Dell: We can do things with Android we can’t with Windows

The mobile OS race is usually a case of iOS vs Android, but with some manufacturers still backing Microsoft there is a third challenger to the tablet crown, at least for now. Despite the likes of the Surface Pro 3 and Nokia Lumia 2520, Windows is on the wane in the tablet space.Dell, a former giant of the PC market, has a couple tablets running Microsoft’s finest OS, but says Android offers a broader...
readmore »»  

Android Wear Update: What's New?

Sony SmartWatch 3 with Android WearGoogle’s smartwatch OS gets its first major updateGoogle has launched the first major update for its Android Wear smartwatch OS, and it brings a couple of interesting new features for those with the hardware to exploit them.It hasn’t been plain sailing for Android Wear since its launch in March of this year. None of the hardware that runs Google's bold smartwatch...
readmore »»  

What is Apple SIM? A guide to the new iPad's killer feature

Apple's quiet assault on the humble SIM When Apple announced the iPad Air 2 last week, the focus was firmly on its super-skinny body, its potent A8X CPU, its Touch ID sensor, and its improved 8-megapixel camera. It was easy to overlook what could be the most important innovation of the lot.We’re talking about Apple SIM, an unexpected stride towards a totally SIM-less future that launches on both the...
readmore »»  

Nest buys up Revolv to boost Google’s smart home drive

Revolv home automation hubGoogle-owned connected home pioneer Nest has announced it has acquired Revolv, the maker of a home automation hub. The Revolv unit allows owners to control all of the connected tech in their house via a Wi-Fi connection, but will be removed from sale as a result of the acquisition.Those folks who’ve already purchased a Revolv unit and enjoy using the app will still be able...
readmore »»  

iTunes Music sales down 14 per cent as Apple prepares to ‘fold in’ Beats Music

Beats Music is likely to fold into iTunes next yearDigital music sales from Apple’s iTunes Store have dropped by a whopping 13 to 14 per cent since the start of 2014 according to The Wall Street Journal . Sources ‘familiar with the situation’ claim there's been a much greater drop-off in sales compared to 2013, when the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry cited revenue from overall...
readmore »»  

Amazon’s Android app has built in access to rival Appstore

The Amazon App Store is built into the Kindle FireThe newest version of the Amazon app for Android devices actually allows users to download applications from Amazon’s Appstore, the rival platform which competes with Google’s own Play Store. TechCrunch has unearthed a working version of the Amazon Appstore, which has been available since the firm’s last update in early September and has apparently...
readmore »»  

Note 4 sales lower than early Note 3 interest

Early Galaxy Note 4 sales have slumped below expectations, latest reports have suggested. With Samsung’s fourth-generation phablet having been formally unveiled at IFA 2014 early last month, reports from Korean media have claimed the 5.7-inch device has shifted 4.5 million units during its opening month on sale.While this is a far from insignificant figure, it marks a drop of 500,000 units on the...
readmore »»  

Synology DiskStation DS415+ Review

What is the Synology DS415+?This is the small business focused four-bay follow up to the DS414 (a 'DS415' is due soon). The critical difference here is the DS415+ is optimised for encryption while it still delivers the same multimedia expertise as its consumer-focused stable mate. To coincide with this comes a change of chipset and a higher asking price, so is it worth it?Synology DS415+: DesignMore...
readmore »»  

Google wants Android Wear smartwatches to be iOS compatible

Google is looking into making Android Wear smartwatches iOS compatible, the company’s product manager has revealed. In a move that would allow the likes of the Moto 360 to be synced with your new iPhone 6, Google has suggested it hopes to bring further platform support to its new wearable OS.“We always want as many users as possible to enjoy our experience, so in terms of enabling more people to use...
readmore »»  

Samsung Galaxy S5 to get Android 5.0 Lollipop in December

Owners of the Samsung Galaxy S5 should expect to see an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop in December. Previous reports suggested that the OS upgrade could land in late November, but the latest rumours suggest December is more likely.The news comes courtesy of SamMobile, which attributes the new information to its sources.The site also notes that although the release date for Android 5.0 might be in...
readmore »»  

UK job centres set for digital revamp

The UK government is going to pour cash into job centres in hopes of bringing them into the 21st century. The move comes courtesy of the Department for Work and Pensions, which claims the digital upgrades will create savings to the tune of £2m each year.Job centres nationwide will soon be equipped with electronic pads that use biometric technology to register and recognise job-hunter signatures.These...
readmore »»  

Queen opens Science Museum gallery, sends her first tweet

Her Majesty the Queen has sent her first personal tweet. She appeared at The Science Museum to open an exhibition entitled The Information Age. She used a tablet to send the tweet from her official twitter account @BritishMonarchy.It reads: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R."She had just toured the...
readmore »»  

Google sends out second wave of invites for Inbox

Google has sent out a fresh round of invites for its new Inbox by Gmail service. The new e-mail platform is being rolled out on an exclusive, invite-only basis.Google only announced the app two days ago, but it’s already pushing out a second wave of invitations.The search engine giant tweeted this last night: “The second round of invites have left the building. Check your Gmail. Didn’t get one? Hang...
readmore »»  

LG G3 rumoured to get Android Lollipop before the end of the year

Not long before it gets the Kojak treatmentAndroid Lollipop is so close we can almost taste it. Previously, LG has said it has no news on when its flagship – the G3 – will get the update. But now it seems that's changed. According to Dutch site TechTastic, LG has confirmed the update will hit the G3 before the end of the year. The report doesn't name a specific spokesperson, or say how the information...
readmore »»  

Etsy launches free credit card reader for your smartphone

Etsy has made available its very own card reader, giving its loyal sellers the opportunity to make real-world sales. The reader is very much the same as Square’s card reader, and will work Android and iOS.You don’t have to pay to get one of Etsy’s new readers, but there is a processing fee of 2.75 cents per swipe. If a buyer needs to enter a PIN number, this fee switches to 3 per cent plus $0.25.The...
readmore »»  

Sky announces limited edition Now TV designs for Christmas

Sky has has announced a range of new themed Now TV boxes aimed at capturing the Christmas spirit. These five new Now TV boxes are functionally identical to the default white Now TV box, but sport bright new limited edition designs.Sky calls them "the ideal stocking filler" for this festive period. Better put those marble maze games and tiny packets of Haribo back under the bed before you embarrass...
readmore »»  

Hailo lets you pay for a hailed cab without cash

Jump in and pay through the appIn a hurry but you're short of cash? Not to worry. Now if you hail a Hailo cab in the street, you can still pay for it without needing notes and coins. Before, you could only pay through the app if you'd hailed the cab through it. But no longer, thanks to Pay with Hailo.It's not all good news, however. The cab must be a Hailo one, and you will incur a 50p charge.Just...
readmore »»  

Apple and GT Advanced settle over sapphire glass controversy

Apple Watch - set to be covered by sapphire glassApple and GT have reached a settlement over the recent controversy surrounding sapphire glass production.The recent issues between Apple and its sapphire glass production partner saw Apple without the vast quantities of sapphire glass it had invested heavily in, and manufacturer GT Advanced declaring bankruptcy.GT Advanced has confirmed that it will...
readmore »»  

Meet Carvey, the easy-to-use 3D carving machine

They might be cheaper than ever and small enough to fit on a desktop, but 3D printers still haven't really captured the public's imagination. This device is looking to change that. It's a 3D carving machine, so it works a little differently to a 3D printer. But the end result is the same: a product that you design and build yourself.Here's how it works. First, design your object. Carvey comes with...
readmore »»  

iPhone 6 Plus vs Nexus 6

Battle of the super-sized flagship phonesWith the launch of the Nexus 6, Google no longer seems content to offer high-value Android hardware. It’s gunning for the premium crown.Add in its ample proportions and 6-inch display, and it becomes clear that the Nexus 6 is contending directly with the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple’s huge new phablet.So which is shaping up to be the best bet?iPhone 6 Plus vs Nexus...
readmore »»  

LG confirms NUCLUN CPU and first phone to be powered by it

NUCLUN chip with LG G3 ScreenLG has officially announced its first mobile CPU, called NUCLUN, as well as the first smartphone to be powered by it, the LG G3 Screen. There have been rumours of LG's efforts to produce its own mobile CPU for some time now, with the most recent coming earlier in the week.Sure enough, LG has announced the NUCLUN - the company's very own System on Chip (SoC) - as well as...
readmore »»  

Microsoft reports 127 per cent rise in Surface sales

Microsoft's own computing line rises to the SurfaceMicrosoft’s Surface tablets finally appear to be resonating with consumers in a big way, with the tech giant reporting a revenue increase of 127 per cent for the range. The launch of the highly-rated Surface Pro 3 earlier this year helped to significantly boost the Windows 8 hybrid devices to the tune of $908m (£566m) in sales.In an encouraging Q1...
readmore »»  

Amazon takes $170m hit on failed Fire Phone

Amazon has announced it is taking a massive loss on its first smartphones, the Amazon Fire Phone, which failed to resonate with consumers upon its launch this summer. Following a disappointing quarterly earnings reports, the online retailer turned gadget peddler admitted it would write-off $170m (around £106m) on the device.The company began selling the phone for $199 (around £120m) with the AT&T...
readmore »»  

What is Google Inbox? A guide to Google's new email app

The minds behind Gmail create a potential Gmail killerGoogle has announced Google Inbox, an intriguing new email app for Chrome, Android, and iOS.But wait - hasn’t Google already got an email app? Yep, and the Gmail app is one of the best at what it does.Here’s the thing, though: what Gmail does - what EVERY traditional email service does - isn’t as useful as it used to be. In an age where we’re bombarded...
readmore »»  

PS4 update 2.0 release date confirmed

Sony has finally confirmed the PS4 update 2.0 release date, with only days to wait until some great new features. Over two months after it was officially announced at GamesCom, Sony has revealed the PS4 update 2.0 download will be available on Tuesday, October 28."PS4's next software update, Masamune, will be available on 10/28," came the PlayStation US tweet. "Includes Share Play, USB Music Player...
readmore »»  

Bluesmart suitcase has a GPS tracker, Bluetooth proximity sensor and built-in scale

Bluesmart connected suitcaseThere are countless tablets, readers, media players and noise cancelling headphones aimed at aiding our journeys, but until now the humble suitcase has largely escaped the high-tech travel revolution. One start-up aims to change all that with the high tech Bluesmart carry-on case, which is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones.The Bluesmart features a Bluetooth proximity...
readmore »»