Temple Run 2 has just been released on iOS. It’s free and looks like a ball of fun.
Category Archives: Tech News
The Sony Xperia Z tablet
The Sony Xperia Tablet Z, is Sony’s campaign of bringing the same level of style and unity as its new Z smartphone.
The tablet is identical to the phone, except for the 10.1 inch screen. It’s got the same 1080p resolution screen, quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor, and the waterproof and dust proof specifications. It’s also packing LTE, NFC, Android 4.1, and a 6,000 mAh battery, all in a 6.9 mm shell.
Looks like Sony is back with a bang.
ZTE Nubia Z7
ZTE is rumoured to have the Nubia Z7 in the wings for the latter part of 2013. This a 6.3 inch phablet of monstrous capabilities.
The 6.3 inch display should have a huge resolution of 2560 x 1440, an 8-core 1.4GHz processor, Mali T658 GPU, LTE connectivity, Android 5.0, 4000 mAh battery, 16 megapixel rear-facing camera and 128GB of internal Memory.
Whilst this sounds far fetched, based on current technology advances, I’m certain all this is possible. But do we need such power and screen size.
Olloclip 3-in-1 Lenses for iPhone 5 Review
Olloclip produce a snap on/off 3-in-1 lens solution for the iPhone 4/4S and now the iPhone 5. I bought one for my iPhone 5 and really have been very impressed by this little accessory. The results can be really artistic and fun, and incredible too. Basically you place on the camera corner of the iPhone 5. One side does the fisheye, switching over does wide angled. Unscrewing the wide angled lens reveals the macro lens. So below is a normal shot from the iPhone 5 camera.
And now the same shot with the fisheye lens.
And now using the wide angled lens.
But now let’s look at the macro lens. This is a close up shot taken on the iPhone 5.
And now using the Olloclip macro.
The level of detail and close up is really impressive.
You can also use the Olloclip for video. The Olloclip only works on a naked iPhone 5, so make sure when you attach the lens there is no dirt on your phone or inside the slot of the Olloclip.
I really love this attachment.
Will Google+ Succeed
I was thinking about Twitter and Google+ and wondering if Google+ will ever become the next twitter.
Twitter has the traction and is far more popular. But like all social media, services eventually stop being as popular over time, and the newbie becomes the next big thing.
Whilst I don’t really use Google+ that much, it is more a case of not being as integrated into my iPhone as twitter. It is also another case of only have 20 plus people on Google+ versus 150 on twitter. And that 20 or mainly there due to my gmail account.
But Google+ does have some neat tricks up its sleeve. You have different circles, so you can decide who sees what. It also has auto camera photo upload, hangouts, communities and messenger all integrated. And events. So it’s has a lot more options that twitter.
Twitter is taking back the control of its platform and culling third party twitter apps, despite the fact those twitter apps helped make it so successful. Adverts in the official twitter app now appear and who knows what is coming next. This has upset a small percentage of people.
I wonder where we will be in a years time. I reckon Google+ will be even more popular, especially due to the android operating system appearing on so many smartphones.
Olloclip Case & Lenses
Olloclip make a superb snap on camera lens for the iPhone 4 to 5. I have the Olloclip for the iphone 5 and will be writing a full review shortly. Olloclip at CES have produced a case with a slide-open corner for use with the Olloclip.
The corner of the case unclips and swings over the top of the case and once flipped it’s edge rests on the volume button of the iPhone 5, converting what was a useless piece of plastic into a big, easy-to-press shutter button. Very clever. Neat, right?
Also clever is the dock part of the case, which slides onto the bottom half when needed and adds a tripod mount and a cold-shoe accessory mount.
The case, which has yet to be named, will be out soon around $50.
Also of interest is that future Olloclips will ship with an adapter for the latest iPod touch in the box. Olloclip is bringing out a new app which will offer a special mode for each of the fisheye, wideangle and macro lenses, as well as optical correction for all of them.
Also in prototype stage is a telephoto lens.
But ask yourself of you are this keen on photography why don’t you just get yourself a proper camera.
Facebook Now Offering Free Calls in the US for iOS
Facebook has just gone live with free calls for iPhone users in the US.
All you have to do is go to messenger and start a conversation. Then hit “i”.
First search and now voice. Some big steps forward by Facebook over the last few days.
HTC’s New Flagship – The M7
I leaked photo has appeared on the upcoming new flagship from HTC called the M7. It’s a 1.7ghz quad core 4.7 inch device. The power button has an infra red sensor so the phone can act as a remote control.
This looks stunning. What do you think?
More BB10 info
As we get nearer to the official BB10 launch event, leaks are appearing everywhere. Below is a screenshot from the sales literature of Rogers. The new BB10 looks promising and claims to have over 70,000 apps at launch and a class leading web browser.
Other specs include a Snapdragon S4 processor, a 1,800mAh battery and a 356 pixel density along with a 4.2-inch 720p screen.
Fiio E12 Mont Blanc Portable Headphone Amp – Review
The Fiio E12 Mont Blanc is the latest amp from Fiio. Fiio is a specialist audio company that make superb audio accessories, and are well known in audio circles for making great value products with incredible sound.
The E12 Mont Blanc is a high performance portable headphone amplifier, which has a high quality built-in processor and power amplifier in a super slim body. The specifications are as follows –
Power Supply – DC5V, 2A , Frequency Response 20hz-20hz, SNR > 110db, Crosstalk Attenuation >65db, Gain >16db high or 0db low, Max Output Power 600mW at 16 ohms, 880mW at 32 ohms, 160mW at 300 ohms.
Battery Charge time approx 1.7 hours , with a 12 hour runtime
Suitable for headphones 16-300 ohms. Dimensions 123mm x 65mm x 14mm. Weight 158g
So what does this headphone amp do? In simple terms it takes the sound from your portable device or smartphone and amplifies it. More on that later.
In the box you get the warranty card, instructions, micro USB cable to charge from your computer, 2 Fiio bands for holding the amp and portable device/phone together, some soft feet, and a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable for transferring sound from the headphone socket into the amp.
If you have an Apple device like an iPhone or iPod you can get iPod line out cables as shown. If you have a lightning connector, your will need a 30 pin adapter or adapter cable. Taking the sound via the line out produces a much better quality.
So what makes this amp special. Firstly it looks fantastic, even better than the photos. Secondly and more importantly it has a lot of oomph and energy to make your headphones perform like you wouldn’t believe possible from a portable amplifier. You will also hear lots more detail and information in your songs that you didn’t realise were there. And the E12 does this effortlessly. Being such a powerful portable amp allows you to plug larger more demanding headphones in from 16 ohms up to 300 ohms. In addition to the extra level of information your music will come alive as your headphones are being provided with so much emery and oomph. Far more than the tiny amp in your phone or iPod. Another benefit is the volume. The E12 Mont Blanc can go much louder than your phone or iPod.
I tried using the amp with an iPod Classic and an iPhone 5. Both produced impressive results. I tried a range of music from Andrea Bocelli – Concerto One Night in Central Park, Muse – 2nd Law, Wycliffe Gordon – Dreams of New Orleans , Michael Buble – Fever, Nicola Benedetti – Silver Violin and some dance music. Vocals, instruments, speed and attack, depth and soundstage were amazing. And the amp never rang out of steam. Headphones used for sampling the amp were a pair of Sennheiser HD568.
The E12 Mont Blanc features a bass boost which is very discreet and doesn’t distort the music. There is also a crosstalk and gain control should you need them. I have included some photos below.
In summary, I would really recommend this beautify portable amplifier. Very impressive.
Update – more impressions click here
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