Category Archives: Tech News

Eating a burger in MacDonald’s – now you can find out which cow your burger came from with a new app

Tech News

They say there is an app for everything. Well there is. Now Australian burger fans of MacDonald’s can look up which cow they are eating, track the progress of a meal from the herd of cattle that become meat in their burgers to the restaurant where they are served, all through a smartphone app.

The “Track My Macca’s” app, which uses the Australian nickname for McDonald’s, currently tracks some of the chain’s most popular products, including the Big Mac, McChicken burger, Filet-O-Fish, and three, six or 10 packs of Chicken McNuggets.

It also reveals the supply chain of the fast food giant’s french fries.

Track My Macca’s uses a customer’s location and a scanned QR code (mobile barcode) on the side of a burger’s container, along with the date and time, to tell users its source and where the meat in it was processed before being cooked onsite.

So now as well as photographing pics of food, people will be uploading a photo of their cow.

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra – 6.44 inch phone – full specs

Android, Tech News

Sony announced the Xperia Z Ultra a 6.44 inch smartphone with monster specs to go with its size.

– Colors: Black, white, purple

– Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.2GHz quad-core CPU
– RAM: 2GB

– Dimensions: 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm

– Weight: 212 grams

– OS: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

– Cameras: 8MP rear, 2MP front

– Display: 6.44-inch 1920×1080 TRILUMINOS display for mobile, touch panel cover glass with Super Hard Coat ASF

– Storage: 16 GB (up to 11 GB user-accessible memory), microSD expandability up to 64GB SDXC

– Networks: UMTS HSPA+ 900 (Band

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VIII), 2100 (Band I) MHz, 850 (Band V), 1900 (Band II), 1700 (Band IV), GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz, 4G LTE

– Battery: 3,000mAh embedded

– Waterproofing and dust resistance: IP55/IP58-rated

Sony state this is the world’s slimmest full HD smartphone, the world’s largest full HD smartphone display, the world’s sharpest large-screen smartphone display, and the world’s fastest smartphone processor.

Even more bizarre is the Xperia Z Ultra can be used with any pencil and selected stylus or pen (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm). That’s right. You can use a pencil on the screen.

My initial thoughts are huge device, top specs, waterproof, and no need for a special pen like the Samsung Galaxy Note range. I do wonder though if 3,000 mah battery is big enough to power this device for a whole day.

So would you buy this as your only device?

Win $100,000 with Microsoft

Tech News, Windows, ,

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Microsoft is offering three new programs to encourage and compensate researchers who find vulnerabilities in the company’s software.

The programs include a $100,000 payout for mitigation-bypass vulnerabilities uncovered in its software products, a $50,000 payout on top of this for a solution that will fix the vulnerability, and $11,000 for any bugs found in the preview release of its upcoming Internet Explorer 11 browser software.

There is probably better odds at winning with Microsoft than winning the lottery. Bugs are always present. Winning the lottery is a rare event, unfortunately.

The Humble Bundle – a great idea

Android, Tech News

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The Humble Bundle is back, and with version six you’re able to get up to seven great games for your Android device at one low price. It’s a pay-what-you-like affair, and any amount will get you these five great games:

Aquaria
Fractal
Organ Trail: Director’s Cut
Stealth Bastard Deluxe
Pulse (Android-only)

If you opt to pay more than the average payment, you also will unlock Frozen Synapse and Broken Sword: Director’s Cut. Right now, the average payment is just $4.90, but that changes as more people pay (it’s the average).

I have bought the bundle and I am really impressed with the game variety and quality. If you get in quick, there may be more games added which you would get too.

Update -the bundle just got increased by another 3 games. So now you also get Waking Mars, McPixel and Night Sky.

My 1,000th Post – new milestone reached

Tech News,

This post is officially the 1,000th post/article on my website http://www.gavinsgadgets.co.uk . It is difficult to believe that since starting this in December 2012 that I now have reached this position.

I am also grateful for the 60,000 people from over 150 countries that read my posts and opinions.

It is also an advert free place to come and read and comment.

So thank you and here’s to the next 1,000 articles.

Sony Xperia Z Tablet – review part 7

Android, Tech News

To read the previous parts of the review click here.

I took a break from reviewing the tablet at the weekend, not because I wanted a break but because I had to exchange my Z tablet for a new one due to damage to one of the flaps. I must comment the Plymouth Sony Centre for their excellent handling of this problem. The experience was equal to the Apple store and that is saying something.

Anyway, over the weekend I had to reinstall all my apps and start to setup all my services and logins. Bizarrely, this was actually a really good tthing as I discovered a couple of things I previously missed.

First up, I am now using the default keyboard, which is in my opinion the best keyboard I have ever used. To get it into this position I went into the keyboard settings and asked it to auto correct my spelling mistakes, to add symbols to the keys and allow swiping. I also opted to include Google Voice symbol and a smiley key.

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Previously, auto correct only adjusted capitalisation and the keys didn’t have symbols on them, no smiley and Google key either. The difference for me with these adjustments is superb. I am super quick across the keyboard. Apple iPad users I feel for you 😉

The other nifty feature I discovered was with the default Sony launcher. The launcher allows for 5 home screens, all of which can be completely different, including the dock icons. So one page could be a business setup, with the respective widgets, apps and sshortcuts. Another for music and entertainment etc.

The other aspect of this tablet I like is its waterproof nature. In the UK it rains a lot. How many of you would feel comfortable using your phone in the rain or tablet? Well now if it is raining I can use my Z tablet and continue taking great photos with its 8mp camera. It is the little things like this that make a big difference.

I am also loving the lightweight feel and glorious 10.1″ screen.

One last setting I found was in the music sound settings. It has an option to level out the volume between different songs. So, right now as I type this, I am using the tablet to llisten to my music, in shuffle mode. With the option switched on, listening to piano or heavy metal makes no difference to volume level. All songs play at the same volume level. Neat!

Tomorrow I will look at more aspects of this Z tablet. All I can say so far is that Sony have created a real gem.

In app purchases on the iPod, iPad and iPhone can be very expensive – more than full size consoles

Android, Apple, Tech News,

There have been many recent news items about people racking up £2,000 bills for their kids in app purchases. But surely it can’t be that bad?

Well let’s have a view –

– My Little Poney – most expensive item is a special pony at £42
– Real Racing 3 – several of the top cars cost £45 plus
– Gun Bros – you’ll need £100s here. Total ripoff.

The increase in freemium games, or games suddenly going from paid to a freemium model, or apps now starting to offer in app purchases has grown like crazy. In the same light, we the consumer are being ripped off at an increasing scale. I can understand buying a £40 game for a full size console, as it will have depth and long term playability, and will be the full version, but for a game like Real Racing 3 , this in app purchasing is taking the biscuit.

And if your phone or tablet crashes and you need to do a fresh install you will lose or your investments. Many games and apps are being ruined by in app purchases. Games lose fluidity. Why cant developers offer two versions. A freemium or full version?

But why don’t the owners of the app stores do something to regulate this out of control in app purchasing? Well the don’t because a large percentage of their revenues derive from the freemium and in app purchases.

There is a place for in app purchases and freemium but not at the expensive of ripping off users. I also believe there should be transparency, so that every freemium game clearly shows how much money is needed to be spent per game, and for apps with in app purchases the same rules. In addition, games or apps that you bought as full versions should not be allowed to be changed a year down the line to a part freemium or in app purchase model.

Do you agree or have a different viewpoint?

Whatsapp hits the big time with record members – details

Android, Apple, RIM, Tech News

Mobile messaging app WhatsApp has hit a huge total of 250 million users, the company has told the Wall Street Journal. A couple of million users these days is no big deal, considering how big the smartphone audience has become, but 250 million users is significant. In fact, it’s par Twitter or LinkedIn, and nearly the size of Skype.

WhatsApp is also notable for charging a 99 cent premium cost right up front, without any other in-app purchases or hidden fees. With a simple-to-understand, easy-to-use, and one-time-pay messaging service, maybe it’s easy to see just why WhatsApp is so popular.

A great service, making money and with a clear pricing policy. I just wonder how long before it gets bought for a billion dollars.

Did Microsoft release Office for the iPhone?

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

Microsoft has brought Office to the iPhone, but so far the app’s limitations and costs are creating a negative reaction. More than 55 percent of the 747 reviewers have rated the app one star out of five, and there are 56 pages of comments, many from users angry that Microsoft requires them to have an Office 365 Home Premium subscription to use it.

Home Premium starts at $100 per year and includes access to cloud-based versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and other apps for up to five devices.
Microsoft is entitled to charge for its app, but users are angry that they are being asked to pay an annual subscription when the iPhone app only includes a slimmed-down set of features.

Many reviewers also pointed to the absence of an iPad tailored version of the app which would have been more useful but then put it in competition with its own tablets.

My view is why bother with Office. There are many office apps already on the Apple app store or just use Google docs. Or use Apple’s own editing apps.

Sony iL Honami – Sony’s next Super Smartphone

Android, Tech News

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Sony will be competing with the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom and the Nokia EOS in the September when it releases its own cameraphone, the i1 Honami. The device will come with a Cybershot-quality camera and a full HD display. But if the below specs come to fruition then this is my next phone. In fact this is the perfect phone. Big battery, 32gb internal storage plus micro SD card, front stereo speakers, high quality sound, ps3 controller compatibility, awesome camera, and xenon flash and so much more!

-5.0-inch 1920×1080 Triluminos, OptiContrast, X-Reality Engine, 2000:1 + Contrast Ratio

-Snapdragon MSM8974 2.3 ghz, Adreno 330

-2 GB RAM

-32 GB Internal, microSD expansion

-2/3″ 20/13 MP Exmor RS camera with Sony G lens, Cybershot Camera UI, Camerashutter key, Interchangeable lenses

-Xenon + Dual LED Flash, Mobile BIONZ Image processing

-NFC, One Touch Sharing, WIFI Miracast

-BlueTooth 4.0

-S-Master MX Mobile Audio Amplifier

-1080p Exmor R front camera 2.2 Megapixel

-Dual Stereo speakers

-Android 4.2.2, new Xperia UI

-4G LTE

-Tough Shatter proof Glass on front ( Tougher than Xperia Z Dragontrail glass)

-3000mAh battery, new improved STAMINA mode

-Glass + Metal/Carbon Fiber body

-IP 55/58 dust, water resistance, shock resistance. No flap on audio jack.