Archive for December, 2013

By December 2, 2013 Read More →

Amazon drone on about delivery times

2amzndron09870df1Recent reports suggest that Amazon’s work conditions can cause mental health issues. Stories of employees having to walk 11 miles a day with stressful deadlines and GPS tracking. It looks like Amazon are looking to rectify this by removing the human element from the equation.

A new service called Amazon Prime Air is slated for roll-out sometime in 2015, depending on FAA approval. Amazon have posted a video of how a new service will work onto YouTube. The video shows the process of a package being taken from the warehouse floor and delivery to the front steps of the customer’s home. Sounds exactly like that they do millions of times a day, however this time they have injected a somewhat dirty word, Drone. The idea is to have the drone deliver orders roughly 30 minutes after the customer hits the “buy” button on Amazon.com.

Speaking recently to the producers of 60 Minutes, before the unveiling, Bezos said, “If you can guess what it is, then… I will give you half my fortune and send you to Vegas with it.”

Reacting to the unveiling of the Amazon-branded drone, Bezos interviewer Charlie Rose said, “I had no idea what its purpose was at first glance… They actually look like something out of a Philip K. Dick novel.”

Whilst this first step of automation is hardly going to replace the hard working staff member, it certainly looks like the future is shaping towards the removal of moany and comlainy employees and the introduction of a work force that look like barbeques. You can watch the entire interview on the 60 Minutes website.

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By December 2, 2013 Read More →

Android gaming update 02-12-13

final-fantasy-4-years-after-android-gameThe week of Black Friday has brought many price reductions to the Google Play store, lets have a look at what’s cheap and what’s new.

Square Enix has released the next instalment for their Final Fantasy franchise called Final Fantasy IV: The After Years onto Google Play. As the name suggests, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years takes place 17 years after the original Final Fantasy IV game. Many of the original cast members of Final Fantasy IV make a return in this game as well as a lot of the NPCs from the SNES version become playable characters.final-fantasy-4-years-after-android-game

The After Years Features:

  • Ten Playable Tales: Begin your journey with “Ceodore’s Tale.” Complete it to unlock the tales of six additional characters, which can be played in any order, and then return to the core story with “Kain’s Tale,” “The Lunarian’s Tale,” and “The Crystals.” A total of ten tales in all, and all contained in FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS.
  • Active Time Battle: Take control of exhilarating combat made possible by the non-stop action in Square Enix’s iconic battle system.
  • Lunar Phases: Feel the moon’s presence in combat, as its waxing and waning influences the potency of attacks and abilities of all combatants. Lunar phases cycle naturally with the passage of in-game time, or when resting at an inn, tent, or cottage.
  • Band Abilities: Combine the strength of your party members to awesome effect with Band abilities that can be unlocked through in-game events or by leveling your characters’ Affinity.
  • Minimap: Keep an eye on your current location and nearby surroundings, or tap for quick access to the world map.
  • Google Play Game Support: Step up to meet all-new challenges offered by dozens of achievements.

The After Years is available from Google Play for £10.99

Posted in: Apps & Games, News
By December 2, 2013 Read More →

Sony Xperia Tablet Z unboxing video & hands-on

l_21313382Continuing our look at the Android tablets currently on offer we turn our attention to the Sony Xperia Tablet Z.

Whist the Sony Xperia Tablet Z has been around for a little while it still has a specification sheet that should impress, with a high-res display, IP57 rating for dust and water resistance and decent CPU and memory housed in a thin 6.9mm body it looks like it could do the business but being a Sony branded product there is, perhaps predictably, a premium price label.

The question we’ll be looking to answer when we get the the Sony Xperia Tablet Z review is whether or not this 10.1″ Android tablet deserves the circa £400 price point for the 16GB WiFi version, and whether or not it should be included on your Christmas list!

In the video below you’ll see me unboxing the Sony Xperia Tablet Z with a look at the included accessories and a tour around the hardware and software elements. I also run a quick benchmark, the results of which may surprise.

Posted in: Tablets, Videos/Unboxings
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By December 1, 2013 Read More →

The bigger picture on the iPad 12.9

12_9_ipad_ipad_4_mini_light-800x450Apparently an unnamed official for an Apple supplier in Korea told The Korea Times by phone that Apple’s local first-tier display supplier is currently producing a 12.9-inch Retina display for a new “maxi” iPad slated to launch early next year, possibly as early as March. This panel is being manufactured by the supplier’s plant in Korea, the source added.

Rumours of a larger iPad have been floating around for a few months. Even the Wall Street Journal jumped on the rumour bandwagon back in July, reporting that Apple was testing larger screens for iPhone and iPad devices, including a 13-inch prototype iPad, to offer a better choice of products for the end user.

“The 12.9-inch iPad will have improved picture quality. As the Apple partner intends to boost its lineup for displays that have almost ultra high-definition (UHD) quality, the upcoming iPad will provide very clear quality similar to that of UHD,” said the official.

 

Posted in: News, Rumours, Tablets
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By December 1, 2013 Read More →

The Nokia Lumia 929 hitting in December

lumia_929_leakAnother Windows Phone looks like it will be making its way into store fairly soon. Unconfirmed reports of the Nokia Lumia 929 have been floating around for a while, however, this leak seems a little more concrete the the previous ones.

A new photo of the unannounced Windows Phone was leaked by Falorin in a forum  at WPCentral. The device looks to be white and has a 2510mAh battery. In addition the 929 is expected to feature a 5-inch, 1080p display, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and a Snapdragon 800 processor, and the same 20MP camera found on other Nokia Windows Phone models. The rumour is that this will hit shelves in mid December.

Posted in: News, Phones, Rumours
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By December 1, 2013 Read More →

Google Glass upsets a man

Google_Glass_Explorer_EditionNick Starr, a video teleconference network engineer, has posted on his Facebook page that he and his partner were at a restaurant called Lost Lake Cafe and Lounge. Starr was told by an employee that they didn’t allow people to wear Google Glass at the eatery. Whilst Starr claims he had worn the optical gadget before no one had ever told him to put them away or leave.

Rather than push the issue, Starr left and CBSNews.com has confirmed with Lost Lake Cafe and Lounge that they do not allow Google Glass to be worn at their establishment.

In a post on their official Facebook page, they updated that they asked a “rude customer” to vacate the premises because he would not remove the device.

“If you do wear your Google Glasses inside, or film or photograph people without their permission, you will be asked to stop, or leave,” said the post.

Co-owner David Meinert said to Forbes he does not permit Google Glass to be worn at Lost Lake Café and Lounge and his other establishment, 5 Point Cafe, because of privacy issues. Meinert’s concern is that people eating could be recorded or photographed without their knowledge.

“I think the crazy part is that this guy comes into a diner, and is asked to change his behavior in a way that’s our right to ask of him,” he pointed out. “He doesn’t like it, so he tries to get the server fired. It’s a total (expletive) move.”

It’s safe to say the two are finding it difficult to see eye to eye.

Posted in: News, Science & Technology
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