Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.

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By January 16, 2014 Read More →

Bowers & Wilkins and Maserati P5 headphones

Screenshot 2014-01-16 06.55.05Bowers & Wilkins and Italian car manufacturer Maserati are dropping a special-edition pair of P5 portable headphones in the coming weeks. Having previously released an Maserati Edition 805 loudspeaker this makers the second collaboration between the two companies. The over-ear headphones sport the iconic Masterati Trident motif and feature a racing blue colour scheme. Whilst the “cans” have no active noise cancellation, they are made Apple friendly, with in-line microphone . Features also include gold-plated connectors, a remote control and sealed-leather earpads.

By January 15, 2014 Read More →

Asus TF502T is the Android version

Transformer-tf502tIt looks like Asus has made the TF502T a reality. For the most part it is just a rebranding of the TF600T, but instead of a Windows RT OS, it now has Android 4.2.

Specs-wise the Asus TF502T a pretty good offering: 

  • NVIDA Tegra 3
  • 2GB of on-board RAM
  • 10-inch 1366 x 768 display – Super IPS with screen brightening technology and is protected by Corning Fit Glass – 178 degrees viewing angle
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth V4.0 and NFC
  • F/2.2 8MP camera with flash on back
  • 2MP camera on back
  • Includes four speakers along with ASUS’ SonicMaster technology – (stereo sound can be used in landscape and portrait modes)
  • 32GB or 64GB models

Of course, the tab can batch up with a dock that includes a keyboard. It also has its own battery which can charge the tablet’s internal battery when it drops to a set level. The tablet and dock combined have a battery life of 16 hours. Their website doesn’t offer a price yet, but we can expect something soon at Mobile World Congress.

Posted in: News, Tablets
By January 15, 2014 Read More →

An new Nexus 10 tablet gets the @evleaks treatment

Nexus 10Yet another scoop arrives from @evleaks. His latest is confirmation of a Samsung made Nexus 10 tablet. Not only did he list the specs for the device, he also made mention of Android 4.5. Of course, more than likely, it will be toward the middle of this year before this tablet is officially announced, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that it will sport a new version of Android. The question remains, “Will it be simply an updated version of KitKat or will it be a completely new dessert?” 

Here’s the Nexus 10 specs he mentioned in his Tweet:

  • Samsung’s own Exynos 5
  • WQXGA Display (upgraded from the current model)
  • 3GB RAM
  • 16 or 32GB storage
  • 5MP/3MP Cameras
  • Android 4.5

Also, by chance it would appear the Nexus 10 is completely sold out on the Google Play Store at the moment. How odd…

Posted in: News, Rumours, Tablets
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By January 15, 2014 Read More →

Retro Tech Addicts Podcast 09: Back to 1993…

RTA Logo MTAGareth and Matt enjoy a warm and fuzzy recollection of days gone by in this the latest instalment of the Retro Tech Addicts podcast.

As this is the first show of 2014 and as we say goodbye to 2013 we do a retro year in review and look at 1993. This was an important year in both the PC and console market with companies such as Nvidia emerging for the first time and several manufacturers having significant releases. This year saw the launch of one of Gareth’s all-time favourite consoles, the Atari Jaguar.

 

By January 14, 2014 Read More →

Would you like your Samsung Galaxy S5 in Metal or Plastic?

Samsung-Galaxy-S5Rumour has it the Galaxy S5 will be available in two versions later this year. According to SamMobile an inside source has “confirmed” some of the specs of the company’s next-generation flagship Android handset. Apparently Samsung the next incarnation of the Galaxy S will have a “metallic back plate while being constructed of metal on the sides and front.” There will be a cheaper model made from plastic, just like previous Galaxy S versions, and cost €650 ($888). It will be interesting to see if there is much difference with the rumoured Galaxy F.

Inside the Galaxy S5 is said to be two processors, an Exynos 6 model and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 CPU. The Exynos model featuring 64-bit support and built-in LTE, and will likely equip the metal Galaxy S5 model, while the Snapdragon would be found inside the plastic version. Both versions would feature a 5.25-inch Super AMOLED display with Quad HD (2560 x 1440) resolution, a 16-megapixel camera and Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box. Details about RAM, battery capacity and optical image stabilization support for the main camera are not available at this time.

Why stop there, when speculation should quickly lead to a Galaxy S5 Mini and the Galaxy S5 Zoom? With the Galaxy S5 possibly being unveiled in mid-March during an event in London, we should see the device roll out to market early April. A Galaxy S5 Mini is expected to be unveiled in June, and feature a Super AMOLED display and run KitKat, while the Galaxy S5 Zoom would be announced in May, sport a 4.8-inch qHD (960 x 540) display and run KitKat as well. 

Posted in: News, Phones, Rumours
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By January 10, 2014 Read More →

Nokia Lumia Black Update Roll-out Begins

nokiaglancescreenThe Nokia Lumia Black software update will start to roll-out for Nokia Lumia WP8 owners around the world from today. The update brings new features, improvements in imaging, new apps and app updates from Microsoft and Nokia to make the Lumia smartphone experience even better.

The main features brought along with the update from Nokia include:

  • App Folder. This brand new feature makes your Lumia experience even more fluid by giving you an option to further personalize and organize your Start screen. With App folders you can group similar apps and settings into one folder, a tile, on your Start screen.
  • Nokia Glance screen 2.0. Helps you keep track of information in real time, making all your most important notifications including: phone, messages, email, outlook, calendar, or any apps that use notifications such as Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, or games;  always visible at a glance on your screen. It saves time and energy.
  • Bluetooth LE. Will now be enabled across the full Windows Phone 8 Lumia range for compatible gadgets like the Adidas MiCoach accessories. 
  • Nokia Refocus. The amazing Nokia Refocus comes to all Windows Phone 8 Lumia smartphones with 1GB of RAM and upwards.
  • Nokia Beamer. Sharing what’s on your phone is easier than ever with Nokia Beamer. You can now beam documents, presentations, anything you like, to any HTML5-enabled screen by simply scanning a QR code on the screen. It’s coming to all of the phones with 1GB RAM upwards.
  • Nokia Storyteller. The app arranges your photos for you, by date and by place, making it easier to tell the stories behind your pictures, and give extra context through the close integration of interactive maps.
  • Nokia Camera. Combines Nokia Pro Camera and Smart Camera to simplify the photo-taking experience, and ensure you get the perfect shot every time. The app has been available for Lumia PureView smartphones since last year, but it’s now coming to the rest of the WP8 Lumia range. The latest Nokia Camera update also brings raw DNG support for Lumia 1020 owners.
  • Latest generation of imaging algorithms. The Lumia Black update further improves the image quality, especially in Lumia 1020. Among others, the improvements include a new oversampling algorithm, making your images more natural looking with reduced noise, while ensuring your photos remain wonderfully sharp.

 

The Lumia Black update also brings a series of enhancements from Microsoft to Nokia Lumia smartphones. These include safe driving mode – which cuts out unnecessary distractions when you’re on the road; customised ringtones for each contact. You can now also close apps within the in multitasking view and lock the screen rotation if you wish.

 

Timings: The Lumia Black update has begun rolling out today for Lumia 1020 and Lumia 925 smartphones, with other models in the range following in the coming weeks.

 

How to update: Nokia Lumia smartphones automatically check for updates every week, and will notify people when it finds one. Otherwise check by going to Settings -> Phone update – it downloads and installs straight from that screen.

Posted in: News, Phones
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By January 10, 2014 Read More →

Acer C720 Chromebook Unboxing video

Acer-Chromebook-previewed-at-IDF-forward-angleThe Chromebook of the moment has got to be the Acer C720. Currently being released in a number of different configurations featuring various amounts of RAM and storage, touchscreens and now colours.

Acer seem to have hit upon a winning combination of value, power and quality. What new edge does the Acer C720 bring to the table, despite options? Well, not a lot to be entirely honest, in terms of specification it’s really on par with all the other Chomebooks out there at the moment. However, the C720 does offer great value for money and seems to be the solid choice.

As always, I’m starting off the review process by recoding an unboxing video, which you’ll be able to see below. Here I’ll be showing off the hardware as well as taking a look at the OS and UI once we’ve booted up. A process that takes seconds!

By January 9, 2014 Read More →

Google adds more to their Takeout menu

urlGoogle have expanded their Google Takeout service. Previously, most of us had used Takeout to export our feed archives from Google Reader before the big shutdown last year, a shutdown many still mourn to this day.  However, Google made switching to an inferior RSS client the relatively easy. It seems tha they have now expanded the service to all you to back up 18 of their services locally.

Screenshot 2014-01-08 07.19.56

 

A handy feature that might just help those with concerns about storing everything in the cloud and somehow feel their trusty 7 year old USB Hard Disk is a safer place than Google’s own multi-billion dollar facility. Doing a back up really shows a frequent user just how much information they put up there, privacy sceptics will be flipping out.

Posted in: Editorial, News
By January 9, 2014 Read More →

Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast 217: CES Analysis

Podcast-Logo.jpgGareth and  Matt are here with another UK update on the mobile front. Unboxings galore and a look at some of the major announcements from CES 2014.

The first podcast of a new year sees CES in full swing so there’s plenty to talk about this week and plenty to catch up on following a long Christmas and new year break.

Gareth tells us all about his new Chromebook and Matt goes on a rant about Google Glass…

 

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Posted in: News, Podcast
By January 8, 2014 Read More →

Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo teased

Grand NeoSo Samsung has the Note III, the Grand 2 and the S4. Three pretty huge phones that cover almost all needs. Aside from the obvious gap that the Grand Neo is there to cover. The  Galaxy Grand Neo will come with a 5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Under the hood, there is a 1.2 GHz quad-core A7 chipset powering the smartphone along with 1 GB of RAM. A 5 megapixel rear camera with LED flash and the front facing VGA shooter completes the camera department, while the 8GB internal memory along with the microSD card slot takes care of storage.

The connectivity options of the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo include Bluetooth 4.0, HSPA+ (21Mbps down, 5.76Mbps up), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, micro USB, GPS and GLONASS support. However, there is no LTE or Wi-Fi ac radios built-in.

Screenshot 2014-01-08 07.06.47

So essentially the Grand Neo is a “budget” slab that bests the original Grand in some departments without being the full upgrade the Grand 2 is. 

Posted in: News, Phones
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