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Author Archive: Gareth
Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.
Google decided to show off the next-gen version of their Google Glass hardware. They previewed the image to the right on the Google Glass Google+ page. As you can see they would rather show than tell. The only real difference which is immediately noticeable is that it now has a mono earbud. We aren’t sure if this means they had to give up on the skull-vibrating setup in the previous version, of if this is just an additional option.
Google also claimed they have improved the hardware, without getting into specifics. This post also serves as a reminder to Google Glass Explorers that they will be able to “trade-up” later in the year when this next-gen version is released. The only other detail that we can share is the new Google Glass will support prescription frames. Also, if you are already Google Glass Explorer, later this year you will be able to invite up to three friends to get a Google Glass.
German Tim Cannon, a “biohacker” has stuck a giant computer chip beneath his skin. The Android power device transmits his biometric data to other Android devices. The chip is kept safe because it’s sealed inside a protective case. The device is powered via a battery, which needs to be charged. Thankfully this has some wireless charging technology built in.
The craziest part about all this is that, as he explains in an interview with Motherboard, no certified doctor could ever perform the operation required to get the chip inside his arm. My guess is a doctor probably likes their license too much to attempt something like this. So he instead had to get help from “body modification enthusiasts”, the type of people who put stuff like horns under their foreheads. As you do.
The guy who ended up doing the job was one such enthusiast by the name of Steve Haworth. Because Steve isn’t a medical professional, he wasn’t licensed to use aesthetics. The device, called a Circadia, is going on sale soon for around $500. installation price not included.
Gareth and Matt enjoy a warm and fuzzy recollection of days gone by in this the latest instalment of the Retro Tech Addicts podcast.
In this week’s show we talk about Windows XP, the first Apple iPod and the HTC MTeoR. Also in this show we discuss the rise of HTC and several of their key, early handsets.
This was also an experimental show. We’ve used Google Hangouts to record this week and later we’ll have a video of the show to share too. It’s not polished and obviously we’ll get better at this as we progress but we thought we would share it nevertheless.
We would really appreciate your feedback!
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It is now confirmed that the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset will be coming to Android and that Android users will also have their own headset. A newly announced mobile headset will be a lighter consumer version of the Oculus Rift headset already planned for PC.
We have some exciting plans on the mobile VR side as the PC VR side. We’re really looking at hitting the consumer market. We’re very excited about what we’re seeing. Skeptical about how good mobile VR could be on such a small platform. It’s pretty incredible what [John Carmack has] been able to do. – Chief executive officer Brendan Iribe
Unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot more in terms of details than what was mentioned. As for when we can expect the Android headset to be released, the company is hoping to have both the PC and Android versions release simultaneously or as close to it as possible. No word on pricing as of yet.
Canadian Carrier WIND Mobile has just posted a pre-registration page for the Nexus 5 on Facebook. Specs for the device have been semi-confirmed along with the tag-line, “Google Nexus 5. The smart, new phone made to capture the moments that matter.” Here are the quick specs listed:
Nexus 5 specification:
- Screen: 4.95-inch 1920×1080 display (445 ppi) Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Cameras: 1.3MP front facing 8MP rear facing OIS
- Weight: 130 grams
- Dimensions: 69.17 x 137.84 x 8.59 mm / 130g
- Operating System: OS Android 4.4, KitKat
- Chip Set: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.3GHz
- Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G) 802.11 a/b/g/n/nc NFC (Android Beam) / Bluetooth 4.0
- Storage / Memory / Ram: 16GB or 32GB internal storage 2GB RAM
- Ports & Connectors: microUSB, SlimPort enabled, 3.5mm stereo audio jack, Dual microphones, Ceramic power and volume buttons
There is a report from the Wall Street Journal today that hints we may see the next phase of the wearable tech rolling out very soon. Google is already nearing mass production on a new Google Now smart-watch. In fact, if the timeline they are suggesting is as accurate as their rumour, then we might see a Google Now connected smart-watch revealed in the first quarter of 2014.
According to the WSJ report, Google is working hard to address the two primary concerns/complaints with a wearable smart-watch, usefulness and battery life. Google is planning to address these issues head on by imbuing their smart-watch with far greater functionality and a deeper integration with Google Now services. Additionally, they have focused a great deal of development on increasing power efficiency for the device so that it can last several days on a charge.
Here’s a quote with more details:
The new device, which will run on Android, will be integrated with Google Now, the company’s intelligent personal assistant that can answer questions, make recommendations and predict what information users need based on what they are doing, a person familiar with the situation said. Google has also been working to reduce power consumption on the smartwatch so it won’t require frequent battery charges, the person said.The smartwatch will be able to communicate with other devices such as a smartphone, and draw information such as travel schedules from a user’s email through Google Now, the person said. The device could be ready for mass production within months, the person said.
Whether Google’s smart-watch can fire on all cylinders and deliver a compelling experience will have to be judged once it really does come to market. Regardless, it certainly looks like the ball is rolling on the evolution of wearable computing devices, despite not taking off the way smartphones and tablets have.
Christmas is coming and everyone and their mother is launching a tablet it appears and it’s a race to the bottom. As much as the big names like to push their top end tablets, filling them full of every technical goodie known to man, the other end of the market is just as big a battle. Finding the right mix of tech for the lowest price tag is arguably more of a challenge.
This year sees a few new names entering the ring. However, rebranding does seem to be in play this year. Tesco are pushing an Archos tablet and Argos a Bush. Where is your money best spent? We have taken to time to put as many of the plausible candidates into a table for your convenience.
|
Screen Size
|
Res
|
RAM
|
CPU
|
Battery
|
Camera
|
Storage
|
Expandable
|
Connections
|
Weight
|
Price
|
 Amazon Kindle Fire HD |
7″
|
1280 x 800 (216 ppi)
|
1GB
|
Dual-Core 1.5 GHz
|
10 hours
|
None
|
8 or 16GB
|
GPS,microUSB
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
|
345 grams
|
£119
|
 Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 |
7″
|
1920 x 1200 (323 ppi)
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2GB
|
Quad-Core 2.2 GHz
|
11 hours
|
Front-facing HD camera
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16, 32 or 64GB
|
GPS, microUSB
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Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, optional 4G
|
303 grams
|
£199
|
Tesco Hudl |
7″
|
1440×900 (242ppi)
|
1GB
|
1.5GHz A9 Quad-Core
|
9 hours
|
3Mp rear camera + front-facing 2Mp
|
16GB
|
microSD, HDMI out, microUSB,
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
|
370 grams
|
£119.99
(something about Club Card points also)
|
 Carphone Warehouse Avoca |
7″
|
800 x 480 (133ppi)
|
512MB
|
Dual-Core 1GHz
|
8 hours
|
0.3Mp front facing
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8GB
|
microSD
Mini USB
|
Wi-Fi
|
Unknown
|
£99.99 (currently discounted to £49)
|
Argos MyTablet |
7″
|
1024×600 (169ppi)
|
1GB
|
Dual-Core 1.6GHz
|
5 hours
|
2MP + front-facing 0.3MP
|
8GB
|
microSD, HDMI out, microUSB,
|
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
|
Unknown
|
£99.99
|
Lenovo Ideapad |
7”
|
1024×600
|
1 GB
|
Quad-Core 1.2GHz
|
7 hours
|
5.0 MP + 0.3mp front-facing
|
16GB
|
A-GPS, microUSB, microSD
|
Bluetooth, WiFi
|
399 grams
|
£130 |
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0
|
7”
|
1024 x 600 (169ppi) |
1GB |
dual-core 1.2GHz |
10 hours |
3.2MP + |
8GB or 16GB |
microSD |
Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth,
optional 4G
|
300 grams
|
£160 |
 Google Nexus 7 |
7″
|
1920 x 1200 (323ppi)
|
2GB
|
Quad-Core 15GHz
|
6 hours
|
5MP rear, 1.2 MP front
|
16GB or 32GB
|
GPS
|
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optional 4G
|
340 grams
|
from £199
|
|
iPad mini 2
|
7.9”
|
2048 x 1536 (324ppi)
|
1GB
|
Dual core A7 1.3GHz
|
10 hours
|
5MP rear,1.2 MP front
|
16GB
|
HDMI out, A-GPS
|
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optional 4G
|
331 grams
|
from £269
|
There are many, many more to choose from. If you are purchasing for a child, the Archos Childpad seems a logical choice for parental control at a great price from Toys R Us. For those not in the know when it comes to tablets and merely looking for a quick thrill the Hudl seems to check all boxes at a low price. Someone with more experience would see the Kindle HDX or the Nexus 7 as the most viable options. Of course the iPad Mini with Retina display enters there as the money not quite so limited token choice.
As described as the tablet bargain of the year on our Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast Google’s ground-breaking 7” tablet is back with a refresh. What was already a pretty tidy package for the money now has even more under the hood for casual user alongside the hardcore Android devotee.
Whilst the Nexus 7 2013 version has been around since July of this year we figured you would be best having a look at it before the new Retina iPad Mini debuts in that all important run up to Christmas. With a price tag ranging from £199 for the 16GB, to £299 for the 32GB LTE variant the Nexus 7 packs some serious horsepower and offers great value for money when you consider the specification you get.
Here we are with Matt’s Nexus 7 unboxing video to start us off and then I’ll be doing a full review, and a comparison to other 7″ tablets, shortly after.
For today only, Amazon Appstore is giving away six free apps worth over £15 for free!
Including everything from popular game Angry Birds, to interactive puzzles and an app that turns your tablet into an interactive whiteboard; the bundle is part of the ‘Free App of the Day’ initiative, which enables customers to download a paid app or game for free every day.
All ‘Free Apps of the Day’ and bundles are specially selected and customers can discover these directly from the Amazon Appstore on Kindle Fire tablet devices.
A full list of the free apps including in the bundle include…
- Splashtop Whiteboard (RRP £6.16)
- Fishdom Premium (RRP £3.19)
- Angry Birds Star Wars Premium HD (RRP £1.99)
- Toca Builders (RRP £1.93)
- The Room (RRP £1.49)
- Diner Dash Deluxe (RRP £0.63)
We have a new report suggesting that Google’s next OS, Android 4.4/KitKat could be designed as a bridge to facilitate Android TV and that will be its primary new focus. There have been rumours that Google plans to close down Google TV and reinvent it as Android TV. This new report seems to confirm that and also shines a light on how Google plans to introduce it.
According to these rumours, the main enhancements we will see in KitKat will be geared toward Android TV. Here’s a quote with more of the details,
Quote:
According to the industry on October 23, Google will greatly increase compatibility with TV in the next Android OS. In particular, it will improve the interface with smart devices. It seems that Google has greatly improved the user interface (UI)/user experience (UX), which have been regarded as the limitations of the existing smart TV, and the app development environment for TV. ‘Android 4.4 KitKat,’ soon to be disclosed, is most likely to be the next OS.
A number of industry insiders said “I heard Google say ‘the next OS has greatly improved its utilization in TV. In particular, there will be many changes in the interface between smart devices and the TV.”
In effect, Android 4.4 KitKat is a bridge between Android smartphones and Android TV, just like Honeycomb was the bridge between Android smartphones and Android tablets
Google decided to show off the next-gen version of their Google Glass hardware. They previewed the image to the right on the Google Glass Google+ page. As you can see they would rather show than tell. The only real difference which is immediately noticeable is that it now has a mono earbud. We aren’t sure if this means they had to give up on the skull-vibrating setup in the previous version, of if this is just an additional option.
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