I have been thinking about reviewing products using YouTube as well as having written content. But I wanted to gauge your views on whether you feel this will be useful or not?
BBC servers hacked on Xmas Day
BOSTON (Reuters) – A hacker secretly took over a computer server at the BBC, Britain’s public broadcaster, and then launched a Christmas Day campaign to convince other cyber criminals to pay him for access to the system.
While it is not known if the hacker found any buyers, the BBC’s security team responded to the issue on Saturday and believes it has secured the site, according to a person familiar with the cleanup effort.
A BBC spokesman declined to discuss the incident. “We do not comment on security issues,” he said.
Reuters could not determine whether the hackers stole data or caused any damage in the attack, which compromised a server that manages an obscure password-protected website.
It was not clear how the BBC, the world’s oldest and largest broadcaster, uses that site, ftp.bbc.co.uk, though ftp systems are typically used to manage the transfer of large data files over the Internet.
Another major organisation hacked. Just how unsafe is the internet. Will we be forced to an offline world in the future ?
Say hello to Google+ and wave goodbye to Google
Whether you like Google+ integration or not, as far as Google is concerned, there’s no turning back now. In an interview with Livemint, Google’s Steve Grove, director of partnerships for Google+, went into some detail about how the company plans to stretch Google+ even further in the future: “We’ve been consolidating the different services, so today Search, YouTube, the Google Play app store, all this plugs into Google+. And the reason for that is that Google+ is kind of like the next version of Google.”
Google+ is a Facebook type network which you may not realise you are already part of if you use Gmail or YouTube. But with Google’s plans this could be stretched even further.
Just how will you feel about this move and your lack of privacy ?
Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast – episode 5
As you all should know by now I co-host a weekly podcast with Dave from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast and now episode 5 is live.
To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.
Smartphone dilemma – part 2
Yesterday I wrote about my smartphone dilemma and Kev from TechTalkUK wrote a response on his website. It was a good article, so be sure to head over and have a read. Below is the first few paragraphs.
“I am struggling with the same issue as I always do of course, and have swung back and forth between my latest Note 3 and 5s for the last few days.
As I said elsewhere yesterday, I took the Note 3 to work as only device yesterday, and used it a lot (time goes very slowly this time of year) and by 2pm I was really missing the 5s. On other days I would have actually driven 22 miles round trip (easy A14 miles TBF) to dump the Note and grab the iPhone. I resisted yesterday, but by 5.30pm I was actually annoyed with the Note 3 enough to agree to sell it to one of my Twitter followers at a slight discount over what I paid (to keep my Amazon returns down).”
Netatmo Urban Weather Station and Princetown Yearly Weather Stats
Back in October 2013 I got the Netatmo Urban Weather Station. It is not the most advanced weather station kit available, but then neither is it the most expensive. It connects to the internet and has apps for the MAC, Android, iOS, Windows Phone and a web app for use with most web browsers.
Using the web browser, I called up the yearly actual weather readings for the outdoor temperature and pressure readings for Princetown, Dartmoor, Devon. It is quite evident that the overall temperatures are dropping as we approach winter.
Google Play holiday sale – details of heavily discounted apps and games
Sphero Ball – first impressions – review
Yesterday, I received the Sphero ball. It was on a lightning deal on Amazon and consequently had a decent discount. Subsequently, I realised why it was on offer, as Sphero 2 is available. The second version is capable of travelling at 7 feet per second, and across all terrains – water, concrete and more.
I had no expectations of this robotic ball. In the box you get activity cards, the ball, QI charger and a number of different plug adapters. There is also a quick start guide. You are requested to go to the Google Play or Apple App Store to download the official app, which is also a universal iOS app so looks great on the iPad. You pair the ball via Bluetooth after a 3 hour charge. Each ball has a different Bluetooth code. Anyway, I will cover off more about the sphero games and other stuff it does and just cover off what I have observed and achieved.
First of all, you don’t unlock all the functions of the ball. So the initial speed is capped until you pass the first level of training. Further down the line you learn about the boost mode and more. The training levels are not difficult to learn.
So first up this ball on a kitchen tiled floor had no issues turning at high speed, curving and more. I could change the colour of the ball on the fly. I can make it dance and more. I have also tried it on carpet with equal success. So how do 3 dogs versus the Sphero turn out. Hilarious. The ball was chasing the 3 dogs, involved in standoffs, violent dancing on the spot if they tried to hold it which let it get released out of their grips. For 20 mins it was great fun for all.
Are there any negatives ? Yes. When you first use the ball you calibrate it with the blue tail light adjusted to face you. If the ball got stuck or was held down by one of my dogs it would become decalibrated. It is easy to recalibrate on the fly but I did find this a nuisance.
I have still to explore all the training levels, find all the functions and use all the Sphero games of which there are around 20. Half of these are free, the others £0.69 that I have seen so far. I honestly thought that this would be a five minute wonder. Not so sure now. It really is fun to use. More soon.
My next smartphone dilemma
I have 2 phones at present. The iPhone 5S and Moto G.
The 5S is beautifully made. It takes great photos with zero effort. Just press the shutter button. It has fantastic audio quality and is married with great software and a smashing Eco system.
The Moto G is a low priced android phone. It does everything really well with an average camera and audio quality.
And yet both phones annoy me. The Moto G doesn’t look or feel special (it’s not meant to be either), the camera and audio are not at the level I’ve witnessed in other phones. The 5S is near perfect except I am having battery life issues and a few random reboots. I would like it to have a bigger screen but that is not the end of the world. In fact, the 5S is near perfection. Except it is so good, it has become so boring.
So what do I get next? At the moment I’m not convinced there is anything that offers anything better. Other options are similar but not better. So what would you recommend? I am leaning towards a Note 3 again.
Nokia Lumia 925 – sim free deal today for only £279
Phones4U have the Nokia Lumia 925 in black sim free for £279.
Sounds like a good price so if you want one, grab it before they go!
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 