News

Samsung Galaxy S4 goes up for pre-order

Here in the UK the Samsung Galaxy S4 is now available to pre-order from a few of our carriers. Both Three and EE dropped us an email today to confirm the details and Phones 4U are also offering it too.

As things stand at the moment, if you want 4G you will be restricted to EE (as long as you have LTE coverage) but saying that I can get some pretty awesome 3G speeds from Three anyway.

Head on over to the respective websites to place your orders. I suspect this one may well be popular!

Posted by: James

iOS 6.1.3 update misery

Just a few days ago Apple released an update for its iOS devices taking them to 6.1.3 and many users have been notified of the available update on their devices.

This recent update was intended to fix a security hole that came to light in the previous version of the OS and that could allow someone to bypass the passcode and access the iPhone app and the photos stored upon the device.

Since applying the update to their phones, many users are complaining that the battery life has been dramatically reduced and Apply has, apparently, been inundated with complaints to that effect. There have also been countless tweets also in criticism of this issue.

Furthermore it has since come to light that there is a new bug within iOS 6.1.3 which, although different to the one in previous versions, still allows someone to bypass the passcode and access the iPhone app.

For anyone wishing to Jailbreak their device the most recent update puts a stop to that also.

So, overall, the advice is not to update!!

Posted by: Matt

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Collector’s Editions announced

Hopefully most of you reading this post will have also read my previous post about Assassin’s Creed Black Flag a couple of weeks ago? If not well shame on you, but I will forgive you because this post is even more awesome than the last!

Firstly Ubisoft have finally announced the editions of their much awaited game for the UK, Ireland and North America (Americaland) and here they are in all of their glory:

LG Optimus G arrives

After something of a delay the LG Optimus G has landed today and is now in stock with the guys over at eXpansys for just £469.99 SIM Free (inc delivery).

EXpansys have the EU version but comes with a UK adapter and valid EU-wide warranty.

PS Plus April update/with an exclusive offer thrown in

You will have hopefully seen my post last week about the March update for the PlayStation network on the whole? Well this is the latest PlayStation plus update for April, and I am almost certain that you guys will love what’s going to be available next month!

There is one amazing thing that I would like to add into this post as it is completely relevant, if you purchase or have purchased a PS plus subscription of 12 months between 20^th March and 10^th April then you will receive an exclusive 3 extra months absolutely free of charge! So that is a 90 day subscription usually £11.99 for free! This all on top of what is already a brilliant service offering gamers free games every month on both PS3 and PS Vita, I’ve recently bought my year subscription and am already hammering my way through Mass effect 3 which is free in March, just fantastic!

Possible Key Lime Pie update for Samsung devices

According to unconfirmed insider sources, a slew of Samsung devices will be getting the upgrade to Google’s Android 5.0/Key Lime Pie, and several won’t. Google’s next Android 5.0 is expected to launch at Google I/O in May, and Samsung is supposedly already working on a list of devices they plan to upgrade. We will share the list below, but a rumour and could easily be subject to change without notice.

Android 5.0 is expected to come to:

• GT-I9300 – Samsung Galaxy S III
• GT-I9305 – Samsung Galaxy S III LTE
• GT-I9500 – Samsung Galaxy S 4
• GT-I9505 – Samsung Galaxy S 4 LTE
• GT-N5100 – Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0
• GT-N5105 – Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 LTE
• GT-N5110 – Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Wi-Fi
• GT-N7100 – Samsung Galaxy Note II
• GT-N7105 – Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE
• GT-N8000 – Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
• GT-N8005 – Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE
• GT-N8010 – Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi

The following devices will likely not get updated past Android 4.2.2

• GT-I9080 – Samsung Galaxy Grand
• GT-I9082 – Samsung Galaxy Grand DUOS
• GT-I8160 – Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
• GT-I8190 – Samsung Galaxy S III mini
• GT-I8350 – Samsung Galaxy Beam
• GT-I8730 – Samsung Galaxy Express
• GT-I9070 – Samsung Galaxy S Advance
• GT-I9100 – Samsung Galaxy S II
• GT-I9105 – Samsung Galaxy S II Plus
• GT-I9260 – Samsung Galaxy Premier
• GT-N7000 – Samsung Galaxy Note
• GT-S6310 – Samsung Galaxy Young
• GT-S6312 – Samsung Galaxy Young DUOS
• GT-S6810 – Samsung Galaxy Fame
• GT-S7710 – Samsung Galaxy X Cover 2

Posted by: Gareth

A couple of devices coming from Asus

Asus is supposedly working on a couple of intriguing new devices that will hit this summer. The first is an Intel-powered smartphone that supposedly will be using the Atom Z2580 processor, with two cores running at up to 2GHz. This is the same chip that is in the new Lenovo K900 smartphone. This new device is supposed to include a 5 to 5.5 inch display and is likely for emerging markets in China, (although it is possible we will see it elsewhere internationally). The earliest it will launch will be in June.

The second new device from Asus is actually a newly updated and improved Nexus 7 tablet. It is expected to launch in May, which coincides Google I/O happening that month. No real details were given about this new Nexus 7 other than it will have enhanced internals and will probably sell for around a similar price to that we saw the Nexus 7 launch at before. Here’s a quote with the details:

In addition to its entry-level Fonepad, Asustek Computer is set to launch a new smartphone featuring Intel Atom Z2580 processor (Clover Trail+), targeting the mainstream market segment in June at the earliest, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.
The smartphone is expected to adopt a 5- to 5.5-inch display, similar to that of Lenovo’s K900 smartphone, which also uses the Atom Z2580 and will be available in China in April, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Asustek’s second-generation Nexus 7 is expected to appear in May with enhanced specifications and a price of US$249 to challenge its 7- to 8-inch competitors including the Apple iPad mini, the sources added.

Posted by: Gareth

HTC One to make video call from Mount Everest

Ok so I have been bleating on about my HTC One on twitter and facebook a bit lately but I’m not alone in being impressed with the HTC One as eminent British explorer, Daniel Hughes, is taking his HTC One and is setting out to achieve an historic world first this spring. From an amazing 8,848m above sea level, Hughes will attempt to make the very first video call with his HTC One from the top of Mt. Everest. 

At the summit, Daniel plans to speak live to BBC News using his HTC One and the latest mobile satellite technology from Inmarsat, in temperatures as low as -35°C. HTC is one of the lead sponsors for this remarkable expedition.

During his climb, Daniel will also make scaling the world’s tallest mountain an interactive online experience, inviting his followers to share the journey through video, pictures and webchats. 

Daniel is leaving the UK next weekend, beginning his journey from base camp in mid-April. He is expected to reach the summit via the South Col in mid-May.

Samsung announces Samsung Galaxy S4

Just as expected, last night Samsung announced the latest incarnation of their ever popular Galaxy S range, the Samsung Galaxy S4.

The specification looks impressive with 5″ FULL HD Screen, 16.GHz octa-core CPU and 2GB Ram it looks set to be a good contender against the new HTC One for the top spot.

There’s a few other interesting features and innovations on there too, including temperature and humidity sensors, ‘air gestures’, and a series of health accessories all in a package just 7.9mm thick.

Full press release and specification can be found below. Naturally we’ll have more for you soon!

Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast 200 announcement

It is with great sadness we are informing you that there will be a delay for the much anticipated 200th installment of The Mobile Tech Addicts podcast. Our decision to have a short hiatus is down to a number of things. Firstly, we want to make it a memorable occasion, injecting every resource we have to celebrate this milestone. Secondly, we had hoped to have a couple of special “features” in place for the show that didn’t quite come together in time. Thirdly, I, Gareth, am in the process of building an elaborate  command centre for the show and this has suffered a couple of set backs.  There is a fourth reason but it just seems like I’m making excuses. sorry.

We will, however, reconvene in the very near future and provide you with that injection of tech you so obviously crave.

Posted by: Gareth