News

By June 19, 2014 Read More →

Apple and Samsung call it quits

urlAn anti-climactic end to a bitter battle, but is also a relief. Samsung and Apple have finally tired of the “Thermonuclear” patent war. Apparently, the two companies want to drop the fight because they still want access to each other’s business. Here’s a quote with more of the details,

Tired of spending money on legal disputes, both tech giants are looking for ways to end their years of legal wrangling. In addition, Apple apparently wants to continue to have access to Samsung as a component supplier.

Both Apple and Samsung are said to have dropped all cross-appeals filed with the ITC last year. The agency ruled in 2013 that Samsung had infringed on a pair of Apple’s patents relating to a touchscreen interface and headset plug detection. Since Sammy’s devices banned by the ITC are older models that are no longer manufactured, and newer devices are shipped with a workaround, the ITC suits are not as important to Apple as they once seemed to be.

Posted in: News
By June 19, 2014 Read More →

New news on Youtube is good and bad

unnamedThere are two YouTube related stories happening at the moment. First up, the YouTube arm of Google will be launching a paid music streaming service by the end of this summer. Supposedly, YouTube partnered with “hundreds of major and independent” music labels for the new service. YouTube reps supposedly said, 

“We’re adding subscription-based features for music on YouTube with this in mind – to bring our music partners new revenue streams in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars YouTube already generates for them each year,”

As you can expect, not all the music labels are too happy about this though as there is a darker side to this idea. Supposedly, Google plans to block the YouTube content of record labels who don’t get on board with Google’s new program. Here’s a quote with a few more details,

The news comes as some music trade groups have criticized YouTube’s plans to potentially block the content of certain labels from appearing on YouTube’s free, ad-supported Website unless they sign deals to participate in the new, subscription streaming music service. The deals that YouTube is offering are on “highly unfavorable, and non-negotiable terms,” according to a news release issued by the Worldwide Independent Music Industry Network last month. Reuters

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. It doesn’t seem very Googley of Google to be strong-arming the music industry just to get their way, but they have done it before. Of course, it’s also possible this report’s sources are inaccurate, so we will keep an eye out.

Speaking of keeping an eye out, the second big YouTube story of the day regards the use of YouTube live streaming on the Chromecast. Previously, being able to live stream content to your Chromecast only worked from your computer. Google has added some new functionality to the device though. Google updated the Chromecast so now you can push live events from YouTube straight to the TV screen via Chromecast on your mobile device. Handy!

Posted in: News
By June 18, 2014 Read More →

Atari Has A Comeback Strategy

160px-Atari_Official_2012_Logo.svg_-e1397609649369One of the world’s most recognized publishers and producers of video game entertainment, Atari, today unveiled its new corporate strategy as an interactive entertainment production company. Atari’s approach to succeed in the digital age of entertainment includes online video games, online casinos, exclusive video content, and a robust licensing business including hardware and apparel.
 
Decades ago, Atari set the bar for console gaming entertainment, known by many as the gaming pioneer who brought popular titles like Pong® and Asteroids® to households across the globe. For success in a digital era, the world-renowned company is expanding its business and brands to mobile and online gaming platforms as well as completely new entertainment markets.
 
“Atari is more than a game publishing company; it’s an iconic brand that has established a passionate and timeless culture,” said Fred Chesnais, Chief Executive Officer, Atari, Inc. “Known across multiple generations around the world, Atari will continue to embrace all audiences. What the company has accomplished over the years is no small feat, but there is more to come. We’re looking forward to delivering on our new strategy and engaging with our audience in new ways across multiple channels as the next era of Atari unfolds. We are leading a rebuilding exercise in a highly volatile industry, so at the same time we are also aware of the challenges that lay ahead.”
 
As an interactive entertainment production company, Atari is extending its classic gaming brands to various platforms including mobile (iOS and Android), PC, online and other digital mediums. Beyond re-launching its nostalgic gaming titles, the company will aim at capitalizing on other rapidly growing markets and reaching out to new audiences – including LGBT, social casinos, real-money gambling, and YouTube with exclusive video content. Atari will also continue its hardware licensing line of business, particularly for gamified hardware and wearable devices, with the goal of operating the most promising ventures at a later stage.
 
Within its new approach, Atari has made significant strides in 2014 alone. In the gaming arena, Atari has re-introduced the beloved franchise RollerCoaster Tycoon® with RollerCoaster Tycoon® 4 Mobile™ (currently in the Top 25 of the App Store in the United States and in the Top 10 in many countries) which will be followed by an Android version and a multiplayer game for PC in winter 2014. The company also launched Haunted House® on mobile devices, and released a new multiplayer online battle arena and crafting game, Minimum. The company has plans to deliver other popular classics, such as Asteroids®, on mobile and digital platforms in coming months. In the online casino industry, Atari recently announced a real-money gambling partnership with Pariplay and social casino (virtual currency) partnership with FlowPlay. Atari will make additional announcements across the LGBT, YouTube/TV and hardware licensing industries in the coming quarters.

By June 16, 2014 Read More →

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and 8.4 unveiled

Logitech_Type-S_CarbonBlack_FrontSamsung recently announced their newest high end Android tablets: the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and 8.4. Both of these devices offer the exact same specs, with the only difference being the size of their displays (and price of course). The major claim to fame of these devices is the high-tech displays which are a QHD Super AMOLED design. 

Here’s the full spec-sheet:

  • 2560x1600p Super AMOLED display
  • Samsung Exynos 5420 SoC (WiFi model), or Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC (LTE model)
  • 3GB RAM
  • 16/32GB internal storage with micro SD card expansion slot (up to 128GB)
  • 8MP rear and 2.1MP front facing cameras
  • 7,900mAh battery
  • Samsung’s Magazine UX software
  • Fingerprint scanner (supports up to 8 different users)
  • 6.6mm thin, 465g (10.5) or 294g (8.4)

Other notable features include “Kid mode,” “SideSync 3.0,” and a partnership with Marvel. Here’s a quote with the details,

Quote:
One the software side of things, Samsung mentioned the tabs will feature a child-friendly “Kid mode” and connectivity with your Galaxy S5 that allows you to receive calls directly from the Tab S via a feature they’re calling “SideSync 3.0.” Samsung also announced partnerships with Netflix to bring full HD 1080p video streaming to the Tab S, along with Condé Nast for Vogue, GQ, Glamour, content, as well as National Geographic.

Marvel — who will include the Tab S in the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron movie — also announced that they’d be giving away a free 3 month subscription to Marvel Unlimited, along with Google Play with their free 90-day trial to Google Play Music All Access and free copy of Gravity for Play Movies & TV.

Despite the high-end nature of these tablets, they are not quite as expensive as one might assume. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 WiFi model will be coming in July for $500, while the the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 will be only $400. Pre-orders begin June 13th. On top of this, Samsung announced accessories like the “Book Cover,” and the Logitech Type-S Bluetooth keyboard for $99 (shown in the picture above with the tablet).

Posted in: News, Tablets
By June 12, 2014 Read More →

Angry Birds EPIC arrive on Android & iOS Today

Angry-Birds-Epic-Main-Teaser-Image-640x349If you are a fan of the flavor/style elements of the Angry Birds series, then you might perk up at the above teaser video and this news. Previously we shared teasers regarding Rovio’s next game in the Angry Birds universe. This time around the game takes the same characters and world, but the gameplay changes completely. Instead of a physics based action-puzzler, Angry Birds EPIC is a turn based RPG. 

Of course, the game still revolves around the feud between the birds and the pigs, but this time it happens in a medieval fantasy world complete with swords and sorcery. For fans of this gaming genre and the Angry Birds theme, this is a welcome and refreshing change up for the series. It looks like game will be hitting Android and iOS devices on June 12th.

Posted in: Apps & Games, News
By June 9, 2014 Read More →

Could this be the Google Nexus 8?

nexus-8-leak-1Supposedly, two pictures of the new Google Nexus 8 tablet might have leaked online. Along with the photos, the source of this intel claims the following details for this tablet:

  • A 64-bit Qualcomm processor
  • 3GB of RAM
  • Android 4.5
  • Will debut at Google I/O on June 25

All of these specs are just generic but plausible enough to easily be viable, therefore, if this is a fake report, the source took the safe route and didn’t go crazy with out of this world ideas. The main reason we are so sceptical of this report is that the tablet has such a huge bezel. It looks like an 8-inch tablet, yet with an ugly inch thick bezel, the display would be no different than a Nexus 7. 

Likely, this is beta hardware for testing some new additions to the hardware feature set, the sensors required for  Project Tango for example.

nexus-8-leak-2

Posted in: News, Tablets
By June 7, 2014 Read More →

What’s new in Android 4.4.3?

nexus-logo-drop-shadowThe Android 4.4.3 update is finally baked. Google made the Factory Image available for download. This one is designed for the Nexus 5, the Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10. These images are 440MB to 465MB in size and will require fastboot set up to install.

This update includes a few new tweaks and enhancements: the dialler app has new colour accents and a card-based process for speed dialling, there is a bug fix related to CPU usage and the Nexus 5 camera. These factory images are obviously perfect for those who don’t want to wait for the OTA. 

Here’s the link to the factory images: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

Speaking of OTA’s, the 2013 Nexus 7 WiFi-Only version is already receiving the update push right new. Users can expect to get it any time within the next few days. For some reason, the LTE version of the 2013 Nexus 7 is not yet supported by this update.

Posted in: News, Phones, Tablets
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By June 6, 2014 Read More →

Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast 227: G3 IOS8 Mega 7.0 S5

Podcast-Logo_thumb.jpgGareth and Matt get together to chat about the latest mobile phone, tablet and chromebook news in the UK.

Plenty going on in this week’s show with news from Apple about a couple of small announcements, LG and their new G3,  benchmarks, Chromebooks and more.

 

Featuring Gareth and Matt

 

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Show Notes

Mobile Mayhem

The LG G3 – A Quad HD smartphone

Archos Smart Home Bundle now available exclusively through Clove Technology

Apple iOS 8

Smartphones – your best budget options

Samsung Galaxy S5 is it worth the hype?

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 7.0 blurs the lines

Benchmarking comparison – S5 Vs. Note 3 Octa Core

Nvidia stepping back from mobile tech

Newchunks:

Another massive security breach at Ebay – What you need to know!

Panono

Galaxy S5 Active

Kitt on KitKat?

Tablet Table and Laptop… Lap

Is Google Tangoing the tablet

Asus go for broke to take the world

Kujali iPad Mini case review

Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ unboxing and hands-on

HP 14 Chromebook video review

New HP Chromebook and Android Slate announced

Bargain Basement

LG G Flex £299.00

LG G3 32gb/3gb ram + Free LG Wireless Charger (Approx £497)

Allfine Fine 8 Work 8.0″ Windows 8 Tablet £120.08

Three’s feel at home now includes France, Switzerland, Israel, Finland and Norway added to the list of USA, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Macau, Australia, Italy, Austria, Hong Kong, Sweden, Denmark and the Republic of Ireland

Smartphones – your best budget options

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

Gareth Myles – @garethmyles

Matt and Tracy Davis –   @tracyandmatt                           

Dan Carter – @mobilemandan

Phil Lain – @low405

 

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Posted in: News, Podcast
By June 4, 2014 Read More →

New HP Chromebook and Android Slate announced

hoHP has announced a refresh to their popular 11-inch Chromebook and the introduction of their first Android-powered notebook, the HP SlateBook 14. 

The new HP Chromebook remains sized at 11.6-inches swapping the generous 176° viewing angles afforded by the IPS display of the previous model for a standard backlit LCD. Some slight hardware changes include a Samsung Exynos 5 dual-core ARM processor clocked at 1.7 GHz with 2GB RAM and a 16GB eMMC flash drive for storage. All sitting in a new, smaller, chassis used by its larger 14-inch Chromebook. There should also be a marginal improvement to the battery, up by about half an hour.

It’s hardly going to stop the presses however, it might be enough for the popularity to continue especially with the stylish design.

HP also announced the SlateBook.  This is one of two Android based notebooks to be released this year, the second being the Arcbook by Archos. This device is powered by a Nvidia Tegra 4 quad-core processor, features 1GB RAM and a 16GB eMMC drive for storage. This combines a 14-inch touchscreen with a traditional notebook form factor in addition to  running Android 4.3.

hp_slatebook_14_6_porte hp-slatebook-14-1

The Slatebook will arrive in with a black shading with a hint of yellow. Other colours are sure to follow as we have heard tell of a pink one in the wild.

The newvHP Chromebook 11 has an expected release date of July in the US with a price tag of $279.99 (or $249.99, depending on which press release you read). The Android-based HP SlateBook 14 launches on July 20 with a absurd starting price of $399.99 for 16GB, going up to $429.99 (32GB) and $459.99 (64GB).

Posted in: Laptops, News
By June 3, 2014 Read More →

Asus go for broke to take the world

new-asus-stuff-june-2014Today Asus announced the Transformer Book V, which is a tablet/phone/laptop hybrid device. Along with the all-in-one combination of these physical devices, it even includes the ability to dual-boot between Windows and Android on the tablet and laptop portions of the device. 

Here’s what the Transformer Book V consists of:

  • A 12.5-inch tablet screen dock
  • Combining the phone with the tablet dock makes it a tablet
  • Combining the phone & tablet with the keyboard dock transforms it into a laptop
  • While in tablet or laptop mode it can switch between Windows and Android (although the phone is Android only)
  • The phone section contains an Intel Moorefield chip
  • The keyboard dock section contains an Intel Core CPU
  • 2GB of RAM in the phone/tablet
  • 4GB of RAM on Laptop
  • The phone and tablet use 64GB of storage and the laptop has 128GB of storage

asus-transformer-book-v

The only other specs/hardware revealed was the following:

  • 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 (4K at 60Hz)
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.2 (4K at 60Hz)
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0 (4K at 60Hz) / MHL 3.0 (4K at 30Hz)
  • 1 x HDMI 1.4 (4K at 30Hz)
  • 4 x USB 3.0 ports

 

Also today Asus launched new and updated hardware devices. On top of the big announcement earlier of the Transformer Book V, Asus also unveiled the Fonepad 8 and a new MeMo Pad 7 & 8. Here are the details,

MeMo Pad 7 – 

  • 7-inch Display
  • 64-bit Android device – Intel’s quad-core Atom Z3745 chipset (clocked up to 1.86GHz)
  • 5 megapixel rear camera
  • 2 megapixel front camera – also includes a “high definition” resolution — 1280 x 800

MeMo Pad 8 – 

  • 8-Inch Display – “Full HD” resolution
  • Intel Atom Z3580 quad-core chipset clocked up to 2.3GHz
  • Billed as the world’s lightest 8-inch Android tablet at just 299 grams
  • Also only 7.45mm thin
  • 802.11ac WiFi and an LTE modem

Fonepad 8 – 
Really a phablet/giant phone 

  • 8-inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution
  • Intel’s 64-bit Atom Z3560 quad-core processor at 1.8GHz
  • Dual front-facing speakers
  • Android-based ZenUI is on-board with a new flat design and over “1,000″ software improvements

 

Posted in: Laptops, News, Tablets
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