Editorial

By Matt June 3, 2014 Read More →

Wiring for Sound: Choosing the Right Headphones

Headphones are one of the best things to come out of our technological innovation. What other device allows you to drown out your noisy neighbour but still listen to that new song in perfect clarity. That said, the market is inundated with headphones and it’s tough to differentiate between a good headphone and good marketing.

Here’s a guide to get you started:

(Un)necessary accessories

One of the more popular accessories for headphones is the anti-tangle feature. The premise is, because we’re so impatient that we can’t spend the 15 seconds it takes to untangle the wires on a headphone, we need a feature that minimises the tangling. If you’ve found a pair of headphones you like, and it just so happens it has an anti-tangle feature, so be it. Just don’t centre your buying process around this one feature.

However, a pair of headphones with Bluetooth is a different story because you can then listen on your headphones completely wirelessly (although most come with a wire just in case). Better still, it doesn’t substantially degrade the music quality, which makes the feature well worthwhile.

Another feature that is recommended is a built in mic. If you’ve ever been on a jog or a bike and received a call, this feature is a life saver. Also, many of the headphones with microphones also have a volume and pause control built in, another added bonus.

Being practical

Of course, one of the main activities people like to do with music in the background is exercise. A lot of people exercise to music, be it dancing, aerobics, some high-intensity cycling (euphemistically called ‘spinning’ to make it sound less gruelling!) or even a gentle (or not so gentle) jog. You might want to consider splash-proof headphones designed for those who are working up a sweat to music. Some JVC HA-EBX5 headphones might just do the trick while you strive to shape up indoors or outdoors.

Worlds of sound for less

Unless you’re an audiophile or have a job where only the crispest, clearest sound quality is acceptable, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a headphone. For an in ear headphone, the Sol Republic Jax are a great choice. They deliver pulse pounding bass with barely any distortion, all without overpowering the midrange and treble frequencies. As a bonus, they come with a microphone and volume control.

For an over the ear headphone, Griffin Woodtones are a great buy. They’re comfortable, stylish, and have a balanced, well rounded sound. They even use a real wood finish to round out the look.

Headphone highs

Here’s where to choices get tricky. The best sounding headphones can cost thousands of euros, with bells and whistles that any audiophile can appreciate. If money is no object, then you might be interested in a set of Grado PS1000s. This headphone makes listeners feel as if they’re in the room with the band. The sound comes in crisp and clear. Cymbals sizzle and the texture of the bass comes in like never before.

As you can see you can get great sounding headphones for any price. Whether you’re looking for a replacement for those white iPod headphones, or want to transform your listening experience, there’s something out there for you.

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets

By Matt June 2, 2014 Read More →

The Best In-Car Technology

In-car technology has been improving greatly in recent years. In fact, it seems that the motoring industry cannot get enough of new technology and innovations. The amazing thing here is that this applies to almost every segment in the automotive industry.

At a time where innovative in-car technology is one of the major deciding factors of most consumers, many car manufacturers find it important to either have events or attend events to showcase their latest offerings: in 2014, Las Vegas was the popular venue for the reveal of several latest innovations.

Before we take a look at some of those innovations, a common-sense reminder – no matter how advanced technology becomes, there is no substitute for driver ability and being totally confident and knowledgeable regarding the rules of the road. Top Tests is a great website for reviewing and refreshing driver know-how.

Performance Data Recorder

Set to be available for Chevrolet Corvette next year, this in-car technology has been gaining a lot of buzz already. Think of having a GoPro and telemetry device together in your vehicle. This is how the performance data recorder is reported to work. A camera is mounted on the headliner trim while the telemetry hardware will measure and record everything in the SD card, allowing you to simply upload and edit the raw data when you get home.

Bluetooth Audio

Think of smart television and how you use your smartphone to play YouTube clips on it. With this Bluetooth audio, users can now set a playlist and play it through the car’s speakers without having to use bothersome and unsightly cables or transfer the playlists to another device. This simple-sounding device has proven to be useful and hassle free during testing and could be a game changer. Pay attention music lovers everywhere!

Smartphone App Integration

This is another in-car technology that focuses on how to use your smartphone for various activities in the car. This allows smartphones to directly connect to the vehicle’s infotainment system, which usually features Pandora Internet radio and others. Once synced up, you or your passengers can simply access the controls directly from the mobile device, eliminating the need to lean over to reach the controls and opening up control to everyone in the car.

NVidia Customisable Digital Cockpit

How would you feel if you could customise not just the exterior look of your vehicle but the digital cockpit as well? It sounds pretty amazing and we are guessing this is something to look forward to. The NVidia customisable digital cockpit will let drivers choose their preferred colour, texture, and instrument panel configurations.

Solar Concept

This is a new feature that will be offered by no other than Ford C-Max Energi. With this, the vehicle’s battery can recharge itself using the rooftop solar panels making it even more practical than it already is.

These are just some of the latest advancements in in-car technology. This selection will definitely get you excited since these features are not just for show and style but for practical uses to benefit the driver experience too. If you also want your car to always look good you may try How to remove oxidation and see the benefits of doing so.

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets

By Matt May 29, 2014 Read More →

Smartphones – your best budget options

2014 is a great year for those of you looking for a budget smartphone. The Apple range of smartphones won’t be within your budget bracket but there are more than enough great handsets with good performance for you to choose from.

ZTE Blade V

Budget quad core/5MP camera phone

Coming in at a mere £100, the ZTE Blade is a great handset for those wanting to get the most for their money. With a small 4-inch, 480 x 800 LCD screen you’ll be more than able to enjoy video and photographic content. Coming pre-loaded with Android 4.1 means you’ll have all the features that Android users enjoy as well as a host of apps available through the Google Play store.

Build quality isn’t the best but at this price it’s one of the nicer looking phones available.

Sony Xperia M

Affordable well designed smartphone with great battery life

The Experia M is a great budget phone for those of you who’ve got a little more to splash out. It’s no Xperia Z1 but for £180 this is a great little smartphone. Featuring many design similarities see in the rest of the Xperia series, the build quality looks and feels great. The M runs on the Jelly Bean Android OS and is powered by a more than capable Qualcomm S4 plus dual-core CPU which means you’ll be able to run most apps with extreme ease.

With 9 hours of battery life, one charge cycle will get you through the day with no problem unless you’re a real smartphone addict. However with only 2GB of memory, it’s advised you purchase a microSD card to make use of the expandable memory slots on the phone. If you’re looking for a sub £200 smartphone this is a more than capable handset.

Samsung Galaxy Y

Ultra budget smartphone

If spending more than £100 seems like a daunting prospect, you’ll be more than glad to discover this handset costs a mere £45! This ultra compact smartphone has a 3-inch screen and a 2 megapixel camera. For the price it’s a good phone but don’t expect to be playing the latest games on it. If you just need a simple phone for light internet browsing, emails, texts and phone calls then this is a great little number. Be sure to check out the Samsung Galaxy Y from Mobile by Sainsbury’s for a really competitive price!

HTC Desire500

Attractive handset at an attractive price

The HTC desire is our favourite looking budget handset of the moment. With a 4.3-inch screen with 480 x 800 resolution, viewing photos and videos is really enjoyable. The 8megapixel camera is more than useable and great for snapping a quick picture. With a Snapdragon 200 quad-core processer with 1GB of RAM, the Desire500 is up there with the high performance budget handsets.

At a price like this you’ll be hard pushed to find a handset that combines design and powerful processing with such success.

Nokia Lumia 620

Windows phone with unique and quirky design

If you’re after something a bit different the Nokia Lumia 620 is a great option. The quirky and colourful design make this an eye catching handset and for a mere £150 this phone very reasonably priced. What also makes this phone different is that it runs on Windows 8, unlike the rest of the Androids on this list. Windows 8 is a beautiful operating system and the 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU is more than capable of running the OS without lag. One of the disadvantages of the Windows 8 operating system is that you’ll have access to less apps, though the majority of popular downloads do have windows versions!

Nokia handsets are renowned for the quality of their cameras, and the Lumia 620 is no exception. Despite not having as many megapixels as other phones in this list (the Lumia 620 sits at just 5MP) the lens and overall picture quality is significantly higher. At the great price it’s easily one of the best handsets in the budget bracket range.

Motorola Moto G

The Rolls Royce of the budget smartphone range

Finding faults with the Moto G was extremely hard when we got our hands on this smartphone. The Moto G features a great 4.5-inch screen that makes apps, photos and video look great. When you consider you’re getting 720p resolution, this is the best screen for your money.

Design wise it isn’t the best looking phone, or the slimmest. But what it lacks in looks it more than makes up for in specs. With a Snapdragon 400 CPU with 1GB ram and using the latest build of Jellybean, you’ll be able to enjoy the vast majority of games and apps in HD!

For a mere £135 for the 8GB model and £160 for the 16GB model – the Moto G is a top pick for us as it’s very affordable and performs like more expensive phones. What more could you want?

With so many great budget options for smartphones, there’s no excuse not to get involved. Take a look at what you can get for your money today.

Posted in: Editorial, Phones

By Matt May 28, 2014 Read More →

Samsung Galaxy S5 is it worth the hype?

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is the natural successor of the Samsung Galaxy S4, which was one of the most sought after models released to the market. However, does the Samsung Galaxy S5 offer anything worth getting excited about or is it better to wait for the S6?

The S5 features various improvements to its camera, display, design and operating software. However, there has been significant debate in the tech world about if an upgrade to the Samsung S5 is necessary in spite of the improvements.

Here, we will explore if the Samsung Galaxy S5 is worth the hype or if it a development that will ultimately fail until the release of the S6.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Design

It is evident that Samsung has put in a lot of effort to make the S5 design different from its predecessor. It features a dimpled back to differentiate it from the glossy and smooth design on the S4. One of the main drawbacks, however, is that this handset is mostly made of plastic.

As this is supposed to be a high-end phone, some might expect a more expensive, luxurious material. Sony, Apple, Nokia, and HTC have all experimented with metal to make their high-end phones but Samsung seems reluctant to shift from plastic.

The Samsung S5 has been designed to be both dust and water resistant in about 3.3 feet of water for almost 30 minutes. The phone is available in a variety of colour finishes including sweet pink, champagne pink, shimmery white, copper gold, electric blue and charcoal black among others.

The S5 features a big and bold 5.1-inch full HD super AMOLED screen. One of the best aspects of this handset is its clear screen. It is a bright screen and this makes it ideal for users who spend a lot of time browsing the internet.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Main Features

You can tell after just a few minutes that the S5 is definitely more usable when compared to the S4. Mostly because it includes more features that consumers are likely to use every day.

S Health

S Health is one of the most noticeable features on this phone. It includes a heart rate monitor that is placed at the back just below the camera. The monitor allows you to track your pulse. S Health has been designed to help users monitor their daily activity. However, it does not offer the same benefits you get from devices solely designed for this function.

Ultra Power Saving Mode

Samsung is making an effort to come up with a battery that will last longer when you need it the most. The ultra-power saving mode activates on your phone when you need it to reduce power consumption when the handset is not in use. The feature reduces available apps to six to reduce total power use and increase battery life.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S5 camera offers selective focus. This feature allows users to take pictures and then defocus the background. The downside is that the camera takes a while to ‘fire up’, especially if it is in sleep mode. Furthermore, its autofocus is swift but it is not always accurate.

Fingerprint Scanner

Samsung have decided to place a fingerprint scanner on the S5 home key. This is an intuitive program, but risky as it does not always pick up the fingerprint. Users are required to swipe vertically for the scanner to work but it is also possible to swipe sideways with less accuracy.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S5 handset comes with a 2.5 GHz CPU that makes it one of the
most powerful models on the market. However, with that being said, some of the features are slow. As mentioned, the camera can take a while before it is ready to work.

The model offers 16 GB internal memory, but only about 11 GB is available for use. The good news is that Samsung has eliminated some apps that were considered less significant on the S4, but you can still choose to download them in the Google Play Store. This gives users greater control over their internal memory.

Conclusion

The progression when it comes to performance and in-phone features make this upgrade more than worthwhile if you are coming up to the end of one of a number of long term mobile phones contracts. There are a number of great value contracts from Virgin Media available now that you can take advantage of to get the Samsung Galaxy S5 for a great price.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 has an amazing screen and it offers plenty of battery life. This is a powerful and competent phone with unique elements that make it different from any other model available.

Samsung Galaxy S5 – Size comparison with iPhone 5S

Posted in: Editorial, Phones

By Matt May 27, 2014 Read More →

4 Technological Advances to Influence the Gaming Industry

Nintendo revolutionised the gaming market in 2006 when they introduced their motion sensing Wii console. Their innovative controller brought about a host of new ways for the whole family to play and made their Wii the bestselling console of the last generation.

Microsoft then went one step further and followed up with their Kinect technology, making motion detection without the need for a controller the next gaming success. Nintendo attempted to match this success with their new Wii U device, but the impact was far less impressive than expected.

Now there is innovative new gaming technology in development. Here are four technological developments that are set to change the future of gaming success:

Super-sensitive motion tracking

Motion gaming is set to escape the living room and be introduced to our portable devices. Technology such as the Leap Motion device will be controlling games on laptops and PCs. The controller masters super-sensitive tracking of hand and finger actions, accurately detecting movements as small as 1/100^th of a millimetre.

What’s more, motion gaming of the future won’t even require players to move their bodies to control the game. Eye tracking sensors will integrate into smartphone and gaming devices to allow control of games with eye movements alone.

Motion gaming for smartphones

The 2014 Silver Edison Award for the most innovative new product of the year was awarded to Rolocule Games for their Rolomotion technology. Their product turns your smartphone into your gaming controller so you can control games on your television. The Rolomotion app links to a smart TV and utilises the in-built sensors to control the game with the players’ natural movements.

Immersive gaming

Headsets that allow complete immersion into the game are already in the pipeline, with the Oculus Rift being highly anticipated. The headset will allow the gamer to experience the game with a 100˚ field of vision and head tracking abilities that let you look around as in real life.

Combine the headgear with a 360˚ treadmill and you have total immersion into the gaming reality. Virtuix are set to release their treadmill that allows players to walk and run in any direction within their virtual realities.

EEG headsets

EEG headsets in gaming are bringing the ability to monitor players’ emotions and focus and translate that into gaming commands. Throw Trucks With Your Mind is one example in which an EEG headset measures electrical impulses in the scalp to gauge the players focus. Normal directional gaming controls are used, but the level of focus of the gamer determines the power at which objects are thrown in the game.

This article was provided by The IT Job Board, who are currently advertising over 150 game developer jobs on their site.

Posted in: Apps & Games, Editorial

By Matt May 22, 2014 Read More →

Another massive security breach at Ebay – What you need to know!

Ebay are encouraging all users to change their passwords.

Ebay has fallen victim to a massive security breach, proving that not even corporate giants are immune to hacking. According to USA Today, the huge cyber-attack occurred sometime between February and March; however, officials state that the breach was not discovered until May.

Triggered by hackers who managed to gain access to employee login credentials, it allowed the intruders to target the main database and steal usernames, passwords and other personal information. 145 million active users’ data has now been compromised and Ebay are strongly urging everybody – even those with inactive accounts – to change their passwords.

If you are based in UK remember that you can opt for a GDPR breach compensation just reach out a lawyer that guide you with the claim.

Widespread panic

It is still not known how much information was actually stolen; however, Ebay are confident that they will find an answer within the next couple of weeks.

After this widespread disaster many users are now stuck wondering how to increase their security systems, not just on their online accounts, but also their home PCs. The popularity of cloud based security systems is steadily increasing and companies such as Cheeky Munkey are at the top of the security food chain, providing innovative and bespoke systems that are near impenetrable.

On a positive note, Ebay have stated that the breached database did not hold any financial information; furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that the hackers have attempted to gain entry to Paypal. However, regardless of whether or not users are encountering problems, Ebay are taking the security breach very seriously.

Changing passwords

Studies conducted by Software Advice, a company that review IT security software, revealed that 67% of Internet users who have accounts registered with companies that have suffered from hacks don’t change their passwords. Hackers can remain under the radar for months, possibly even years, withholding user information and waiting for the opportune moment to strike; therefore, even those who don’t suffer from issues straight away are still subject to problems in the future.

Experts state that the best way to combat hackers is to choose a password that has a unique combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Most websites now contain a password strength indicator that can give new users an idea of how well protected they are.

Having a different password for every website can also be beneficial. While this can be difficult to maintain, password managers make the process easier. These programs will require one master password in order to gain access to every other password; therefore, this “master password” should be very strong. In addition, password manager software usually contains a generator that will create highly complex passwords for website registration; ensuring users have the best possible security systems available.

Conclusion

While this Ebay security breach is unfortunate and inconvenient, it’s certainly been a wakeup call. Most Internet users aren’t aware of the dangers of hacking, and sometimes, a widespread panic is just what the world needs for people start taking the severity of cyber-attacks seriously.

Image Credit: Cult of Android

Posted in: Editorial, News
Tags: eBay

By Matt May 20, 2014 Read More →

The ultimate guide to gifts and gadgets in 2014

The increasingly popular car shaped mouse

As modern technology develops, every year more and more exciting, unusual and unique gadgets are released. Quirky pieces of technology make perfect gifts, whether it’s for your sister’s birthday, your parents’ wedding anniversary or for your boyfriend on Valentine’s Day.

Another great option to consider when looking for a gift are the romance novels of AnyStories.

You won’t want to buy a loved one the same gift as someone else. So why not buy a unique gift that the person will definitely remember? 2014 is a great year for fantastic gadgets being released that all make perfect gifts.

Below is the ultimate guide to some of the top gadgets and gifts for 2014.

Projection Clock

We’ve all experienced fumbling around to try and find out the time while we’re in bed. With this fantastic gadget, when you’re laid in bed and its dark, all you need to do is press a button and the time will be projected onto the ceiling or a wall, making it easily visible.

This great clock projects the time in 2 foot tall writing, so even if you don’t have your glasses on you’ll be able to see the numbers. This is a fantastic gift in 2014, and is sure to be useful as well as unique.

Bendable Keyboard

Another of 2014’s top gadgets is the bendable keyboard. This silicone keyboard comes in a variety of bright colours and adds a lot of style to your computer. But as well as adding a touch of class, there are many functional advantages to the bendable keyboard.

The silicone offering is practically indestructible compared to standard keyboards and is also waterproof, so if you accidentally spill a bit of tea on it then there’s no need to worry! It is very easy to wipe and very flexible…which means it’s easily cleaned. Finally, it is very lightweight, so if you want to move around taking the keyboard with you is no problem.

Electronic Cigars

Cigar smoking is increasing in popularity, not least because of the dramatic rise in Celebrities smoking cigars over cigarettes. Electronic cigars using e-liquid are set to continue their meteoric rise in popularity throughout 2014 and into 2015. There is now a wide selection of electronic cigars available online, from different strengths to colours or other models like iqos uae you can get for this. There’s also replacement vape glass australia if your vaporizer needs fixing.

There are many cigar distributors online, I have personally bought cigars from The Cigar Club online, so if you are curious to try your very own electronic cigar check out their range.

Mouse Designs

Another computer-related gadget of 2014 has quite a big fan-base already: interesting mouse designs. Instead of having the standard mouse to go along with your computer, why not buy someone a unique and unusual mouse to go with their bendable keyboard?

One of the most popular mouse gadgets is a car shaped mouse, also known as a ‘street mouse’. The owner of this mouse can enjoy ‘driving’ their mouse around while on the computer. You can also get an inflatable mouse, egg shaped mouse, arrow shaped mouse, washable mouse or even an actual mouse shaped mouse! With so many choices this is a great way to buy some-one the perfect gift to suit them.

In conclusion, 2014 has seen the release of many exciting gadgets that will make perfect unique and unusual gifts. You’re sure to wow the gift recipient with one of these fantastic gadgets. There’s a seriously low chance you’d end up getting them the same gift as someone else, and it’ll definitely be a memorable present. If you’re looking for a great way to save money on high-quality merchandise, then a bargain bins store may be the perfect place for you.

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets

By Matt May 19, 2014 Read More →

5 Must have tech gadgets for summer 2014

panono-panoramic-ball-camera-designboom04

The Panono Ball Camera is set to revolutionize the way we take panoramic images.

With each new season comes an abundance of new gadgets; and summer 2014 is certainly no exception. The tech industry is all about increasing efficiency and improving upon previous inventions with new innovative tools that were not available in the past. These 5 must have tech gadgets have been hotly anticipated ever since they were announced and are expected to become market leaders in each of their sectors.

Panono

A few years ago everybody was raving about the GoPro. Taking HD footage while on the move revolutionized the way in which photographers shot extreme sports and other dangerous activities. The Panono Ball Camera takes still photography to a whole new level. When it’s thrown in the air it will take 360 images to create one complete panoramic image. Its robust design ensures that it won’t break under pressure and can withstand freefalling from huge heights without even suffering a dent. At 549 Euros, it’s not cheap; however, as with other cameras, no doubt after the first year of release prices will plummet into the lower hundreds.

Kenwood DNX521DAB

The Kenwood DNX521DAB will no doubt give tablets, smart phones and GPS systems a run for their money in the near future. This device is specifically designed for Volkswagen vehicles and is one of the most comprehensive multimedia systems on the planet. With a wide selection of media playback functions; a high definition touch screen; and Bluetooth capabilities, it’s not only a well-equipped entertainment station, but also completely hands-free. And that’s not to mention the world class GPS navigation system that it’s actually intended for.

Sony Short Throw 4K Projector

At an estimated $30,000 – $40,000 the Sony Short Throw 4K Projector will without a doubt be one of the most expensive gadgets on this list. This home cinema system is disguised as a piece of furniture and will provide a crisp image that can’t be matched by any conventional televisions. The device is capable of projecting a 147 inch image without hindering the quality. Although at present very few people will be able to fork out this much money for a home entertainment system, it could be the future of television viewing.

JVC Everio

The new JVC Everio is a compact little camcorder with some very impressive features. With a 40x optical zoom; 60x dynamic zoom; 4.5 hours of battery life; and excellent low light performance, it’s a more than worthy companion for a pocket. In addition, it is water, dust, freeze and shock proof, making it pretty robust and ready to tackle any challenges that natural elements throw its way.

PS Vita TV

Sony’s PS Vita TV is one of the most talked about gadgets in the console market. While it’s currently only available in Japan and yet to have an official Western release date (though it’s expected in the summer), this micro-console is yielding more excitement than many of the larger next-gen devices. This is because more and more people are making the transition over to PC gaming. The PS Vita TV allows users to play handheld games on the television; stream from the PS4; and watch television shows and films using a variety of third party TV streaming applications.

Technology moves at an alarming rate. While it can be mildly frustrating, new tech gadgets significantly drive down the price of older models. Although these five gadgets will certainly be on the pricey side when they’re released, perhaps by the time the autumn and winter comes around, they’ll be more affordable.

Image Credit: Mangahaikei

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets, News

By Matt May 13, 2014 Read More →

Apple MacBook Pro battery issue

Over the past few months I noticed a decrease in the battery life on my Apple MacBook Pro 15″. Initially the drop was not that significant but over time it became more noticable and a few weeks ago it began to turn itself off even though the battery was at a claimed 23%. I also realised that the power levels were falling quite dramatically even when the laptop was turned off.

As I do not use my MacBook on battery power all that often it didn’t bother me that much but last week I was using the MacBook on my lap on the train. I suddenly became aware that the bottom of the MacBook was getting VERY hot and the aluminium base was uncomfortably hot against my leg and the top was pretty warm too.

Realising that this was a sign that I should probably investigate what was going on I decided to unscrew the bottom of the MacBook and to take a look at the battery.

As I released the screws the bottom suddenly sprang open and the battery pack itself had burst!

So, if you have any of the symptoms above it’s definitely a good idea to either take a look at the battery or else take it to the Apple store and have them take a look at it for you. Who know’s what might have happened if I had continued to use it like this!

Posted in: Editorial, Laptops, News
Tags: Apple, Battery, MacBook Pro

By Matt April 29, 2014 Read More →

More Pixels and More Mobile Than Ever!

In graphics, pixels are everything. More pixels give us sharper images and make the images on a screen look more lifelike.

Here’s a refresher about pixels: the word itself stands for picture element, and a pixel is a single point within a graphic image. On colour monitors, each pixel consists of three dots in the primary colors (red, blue, green) making colour images a bit fuzzy. High-definition display screens pack pixels very tightly, until you can no longer see individual ones, providing sharper images and less blur.

Pixels are key to display qualities. People want high-quality display monitors. More than ever, they want them on their mobile devices as well.

People Watch More Video on Tablets

It makes sense to crank up tablet display quality. More people are watching video on tablets, according to Broadcast, which reported this more than doubled between June 2012 and 2013. In 2013, the British video provider Ooyala found that more than one-quarter of all video were viewed on a mobile device by the close of 2013. People now watch long-form video content (video running for at least 10 minutes) equally on tablets and laptops, and 53% of all tablet use is spent watching video.

Video stream is replacing television. Across the pond, Mashable says that it’s the Millenial generation (those who reached adulthood around 2000) who are watching video online. Thirty-four percent prefer viewing this way, rather than traditional television. Ten percent of this group doesn’t even watch broadcast TV at all, instead accessing the networks’ streams. (British TV also offers online streaming.) Forty-four percent said they like watching on mobile devices because it lets them decide when, and where, to watch a show.

Why are tablets popular for watching videos?

Television still offers the best high-definition quality, but tablets are fast catching up. Why are they popular? Marketing Pilgrim say’s it because they are mobile. With a tablet, you can watch video anywhere. It also allows people to browse for programs and apparently fosters intimacy, too: Business Intelligence reports that more people stream TV and video on their tablets in the bedroom than watch live TV there.

Lightweight, 4G tablets should appeal to Millenials everywhere. The latest ones feature 1920 x 1200 pixel displays ( 323 pixels per inch, or PPI) on 7-inch screens, (the standard is 1280 X 800) and weigh around 300g (.66 lbs) with 4G technology. Nexus 7, offered by T-mobile, Google, and Asus, offer these specs. Plenty of other larger and heavier tablets also have these speeds and resolutions.

4G Service Providers

4G is available everywhere although service is still spotty outside of major cities. The number of 4G services offered in the UK tripled in 2013 when Vodaphone and O2 invaded EE’s territory; EE, however, has the largest 4G network. Tesco and Three Mobile have joined since then. Check here to see if you have 4G coverage in your postcode.

Posted in: Editorial

Editorial

Wiring for Sound: Choosing the Right Headphones