I’ve watched this video from LG promoting the new LG G Flex 2 far too many times. I really want one but only the 32gb/3gb version which currently is not available, and in red!
How about you ?
So hacker’s security is also poor – details
” Somebody hacked the Lizard Squad’s super stupid DDoS-for-hire service last week, and guess what? The Lizard Squad sucks at cybersecurity. Not only did the hackers leave their so-called LizardStresser service vulnerable, the money-hungry kids left all their customers’ data in plain text and $US11,000 in bitcoin on the table.
It’s unclear where the money is now, but the customer data is definitely out in the wild. Security expert Brian Krebs obtained a copy of the customer database and showed that the personal details of over 14,000 users is right there in plain sight.”
Quite ironic or was this deliberate by Lizard Squad. Sounds like sloppy.
Source – Gizmodo Australia
A version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 will have 2 curved edges
Samsung is apparently developing an Edge version of the Galaxy S6. Unlike the Note Edge, the S6 Edge will have curved edges on both sides. In addition to all the features of the Note Edge it will have more options too.
According to Sammobile “you will have the ability to activate the main edge panel on the right or left curve, depending on your primary hand. Then there’s Glance Lighting, which will light up the Edge area when you receive a call or notifications, when you turn your device over. Also, you will have an option to choose favorite contacts and an ability to assign specific colours to them. So, calls and notifications from important people will show the designated color lighting on the edge area.”
Lets hope the battery demands on these Edge panels don’t ruin the device.
Source – sammobile.com
Unlock the full potential of the Samsung Note 4 camera – wow
Disclaimer – I am at the early stages of exploring this but so far my results are mixed. This only applies if you are using a snapdragon Note 4.
So here goes the explanation. Samsung use strong processing of any photo taken by the Note 4. Over sharpened and more. It is possible to unlock the potential of the Note 4 camera using a non rooted method and take shots without these effects.
Step 1 – install Snap Camera HDR. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marginz.snap&hl=en . Note most third-party apps can’t make use of the 1/8s (or, in cases, even the 1/15s) shutter speed but max out at either 1/15s or 1/30s, bumping up the ISO used to twice or four times that of the ISO needed at 1/8s. This app according to preview can access the extra control required. It also allows sharpening to be turned off or on the controlled limits.
Step 2 – head over to the developers page on XDA Developers Forum – http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=35633104&postcount=1 and follow the steps to become a beta tester. After installing and paying for the app above, it will be updated to the beta version. None of the magic can occur without the beta version.
Step 3 –
Follow and read the detailed posts on DPReview part 1 . Ultra low light tips and a Nokia Pureview 808 vs Fuju XE-1 and Note 4 – http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3781966
Part 2 – Tips for broad daylight and very high shutter speeds – http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3782300
Part 3 – Tips and tricks shooting HDR – http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3782850
In hindsight, it might be best to start from Step 3 to understand everything.
Happy reading!
So far my results have been mixed. Unsharpened photos do look good but sometimes I prefer the saturated sharpened look from the Samsung app. Also, the default Samsung app has some really good algorithms at play. Snap Camera HDR has some great options but it also seems to have issues focusing at times in poor light. Maybe once the Note 4 gets lollipop the camera and third party apps will be able to have even greater control.
I have also been trying the Google Camera app again with mixed results. I would be interested to see if you are using any other apps yourself. If you are leave a note in the comments.
Three UK in a £9 billion bid for O2 – views
“Three UK owner Hutchison Whampoa is looking at buying O2. This would mean even less mobile operators, with the UK mobile market dropping from four three carriers. Hutchison Whampoa, the owners of Three UK is ready at the stage where it is offering a £9 billion bid for Britain’s second-biggest carrier.
This follows BT’s £12.5 billion bid for EE.”
I am not sure this is good news as less competition could mean higher pricing, redundancies, shop closures but maybe investment in providing a better network service (signal, data speeds).
What do you think about this news?
Black Mirror – 15 Million Merits
Welcome to the future. This was a 2011 3 part TV series made for Channel 4. I watched it for the first time on Netflix.
All 3 programmes in Season 1 focus on technology as the angle and are quite provocative too. The first episode combines social media with a terrorist scenario plus a pig and Prime Minister of the UK. Episode 2 called 15 Million Merits takes you into a virtual reality world complete with adverts. This is something I really could see happening. The last episode is all about an implant that records your life.
This series is somewhat weird but compelling. If you have not watched it, I recommend you try and view it.
Noreve cases – my custom Samsung Note 4 case
Noreve produce cases for all phones including iPhones and the Samsung Note 4 and Note Edge. You can order off the shelf, decide between different design options eg flip, book or other.
I quite like the above style. Instead of the standard black, I went for the exclusion leather in sable vintage. This adds about 10 euros to the cost. There are a choice of leathers, colours and other options from adding a belt clip. The most expensive leather adds 100 euros.
The case comes in a pouch that’s then inside the red box. All very pretty but what counts is the case. The leather is awesome. With age it will look better but it is meant to mark with ease. But as you can see the power and volume buttons are not covered. I prefer this arrangement as when covered you have more chances of pressing the buttons by accident. The only concern I have is the exposed topside bottom corners. It is also thicker than Samsung’s own protective hard case.
Some of you may prefer the Samsung type of case. I personally like the Noreve and the vintage leather.
Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast is now live – Please RT and spread the word
As you know, I co-host a monthly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast.
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