Author Archive: Matt

More than 20 years in the IT industry. Blogging with a passion and thirst for new technology since 2005.

By Matt October 28, 2014 Read More →

Getting the most out of the Microsoft Surface

Recent innovations in technology and the internet have seen us increasingly consuming more media on the move. The Microsoft Surface is kicking up a storm as the new laptop-meets-tablet hybrid on the tech and entertainment market. Boasting the key perks of each device; with the light weight of a tablet and the processor of a laptop, can the Microsoft Surface really do it all?

Key Features

Featuring a 12 inch screen, a fourth generation Intel Core processor and up to nine hours of battery life, the Microsoft Surface certainly packs a punch in the world of technology. Home to three ports and an optional keyboard, it takes the lead where earlier tablets have failed.

Keep it private

Unlike standard tablets, the Microsoft Surface allows for greater security with the regular 4 PIN passcode strengthened by a personalised picture password, meaning you don’t need to worry about sensitive information or even your kids picking up the device and having a go.

Personal touches

Once you’ve downloaded your preferred apps, you can then re arrange and even re name these on your home screen for quick and easy accessibility. You can also link your tablet up to multiple email accounts, social media feeds, networking and business messengers, allowing you to access both your work and personal emails on the go from one device.

Enhancing accessories & tips

Setting up your new Surface with Microsoft security software means that if your tablet is lost or stolen, your data will be encrypted and away from prying eyes. If you’re using the tablet for anything other than writing quick emails then consider purchasing a detachable keyboard as it will make your time much more productive.

As with all modern, powerful technology, battery life is the bane of your tablets performance capabilities. Never get caught short again by purchasing an external battery pack, these light and compact chargers will come to the rescue at your time of need!

To conclude

Although the Surface comes with a higher price tag than your standard tablet, it’s easy to see why. Microsoft has strived to create a tablet-laptop hybrid which shows off the ‘Windows experience’, allowing the user to access everything they need from one portable device.

If you’re looking at purchasing the Surface do some research, as the newer model may better suit your requirements.

Image by Jason Howle, used under the Creative Commons license

Posted in: Editorial, Tablets

By Matt October 22, 2014 Read More →

Be Bond: try these gadgets

The bomb will explode in 40 seconds, so you better hurry up, Bond. You run through the metal corridors of the underground lair, eliminate four henchmen with your Walther PPK and chuck a defusing device at the bomb, seeing its timer stop at 00:07 seconds.

With that, the queen suddenly materialises in front of you, clutching a medal of honour and giving you a wry smile and a subtle wink. “Your majesty!” you exclaim, as you kneel on the ground.

It’s at about this time that you wake up, clutching your bedside lamp and saluting at your still-sleeping girlfriend.

If this is an experience you recognise, then it might be time to get those master spy fantasies out of your system.

With a few of these gadgets, you’ll be able to live your life like the suburban Bond you long to be. And stop saluting at your girlfriend in your sleep – it’s weirding her out.

Maintain an eagle eye

Just a decade or so ago, trying to hide a security camera was like concealing a woolly mammoth under your jumper. With their mass of wires, hefty lenses and loudly whirring rotation mechanism, they were about as subtle as a Brian Blessed cosplay convention. I always wanted to learn more about cosplay and this site has all the information.

How things change. Now, surveillance cameras can be concealed in replica Coke cans, BIC lighters, Blu-ray players and pretty much anything else you like.

Whether you’re meeting an ex-KGB informer, rendezvousing with a double agent or want to prove to your girlfriend that you did say to meet at eight, not quarter-past nine, these hidden surveillance cameras can be invaluable for the home.

Glass yourself

Google Glass, that pair of hi-tech spectacles, has been making waves in the press, and rightly so. This versatile piece of kit could put Q out of a job, if he’s not careful.

You can essentially have the entirety of the internet in your eyes with Google Glass. Whether that means you want to Google someone’s name to think of new conversation topics or record the world around you, the possibilities are endless.

Some have criticised the device, claiming it’s leading our already dwindling attention spans to their death knell. But don’t let such negativity bother you – the Glass is the next step in technology.

See through the night

Do you ever stare into darkness and imagine what it’s like to be on adult dating sites for casual sex, you might also wonder what’s going in the inky black of the night? Then, ignoring the fact that you’ve got too much time on your hands, night vision goggles are perfect for you.

Even the cheaper end of the scale now allows you to see in complete darkness. Perfect for camping trips, reconnaissance missions or sneaking around your house with the lights off (everybody needs a hobby), pick up a reasonably priced pair and enjoy the pleasures of the night.

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets

By Matt October 14, 2014 Read More →

Gadget Lovers Guide to Halloween

As Halloween fast approaches, now is the time to stock up on everything you need to celebrate this spooky event. It is the one time of the year that both adults and children get to dress up, eat candy and enjoy a little spooky fun. Morph Costumes is one of the leading suppliers of Halloween fancy dress outfits. If you’re a gadget lover you will be interested to know that there are plenty of gruesome, impressive Halloween themed gadgets available on the market.

Digital Dudz Halloween gadgets

When searching for Halloween gadgets, Digital Dudz is one of the main brands to focus on. They offer some of the most advanced, high tech gadgets on the market. The company has a particularly impressive Halloween t-shirt collection. The ‘Frantically Moving Eyeball’ and ‘Beating Heart Zombie’ t-shirts are extremely realistic. Featuring realistic animations, these t-shirts are sure to provide quite a few scares!

These are some of the first t-shirts to feature wearable technology. You will need to download an app on your smartphone, place the phone in your pocket and then place a shirt over to get the full effects of the beating heart flesh wound skin suit. Other t-shirts in the collection can be worn alone, though you still need your phone to activate them.

Digital Dudz has a great range of costumes and most feature animations. Take a look at the full collection today.

Re-enact the famous shower scene from Psycho

Ok, so you won’t actually be re-enacting the famous gruesome shower scene, but you’ll certainly feel like you are! As featured by NBC News, the electronic serial killer shower curtain is a unique, spooky addition to your morning shower! Scare your friends and family by fitting the curtain on Halloween morning. As they shower they will hear the Psycho theme music along with horrific screams. It works by detecting motion and sound so the more noise you make, the longer the terror will continue.

Front door animated axe killer

If money isn’t an issue, the axe killer animatronic prop is an excellent gadget to invest in. Seen on THEFW website, this impressive animated screen features a real-life looking axe wielding maniac trying to smash through the glass. Place it on your front door to scare any visitors. Beware that this may prove a little too terrifying for young children!

Affordable Halloween gadgets

You don’t need to have a lot of money to enjoy spooky gadgets this Halloween. There are plenty of smaller gadgets that have a similar spooky effect. The haunted toilet roller is a good example. Simply place it on your toilet roll holder and tell people your bathroom is haunted. As they grab the toilet paper screaming, howling and moaning sounds will be released. This is definitely going to cause quite a few shocks!

As you can see, there are plenty of gadgets available to add an extra spooky quality to the home. No matter what your budget, there is always something you can afford to make your Halloween more memorable and fun.

Posted in: Uncategorized

By Matt October 14, 2014 Read More →

The most hackable luxury cars of 2014

Technology always seems to come a long way in a relatively short amount of time. Recently the media has been reporting on ‘hackable’ cars, not in terms of being physically hacked into, but technologically. The ability to hack into a car may not yet be fully possible, but is it only a matter of time?

Does the thought of buying a new luxury car seem less appealing due to the fact that there is a chance that it may be ‘hacked in to’ in the future? This may make it more appealing to buy a second-hand luxury car but, from the study, “A Survey of Remote Automotive Attack Surfaces” some older cars may still be at risk.

We’re all aware of the drawbacks and data security risks of modern technology, but one industry where we don’t tend to think in terms of cybersecurity is the motor trade. “Connected cars” are becoming standard; new vehicles come laden with GPS, Bluetooth and there’s a general trend towards software based management systems. This has led to the study above attempting to highlight the ‘most hackable cars’ on the market.

‘Hackability’ was judged in terms of three key areas: Network Architecture, Attack Surface, and Cyber Physical Features. Roughly, the network architecture is the location, build and design of each of the computers within a car. The attack surface is any location where a hacker can try to modify, alter or enter anything into the system, such as any accessible ports, or points where malicious code can be entered. Cyber physical features include how the computer networks, and interacts or measures its environment, such as in collision detection within cars.

The 2006 Ford Fusion illustrated how anyone interested in older model used cars have far less to worry about in terms of connectivity and ‘hackability’. The 06 Fusion scored double minuses in all categories, but more to the point, this score shows how cars have come on technologically in the last eight years. View current vehicle values and see how they’ve changed over time in a 3-year, 5-year and to-date intervals. Compare these values to other vehicles and benchmark financial indices.

The 2006 Prius and the 2006 Range Rover also scored very low, further serving as benchmarks for old car safety. Contrast this with the 2014 Range Rover Evoque and the 2014 Prius which both scored plenty of +’s.

In reality, we tend to err towards technology despite its pitfalls, and it’s not often we’ll get cybercriminals with a laptop invading our car for unknown gain; but the study does provide food for thought. Those who wish to stay on the safe side of technology could probably do well to buy older versions of marks like the Audi A8. A 2005 version of the Audi A8 on Carmony.co.uk can easily sell for a lot less than the 2014 version with very little risk of software malfunction.

Posted in: Science & Technology

By Matt October 2, 2014 Read More →

Making the iPhone 6 more affordable

Apple have done it again and have brought users a brand new, larger, handset, however, the only problem is how you make purchasing the iPhone 6 more affordable? As with the launch of any new piece of tech, the cost is substantially high and as such people franticly shop around for the best contract deals available. The only thing is, while you may be able to save the odd pound here and there by researching which network and tariff is best for your budget, there are other ways to make bigger savings to make the cost of the latest handset more affordable.

There is no denying that selecting a contract iPhone 6 or 6 plus will be the cheapest short term option, you don’t have to pay too much up front and you get a gorgeous new phone. Sadly, however, the costs start to sting your bank account when your monthly contract payments go out – new phones are notorious for being quite pricey when selecting contracts, so long term you’ll end out paying a lot more than you expected or would like.

Another option, and probably one of the cheaper in the long run is to choose a SIM only contract. Although this means you pay for the handset upfront, you benefit from being able to move freely between networks and deals without having to deal with the confines of a locked contract. The issue with this decision is most people don’t make it because they feel they can’t afford to spend that much money in one go. If that sounds like where you stumble when purchasing the new iPhone you could turn to Apple’s finance payment plan to help you make that handset obtainable.

The finance package with Apple means you buy directly from the company and then pay back what you owe, with interest, over a select period of months, the most common being 24 months. However, while it definitely sounds a lot more money savvy, you do have an APR rate of 14.9% added onto your repayments, which obviously means you end up paying more than what the handset is worth. This is where you might want to consider a 0% credit card instead, as this option means you can enjoy a long interest free period (maximum of 20 months), and only pay for the handset with no added extras.

By breaking it down and comparing the two options, the latter is more financially sound. When you buy an iPhone 6 (16gb) via Apple finance, you’ll pay £620.54 with repayment costs of £25.86 monthly for 24 months, however, when you buy an iPhone 6 via an interest free credit card, you’ll pay the SIM-free cost of £539.00 and pay back £26.95 monthly for 20 months. Despite the fact that you’ll pay out a little bit more each month if you choose the credit card option, you pay off the handset sooner and essentially make a saving of £81.54; and the saving for handsets with more storage is even greater.

As expected with a new phone, it’s all about shopping around for the best deal, however, that doesn’t restrict you to just what contracts are on offer in the high-street stores. There are many other avenues to research and consider before making a final decision, and weighing them up first and making the right decision can save you money in the long term.

Posted in: Editorial, Phones

By Matt September 23, 2014 Read More →

Microsoft tablets that put the fun in functional

Despite the fact that global sales of PCs and laptops are in decline, several consumers still require functional, practical and workaday machines, which can perform more tasks than standard touchscreen tablets.

Thankfully, Microsoft’s range of Surface devices makes this possible and you can pick one up at stores including Tesco and popular electrical retailers. In addition to their lightweight construction and expansive displays, they also feature comprehensive operating systems and various input methods. Here’s the full lowdown on all three models:

Surface 2

Full of features and incredibly good value for money, the Surface 2 might well be Microsoft’s entry-level tablet, but it still packs an impressive punch. Boasting a 1.7 GHz processor, Nvidia Tegra 4 chip, 2GB of RAM and a 10.6-inch screen, the Surface 2 can deal with a multitude of tasks and applications. When you add into the bargain a two-position kickstand, USB 3, MicroSD slot and Microsoft Office with Outlook as standard, it quickly becomes the best option for those on a budget.

Surface Pro 2

Perhaps the ultimate tablet for professions that require portability and power, the Surface Pro 2 has everything you could possibly need. With an Intel Core i5 processor, 526GB of storage and the option of Microsoft’s entire Office Suite, this particular device takes all the benefits of a PC or laptop but manages to fit it in a truly attractive package weighing just 900 grams. Even so, it features a multitude of connections, commendable battery life and a full HD display.

Surface Pro 3

The latest and possibly greatest tablet offering from Microsoft is the Surface Pro 3. On first impressions, the tablet’s look and feel is difficult to ignore, as the substantial 12-inch display and sleek magnesium frame are outstanding. But it gets better, as the Surface Pro 3 also comes with two 5MP HD cameras, stereo speakers featuring Dolby sound, a full-size keyboard and trackpad as well as a pressure-sensitive stylus. This means interacting with the pre-installed full version of Windows 8.1 is both easy and enjoyable.

So even if you’re looking for some fun from your tablet, you can get a great deal of functionality too with a Microsoft Surface device. Just be sure to choose a tablet that’s right for you and meets your requirements.

Image by Scott Akerman, used under the Creative Commons license.

Posted in: Editorial, Laptops, Tablets

By Matt September 4, 2014 Read More →

HTC annouces the Octa-core HTC Desire 820

HTC have announced another big-screen device, this time with a new Octa-core Snapdragon CPU; the HTC Desire 820.

This new device packs in quite a spec for what is deemd to be mid-range and even includes a whopping 8MP front-facing selfie cam…

HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, has announced the HTC Desire 820, the successor to the popular HTC Desire 816. Powered by the Qualcomm^® Snapdragon^™ 615 processor, with integrated 4G LTE Cat 4 connectivity and 64-bit, multi-core CPU, this new addition to the HTC Desire family delivers content on-the-go at exceptional speeds and with stunning clarity on its 5.5” high definition screen. Sporting a premium imaging experience and powerful HTC BoomSound^™, the colourful, stylish HTC Desire 820 sets a new benchmark for mid-range smartphones.

“Our new HTC Desire model gives entertainment lovers exactly what they are looking for; a powerful, fast, stylish smartphone that delivers their favourite content on a big screen at a competitive price” said Peter Chou, HTC Corporation. “With the HTC Desire 820, we’ve combined the most advanced technology with the best possible entertainment experience and bold, distinctive design, to deliver a handset that is both desirable and affordable”.

Premium camera for stunning photos and selfies

For high quality selfies, the HTC Desire 820 features an 8MP front-facing camera, delivering impressive solo poses and effortless group shots. Enhancing the imaging experience, it also offers software that allows you to merge your features with those of a friend or celebrity for a completely original look, real time Live Makeup, which allows you to preview the image and set the desired level of skin smoothing before the image is captured and Photo Booth, where you can capture several moments in a single image.

Offering high-performance imaging, the phone’s rear camera, with f/2.2 aperture and a 13MP BSI sensor, captures incredible quality images in both daylight and low light, so your photos will be bursting with detail even as the sun goes down. If photography isn’t your strength, press and hold the shutter for rapid-fire and continuous shooting – ideal for capturing fast moving objects or for selecting your best image at a later date.

Advanced technology for ultimate performance

With the Snapdragon 615 processor, the HTC Desire 820 offers lightning-fast Cat 4 4G connectivity at speeds of up to 150mbps¹. With an integrated LTE modem and the latest high performance multi-core, 64-bit processing power, entertainment lovers can revel in the ability to stream music, download films and juggle multiple social feeds or apps both smoothly and effortlessly.

Thanks to Qualcomm Technologies’ processing capabilities, with separate performance and low power clusters within the processor for managing intensive and lighter workloads, the HTC Desire 820 also operates at maximum power efficiency, ensuring you get more from your phone for longer.

Lose yourself in content

Whatever your surroundings, the HTC Desire 820 is perfect for immersing yourself in your favourite content. Whether gaming, watching TV or creating momentous video and photo sequences with Zoe™ Highlights, you’ll lose yourself in the rich, clear sound offered by the front-facing stereo speakers and two powerful, dedicated amplifiers of HTC BoomSound™. The vivid, 5.5” high definition display also puts big-screen entertainment in your pocket for the ultimate no-compromise experience.

Bold, distinctive style

In true HTC style, quality doesn’t stop at performance. Bold, bright and sleek, the newest addition to the HTC Desire range features HTC’s double shot colour technology, which allows us to create a two-tone colour unibody, that is not only perfect for reflecting both personality and style, but that also improves device quality, strength and tolerance. With distinctive colour trims around the camera, buttons and flash, the two colours merge seamlessly into one another creating a slick look that really stands out from the crowd.

Available in an array of colours² and featuring HTC’s iconic unibody design, the robust polycarbonate device is not only stylish but also boasts the excellent build quality that has become synonymous with HTC.

Cool and convenient, the HTC Desire 820 also supports HTC’s Dot View™ case, providing instant access to your phone without opening the cover. With a range of functions from answering calls and receiving and dismissing notifications with a simple swipe, this retro style case can be customised to suit any situation, with the ability to create your own wallpaper by selecting images from your gallery or from 18 different themes.

Availability

The HTC Desire will be available in selected territories worldwide. Regional availability will be announced locally

HTC Desire 820 specification:

Screen size: 5.5 inches, 1280×720 (720p), 267 ppi
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-core 1.5 GHz & 1.0 GHz
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 16GB
Expansion: MicroSD
Primary Camera: 13MP
Secondary front-facing camera: 8MP
Battery: 2600 mAh
OS: Android 4.4 with HTC Sense 6
Nano SIM (dual nano SIM in some markets)
Bluetooth 4.0
WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 + 5GHz)
NFC
Sensors: Ambient light sensor / proximity sensor / accelerometer
Size: 157.7×78.74×7.74mm
Weight: 155 grams

Posted in: News, Phones
Tags: Featured

By Matt September 3, 2014 Read More →

Sony Xperia Z3 video review

Following Sony’s big announcement today at IFA in Berlin, Phones 4u have got to grips with the new Sony Xperia Z3 flagship smartphone. Will it wow the tech world as much as its predecessor, the Xperia Z2? Find out in the full video review below:

Sony Xperia Z3 Specification:

20.7 megapixel camera with 4K video capture
Fully water and dustproof
3100mAh battery
5.2-inch Full HD display
Latest Android operating system

The Sony Xperia Z3 really pushes the limits of smartphone technology. It is fully water and dust proof, slimmer and sleeker in design and it has a battery boost thrown into the mix. The latest Sony flagship really does set a precedent for other manufacturers and with Android on board, it has never been easier to get the best out of a device.

Everything looks simply amazing on the Z3’s expansive display, which is perfect for watching movies or internet TV. You have a massive 2.5GHz quad-core processor at your disposal too, so there’s loads of power for work and play.

And when you want to play, you can capture it all in effortless detail. With tons of modes alongside 4K video capture, the Z3’s camera will be your new best friend – snap, share and repeat the fun. However you decide to shoot it, you’ll be proud to show off the results.

Sony is releasing the Z3 in a variety of colours, including; black, copper and chrome. Phones 4u also has the smartphone exclusively available in white in the UK, as seen in the video above.

Posted in: Phones, Reviews, Videos/Unboxings

By Matt August 29, 2014 Read More →

Excellent Ways to Speed Up Your Computer

Thanks to modern technology and the ability to access truly massive amounts of data, our computers are capable of feats that would have been unheard of only a decade ago. However, we must also remember that accessing the Internet and its terabytes of information will also rely heavily upon the speed of our computers. So, what are some sure-fire ways to boost our computing speeds with a minimal amount of effort? Let’s take a look at this question in a bit more detail.

Extra Memory

Do you find that your system seems to be running very slow? One of the reasons that this could be the case may be due to a lack of memory. In essence, we can think of storage capacity in the same way that we view a glass of water. Depending upon the size of the glass, there is only so much liquid that can be held. By increasing the memory of an operating system, we will likewise provide a greater storage capacity. This can help free up valuable hard drive space and increase overall speeds. Take a look at the Filecenter for DMS software for your business to speed the workflow.

Virus Scans

Another common reason that a computer is running slow could be due to the presence of a virus. This is especially the case if you have noticed a drastic drop in speed within a short period of time. If this is the case, there are many software packages which will scan your system and detect if any viruses are present. If this is indeed the case, removing the infected software will usually help increase the speed of your computer.

Incoming Information

Another aspect that we should keep in mind is that the speed of a computer is partially based upon the type of Internet connection that it employs. For example, dial-up technology was only able to handle what we would today refer to as rather limited amounts of data. On the contrary, modern communications methods such as fibre optic broadband and wireless technology have enabled systems to enjoy millions of bits of information per second. This will obviously have a direct effect on the apparent speed of any device.

Housekeeping

One of the easiest ways to speed up your operating system is to regularly discard any items of folders that are no longer being used. Of course, you can perform this manually (although it may take a bit of time). Another option is to choose to “defragment” a hard disk. This will help to eliminate any files which are corrupted or otherwise useless. A final step is to reset the entire system back to an earlier date when it was operating more efficiently. However, be certain to back up any important files before you choose this option!

These are some of the easiest ways to increase the operating speed of your computer. As these systems offer many user-friendly aspects, most steps can be carried out with little hassle. So, be prepared to enjoy light-speed Internet access and download times!

Posted in: Editorial

By Matt August 28, 2014 Read More →

LG Teases us with LG G Watch R

Following the June release of one of the first-to-market wearable devices powered by Android Wear™, LG Electronics (LG) is quickly expanding its wearable product offerings with the unveiling a new Android Wear device — the LG G Watch R at IFA 2014 in Berlin next week. The LG G Watch R will be the world’s first watch-style wearable device to feature a full circle Plastic OLED (P-OLED) display that utilises 100 percent of its circular display.

The most eye-catching feature of the LG G Watch R is its 1.3-inch full circle P-OLED display that produces stunning image clarity even under bright sunlight and superb clarity when viewed from any angle. Powered by a powerful 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, the LG G Watch R offers 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM and a durable 410mAh battery. This Android Wear device will effortlessly run all compatible apps available in the Google Play Store and with an Ingress Protection Rating of IP67, the LG G Watch R is designed to run for up to 30 minutes in one metre of water.

With Android Wear™ at its core, the LG G Watch R delivers essential and relevant information exactly at the right time and place through voice recognition notifications. With a suite of LG health and fitness apps, users can also monitor their heartbeats with the support of the embedded photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. And the smart notifications provide users with important reminders of missed calls and messages, upcoming meetings, events, and local weather forecasts.

With an artisanal elegance, the LG G Watch R boasts a refined aesthetic that is reminiscent of traditional timepieces. Replete with a circular watch face, this elegantly crafted Android wearable has classic curves encased in a strong, durable stainless steel frame and carries a suite of watch faces that are accessible with a simple touch of the display. Its interchangeable 22mm calf skin leather strap also complements its overall aesthetic, giving it an air of modern prestige.

“What we’ve noticed in the year of the wearable is that this is a category that can’t be compared to smartphones and tablets,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Wearables are also accessories and consumers will want more than one to choose from. So we wanted to complement the modern design of the original G Watch with the classic look of the G Watch R. Customers can’t go wrong with either device.”

The LG G Watch R will be available in key markets early in the fourth quarter of 2014. Prices and details of availability will be announced locally at the time of launch. Visitors to IFA can see LG G Watch R up close in Hall 11.2 of Messe Berlin from September 5-10.

Key Specifications:

Chipset: 1.2GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400
Display: 1.3-inch P-OLED Display (320 x 320)
Memory: 4GB eMMC / 512MB RAM
Battery: 410mAh
Operating System: Android Wear™
(compatible with smartphones running Android 4.3 and above)
Sensors: 9-Axis (Gyro/ Accelerometer/ Compass), Barometer, PPG
Colour: Black
Other: Dust and Water Resistant (IP67)

Posted in: Gadgets, News

Author Archive: Matt