Flying then make sure your phone/tablet or laptop is charged – or face the consequences

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows

Via the Telegraph – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/10950196/Mobiles-could-be-barred-from-flights-if-not-charged.html

“Mobile phones and laptops will be banned from planes heading for the US if they are not charged up, amid heightened fears of an imminent terrorist attack.
Travellers will have to turn on their gadgets at the security gate to prove they are real, after the American government warned electronic devices could be used to conceal bombs.
The move comes as airport security in the UK, America and other countries is ramped up amid concerns that al-Qaeda extremists based in Yemen plan to use British and other Western jihadists fighting in Syria and Iraq as suicide bombers.
Laptops, tablet computers and other electronic devices will also be banned from planes if they cannot be turned on.

US officials have singled out smartphones including iPhones made by Apple Inc and Galaxy phones made by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd for extra security checks on US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

Safer not to fly!

Fight – LG G3 vs Samsung Galaxy K Zoom camera

Android, Reviews, Tech News

Surely a camera centric device is going to obliterate the LG G3 with its 10 x optical zoom and xenon flash. And in certain conditions it will as you cannot beat optical zoom or xenon flash.

But have a look below at the camera samples, and decide which one is which and post your comments below. The first 2 are from the K Zoom and the last 2 from the G3. These are full resolution versions, so click to open up.

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With these particular camera shots I prefer the ones from the G3.

LG G Watch – update

Android, Tech News, Wearables,

It been a busy day again, and I’ve not really get a chance to tweak the G Watch. All I did do was actually use it. Replying via Google Voice in a number of apps worked really well including text messaging, hangouts and twitter.

The notifications were excellent but that is no surprise as its using Google Now. But battery life is one day. From 100% to 30%. Only good news is it’s a very quick recharge. But still just one day is poor. So I charged it to 100% before I went to bed, and this morning it was down to 87%. Part of the issue is that I have the LG G Watch display to always on, but it was disconnected overnight.

However, I like the G Watch a lot. As I said yesterday, it is comfortable to wear and I like the appearance. At the weekend, I will have some more time to explore it properly. There are even custom roms for it now!

Do we need flagship phones anymore ?

Android, Apple, Tech News, Windows,

Having spent just over a month with the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom, it has made me wonder if we really need flagships. Why you may ask? Well the K Zoom is a camera centric smartphone but with only 8gb storage (4.6gb free to user) and a mediocre processor versus a flagship phone which will have the latest snapdragon 801 processor or higher. A flagship will also have bells and whistles features and more storage.

But with the android operating system being designed to work with low cost hardware, you can buy phones like the Moto E for under £99 and still get a reasonable experience. The K Zoom is a mid range device and like its cheaper alternatives still performs fairly well. In fact, in many ways it outperforms it’s more expensive flagships.

The other issue with flagship phones is the huge depreciation. If you spend less you don’t lose as much.

So really, if you want the latest and greatest, the extra £200 plus premium , really is a premium charge.

Sometimes though we buy new devices without any consideration for the above – we just want the best.

LG G3 – First impressions

Android, Reviews, Tech News, ,

The LG G3 arrived yesterday. Going from the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom’s 720p screen to the G3’s Quad HD’s is light being punched in the face, such is the huge difference in the screen panels. The G3 is all about the screen. It is stunning.

The design of the G3 also means it is comfy to hold, and I am finding one handed use possible even though its 5.5 inch screen does make it a big device.

The other big difference over the K Zoom is storage (memory). The K Zoom came with 8gb (4.6gb user accessible) storage. My G3 is the 32gb/3gb ram model. It came with over 24gb user accessible. I left it downloading ALL my apps and ALL my games overnight. Well, nearly all. Some of my apps eg netatmo and the Amazon shopping app are not yet compatible for the high res screen resolution. This applied to a few games as well.

There is a lot to like about the G3 and an awful lot to take it as it has many many options. Simple it is not. Smart it is. More tomorrow.

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Google starting to pass the blame to ISP for poor YouTube experience

Android, Tech News

Google has started informing people who they should blame when YouTube videos streaming fail to stream smoothly.

A new pop-up bar appears “Experiencing interruptions? Find out why” . Clicking on the bar takes users to Google’s semi new Video Quality Report page, which provides information on internet service providers, including details on video streaming performance. The page also offers a comparison between other ISPs in your area, and it ranks providers as either “HD Verified,” “Standard Definition,” or “Lower Definition” based on the average performance they achieve on YouTube.

So would you change provider based on the performance of video streaming? Or have you already?

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – official Samsung Protective case

Android, Reviews, Tech News, ,

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A few days ago, I showed you a few cases from eBay that I had for the K Zoom. Well finally, I have from Samsung their official protective cover case. It costs £20 so is not cheap but it is so much better than the previous 2 cases I had.

First up, the case seems to make the K Zoom seem slimmer. Not by much but every little bit helps. Second the edges are grippy rubber. The zoom lens is slightly protected by the case due to it covering the very edge of the mechanism. The same protection is offered for the screen. The power and volume buttons are covered, but the 2 way camera button is uncovered. All other cut outs for the other parts of the phone are exactly aligned.

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I will say this is the best case you can get for the K Zoom. Well, it is if the Samsung ever get more in stock!

LG G Watch – immediate first impressions

Reviews, Tech News, Wearables,

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It’s BIG but surprisingly comfortable. Compared to the Samsung Gear and Samsung Gear 2 smart watches I’ve owned already, I prefer the style of the LG G Watch. I am so pleased I didn’t choose black as that probably would have been too heavy looking. But you may disagree.

Setting up was a breeze. Download the Android Wear app from the Google Play store and install on your phone. Next charge the watch. It has a magnetic piece that aligns over the entire back of the watch. So it just snaps into place and is held together via magnets. Next with the supplied micro USB cable plug it in and charge away. You have to select your language on the watch and confirm pairing with your phone and that is it.

I’ve been very busy with my day job, so at the moment I’ve not had much time to configure it further. I do like the fact that it’s powered by OK Google commands which on the whole work so far well. I’m trying a few tricks out, like when I get within 10 metres of home, the hall light turns on.

It’s really early days so I will give it a week or so and update you further with my views.

Nokia Lumia 930 arriving in 9 days – full specs and info

Tech News, Windows

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Lumia 930 will be available in the UK from 17th July incorporating the latest Microsoft 8.1 software and Lumia services.

It has a crystal clear 5-inch OLED display and the device uses PureBlack screen technology. Equipped with a high capacity 2420 mAh battery and built-in wireless charging.

The camera has a class-leading 20MP PureView camera with optical image stabilisation and high quality ZEISS optics ensures that capturing and reliving amazing images and videos is quick and easy.

The enhanced Nokia Camera app with Living Images makes it easy to add movement and emotion to static pictures and the addition of other free imaging apps such as Nokia Storyteller, Nokia Creative Studio and Nokia Refocus lets you bring even more levels of creativity to any picture.
With four high-performance microphones and Rich Recording, the Lumia 930 captures HD video like never before, with incredible directional audio and support for 5:1 surround sound capture and playback.

A 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor ensures that experiences such as Xbox gaming, image capturing and video processing, are faster, smoother and richer than ever before.

SensorCore technology brings low power motion sensing, helping you track your activities all day long with minimal power use – perfect for apps such as Bing Health and Fitness and external wearable monitors.

Integrated features including single swipe notifications in the Action Centre, the new Microsoft Enterprise feature pack, Microsoft Office, OneDrive, Nokia Camera, and HERE Maps and Drive+, all work seamlessly to make the Lumia 930 a great tool for productivity, work and play.

Wireless charging functionality together with a wireless charger will come as standard in the sales pack of the Lumia 930. In addition, Microsoft will run an exciting promotional offer – from the 17th until the 31st July all Lumia 930’s purchased from participating retailers will include a free additional wireless charger, the outstanding MD-12 speaker plus a voucher for £20 of free apps from the Windows store. Altogether, this promotional offer is worth around £130 RRP.

The Lumia 930 will go on sale with UK retailers from the 17th of July and will be available from Vodafone, EE, Phones4U, O2, Carphone Warehouse, Tesco and Amazon. It will also be widely available across other UK High Street and online retailers such as Clove Technology in a range of vibrant colours including bright orange, bright green and black. Phones4U will stock the Lumia 930 exclusively in white.

Tech specs summary:-

– Lumia 930 Operating System – Windows Phone 8.1
– HERE location services -Free global HERE Maps and HERE Drive+;Free HERE Transit available in the Store
– Display – 5” Full HD OLED, 1920×1080; 441ppi; 16:9; Sculpted Gorilla Glass 3; 3 column home screen, Sunlight Readability, Super Sensitive Touch for glove and nail usage
– Battery 2420 mAh battery, integrated wireless charging
– Processor – 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
– Main Camera – PureView 20 MP with Optical Image Stabilization, Resolution: 1920×1080. Includes Nokia Camera. Dual LED flash, ZEISS optics
Front Facing Camera, HD 1.2 MP wide angle
– Memory – 2 GB RAM, 32 GB internal memory; 7 GB free OneDrive cloud storage

Samsung Gear Fit heavily reduced to $99

Android, Tech News,

Before Google announced android wear, and prior to the first release of wearable hardware, Samsung launched ahead with its own plans, releasing two generations of smart watches and the Gear Fit, fitness band.

Well Amazon as of yesterday we’re selling the Gear Fit for a low price of just $99.

The wearable market place is heating up now Google has entered the ring. Just need Apple to go public with its plans.