Author Archive: Matt

More than 20 years in the IT industry. Blogging with a passion and thirst for new technology since 2005.

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By October 14, 2013 Read More →

HTC One Max announced

HTC One max Glacial Silver 3VFollowing weeks of speculation (what’s new!?) HTC have today announced the HTC One Max. Building upon the successes of the HTC One and HTC One Mini, the One Max provides a larger form-factor as well as introducing to new and unique features as well as HTC Sense 5.5.

Here we have the official press release and full specification but also, don’t forget to check out our HTC One Max unboxing video, HTC One Max Demo Video and HTC One Max photo gallery.

THE HTC ONE® GETS SUPERSIZED WITH THE HTC ONE MAX

 

World’s best smartphone now in 5.9” with new and improved HTC Sense 5.5 ® experience

 

London, October 14, 2013 — HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced the HTC One max, a super-sized smartphone that brings the award-winning design, functionality and performance of the HTC One to fans of larger handsets. A new Fingerprint Scan feature takes convenience to a new level while acclaimed features including HTC BlinkFeed™, HTC Zoe™ and HTC BoomSound™, combined with the new HTC Sense 5.5, which are all enhanced to continue to deliver the best overall smartphone experience, now on a larger screen.

 

“The addition of the HTC One max means that we now have an HTC One phone for everyone. The family has been built on quality and game-changing innovations and the HTC One max is certainly no exception,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “The upgrade to HTC Sense 5.5 will provide our most amazing mobile experience yet, with the HTC One max delivering the size and power required to do everything you want, and more, without compromise.”

 

Big and powerful

The HTC One max’s 5.9” full HD1080p display is perfect for enjoying photos, videos and movies on the go. Smooth and efficient performance comes courtesy of a quad-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 processor featuring a quad-core 1.7 GHz CPU enabling jaw-dropping performance, ultra vivid videos and booming sound. Whether you’re watching videos in stunning HD, playing games or checking out what’s hot online, the HTC One max sounds amazing, looks sharp and keeps working when you need it.

The 16GB or 32GB onboard memory can be expanded thanks to a microSD™ card slot, with a massive 50GB of additional free Google Drive online storage being offered exclusively to HTC One max owners.

The large 3300mAh embedded battery means that this level of performance will last and last. Even the most intensive users will find the HTC One max is up to the challenge thanks to the optional HTC Power Flip Case, a stylish 1150mAh battery expansion for your HTC One max which offers both protection and extra juice when you need it most.

 

Maximum convenience at your fingertips

The average person checks their phone multiple times a day, so the HTC One max welcomes a new era of convenience and advanced functionality thanks to a built-in Fingerprint Scan feature. Located on the back of the device, the fingerprint scanner allows users to lock or unlock the screen and quickly launch up to three favourite applications by assigning an individual finger to each.

 

More content than ever before

The HTC One max’s Sense 5.5 upgrade comes with a more social, personalised HTC BlinkFeed that can be further refined by customisable topic categories and new integration with premium content providers including Instagram and Google+. Up to 120 articles can also be downloaded for offline viewing, making BlinkFeed even better for snacking on information wherever and whenever you are.

 

Ultimate imaging

Featuring HTC’s UltraPixel camera technology, HTC Zoe mode, that brings your photos to life, and a 2.1MP front-facing camera, the HTC One max will capture stunning photos and full HD 1080p videos whether you’re the photographer, the subject or both. Dual Capture means you can now snap memorable moments and your reaction to them in one extraordinary photo or video by simultaneously shooting with the front and rear cameras.

Improved imaging is also introduced through Video Highlights, which combines your photos and videos to create a mini movie complete with the soundtrack and visual theme of your choice. And with the HTC One max, your Video Highlights can now be any length you want.

 

 

Design at its Best

Available in Glacial Silver, the HTC One max shares the same premium design credentials as the rest of the HTC One family, providing an all round exceptional experience.

 

Global Availability
The HTC One max will begin rolling out across the globe from mid – end October.

Posted in: News, Phones, Press Releases
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By October 12, 2013 Read More →

iPhone 5s unboxing video

iPhone-5s-space-graySeveral weeks ago Apple launched the latest iPhones, the iPhone 5c and the iPhone 5s. As always, the launched has been met with a very mixed response, from those loving the new phones to those seeing them as a pointless incremental and even a disappointing update.

We’ve spoken about the issues with iOS 7 a few times already and the expected iOS 7.0.3 has yet to surface as expected.

I’ve finally managed to get my hands on the iPhone 5s, my mistake was in ordering a gold 64GB version initially which is, apparently, the model seeing the highest demand. As a consequence my gold phone still isn’t here.

I realise that there are lots of iPhone unboxing videos out there but sticking with the tradition of the site and unboxing everything that comes through the door, this is ours:

Posted in: Phones, Videos/Unboxings
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By October 11, 2013 Read More →

Mowing your lawn in the 21st century

Well this is something a little different for a Friday afternoon and heading in to the weekend may well be something that many of us will thing about over next few days…

miimoThe ancient art of garden maintenance has been catapulted into the future, thanks to Honda – the Japanese manufacturer most commonly renowned for its turbocharged motorbikes, sleek autos and that fun ‘Hate Something, Change Something’ TV ad.

Honda’s range of garden products includes the nifty little Miimo, a lawn mower with a difference – think of it as a Henry Hoover for your turf, but with a far more futuristic feel. Every feature of this characterful robotic mower has been expertly designed and refined for a more intuitive, and therefore a more efficient, grass-cutting experience. It can follow random cutting patterns – ideal if yours is a garden with decorative ornaments or fiddly borders that a more cumbersome mower might struggle with. Quite miraculously, it also knows when it needs a top-up of machine food, and will make its own way back to the docking station when the time comes.

The Miimo operates a no-mess-no-fuss policy. It mulches as it mows, and spreads miniscule particles of grass across the lawn, which act as a fertilizer. Over time you’ll notice how effectively this reduces the number of bothersome weeds in your garden. A model helpmate, the Miimo is quiet as well as clean – it will work through the night without making irritating whining or buzzing sounds, so you and your neighbours can get your 40 winks without disturbance.

This one-of-a-kind mower has a thoroughly likeable appearance and mower-personality. It’s polite as anything, and will stop as soon as it touches a person or object, thanks to its touch-sensitive 360 degree floating cover. It’s also safety-conscious, and has three reversible cutting blades made of ductile heat-treated steel. In human terms, this means that if the Miimo ever happens to hit a solid object, these blades will rotate inwards rather than shatter.

Take a look at the Miimo on the Honda website. Alongside a bunch of useful stats and specs that will answer any questions you have before you decide to buy one, there’s also a fantastic feature that lets you drag an image of the Miimo around for a 360 degree view. Making the Miimo twirl will make your day.

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets
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By October 11, 2013 Read More →

Britain’s Cheapest Mobile Tariff

Cheapest Mobile TariffLooking for a good deal on your mobile contract? Who isn’t! But today there’s another option for us here in the UK as TalkTalk have just launched the Britain’s Cheapest Mobile Tariff, for just £3.50 per month.

You may think a cheap tariff like that will be very limited, and lead to expensive extras, but this new plan comes with and inclusive 100 minutes, 250 texts and 100MB of data!

Full details follow:

Posted in: Phones
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By October 11, 2013 Read More →

Apple readying iPad 5 & iPad mini 2 launch

Apple-iPad-5Apple are set to hold their new iPad event on October 22nd, according to various sources on the interwebs. Later than the October 17th date that had previously been touted, the event date now looks to be more definite.

It’s likely that the event will see various announcements, certainly we anticipate the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, but then there’s the matter of OS X Mavericks that went Gold just recently too.

Furthermore, Apple have been teasing us with images and video of their new Mac Pro, so could we see this new beast released at the same time? Certainly the hopes are that each of these new products will be available pre-Christmas.

As we near the launch date several new high-quality images of the iPad 5 have surfaced. These clearly show the reduced bezel size on the new iPad which is now similar to the iPad mini in that respect. Furthermore, it seems increasingly likely that both the iPad 5 and the iPad mini 2 will have the fingerprint unlock technology from the iPhone 5s and a suggestion that the iPad 5 will have an A7X chip, slightly different from the A7 chip existing in the iPhone 5s.

 

Via: Slashgear

Posted in: News, Tablets
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By October 9, 2013 Read More →

Preparing for GTA V on PC – Laptop Review

msi-gs70-stealth-03If you missed the release of the biggest game of the year, you must not have heard all the media-hype from under the rock you were obviously living. Selling a huge 1.57 million copies in its first day of release, you cannot escape the buzz surrounding Grand Theft Auto 5. It is already the 24th bestselling game ever, despite only being released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

The games developer, Rockstar, has remained tight-lipped over whether or not they will release a PC version, leaving many fans in limbo. However, the previous editions of the game have all been released on a PC platform so there may be hope. This, teamed with a growing online petition along with some seemingly leaked screenshots of the game, mean fans are remaining confident that the announcement will be imminent.

In order to make the most of the game – once they finally get their hands on it, lots of gamers are investing in new laptops so they can fully enjoy the graphics and sounds. With this in mind, we’ve decided to take a look at one of the best gaming laptops on the market, the MSI GS70 Stealth gaming laptop.

Available from eBuyer, this laptop boasts a range of features that can majorly enhance your gaming experience. To start, the laptop is perfect for gaming on the move. Weighing just 2.66kg and with a thickness of just 0.86 inches, this is the world’s thinnest and lightest gaming laptop, perfect for any on the move action.

When it comes to graphics and sound, this laptop is unmatched by its competitors. Comprising two speakers and a subwoofer, you can hear every footstep, gun shot and siren as you play. In addition, the laptop features a unique MSI Audio Boost that enhances sound performance by 30% more.  When on the move, sound quality remains the same exceptional level, thanks to the gold flash headphone jack. Graphics-wise, the 17.3” fully HD screen will be the perfect arena for GTA V, displaying crystal clear images.

Even the keyboard is designed to optimise gaming. The keys are specially organised for faster and better action and the keyboard itself is backlit, and with over 1000 personal colour combinations, you can really set the gaming mood – totally immersing yourself in the action.

Packed full of USB ports, a card reader and even an HDMI port, this laptop is the ideal choice for gamers looking for an exceptional gaming experience. Grand Theft Auto 5 will never look so good!

Posted in: Apps & Games, Laptops
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By October 9, 2013 Read More →

Top office gadgets for 2013

office gadgets

Your office is your personal space at work. You should rightfully make it so. Look at these boss laser reviews, you see what they can do with their laser engraving? You can make a pretty epic sign with your name on it to place on your door or desks, or one for each! Of course, putting your name somewhere visible in a cool way is one of the many ways to personalize your office space. There’s always tech! I like small distractions for when you need to stop and think for a sec, you know?

With that being said, have you ever come across a frustrating situation in the office and thought: “I wish there was a gadget that would take care of that”? We’re sure you’ll find something you like in our selection of the top office gadgets for 2013.

We’ve put together a guide that includes techie, fun and just plain useful devices that we think make great additions to an office environment.

USB Heated Gloves

When you begin to hear your co-workers complain about cold hands as they tap away on their keyboards, you know winter is coming.

Put a stop to their moaning by suggesting that they invest in a pair of USB heated gloves. Simply plug these gloves into the USB port of a computer and they’ll warm up to a toasty 46 degrees in a matter of minutes. These are the perfect Secret Santa gift and you can find a wide selection of these gloves, in fingerless and closed designs, online at Amazon.

Cup Holder

Sometimes the simplest things make the most impressive gadgets.

We’ve all experienced those chaotic mornings, when you’re working 100 miles an hour at your desk trying to get everything done and woops… that takeaway coffee you grabbed on the way in to work goes flying!

This particular nightmare can be a thing of the past, with this simple clip on cup holder – available to buy online from Amazon. This is great if your workspace is limited and you’re the sort of person whose desk is a sea of papers.

Apple TV

It may be increasingly popular in the home, but technology that allows you to project your iPhone or iPad onto a TV screen is a fantastic tool that can also be used in the business environment.

Apple TV, available to buy online from Viking, makes it possible to transmit presentations, photographs, videos and music from an Apple device to a television, without the need for wires. If you’ve got a TV in the boardroom, this a great resource to have for those all-important presentations.

USB Mail Notifier

When you’re powering through a day at the office, it’s easy to neglect your email inbox. That said, there’s nothing worse than missing a crucial piece of information, an upcoming meeting or even worse – an email from a co-worker saying there’s cake in the staff kitchen!

You’ll never miss these crucial emails with this simple gadget, which syncs to your account and lights up each time you receive a new message. You can buy one of these online from Brando, by clicking here.

Exercise Ball

I must admit, the first time I walked into an office and noticed staff sitting on balls at their desks, I was somewhat taken aback. However, swapping the swivel chair for a standard exercise ball – like the ones you see at the gym – could be good for your health.

According to this article by Jenny Sugar at fitsugar.com, swapping your office chair for a ball forces you to use your core muscles, which will lead to a toned midriff and could help elevate back pain. What’s more, the small movement that’s required to keep you upright could burn upwards of 30 calories per day. While that may not compensate for the sneaky lunchtime Mars Bar you wolfed down, it’s better than nothing!

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets
By October 9, 2013 Read More →

BlackBerry Z30 now on Vodafone

BlackBerry Z30If you fancy picking up BlackBerry’s latest flagship device, the BlackBerry Z30, and you don’t want to buy SIM-free, there’s another option on the table for you now as Vodafone UK have just introduced the Z30 on contract.

Available for under £20 on contracts for £37 it may be an option if you aren’t keen to splash the £475 that an unlocked version would set you back.

Is it just me of does the Z30 have more than just a passing resemblance to the HTC One?

 

BlackBerry Z30 specification:

  • 2G Network: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
  • 3G Network: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 / 800
  • 4G Network: LTE 800 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600
  • Dimensions: 140.7 x 72 x 9.4 mm (5.54 x 2.83 x 0.37 in)
  • Weight: 170 g (6.00 oz)
  • Display:  Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours, 720 x 1280 pixels, 5.0 inches (~294 ppi pixel density)
  • 3.5mm jack
  • microSD, up to 64 GB
  • Internal Memory:  16 GB ROM, 2 GB RAM
  • WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, LE
  • NFC
  • microUSB v2.0, USB On-the-go
  • Primary Camera:  8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
    • Features Geo-tagging, face detection, image stabilization
    • Video 1080p@30fps, video stabilization
  • Secondary Camera: 2 MP, 720p@30fps
  • OS: BlackBerry 10.2 OS
  • Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8960T Pro Snapdragon
  • CPU: Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait
  • GPU: Adreno 320
  • Sensors
    • Accelerometer
    • gyro
    • proximity
    • compass
  • GPS with A-GPS support and GLONASS
  •  HDMI port
  • Battery: Li-Ion 2880 mAh
Posted in: News, Phones
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By October 8, 2013 Read More →

Things to Consider When Buying a Laptop

Buying a LaptopLaptops have changed a great deal over the years, thanks to their continued popularity with today’s consumers. A laptop lets you get online, do schoolwork and research, or simply keep your eye on the office while on the move, yet with the sheer amount of choice available to you, selecting the right laptop for your needs can be an extremely daunting task.

As with any kind of technology it helps to do some research before you buy a new machine, and if you don’t want to risk wasting your money it helps to consider these three simple questions.

What will you be using the laptop for?

There are a variety of makes and models out there – so many in fact, that buying the right machine can be really confusing for the average customer. However, if you can pinpoint exactly what you will be using the laptop for, it will really help you narrow your options down.

For example, if you simply want to browse the internet or check a few emails you might prefer a tablet or notebook. These smaller machines are very easy to use with enough power to ensure they remain speedy and responsive.

If you are looking for a family computer that will be used for a number of tasks, such as watchingiPlayer, hosting live gaming sessions or editing photos or movies, a multimedia machine will be your best bet, offering a larger screen, more power and plenty of memory.

Do you have a budget?

In an ideal world you could spend as much as you wanted on a new laptop, but the likelihood is you will need to stick to a budget. If this is the case then you should be sensible and only look at options within your price range. It is easy to choose a machine, add on a few ‘must have’ extras and before you know it you have completely wiped out your budget.

The good news is there are plenty of options out there that have reasonably low price tags yet still offer the power and specifications you need. Do check each spec thoroughly and compare your favourites to ensure you are getting the best value for money.

You should also consider whether you have any older tech items that you could sell on before you purchase your new machine. For example, if you could sell an old Macbook Pro you’ll be able to recuperate a decent amount and put this towards your new purchase.

Where will you be using the laptop?

This question is also important because it might help you narrow down your final choices. Yes, a laptop is a mobile devic ebut that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be leaving the house. In the home it’s great if you need to quickly re-charge, but if you are constantly on the movea machine with a good battery life is essential. And, of course, it will definitely help to have a smaller, lighter machine that you can carry around easily.

All in all, choosing new or used laptops doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds; simply narrow down your requirements and preferences and the final decision should become obvious.

Posted in: Editorial, Laptops
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By October 8, 2013 Read More →

HTC One in real gold

Gold HTC One - FrontNews just in that HTC are about to release an HTC One in real gold. That is, not a gold coloured phone but an actual 18ct gold phone.

They are doing this to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the MOBO awards on the 19th October.

If you fancy picking up one of these bad boys then it’ll set you back £2750 and with only 5 in existence you’d better act fast!

Full press release follows…

HTC UK launches a real Gold HTC One®

to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the MOBO Awards

HTC UK announces a limited edition Gold HTC One in pure 18ct gold

The MOBO Best Newcomer winner will walk away with the most expensive HTC phone ever produced

London, 8 October 2013 — HTC UK, a leader in mobile innovation and design, today announces the release of the Gold HTC One, created using REAL gold. Produced to celebrate the 18th Anniversary of the MOBO Awards, this very limited edition phone will be presented to the winner of Best Newcomer category sponsored by HTC at this year’s ceremony in Glasgow on 19th October.

Valued at £2,750 and with only five in existence, the limited edition Gold HTC One is the most exclusive and expensive smartphone ever created by HTC. It was crafted in partnership with Goldgenie founder Laban Roomes. To achieve this luxury look, the zero gap unibody of the HTC One on the front and back is plated in 18ct gold. It is polished to give a sophisticated finish and a special MOBO 18 logo is laser etched on the rear of the device. These elements come together to create the ultimate recognition for the prestigious music awards show.

The Gold HTC One includes all the performance of the award-winning HTC One, including HTC BlinkFeed™, HTC Zoe™ and HTC BoomSound™, together reinventing the mobile experience and setting a new standard for smartphones.

Phil Blair, HTC President, Europe Middle East and Africa said: “The best artists have always been given gold discs to celebrate their success, but today most people listen to music on their phone. We wanted to celebrate that fact. The award winning HTC One is the gold standard in mobile design and innovation, so it was an obvious choice to make it even more special. We’re sure the winning MOBO artist will love their unique phone and we will even be giving a lucky member of the general public the chance to get their hands on one soon too.”

Kanya King MBE, founder of the MOBO Awards commented: “MOBO turning 18 is a huge achievement and a special time for us.  The 18ct Gold HTC One phone is a great addition to our coming of age celebrations and helps add MOBO glitz to proceedings!”

You can vote for the winner of Best Newcomer and the recipients of the Gold HTC One on the MOBO website at http://www.mobo.com/voting2013/best-newcomer. In the running are:

  • Daley
  • Elli Ingram
  • Etta Bond
  • Fuse ODG
  • Jacob Banks
  • Jahméne Douglas
  • Krept and Konan
  • Sam Smith
  • Shakka
  • Stylo G

Goldgenie has previously made bespoke phones for Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Kate Moss, but this is the first time they have worked directly with an Android manufacturer.

Since its launch, the HTC One has attracted a host of editorial and industry awards which recognise its superior performance and new benchmark in design. Just last week the HTC One collected Gadget of the Year, Phone of the Year and the Design Award at the T3 Gadget Awards 2013. Other highlights include the GSMA’s Global Mobile Award for Best New Mobile Device or Tablet at Mobile World Congress 2013, Computex Taipei’s Gold Medal in Design and EISA award for Best European Advanced Smartphone 2013-2014.

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