This year at the giant tech show IFA in Berlin Panasonic are going to be announcing something a little special. Having spent some time restructuring their approach to televisions and making it all about picture quality Panasonic are going to be upping the ante and pushing to achieve that which we all desire from a television, best picture quality.
Rather than fussing with developing new software for the panels, Panasonic are bringing in a couple of specialised solutions to enhance the television experience. The software side is going to become a great deal more interesting.
The first major addition is the inclusion of Freeview Play. This updated viewing platform is taking Freeview to the next level. Making TV content available after live play in the electronic programme guide. Providing a catchup service without having to access separate applications, Freeview Play collates content on the channels you want in the same place. There will be a big role out of Freeview Play in the near future and Panasonic will be ahead of the rest as the first manufacturer to incorporate the service into a television.
The second exciting development is the move to Mozilla for the interface of the television. Gone are the clunky app selections and possible incompatibilities. In comes the fresh, new Firefox OS, designed specifically to simplify experience and become personalised to your exact needs with minimal fuss of knowledge.
We will be covering the announcements live from Berlin so check back for news of Panasonic’s new screen they will be debuting along with a couple of other surprises. We will have hands on with Firefox OS on the TV alongside release dates and pricing.
It comes as a bit of a shock this morning that Google is getting a bit of a reshuffle. Announcing this on the Google blog post today, Larry Page, the current CEO of Google, is declaring a full re-organisation of Google, bringing in Sundar Pichai as the new CEO of Google.
Each of Google’s core business (Search, Advertising, Maps, YouTube, and Android) will be called Google and the rest (Google Ventures, Google Capital, Google X, Life Sciences, and Calico, Google Fiber, Nest and others will become individual businesses with their own leaders reporting to a holding company called Alphabet — and that will become the company’s new name.
Larry will be taking up CEO duties of the newly formed umbrella company named Alphabet (http://abc.xyz)
What is Alphabet? Alphabet is mostly a collection of companies. The largest of which, of course, is Google. This newer Google is a bit slimmed down, with the companies that are pretty far afield of our main Internet products contained in Alphabet instead. What do we mean by far afield? Good examples are our health efforts: Life Sciences (that works on the glucose-sensing contact lens), and Calico (focused on longevity). Fundamentally, we believe this allows us more management scale, as we can run things independently that aren’t very related. Alphabet is about businesses prospering through strong leaders and independence. In general, our model is to have a strong CEO who runs each business, with Sergey and me in service to them as needed. We will rigorously handle capital allocation and work to make sure each business is executing well. We’ll also make sure we have a great CEO for each business, and we’ll determine their compensation. In addition, with this new structure we plan to implement segment reporting for our Q4 results, where Google financials will be provided separately than those for the rest of Alphabet businesses as a whole.
Sergey and I are seriously in the business of starting new things. Alphabet will also include our X lab, which incubates new efforts like Wing, our drone delivery effort. We are also stoked about growing our investment arms, Ventures and Capital, as part of this new structure.
Alphabet Inc. will replace Google Inc. as the publicly-traded entity and all shares of Google will automatically convert into the same number of shares of Alphabet, with all of the same rights. Google will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alphabet. Our two classes of shares will continue to trade on Nasdaq as GOOGL and GOOG.
For Sergey and me this is a very exciting new chapter in the life of Google — the birth of Alphabet. We liked the name Alphabet because it means a collection of letters that represent language, one of humanity’s most important innovations, and is the core of how we index with Google search! We also like that it means alpha-bet (Alpha is investment return above benchmark), which we strive for! I should add that we are not intending for this to be a big consumer brand with related products–the whole point is that Alphabet companies should have independence and develop their own brands.
Our second look at a selfie stick again comes from Olixar. This time around they have gone a more novel approach with a Ninja look and feel. Driving the craze into a more preposterous form and with all the right intentions.
Can the Olixar Selfie Katana Stick help assist my quest to the perfect selfie or will it prove to be a gimmick product that i just do not need?
The selfie phenomena has taken over the world, from celebrities to your gran everyone has gone selfie mad. Most mobile phone devices manufactured now are equipped with a half decent front facing camera for the selfie addicts worldwide. Up until now I have never used a selfie stick so this being my first experience of using one I can say it definitely say it has been memorable.
The selfie katana stick extends from 21cm to 67cm, and has an adjustable clamp to hold your phone in place, you can adjust the angle of the clamp easily with a screw. Once your phone is attached you simply connect the shutter remote cable into your 3.5mm jack and you are ready to shoot at the touch of the button. Assembly is easy although my phone has the power button on the side so beware not to clamp this as it will turn of your device. Using the katana stick was fun, my son thought I had a ninja sword when he first seen the stick and instantly took to walking about the house and garden taking selfies as well as using the rear camera.
I believe that the selfie stick may be more than just a gimmick product. People are trying to create original more creative ways to take a selfie and a selfie stick really does provide new heights to selfie photos.. The olixiar stick is a selfie stick with and added fun feature of looking like a ninja sword. I could see myself using this selfie stick in the future, I recently had a family party and left the katana stick sitting on the table with my phone attached. It was soon lifted by family members who took their selfies and had great fun posing for the camera. This gave the party a relaxed atmosphere as people where not hounded by a designated photographer to smile and say cheese. My mother who is a self confessed techno phob found herself asking people to take pictures with her.
I could imagine that an estate agent could find a selfie stick to be an essential tool for taking angled pictures of rooms to make even the most undesirable house more appealing.
The Olixar Katana Stick is well built and does exactly what it aims to do. With no batteries or pairing needed you are taking selfies in no time out of the box. I would definitely recommend this stick to anyone who has never owned a selfie stick. At £24.99 this may seem a bit pricey but you get what you pay for a no fuss great looking katana selfie stick.
You can purchase the Olixar Ninja Katana Selfie Stick from Mobilefun for £24.99
- Fun, Katana design
- Capture the perfect selfie like a ninja
- Built-in button to capture an image
- No Bluetooth or charging required
- Retractable pole for portability
- Safety locks and shock absorbing material
- Case compatible
- Compatible with all smartphones
Creative Technology Ltd today announced at Gamescom 2015 the Sound BlasterX Gaming Series, a new line of gaming audio peripherals designed for today’s generation of discerning gamers.
Gaming content in this day and age encompasses immensely compelling graphics, expansive environments and incredibly detailed audio, akin to a full cinematic experience, delivered on multiple platforms, from mobile, to consoles and PCs. Famous for pioneering gaming audio on PCs and launching the multimedia revolution with the Sound Blaster line of sound cards, Creative continues to innovate and improve the gaming audio experience for today’s gamers. The Sound BlasterX line is committed to upgrading a user from “good enough” audio to the full cinematic experience that discerning gamers of today are looking for, wherever they are playing. The series is comprised of circumaural (over-the-ear) and in-ear headsets, and an external USB sound card with a built-in amplifier to provide gamers with a durable, complete, high-performance, high-definition gaming audio solution that is built to last.
Each product in the Sound BlasterX series is designed to deliver pristine aural performance and maximum comfort while levelling up a gamer’s overall experience by producing sound on par with today’s advanced graphics and game storytelling.
“Think about when you go to the movies – you go for the big screen, sometimes the 3D element, and cinematic sound. Movies wouldn’t be the same without perfectly timed sound effects, and that’s what many of today’s gamers are missing out on with their overall experience – the nuances that will determine win or lose – and they might not even realize it by settling for basic audio solutions. The graphics and storylines of today’s games are the best they have ever been and for audio details to match that requires something much more than basic motherboard audio or run-of-the-mill gaming headsets. With Sound BlasterX, we have a renewed focus on building gaming audio products that last and are designed to elevate gaming audio to complement the astounding graphics found in today’s games. We’re taking gaming from a desktop experience, to a cinematic experience. Once you hear the difference a BlasterX product makes in your games, there’s no going back to mediocre basic audio,” said Low Long Chye, General Manager of Audio at Creative.
The Sound BlasterX Gaming Series comprises of:
- Sound BlasterX H7 – the ultimate HD 7.1 Surround USB circumaural gaming headset
- Sound BlasterX H5 – the professional-grade analog circumaural gaming headset
- Sound BlasterX P5 – a miniature yet powerful high-performance in-ear gaming headset
- Sound BlasterX G5 – a 7.1 HD audio external sound card with built-in headphone amplifier
With this line of peripherals, Sound BlasterX offers a range of high-performance cross-platform gaming audio solutions for gamers – whether on PCs, mobile devices or consoles.
“As gamers, we’re extremely excited about the all new the Sound BlasterX Pro-Gaming Series,” said Jason Bass, COO of compLexity Gaming. “When we tested the products, we were amazed by the performance, build quality, how comfortable they were, and most of all, their signature sound. In fact, the team felt that the headsets resembled studio monitors. The headsets delivered amazingly accurate audio and were so comfortable that we felt as if we were wearing nothing at all.”
The gaming headsets are tuned to enhance the listening experience and not to overwhelm. The entire Sound BlasterX range allows gamers to experience an amazing level of detail while being immersed in the gaming experience for extended hours without listening fatigue. The Sound BlasterX series of products offer a best in class audio solution for gamers with different usage preferences. Audio quality and clarity, comfort and durability are important no matter what level gamers are gaming at and the Sound BlasterX series cater to both the pro and casual gamers.
The Sound BlasterX Gaming Series also comes with the BlasterX Acoustic Engine software for PC that allows gamers to customize their audio profile to the game genres that they are playing. It is designed to intelligently decrease distractions and enhance essential audio details in games, giving gamers an added advantage.
The recently launched Sound Blaster X7 with its companion E-MU XM7 professional speakers, offers an ultra high-end gaming audio solution that completes the Sound BlasterX Gaming Series. This biggest, baddest, boldest Sound Blaster delivers an astounding 24-bit/192kHz high resolution audiophile experience for the ultimate gamer.
More details of the Sound BlasterX H7 and Sound BlasterX H5, the Sound BlasterX P5, and the Sound BlasterX G5 will be announced in separate press releases.
Pricing and Availability
The Sound BlasterX gaming series is priced as follows:
- Sound BlasterX H7 – GBP129.99
- Sound BlasterX H5 – GBP99.99
- Sound BlasterX P5 – GBP59.99
- Sound BlasterX G5 – GBP119.99
Sony have announced an impressive spec list for the Sony Xperia M5. An ad on youtube helps illustrate the good looking phone and we have dug around the net to find out as much as we can about what’s inside. Some are a little scepticale of the Mediatek processor however they have been coming along leaps and bounds in recent years. It’s refreshing to see Sony adding a little warning that of the 16gb ROM 10 gb will be available to the user.
Here is what we have gleened from around the web:
Display and design
- 5″ Full HD (1920×1080 pixels)
Processor
- MediaTek Helio X10 (MT6795)
- 64-bit 2.0 GHz Octa-core processor
- IMG Rogue G6200
Memory & Storage
- 3 GB RAM
- Up to 16 GB flash memory
- Up to 200 GB microSD™ card
Camera and video
- 21.5 megapixel Exmor RS with Hybrid AF
- 5x Clear Image Zoom
- 4K video recording
- HDR for photos and videos
- 13 megapixel front-facing camera, FHD 1080p for video capture
- Sony Exmor RS™ for mobile image sensor
Battery
- non-removable 2600mAh
The Xperia™ M5 has 10 GB of free memory available to the user for downloaded applications
http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-m5/specifications/
Find out more about the Xperia M5: http://www.sonymobile.com/xperiam5/
Canon has recently announced a new multi-purpose camera known as the ME20F-SH. This specificaly designed camera has a novel featuring allowing the user to capture full HD colour video in pitch black conditions using an ISO of 4,000,000. An ISO of this scale is off the chart for current cameras, utilising a full-frame 35mm CMOS sensor packing just 2.26 megapixels. In addition to this the camera also increases the size of each pixel up to 19μm (5.5x larger than a high-end DSLR) to allow more light to be captured.
The potential for Security, a wild life photographer, explorer and even deep sea diving is extreme. This will allow shooting in persistently dark conditions.
The OnePlus One was a notable success and the logical sequel has just arrived. Whilst most probably are not aware of the launch, or even of the line as some mainstream media where not even aware of the OnePlus One in their articles, the OnePlus Two marks a handsome step towards reducing the price of a flagship phone and delivering what you need on the go. Due to be released on August 11 in two flavours, a £239 16GB version and £289 64GB top end model, the latest OnePlus phone have taken tips from LG and are pumping up the RAM for the highend variant from 3GB to 4GB.
The OnePlus 2 sports with an attractive 5.5-inch LCD display at 1080p and whilst not pushing screen tech buzz words like Retina 401 pixels is a respectable count even if it does forgo 4K. This is housed a body with a smaller bezel however it is a little fatter than before with dimensions on 74.9 x 151.8 x 9.85mm and it now weighs a heavier 175g instead of 162g. The OnePlus 2 runs Android, however more specifically, OxygenOS. An Android hybrid, rebuilt by OnePlus that features a lot of customised additions.
OnePlus 2 uses the admittedly problematic Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor backed by the Adreno 430 GPU running graphics processor, two nano SIM card slot, a bigger, non-removable battery and a better camera. A USB Type C port and charger that allows for reversible USB input and included cable. OnePlus have dropped the microSD card slot and this will be a big annoyance for those with the 16gb model eventually.
Rob Kerr, mobiles expert at uSwitch.com, says:
“Its features rival today’s current flagship phones, so the OnePlus 2 is likely to be a threat to the current spate of top-tier mobiles.
“It is even ahead of the game, by including features coming to the next generation of phones, such as the reversible USB Type-C port connector.
“At less than half the cost of Samsung’s flagship S6 handset, it’ll be looking to capture the mass market where decisions are based on price.
“The company doesn’t have the massive marketing budgets of other manufacturers so, in effect, we’re really seeing the true cost of flagship phone, without everything in tow to sell it.
“If other mobile makers were to adopt this tact, perhaps we’d see a truer reflection of what we should be spending on a new phone.”
HTC Corporation (“HTC”), a global leader in mobile innovation and design, has announced the HTC Desire 626,the successor to the HTC Desire 620. With a variety of colour combinations, endless personalisation options, and an enhanced camera that enables sharper photography, the affordable smartphone lets you express yourself your way like never before.
“Our new HTC Desire 626 is designed to give you the most customised personal user experience. Packed full of advanced features, we are delivering the very best in terms of personalised design and performance, as well as great value, to our customers,” said Peter Frølund, HTC General Manager UK and Ireland.
Unique design and advanced features enable self-expression
The HTC Desire 626 offers vivid colours in a beautifully crafted dual-tone design, and delivers a unique user experience. Easy and intuitive to use, it runs on Android™ 5.1 and features HTC Sense™, which provides an enhanced, fully customised Android functionality. With the HTC Sense interface you can change the look of your phone’s interface as often as you change your own style; maximum customisation, minimum effort. These endless personalisation possibilities allow you to create, share and realise your full potential.
Powered by a Snapdragon™ 1.2GHz Quad-Core processor, the HTC Desire 626 delivers a smooth and reliable experience with the capability to allow you to effortlessly stream films, run your latest app, play your favourite games or flick through your latest photos, which all come to life on the vibrant 5 inch HD LCD screen.
Keeping an eye on breaking stories or your social feeds is made easy with HTC BlinkFeed™, which provides easy access to your own personalised stream of online content in seconds, allowing you to stay updated at a glance, direct from your homescreen.
Capture life from all angles wherever you are
Whether you have a passion for photography or capturing short impactful videos, the HTC Desire 626 can be your perfect pocket companion. With the choice of an enhanced 13MP main camera or a 5MP front camera, photos and selfies can be taken from any angle, ensuring you can fully express yourself with sharper images and selfies.
The HTC Eye™ Experience allows you to easily edit your shots for instant effects thanks to built-in enhancements. The HTC Desire626 also features the ability to capture high-quality 1080p video using either the front or rear facing cameras, which can be turned into mini movies that can be shared with friends and family using the HTC Video Highlights feature.
With a range of storage options, from 16GB[1] internal memory to a MicroSD slot that supports up to 512GB additional storage, you can save and share every photo, video and experience that defines you, as often as you wish.
Availability
The HTC Desire 626 comes in White Birch, Blue Lagoon, Purple Fire and Dark Grey, and will be available with mobile operators including O2 and 3 as well as major retailer Carphone Warehouse.
Cracked screens are one of the main reasons for getting your iPhone, iPad or iPod repaired by an iPhone back glass repair expert. Due to their size and portable nature, it is only a matter of time before the inevitable happens. As the screen is made of glass, any cracks can leave dangerous sharp edges that can cause injury. Over time the cracks will get worse, so it’s a good idea to cover the affected area with sellotape to protect your fingers and to stop loose glass falling out.
If your device has been dropped onto a hard surface then, it is quite common for the metal edges of the rear cover to be dented, particularly on the corners. As the metal is aluminum this can dent very easily. The good news is that in most cases, the rear metal cover does not need to be replaced in order to fit replacement glass. As the metal is fairly soft, it is relatively easy to straighten out any dents to ensure the new glass fits properly. If you cracked your phone’s screen, you can try this out.
The first thing to check is whether you can still see images on the iPad. If there is no distortion and the colours appear normal then the underlying LCD is unlikely to have been affected. For the vast majority of screen repairs, there is no need to replace the underlying LCD.
Many iPhone and iPad users are unaware of what is involved with a cell phone screen repair which is why we’ve listed the following questions that may help you make a more informed decision.
Ask About…The Quality Of The Glass
There are lots of thin imitation screens available on the market and whilst these may work initially they are far less durable and more susceptible to crack even during normal handling. The thicker the glass the more durable it is which is why it is important to ask the repair centre what they use.
Ask About…The Adhesive Used
We have seen countless examples of screens coming away (delaminating) from repair centres that haven’t used the correct adhesive. You should make sure that they use same high strength adhesive that was used in the original iPad or iPhone. This type of adhesive can be easily found in stores like the California Industrial Rubber Co. store.
Ask About…The Testing
Due to the complexity of modern smartphones, a screen replacement involves opening up your device and the careful re-fitting of components. This is particularly important if the device is being posted back to the customer as it is not easy to ‘pop in’ to rectify any problem.
Ask About…The Warranty
To give reassurance, repair centres offer warranty for any repairs – some provide 90 days, others don’t offer anything, Fone Angels provide a 12 month warranty on all our repairs as standard!
If you’re wondering where to locate the very best screen replacement in Albuquerque, click on this site.
This post was originally created by Fone Angels and can be found be clicking here.
Inateck have sent over a waterproof case to fit most devices. Here we have a look at this no frills approach to device care and a handy accessory if you are heading away to a beach somewhere or just to lounge by the pool. For £10.99 the Inateck Waterproof case does a lot however it won’t increase your chances with the opposite sex.
You can purchase one from Amazon, here.
Perfect Waterproof Companion for Your Phones
Take your smartphones anywhere you like, go swimming, boating, rafting, diving and snorkeling without worrying about water damage.
Survive Your Devices Underwater
IPX8 waterproof pouch with secure swivel lock allows submerging your devices for at least 30 minutes.
Easy Access to Touch Screen
Designed with crystal clear film on both sides, texting, taking photo and recording videos just work the same as without using the case.
Universal Waterproof Pouch Design
Specifications: 17cm*10cm, fully compatible with devices up to 5.7″ screen displays and provide universal protection for keys, credit cards, ID cards, MP3 players, all iPhone, Samsung and other smartphones.
Compatible Models
Apple iPhone: iPhone 6 Plus/ 6/ 5s/ 5c/ 5/ 4s
Samsung Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy S6/ S6 Edge/ S5/ S4, Note 4/ 3/ 2
Others: HTC One X, Nexus 4, Nokia Lumia 920/ 820 and so on
Please refer to the dimension of waterproof bag before you purchase it for your large screen smartphone with protective case together
Note:
Lock the top to make sure the case is fully sealed.
Open the bag upside down in order to avoid water intrusion after using.
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