Tag Archives: details

Amazon’s App Store now reaches 236 countries as 41 new ones added – details

Android, Tech News, ,

Amazon clearly has ambitious plans with its own app store. It is now available in a whopping 236 countries having added the following 41 new ones –

Here’s the full list of new locations:-

“Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leon, Singapore, Somalia, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen”

Google Now Launcher updated for all devices

Android, Tech News,

Google Now Launcher has been updated to work with all devices with android 4.1 upwards. Google has slowly sectioned off every part of its operating system in to an app to make it easier and faster to perform updates without the need for carriers to get involved. Details of the app are –

Upgrade the launcher on your device to make Google Now one swipe away. From your primary home screen, swipe right to access Google Now cards that give you just the right information, at just the right time.
Available on all devices with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or later.
Key features:
• Google Now on your home screen – it’s easier than ever to get just the right information at just the right time.
• Just say “Ok Google” – when you’re on your home screen, just say “Ok Google” to trigger voice input. Then say your search query. Or tell your phone what to do, like send a text message, get directions, or play a song.
• Faster search – tap the search box and you can enter your query immediately.
• Easy access to your favorite Google products and services, like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps.
• Larger viewing area – the status and navigation bars are now translucent, so your wallpaper pops from every pixel, and is even visible when you expand your apps drawer (when supported by device).
• Intuitive wallpaper picker – select any image that’s stored on your device, or in the cloud. Position and preview your wallpaper before you set it.

Head over to the Play Store for more details – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.launcher&hl=en

2 New iPhones are coming – details

Apple, Tech News,

According to Bloomberg (www.bloomberg.com) Apple is ramping up on two bigger-screen iPhones. One model will have a 4.7-inch screen that may be available to ship to retailers around September. A larger 5.5-inch version is also being prepared for manufacturing and may be available at the same time but in smaller quantities.

I have always been doubtful that Apple would release 2 iPhone sizes, but based on the fact that everyone wants a “larger” iPhone, maybe 2 new screen sizes are forthcoming. This is even more likely, as there is always a shortage apparently just before any launch and especially of the version that everyone wants!

Here comes Amazon and its new smartphone

Android, Tech News,

Amazon will announce today its first smartphone. This will be an exclusive to AT&T in the USA according to the Wall Street Journal.

BGR.com has reported that the phone will have 3D effects without glasses and support a variety of motion gestures that will open menus just by tilting the phone. This is performed by an array of internal sensors and 4 front facing infrared cameras that track the users head in relation to the phone’s screen.

Amazon’s phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and it includes 2GB of RAM and a 4.7-inch 720p display. So from a hardware point of view, nothing class leading.

The phone will also be able to automatically digitise text in photos of signs and other printed materials. This will allow the phone to perform various functions on the fly, such as translating text into another language or saving information on a business card to a new contact entry. And maybe search quicker on Amazon to buy objects.

The phone will also feature “Prime Data” the details of which are still a secret.

In addition, Amazon has announced its app store has over 250,000 apps. It is clear that Amazon will also be pushing all its cloud, shopping and media services.

It will be interesting to see what else this new phone can do too, but for now as this is a USA only phone, it will have limited impact.

Tesco takes aim at Skype

Android, Tech News, ,

The Telegraph reported that Tesco has introduced a new app to lower the cost of making international phone calls via the internet called Tesco Calling Card.

The app is free to download, through which it claims a 30 minute call made from Brazil to the UK would cost only 60p, compared to a hotel’s charge of £60.20.

The app connects to WiFi to lower the charge of the international call. Calls made from the UK to overseas cost around 1p per minute, the supermarket said.

As well as making calls, users can also send in-app messages to each other.

Users can add credit to their account via the app, instore or online, and new joiners are credited with £1 once the app has been downloaded.

The purchased ‘card’ is valid for 90 days after purchase or from the last time the user topped up.

I do wonder if Tesco is trying to become the next Amazon, or something similar. It already had a number of media offerings using its Blinkbox services and also hardware via its Hudl tablets.

Nokia Lumia 630 goes on sale in the UK for £89 – includes Bing Health and so much more

Tech News, Windows,

Microsoft are clearly aiming the Nokia Lumia 630 squarely at the Motorola Moto E with its launch price of £89. Seems like a good deal, especially considering all the extra Nokia software that comes with this phone. I previously reviewed the Nokia Lumia 620 and really liked it, but this is being launched at nearly half the price. It also comes with Bing Health, so this certainly will be worth obtaining to see how it performs for its price point and that it comes with Windows 8.1 out of the box! Available from the 29th May 2014.

630

Press release –

Microsoft Devices today announced that the new Lumia 630 will become available in the UK on 29th May 2014. The most affordable Lumia smartphone to date delivers an unrivalled smartphone experience, boasting a quad-core processor and large screen at an exceptional price point of only £89.95. The Lumia 630 also features the award-winning design and experiences found on high-end Lumia smartphones and is the first device to launch with Windows Phone 8.1.

A quad-core Snapdragon processor to deliver a lightning fast experience with Word Flow, Internet Explorer and social apps like WhatsApp, WeChat and Instagram.

The Lumia 630 showcases a new matte polycarbonate design with changeable shells available in a range of fashionable and bold new colors.

Better entertainment with Xbox games, free music streaming and unique picture applications like Storyteller which really come to life on the 4.5” screen. The ClearBack screen offers great viewing angles and visibility – even in bright conditions.

Simple features make the phone a joy to use, for example, just one swipe will show notifications from email, social apps, texts and calls. There is also the new Microsoft Enterprise feature pack, Microsoft Office, OneDrive, Camera, and HERE Maps and Drive+, all of which work seamlessly to make the Lumia 630 a great tool for both the boardroom and the lounge.

New SensorCore technology also brings low power motion sensing to accessories to help people track their activity – perfect for exercise and exploration using apps like Bing Health and Fitness.

A large 1830mAh battery means the Lumia 630 can keep up with you all day.

A wealth of storage is available, with memory expandable by up to 128GB via memory card, supporting easy saving and the ability to switch locations where you keep your pictures, videos, music, maps and apps.

The Lumia 630 goes on sale in the UK with Carphone Warehouse, EE, O2, Tesco and Amazon. It will be available in a range of colours including bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, white and black.