Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.

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By June 13, 2016 Read More →

Blockbuster Independence Day returns with AOC as its official monitor partner

-ykhHR7y_400x400Twenty years after the first film, the long anticipated epic action-adventure Independence Day: Resurgence, which stars many of the original actors as well as Hollywood newcomers, finally hits the cinema screens this summer. Display specialist AOC teams up with 20th Century Fox as the official monitor partner of the upcoming movie, in which AOC displays will appear. Moreover, AOC and its retail partners will have access to exclusive Independence Day: Resurgence online and offline promotional materials.

AOC_IDR-Advert

Epic marketing materials
As part of the cooperation with 20th Century Fox, AOC displays will not only appear in the long anticipated science-fiction sequel by star director Roland Emmerich, but AOC and its retail partners will also have access to exclusive online and offline promotional materials for use during special promotional events and more. Selected artwork can be used online, e.g. as screen content or background for AOC monitors. Further online materials include banners and e-mail signature designs, while roll-up banners will be available for POS or other indoor/outdoor use. This way, both AOC and Independence Day: Resurgence will gain optimal exposure to an even broader audience.

A promising sequel
The current cooperation is not the first one for AOC and 20th Century Fox, who previously teamed up for other hit movies including last year’s critically acclaimed sci-fi film The Martian, the 2014 blockbuster Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the 2013 superhero comic book adaptation The Wolverine and the 2012 animated film Ice Age 4. A variety of marketing materials for all of these titles helped increase visibility for both the AOC brand and the movies, a success story which the two cooperation partners are now excited to continue with Independence Day: Resurgence.

Posted in: Desktop Computing, News
By June 10, 2016 Read More →

Lenovo brings the Motorola Moto Z And Moto Z Force

Moto_Z-Back_575pxYesterday at the keynote address of Lenovo Tech World 2016 in San Francisco we saw the launch of the much-awaited Moto Z and Moto Z Force smartphones. Both devices are to launch globally from September, alongside with their Moto Mods add-ons. In the US, they will be renamed to the Moto Z Droid and the Moto Z Force Droid and are launching on Verizon Wireless. The company has not detailed prices of either smartphone yet. The Moto Z is said to be the thinnest premium smartphone in the world. Most interestingly both devices omit the 3.5mm headphone jack, meaning you will need a set of Bluetooth headphones, USB-C wired headphones, or a USB-C to headphone jack adapter!

These devices are to be launched with fairly interesting Moto Mods magnetic snap-on back panels from various partners, including JBL and Incipio. Both smartphones will also feature support from Motorola’s popular Moto Maker customisation. The battery is reported to deliver up to 30 hours of battery life, with the TurboPower charger giving 8 hours of battery life in 15 minutes. On the Moto X Force is a Moto ShatterShield, this technology protects the display and the company insists will not crack or shatter.

As mentioned above Moto Mods connect to the 16 pogo points on the rear. To provide extra hardware functionality, much like the LG G5. Examples that will be available for purchase in September will include the JBL SoundBoost, the Moto Insta-Share Projector and the Power Pack battery life extender. The Insta-Share Projector can deliver a 70-inch projected picture Power Pack can provide up to 22 hours of additional battery life. Style Shells will also be available offering like real wood, leather, and fabric finishings.

Moto_Z-Carousel_678x452

 

 

Motorola Moto Z

  • Operating System: Android 6.0.1
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
  • RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
  • ROM: 32GB / 64GB + microSD
  • Screen: 5.5-inch 2560×1440 AMOLED, Corning Gorilla Glass
  • Dimensions: 153.3 x 75.3 x 5.19 mm
  • Weight: 136 grams
  • Front facing camera: 5MP, 1.4µm pixels, f/2.2, LED flash
  • Rear camera: 13MP, 1.12µm pixels, f/1.8, Laser AF, OIS, Auto HDR, dual-color LED flash
  • Battery: 2600 mAh non-removable
  • fingerprint scanner
  • USB Type-C port

Moto_Z_Force-Hero_575px

Motorola Moto Z Force

  • Operating System: Android 6.0.1
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
  • RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
  • ROM: 32GB / 64GB + microSD
  • Screen: 5.5-inch 2560×1440 AMOLED, Moto ShatterShield
  • Dimensions: 155.9 x 75.8 x 6.99 mm
  • Weight: 163 grams
  • Front facing camera: 5MP, 1.4µm pixels, f/2.2, LED flash
  • Rear camera: 21MP, 1.12µm pixels, f/1.8, PDAF + Laser AF, OIS, Auto HDR, dual-color LED flash
  • Battery: 3500 mAh non-removable
Posted in: News, Phones
By June 10, 2016 Read More →

Lenovo launches the Phab 2 line with Project Tango

610201610846AM_635_lenovo_phab_2_proAt the Lenovo Tech World 2016 in San Francisco, Yang Yuanqing, the Chairman and CEO of Lenovo announced the first consumer facing Project Tango smartphone during his keynote address on yesterday. For a consumer launch, Google has graduated from the project phase whilst keeping it Tango.

The first device to feature this new technology will be the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, a smartphone Lenovo has design in collaboration with Google. The new technology makes “AR and VR as pervasive as your GPS.” In other words, Tango is centred around the cameras vision with sensor setup that provides motion tracking, depth perception, and area learning. This can enable augmented reality applications like indoor navigation and mapping, searching, and gaming. With depth sensing, it can use gesture tracking in virtual reality.

The smartphone will become globally available on retail shelves in September, and Lenovo said they are expected to start shipping from online stores in August. The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is priced at $499. UK price will differ slightly, hopefully.

We saw the first Lenovo Phab at IFA in Berlin last year and whilst a good looking device it was not destined for our shore. So the Phab name is not one well known amongst the British public.

  • Display – 6.40-inch QHD IPS display
  • Resolution – 1440×2560 pixels
  • Processor – 1.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 SoC “Tango Edition”
  • RAM – 4GB
  • Storage – 64GB
  • Front Camera – 8-megapixel
  • Rear Camera – 16-megapixel RGB camera
  • Battery capacity – 4050mAh delivering 15-hours battery life


Additionally, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro houses the depth-sensing, infrared camera with an imager and an emitter, as well as the motion tracking camera. It also sports Dolby Atmos audio technology for its speakers, apart from Dolby Audio 5.1 Capture technology for recording 3D sound.

Also mentioned was a new, special, Tango app store featuring 25 apps at launch, with the hope to reach 100 apps by year-end.

In addition to the Phab Pro 2 the company also announced the Lenovo Phab 2 (priced at $199) and the Lenovo Phab 2 Plus (priced at $299). Both smartphones feature 6.4-inch displays, but where the former features an HD display, the latter bears a full-HD display. The Phab 2, with a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera and a quad-core MediaTek MT8735 SoC, coupled with 2GB of RAM. The Phab 2 Plus with dual 13-megapixel rear cameras with Fujitsu Milbeaut imaging software, and a 8-megapixel front camera, an octa-core MediaTek MT8783 SoC coupled with 3GB of RAM and the fingerprint sensor on the rear panel seen on the Phab Pro 2.

Posted in: News, Phones
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By June 8, 2016 Read More →

Tech Addicts UK Podcast – 8th June 2016 – Zus and Zenbo

Podcast logoFeaturing Gareth Myles and Gavin Fabiani-Laymond 

Direct Download

RSS Link: http://mobiletechaddicts.libsyn.com/rss

Show Notes

What have you been playing with?

Gareth: Nonda Zus, CHJGD powerbanks, Phonaudio PHN100,

Gavin:  Xiaomi Mi Max updated to MIUI v 8 – alpha build, Microsoft Lumia 950 XL with display dock in for review and reviewed went live on Monday. Samsung Gear 360 is in the house.

Discussion: The Nexus Player is getting an update

Xiaomi Mi Box

Discussion:  Asus launch

  1. Zenfone 3

  2. Transformer 3

  3. Zenbook 3

  4. Zenbo

Main Show URL: www.techaddicts.uk

Join the Discussion: https://goo.gl/spaces/6FF6jraF9KHiPUyA6

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @garethmyles ; @gavinfabiani ; @samjpullen ; @GadgetyNewsCom ; @JayGarrett

Web: http://gavinsgadgets.com ; http://GadgetyNews.com

Google Plus: +garethmyles ; +gavinfabiani-laymond  ; +samjpullen ; +JayGarrett

Posted in: Podcast
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By June 8, 2016 Read More →

The Patent Scam to destroy app development soon

urlIt would seem a specific type of Patent trolling is starting to take grip. Austin Meyers, the designer of the X-Plane series illustrates in a short video on Youtube how he is being taken to court over submitting his popular game to the Google Play Store. In the lawsuit from the lawyer for theft crimes that is dragging on for almost 5 years Mr. Meyers takes the viewer a fairly disgusting journey of scummy law deals and corruption that could easily destroy many forms of innovation.

One of the hardest parts of defending the actions here is that the Jury might not have a full understanding of what actually is going on. The system appears to be too corrupt for any changes to be made. Thankfully, Mr. Meyers isn’t afraid of the task and manages to illustrate the story in a lightweight manner, especially when you consider how infuriating this must be for a farce to carry on so long. One can only hope Google will step in here with their army of lawyers. Google, Microsoft, and Apple, have every interest in destroying this type of action as this is an industry that will destroy their developer community.

Find out more at www.patentscam.com

Posted in: News
By June 7, 2016 Read More →

Samsung may launch two foldable displays in early 2017

folding-display-galaxy-samsungWe keep hearing rumblings from Samsung that a phone with a foldable display is on it’s way and now a new report from Bloomberg suggests the phone will be unveiled at next year’s Mobile World Congress. The South Korean manufacturer is said to be mulling two models with “bendable” displays. One phone with likely feature a 5-inch display that can be unfurled into a tablet-sized 8-inch screen. The phone will not be the first to feature a bendable AMOLED screen, as Samsung already uses the technology on its current edge devices and even dating back to the Gear S smartwatch. The difference is that the edge screen is fixed in place, Project Valley is said to offer a malleable display.

From Bloomberg:

The devices using organic light-emitting diodes could be unveiled as soon as early 2017, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. The second Samsung model will have a 5-inch screen when used as a handset, that unfurls into a display that’s as large as 8 inches, similar to a tablet, the people said.

Codenamed “Project Valley,” Samsung could unveil one or both of the devices as soon as February, when Mobile World Congress takes place in Barcelona, one of the people said.

Project Valley has been bouncing around for a while now and seems to be one of the hottest new technology since VR took the spotlight from Smartwatches.

Posted in: News, Rumours
By June 6, 2016 Read More →

Nonda Zus Unboxing

1Mobilefun have sent us the Nonda Zus. This auto accessory is pretty simple.

Have you ever walked out of the shopping centre/Mall and thought to yourself, after a long period in the isles fighting for your groceries, “where the hell did I park?” Or perhaps you need to show some one where your car is without having to leave a queue or coffee shop?

The Nonda Zus plugs into your cigarette lighter and acts as a tracking device for an app on your phone to locate your car and allow you to share that location with someone of your choosing.

Also thrown in is the ability to charge two USB connectible devices, at a faster rate that normal. And the Zus has been designed to meet US Military MIL-STD-810G High Temperature Standard. The Zus can handle temperatures as high as 100ºC.

You can pick one up here for £21.99.

 

Posted in: Accessories, Gadgets, GPS/Sat Nav, Phones, Videos/Unboxings
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By June 4, 2016 Read More →

CHJGD Power Banks Unboxing

bulldog_handIt’s power bank city here in the Tech Addicts Headquarters and we have a selection of high end, premium, power banks to share with you. Having looked at the budget end with the EasyAcc 900mAh power bank, CHJGD have sent over their two of their of their most popular power banks alongside a new unit that is due for launch right about now.

The three powerbanks are available from https://chargedpower.com/ alongside some other sexy accessories.

blue

CHJGD Midas Premium Luxury Li-Polymer Power bank – This 8000mAh battery in Sapphire Blue is available for £39.99. This is the big daddy of the collection. A beautifully designed unit with zero frills or gimmicks, the focus is on top quality looks and build. The price is quite high for a powerbank and with so many cheaper units out there this makes it difficult to justify. However, once in hand you can feel the elegance and quality. For my Nexus 6P I would see around 3 full charges off of one fully charger unit.

gold_package_inside_1

CHJGD Fastcharge Premium Luxury – A 4000 mAh, Gold Power Bank is available for £19.99. The modest price tag of this unit explains the slight dip in quality, however this is when compared to the beautiful Midas, whilst only half the price and capacity that doesn’t mean its half the quality, far from it in fact. This unit is still massively more beautiful compared to most of the competition and you would not be ashamed to in any way to pull this out and hook it up to your phone.

bulldog_iphone1

CHJGD Ultracompact 10K mAh Bulldog Credit Card sized Power Bank is available for £29.99. The newest addition to their catalogue, a higher price tag is justified by the quality feel. Certainly the non-slip feel and the impressive artwork boost the appeal and whilst the unit is quite thick you have to remember this is a 10,000mAh. Compared to others of this size, this is particularly small device. The fast charge feature will see around 50% of you battery restored in around 30 minutes, maybe more.

These are three incredibly desirable Power Banks and you will be getting a lovely unit for the money.

Posted in: Accessories, Videos/Unboxings
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By June 3, 2016 Read More →

Zappar brings AR and VR creation to the masses with ZapWorks

stdZappar, a global leader in augmented reality (AR), has launched a comprehensive set of augmented reality and virtual reality creation tools called ZapWorks at Augmented World Expo. The suite is designed to let digital creatives author the best, snackable and immersive AR/VR content experiences in the market.

ZapWorks has been in development for more than five years, and was originally built to meet Zappar’s own need for powerful AR creation tools, as the company created world-leading AR campaigns for partners like Rovio/Angry Birds, Coca-Cola, PEZ and Warner Bros.

“Worldwide, we’ve made thousands of bite-sized AR experiences for hundreds of brands over the past five years, using our proprietary authoring tools to help partners engage with their audience on mobile and sell more product,” said Caspar Thykier, co-founder and CEO of Zappar. “Instead of keeping the tools to ourselves, and in line with our mission to truly democratize AR for the first time, we’re setting the full suite loose through ZapWorks—re-imagining what’s possible on the mobile canvas as we begin to not only look at our phone screens, but see through them. We’re delighted to announce that with ZapWorks, those experiences can now extend beyond AR to creating short form VR content as well. This is a game-changer.”

smart

Key ZapWorks features include:

  • Fully vertically integrated tools provide a single user interface for creating and distributing content and gathering analytics
  • Tiered, per-seat subscription with unlimited free zapcodes
    • Basic seat: £30 per month, allows users to manage codes and use the Widgets and Designer tools
    • Pro seat: £90 per month, access to the entire suite, including ZapWorks Studio, which allows users to build more advanced AR and VR experiences
  • Unparalleled feature set for creating short-form content, including AR, VR, 3D model support, JavaScript actions, and single-click previewing and publishing
  • Uniquely, gives the ability to publish VR content over the air without creating a stand-alone app and enduring the hassle of app store submission processes

In addition to augmented reality creation, ZapWorks supports the creation of virtual reality experiences for devices such as Google Cardboard, aligning with the company’s and experts’ belief that the two technologies will increasingly be presented together.

“ZapWorks was used to create the fantastic AR experiences on our dispensers tied to the Angry Birds Action! game,” said Gabriele Hofinger, Head of Marketing, PEZ International. “We pride ourselves on being the pioneer of interactive candy, so it’s a natural next step to move into AR and add another layer of interactivity for our customers. What Zappar is doing with these tools will really bring this tech to bear in the marketplace.”

The three modules offered in ZapWorks are:

  • Widgets: Quick and simple way to create basic AR content (i.e., images, videos, contacts, etc.)
  • Designer: Allows you to create more customized, interactive AR content, including  experiences with advanced image tracking
  • Studio:  A fully scriptable, 3D toolkit for advanced users for AR and VR

Zappar co-founder and CTO Connell Gauld will be giving a talk at AWE on today at 7:30pm BST (2:30pm PDT) to unveil ZapWorks and discuss its potential to transform AR/VR creation.

 

For more information, visit ZapWorks [and try it out for free!] at https://zap.works

Posted in: Apps & Games, News, Press Releases
By June 2, 2016 Read More →

Foregoer packable backpack unpacking

Image4The Foregoer packable backpack is an easy to compact and carry accessory. Made from nylon fabric the backpack is ultra-light weight, waterproof, wear resistance and scratch resistance.
Can carry up to 25 litres and features 1 main compartment, 1 inner slip pocket, 1 front zip pocket and 2 elastic pockets.

Foregoer is committed to providing an easier and higher quality of life. 

Compact in seconds 
Folds into front zip pocket to fit anywhere. Must have on every trip, hiking, sport activity, school or daily use. 

Multifunctional and Roomy 
• Features a classic shape with several pockets for storage and 2-way zipper. 
• 25L: Ample room for maps, cameras, snacks, bottles, clothes, books and other belongings. 
• Organization: 1 roomy main compartment, 1 front zipper pocket, 1 inner slip pocket for valuable items and 2 elastic side pockets for water bottle or small accessories. 

Durable and Comfortable 
• This backpack is made of superior ripstop nylon fabric: ultra-light weight, waterproof, wear resistance and scratch resistance. 
• Padded shoulder strap can reduce the pressure. 

Dimensions 
Unfold: 12.6×15.8×5.9 inches (W×H×D) 
Fold: 9×7.5 inches (W×H) 

Please Note: 
All sizes are manually measured. The margin of error is 1 inch. 
2. Due to different camera, light environment and display, the physical color will be a little different from pictures.

You can purchase one for £9.99 here.

Posted in: Accessories, Videos/Unboxings
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