

Tech News

Loads of the manufacturers announced at the beginning of the month their new handsets. Last week Apple announced 2 new iPhones.

Apple unlike all the others made the phones available in less than 2 weeks. Announcement then pre order or collect in 2 weeks.

So why can’t everyone else? Sony Xperia Z1, Samsung Note 3 and everyone else still haven’t released their new announced phones.

The wait drives me mad. You want to upgrade or change to the new model, but all you can do is read up on the specs or watch the same YouTube video.

Is the iPhone 5S special?

Apple, Tech News

You own the 5 and you look at the 5S and think is it worth the upgrade.
Possibly not but then I don’t think Apple is looking for you to upgrade every 12 months. Most contracts are 24 months and that’s when they will be looking for you to upgrade your current iPhone.

But is the 5S worth the money. If photography matters then it should. Touch ID is very convenient. Technology made easy and useful. The new processor A7 and M7 coprocessor is genius. The iPhone camera is about a quality shot and snapped without much skill.

The 5S is no exception. The pixel size on the 5S has been increased from 1.4 microns to 1.5 microns, a new 5 element lens, f2.2 versus previous f2.4. Apple also designs its own image signal processor. So its gets the most out of its software and hardware. So the larger pixels and lower f stop will help with lower light photos.

The new chip still does white balance and auto exposure, but now does dynamic tone mapping which is state of the art stuff. In addition, autofocus matrix metering with 15 focus areas is common on decent DSLR cameras but not phones!

The 5S is able to take several shots and automatically select the best one based on a number of factors without you realising. True Tone flash is genius again offering a more natural flash with 1,000 shades. It is not the answer to all prayers but it should produce more natural shots.

The 5S can take 100s of photos in burst mode and still process the images behind the scenes, checking for exposure, sharpness, faces, smiles and blinking.

120fps on slow motion video. That’s impressive alone but you can edit the footage on the fly too. The A7 chip also allows panoramic photos at 30fps which is 50% faster than the 5. Also during the capture of the panoramic shot, exposure gets adjusted. Plus these photos can be 30mb in size. As a comparison both the Samsung S4 Zoom and Xperia Z1 managed 5-600kb in file sizes.

Apart from the camera, the A7 processor will allow for other amazing processes to function even faster like games and third party accessories.

Personally, I just wish the screen was 4.5 inches in the same size frame. That would make it so perfect.

What do you think?

iPhone 5C pricing and sales

Apple, Tech News

Yesterday, pre orders went live for the iPhone 5C with the 32gb costing £549 the same as the 16gb iPhone 5S will be when that goes on sale next week.

The 5C is fundamentally the 5 but in a plastic polycarbonate shell. It’s not cheap sim free. In fact its very expensive but in line with other new  phones.

However, with previous iPhone pre orders the delivery date quickly extends beyond the first published delivery slot. Nearly 12 hours later and the 5C is still available for delivery on the 20th in all colours.

So either Apple had a massive amount of stock or they aren’t selling as fast. Apple might be saved by sales in China, but I wonder how many they are selling in existing territories.

The other aspect is seeing what the colours look like in the flesh. I really would want to see one before departing with my cash.

However, according to Phones4U the pre orders of the iphones are twice that of last year and are on target to be their most successful launch ever. Apparently 18-30 year olds are the top spenders. Probably, ditching their BlackBerry’s.

I will say I don’t think I will buy one. Have you or will you ?

Nokia Lumia 1020 available with huge accessory bundle

Tech News, Windows

Clove Technology have the Lumia 1020 available with all the accessories you might have wanted for the phone.

The bundle includes including the Wireless Charging Cover (CC-3066), Wireless Charging Pad (DT-900), Camera Grip (PD-95G) and a new Tripod (KVRM90). Separately, the whole bundle is worth about £150.

The above deal is for the Black and White SIM-free models of the Nokia Lumia 1020. Clove mentioned that these will available from September 27th at £490 + delivery & VAT.

That sure is very tempting.