Category Archives: Tech News

Don’t forget about Amazon, new high end Kindle’s coming soon

Android, Tech News

We are all waiting for Apple to release new iPad models, Google just announced the new Nexus 7 but don’t forget about the new Amazon Kindle’s.

An Amazon mystery device (codename: Apollo) running Android 4.2.2 has shown up on GFX Bench. It has a 2560 x 1600 pixel display, Adreno 330 GPU, and a 2.3GHz CPU, Snapdragon 800 processor, 8MP main camera, a front shooter, 2GB RAM, optional cellular connectivity, and 16/32/64 GB internal storage.

Plus it will feature tight software integration with all its media and shopping services.

Back with the Nokia Lumia 925

Tech News, Windows,

After the screen starting failing on the Samsung Galaxy S4, I decided to have another go at using the Nokia Lumia 925. I really liked it when Nokia kindly sent it on loan previously, so the other day a Lumia 925 arrived in the post.

Some of the features I liked was the Windows Phone 8 interface with live tiles, the fantastic camera and just the way it looks and feels.

So yesterday, I fired up Nokia Navigation and used it all during the day to drive me to destinations I knew really well, just to test the accuracy of the software. Firstly, I was able to download the map of England before I left home, meaning no data charges for downloading the map data as required by Google Maps. In addition, if the reception failed, the navigation would still continue. I also connected the Lumia 925 to my car’s bluetooth. While Nokia Maps was directing me, I streamed Nokia Music. The sound quality was excellent, even better than that of the HTC One.

Later on in the evening, I installed a number of apps and games from HD Photo Viewer, Nextgen Reader, Twabbit and many many more. Twabbit is an excellent twitter app. I then customised my live tiles, and I have everything showing from F1 news, my blog, weather, email, social updates and more.

I am finding gaps in the apps, so this means I have to find other ways of doing things. This works fine most of the time. Except Dropbox support would be helpful. And occasionally, the apps actually work and look better than android and iOS. But there are missing gaps in the app, and I don’t meant instagram.

Let’s see how tomorrow goes.

Is Samsung launching its SmartWatch on the 4th September 2013?

Android, Tech News

What is known for sure is that Samsung will be launching the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 during its Unpacked Event at IFA in Berlin, on the 4th September 2013.

Now rumour has it that Samsung will try and steal Apple’s thunder and launch also its own smartwatch, aptly named the Galaxy Gear smartwatch.

Personally, having used a Pebble smartwatch, I just cannot see the need. And who wears a watch nowadays. If you want to know the time, don’t you normally look at your phone for the time?

Galaxy Gear is supposedly running an Exynos 4212 dual-core chip at 1.0 GHz, a gigabyte of RAM, support for Bluetooth and NFC, and a two-megapixel camera, a 1.67 or 2.5 inch 320 x 320 OLED panel. And phone calls will be possible.

So would you buy one?

Apple TV – the new smart box

Apple, Tech News

Apple keeps claiming it’s black box that’s so small and compact is just a hobby. And yet it sells millions of them.
So what will be this year’s hobby update. Well if ios 7 is anything to go by, Siri has come of age. So expect to see Siri tightly integrated into the new Apple TV, along with iRadio and other services. I would also expect the design to change to allow for Siri to function better.

What would you like to see updated with the next version?

Firefox OS handset ZTE Open now sold out globally in 3 days flat

Tech News, Uncategorized

On Friday, ZTE put its ZTE Open Firefox OS handset exclusively for sale on eBay UK and eBay US.

It was priced at a crazy £60 in the UK.

It was released on ebay last Friday, but by Monday both the US and UK eBay stores of ZTE, the Chinese company which manufactured the handset, had sold out. The budget phone will now no longer be available until the next production run.

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However, don’t panic. If you really want a ZTE Open, you can buy mine for £70 plus £5 postage.

Is Sony about to release the first iPhone competitor?

Android, Tech News

The Honami Mini has leaked via a forum. Codenamed Ray 3, the Honami Mini packs in a Snapdragon 800 at  2.3GHz, 4.3GHz HD 720p resolution, 2GB of RAM, 20-megapixel main camera with Sony G Lens, 16GB of internal memory and a 2,400mAh battery.

And the key aspect is it is a full specification device,  in a mini body just like the iPhone, instead of some huge 5 inch device.

ZTE Open – Firefox OS – Unboxing Photos and Impressions

Firefox, Tech News, ,

The ZTE Open was available on eBay. I posted details on Sunday, click here for the specifications and more.

So it arrived. Below are the unboxing photos.

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Opening the box reveals the orange phone.

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Under the phone is the accessories and guides.

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And a quick look at the phone profile.

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First impressions are this is such a basic phone but it works just. Setting up Google email was fine but it didn’t setup the calendar or contacts. The calendar app had an option for Google but it didn’t work. Contact app was manual add a contact, import from Facebook or sim card. Luckily, there was a free app on the market place that imported my contacts but there is no two way sync.

Apps. The market place is a poor currently. I’ve installed the twitter app. BUT. The phone doesn’t need apps. It’s Firefox OS.

Swipping left to right reveals loads of headings, each with all the key website shortcuts saved eg YouTube, amazon, eBay, WordPress, LinkedIn and loads more. Firefox OS is a Web based device.
The phone comes pre installed with Firefox Web browser, video, music, FM radio, camera, calculator, usage, Nokia Here Maps, accuweather, notes, Wikipedia and clock apps.

It read the music from my micro sd card with ease along with the album art. The loudspeaker is not loud but is clear. The notification pull down also provides access to settings toggles for wifi, data, bluetooth, aeroplane mode and all settings.

It takes a full size sim card, so I need to get an adapter before I can test it out as a phone.

It’s basic but quirky nonetheless.

Update. Rebooting phone, and Google Calendar was all setup. Interestingly, in the settings it checks for updates daily.

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