Archives for September 2012

Flaws have emerged in the iPhone 5

September 30, 2012 by

Courtesy of Mashable

The iPhone 5 was first launched just over a week ago. Flaws have emerged in the iPhone 5, these flaws range from these phones being bought new with scratches to purple flares appearing in photos that have been taken near to a bright light or the sun. Some users have reported that they have found light leakages coming out of the casing on the white version of the device. This is problem seems to be occurring between the display glass and the aluminium antenna. According to the website BGR, there is a small small crack on some new iPhone 5 units located just below the power button is causing the light leakage.

 

 

 

Users have also found even when the phone is shipped in perfect condition. It is not long until the first scratches emerge on the  black model, According to AllThingsD it seems to scratch more easily than the white model that is due to the fact that the iPhone 5’s case is made out of anodized black (coated) aluminium, which is why it is also lighter than its predecessors, the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. However the white version still does scratch more easily than the iPhone 4 and 4S that due to the material being softer than previously used materials. 

On the MacRumours forum, one user who has been affected by the iPhone 5 scratch gate issue makes a valid point by stating: “If I were selling this phone on eBay or to Amazon or some other third party place, they would ask for the condition of the phone. I would only be able to list it as used/good (even though it is brand new) and the buyer would therefore not give me full retail price right?

“So why then should anyone else expect me as the consumer/buyer to give Apple the full retail price of a phone that is only in good condition? This is the real crux of the matter… You should not expect a like-new product to look used.”

If your still interested in buying the iPhone 5, avoid the black version and pre check it in the shop for any flaws before buying it, otherwise it will mean an unnecessary journey back to the shop for an exchange.  

Apple are currently looking into all the problems that have been raised. Hopefully they will begin shortly to resolve these problems as quickly as possible. Lets hope for Apples sake the camera purple flaring issue is only a software issue. If it is a hardware issue that relates to the new sapphire crystal lens cover that they now use, they will have to have a product recall that will likely cost them millions and a lot of bad publicity.

 

Filed Under: Apple Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Google play store hits over 25 million downloads

September 27, 2012 by

The Google play has hit a milestone of over 25 million downloads.  This store now has  now it has  over 675,000 apps and games for download.

 

To celebrate this Google is now offering some of it’s apps at discounted price for a limited. In the US store they will be as low as 25 cents  per app. These discounts will be from developers such as,  Gameloft, Electronic Arts, Rovio, runtastic, Full Fat and more. These special prices will also be on movies, books, albums and magazines. Its not known at this stage how many other countries will have these price reductions. 

 

Google says on its own official blog  “We’ll also be offering some special collections like 25 movies you must own, 25 banned books, 25 albums that changed the world and our 25 top-selling magazines, all at special prices,”.

Google’s director of digital content Jamie Rosenberg says that “25 billion is more than twice the distance, in miles, than the Voyager 1 spacecraft has travelled since its launch 35 years ago,” .

“It’s the amount of time, in minutes, that have passed since some of our earliest ancestors began to set foot in Europe. And now, thanks to all of you, it’s a Google Play milestone. We look forward to the next 25 billion.”

He concludes by saying “We look forward to the next 25 billion,”.

Source:Androids official blog

Google is now not too far behind apples 700,000 apps although its worth pointing out that 250,000 of those apps where specifically designed for the iPad. However apples app store did reach the 25 billion mark in early March that was nearly 7 months before Google gave its own update on Wednesday. However if you just take into account phone apps the Google play store has probably more apps available than the app store which is a milestone in it’s self. This is largely due to the fact that the Google play store has fewer tablet apps available. But still the app store has the upper edge it still has more of a selection  of more quality built apps and games than the Google play store.

UPDATE: The UK Play store does have discounts, with UK users paying 25p for select apps

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Android Tagged With: , , ,

Sprint announces more new locations that will carry their 4g service

September 25, 2012 by

The US mobile carrier Sprint has announced that 5 new cities have been added that will offer their 4G LTE network. These places are as follows:

  • Lawrence, KS
  • Topeka, KS
  • Wichita, KS
  • Waukegan-Lake County, IL
  • Barnstable-Hyannis/Mid-Cape, MA

This stage of their roll out of their LTE coverage represents part of the goal of reaching over 100 cities within the next few months, these locations join the other 19 towns and cities that have been added.

So the list of towns and cities that offer the Sprints 4G LTE service at the moment is as follows:

Atlanta, Ga.; Athens, Ga.; Baltimore; Barnstable-Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Calhoun, Ga.; Carrollton, Ga.; Gainesville, Ga.; Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; Granbury-Hood County, Texas; Houston; Huntsville, Texas; Lawrence, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.-Kan.; Manhattan/Junction City, Kan.; Newnan, Ga.; Rome, Ga.; San Antonio, Texas; Sedalia, Mo.; St. Joseph, Mo.; Topeka, Kan.; Waco, Texas; Waukegan-Lake County, Ill.; and Wichita, Kan.

Read the press release below, which is taken from Yahoo news:

 

Truly Unlimited Sprint 4G LTE Blazes into More Cities – Brings Power, Simplicity and Value

Customers in parts of Kansas, Illinois and Massachusetts to benefit from Sprint’s all-new 4G LTE network

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), September 24, 2012 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced availability of 4G LTE to customers in Lawrence, Kan.; Topeka, Kan.; Wichita, Kan.; Waukegan-Lake County, Ill.; and Barnstable-Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass. Sprint’s wireless customers in these metro areas will benefit from the speed, value and simplicity of the Sprint 4G LTE experience. Through its exceptional selection of smartphones and a Truly UnlimitedSM data plan, Sprint offers an unbeatable package for wireless users.

“In addition to the 19 cities we have already launched, we recently announced that Sprint 4G LTE will be available in more than 100 cities in the coming months,” said Bob Azzi, senior vice president-Network, Sprint. “Today’s news moves us even further toward achieving that goal. We strive to deliver a top-notch network experience combined with winning devices and unlimited nationwide data plans – all of which are designed to support the ways our customers use their mobile devices today and tomorrow.”

A strong, robust wireless network is increasingly important as wireless users want to access emails quickly, upload photos/videos to friends and family, and routinely check in with social networks – all on their smartphone. Keeping up with current wireless data usage and looking into the future, Sprint is building an all-new 3G and 4G LTE network as part of a strategy known as Network Vision. This network build-out is expected to improve all aspects of the wireless experience for customers.

Today, some customers in parts of Chicago, Los Angeles and New York are experiencing better 3G service thanks to the start of the Network Vision program in those areas. Additionally, customers in areas of Baltimore, Boston and Washington, D.C., have been enjoying enhanced 3G performance. As Network Vision continues to rollout across the country, Sprint customers will see significant improvement in their 3G network experience, including expanded coverage, improved network reliability, better voice quality, and faster 3G data speeds.

Sprint understands the value of a Truly Unlimited experience. Sprint offers a portfolio of 4G LTE-capable devices, which includes powerhouse smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy S® III, Motorola PHOTON™ Q™ 4G LTE and the new iPhone™ 5. Customers can sign up for an Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM, which includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $79.99 per month for smartphones – a savings of $20 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB Web (excludes taxes and surcharges). Customers value Truly Unlimited data, because it’s simple and straightforward – no metering, no throttling or overages, and no need to share minutes or data, all while on the Sprint network.

Additionally, the 2012 American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years.

With today’s announcement, Sprint 4G LTE is available in 24 cities and is expected to be in more than 100 additional cities in coming months. Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and expects to have largely completed the nationwide build-out by the end of 2013. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint’s 4G LTE portfolio and roll out, visit www.sprint.com/4G LTE.

Filed Under: Other tech news and developments Tagged With: , ,

Apple maps are a let down here is how to get Google maps back

September 23, 2012 by

Since the update of iOS  6 Apple user have lost the familiar Google maps software on their apple devices only to find out that apples replacement map service is an inferior product. Many users are finding that the new maps are lacking in detail and are sometimes not even completed. For example some of the London maps are missing the tube stations and other vital landmark points that are essential for navigation. Some of the digital maps are also incomplete and blurry. Also another major complaint is with the maps location feature, some users have reported that it does not  always locate you accurately.    

If you want to revert to Google maps service a website called Pocket lint has found a temporary solution, while we wait for Google to bring out an iOS map app. Here is how:

Step 1

Open up Safari, and enter the url maps.google.co.uk or maps.google.com

Step 2

Click okay when the Notification pop up appears asking whether you are happy for “https://maps.google.co.uk” to use your current location.

Step 3

When the page finishes loading, click on the share icon in the centre of the menu bar at the bottom and click on the “Add to Home Screen Icon”, on the next pane click “Add” in the top right hand corner.

Step 4

You are done. When you want to find yourself you can simply click on this icon and as long as you have internet access you’ll be able to use the Google Mapping service.  

Source: Pocket lint

Filed Under: Apple, Other tech news and developments Tagged With: , ,

Is the iPhone 5 worth the upgrade

September 22, 2012 by

Is the iPhone 5 worth the upgrade, the answer is yes and no. If you want a faster phone, 4g,  a larger screen in a lighter and thinner form factor then go for it. But if you want to make use of NFC technology and connect it to your tv , then don’t go for the upgrade. Even the 4g option is not available for certain networks around the world, due to the phone not being able to receive all the 4g frequencies around the world. People who want these extra features will have to wait until next September or October for the iPhone 5S to come out. It worth pointing out that Apple is bringing out a special hdmi adapter that will bring tv out functionality to the phone in a couple of months. Its also possible once there is a jailbreak option for the phone, there will be a jailbreak solution that will enable you to use an existing 30 pin hdmi adapter with the new  lightning port adapter.

 

 

Some commentators have said the new iPhone 5 is just a longer version of the iPhone 4S, but it’s obviously much more than that. If people choose to upgrade it will be a simply a subjective choice based on what they want to do with the phone, if a person wants to make use of NFC technology and use the phone with a sd card and  for internet browsing then go for the Samsung Galaxy s3, due to the extra real estate on the screen and the other extra features it has.

 

Filed Under: Iphone XS and G8 news Tagged With:

Galaxy S4 set for release in March

September 18, 2012 by

Samsung is set to release the Samsung Galaxy S4 in March next year.  The Korea Times claims that an unnamed company official said it will be announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February in Barcelona next year. 

This phone is rumoured to come packed with LTE technology and a  5 inch display, which will come in an even thinner case.  Also the processor is likely to get a bump up from  the current 1.4GHz quad-core offering.  Samsung is also considering using a Oled display, but it is not certain at the moment due to Samsung experiencing production issues with the technology. 

This follows the success of the Samsung Galaxy S3, which has sold more than 20 million since the phone was released back in May.

This news comes at the back of the recent release of the iPhone 5, which has experienced pre orders of just over 2 million in just 24 hours worldwide, which is double the rate of that of the iPhone 4S when it was released last year. Whether the Samsung Galaxy 4S will be able to top that remains to be seen. The iPhone 5 has one major thing going for it that the Samsung Galaxy s4 dose not have that is its smaller form factor, which many people prefer.  Apple also has a few things going for it that Samsung dos sent have which are likely to have a further impact on sales, that is a cult following and the ability to create a wow factor with its products even though their products are not always the most innovative products.  

 

 

Filed Under: Android Tagged With:

The iPhone 5 launched last night

September 13, 2012 by

Most of the iPhone 5 rumours about the specs of the phone have turned out to be mostly true, after its announcement last night at the special event special held by Apple in  San Francisco California.

The only rumour that did not come true was the use of NFC technology. The rumours  that did come true were, 4 inch screen, faster processor, smaller dock connector and LTE technology. 

The iPhone 5 in fact looks identical to the leaked photos that have been previously floating around the inter net. 

The iPhone 5 will be a phenomenal success, because it’s design is revolutionary. It will easily be able to compete with likes of the Samsung Galaxy s3, due to it having a super fast dual core A6  quad core cpu, a much better form factor and a better display that will offer an unmatched, 4-inch Retina display that is capable of displaying 326 pixels per inch with a resolution of 1136 x 640. This phone will be one of the worlds thinnest phones at just at 7.6mm in depth. The phone will also be 12 grams lighter and 20% lighter than the iPhone 4S and it will be also lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S3 too. 

Apple have also announced that this device will also come packed with a new nano sim format, which could course potential problems. Because it not known at the moment if it will be possible to cut a regular sim down to that format. If you cannot cut your regular sim down  to that format then its possible that the iPhone 5 will not be available on certain telephone companies, due to them not intending to sell the new sim format.  It would have been better for Apple to stick with the new micro sim format, this could potentially cost apple money in terms of sales. 

 

The iPhone 5 will likely course controversy within the UK, because the 4g will only work on some of the networks, due to the phone only being capable of receiving certain 4g frequencies. Vodafone and  02 seem to be the ones left out in the cold, while 3 UK and Orange/T-mobile owned by Everywhere and Everywhere will work on the iPhone. 02 and Vodafone customers will need to wait until the iPhone 5S comes out, which will probably support all 4g services.

 

The new iPhone 5 will be available from September the 21st  from various countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore. Then after that date it will ship to 22 more countries from the 28th of September. These countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.  No other announcement has been made concerning other countries around the world. This phone will also come with iOS 6 pre installed. 

 

 

Filed Under: Apple Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The iPhone 5 world release date is now sooner than thought

September 12, 2012 by

The iPhone UK release date could now be as soon as September 21 according to insiders in the mobile industry, who have informed the The Telegraph.

It was previously thought that it was being released in the US on the 21st of September and in the UK and in other countries around the world sometime in October. 

The iPhone 5 is expected to be revealed tonight at a special event in San Francisco along with the release dates of the device. Tonight we will finally find out if all the rumours that have been flying around concerning the devices specs are true or not. Don’t be shocked if many of the rumours turn out not to be true.  The rumours  that have the highest chances of getting to the new iPhone 5 are a 4 inch screen, faster processor, smaller dock connector,NFC and LTE technology. 

Anyway we don’t have much longer to wait now.

Filed Under: Apple Tagged With:

Amazon to launch the Kindle Fire HD September 6

September 10, 2012 by

Amazon is launching the new Kindle Fire HD soon it was announced at the at its press conference in Santa Monica on September 6.

The screen of the tablet will now offer a pronominal screen, which will be of 1920×1200 resolution capable of hosting images in 254 ppi. The screen will also come offered in 7 or 8.9 inch screen versions. The new screen will also be laminated with a special coating, which will make it easier to read and give you a better screen contrast ratio.

The speakers will sound better too, they will now come with Dolby Digital Plus. They will also feature a camera and Bluetooth for sharing digital media. 

The new device will have a better WiFi performance, a longer battery life and will be much more nippy than its predecessor, thanks to twice the ram and a new 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP4460 processor that contains an Imagination PowerVR 3D graphics core for fast and fluid performance. However even after this hardware upgrade its will be still no match for for it’s rival the Nexus 7 that comes that comes with 1gb of ram and a Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core chip, that is clocked at 1.3GHz. 

There is also a 4g version planned but that is being being launched at a later date, which will come with better storage options such as 32gb and 64gb. 

The user will get access to the Whisper Sync service on this new device, which has been recently expanded to games and audio books, that allows the users to pick up where they left across different devices.

This appears to be a nice overall upgrade, but some things are still seriously lacking, such as the inability to upgrade the memory, due to their being no sd card slot on the device. If you need a lot of memory then consider something else.

There will be a none HD version offered too that is a slightly upgraded version of its predecessor, that will come with twice the ram and a better battery.

The new 7-inch Kindle Fire HD 16GB and 32GB will cost consumers $199 and $249, respectively, while the the 8.9-inch model will be priced at $299 (£187). They will be available to pre order now and will ship on November 20 in the US.

The 4G LTE version pricing will begin from $499 for the 32GB model and $599 for the 64GB model. AT&T will be offering data plans costing $49.99 per year with a monthly data cap of 250MB, 20GB of cloud storage, and a $10 Appstore credit with those devices.

The 7-inch model will be available at $199 (£124) for a 16GB model. The 8.9-inch model will be priced at $299 (£187). They will be available to pre order now and will ship on November 20 in the US. Those 

In the UK the 7inch version of Kindle Fire HD will be sold in the UK at £159 and the none HD version will be sold at £129 in the UK and they it will ship October 25. No details as of yet for the 8.9 inch version have been released.


 

 

 

Filed Under: Other tech news and developments Tagged With: , ,

More new images of the rumoured iPhone 5 are released ahead of apples Septemeber 12 event

September 8, 2012 by

 

 

 

 

 

 

More new images of the rumoured iPhone 5 are released ahead of apples Septemeber 12 event. 

Most of these new photos that have emerged recently seem to indicate that the new model is coming with a 4 inch 16:9 screen a new smaller 9 pin dock connector and a longer form factor, other specifications are not as certain to be included in the new iPhone. Some rumours have suggested that the phone could come with NFC technology and 4g technology, however even if they include 4g in the phone it is not known if the phone will work or not in the UK due to the US using a different frequency range for its 4g services. 

Anyway we don’t have much time to wait now to see whether any of these rumour are true. Be prepared to see a few surprises thrown in Apple are good a keeping secrets.  If most of these rumours turn out to be true then the new iPhone will probably become the best selling phone in history. It will easily be more popular than Googles current flagship phone the Galaxy s3, due to the form factor and the software it runs on.

Filed Under: Iphone XS and G8 news Tagged With: , ,