Category Archives: Windows

Bill Gates – I’ve done my time

Tech News, Windows

Bloomberg reported Microsoft Corp. (MSFT ▼-0.69% 36.13) Chairman Bill Gates will work on philanthropy full time for the rest of his life and contribute part time as a board member of the software maker, which is seeking a new chief executive officer.

Gates, speaking in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “In the Loop with Betty Liu,” didn’t indicate whether Microsoft’s board was closer to choosing a replacement for CEO Steve Ballmer, who is retiring this year.

Amazing to think Bill Gates has done more good for the world than Apple’s chairman.

Alternatives to LogMeIn – updated

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

Over on twitter discussions were occurring over LogMeIn alternatives.

Kevin Wright suggested Team viewer.

TeamViewer is a key LogMeIn Pro/Free competitor, TeamViewer still comes in a freebie version for individuals. If you’ve been using LogMeIn, this should be a straightforward rip and replace. Best of all, TeamViewer has clients for Windows, Android, iOS, Windows Phone and even Windows 8/RT. It’s really well-supported regardless of which platform(s) you prefer.

Or you can use Chrome Remote Desktop. This is a chrome Web browser extension and with this you can remote access your PC or MAC via the Chrome Web browser.

Update – I have also found Splashtop. Its not free, but for just over £3 in the Google Play store it is the solution I have now settled on.

Job sorted.

If you have another option please drop a note in the comments.

Nokia’s Normandy android phone – seriously

Android, Tech News, Windows

The internet has been awash of the Android Nokia phone codenamed Normandy.  Rumours keep saying this might get released by Nokia.

Considering Microsoft bought Nokia there is no way this will ever see light of day.

But what it is doing is giving Nokia free advertising across the Internet.  Maybe, Nokia designed this deliberately to get Microsoft to commit to buying their ailing company and then thought, hey let’s leave a few photos lying around and get some free publicity. Sure is working.

Brando Shopping

Android, Apple, Firefox, RIM, Tech News, Windows

Over the next week or so I will be reviewing some mobile accessories from Brando Shopping .

Brando Shopping supplies a whole range of accessories for your phone and tablets. I have bought my accessories from this online store for nearly 8 years now.

In the index page, I have now created a page called Shopping, to provide links to places where I buy my gadgets from. This will be expanded over the coming months.

Have fun.

Nintendo cuts profit forecasts drastically and changes business model – Mario on your phone ?

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows,

This is the press release from Reuters confirming the dreadful financial performance of Nintendo.

“TOKYO (Reuters) – Nintendo Co said it expects an operating loss of 35 billion yen ($336 million) for the year to end-March, reversing its previous forecast of a 100 billion yen profit, citing much weaker-than-expected sales of its Wii U and 3DS game machines.

Nintendo on Friday also warned of a net loss of 25 billion yen for the year ending on March 31, a substantial reversal from its prior projection of a 55 billion yen profit.

Nintendo President Satoshi Iwata will hold a news conference at 4:30 p.m. (0730 GMT) in Osaka regarding the estimated losses.

The company slashed its global Wii U sales forecast for 2013/14 to 2.8 million units from 9 million, and its 3DS sales forecast to 13.5 mln units from 18 mln units.”

And now finally Nintendo boss Saturo Iwata has admitted the company is considering “a new business structure,” which may involve branching out into the mobile arena. Hopefully it won’t be long before we see all the famous Nintendo game classics on the iPhone and Android phones.

What photo apps do you use on your Android and Windows Phone

Android, Tech News, Windows

Like the previous post for iOS, this one covers android and windows phone.

Windows Phone – as I only have had Nokia apps I’ve only ever used the included apps by Nokia, so these include Nokia Camera and Creative Studio.  1Shot Beta is the only third party camera app worth mentioning but do you use any others?

Android – this depends really on your phone and what software is included. But on my Note 3 I have the following apps installed.

1. Snapspeed – great editing app

2. Google+ Photos – plenty of filters and editing options

3. VSCO Cam – the best filters app. Worth buying the collections to save some money. Plus loads of the usual editing options

4. Picsay Pro – superb editing app plus has the ability to add balloons and other crazy items to photos eg hats

5. Photoshop Touch – advanced editing app

6. Lapse it Pro – creates amazing time lapse photos. You will need a tripod and a full charged battery!

7. Color Splash Pro – allows you to highlight the colour of one bit of the photo

8. Photo Grid – collage maker

So what else do you use?

CES 2014: Microsoft claims Windows Phone dominance over iPhone in 24 countries

Tech News, Windows

Microsoft has announced at CES that it’s seeing high penetration for its Windows Phone platform.

Christopher Flores, director of communications for Microsoft, claimed that Windows Phone devices now have second place in 14 markets around the world, and are outselling Apple’s iPhone in 24 markets too, making it the fastest selling smartphone platform globally.

I would imagine this is due to its low cost handsets like the Lumia 520 whereas Apple sells high value high profit devices.

Nokia Lumia 1520 – review – final thoughts

Reviews, Windows,

I’ve used the 1520 for just over a week now and it delivered one of the best window phones experience’s.

A superb camera in a huge 6 inch screened piece of stunning hardware.

The size is not for everyone. I did find the height of the 1520 too tall for my work shirts front pocket. Whilst the Note 3 sticks out a cm the 1520 protrudes by 3 cm making me think that if I bent over slightly it could fall out.

In some of my jackets I could sense the large bulk of the phone as well. But apart from that if was a pleasure to use.
Recommended if large phones is your preference.

Thanks to Clove Technology for sending the Lumia 1520.

Nokia Black update is live – details

Tech News, Windows

The Lumia Black software update is rolling out for Nokia Lumia WP8 owners around the world from today.

The update brings new features, improvements in imaging, new apps and app updates from Microsoft and Nokia to make the Lumia smartphone experience even better.

The main features brought along with the update from Nokia include:

App Folder. This brand new feature makes your Lumia experience even more fluid by giving you an option to further personalize and organize your Start screen. With App folders you can group similar apps and settings into one folder, a tile, on your Start screen.

Nokia Glance screen 2.0. Helps you keep track of information in real time, making all your most important notifications including: phone, messages, email, outlook, calendar, or any apps that use notifications such as Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, or games;  always visible at a glance on your screen. It saves time and energy.

Bluetooth LE. Will now be enabled across the full Windows Phone 8 Lumia range for compatible gadgets like the Adidas MiCoach accessories. 

Nokia Refocus. The amazing Nokia Refocus comes to all Windows Phone 8 Lumia smartphones with 1GB of RAM and upwards.

Nokia Beamer. Sharing what’s on your phone is easier than ever with Nokia Beamer. You can now beam documents, presentations, anything you like, to any HTML5-enabled screen by simply scanning a QR code on the screen. It’s coming to all of the phones with 1GB RAM upwards.

Nokia Storyteller. The app arranges your photos for you, by date and by place, making it easier to tell the stories behind your pictures, and give extra context through the close integration of interactive maps.

Nokia Camera. Combines Nokia Pro Camera and Smart Camera to simplify the photo-taking experience, and ensure you get the perfect shot every time. The app has been available for Lumia PureView smartphones since last year, but it’s now coming to the rest of the WP8 Lumia range. The latest Nokia Camera update also bringsraw DNG support for Lumia 1020 owners.

Latest generation of imaging algorithms. The Lumia Black update further improves the image quality, especially in Lumia 1020. Among others, the improvements include a new oversampling algorithm, making your images more natural looking with reduced noise, while ensuring your photos remain wonderfully sharp.

 
The Lumia Black update also brings a series of enhancements from Microsoft to Nokia Lumia smartphones. These include safe driving mode – which cuts out unnecessary distractions when you’re on the road; customised ringtones for each contact. You can now also close apps within the in multitasking view and lock the screen rotation if you wish.

Timings: The Lumia Black update has begun rolling out today for Lumia 1020 and Lumia 925 smartphones, with other models in the rangefollowing in the coming weeks.

 How to update: Nokia Lumia smartphones automatically check for updates every week, and will notify people when it finds one. Otherwise check by going to Settings -> Phone update – it downloads and installs straight from that screen.