Category Archives: Windows

Happy Birthday “Gavin’s Gadgets” – One Year Old today

Android, Apple, Firefox, Historical Reviews, Jan 2013, Reviews, RIM, Social, Tech News, Weather, Windows

Gavin’s Gadgets celebrates it’s first birthday today.

In one year, I’ve written 1,700 articles and reviewed 23 phones/gadgets. Gavin’s Gadgets is viewed in 180 countries, and some that even I didn’t know existed. If you like podcasts, I also co-host a podcast with my friend Dave Rich from UKMobileTech. Details are on the about page, or search in iTunes or any podcast app for “Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast”.

Don’t forget, you can catch up on the reviews using the reviews index page.

In addition weather for Princetown, Dartmoor is updated daily using my basic weather equipment.

And remember there are no adverts to distract you. All the views are my personal views and opinions.

So from me to you, thank you for visiting, following my blog, adding your comments and returning. And thank you to everyone that helped me along this journey. Here’s to another year!

A few more reviews – details

Apple, Reviews, Tech News, Windows, , , ,

Just a quick heads up.

I have a Nokia Lumia 820 arriving soon which I’m looking forward to putting through its paces.

Headphones – following on from my review of the Logitech Ultimate Ears 6000 and Sony XBA-H1, I will be reviewing the Sennheiser Amperior soon. The Logitech UE 6000 and Sony XBA-H1 will also have a longer term update as well. I have used a wide selection of headphones, so please ask if you have a question or two.

Ballistic case – I will be looking at a Ballistics case for the iPhone 5/5S next week.

Apple Leather Case for iPhone 5S – report on long term usage on the red, cream, brown and blue cases. A quick reveal. The brown leather case isn’t that lovely light shade of brown anymore!

Nokia Lumia 820 – first impressions

Reviews, Tech News, Windows,

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I received the Nokia Lumia 820 is the post yesterday evening. I’ve only had a short time with it, but below are my first impressions.

It’s a fairly substantial feeling phone, both in terms of actual weight and feel in the hand. It’s very comfortable in the hand, approximately the same height as the iPhone 5S but wider. It’s has a 8mp Carl Zeiss camera, a removable back cover and battery and expandable storage with a micro SD card. In fact, at first glance I didn’t believe the back cover actually came off and had to watch a YouTube video revealing how the back cover was removed.

I took a few photos indoors in low light, and once again the Nokia optics perform rather admirably. The Lumia 820 is not in the same league as the 1020 but it did snap rather good photos despite the low lighting.

It’s style is similar to the Nokia Lumia 620, but larger with a better camera and 1gb ram. I don’t know what it is about the Lumia range but they feel tough and the only phone brand I would not protect with a case.

Next week I will post more thoughts of the Nokia Lumia 820.

Do we really need flexible phones ?

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

LG and Samsung have both released flexible phones recently to demonstrate what they are both capable of building. But do we really need flexible phones?

The LG G Flex has a self healing back and can be flexed flat by pushing down on it. It moves by about 5mm downwards from the centre point before it goes flat. This really fascinates me. A self healing back and slightly flexible. Why you may ask?

Well it means that future phone will be more durable. Scratches won’t be a problem and the odd drop or two won’t crack the screen. It will also potentially negate the need for a case.

I can’t wait for future developments in hardware. 2014 could be an interesting year.

Tablets are more important than phones for shopping

Android, Apple, RIM, Tech News, Windows

The latest announcements from many major retailers have all commented that sales of tablets including iPads have proven to be what people want for Xmas.

In addition, iPads were used to buy 60% of online purchases on Black Friday at major retailers. Other tablets and mobile phone also contributed heavily. Blackberry and Windows Phone sadly did not feature in the stats as devices used for buying goods.

I must admit most of my shopping so far has been online using mobile devices. That’s mainly due to my whiplash injuries keeping at home. So have you been using your tablet or phone to buy goods ?

Tablets, Smartphones and TV’s for under £99 – surely not!

Android, Tech News, Windows

I mentioned in my latest podcast, Gav & Dave’s Podcast available in iTunes, that Asda had Black Friday limited offers on about 8 items.

Now while a number of these items would not be the type of product I would normally buy, I do think it does show how cheaply goods can be manufactured, sold and then distributed.

For example an android tablet was £49, a 32 inch TV at £99, Samsung S3 Mini locked to Vodafone at £99 and a LG 42 inch plasma TV at £259. So last Friday, you could have bought a phone, tablet and TV for £247. That’s less than half the price of both the iPhone 5C and 5S. What is amazing about these prices is it gives more people the ability to own modern tech. It may not have the best screen or the best speakers or it may be last years tech but it’s still useable. And low cost and affordable.

Now you could say this is just once a year pricing. But it’s not.

Both Nokia, Motorola and other companies sell smartphones for £99 or even less. Instead of the S3 Mini, the Nokia Lumia 520 or Motorola Moto G are better options by miles but cost the same or in the case of the 520 even less dependant on network.

The same goes for tablets and TVs.

It’s truly remarkable at what prices products can be sold for nowadays and really puts pressure on high end products to justify and differentiate their offerings even more.

Google Maps vs Apple Maps – Apple fights back

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows, ,

Without any shadow of doubt Google Maps is the best overall free mapping service. But Apple is fighting back from its disastrous launch of its own mapping service, Apple Maps. In fact, Apple Maps Worldview is better currently than Google Maps.

In addition, because Apple Maps is installed by default in iPhones, iPads and Macs the majority of people are using this instead of downloading the Google Maps app that used to be installed by default. In fact, latest figures suggest Google has suffered a 60% downward hit in usage stats on iOS/Mavericks.

It will be interesting to see how these stats and services change over the next year or so. And whilst these two companies battle it out, Nokia Here maps on Windows Phone continues to grow from strength to strength, and offers the ability to download any map of your country instead of streaming the data live.

Episode 3 – Gav & Dave’s Podcast – the aftermath of Black Friday and other tech news

Android, Apple, RIM, Tech News, Windows,

It’s alive! Episode 3’of Gav & Dave’s podcast which I co-host with David from UKMobileTech .

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.

This podcast is recorded in ultra high digital audio quality this time.

50X Super Long Range Telescope for iPhone 5s / i5 Photography

Apple, Reviews, Windows

iFazz has launched its new compact telescope for the iPhone 5/5S.

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Weighing 785g it is some heavy weight and not really practical as such but may be a way of getting a decent photo of the moon. If you want an easier way to get a shot of the moon with your phone or camera follow these easy steps by Steve Litchfield over at All About Windows Phone .