Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.

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By October 18, 2013 Read More →

Kindle Fire HD Now Available in the UK

Kindle Fire HD In addition to their announcement of the Kindle Fire HDX Amazon have launched a refresh of the Kindle HD. At a wallet friendly £119 this looks set to take on the Tesco Hudl in a battle to the death. that £119 will get you the 8gb model, whilst the 16gb will run you £139. The Kindle Fire HD has been redesigned to be thinner and lighter, with an HD display, dual speakers boasting Dolby Digital Plus technology and the latest version of the Fire OS, Mojito!

Here’s what you get for £119:

High-definition display with 1280×800 resolution and 216 pixels per inch, making films, TV shows, books and games vivid and detailed. 66% more pixels than the previous generation

Kindle Fire HD features:

  • Powerful, dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, 60% faster than the previous generation Kindle Fire.
  • Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus audio — the standard in high-end audio.
  • All-new slim design that matches the look and feel of the new Kindle Fire HDX.
  • Fast downloads and web browsing with built-in dual-band Wi-Fi.
  • Powered by the latest version of Fire OS — Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito”— with hundreds of new and upgraded features, platform updates and Amazon-exclusive services. New features include expanded X-Ray for films and TV, Quiet Time, Quick Switch, and more.
  • Kindle FreeTime extends parental controls to give parents a simple, engaging way to manage
    the way children use Kindle Fire — parents select content and set time limits by content type.

Coming later this year.

  • Stay connected and productive with all-new e-mail, calendar and Silk web browser.
  • Free, unlimited Cloud storage of all of your Amazon content, for downloading anytime, anywhere.
  • Vast selection of content, including millions of films, TV shows, songs, apps, games, books, audiobooks and magazines.
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By October 18, 2013 Read More →

Kindle Fire HDX Available in UK

Kindle Fire HDXRecently Amazon announced it would be launching the Kindle Fire HDX in the UK. Available in a couple of different flavours, 16/32/64GB and either WiFi or 4G at different price points Amazon hope to capture the market with low cost and high specs. Check out the Press Release below:

Powerhouse Tablets Built for Work and Play All-new Kindle Fire HDX — stunning new 7” or 8.9” HDX display, quad-core 2.2 GHz processor with 3x the processing power, 2x more memory, 11 hours of battery life, and dual stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus audio.

New HDX display goes beyond HD — exceptional pixel density, perfect 100% sRGB colour accuracy, reduced glare, dynamic image contrast and improved brightness for the best viewing experience, indoors or out Powerful quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor running at 2.2 GHz delivers over 3x the processing power for fast and fluid performance — the only tablets with a processor over 2 GHz. Both HDX 7” and 8.9” available with 3G and 4G LTE connectivity from Vodafone

Lightest large-screen tablet — Kindle Fire HDX 8.9” is astonishingly light at 374 grams.

Introducing the Mayday button — revolutionary on-device tech support — free, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Stay connected and productive with updated e-mail, calendar and Silk browser, plus seamless integration with Facebook and Twitter; enterprise-ready with support for encryption, Kerberos Intranet, secure Wi-Fi connections and VPN integration

Kindle FreeTime gives parents a simple, engaging way to manage the way children use Kindle Fire — parents select content and set time limits by content type — coming soon.

Luxembourg—16 October 2013—Today, Amazon announced that the all-new Kindle Fire HDX is now available for customers in the UK. The Kindle Fire HDX tablets combine groundbreaking hardware, the latest version of Fire OS and new features and services such as Kindle FreeTime, expanded X-Ray for films and TV, and the revolutionary new Mayday button. Learn more about the new Kindle Fire HDX family at www.amazon.co.uk/hdx.

The new Kindle Fire HDX family features:

  • Stunning exclusive HDX display — beyond HD with exceptional pixel density (323 ppi for 7”, 339 ppi for 8.9”), perfect 100% sRGB colour accuracy, reduced glare, dynamic image contrast and improved brightness for better viewing under any lighting conditions.
  • Powerful quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor running at 2.2 GHz provides over 3x the processing power compared with the previous generation, plus the latest graphics engine and 2x more memory for fast and fluid performance. These are the only tablets with a processor over 2 GHz.
  • Astonishingly light design — at just 374 grams, the 8.9” Kindle Fire HDX is the lightest large-
    screen tablet, 34% lighter than the previous generation.
  • Powered by the latest version of Fire OS — Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito” — with hundreds of new and upgraded features, platform updates and Amazon-exclusive services.
  • New Mayday button delivers revolutionary, live tech support — one tap connects you to an Amazon expert who can guide you remotely through any feature — 24/7, 365 days a year, and free of charge. 15 seconds or less is the Mayday response time goal.
  • Kindle FreeTime extends parental controls to give parents a simple, engaging way to manage the way children use Kindle Fire — parents select content and set time limits by content type.
  • Watch thousands of films and TV shows with LOVEFiLM, Europe’s leading film subscription service. Expanded X-Ray for films and TV, adding trivia, character backstories and soundtrack information.
  • All-day battery life — up to 11 hours of mixed use and 17 hours of reading.
  • Updated e-mail, calendar and Silk browser to stay connected and productive.
  • New enterprise features including hardware and software encryption, Kerberos Intranet, secure
  • Wi-Fi connections, VPN integration and wireless printing.
  • Both HDX 7” and 8.9” are available with 3G and ultra-fast 4G LTE, available from Vodafone. Kindle Fire HDX offers you an optional promotional bundle for just £25. This includes 5 GB of data, 20 GB of Amazon Cloud storage and £5 credit for the Amazon Appstore.
  • Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus audio and virtual 5.1 multi-channel surround sound — the standard in high-end audio.
  • Front-facing HD camera makes it easy to stay in touch with Skype, plus a new 8 megapixel wide-aperture rear-facing camera on the 8.9” Fire HDX offers crisp photos and 1080p HD video.
  • Full integration with the world’s best content ecosystem — over 27 million films, TV shows, songs, apps, games, books, audiobooks and magazines.
  • New Origami covers feature an innovative design that allows you to position Fire HDX in both portrait and landscape mode.
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By October 17, 2013 Read More →

Android on your helmet

skully2_thumb.jpgThere is a new device on the block and it’s called the “Skully P1” and it’s actually an Android-powered motorcycle helmet which can let you see what’s behind you with an Augmented Reality overlay. This innovative device actually has a rear-camera built-in and displays a 180-degree AR view of what’s behind the rider.

That’s not the only cool thing about this high-tech armour. It also includes a Skully Synapse HUD integrated into the helmet visor. This makes it appear the HUD is floating about 20 feet in front of the riders vision. This HUD includes two different views. One incorporates the rear view display as previously mentioned, but the other offers detailed turn-by-turn navigation. This HUD uses a lithium-ion battery which will hold a charge for nine hours of use

As mentioned, the helm uses Android for its OS, and will integrate with other smartphones from Androids to iPhones. The OS also includes voice controls for playing music, getting directions, and more. The manufacturer will launch an SDK for app developers later in 2013. No details on pricing have been shared just yet.

skully1.jpg

Posted in: GPS/Sat Nav, Laptops, News
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By October 17, 2013 Read More →

Retro Tech Addicts Podcast 05: What’s NeXT Pac-man?

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.

This week we talk about the NeXT computer, NASA’s first launch, the Sega Dreamcast and the Atari 2600

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Posted in: News, Podcast, Retro Tech
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By October 16, 2013 Read More →

How Can We Keep up with Technology?

Whether it is a laptop tablet hybrid or a smartphone with voice recognition technology, there is always a new addition to the technology market that means consumers have a frantic need to own the latest device with technology that will be life changing. Does technology evolve too fast? Are we ever able to actually keep up and own the devices that appeal to us? As soon as we purchase one gadget another is released in its place and it makes it hard to keep up with the items that have some of the best features and that are claimed to be far superior to its predecessor.

Keep Up With Technology 1The Past…

In the early days of technology, the rate of development was manageable and consumers were able to get to grips with new items, purchase them and have a considerable amount of time with that device before a new update was released.

The Present…

The rate at which new technology is released is faster than anyone ever anticipated that it would be. There are constant new releases of items and updates every few months and consumers are unable to keep up with the number of products that are released every year. The consumer places a great deal of pressure on itself to indulge in the most recent items that will allow them to participate in the technological culture that has long since been an important part of life.

The Future…

Technology will quite possibly continue to evolve at much the same rate as it is now. People will continue with their frantic need to keep up with technology and possess the items that make a great deal of promises regarding the way people are able to carry out everyday tasks.

Keep Up With Technology 2Smartphones are one area that result in a high number of technological advancements and see people scrabbling for the latest in phone technology. The smartphone market really took off 6 years ago with the release of the first iPhone, and since then mobile phone makers have transformed their handsets and the technology they use to fill the latest desires of the consumer. The smartphone and tablet markets tend to go hand in hand as many mobile makers are indulging in the tablet market as a way of securing the popularity of the consumer and its place in the industry. 20 million people a month use a tablet, which is up by 39% from 2012.

Society has quickly become dependant on technology and the benefits that it brings, gadgets and devices are must have items and shape the way we carry out even the simplest of tasks.

As soon as we get used to one format and one way of doing things, it quickly changes to cater for the latest advancements and the changes it brings to everyday life. People are often judged or considered to be ‘out of the loop’ if they do not embrace the latest in technology releases and embrace items such as smartphones and tablets but there is a real concern that one day we will all lose touch with technology as it grows at a rate faster than we can keep up with…. Are technology manufacturers hurting themselves and their consumer? Competition is the backbone of the succession of new releases although there seems to be little consideration for the main focus of the business… the consumer.

Posted in: Editorial, Phones
By October 16, 2013 Read More →

LG are back in the tablet game with LG G PAD 8.3

LG G Pad Looks like LG are back in with a new and exciting tablet. Having made only a small dent with a number of unmemorable tablets in the past LG look to be pushing aggressively with their G Pad 8.3. With the specs quoted and a nice price point this looks like a very serious contender for your Christmas gifting list.

LG RE-ENTERS THE UK TABLET MARKET WITH THE LG G PAD 8.3

Hotly anticipated tablet launches in the UK

UK, 15 October 2013—LG Mobile today announced that its highly-awaited LG G Pad 8.3 tablet will be rolled out across the UK and Ireland in the run-up to Christmas. The impressive tablet is the first of its size to offer Full HD display and is the latest ground-breaking addition to LG’s G Series line-up of premium mobile devices.  This follows the successful launch of the G2 smartphone in October.

The LG G Pad 8.3 will be available in the UK market via an exclusive partnership between LG and IT distributor Micro P, at an SRP of £259.99. Harvey Norman will also exclusively offer the device in the Irish market from the end of October through its retail and online stores. This forms part of the global roll-out of the G Pad 8.3, which will also go on sale in over 30 other key markets by the end of 2013.

“The introduction of the LG G Pad 8.3 is another great step in design and technology from LG and shows that the G Series is going from strength to strength,” said Andy Coughlin, Head of Mobile for LG UK. “Just like the LG G2, the G Pad 8.3 delivers cutting-edge technology in a slim and sleek form, and is just the product for our re-entry into the UK tablet market.”

Powerful yet portable

The LG G Pad 8.3 was unveiled at the IFA 2013 trade show in Berlin in September where it received praise for its intelligent design and industry leading technology. Despite its large display and powerful 4600mAh battery, the G Pad 8.3 is comfortable to hold in one hand and as light as a newspaper at just 338g.

First full HD display tablet in 8-inch class

The LG G Pad 8.3 is the first 8-inch class tablet to offer a Full HD display, just like its G Series cousins the G Pro and G2 smartphones. The G Pad 8.3 is equipped with a 1920 x 1200 WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array) display capable of delivering picture quality with even higher resolution than a standard Full HD display. The Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 Processor with 1.7GHz Quad-Core CPU enhances the viewing experience with powerful performance as users will be able to enjoy Full HD content without any compromise.

The G Pad 8.3 meets the challenge of the convergence age by improving connectivity between multiple devices. The unique QPair app allows users to receive smartphone calls and messages through their G Pad and to send simple replies.

Key Specifications:

  • Processor: 1.7GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 Processor
  • Display: 8.3-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels / 273 ppi)
  • Memory: 16GB eMMC
  • RAM: 2GB LPDDR2
  • Camera: Rear 5.0MP / Front 1.3MP
  • Battery: 4,600mAh
  • Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2
  • Size: 216.8 x 126.5 x 8.3mm
  • Weight: 338g
  • Colours: Black / White
Posted in: News, Tablets
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By October 15, 2013 Read More →

Which Chromebook is right for you?

Which ChromebookThere has been a flurry of Chromebook’s over the last week and whilst they are largely the same, there are a few subtle differences to distinguish them. Here is a brief overview of the main contenders, there will be more, many more over the next year or so however you might need one right now and this little table may help:

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Acer C720

HP Chromebook 11

Samsung Chromebook

HP Chromebook 14

Screen

11.6″ 1366 x 768

11.6″ IPS display 1366 x 768

11.6″ 1366 x 768

14″ 1366 x 768

Ports

1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0

2 x USB 2.0

1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0

2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0

Weight

1.27kg

1.04kg

1.08kg

1.9kg

CPU

1.4 GHz Intel Celeron (Haswell)

1.7 Exynos 5250

1.7 GHz Exynos 5000 Series

Intel Celeron 1.4 GHz

Memory

4GB

2GB

2GB

2GB

Storage

16GB SSD + 100 GB Google Drive

16GB SSD + 100 GB Google Drive

16GB SSD + 100 GB Google Drive

16GB SSD + 100 GB Google Drive

Battery life

8.5 hours

6 hours

6.5 hours

9.5 hours

Network

802.11a/b/g/n

802.11 a/b/g/n

802.11 a/b/g/n

802.11 a/b/g/n

Connections

1 x HDMI, Bluetooth 4.0

Bluetooth 4.0, MicroUSB

Bluetooth 4.0, SD card slot.

Bluetooth 4.0, 1 x HDMI, SD card slot.

We’ll be going hands on sith several of these over the next week so be sure to came back to see unboxing videos and reviews soon! 🙂

Posted in: Editorial, Laptops
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By October 15, 2013 Read More →

An Introduction to the Amstrad CPC 664

Amstrad CPC 664Continuing his retrospective of the Amstrad range Gareth moves onto the second 8-bit computer produced by Amstrad, the CPC 664. This rare machine was produced for a very short period and now attains the status of a collector’s item. Luckily Gareth has one in his collection.

The Amstrad CPC 664 sold well in it’s day however was superseded by the CPC 6128 quite quickly as the 64kb of memory onboard did not deliver what people were looking for. The CPC 6128 became almost as iconic as the CPC 464 and the CPC 664 was ultimately forgotten. Until today!

Compared to the CPC464, the CPC664’s main unit has been significantly redesigned, not only to accommodate the floppy disk drive but also with a redesigned keyboard area. Touted “ergonomic” by Amstrad’s promotional material, the keyboard is noticeably tilted to the front with MSX-style cursor keys above the numeric keypad. Compared to the CPC464’s multicoloured keyboard, the CPC664’s keys are kept in a much quieter grey and pale blue colour scheme.

The back of the CPC664 main unit features the same connectors as the CPC464, with the exception of an additional 12V power lead. Unlike the CPC464’s cassette tape drive that could be powered off the main unit’s 5V voltage, the CPC664’s floppy disk drive requires an additional 12V voltage. This voltage had to be separately supplied by an updated version of the bundled green screen/colour monitor (GT-65 and CTM-644 respectively).

The CPC664 was only produced for approximately six months. In late 1985, when the CPC6128 was introduced in Europe, Amstrad decided not to keep three models in the line-up, and production of the CPC664 was discontinued.

Posted in: Retro Tech, Videos/Unboxings
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By October 14, 2013 Read More →

Another Chromebook arriving soon from Acer

Acer ChromebookThis appears to be of week the Chromebook. Acer has announced new C720 Chromebook alongside the HP’s Chromebook 11 at the even lower price of $249.99. Sticking with Intel’s x86 chips rather than the ARM-based processor in HP’s machine, the Acer C720 introduces the Haswell-generation Celeron 2955U for better performance and battery life. Also boasting the promise of up to 8.5hrs of runtime despite being 30-percent thinner in your bag.

Acer have chosen to remove the hard-drive seen in their previous Chromebook and replace it with an SSD with options starting at 16GB and 4GB of memory. Connectivity includes WiFi a/b/g/n, an HDMI output, a USB 3.0, and USB 2.0. Unlike the HP you get an SD card reader. The screen has an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 display.

Altogether this looks to be a tidier package than the HP 11 however it does not seem to possess the good looks of the HP.

Posted in: Laptops, News
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By October 13, 2013 Read More →

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 – Video Test

Galaxy Note 3 video testOne of the best ways to test a video camera is to take it out at dusk. At dusk the light levels vary greatly as you have light sunlight, car headlights, shadowed areas and, for the most part, ideal lighting conditions. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is taken for a drive in to see just how well the video deals with many of the different elements that the phone will have to deal in it’s lifetime. Check below for the video.

The drive gives the anti shake mechanism a workout, auto focus is constantly being pushed thanks to a bit of dirt on the windscreen and the microphone isn’t terribly distorted by the mighty 3.0ltr engine. For the most part the video camera performs rather well.

Posted in: News, Phones, Tablets, Videos/Unboxings
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