Category Archives: Tech News

Sony investigates splitting its electronics and entertainment businesses

June 2, 2013Android, Tech NewsSonyGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Sony Corporation is working with Morgan Stanley and Citigroup on the possible split of electronics and entertainment businesses, according to a report by Bloomberg. Two weeks ago, outspoken investor Daniel Loeb spoke with Sony chief executive officer Kaz Hirai about the proposal, with Sony’s board of directors starting a formal discussion on the idea around a week ago.

Sony’s stock has risen 8.2 percent since the news of Loeb’s proposal was reported. Loeb’s stake in Sony is valued at around $1.1 billion and he believes that splitting off the entertainment division will give the electronics division a chance to focus on becoming profitable.

Sony is facing stiff competition from Apple and Samsung, so maybe this split will help it survive or protect the profitable part of the business, should the electronics fail.

My first Apple device was the iPod Touch 2g

June 2, 2013Apple, Tech NewsiPodGavin Fabiani-Laymond

My introduction to Apple was via the iPod Touch 2g. It became my pocket gaming machine. And I loved it.

Well Apple has announced that they have now sold 100 million of these iPods. Rather a decent number but if a low cost iPhone occurs will they need this product line?

Own a HTC One but want to have a HTC One Google Edition

June 1, 2013Android, Tech NewsGoogle Nexus, HTC OneGavin Fabiani-Laymond

A few days ago I posted details of the HTC One that was going to be available as a pure Google experience. But what if you already have a HTC One?

Well HTC is looking into providing a rom to flash to the pure Google experience should you so desire. Personally, why strip away everything that made the HTC One so good and have a bare bones device.

What would you do?

The HTC Phablet -T6

June 1, 2013Android, Tech NewsHTC PhabletGavin Fabiani-Laymond

HTC is riding on a wave at present. The HTC One is selling rapidly, a smaller sized version code named M4 is due soon, the HTC One Nexus has just been announced, and now HTC is planning their Phablet.

This is going to be a killer device. A 5.9 inch screen, Quad Core Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3Ghz, boomsound with dedicated audio processor, key lime pie not jelly bean, a stylus, biometric finger print scanner and more.

This is clearly aimed at the Samsung Note. Will it be enough though ?

HTC One – Home Screen Fav of the Week

May 31, 2013Android, Tech NewsHTC OneGavin Fabiani-Laymond

This is my home screen that has stayed on my HTC One this week. Using Nova Launcher with a transparent status bar, MIUI v5 icons and a simple black with wooden dock wallpaper.

Just how strong is your password and how quick can it be hacked?

May 31, 2013Tech NewsPassword HackingGavin Fabiani-Laymond

So you think your password is strong, even long at 16 characters. Well think again!

During an experiment for Ars Technica hackers managed to crack 90% of 16,449 hashed passwords.Six passwords were cracked each minute including 16-character versions such as ‘qeadzcwrsfxv1331’.

The success rate of the hackers varied from 62 – 90%.

This level of success doesn’t bode well for cloud security either. In fact, it appears that your identity could be stolen with relative ease, and somebody with a malicious streak could wipe your existence.

How safe do you think your passwords are? If you have a password make sure you use at least 8 characters, a mix of lower and upper case, numbers and symbols. Don’t use any memorable data, pets names or anything similar.

Apple TV is just a hobby. Some hobby as Apple share of the market is staggering

May 31, 2013Apple, Tech NewsApple TVGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Tim Cook was on All Things Digital Conference a few days ago and revealed that they had sold 13m Apple TV boxes, and 6m of those were last year. But still this is a hobby for Apple.

Well this hobby has 71% of the market share for digital media receivers according to Fortune. That does not include dedicated gaming systems such as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The popular Roku box has sold more than 5 million units, giving it a 27% share of the market.

And when Apple decides to move this from a hobby to a proper product launch, things could get rather interesting.

HTC One – Google Nexus version officially confirmed

May 30, 2013Android, Tech NewsHTC One, NexusGavin Fabiani-Laymond

HTC has just confirmed the HTC One will be available with the pure Google Nexus experience from the Play Store from 26th June 2013.

Updates will all be managed by Google. Initially it will be US only and in 32gb. It will sell for $599 and come with android 4.2.2 out of the box.

Apple just launched new iPod out of the blue – breaking news

May 30, 2013Apple, Tech NewsApple, iPodGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Apple just announced a new iPod Touch.

It is a lower memory version of just 16gb, featuring an ultra-slim design, 4-inch Retina display, dual-core
A5 chip and Apple EarPods. This cheaper iPod Touch does not include the iSight camera or loop.

More info as it arrives.

Update : Selling for $229 , $30 more than previous old iPod which has now been discontinued.

HTC not content with Aluminium Unibody – working on Liquid Metal Unibody

May 30, 2013Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

HTC produced the stunning HTC One in an aluminium unibody. The problem with aluminium is that it scratches. Luckily HTC are already ahead of the game and now looking at Liquid Metal for its next superphone, potentially ready for release near the end of this year.

Liquid Metal is much tougher than aluminium and is virtually unscratchable and unbreakable. Sounds great.

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