Samsung pins hope on Galaxy Gear BMW App

January 24, 2014Android, Tech News, WearablesBMW app, Galaxy GearGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Samsung has high hopes for a new app that lets BMW owners monitor their cars vital signs on their Galaxy Gear.

Samsung introduced the BMW app for the Gear last week at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

High-end Samsung smartphones, including the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note product lines, have generated big profits, but the company sells far more budget phones. At £299, the Gear isn’t designed for price-conscious consumers or people in emerging markets. Teaming up with the German automaker could help Samsung reach an audience that can afford the Gear.

Using the BMW i Remote app, the Gear can wirelessly connect to the i3 car to deliver notifications about whether the windows are down, the drivable range and how much electric charge is remaining in the car battery — which, by the way, is supplied by Samsung. Gear users can also tap a button on the watch’s screen or say a voice command to locate where their car is parked, load directions onto the car’s navigation system or pre-heat the seats in cold weather.

Many of these features are also available in BMW’s apps for Android and iPhone, but based on user reviews, they don’t work that well. So it’s questionable whether the software will be any better on a watch.

Are we safe to have a connected world anymore?

January 24, 2014Tech Newsthe dangers of the connected worldGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The big news coming out on a regular basis is major retail chains hacked, personal data stolen, major online cloud data ransacked by hackers, personal data on sale over the web and more. It doesn’t matter where you turn it’s happening everywhere.

With the internet coming to thermostats, fire sensors, ovens, fridges, cars, home security, lights and so much more the internet connected home is a reality. But at the same time we leave ourselves and our personal lives and home open to hackers and a major breach of our security and personal data.

But this is only a small part of the chain. Power stations, major companies, major factory lines and more all have computers. And these are getting hacked too with trade secrets being stolen at an alarming rate.

Cyber security researchers have detected viruses in online banking transactions with customers who swipe debit or credit cards at shopping counters as well as companies who stock them. Is anything safe?

Even petrol stations are at risk. Skimming devices, placed on card readers at gas station pumps throughout the southern U.S., recorded credit and debit card data and the data sent via bluetooth to the criminals who didn’t even need to collect the equipment.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg.

I do wonder if we are going so end up being the world as shown in many futuristic films where technology caused the world to implode and we go back to using the Nokia brick phone of 10 years ago!

In other news we might see a glimpse of the sun today.

Qualcomm just acquired patents from Palm and HP – details

January 23, 2014Tech News400 patents of palm, hp, Qualcomm buys 1Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

Qualcomm has just announced that it has acquired 1,400 mobile patents and patent applications from the computer company, including intellectual property from Palm, iPAQ, and Bitfone.

Qualcomm stated the intellectual property includes “fundamental mobile operating system techniques.” Qualcomm writes that the aquisition “will enable the company to offer even more value to current and future hardware”.

Mobile World Congress 2014 – Sponsorship Opportunity

January 23, 2014UncategorizedGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Mobile World Congress is next month for the 24-27th February 2014.

Gavin’s Gadgets is looking for sponsorship for the event.

If you are interested please leave your details below or use the donation/contact form to make contact.

Samsung Galaxy Gear – review update

January 23, 2014Android, Reviews, Tech NewsReview, Samsung Galaxy Gear, UpdateGavin Fabiani-Laymond

I have had the Gear a bit longer and thought I would just provide some additional feedback.

Initially, as much as l loved using the Gear with my Note 3, I just couldn’t stand wearing a watch on my wrist and consequently I was going to sell it. But the functionality of it in the end won and therefore have kept it. And here’s why.

Battery – normally a days use will drop the battery anywhere by 30-55% but never any further. I don’t charge it overnight simply because it only takes 30-40mins to recharge. So I recharge just before I go to bed, unplug and switch off ready for my 5am start.

Convenient. I can have the Note 3 in a different room or even upstairs. If somebody calls me I can accept the call on my Gear. The same for a text message. I just use S Voice to dictate a reply and send it. Obviously the Note 3 doesn’t need to be upstairs. It could just be nearby.

Notifications. I have selected which notifications I want to receive on my Gear. It means it becomes very discreet checking them and deciding which ones are worth responding or even reading.

Pocket for Gear app – in the car I select my clipped news items from my Gear and they are read aloud via my Note 3. Really love the text to speech aspect of this Gear app.

Apps – there are a number of apps on the Gear which just make life a little easier. Like the timer when cooking.

Camera – even the camera works rather well. It’s fine for sharing on social media.

So all in all it’s proving a heady accessory for the Note 3.

And the other day I was trying to send wireless a photo from my Note 3 to my TV but it wasn’t working. I tried many different things even switching off Bluetooth which disconnected my Gear. I realised the fault was with my TV. I hadn’t changed the wireless settings for my new router. Anyway, I forgot to switch Bluetooth back on, and for the next hour I thought my Gear was not functioning properly until I realised my error. But in that hour it felt unnatural not to be monitoring my notifications via the Gear.

Talk about a turnaround. And here’s the next part. Normally I get withdrawal symptoms and need to move to the latest piece of tech. And for some reason the Note 3/Gear combo leaves me very content.

Brando Shopping – 2,600maH Portable Power supply – review

January 23, 2014Android, Reviews, Tech News600 portable battery, brando shopping 2Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

How many times have you been left worried about your phone battery running out? Well Brando Shopping sell a portable power pack that works on many Apple models except the 5S. Unfortunately Apple’s rigid lightning connector is a pain unless approved under their MFI program.

With all the recent discussions on twitter about the small iPhone batteries this pocketable block is ideal.

Features
Portable Design
Ideal for travel
Easy to carry
Lightweight
Power Indicator 4 LEDs

Specification
High Capacity: 2600mAh
Input: DC5V/800mA
Output: DC5V/800mA
Charging time: 4-5hr
Weight: 70g
Size: 73mm x 40mm x 22mm

Compatible Models
iPad Mini
iPad mini with Retina display
iPad Air
iPhone 5
iPod Nano 7G
iPod Touch 5G
The New iPad with Retina display
* Supports iOS7 on compatible models
* Does NOT Support iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c

Package Contents
One piece Portable Power Bank
One piece Charging Cable

It’s a very simple piece that you charge up, and when needed just connect to the lightning connector . I found with the iPad Air I could still use the Smart Cover and type with it connected. If you try and use it with the 5S it starts charging but then stops and a message appears saying not an approved accessory.

Available from Brando Shopping

Amazon granted a new shopping patent – order and receive nearly instantly

January 23, 2014Tech Newsamazon shopping patentGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon last year was granted a patent for what it describes as “anticipatory shipping” that will look at consumers’ past buying habits and ship products that it thinks they will buy to nearby warehouses in anticipation of their orders.

So if you are in the habit or repeat buying a mobile phone, don’t be surprised to see the same one get delivered again through your letterbox, with a note “welcome back”.

Or if you are reading a series of books, Amazon will ship the next one in the series to your nearest depot, ready for your order. Spooky stuff but we underestimate how much retail giants know about out shopping habits and how accurately they can predict what we will buy and when.

Brando Shopping iPhone 5/5S Leather Back case review

January 22, 2014Apple, Reviews, Tech NewsBrando Shopping Leather Back Case for iphone 5/5SGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The Leather Back case from Brando Shopping cost $10 which is a fraction of the official Apple Leather case.

Unlike the Apple Leather case it’s a one piece plastic with leather effect. IMO it looks great in the red finish and will look not discolour like the Apple case does.

It is available in the following colours –

Black
White
Red
Pink
Lime
Cyan
Coffee

Model:
iPhone 5
iPhone 5s

Package Content:
One piece Plastic Back Case

Both my wife and I liked this case and it only adds 10mm to the depth of the iPhone.

Available from Brando Shopping.