Category Archives: Windows

Microsoft Office arrives on the iPad – is it too late?

Apple, Tech News, Windows

Via Re/Code – Microsoft revealed it is using the so-called “freemium” sales model with the suite of productivity apps. In the case of Office, users can download the software for free, but will need to stump $99 per year (or pay a recurring $9.99 per month fee) for a Office 365 subscription if they want to edit documents.

In a statement to Re/code, Apple confirmed it will take the usual 30 percent cut of all Office 365 subscriptions purchased from any Office for iPad app. Apple does not profit from customers who use an existing subscription, or purchase a new subscription from Microsoft’s website, to access the Office apps.

Apple’s charge to publishers for all in-app sales was thought to be one of the major roadblocks in Microsoft’s launch of Office for iPad.

Microsoft on Thursday introduced the long-awaited Office productivity suite for iPad, which includes custom-built versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Now this might be a blessing for corporate users but Apple provide their own apps for free. Or you can use Google Docs for free. In my mind it just shows how the tables have turned and that Microsoft is desperately changing is business model to try and make money.

And now the android and iPhone versions are free for personal use.

Smartphones versus DSLRs versus film: A look at how far we’ve come

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

In tech-speak, the iPhone 5S gets the same depth in focus as a full-frame DSLR at f/18. With a phone, you can freeze everyone along the length of a candlelit Christmas dinner table, and keep them all in focus. None of these DSLRs can do that, as f/18 and short shutter speeds don’t mix in candlelight.

Digital Photo Review have a brilliant article and I highly recommend heading over to read the rest.

Reminder – Episode 11 – Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast is live – Please RT

Android, Apple, Tech News, Wearables, Windows

As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast bi-weekly. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.

Episode 11 is now live.

If you get a moment and have enjoyed the podcast, please leave some feedback in iTunes. Thanks.

Episode 11 – Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast is live – Please RT

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast bi-weekly. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.

Episode 11 is now live.

If you get a moment and have enjoyed the podcast, please leave some feedback in iTunes. Thanks.

Has Apple lost the plot – iPhone 5C 8gb vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Windows Phone

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

Yesterday Apple quietly launched the iPhone 5C with only 8gb of storage at a cost of £429. Clove Technology sells the Samsung Note 3 for £433.20 which is a comparable price. In this article I am going to show how Apple has totally lost the plot by comparing the 5C to the Note 3.

Of course I could have picked from a number of other phones that are available for less than the iPhone 5C. These include the Nexus 5, LG G2 32gb, Motorola Moto G or Moto X, Nokia Lumia 1020 or 925 or 1320, Samsung S4 and HTC One. These phones are as much as £329 less than the iPhone 5C. There are many other phones cheaper than the 5C as well. I selected all of the above as on the whole all of these phones trash the 5C in every specification from camera to storage to features except one area. One handed comfort and usage.

So let’s compare the iPhone 5C to the Note 3. They cost the same. I know what you’re already thinking. This is not a fair comparison. The Note 3 is at the cutting edge of technology and has hundreds more advantages over the 5C. And it does. And this illustrates how Apple have lost the plot. But let’s list out a few –

Camera – Note 3 wins with its 13mp camera vs the 8mp on the 5C

Screen – Note 3 wins with a 5.7 inch screen vs 4 inches on the 5C. Also I prefer the colour and clarity on the Note 3.

Storage – Note 3 wins again with 32gb vs 8gb on the 5C

Misc – the Note 3 has a stylus for handwriting input, NFC, USB mass storage, replaceable battery , micro sd slot for expanding the storage, USB 3, wireless charging, multi windows, small apps, one handed use, proper system sharing, selecting of default apps, easy customisation, widgets and theming and so much more. The iPhone 5C has none of the above.

So does the 5C have any winning areas over the Note 3? Yes. iCloud backup and restore is simply the best solution, and the simplest. iOS Apps. I don’t care what anyone says, they always are the most polished. iOS control and notification centres are extremely well designed. One handed use is the best. Also it will become the cheapest option for people to get an iPhone on contact. And anything else is not an iPhone and people want what they can’t afford.

But really is it worth all that extra money? Especially when you can buy a Samsung flagship phone or a number of top performing windows and android phones for considerably less!

Nokia X – One Million pre-orders in China – not so fast

Android, Tech News, Windows

It turns out Nokia’s Weibo announcement of 1 million pre-orders for the Android Nokia X is potentially misleading according to wmpoweruser.

LiveSide.net reported that the number was generated at retailer JD.com, and that the pre-orders, which unusually for China did not require any registration or money down, was part of a contest to win the handset with instant wins ie. Click the pre-order button and you can win a Nokia X.

Entrants were also able to “pre-order” for each of the 4 colours, suggesting much less than 1 million Chinese were interested in the handset.

On the other hand LiveSide does note that at around $100 the handset is pretty cheap, even for an Android handset, so it may still do pretty well in the end. However for now we should withhold judgement until much more information is available.

Nokia won’t be the first company nor the last to manipulate sales figures. Let’s hope they can sell a lot more than this figure in any event.

Top 6 phones for April and May 2014

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

The new range of handsets are about to be unleashed but below are my current top new 5 phones to be aware of for April and May 2014.

1. All New HTC One – with its unibody design and new 2 camera lenses for the rear. This will be one fast and great camera phone.

2. Samsung Galaxy S5 – release date 11th April. The kitchen sink of specs. Fingerprint scanner, heart rate monitor, fast auto focus camera and so much more. Plastic fantastic.

3. Sony Xperia Z2 – waterproof and dustproof. Looks gorgeous and comes with a 20.7mp camera. One to watch for sure.

4. Motorola Moto G – this has been around for a while but just can’t be ignored as it’s low priced but a decent phone.

5. iPhone 5S – Apple is about to release iOS 7.1 which will add more functionality and fix some bugs. A very strong phone offering and a decent easy to use camera.

6. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact – a full fledged mini phone without compromise in specifications and the first small sized android phone to really take on the iPhone. With a 20.7mp camera and snapdragon 800 processor it sure is a beauty.

Of course there are some phones already released that are well worth looking at. First up the Samsung Note 3, LG G2 and Nexus 5. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be heavily discounted so well worth a look too.

And if you want a bit of window phones love with the venerable Nokia Lumia Carl Zeiss camera optics then look no further than the Lumia 1020 or 1520.

Are there any other phones on your hit list.

Episode 10 – Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast is now live – Please RT

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News, Wearables, Windows,

As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast bi-weekly. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.

Episode 10 is now live.

If you get a moment and have enjoyed the podcast, please leave some feedback in iTunes. Thanks.