After about 5-6 hours offline, the Apple Store is now back online revealing the new iPhone.
This is the product Red iPhone.
Same iPhone just a different colour. Personally, it is a shame the front wasn’t red as well. Of course, once you fit a case, the colour is irrelevant;)
Also Apple has released a cheaper iPad and new watch straps and for the first time you can buy the Nike Watch Straps too. The Apple Watch is no longer offered bundled with leather, nylon or link straps.
The new iPad essentially replaced the iPad 2. It is also thicker than the iPad 2 and now is the same dimensions as the iPad Air.
There are new iPhone cases to match the new straps too.
The iPhone SE now comes in 32gb and 128gb storage. The iPad mini is now available with 128gb, with 32gb model discontinued.
As with all UK weather, it was fabulous during the week and come the weekend, the rain and fog descended on Dartmoor. Snow is forecasted later this week too.
Anyway, below are photos taken on my iPhone 7 Plus of Soussons Stone Circle and in around the forest on Dartmoor National Park.
Above, Tiggy is very happy to be in the lead. The shot is taken in Soussons Forest, Dartmoor.
There are so great trees too. With walkways in between.
This is the Soussons Stone Circle, comprising of 25 stones. Dartmoor seems to have many sites with stone circles.
Abandoned logs. Did someone forget to collect these? Also a great place to find beetles.
George happy as always.
Fury, she is doing the side step dance, somehow.
The weather was awful during the walk around Soussons. Rain, fog and strong winds. Fortunately, the trees provided some shelter, and it times like this you appreciate having a iPhone that is water resistant!
Samsung is due to announce the Galaxy S8 and S8+ on the 29th March. At the current rate of leaked specs, videos and more, Samsung could save some money and cancel the press event!.
So below are all all the latest (leaked) information –
– 3D Touch-style home button
– Samsung’s Bixby AI assistant
– Video capture at 1,000 frames per second slow motion
– Dual-curved edges
– Quad HD+ resolution
– 5.8 and 6.2-inch screen sizes
– 18:9 aspect ratio
– Processor: Exynos 8895 / Snapdragon 835.
– RAM: 4GB/6GB. (6GB only for China)
– Rear camera: 12MP f/1.7, 26mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, LED flash, 1/2.5″ sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size, geo-tagging, simultaneous 4K video and 9MP image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, Auto HDR, panorama
– Front camera: 8MP f/1.7, dual video call, Auto HDR
– Battery: 3,000mAh, 3,500mAh for larger version
– Rear fingerprint scanner
– Water and dust resistant
– Sensors – Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
– Gorilla Glass 5
– USB Type C
– Samsung Desktop Experience
Sometimes timing is everything as well as skill of course 🙂
The below shot captured the ponies grazing just as the sun was disappearing behind a Tor. A minute before the sun was too bright and a minute later the sun had vanished.
To help capture this shot, I used my iPhone 7 Plus and Adobe Lightroom mobile to snap it in raw. When I capture photos like this, I cannot see the need of carrying a DSLR!
Tech Addicts Podcast is back again with a new episode starring Gareth Myles, Jay Garrett, Leila Gregory, Brendan Arndt and myself. Tech Addicts is released every week. Twitter: @garethmyles ; @gavinfabiani ; @GadgetyNewsCom ; @JayGarrett ; @swanny ; @girlsngadgets ; @wildlime
To listen to the latest episode subscribe by searching “Tech Addicts” within your favourite podcast app, iTunes, Google Play Music Podcasts or use the URL “mobiletechaddicts.libsyn.com/rss” to add directly.
AirPods vs BeatsX – Which headphone is my favourite?
I have now had and used both of these headphones for a while. Both contain Apple’s W1 chip that allows for a seamless connection. Once paired it is connected via iCloud to all your other Apple devices too.The faultless bluetooth connection continues over a vast distance.
These two headphones are vastly different to each other. The BeatsX have more sound isolation and consequently greater bass and depth. They can last 8 hours on a charge. The AirPods allow you to wear them for 5 hours and then the case will recharge them to get up to 24 hours usage in total, by using the case. Both headphones have a 5 or 10 mins quick charge option.
In terms of fit, the BeatsX fit inside your ear canal, whereas the AirPods sit in the ear, but they are not ear canals. For some strange reason, the BeatsX fall out unless whereas the AirPods never fell out. In terms of comfort the BeatsX takes the trump card.
If I had to choose a single pair, it would be the AirPods. I like the fact I can carry on a conversation and hear what someone is saying. I also like the wire free design which do not fall out.
What would be great is if Apple brought out the over the ear Beats headphone with the W1 chip. That would be ideal!
– Create a 100” Full HD 1080p image from just over a metre away
– Lights on viewing – 3000 ANSI Lumens
– I/O Connectors/Easy Connectors – 2 x HDMI (1.4a 3D support) + MHL v1.2, Audio Out 3.5mm, 12V trigger, 3D-Sync, USB service
– 10w integrated loudspeaker
– Carry bag included
– Dimensions (W x D x H) (mm)- 315 x 224 x 114
– Weight 2.65kg
– Security – Security bar, Kensington lock, password protection
– In the box – Carry bag, lens cap, AC power cord, HDMI cable, remote control, 2x AA batteries, quick start card, CD user manual
– Warranty 2 years
The Optoma 1080e is a short throw projector that retails for £599. Optoma kindly loaned the projector for my review.
As this is short throw projector, all I had to do was place it on a coffee table and voila, I had a stunning 100 inch Full HD 1080p image on my wall.
The Optoma 1080e has low latency so I found playing games ideal and I even watched a few football matches too. I connected different devices to it using the array of inputs provided. I even hooked up my iPhone 7 Plus and played BBC iPlayer, home videos, Netflix and more through the Optoma 1080e. As there are 2 HDMI inputs it is possible to connect anything from laptops, PC’s, blu-ray players, media streamers and even a game console. Optoma even sell an optional a smart wireless dongle called the HDCast Pro if you want to go wireless.
I always find that the real test of how good a new gadget is, comes from the reaction of my wife. I demonstrated the Optoma 1080e by connecting my iPhone 7 Plus playing Netflix. The 100 inch image was played beautifully on the living room wall, with great sound coming from the 10w speaker too. So what was the verdict from my wife. “You can buy one if you want”. NEVER has my wife ever given me instant permission to buy a new gadget. During the course of several weeks, I showed off the projector to several friends and every single one of them was impressed.
What about longevity? The expected lifetime of a typical Optoma projector lamp is 6500 hours. So if you watch a two hour movie every day, the lamp should last for almost 9 years. In addition, Optoma state that the image colour quality will remain as good as the day you bought, so much so, that Optoma guarantee it for five years.
Video Review
To really encapsulate just how good this projector is, I filmed a video review showing the projector in more detail, and the great footage with different options on my wall. So sit back and enjoy the video review now.
Conclusion
This is the first projector I have used and reviewed and without a doubt I have been blown away at just how amazing the Optoma 1080e projector has been to use. With the included carry bag, it is so easy to transport the projector to your friend house, watch football on a 100 inch large screen or play the latest games and so much more. The short throw projection is ideal for normal sized living rooms too!
Sony Xperia XZ is Sony’s flagship phone currently available to purchase. It is available for around £530 and on various contract deals. My thanks go to Vodafone for the loan of the Sony Xperia XZ.
The Key Specifications / Features
– Android 6.0 OS – Update to Nougat soon
– 23 MP 1/2.3″ rear camera, laser autofocus, RGB-IR sensor, 4K Video, 5 x Clear Image Zoom, ISO 12800 Photo/3200 Video, video stabilisation, LED Flash
– 5.2” HD 1080p resolution IPS LCD Screen – With Triluminos and X-reality for vivid colours, 423 PPI
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, Adreno 530 GPU & 3GB RAM
– Bluetooth 4.2 with apt-X, A2DP, LDAC, LE
– WiFi – 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 / 5 GHz)
– 32 GB storage & micro SD support up to 256 GB
– In the box – Sony MH750 earphones & buds, 3 pin UK Sony fast charger
USB Type C Data Cable
Phone Basics
The Sony Xperia XZ has a good 1080p screen. When you watch my video review you will see how vivid it looks. Viewing angles are reasonable. Call quality is good. The loudspeaker is of average quality but doesn’t go to a high volume. This is demonstrated in the video review. Plugging in wired headphones and its a gold star for Sony. It produces a high quality output, not the loudest, but decent quality. Bluetooth audio is fantastic and the phone includes Sony’s Hi-Res bluetooth LDAC codec. The special audio features are again shown in my video review.
From a hardware design point of view, I really like the look and style of the phone. It is easy to hold one handed too.
The camera hardware on paper is awesome. Unfortunately Sony has a record of not having the best software processing on its phone cameras. The better news is that this is the first Sony phone where I got some exceptional photos, the best from all Sony smartphones I have tested and reviewed. In fact, on the day I tested the Sony Xperia ZX, it took better outdoor shots than my iPhone 7 Plus. However, indoor and low light shots don’t fair as well. Also, the camera seems to take some dud shots amongst the great ones. In other words the auto mode is not as good as other competing flagship phones. I have shown the camera app interface in more depth in my video below. The front camera is just average.
Camera Samples
The above shot in one of my favourite. Dynamic colours picking up the sun, rain and hail storm.
The above photo shows my 3 dogs running which the Sony Xperia XZ captured fairly decently.
The above shot is of Little & Great Mis Tor on Dartmoor. A good shot again from the Xperia XZ.
Video Review
For the next part of my review, watch my video review which details even more information and thoughts.
Conclusion
The Sony Xperia XZ has a lot of positive aspects. Great headphone audio using wired or wireless headphones. A design which I personally like. Easy to use one handed. The weakness is the camera which despite its huge hardware specification is let down by software processing, meaning its not up with current flagship standards.
“Crowdfunding platform Indiegogo intervened to stop a handheld retro computer console campaign from acquiring further funding, the BBC has learned.
The Spectrum ZX Vega+, backed by Sir Clive Sinclair, had achieved its original crowdfunding target.
But then Indiegogo halted further fundraising because of delivery delays and a lack of communication to backers.
The project’s organisers had asked the BBC not to reveal the development.
The BBC understands no consoles have been delivered to backers, despite a pledge last month that they would “ship after 20 Feb 2017”.
And the company behind the project – Retro Computers Limited – suggested these details might put its team at risk.
“Following a credible threat of violence against personnel of Retro Computers Limited, including threats made as recently as last night, we asked [technology desk editor] Leo Kelion and the BBC to refrain from publishing a story we believe to be factually inaccurate and might put people at risk of physical harm, alarm and distress,” Retro Computers Limited founder David Levy said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Since December 2016 the BBC have formally been on notice that this is a police matter, and we ask that the BBC and Mr Kelion do not compromise the police investigation.”
The BBC delayed publication of this report to give RCL managing director Suzanne Martin time to provide evidence of the threats, but she did not do so.”
The BBC published the above and more (see link below for more info). This doesn’t look good for anyone who has given money across at the moment based on what the BBC has stated.
After about 5-6 hours offline, the Apple Store is now back online revealing the new iPhone. 
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 