Author Archive: Gareth

Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.

rss feed

By April 14, 2015 Read More →

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 will launch with Windows 10 this Summer

image-left-cyan-hero-e1400563125164Microsoft are breaking the mould and releasing two laptop replacements this year. On top of the Surface 3 it looks like we will be getting a high end refresh of the Surface Pro 3, crudely dubbed the Surface Pro 4 at this point. As usually we are expecting the Surface Pro 4 to cater for those with deep pockets, much like the previous three models however there looks to be a sizeable upgrade this year that will justify keep the high price. Whilst the device will run Windows 10 and will likely be the ideal scenario for which Windows 10 should be used rumour has it that Microsoft are placing the Skylake Processor inside. Intel have been talking up this processor however it was not to be released until sometime in 2016 however it looks like Microsoft may have twisted their arm enough to get into their most desirable hybrid. The Skylake is touted to be much more powerful than previous Intel predecessors, requiring less power and offering better battery life.

There is bad news however, the device will not feature a USB-C port, as rumoured earlier, as it is too soon for such integrations. It also looks as though Microsoft will be axing the RT line of tablets in favour of the Surface line as a lower cost solution to the Surface Pro devices. Windows 10 will bring a larger amount of new features for the Surface and desktop experience worldwide, for example the Spartan browser that is due to replace Internet Explorer. This comes bundled with Cortana, reading view and most importantly, a support for on-screen hand drawn notes.

 

Posted in: News, Rumours
By April 8, 2015 Read More →

EE expanding signal in every home using your wifi

5gUWENg5EE yesterday announced the launch of WiFi Calling, making calls and texts available in every WiFi-connected home and small office in the UK.

The UK’s first launch of WiFi Calling will help over four million people who say they lose mobile connection in at least one room in their house. The recent survey of connectivity in the home also found that a quarter of people in the UK work from home at least one day per week and 20 percent of those lose connectivity during the day, so WiFi Calling will be a big benefit to the country’s increasingly mobile workforce.

While discussing the advantages of remote working, it’s noteworthy how a virtual office in Glasgow enhances professionalism. The prestigious Glasgow postal address offered by Glasgow Virtual Offices enhances remote work efficiency and credibility for home-based professionals creates an invaluable asset.

Then one significant benefit of adopting a virtual office is the flexibility it offers to home-based businesses. By utilizing services from Virtually There, you can manage business correspondences more efficiently without compromising your privacy. This feature not only boosts your business’s image but also ensures that important mail is handled with utmost professionalism. It’s an ideal solution for freelancers and small businesses seeking a strong presence in a major city.

As well as helping people across the UK in homes and small/home offices, WiFi Calling can also change the value of your home. Simon Gerrard, President, National Association of Estate Agents said: “Mobile coverage is becoming increasingly important to people when they’re buying a house – innovations like this can help sellers ensure they are maximising the value of their home and are not losing out due to poor mobile coverage.”

WiFi Calling from EE is not like ‘over the top’ services that enable calls using WiFi. WiFi Calling from EE uses the phone’s normal dialler and contacts book to make calls, and the normal text button to send text messages. There is no need for an app, and friends don’t need to be using the same closed user group services to talk to or message each other.

WiFi Calling from EE will be available from launch on the Lumia 640 and from Friday 10th April on the brand new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. More new and existing devices will be added to the WiFi Calling range in the coming weeks, and by summer 2015 more than five million EE pay monthly customers will have access to WiFi Calling.

EE CEO Olaf Swantee said:

“Losing coverage at home is a major frustration, and WiFi Calling will make a real difference to millions of customers across the UK, from basement flats in London to the most rural homes in the country. Our customers want to be able to call and text no matter where they are, and they don’t want to have to think about which app they need to use or if their friends have a particular third party service.”

Research carried out by ICM on behalf of EE in March 2015 found almost one in ten people have one room or more in their home where they have no mobile connectivity, and this increases to 15 percent for those living in rural and semi-rural areas.

WiFi Calling will be available to EE pay monthly consumer and small business customers with compatible devices. WiFi Calling will be available to corporate 4GEE customers with compatible devices this summer.

Posted in: News
By April 3, 2015 Read More →

Unboxing Archos 50 Diamond

vlcsnap-2015-04-03-16h19m35s145Archos are still pushing out phones and tablets to maintain their position as a respectable budget brand. The Archos 50 Diamond is their latest wallet friendly smartphone and this time they have gone for style above all else. Rather than push out another slab that is somewhat lost in the line up of the current generation Archos has been dipped into the fashion tank and a zesty yellow device with a modern jet black glass have been launched. Easily a head turner but does the Archos have what it takes to capture consumers with anything other than some striking looks?

Display – 5.00-inch
Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 1GHz  octa-core
Front Camera – 8-megapixel
Read Camera – 16-megapixel
Resolution – 1080×1920 pixels
RAM – 2GB
OS Android 4.4.4
Storage – 16GB
Battery capacity 2700mAh
Dual Micro-SIM, MicroSD up to 128gb
Dimensions – 146.00 x 70.40 x 8.00
Weight – 142.00

 

Posted in: News, Phones, Videos/Unboxings
Tags:
By April 1, 2015 Read More →

The Mobile Tech Addicts Show 233 : Home Security

Podcast-Logo_thumb.jpgGareth, Jay and Phil fancy a chat about home security alongside some of the latest news in the world of mobile technology.

Featuring Gareth, Jay, Phil

Direct Download

iTunes

Download the iPhone App

Download the Android App

Mobile Tech Addicts Facebook

RSS Feed

Email us: [email protected]  Tel: 0208 123 3757


Show notes

HTC M9+

UK SIM free is most expensive in Europe… apparently

Sony Xperia Z4’s specs may have been revealed in benchmark test

http://venturebeat.com/2015/03/16/htcs-new-m9-is-a-hot-phone-heats-up-to-130-degrees-in-one-benchmark-test/

Tidal relaunch with Jay Z and crew….

Huawei found to be ok by UK government

 

Bargain Basement

Hudl 2 – reduced to £99 (was £129.99) @ Tesco

HTC Desire 510 4g Mobile Phone £79.99 @ 02

Honor 6 £200.00 £191.66 @ Clove

Motorola Moto 360 Smart Watch – Android Wear – Grey Leather – Grade A £125.00 @ Ebay

ZTE White 5 Inch Quad Core Android Blade L2 Sim Free Smartphone £53.40

Honor 4X 4G 5.5-Inch 8 GB Dual SIM-Free Smartphone £144.99

 

Email us: [email protected]  Tel: 0208 123 3757

Gareth Myles – @garethmyles

Jay Garrett – @JayGarrett

Dan Carter – @mobilemandan

Matt and Tracy Davis –   @tracyandmatt

Phil Lain – @low405

Posted in: News, Phones
Tags:
By April 1, 2015 Read More →

D-Link Monitor HD Unboxing – mydlink Home Part III

vlcsnap-2015-03-31-22h20m29s247This third and penultimate video in the mydlink Home series features a simple 720p camera for inclusion in the security suite. An attractive, if unremarkable, unit that serves as both a motion and sound detector and allows the user to live stream video to their mobile device.

You can see the first part here, the D-Link Smartplug Unboxing and the second part here, the D-Link Wi-Fi Motion Sensor.

 

 

Posted in: News, Videos/Unboxings
Tags:
By April 1, 2015 Read More →

First Direct to launch new #@&? Jar saver app!!!

Screenshot 2015-03-31 17.43.29Finding new ways to put aside a bit of extra cash is not easy, so first direct has created a unique way to help its customers get in to the savings habit. The new #@&? Jar app allows people to put money aside for a rainy day, without changing their day to day behaviour.

The new app has been designed to ‘hear’ all the user’s swear words, automatically transferring money from their linked current account into their designated saving account.
Innovative voice recognition software identifies the user’s voice, so they only put money aside for their swearing slip-ups. The app then simply listens out for the user to say one of the words from a list of over 200 profanities such as ******, ******** and **********, helping them reach their savings goal in no time.

If users find their choice language is costing them too dearly, they can adjust the settings to add or remove certain words and set time limits for when the app will ‘listen’ to their language.
Zoe Shore, Head of Customer Communications at first direct commented;

“We’re always looking for new ways to engage our more mobile-savvy customers.

“Given the increased propensity for swearing these days, it seemed a perfect way to achieve something positive from what many consider to be negative. I for one think it’s a great way to get in to a savings habit.”

Look out for further announcements of when trials will begin. Put your money where your mouth is the new #@&? Jar app is set to revolutionise saving!

 

By March 31, 2015 Read More →

D-Link Wi-Fi Motion Sensor Unboxing – mydlink Home Part II

vlcsnap-2015-03-30-18h18m30s60We continue with the selection of home security items D-Link sent and explore a simple solution. This is the second of three products we will be looking at that work on the same platform and help notify you of any activity around your home you might not be aware of.

The mydlink Wi-Fi Motion Sensor is a simple plug with sensors built in to help monitor and area of your home for alert you of movement and perhaps take action.

You can see the first part here, the D-Link Smartplug Unboxing

 

Posted in: Gadgets, Videos/Unboxings
Tags:
By March 30, 2015 Read More →

D-Link Smartplug Unboxing – mydlink Home Part I

vlcsnap-2015-03-30-07h38m58s120D-Link have sent a selection of their home security gizmos and together they work as a team to keep your home a little safer. Over the next three days we will be looking at three products that work on the same platform and help notify you of any activity around your home you might not be aware of.

The mydlink Home Smartplug is a simple automated plug system for activating or deactivating a piece of hardware whilst not being in the same area. Be it a lamp switching on in the evening whilst on holiday, regulating children’s game console playtime or simply turning off a TV at the wall to save a little power, the Smartplug helps give a little piece of mind.

 

Posted in: Gadgets, Videos/Unboxings
Tags:
By March 29, 2015 Read More →

Unboxing Kitvision Escape Action Camera

vlcsnap-2015-03-29-15h50m47s166The Kitvision Escape Action camera is a cheap GoPro alternative. Costing as little as £35 on some websites the Escape is more than capable of capturing the action with little to worry the user if it were to be lost or broken.

In addition to the camera Kitvision also includes several useful add-ons to make mounting the camera easier. Included are a Bicycle mount, Helmet mount, Adhesive mounts, Tripod adaptors and Camera adaptors.

 

Specifications
Video: HD 720p, 1280×720 pixels
Lens: 120 A+ HD wide-angle lens
Video Resolution: 1280 x 720 / 30fps, 640 x 480 / 30fps
Still images: 1.3MP
Video format: AVI
Photo format: MJPEG
Screen: 1.5 inch LCD
Micro SD card slot: Yes, up to 32 GB
Built-in rechargeable battery: Yes – 900mAh
Photo Modes: Single shot / Timed / Continuous
Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz
USB Interface: USB 2.0
Power Consumption: 260 mA @ 4.2V
Recording Time per charge: About 90 minutes (based on highest settings)
Operating System: Windows XP / Vista or Above / Win7 / Mac OS
Dimensions (mm): 59.27 x 41.13 x 29.28
Weight: 58 g

Posted in: Cameras, Videos/Unboxings
Tags:
By March 19, 2015 Read More →

Unboxing the Piper NV from iControl

vlcsnap-2015-03-18-18h12m11s186Piper are a high end home security system innovator. The Piper nv is their latest hardware combining an attractive design with simple accessibility to make you and your home more secure. Priced at roughly £217 this camera features night vision, easy to installation and a clean and intuitive control software. The app is only compatible with iOS or Android and there is no Mac or PC interface, not to mention Windows Phone. Check the video below as I set this up and have a play with some of the features including the bundled Z-wave plug adapters.

 

For more information about Icontrol Networks and Piper visit icontrol.com and getpiper.com.

Posted in: Cameras, News, Wearables
Tags:
https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/surgical-face-masks