Archive for March, 2015
There was another major announcement yesterday, this time in Taiwan from Asus. We will be seeing a number of Zenfone variants based on a 5-inch and 5.5-inch handset. At the lower end a base model 5-inch Zenfone 2, ZE500CL, will ship with a 1.6Ghz Intel Atom Z2560, 2GB RAM, 720p HD display and 16GB memory for roughly $158. Another variant of the Asus Zenfone 2, the ZE550ML will feature a larger 5.5-inch panel however this is stuck with the 720p resolution. RAM and memory are unchanged. The processor manages a boost to a 1.8Ghz Intel chip for $190.
Thankfully loosing the 720p display is the Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML with a 5.5-inch 1080 display, 1.8Ghz processor, 2GB RAM and 32GB memory $221. Finally there is the Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML with a 2.3Ghz Intel Z3580, 5.5-inch FHD display, 32GB memory and and amazing 4GB RAM for $285.
Zenfone 2 is set to launch in numerous locations around the world with the same specifications and possibly featuring a Mediatek or Snapdragon version. The Intel processor will likely appeal to some as there is the potential to drop Windows 10 onto the device.
Recently Nikon announced a new mid range entry to their catalogue, an updated bridge camera with the focus on the zoom lens. A particularly bonkers 83x zoom to be exact. Modestly priced at around £500 the P900 has an 83x, 24-2000mm equivalent lens a superzoom like no other on the market. On paper at least, we can’t imagine a scene that this lens shouldn’t be able to handle. From the a weed on the top of a build to a gazelle leaping across the Serengeti, this camera will be able to handle it. To keep things steady, the camera has an advanced image stabilization system that offers 5 stops of shake reduction. The lens is so long that the flash has to pop up noticeably higher over the barrel, as you can see here.
If you’re a keen photographer of wildlife or the night sky, the 16-megapixel COOLPIX P900’s incredible 83x optical zoom lets you capture details not visible to the naked eye. Shoot instantly with rapid AF and a reduced shooting time lag, while 5.0-stop Dual Detect Optical VR enhances blur reduction.
Enjoy flexible composition with the vari-angle monitor and built-in electronic viewfinder, for shooting detailed stills at super-telephoto and Full HD movies. Built-in GPS/GLONASS/QZSS support pinpoints shooting locations and images can be shared instantly with built-in Wi-Fi®¹ and NFC² support.
Styled for comfortable shooting, the COOLPIX P900 brings you closer than ever to the beauty of nature.
Not steal Apple’s thunder as they launch iOS 8.2 and the Apple Watch, Google have started rolling out Android Lollipop 5.1 and a new Android Wear ad campaign. What is new with Android Lollipop for 5.1? There is new support for HD voice calling, if you device supports it then you will notice a suitable upgrade to hearing someone’s salivary glands from far away. A new form of Device Protection to keep your phone or tablet secure. Lollipop now supports a dual-SIM setup and the Quick Settings have been tweaked for Bluetooth and WiFi. One authentication has been set up on your Google account locked devices will require authentication even after a reset, a great deterrent and there is no point in anyone stealing an Android device any more!
Here is the Android Wear video release yesterday, just before another Smartwatch was spoken of…
We have been awaiting the Apple Watch launch since September last year. There has been a great deal of speculation since the inception and it seems every hardware manufacturer is getting in on the game. 6 months have passed, has Apple surpassed everyone expectations?
Dones are here and they are getting more versatile by the week. They are becoming more affordable and a various sizes are available. The Zano is an ultra-portable, personal aerial photography and HD video capture platform and mall enough to fit in the palm of your hand. One of the biggest features is that the Zano boasts to be intelligent enough to fly all by itself! Zano connects directly to your smart device (iOS or Android) via onboard WiFi and enables you to instantly begin capturing and sharing moments.
A size of the drone is 2.5 x 2.5 in (6.5 x 6.5 cm), which is one of the smallest out there. A collection of sensors work seamlessly together to allow Zano to avoid obstacles, hold its position and know exactly where it is in conjunction with your smart device, at all times.
This means Zano operates on a virtual tether connected to your smart device. Tilting your phone or tablet left or right, forward or backward will control the Zano. Zano can also be adopt a “Free Flight” mode, using on-screen Joy Sticks. Screen slide bars control altitude and rotation. The device will hold its position unless instructed otherwise and this allows for maximum control and freedom without the fear of piloting Zano, if Zano senses it’s strayed too far from your smart device or is running low on battery, it will automatically return to your smart device.
Additionally there is a “Follow Me” feature. When activated the Zano locks the drone at a certain distance from the user’s smart device to capture all the action. The Zano has an infrared sensor that is claimed to already be providing prototypes with adequate obstacle avoidance.
The drone is 55 g (1.94 oz) in weight and the battery can either be charged via Micro USB while inside the drone, or externally through a special adapter. Photos are snapped at 5 megapixels, while video is captured at 720p. The company says this is limited by Wi-Fi bandwidth and the Zano is technically capable of 1080p at 60 fps, leaving the door open to higher resolution video by way of future software updates.
You can pre-order a Zano drone at their official website for £169.95
It seems logical that the LG G4 will continue LG’s flagship series with an impressive array of goodies designed to tempt you away from the iPhone, HTC One M9 and Samsung Galaxy S6, to name a few. However, Korean Press is reporting that LG executives state LG are planning to launch a smartphone in the second half of this year that is essentially a “Super Flagship.”
“We are planning to release a product that stands above the G series,” said Cho Jun-ho, who heads LG’s mobile business in a surprise move at the Mobile World Congress that runs in Barcelona, Spain, through Thursday. “It will be launched during the second half of this year.”
The obvious thought is that this might well be a Samsung Galaxy Note, iPhone 6+ rival that will push the boundaries in 6 months time, once the LG G4 is taken for granted. Churning out a flagship phone once a year must not be good business any more, with technology pushing forward every month. It is hard to say if Apple and Samsung really consider their flagship devices as flagship devices when they do technically have bigger brothers, however those bigger brothers never sell as well.
One can only hope that things stay the way they are as we are seeing a level of comfortable stability with each company keeping their flagship at the centre of attention and something we can get excited about, swaps rumours of and hope that we eventually find that perfect device. Switching flagship devices will likely leave consumers with a bad taste this their mouth, feeling abandoned after 6 months when a new baby comes. Apple have a very carefully thought out a release process to avoid alienating their consumer base. Samsung are known to dazzle each year with a massive update, packing everything in and consumers enjoy the spectacle. If LG were to push the envelope a couple of times a year, would the wonder of the flagship wane quickly? Or would be help keep things moving forward?
A quick unboxing and initial impressions of the Urbanites XL from Sennheiser. These wired headphones with in-line microphone are compatible with Apple iPod, Iphone and iPad. Limited compatibility with Android devices however there is a version available especially for the Galaxy range.
URBANITE XL headphones are for those that love their tunes heavy and love to look good, but who always respect great sound. The URBANITE XL range is ideal for staying connected on the move, with integrated in-line remote controls and microphones for taking calls and controlling music on Galaxy smartphones and tablets, with a dedicated version for Samsung Galaxy devices. This is the sound your ears have been waiting for… Sennheiser URBANITE XL. Let your ears be loved.
Features
- Take your club sound with you – massive bass and clear treble
- Tough companion – extra rugged for robust urban living
- Stay connected – control your music and calls
- Fits your lifestyle – fold them up and go
- URBANITE XL is wrapped in comfort – XL ear-pads simply feel better
- Available in your choice of colours – black, denim, sand, nation and olive
- Compatibility – available with detachable cable with 3-button remote control and integrated microphone for Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets
- Easy to store and bring along – the foldable design makes it easy to collapse and store in the supplied soft pouch
- Bold design – Robust quality of premium stainless steel hinge and aluminium slider
There has been a little bit of criticism of Samsung and their decision to drop the removable battery from the Galaxy S6 and enclose the device. However, following instructions provided by Samsung themselves users can have a go at replacing the battery down the line if they require it. Whilst it is certainly far from being as simple as swapping the battery on previous Galaxy S devices and most other Samsung phones over the years, there is still technically a removable under the cover and the directions are not exactly rocket science. Attempting this on your own is doing so at your own risk, it will possibly invalidate the warranty. If you are not a qualified Samsung engineer you should probably not try this, or perhaps you should enrol to become a Samsung engineer and then attempt it. In the Galaxy S6 manual linked above see page page 138.
Recently we found that Firefox OS was hitting the new range of Panasonic Viera televsions, now Mozilla are announcing that Firefox OS is now available on 14 smartphones offered by 14 different operators in 28 countries worldwide. The phones will soon expand over to Africa, taking the OS to a total five continents. Mozilla earlier announced agreements with African telecomms companies Airtel, MTN South Africa and Tigo for expansion throughout Africa.
Other recent launches include the Ace smartphone from Cherry Mobile in the Philippines, which Mozilla claims is the most affordable smartphone in the world. The Japanese operator KDDI recently launched a Firefox OS phone in December. A few weeks ago Alcatel Onetouch also launched a new low-cost Firefox OS smartphone in Bangladesh, adding to the Go Fox 15 already in the market.
“When the flexibility of the Web meets the ubiquity of mobile, the boundaries of what can or cannot be done are erased,” said Li Gong, president of Mozilla. “Firefox OS has proven this by re-defining the ultra-low-cost category, now including the lowest-ever priced smartphone. On the other end of the spectrum, we have seen mid-range and will soon see high-end Firefox OS smartphones. This year, Firefox OS has successfully brought different experiences for different people, but has introduced choice for everyone.”
Like it or not, Firefox OS is laying out a rather strong foundation in the budget world to build upon and we will soon see this OS arriving on our shores with the strength behind it to make some noise.
There a number of rumours about the next Nexus device and they should always be taken with a pinch of salt. For example last week it was suggesting that the next Nexus could come from a manufacturer like Huawei. After make a lot of noise with the incredibly beautiful Huawei Watch smartwatch rumours began to surface that Google might have them in their sights as the next Nexus maker.
However, there is now more. Another more recent rumour comes from Gizmochina, who are reporting that this rumour was recently confirmed by Kevin Yang, the director of China research at iSuppli, a technology value chain research and advisory service. Huawei, a Chinese company would make an interesting partner for Google for a new device. An increase in Chinese appeal would be a massive victory for Google. Huawei and Xiami are selling in massive numbers in China and there is much speculation that Xiami might repeat their success in the U.S. and Europe if marketed carefully. Getting in bed with Google and adopting their Western approach could be Earth rattling.
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