Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.

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By December 3, 2013 Read More →

Huawei’s Holiday Season Competition

image001Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today launched its global holiday online competition ‘Unlock Possibilities’. The free competition provides the chance to win a line-up of goodies, culminating in two grand prize Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupes. The ‘Unlock Possibilities’ competition further demonstrates Huawei’s aspiration to become one of the leading mobile phone brands globally by bringing quality, innovative and fashionable products within reach for more people. With a focus on the HUAWEI Ascend P6, ‘Unlock Possibilities’ is set to excite a global audience as Huawei continues to build its leadership in the smartphone industry.

“While our number three ranking for smartphone shipments last quarter shows the increasing demand for our flagship handsets including the HUAWEI Ascend P6, we still have a long way to go to build the Huawei brand among consumers globally,” said Colin Giles, Executive Vice President, Huawei Consumer Business Group. “The ‘Unlock Possibilities’ competition not only delivers on our promise to create extraordinary experiences, but also provides an opportunity for more people to join us as we bring the joy of technology to more people around the world.”

The ‘Unlock Possibilities’ competition invites people to play a game and make a connection for the chance to win a range of prizes including the HUAWEI Ascend P6 smartphone and E-coupons. Game credits and golden keys will also be awarded to help people increase their chances to win one of two Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupes. To take part, visit the Huawei Device Facebook page www.facebook.com/huaweidevice or the official mobile site unlockpossibilities.mobi.

People in the United Kingdom can also visit Huawei’s ‘Unlock Possibilities’ experience display at Westfield Shopping Centres in Stratford City and London. By playing Huawei’s digital game with a friend, users will get the chance to win Westfield shopping vouchers. At the booth, shoppers can try Huawei’s array of products including the flagship Ascend P6, Ascend P2, Ascend Mate, Ascend G510 and Ascend Y300, and retrieve discount vouchers for Westfield stockists. The flagship HUAWEI Ascend P6 has exceeded two million global shipments worldwide since its launch in July, and is now available through Europe’s mainstream carriers including Vodafone, Telefonica, Orange, and H3G, as well as the UK’s largest mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse.

The ‘Unlock Possibilities’ competition will run on Huawei Device Facebook pages and the official mobile site unlockpossibilities.mobi from December 1, 2013 to January 4, 2014. Westfield Shopping Centre activities will begin in Stratford from December 1 until December 24, 2013 and in London from November 20, 2013 until January 5, 2014. Grand prize winners will be notified by phone and email while runners-up will be notified by email.

Posted in: Competitions, News
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.

Posted in: News, Science & Technology
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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 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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By November 28, 2013 Read More →

The Nokia Lumia 2520 is ready to go

nokia_lumia_2520_twodevice-cropped-640x460Nokia today announced that the Nokia Lumia 2520, the company’s first Windows tablet, will be available exclusively through The John Lewis Partnership from December 4th.

The Nokia Lumia 2520 features include:

  • 4G connectivity – allowing faster downloads and connectivity
  • 10.1” full HD display – enhancing entertainment experiences on a large screen
  • Quad core chipset
  • 4 colour options – glossy finished white or red and a matt finished black or cyan
  • 11 hours of battery life
  • Exclusive apps – Nokia Video Director, a new video editing software that lets you get even more creative with different editing styles and Dragons Adventure, a unique entertainment experience built in partnership with DreamWorks Animation which transforms a family drive into a magical gaming experience
Posted in: News, Tablets
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By November 28, 2013 Read More →

Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast 214: Dan and the Mustache of Doom

Podcast-Logo_thumb.jpgGareth and Dan are here with another UK update on the mobile front, this week with Phil Lain.

A massive amount of phone and tablet news to churn through this week. Most major manufacturers pull out some sort of new device, with a massive screen.

Gareth goes to Finland and doesn’t look at Angry Birds or Nokia products and young Phil drinks a glass of water.

Featuring Gareth, Dan and Phil

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Posted in: News, Podcast, Videos/Unboxings
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By November 27, 2013 Read More →

Those rumours about a touchscreen Chromebook are true

acer-C720P-29552G03aiiLooks like Acer are more in touch with the consumer than ever before. Their latest Chromebook nabs one of the features of the Chromebook, namely a touch screen, whips it into place and flogs it for almost £1,000 less than the Pixel.

Combined with the handsome features of the current Acer C720 Acer could really steal the crown of best all rounder when it comes to a Chromebook. Press release to follow:

  • Acer’s first touchscreen Chromebook – the Acer C720P – provides a natural way to enjoy all the benefits of Chrome
  • Available in selective countries early December starting at only €299.99
  • Great multi-tasking performance and up to 7.5 hours of battery life with fast Intel processor
  • Boots up in only 7 seconds with fast 32GB SSD

London, 27th November 2013 – Acer today announced the availability of its first touchscreen Chromebook, the new Acer C720P, a new model in the Acer C720 Chromebook line that was introduced last month. The new C720P provides the many benefits of touch on the device’s 11.6-inch HD LED back-lit display to take advantage of the Chrome interface.

“Our new touchscreen C720P gives customers an intuitive way to browse sites online, enjoy apps, and do more with the Chromebook,” said John Miedema, director, business product unit for Acer EMEA. “The Acer C720 Chromebook line has been praised for its performance and battery life, and this new touchscreen model allows us to address the needs of an even wider range of customers with exciting new capabilities. We’re certain many holiday shoppers will jump at the chance to get a touchscreen Chromebook for just €299.99.”

The new Acer C720P touchscreen Chromebook is being introduced after the launch of Acer’s new “A Touch More” marketing campaign that highlights the company’s growing range of innovative products with touch capabilities.

The Acer C720P’s touch capabilities are enjoyed on its vibrant 11.6-inch ComfyView™ HD display that has a 1366×768 resolution to keep websites, images and video crisp and clear. The multi-touch display allows customers to use gestures such as swipe, tap and pinch to zoom to interact in a natural way with the Chromebook so they can better enjoy educational apps, browse websites, scroll through Google Docs, play games and more.

Like the rest of the new C720 line, the new C720P touchscreen model is powered by an Intel Celeron 2955U processor based on the Intel Haswell micro-architecture, so it delivers fast performance and excellent multi-tasking such as running multiple tabs and apps. The processor also enhances battery life; it keeps customers going for up to 7.5 hours for extra productivity and fun.

The C720P gets customers working and connecting quickly with its 32GB SSD that provides a fast boot time of less than 7 seconds and quick resuming from sleep. The large SSD also provides ample storage capacity for saving video, photos and other files. In addition, the touchscreen C720P features 2GB of DDR3 memory. Plus, the Acer C720 quickly connects to hotspots and wireless networks via 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi.

Thin and Lightweight Design Includes all the Extras
The Acer C720P Chromebook measures only 2 cm and weighs only 1.3 kg pounds, making it easy to carry to meetings, classes, and anywhere life takes today’s busy consumers. The C720P’s compact chassis houses everything needed to stay productive, connected and entertained on the go. It features an integrated HD webcam for video chats as well as capturing video and photos to share online. The new Chromebook features a dual speaker design that delivers crisp and clear stereo audio during online chats as well as for enjoying music and movies. Connecting to popular consumer electronics devices such as camcorders, digital cameras and smart phones is easy and convenient with the Chromebook’s USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. Its HDMI port can be used to provide video and content to external displays and HDTVs.

Security for Multiple Users, Collaboration
Customers will appreciate that the Chrome OS is updated automatically, so it always has the latest features. Multiple layers of security features including data encryption and verified boot defend the Acer C720P Chromebook against online threats, malware and viruses. The Acer C720P Chromebook keeps data safe when the device is used by multiple users, such as for collaboration in the classroom and for projects for home, school or work. Users can have separate accounts to ensure their project, Gmail and other information is kept safe if the Chromebook is lost, stolen, or lent to a friend.

Chromebooks Are Ready to Work and Play
Acer Chromebook customers are provided several extras to make use of their new C720P touchscreen Chromebook right out of the box. They can access up to 100GB of free Google Drive storage for the first two years after purchase, so files, documents, photos and more are stored safely in the cloud.Acer Chromebooks are easy to start enjoying, as they come with popular Google products built in including Search, Gmail, YouTube, and Hangouts.

Pricing, Availability and Warranty
The Acer C720 Chromebook will be available early December in Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, Netherlands, Sweden and Finland with a starting price of €299.99.

Posted in: Laptops, News
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By November 27, 2013 Read More →

Pawn Stars attack Google Chromebook

Screenshot 2013-11-27 07.07.58Microsft’s “Scroogled” campaign has become become one of the biggest, embarrassing jokes in the industry. Again screaming nothing but desperation and unprofessional competition.

The ad shows a young actress walking into a famous “Gold and Silver Pawn Shop” in Vegas, with her Samsung Chromebook. She tries to sell it for a ticket to Hollywood but instead gets mocked and told she could probably get to Reno. The Pawn Stars crew highlights that it’s not a real laptop, doesn’t work offline and doesn’t have Office.

We won’t even mention the long list of inferior Windows computers and the company’s history. If Microsoft is really willing to pay TV show Pawn Stars a fortune to make this advert it must mean they are feeling the pressure. Chromebooks are on the rise, and that means no good for a company who is used to ruling the PC market.

You can trust in Microsoft not to be up with the times, the Chromebook is developing at a faster rate than they could ever wish their platform develop. I wonder now is Google will accept the insult like a Gentleman from an petulant child of if they might pick one the many, many flaws in Windows retaliate! And besides have Windows not road-mapped Windows 10 to be a Cloud OS?

Written on a Chromebook (offline)

Posted in: Laptops, News
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