Category Archives: Tech News

The iPhone resale value has diminished by

March 8, 2013Apple, Tech News, UncategorizedGavin Fabiani-Laymond

As somebody who likes changing phones frequently I have recently looked at the 2nd hand values of the iPhone 5.

Unlike older models in previous years, it seems the actual resale value of the iPhone 5 has dropped. In fact I noticed the Samsung S3 or Note 2 were only £35-£45 lower than the iPhone 5 16gb. Even more startling is the loss in value if you have the 32gb or 64gb iPhone 5. The 64gb only commands an extra £10-£40 if you are lucky. That a loss in value of 44% in 3 months. That would never happen in previous years.

One thing is for sure, there is no way I will ever buy a 64gb size Apple device again. I am looking at what I actually need on my phone and hopefully going forwards will manage with 16gb. At least with the Samsung Galaxy S3 or Note 2 if you buy the 16gb but need more memory you can buy a 64gb memory card for £50 and re use it in your next phone. That’s value and sensible.

Food for thought don’t you think!

Are you waiting for the Samsung Galaxy S4?

March 8, 2013Android, Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

In a few days time the world will know for sure what Samsung has created for its successor to the superb S3.

I am not expecting anything ground breaking on the hardware but I do hope they use some aluminium. Maybe the software will have some USP’s.

So how many of you are going to rush out and pre order one of these ? Or are you going to wait to see it in the flesh alongside the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z and maybe even wait for the new iPhone or Note 3 before deciding your next move?

I’m waiting to see what comes out this year. The iPhone 5 is very competent. And I would want something a lot better to change from it

How Many Phones can You Buy vs Expectations

March 8, 2013Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Go to any phone shop or supermarket or online website and try and add up how many phones are available to buy. 100s and 100s. So how the heck do you decide which one to buy. All have top notch features and specifications.

So you decide to buy the best, you get it home and start using it. And then in the news the next day, details of 3 new models are announced that will be even better than yours. How do you feel? Probably disappointed. You made a bad mistake getting the phone you did, if only you waited you could have had a better phone. In fact there is nothing wrong with the phone you got. It will be excellent for years to come, but sadly with too much choice comes too much expectations which then get destroyed.

If you could only buy 1 phone and it didn’t work properly or didn’t do what you wanted, whose fault would that be. It wouldn’t be yours it would be the world’s fault and you could except that, you wouldn’t be disappointed, and your expectations have been managed not to expect greatness. You would also be happier too.

Fridays thought of the day.

Whose copying who – Smart Covers

March 8, 2013Android, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Looks like LG is copying Samsung with its own magnetic smart covers for its new Optimus Pro android phone. Available in many pretty colours and for a small fortune.

Makes a change for Apple not to be copied. Maybe it’s Samsung’s turn to experience th

iPhone 5 battery woes – do you concur ?

March 7, 2013Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

My iPhone 5 is always within reach of power but today was the first time I used it without being able to charge it.

At 6.30am to 9.30am it got used for web browsing, twitter and RSS feeds. Plus playing Letterpress. 40% of the battery had gone so I put it on airplane mode for 8 hours. I turned it back on for 20 mins during that time to download RSS feeds and twitter posts. At 6pm to 8pm it was used as before but not as heavily. After 8pm the phone went flat.

Would you say this is normal? I love the iPhone 5 but was left a little disappointed.

Twitter for iOS and android gets huge update and cuts services

March 7, 2013Android, Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Twitter has been updated and includes enhancements to search and other improvements as quoted by twitter as below –

– As you search you’ll see more topic and user suggestions for your query, based on what’s happening in real time. You’ll also see these suggestions when adding a hashtag or username as you compose a new Tweet.

– Top Tweets from big moments in the past pop out when you search for a given term. For example, searching for “election” might highlight Tweets from several months ago.

– When you open a web page you can now see the related Tweet for more context. Just pull the tray icon up or down to see or hide the Tweet.

– It’s easier to see long conversations in the Tweet details view, which now shows all of the replies to any Tweet

– When you block a user in the app, their Tweets will instantly disappear from the Connect tab in the app

– Pull-to-refresh in Discover shows a new, smoother animation

– Support for traditional Chinese

– Logout support (iOS 6 only)

– Uploading videos vie Mobypicture, Vodpod and Posterous is no longer supported

The last change is another example of twitter taking control and cutting third party services.

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs iPhone 5S

March 7, 2013Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

With a week to go the rumours coming out about the S4 are huge. Leaked renders and specifications and Samsung new campaign which I like a lot.

But what is also noticeable is the number of new “credible” iPhone 5S leaks around the same time as the S4 launch.

So in case you’re wondering what the 5S will feature, it will have a faster A7 SoC chip, a smart flash that uses white or yellow LEDs to ensure high quality photos, and a fingerprint security chip. It won’t look any different from the 5. The battery will be increased slightly. A cheaper plastic iPhone will also be available. Samsung do you hear – plastic is cheap.

So hopefully if you are waiting for the next best phone, this may help guide you. Of course, why wait, buy the S4 now and the 5S when it comes out. And then perhaps the Note 3. That’s crazy I hear you say. No it’s too much choice.

Sprint won’t be selling Blackberry

March 7, 2013RIM, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

In a rather unusual move Sprint has confirmed it won’t be selling the Blackberry Z10 but it will be selling the thumb keyboard Q10 saying its customers prefer actual keyboards.

Seems a strange move.

Now Amazon has wiped all the competitors is this the future ?

March 7, 2013Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The other day I went to buy a CD. Call me old fashioned but I like the look of a physical CD sitting on a bookshelf. I can see my music. I own it. It always worried me that Amazon slowly but surely was destroying high street shops.

On the music front HMV was the last big high street chain to suffer. So with no competition and still not paying any UK corporation tax at the level it should, Amazon is the only place to buy music.

So I went to buy a Robbie Williams album on CD. Below is the staggeringly high price.

So if you go to the mp3 download of the same album it is a fraction of the CD cost. See below.

So now Amazon has no competition it can clearly force people towards the low quality mp3 download route. And if you think this is just an isolated case, its not as several other CDs I had on my wish list have all risen in price.

What do you all think about this? Can we do anything to change this situation ?

Samsung buys a stake in Sharp – Watch out Apple

March 6, 2013Android, Apple, Tech NewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Samsung has bought a 3% stake in Sharp a key component supplier to Apple.

This is rather a dynamic move by Samsung who perhaps are looking to cut or curb Apple’s manufacturing options in the longer term.

Or it’s a sign that Samsung and Apple have made up! And that’s never going to happen.

Gavin's Gadgets & Photography

Tech Reviews & Photography