Gavin’s Gadgets is exactly 4 Years Old Today – Can you help?

Tech News

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Exactly 4 years ago today, I started gavinsgadgets to share my thoughts and opinions.

During this time, so many of you have helped gavinsgadgets with your comments, editorial, loan devices and more. In the last 4 years I have published over 5,000 posts, written nearly 350+ reviews covering phones, laptops, accessories, headphones, amps, connected devices, home automation, photography and more.

I am also thankful to you all for helping gavinsgadgets to continue to grow at an exponential rate. From writing on gavinsgadgets my YouTube channel has started to grow and attract many more subscribers. You can all hear my tones on various podcasts, mainly Tech Addicts and from time to time on the Phones Show Chat.

One thing I have endeavoured to do is keep advertising at an absolute minimal amount so that the content is not killed with unruly adverts.

So for the first time in years, I am asking if you would be kind enough to make a small donation to help with the running costs and to show your appreciation. No amount is too small. My Paypal link is –

https://www.paypal.me/gavinsgadgets

Thank you in advance.

Apple’s AirPods went on sale – Is Apple the largest headphone retailer now?

Android, Tech News

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Walk into any Apple Store and you will see an abundance of headphones for sale. You will also notice the huge range of dongles and adapters, making Apple potentially the largest dongle and adapter retailer in the world.

So now it’s Apple’s turn with headphones. After a considerable wait, at noon UK time yesterday, the Apple AirPods went on sale for £159. Not long after the 19th December 2016 delivery date shot up to over 4 weeks a few hours later.

With such a huge iPhone base, if 10% of iPhone users buy the AirPods, that translates into millions of headphone sales. Add to this the Beats range of headphones and other headphones sold by Apple, and suddenly it is easy to see how Apple is potentially the largest headphone retailer in the world.

Apple releases iOS 10.2, watchOS 3.1.1 and tvOS 10.1 – Details of the Key Changes & Improvements

Apple, Tech News, , , ,

Yesterday Apple released a wealth of software updates for its devices.

Apple TV and iPhone and iPad

TV (US only)

– Use Up Next to see the movies and shows you’re currently watching and pick up where you left off
– Get recommendations for new movies and TV shows in Watch Now
– Discover new apps and the latest iTunes releases in the Store
– Access the Library for your iTunes purchases and rentals

Emoji

– Beautifully redesigned emoji that reveal even more detail
– Over 100 new emoji including new faces, food, animals, sports, and professions

Photos

– Improves stabilisation and delivers faster frame rate for Live Photos
– Improves accuracy of groupings of similar photos of the same person in the People album
– Fixes an issue where Memories might generate a memory from photos of screenshots, whiteboards or receipts
– Fixes an issue where the camera would stay zoomed in after switching back from the Camera Roll on iPhone 7 Plus
– Additional support for RAW digital cameras

Messages

– Adds new love and celebration full screen effects in Messages
– Fixes an issue that sometimes prevented the keyboard from displaying in Messages

Music

– Swipe up the Now Playing screen to more easily access Shuffle, Repeat and Up Next
– Choose how to sort Playlists, Albums, and Songs in Library

News

– Stories you’ve saved for later now appear the new Saved section
– The best paid stories from channels you subscribe to will now appear in a dedicated section in For You
– It’s now easier than ever to get to the next story, just swipe left or tap Next Story while reading

Mail

– Fixes an issue that caused the Move sheet to persist after filing a Mail message
– Addresses an issue with long press activating copy and paste in Mail
– Fixes an issue in which the wrong message would be selected after deleting a Mail conversation

Accessibility

-Adds BraillePen14 support to VoiceOver
– Fixes an issue where the braille table could switch unexpectedly with VoiceOver
– Fixes an issue where sometimes Siri enhanced voices were unavailable to VoiceOver
– Fixes an issue where VoiceOver users could not re-order items in lists
– Fixes an issue where Switch Control was sometimes unable to delete Voicemails

Other improvements and fixes

– Adds notification support for HomeKit accessories including window coverings, occupancy, motion, door/window, smoke, carbon monoxide, and water leak sensors
– Adds notification support for HomeKit accessories when software updates are available to HomeKit accessories
– Improves Bluetooth performance and connectivity with 3rd party accessories
– Fixes an issue that could cause FaceTime participants to appear out of focus
– Fixes an issue that could cause FaceTime calls to appear with incorrect aspect ratio and orientation
– Fixes an issue that prevented some Visual Voicemail from completing playback
– Fixes a Safari Reader issue that could cause articles to open as empty pages
– Fixes an issue that could cause Safari to quit unexpectedly after marking an item as read in Reading List

If your iPhone is not receiving the new screen effects in iMessage, the fix is simple. Go to the iPhone settings app. Scroll down to messages. Turn off iMessage. Turn back on again.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch got updated to iOS 3.1.1. Updating the Apple Watch takes the longest to complete out of all of the devices, around 30-40 mins, so make sure you are not in a rush.

The update includes –

– Support for unicode 9 emoji, as well as being able to select skin tones for certain emojis
– Fixes an issue that could prevent contact names from appearing in the Messages app and notifications
– Fixes an issue that could impact ability to respond to notifications
– Resolves an issue where the Stocks complication may not update on the watch face
– Fixes an issue that may prevent the Activity rings from displaying on the Activity watch faces
– Fixes an issue that prevented the dials on an analog watch face from appearing after changing the temperature unit in the Weather app
– Resolves an issue that could cause the Maps app to stay launched after navigation has ended
– Resolves an issue where the incorrect date could be displayed in the Calendar app month view

Zecti Aluminum Alloy Tripod Ball Head Review – Stunning Build & Precision

Photography, Reviews, Tech News,

Zecti Ballhead 6

Zecti is a small company, on a mission to expand into various different niches, one of which is camera tripods and mounts. I recently reviewed their 55 inch Aluminium tripod and was really impressed by the quality at a competitive price point. Link at the end of this post.

Zecti Ballhead 5

I have now have their Aluminium Alloy Tripod Ball Head, which simply oozes quality and precision. It retails for £39.99. It features separate adjustment knobs for different angle rotation adjustments and a scale to pan for 360 degree panoramic shooting. At the end of the post is a code with link to save a few pounds.

Zecti Ballhead 3

The Ball Head is made using CNC forging and an oxidisation anodised aluminum alloy body ensures the good payload performance and durability.

Zecti Ballhead 2

Other features of the ball head is horizontal adjustment locking system, levelling bubbles for precise framing, a removable quick release arca plate with a 1/4″ screw for easy and safe installation of the camera / 3/8″female screw thread for various tripods and a safety locking system. The Ball head diameter is 35mm with a max load of 15 kg.

Zecti Ballhead 4

The net weight of the ball head is 255g. When I removed it from the packaging, it felt strong and substantial. This is a beautifully made product and ideal for the keen photographer. Recommended.

Useful Links

Use the link below and enter code DSMS7835 to save 5%.

More information & the latest pricing on the Zecti Tripod Ball Head – Click HERE.
Zecti 55 inch Lightweight Aluminium Tripod Review – Click HERE.

Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus, BlackBerry DTEK 60 and Huawei Mate 9 – Phone Reviews

Android, Reviews, Tech News,

Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus, BlackBerry DTEK 60 and Huawei Mate 9 are 3 phones all in for review.

If anyone has any questions on any of these 3 phones, please let me know and I will try and cover them off in my main review.

At the moment, I am in the testing stage for these phones.

My thanks go to Clove Technology, http://www.clove.co.uk , for the Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus and BlackBerry DTEK 60. The Huawei Mate 9 is imported from abroad.

Samsung Note 7 – Preventing the Kill Switch Update from Samsung

Android, Tech News, ,

It should not come as a surprise that after Samsung issued a software update that restricted the battery to charging to 60% about a month ago, that it is now issuing the final kill switch mandatory update.

This final update will not allow the phone to charge or connect to any cellular network, wifi or use its bluetooth.

However, a brief look at XDA Developers in the Samsung Note 7 forum will reveal a percentage of idiotic users are still using their devices, and have installed software that circumvents Samsung’s mandatory software updates.

What is even more alarming is the process involved to circumvent receiving the updated firmware is a doodle to implement.

What I don’t understand is why anyone would still want to keep this phone? It is banned from all transportation, will never receive any security updates, and is dangerous to use and own. Anybody still keeping their phone is also putting other people at risk.

So if you know anyone who is still using their Note 7 or you are, please return it and switch it off ASAP.

This is Super Mario Run from Nintendo for iOS – Wow

Apple, Tech News,

When Apple held the keynote speech to announce the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, it featured a segment near the beginning with Nintendo showing off their first proper game on mobile phone, specifically the iPhone, and exclusively available on iOS. Sorry android users you have a long wait, probably 3 months before the exclusivity period expires.

At that point no other phone mattered. To play Super Mario Run I had to have an iPhone 🙂 I personally cannot wait for this game to arrive. It is free to download and play, but to unlock the full version costs $9.99. This tactic of platform exclusive titles is likely to be used more and more too.

You can get notified when the app is available on the 15th December 2016, by heading over to the Apple AppStore – Click HERE.

In the meantime, what Super Mario Run in action or play it yourself in an Apple Store!

Pro photo tips for using Portrait mode on iPhone 7 Plus

Apple, Tech News

Apple has created a page of tips by pro photographers on how they get the best shots using the portrait camera mode on the iPhone 7 Plus. (link at end of post)

“JerSean Golatt says using Portrait mode on iPhone 7 Plus is “important for storytelling as a whole” and “adds value for those with lower than commercial budgets and brings speed to share their stories like never before.” Golatt recommends, “get up close to your subject to bring out the details.”

“Jeremy Cowart is known for taking incredible portraits of celebrities. This portrait of his son is a favorite image he’s shot using iPhone 7 Plus saying, “I’m kind of freaking out. Portrait mode is unbelievable.” He recommends minimizing the background and “cut out the distractions from your subject,” and “try to find the shade and put the sun behind your subject as a nice back light.” He also finds “pulling the exposure down just a hair really makes my images look more cinematic.”

“Benj Haisch said Portrait mode “is absolutely changing the way I look at mobile photography. Having a wide angle 28 mm equivalent paired with the 56 mm equivalent and Portrait mode has been game-changer in achieving professional results without bringing any additional equipment.” He says, “having soft, diffused lighting will help with keeping the photo flattering to your subject. Find a space that isn’t too busy or distracting, as Portrait mode will create a photo that really pops.”

Roses #iPhone7Plus #PortraitMode

The above shot is taken by myself and ring homes what I have discovered when using this mode on my iPhone 7 Plus. Lighting is really important as is a having a definite solid area to focus on and a plain background. With the roses, I dropped the exposure down and added a vignette to darken the edges even more to bring the roses more into focus.

I do recommend having a look at the photos from the pro photographers linked in Apple’s article. Link below.

Source – Apple Pro Tips + Sample Photos from the Pros